Loans scrutinised by public accounts committee‘Gap in oversight’ over £123.8m paid to rugby teams There remains a “high degree of uncertainty” over whether tens of millions of pounds paid to rugby union clubs and other sports teams during the Covid-19 pandemic will ever be repaid, the House of Commons’ public accounts committee has warned. In a report published on Wednesday, the committee also criticised the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for being “overly optimistic” in believing it will recover most of the £474m it paid out to 120 organisations in the sport and culture sectors to help them survive the impact of the pandemic. Continue reading...

Six Nations pundits Ugo Monye, Sam Warburton and John Barclay discuss why Louis Bielle-Biarrey was their player of the tournament.

France Louis Bielle-Biarrey wins Six Nations player of the tournament award with 65% share of vote.

When the two fly-halves meet at Croke Park, the result could weigh heavily on Andy Farrell’s selection Sometimes players like to pretend they barely contemplate their direct opponent. That way they can neatly sidestep all external comparisons and inner doubts and concentrate on their own jobs. It is a team game, after all, and it never pays to waste time fretting about things over which you have limited control. Every now and again, though, the “game within a game” duel narrative is unavoidable. Even if Leinster’s pack give a well-stuffed armchair ride to their young fly-half Sam Prendergast on Saturday his Harlequins opposite number, Marcus Smith, will still be expected to make some sort of impact. If not, his chances of being among the chosen few to tour with the British & Irish Lions this summer will recede and Prendergast’s will be suitably enhanced. Continue reading...

NZR had launched legal action over missed paymentDetails of settlement to remain confidential Manchester United co-owner Ineos and New Zealand Rugby have announced a settlement has been reached in their sponsorship contract dispute. In February NZR, the federation responsible for the All Blacks team, said it had launched legal action against Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos after accusing the chemicals firm of failing to pay the first 2025 instalment of a six-year deal. Continue reading...

Josh van der Flier says Leinster are drawing on the experience of two-time World Cup winners Jacques Nienaber and RG Snyman to help end a four-year trophy drought. The post Leinster look to Bok champs for winning edge appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Damian McKenzie has put pen to paper on a new contract with New Zealand Rugby that allows the All Blacks and chiefs playmaker to still explore his options abroad. The post DMac signs long-term deal with a clause appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi recently shared touching moments of bonding with his father, Fezakele Kolisi, affectionately known as Bhut Fay, and his young son, Nicholas.

The Rugby World Cup winner on her journey from traumatic childhood haunted by domestic violence and alcoholism to being a Black Ferns superstar “Oh, mate, absolutely,” Ruby Tui exclaims from the other side of the world when asked if she will be in England for the women’s rugby World Cup this August. “It’s not even a question, bro. I’ll be there supporting my team or I’ll be in my team. Whatever it is, there’s no way you can miss the World Cup 2025.” We’re deep in an interview that began at seven o’clock on a sleepy Monday morning in England, and eight o’clock that evening in New Zealand, and Tui is flying. The most charismatic woman in world rugby has lit up the past 40 minutes with her powerful personal story and electrifying presence. It’s a reminder of how she did the same in November 2022, at Eden Park in Auckland, soon after New Zealand’s Black Ferns had beaten England 34-31 in the greatest game in the history of women’s rugby. Continue reading...

The Springboks Sevens side's Hong Kong curse continued at the weekend where they had to settle for a lowly ninth place.

Libbok is contracted to the Stormers until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup but could miss a chunk of the United Rugby Championship season to earn some yen in the Land of the Rising Sun. The 27-year-old benefits from the SA Rugby PONI system, which means that the union supplements his contract on top of his Stormers salary. However, he is weighing up his options next season and according to a report by South African publication Rapport, at least one Japanese team is interested in adding the 19-Test cap Springbok to their payroll. The Stormers are understood to be willing to let Libbok take up a sabbatical in Japan, considering the loyalty he showed to the franchise when clubs were interested in signing him, including French outfit Racing 92 who attempted to lure him to Paris before this season. With Juree Matthee and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the squad, the Capetonians look to have enough cover in the flyhalf position if Libbok were to leave on a short-term basis. However, the Cape Town outfit will reportedly not entertain talks with Leinster over the possibility of Damian Willemse joining the Irish province. Leinster are in the market for a versatile back to fill the void of Jordie Barrett, who will return to New Zealand once his loan deal expires at the end of the season, and they have their eyes on the Bok fullback. Willemse is currently tied to the Stormers through the 2027 World Cup, having inked a five-year contract with the Cape Town-based team in 2022, and it seems they’re determined to hold onto this vital backline player, especially in a position where they do not enjoy as much depth.

