World Rugby

Joubert: World Rugby combating ref abuse

Former Test referee Craig Joubert has opened up on how World Rugby is working to combat online abuse of match officials.

New Zealand's scrum-half Aaron Smith (R) dives to score a try that was later disallowed because of a knock on during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

All Blacks robbed of try against Boks?

World Rugby has reportedly conceded that Aaron Smith’s disallowed try in the World Cup final between New Zealand and eventual champs, the Springboks, should have stood.

(L/R): New Zealand's scrum-half Finlay Christie, New Zealand's flanker Dalton Papali'i, New Zealand's lock Samuel Whitelock and New Zealand's number eight Ardie Savea gesture to English referee Wayne Barnes during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Final between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP)

Let the ref run the show again

MARK KEOHANE advocates for a return to the traditional role of referees in rugby, arguing that the expansion of the television match official’s scope is ruining the sport.

Rugby officials TMO Shaun Roy:BackpagePix

Ex-England captain warns of ‘paralysis by analysis’

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has warned against paralysing rugby by video replays and called for the game to capitalise on the interest in the World Cup.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 28: Eben Etzebeth of South Africa celebrates victory with his winners medal following the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France.

World Rugby snub Bok history-makers

Eben Etzebeth was the sole player from the Springboks to be honoured during World Rugby’s awards evening in Paris on Sunday night.

Bok trio in line for global accolades

Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber, along with lock Eben Etzebeth and flyhalf Manie Libbok, are among a top-class list of nominees for the 2023 World Rugby awards.

This photograph taken on September 4, 2023 shows the Rugby Union World Cup trophy, the Webb Ellis Cup, presented during the tournament opening conference in Paris, ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023 France.

World Rugby confirms Test rugby shake-up

World Rugby has officially announced the biggest overhaul of international rugby since the game went professional, expanding the World Cup and introducing the bi-annual Nations Championship.

Dublin , Ireland - 12 May 2022; World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin, left, and World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont during a World Rugby Cup future hosts announcement media conference at the Convention Centre in Dublin.

World Rugby greenlights Nations Championship

World Rugby’s council has reportedly approved a significant change to the international rugby calendar by giving the new Nations Championship the green light.

France's full-back Thomas Ramos (L) has his conversion attempt blocked by South Africa's wing Cheslin Kolbe during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between France and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 15, 2023.

World Rugby: Kolbe’s block illegal

World Rugby has reportedly identified Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe’s block of France fullback Thomas Ramos’ conversion as one of five major errors made by referee Ben O’Keeffe in the World Cup quarter-final.

South Africa's scrum-half Faf de Klerk (C) South Africa's prop Ox Nche and South Africa's fly-half Handre Pollard (R) celebrate after victory in the France 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between France and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 15, 2023.

Boks on top of the world

The Springboks are back up to number one in World Rugby’s Test rankings for the first time in 15 months after they broke France’s hearts at the World Cup.