rugby – Page 25

Wallabies strive to show improvement vs NZ in 3rd Bledisloe

The Wallabies have a chance to administer a shot in the arm to Australian rugby when they play the All Blacks in the third Bledisloe Cup test at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

Sopoaga named at 10 in All Blacks team to play Australia

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand flyhalf Lima Sopoaga will start a test for the first time since his debut in 2015 as a replacement for the injured Beauden Barrett in Saturday’s third Bledisloe Cup test against Australia at Brisbane.

Australia to host 1st 3-test series vs Ireland next June

SYDNEY (AP) The Wallabies will host Ireland next June in the first ever three-test series for the Lansdowne Cup.

Wales wing North injures knee, out of November tests

Wing George North will miss Wales’ four tests in November and December after hurting his left knee last weekend.

Gatland rules out 3rd stint as British and Irish Lions coach

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) Warren Gatland says he does not want to coach the British and Irish Lions for a third time.

Title won, All Blacks seek more dominance over Springboks

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) With the business of another Rugby Championship title locked up, the All Blacks can move on to something a little more personal: Extending a run of dominance over the Springboks that’s transformed a once-fierce rivalry into a one-sided procession.

Billy Slater to return to the Melbourne Storm next season

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Fullback Billy Slater says he has signed a one-year contract with the Melbourne Storm for the 2018 season to help repay the faith shown in him by the National Rugby League club through his lengthy injury layoff.

New Zealand beats Argentina 36-10 in Rugby Championship

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Captain Kieran Read scored two tries and earned a yellow card as New Zealand flaunted its depth in a 36-10 Rugby Championship win over Argentina.

Vunipola out for 4 months with knee injury

LONDON (AP) England No. 8 Billy Vunipola has been ruled out for four months because of a right-knee injury, meaning he will miss the November test series.

4 Lions players omitted from England rugby training camp

LONDON (AP) Four players who toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions have been omitted from the latest England squad selected for an early-season training camp.

NZ calls 2023 Rugby World Cup bids 'compelling'

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew says all three bids to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup are ”compelling” and New Zealand will be guided by independent advice in deciding which to prefer.

Former South Africa fullback Lionel Wilson dead at 84

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Lionel Wilson, regarded as one of the finest fullbacks to play for South Africa, has died in New Zealand. He was 84.

Australia beats Argentina 45-20 in Rugby Championship

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Fullback Israel Folau scored a try in each half to lead Australia to a 45-20 win over Argentina on Saturday, the Wallabies’ first win in the Rugby Championship.

Cowboys beat Eels to advance to National Rugby League semis

SYDNEY (AP) The North Queensland Cowboys are into the National Rugby League semifinals after overcoming a 10-6 halftime deficit to beat the Parramatta Eels 24-16 in a second-round playoff match Saturday.

Broncos into National Rugby League semis, beat Penrith 13-6

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) The Brisbane Broncos advanced to the National Rugby League semifinals with a 13-6 win over Penrith on Friday.

Warburton to have neck surgery, out of Wales' autumn tests

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) Sam Warburton will miss all of Wales’ autumn internationals after being ruled out for up to four months because of a neck injury.

All Blacks raise their game to beat Argentina 39-22

NEW PLYMOUTH, New Zealand (AP) Flanker Vaea Fifita marked his first test start with a brilliant solo try which lifted New Zealand from the brink of defeat to a 39-22 win over Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Rugby Championship: Australia and South Africa draw 23-23

PERTH, Australia (AP) South Africa overcame a 20-10 deficit in the second half to play to a 23-23 draw with Australia in the Rugby Championship, leaving the Wallabies without a win after three matches.

New Zealand raises its game to beat Argentina 39-22

Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters advance to NRL semifinals

SYDNEY (AP) The Melbourne Storm backed up their first-place credentials from the regular season with an 18-16 win over Parramatta on Saturday to advance to the semifinals in the National Rugby League playoffs.

Simmons signs 2-year Super Rugby contract with Waratahs

SYDNEY (AP) Australia lock Rob Simmons signed a two-year deal Thursday with the New South Wales Waratahs after being released by Super Rugby rival the Queensland Reds.

Saliva samples part of new concussion test in English rugby

LONDON (AP) Spitting into a hand-held device could soon be a way of diagnosing concussions in sports.

Thousands attend funeral of All Blacks great Colin Meads

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) A crowd estimated at several thousand, including the New Zealand Prime Minister and high-profile rugby players, attended the funeral Monday of All Blacks legend Colin Meads.

Boks beat Pumas in Salta to go 2-0 in Rugby Championship

SALTA, Argentina (AP) South Africa played in red and Argentina received a red. It all turned out red for the Pumas.

Hull retain rugby league's Challenge Cup for first time

LONDON (AP) Marc Sneyd’s kicking masterclass helped Hull to successfully defend the Challenge Cup for the first time with an 18-14 victory over Wigan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

New Zealand beats Australia 35-29 in Bledisloe Cup thriller

DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) Flyhalf Beauden Barrett scored a try with two minutes remaining to give the All Blacks a 35-29 win over the Wallabies on Saturday, allowing them to retain the Bledisloe Cup in a classic rugby test.

Wallabies focus on defense ahead of 2nd Bledisloe test

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Wallabies captain Michael Hooper says he was happy to see his teammates’ disappointment after last weekend’s loss to the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup rugby test.

Injured Wallabies lock Coleman to miss Bledisloe Cup test

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Wallabies lock Adam Coleman has been forced to withdraw from Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks because of a shoulder injury.

Teams for Saturday's Australia vs. New Zealand test

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Teams for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship test between Australia and New Zealand at Dunedin:

Wallabies coach Cheika feels fans' ire after test loss

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Wallabies fans have a right to feel disappointed but not angry about the team’s heavy defeat in last weekend’s first Bledisloe Cup test against New Zealand, coach Michael Cheika said Thursday.