Author: G&GR Media

In a significant boost for the Hurricanes’ forward pack, formidable prop Xavier Numia has extended his contract with the team until the end of 2027. Since his debut in 2019 against the Waratahs, Numia has been a pivotal figure in the Hurricanes’ front row. The Wellington-born prop reached his 50th match milestone in 2024 before a torn calf muscle in the quarterfinals cut his campaign short.The 26-year-old expressed his excitement about re-signing:”It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember to play for the Hurricanes. Committing to a few more years is an epic feeling. The team is…

The Western Force will tune up for the upcoming 2025 Super Rugby Women’s season with three pre-season trial games including two in Perth hosting by Fortescue Premier Grade clubs.The Force’s 2025 Super W campaign commences on Saturday 1 March against the ACT Brumbies at HBF Park, with plenty of excitement and optimism after their last season’s first semi-finals appearance coupled with an excellent off-season recruitment drive and Japan tour. Prior to that, the Force will kick off their pre-season with a trial game against Rugby Victoria at Wanneroo Rugby Club on Sunday 9 February.The Force will then travel to Brisbane…

The 2025 Super Rugby Women’s Squads are locked in ahead of the opening game on February 28.The NSW Waratahs are the team to beat after their title success in 2024, however, there has been plenty of player movements in the off-season.Watch every match of Super Rugby Women’s live and on-demand exclusively on Stan Sport.The Western Force has led the way for big signings, recruiting the likes of Ash Marsters, Cecilia Smith and Sera Naiqama for 2025. “We are really excited by the squad that’s been put together by the club this year. Retaining the performing players from last season and…

NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has named Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii among 13 Wallabies in a 27 strong team to play the ACT Brumbies on Saturday in their last trial match at Eridge Park in Bowral.10 of the starting XV selected by McKellar are Wallabies, and seven of them have returned from Wallabies Spring tour duties, including Suaalii who has been named as fullback for what will be his NSW Waratahs debut. The Wallabies in the starting side with Suaalii are prop Angus Bell, hooker David Porecki, flanker Rob Leota, number eight Langi Gleeson, scrumhalf and captain Jake Gordon, flyhalf Tane…

ENGLAND SQUADHead coach Steve Borthwick has named a 36-player squad, appointing Maro Itoje as captain. The squad features a mix of experience and youth, with notable inclusions such as uncapped winger Cadan Murley.ForwardsBacksFRANCE SQUADCoach Fabien Galthié has announced a 42-man squad, welcoming back star half-back duo Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack. The squad also features promising talents like Gaël Dréan and Marko Gazzotti.ForwardsBacksITALY SQUADItaly’s golden generation continues to develop, led by the electric Ange Capuozzo. Paolo Garbisi remains the general in the backline, while their forward pack, driven by Michele Lamaro, brings muscle. Alessandro Izekor, an emerging flanker, could be…

England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, has unveiled a dynamic lineup for the Six Nations opener against Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Notably, Harlequins winger Cadan Murley is set to earn his first cap, starting on the left wing. Murley’s inclusion comes after a series of impressive performances at the club level, where he has been a consistent try-scorer.In a historic move, twin brothers Tom and Ben Curry will start together in the back row, marking the first time male twins have achieved this feat for England. Their selection underscores Borthwick’s emphasis on athleticism and work rate in the forward pack.Maro…

Josh Canham’s debut for the Wallabies against Argentina in September 2024 was far from ideal. Plagued by food poisoning on game day, he entered the match with 15 minutes remaining, unable to prevent a significant turnaround as the Wallabies fell 67-27. Reflecting on the experience, Canham remarked, “Woke up with food poisoning, didn’t eat anything all day… wasn’t the best.”Despite this challenging start, Canham remains undeterred in his pursuit of a Wallabies recall. His move to the Queensland Reds has placed him in a highly competitive environment with seasoned locks like Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Angus Blyth also vying for positions.…