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh rules out any chance of Israel Folau playing rugby Down Under, six years after his sacking by the Wallabies. The post Waugh shuts door on Folau homecoming appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

The 29-year-old started the first seven of Scott Robertson's matches in charge of the All Blacks last year, cementing his place as a regular feature in the matchday 23. His value to Robertson and New Zealand Rugby is highlighted by the playmaker signing beyond the Rugby World Cup and when the All Blacks are set to play the British and Irish Lions. McKenzie had been linked with a move abroad, with his re-signing ending such speculation. However, he is one of the players who have enjoyed a sabbatical in Japan, playing for Suntory Sungoliath in 2022 and could take up a similar loan deal further down the line. The 61-Test All Blacks back said he was strongly committed to continuing his career in New Zealand and striving to achieve his goals with the Chiefs and All Blacks. "I'm incredibly excited to re-sign with NZ Rugby and continue my journey with both the Chiefs and All Blacks," he said. "The opportunity to represent both teams is something that I'll never take for granted. I feel like I've still got a lot to give to New Zealand rugby and look forward to adding value where I can. I'm extremely motivated to win a championship with the Chiefs and ultimately hope to be a part of a successful Rugby World Cup in 2027 and campaigns beyond that." McKenzie debuted for the All Blacks against Argentina in 2016 and appeared in all 14 Tests in 2024, including 10 starts. He has also represented the Māori All Blacks from 2015 to 2017. "Damian is such a valuable member of our group. He has an incredible skill set and the ability to change a game. He is just continuing to get better and better, which makes him a critical signing for us heading into the next Rugby World Cup and beyond," All Blacks head coach Robertson said. NZR CEO Mark Robinson added: "Damian is a rare talent who has made a big contribution to the game in New Zealand for over than a decade for Waikato, the Chiefs and in a black jersey. His decision to remain in New Zealand through to 2029 shows his dedication and loyalty to the teams, people and organisations he represents." "We're thrilled he's committed to another four years and with his best rugby ahead of him it's exciting to look forward to the impact he will have on and off the field as we enter an exciting period for the international game." McKenzie is in his eleventh season of Super Rugby with the Chiefs after making his debut in 2015 and is the Chiefs' all-time leading points scorer with more than 1200. With 131 appearances, he is the third most-capped player in Chiefs history, alongside retired club legends Sam Cane and Liam Messam. "We are delighted Damian has committed to the Chiefs and NZ Rugby long term. It's a significant outcome given the high level of interest he received from offshore. His on-field performances with the Chiefs speak volumes. He influences games the way few people can, and he will continue to add to his legacy, which would have to rank among the elite players to have ever pulled on a Chiefs jersey," Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said. "What some people might not see, is the massive effort he puts into the community, and particularly the youth in the region. He's often the last off the field signing autographs and taking photos. It doesn't matter where we travel, he is always in demand, and he never takes for granted the impact he has on people by sharing a bit of his time."

Kitshoff was a vital cog in the Springboks machine under the guidance of Erasmus when they won back-to-back Rugby World Cups in Japan in 2019 and in France in 2023. However, the 33-year-old announced his retirement last month after sustaining a life-threatening neck injury while on Currie Cup duty for Western Province last year. Erasmus was in conversation with Kitshoff and sports physician Jon Patricios, who were his guests on his Rassie+ podcast, when he revealed how Kitshoff was initially going to lead the Boks in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 2023 before he eventually handed the captaincy to Bongi Mbonambi. "I actually even one time promised him, and I must say he's one of the guys that handled it the best, I promised him the captaincy," said Erasmus. "I said, 'Kitsie, if nothing changes, you're probably going to be Springbok captain next week.' He wasn't captain. Never even asked me again. Just pitched up for training." Kitshoff represented South Africa as a loosehead prop in 83 Tests between 2016 and 2024 and captained the Stormers when they were crowned the inaugural United Rugby Championship champions in 2022. He expanded on Erasmus' decision not to hand him the captaincy for that clash with Los Pumas. 'You'll probably captain us against Argentina' "Rassie came to me and said, 'listen, if everything goes to plan, no injuries, you're looking good after this weekend, you'll probably captain us against Argentina,'" said Kitshoff. "And then in that week, he realised – I think either medical staff or someone told him – 'listen, Kitsie's been playing a lot of minutes back-to-back every weekend.' "Then he turned around and said, 'listen, Kitsie, I think you're more important to us for New Zealand in two weeks' time. I'm going to keep you out of the squad this weekend. You're going to run water, run touch, carry all the messages, play a massive role in the game, but we're going to give Bongi the captaincy.' "I understood what my role was for that weekend so I enjoyed Argentina. "I had a bit more drinks on Wednesday with the steak, and then I could only focus on carrying messages onto the field."