Rugby

12/16/2024 |  Team USA rugby star Ilona Maher takes her talents and following to UK rugby (Gist Sports, The) Rugby star Ilona Maher has steadily built a social media following, and when her talents — and persona — were on full display at the 2024 Paris Olympics, her rising star turned supernova. Since then, Maher’s golden touch has brought increased attention to Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) and, most recently, U.K. rugby’s Bristol Bears. Let’s review the Maher Effect.

11/22/2024 |  All Blacks eager to replace France pain with a tour-ending show in Turin (Associated Press (AP)) Italy was supposed to be an end-of-tour fling for the All Blacks.
Some pizza, some vino, check out the Shroud of Turin, and play some autumn rugby. Cin cin!
Then France spiked those plans last weekend in Paris by fending off New Zealand 30-29 in a thriller.

11/15/2024 |  France and All Blacks clash in tip-top shape before second-rate 2025 tour (Associated Press (AP)) France against New Zealand before a sold-out Stade de France under lights on Saturday could be the last competitive rugby test between them for a while.
The French are set for a three-test tour of New Zealand next July but have already decided they’re sending a second-string squad. It’s not a surprise. France deliberately dispatched weakened squads to Argentina this year, Japan in 2022, and Australia in 2021. It won only the Japan series.

10/30/2024 |  England prop Marler restores X account after haka post furore (Reuters Sports) Oct 30 (Reuters) - England's Joe Marler reactivated his X account on Wednesday after the prop received backlash for his post saying the All Blacks' iconic haka is 'ridiculous' and must be binned ahead of their match against New Zealand.

10/30/2024 |  French federation bans alcohol, proposes drug tests to improve discipline (Reuters Sports) Oct 30 (Reuters) - The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has banned players from drinking alcohol during national team gatherings as part of efforts to improve discipline following a series of controversies off the field this year.
Among the 20 steps announced by the FFR on Tuesday is a proposal to introduce drug and alcohol testing, while consumption of alcohol is banned at the national rugby centre in Marcoussis, stadiums and changing rooms.