MELBOURNE - Australia and New Zealand, the top two rugby nations by world ranking, have welcomed a new financial model for World Cup revenue set to boost their shares of takings from the quadrennial showpiece.

The sports global governing body, the International Rugby Board, announced...

WELLINGTON - New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has omitted wingers Zac Guildford and Hosea Gear from a 35-man squad for training camps ahead of the All Blacks' three-test series against Ireland next month, but thrown a lifeline to misfiring backs Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu.

Hansen, who...

WELLINGTON - The Auckland Blues are to advertise immediately for a new head coach for next season after a miserable 2012 Super Rugby campaign, the team said on Wednesday.

Incumbent Pat Lam will remain in charge for the remainder of this campaign and would be "eligible" to apply for...

LONDON - Harlequins and England captain Chris Robshaw was last night named Player of the Season at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards.
Robshaw's England team-mate Owen Farrell, the Saracens fly-half or centre, picked up the Land Rover Discovery of the season award.
And Exeter's Rob...

LONDON - South Africa's three training camps in preparation for England's tour next month have given Heyneke Meyer plenty of confidence, the Springbok coach said on Thursday.
The three-test tour which starts on June 9 in Durban will be Meyer's first in charge of the Springboks and he will be...

LONDON - Former World Cup winner Michael Lynagh may never regain full vision after suffering a significant stroke two weeks ago but doctors remain amazed at the speed of the Australian's recovery after his near-death experience.

The former Wallaby captain and winner of the Webb Ellis...

MELBOURNE - Former England flyhalf Danny Cipriani has left the Melbourne Rebels midway through the Super Rugby season, local media reported on Monday.

The Rebels were not immediately able to confirm the departure of the 24-year-old, who was on a two-year deal with the club which was...

LONDON - Rob Howley, the assistant coach of Six Nations rugby champions Wales, has been named as caretaker coach for their upcoming internationals against the Barbarians and Australia, the Welsh Rugby Union said on Thursday.

Howley will take charge of the side while head coach Warren...

LONDON - England have added two midweek matches to their itinerary for the June tour of South Africa, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced on Tuesday.

England will play against the South Africa Barbarians South in Kimberley on June 13 and the South African Barbarians North...

WELLINGTON - Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland is recovering from leg injuries suffered in a fall at his family beach house in his native New Zealand, the Welsh Rugby Union said on Wednesday.

Gatland was cleaning windows at the Waihi Beach house in the Bay of Plenty when he lost...