When the rookie New Zealand team were forced to play three quarters of the match with 12 men, their job against Australia became impossible. The Kiwis ended up losing by a record 58-0 in Wellington. Posted October 14, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
The divide between Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams has been obvious as the Southern Hemisphere teams have all played well, while the performances from their Northern rivals leaves a lot to be desired. Posted September 10, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
With just over a week of pool matches remaining, have the referees, touch judges, TMOs and citing officers lost the plot? Posted September 20, 2007 by ROGER NAISH
International coaches are under increasing pressure to include top RL stars who switch codes in their teams. But, Jason Robinson apart, they find it a struggle - as England's Andy Farrell is experiencing. Posted September 21, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
In the final instalment of his Keys to Victory series, Hamish McBrearty takes a look at some of the Rugby World Cup's dark horses and how they could derail the likes of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and France. Posted August 13, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
The pundits may believe Wales have absolutely no chance of winning the Webb Ellis Trophy - but impossible dreams have been known to come true. Posted August 15, 2007 by Liz Hinds
WINNERS ANNOUNCED! Posted August 16, 2007 by Sportingo Staff
Winning the World Cup in 2003 was supposed to signal a golden era for Union. But four years on things could not be more different. Posted July 17, 2007 by Dave Doran
Each game has its own qualities, so let's celebrate the fact that Britain invented them - unlike that over-complicated game of rounders the Americans love so much. Posted April 11, 2008 by gerald mclaughlin
After a long season, the play-offs are great for the neutral, less so for the partisans. But there is no doubt these matches generate excitement - witness last year's Conference showdown between Oxford United and Exeter. Posted April 20, 2008 by Peter Evans
Just six weeks to go and rugby fans are divided on who will bring home the William Webb Ellis trophy. The Southern Hemisphere giants are hot favourites - but the road to glory is a tough one. Posted July 29, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
The feeling that the team finishing top of the Guinness Premiership should be declared English Rugby Union champions rather than resorting to play-offs is a valid one. But the rival code has used the play-off system for years - and the fans love it. Posted August 13, 2007 by Gaz Shaw
Chelsea’s challenge to Manchester United’s Premiership legacy is reminiscent of when the Chemics took on the mighty Wigan in their 1980s pomp. Posted May 10, 2007 by Gaz Shaw
Money is all that the administrators care about in a sport that seems more than ever for toffs and for those countries with the greatest financial clout. Posted October 20, 2008 by Greg Smith
Sportingo’s Donna Gee has been involved in the Rugby Union scene for most of her life - and predicts that the oval-ball game - inspired by another amazing World Cup tournament - could replace football as the UK’s No.1 sport. Posted October 18, 2007 by Donna Gee
Rugby nut Greg Smith reckons football is a game for idiots, but where do their oval-ball counterparts stand? He reckons the following ball test will sort out the geniuses from the boneheads... Posted October 04, 2008 by Greg Smith
The World Cup in 2010 will include new facilities and stadia all over the country - and rugby union will undoubtedly benefit. Posted May 14, 2008 by Greg Smith
A veteran Rugby Union fan takes a look at the World Cup action and sees comparisons between the competing nations and the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Blackburn...and Leeds United. Posted September 12, 2007 by Gerry Horsfield
Greg Smith reckons he's found the winners of sport's Derby of Deceit...and it's certainly not football. Posted September 26, 2008 by Greg Smith
Sportingo's Donna Gee suggested in a recent article that Rugby Union and Rugby League should pool their assets and combine. The idea sparked a war of words between fans of both codes and complaints that Donna was biased towards Rugby Union. This is one Rugby League fan's response. . . Posted January 05, 2007 by James Vukmirovic
Aussie rugby legend David Campese reckons the minnows should be turfed out of the World Cup and the tournament reduced to just the best eight teams. Sportingo's Donna Gee puts the case for the little men. Posted September 17, 2007 by Donna Gee
The enigmatic South African coach has assembled a squad of immense talent and renewed the famous Bok rugby spirit. The combination could see the green and gold go all the way. Posted September 23, 2007 by Jacques Van der Merwe
Former England hooker Phil Greening has been ordered by a French civil court to pay France wing Aurelien Rougerie thousands in damages over an incident in a match five years ago. Posted November 20, 2007 by James Mortimer
Most French people still don't know their country is hosting the 2007 Rugby World Cup - so why didn't the organisers make use of Stade Francais owner Max Guazzini's magic touch? Posted July 20, 2007 by mary louis
Progressive steps have been taken to ensure that the future of rugby's second-tier nations in the Pacific is secure with an injection of talent and money. Posted May 28, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
Every World Cup is started with the same whistle - one which is housed in the New Zealand Rugby Museum. Greg Smith just wants to know WHY? Posted September 19, 2008 by Greg Smith
The Northern Hemisphere challenge is all but over. France's New Zealand hoodoo will continue in the quarter-final - and then Australia and South Africa will have it all to do against Graham Henry's world-beaters. Posted September 25, 2007 by James Mortimer
Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has finally seen the light (well, some think so) and set a Tiger on the Pumas. Recalled Leicester fullback Geordan Murphy's attacking flair could yet inspire the Irish to qualify. Posted September 26, 2007 by Donna Gee
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 Middle East minnows' bullish impact on the 2008 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers shows how rugby has really become a global sport. And that goes for both codes. Posted November 03, 2007 by Donna Gee
Captain Rıchıe McCaw summed up New Zealand's RWC despair when he saıd: ''At least we played attractıve rugby." But the All Blacks need a more pragmatıc approach to wınnıng. Posted October 12, 2007 by James Mortimer
The Fiji game may have been exciting to watch, but for Welsh fans the performance and scoreline emphasised what's wrong with the game in the Principality. The rebuilding must start immediately. Posted October 01, 2007 by Liz Hinds