rugby

Community May 2, 2022

Rugby tournament hopes to help kids in need and support mental health services

by David Mcelhinney

With pandemic conditions relaxed somewhat compared to last year, participants hope to make a difference through rugby.

Rugby Oct 21, 2021

Michael Leitch dropped to bench as Japan names squad for Australia test

The match in Oita will be Japan's first at home since losing to South Africa in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Rugby Sep 6, 2021

No relief for embattled Australia as rugby world champions South Africa looms

by Ian Ransom

The Wallabies served up the same array of turnovers, intercept tries and poor decisions seen in the first two tests against the All Blacks.

Rugby Feb 19, 2021

Final Top League set to kick off as rugby clubs eye new era

by Rich Freeman

Beginning next year, the top 25 teams in the nation — 16 from the Top League and nine Top Challenge League sides — will play in a new three-tier competition.

Rugby | Regional Voices: Fukushima Dec 13, 2019

Rising wheelchair rugby star Katsuya Hashimoto looks to show the world what he's made of

At 17 years old, Katsuya Hashimoto is the youngest wheelchair rugby player on the Japanese national team. With less than 300 days until the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, he often pictures himself on the court at the 2020 venue, ready for his ...

National Nov 20, 2019

Japan marks largest drop in foreign visitors in over seven years in October

The number of foreign visitors to Japan marked the largest percentage drop in more than seven years in October with a 5.5 percent year-on-year fall, as a devastating typhoon and a continued plunge in South Korean tourists more than offset positive effects from the ...

National / Media | Japan Pulse Nov 9, 2019

It's time for the Brave Blossoms to be on a level financial playing field

by Kaori Shoji

After six boisterous weeks, the 2019 Rugby World Cup is over. By all accounts, the tournament has been a roaring success, with Nikkei Business estimating that it has injected more than ¥430 billion into the economy. Sadly, it seems, the Japanese national side saw very ...

Rugby Nov 5, 2019

Beauden Barrett backs Ian Foster in New Zealand coaching search

New Zealand fullback Beauden Barrett has voiced his support for Ian Foster's bid to take over from Steve Hansen as All Blacks coach, saying he would like to see "continuity" in the role, local media have reported. Hansen ended his 16-year association with the team ...

Rugby Nov 3, 2019

World champion Springboks hope victory will inspire nation

by Andrew McKirdy

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus expressed hope that his team's victory in the Rugby World Cup final against England on Saturday can inspire his nation, but dismissed the notion that the Springboks were under pressure at the tournament. "In South Africa, pressure is not ...

Rugby Nov 2, 2019

South Africa 32, England 12: Springboks take home RWC trophy for third time

by Andrew McKirdy

South Africa lifted the Rugby World Cup for the third time after a clinical 32-12 victory over England in Saturday's final. The Springboks grinded England down with their awesome forward power combined with metronomic kicking from standoff Handre Pollard, and headed into the final 20 ...

Rugby Nov 2, 2019

New Zealand captain Kieran Read looks forward to starting new chapter in Top League

All Blacks captain Kieran Read closed his test career at the Rugby World Cup on Friday, but said he is looking forward to opening a new chapter of his career in Japan, after spending more than six weeks in the country. Read played his final ...