Ollie Phillips: All Blacks, Springboks, England and a new dawn October 27, 2023 Beating the Springboks turned out to be a step too far for Steve Borthwick’s England despite the level of experience they took into the Rugby World Cup. But on Saturday, when the Springboks take on New Zealand in the final in Paris, I think the South Africa train will run out of steam. There’s so [...]
Where to watch the Rugby World Cup final in London this weekend October 26, 2023 It is here, the finals weekend of the Rugby World Cup. Tomorrow England are in action ahead of Saturday’s final between South Africa and New Zealand. Here are Morning Wire’s top London spots to take in the action. Nordic Bar, Fitzrova This new listing in the heart of London looks to be a great addition [...]
Tom Curry fiasco: Fans must let due process run its course and refrain from launching vile attacks October 26, 2023 Far too much of this week’s X (formerly Twitter) timeline was full of abuse towards England flanker Tom Curry, for following through what he thought was a racial slur directed towards him and reporting it – something we should encourage. During Saturday’s Rugby World Cup match between England and South Africa, which the Springboks won [...]
Sale launch strong defence of Curry as England star handed 50th cap amid Mbonambi race row October 25, 2023 Sale Sharks have issued a strong statement in support of their England international Tom Curry, who is at the centre of a race row involving South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi. In a powerful statement, Sale said: “Sale Sharks’ owners, players, coaches and staff are absolutely appalled by the nature and level of disgusting abuse directed [...]
Rugby World Cup expansion welcome but err on the side of caution October 25, 2023 In the depths of the destructive World Rugby announcement that is set to partition the best rugby teams from the aspiring ones there was one shining light: the 2027 World Cup will have 24 teams rather than 20. It is a move that has been long called for and should at least ease the pain [...]
World Rugby’s new two-tier competition has been branded “ridiculous, shameful, farcical and scandalous” by a former US coach October 24, 2023 World Rugby’s new two-tier competition has been branded “ridiculous, shameful, farcical and scandalous” by a former United States international coach after the sport’s major nations voted in a closed-shop system until 2030. A new global competition due to begin in 2026 will see the six Six Nations teams, four Rugby Championship sides, Fiji and Japan [...]
England Rugby lodge complaint over South Africa alleged “White C***” slur October 24, 2023 England Rugby have officially filed a complaint over Bongi Mbonambi’s alleged racial “white c***” slur against Tom Curry, Morning Wire can reveal. Sources close to the situation have confirmed that the Rugby Football Union have officially filed a complaint. The move takes the issue beyond the realms of disciplinary and citing commissioners and into the [...]
Curry race row: Mbonambi given glowing reference by coach October 23, 2023 A South African coach has praised the character hooker Bongi Mbonambi after he was accused of pointing a racial slur at England’s Ben Curry in the Springboks’ 16-15 World Cup semi-final win. Mbonambi was accused of calling Curry a “white c***” in audio picked up on the microphone of referee Ben O’Keeffe on Saturday night [...]
Rugby race scandal: Morning deadline to report alleged slur to England player by South Africa hooker October 23, 2023 England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa on Saturday has descended into a race scandal after Red Rose flanker Tom Curry accused Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi of using a racial slur against him. South Africa fought back to beat England 16-15 in Paris on Saturday to book themselves a spot in the World Cup [...]
England: Where does team go now after Rugby World Cup exit? October 23, 2023 England produced their best performance of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday but fell to a 16-15 defeat at the hands of reigning champions South Africa in Paris. Here are three takeaways from the hard-fought semi-final. Beef with O’Keeffe Scrums are difficult things to understand at the best of times but on occasion the dark [...]