Recent test series' in the Southern Hemisphere have shown that world rugby could be facing a crisis unless a global season is agreed to. Posted June 10, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
The fuddy-duddy tournament organisers have stopped England's opponents from sprouting a green look for tonight's winner-take-all qualifier. Maybe the parting comment should come from the Bar-bars. . . Posted September 28, 2007 by Donna Gee
The World Cup is well under way in France – but the game's authorities could be doing more to ensure the sport is clean of drugs. Posted September 14, 2007 by Robin Parisotto
The IRB Pacific Nations Cup and Churchill Cup will be the launching pads for a new generation of All Blacks. Posted May 24, 2007 by Scott Donaldson
The Kiwis have become the third country after Scotland and Australia to try out the International Rugby Board's Experimental Law Variations. And the initial vibes are good. Posted May 24, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
An IRB judicial hearing in Paris has suspended All Black Sione Lauaki for two weeks for a dangerous tackle - ruling him out until the Final. Since no one was hurt, it seems harsh punishment indeed. Posted October 02, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
The Wellington leg of the IRB Sevens World Series gets under way on Friday with the host nation defending a perfect record. For the fans, it all means costumes, drinking, dancing and maybe watching a little rugby. More... Posted January 30, 2008 by Hamish McBrearty
The Springboks hold the mantle of World Champions – whilst New Zealand rank a close second. But with the Southern Hemisphere international season still in its infancy, where do the nations stand? Posted April 18, 2008 by James Mortimer
Can the International Rugby Board do as bad a job with their World Cup as the ICC are doing with theirs? Or will they learn? Posted April 12, 2007 by Lindsay Cohen
In-form South Africa look most likely to upset New Zealand come the autumn. But will they peak too early? And which other countries are in the mix? Posted May 31, 2007 by Peter Sickle
The men from South America may have bowed out of the World Cup, but they are rising stars in the global rugby landscape. It's time to give them a slot in one of the major competitions. Posted October 15, 2007 by Darren Maslin
The seeding system for the next Rugby World Cup has changed, and new boss Martin Johnson needs to make a winning start to avoid a Group of Death. Posted April 19, 2008 by James Hutchison
Wayne Barnes' poor performance in the New Zealand-France quarter final has highlighted the IRB's failings in choice of officials for top games. Political appointments should give way to performance. Posted October 21, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
Rugby Union's governing body are keen to take the emphasis off defence-orientated play - but at least one coach believes 2008 is not the right time to introduce experimentation into Super 14. Posted October 23, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
The Springboks have the weakest relative position amongst the top teams, so isn't it time the World Champions had a bigger say in what goes on in the game? Posted May 16, 2008 by Greg Smith
The Six Nations champions are now up to sixth in the IRB rankings and they look in fine shape to take on the World Cup winners in South Africa this summer. Posted April 17, 2008 by Dave Griffiths
Barring a massive upset by Wales next week, South Africa will close the year as the IRB's top Rugby Union nation - despite New Zealand's last four years of dominance. Posted November 16, 2007 by James Mortimer
The IRB are trying out ways to encourage more ball-in-hand rugby in the Super 14s. But if the game ain't broke, what is there to fix? Posted April 25, 2008 by Dave Griffiths
England, Australia and the world have stuttered against New Zealand's dominance and growth and have been left behind. But the fast-emerging Pumas deserve more recognition from the IRB. Posted September 14, 2007 by James Mortimer
Our resident South African crusader goes on a Bender as he laments an 'annus horribilis' for the 2007 Rugby World Cup winners... Posted September 27, 2008 by Greg Smith
The Springboks are out to widen their catchment area and assert their dominance as world champions and No.1 in the IRB rankings. Posted May 25, 2008 by Greg Smith
With the 2007 tournament only a matter of days away, our refereeing expert asks what we should expect from the guys in the middle. Posted August 30, 2007 by ROGER NAISH
A team with pace, power, guile and experience is a coach’s dream - and Matt Genner reckons these 15 All Black-dominated giants are the best on the planet. Posted August 08, 2007 by Matt Genner
Getting the world number twos back up to top speed is a South African priority before the next Rugby World Cup Posted May 24, 2008 by Greg Smith
Until 1924, rugby union was an Olympic sport and it's time it was reinstated as a Sevens event. With no fewer than 96 international sides making up the IRB rankings, the case is overwhelming. Posted July 06, 2008 by Iestyn Stevens
Two defeats in three Tri-Nations games is hardly the best CV for the side ranked No.1 by the IRB. South Africa can only justify that status by dominating the game home and away for the next 18 months. Posted July 21, 2008 by Iestyn Stevens
Springboks fan Greg Smith reckons dethroning the IRB's number one nation and current World Cup holders is going to take fallen challengers New Zealand more than a season of Super 14 rugby. Posted May 30, 2008 by Greg Smith
The Pumas' impressive performance in the World Cup demands inclusion in a major tournament. The question is which of the two hemispheres would suit them better. Posted October 16, 2007 by Graham Smith
The facts speak for themselves; in a straight fight, South Africa are stronger than the mighty New Zealanders right now. Posted June 19, 2008 by Sean Bowman
The All Blacks, Springboks, Aussies, France, England and Wales are involved in warm-up games and final squads will soon be announced. But let's not forget The Whistler. Posted August 01, 2007 by ROGER NAISH
RWC officials have clearly been given a mandate to deal with foul play harshly. It's their big chance to demonstrate to potential new fans that rugby is a game where thuggery and rule-breaking will not be tolerated. Posted September 10, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
The bitter taste of defeat in '74 still rankles with this fervent Springbok fan, who sees worrying signs of the Brits calling the shots – like they used to call '99'. Posted September 26, 2008 by Greg Smith