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South Africa v British & Irish Lions
Springboks seek first-ever whitewash in 118 years of fixtures
between the two sides.
Springbok Botha loses appeal
South Africa will be without lock Bakkies Botha for the third rugby Test against the British and Irish Lions here on Saturday after his appeal against a two-week ban for a dangerous charge was rejected.
Tuqiri's return would mean a significant haircut
There is no chance of Lote Tuqiri returning to the NRL unless he cops a huge pay decrease, writes Glenn Jackson.
Junior All Blacks beat Tonga in Pacific Nations
The Junior All Blacks maintained their unbeaten record in the Pacific Nations Cup, setting the seal on their series victory with a 47-25 win over Tonga here Thursday.
Lions ready to avert whitewash: Rowntree
The British and Irish Lions are physically and emotionally ready to avert a first-ever series whitewash at Springbok hands in the third and final Test at Ellis Park on Saturday.
France Prime Minister apologies
Prime Minister John Key on Thursday said it was time for New Zealand and France to move on after his French counterpart Francois Fillon apologised over the Mathieu Bastareaud controversy.
IRB promises crackdown on eye gouging
The International Rugby Board has vowed to "eradicate" the "particularly heinous" act of eye-gouging.
Dumped Tuqiri sends Sailor SOS SMS
Lote Tuqiri has sent his close friend and former teammate Wendell
Sailor a text message for advice following the shock termination of
his lucrative Australian Rugby Union (ARU) contract.
Mystery sacking: Tuqiri to fight ARU
Lote Tuqiri's days as a Wallaby and Waratah are over, after the
Australian Rugby Union last night terminated his
multi-million-dollar contract for unspecified reasons.
Pocock no longer sleeps with gun under bed
Taking on international forward packs holds no fear for David
Pocock after what he's already been through, writes Greg Growden.
O'Driscoll ruled out of tour
Ireland captain will fly home before the final Test against South
Africa on Saturday in Johannesburg.
Springboks to appeal Botha ban
The Springboks are to appeal the two-week ban lock Bakkies Botha
received for a dangerous charge on Adam Jones in the second Test on
the weekend.
Bastareaud farce takes a turn towards the tragic
WELLINGTON: French international Mathieu Bastareaud, who claimed he was attacked as he returned to his Wellington hotel, is receiving hospital treatment for psychological problems, says a French media report.
International power rankings
RugbyHeaven ranks the world's top ten teams based on recent
international performances.
Bastareaud hospitalised for psychological problems
France centre Mathieu Bastareaud's problems worsened on Monday when
his club president Max Guazzini revealed that he had been
hospitalised suffering from serious psychological problems.
Palu's likely return even has the backs on edge
THE anticipated return of Waratahs No.8 Wycliff Palu to the Wallabies Tri Nations squad this week has several forwards, in particular Peter Kimlin, and even under-used backs Timana Tahu and Lote Tuqiri fearing they could miss the 30-man cut for the tournament.
Deans raises Australia's IQ
FROM where I was on Saturday, high up in the stands at ANZ Stadium and at the other end of the field, it looked to me that the French player was onside when he intercepted a pass from Luke Burgess and raced away for a certain try. Certain, that is, until English referee Dave Pearson ruled an offside allowing Matt Giteau to kick an easy penalty.
Wallabies get les thumbs up from Traille
THE Wallabies will be right in the mix to challenge for this year's Tri Nations trophy, says French superstar Damien Traille after Les Bleus' 22-6 loss to Australia at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
Fears of eighth straight loss puts Lions' credibility on the line
IT WILL no doubt seem cruel to serve up this statistic after what was an epic game of rugby on Saturday but the Lions have now lost seven Test matches on the trot.
Elsom to miss first date with McCaw
WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans is hoping his team confronts the All Blacks' big two of Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter during the Tri Nations, but is unlikely to have the formidable Rocky Elsom to quell them in the early part of the tournament.
Steyn the hero as Springboks break Lions' hearts
Morne Steyn's last-second 53-metre penalty sealed a dramatic 28-25 victory as South Africa clinched a 2-0 series win over the British and Irish Lions at Loftus Versfeld.
Giteau puts the boot into Frenchmen
THE Wallabies took advantage of France incessantly hearing the sound of referee Dave Pearson's piercing whistle to win a grim and far from glittering Test match at ANZ Stadium last night.
Tired visitors in a spin with Monsieur Matthew's spot of je ne sais quoi
FRENCH coach Marc Lievremont warned of the tendency of his winger Cedric Heymans to come without his A-game in crucial Tests.
All Blacks overcome Italy
On the strength of this Graham Henry has mountains to move ahead of the Tri-Nations. Even with his young lock Isaac Ross turning in a timely virtuoso performance to show there just may be life after Ali Williams.
Playing to win the way for Gower
Not playing to win runs against the Australian sporting grain, which is why Italian rugby playmaker Craig Gower can't fathom some of the things he's reading ahead of the Test against the All Blacks in Christchurch tonight.
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