Moana Pasifika is gearing up for their inaugural pre-season match of 2025 against the Highlanders, scheduled for Friday, January 31st, at North Harbour Stadium. The game will feature a modified format consisting of three 30-minute periods, allowing both teams to experiment with player combinations and strategies.Head Coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has announced a squad that blends seasoned players with fresh talent, reflecting the team’s recent recruitment of 14 new signings, including several elevated to full-time contracts.Umaga emphasized the significance of this match in the team’s preparation:”We’ve welcomed new players with valuable experience, as well as some fresh young talent who…

The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies are gearing up for their first match of 2025, facing off against the New South Wales Waratahs in Bowral this Saturday at 3pm. This game marks a significant moment as head coach Stephen Larkham evaluates his 32-man squad in preparation for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season. Among the squad, six new players will don the Brumbies jersey for the first time. Notable new signings Feao Fotuaika, Tuaina Taii-Tualima, and David Feliuai are set to start, bringing fresh energy to the team. Returning from a tour in England with Australia A, players like Lachlan Lonergan…

In a strategic move ahead of the highly anticipated British & Irish Lions series, the Wallabies have scheduled a Test match against Fiji on July 6 at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium. This encounter will serve as Australia’s sole warm-up before the Lions tour.The upcoming match marks the first meeting between the Wallabies and the Flying Fijians since Fiji’s surprising 22-15 victory during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Saint Étienne. Reflecting on Fiji’s recent performances, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt noted, “In their bid to make the semi-finals, Fiji were just six points shy of beating England at the last World…

As the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season approaches, the NSW Waratahs are focusing on fortifying their tight five—a critical component for any championship-aspiring team. Head Coach Dan McKellar has expressed confidence in the development and readiness of this group, especially with the pre-season culminating in a trial match against the ACT Brumbies at Eridge Park in Bowral.McKellar highlighted the impressive work of the medical and rehabilitation staff, noting that 42 players were fit and available for training, a significant improvement from the 16 players in rehab at the start of the pre-season. This robust health status provides the team with…

As the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations approaches, a new wave of talent is poised to make their mark on the international stage. Drawing from the article “Could these be the breakout stars of 2025?” on the Six Nations Rugby website, here are some emerging players to watch:Sam Prendergast (Ireland)Ireland’s fly-half legacy, dominated by Ronan O’Gara and Johnny Sexton, faces a new chapter. While Jack Crowley initially stepped into the void post-Sexton, Leinster’s Sam Prendergast has showcased his prowess, especially during the Autumn Nations Series. In just 154 minutes, he delivered seven break assist passes, nearly double that of any…

The Queensland Reds have jetted off to the UK, aiming to fine tune their game ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific season. The 34-man squad is set to face Bristol on 3 January and Ulster on 7 February, providing a stern test against quality opposition.Young backrower John Bryant, who previously played at Bristol’s Ashton Gate with the Australia XV, is eager for the challenge. “Ashton Gate is an unreal stadium in terms of atmosphere,” Bryant remarked. “The UK teams always throw big bodies at you, and I know, first hand, that Bristol can run at you from anywhere.”These matches are…

The Hurricanes are set to kick off the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season with an extra jolt, announcing Flight Coffee as their official coffee partner. This collaboration aims to fuel both players and staff through the weekly ‘Coffee Connection’ sessions—a time to debrief, strategize, and, presumably, debate the merits of flat whites versus long blacks.Flight Coffee, celebrated for their craft roasting and commitment to sustainability, aligns seamlessly with the Hurricanes’ pursuit of excellence. CEO Avan Lee noted, “Coffee has become a real point of connection within our club… It was important for us that our coffee partner mirrored these values…

The NSW Waratahs have re-signed towering lock Miles Amatosero ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. Standing at 203cm and weighing 125kg, Amatosero adds significant presence to the Waratahs’ forward pack.A product of Sydney’s Waverley College, Amatosero honed his skills in France with Top 14 club Clermont before returning to New South Wales in late 2023. In his debut season with the Waratahs, he made 14 appearances, showcasing his potential on the Super Rugby stage.Expressing his enthusiasm, Amatosero stated, “I’m so happy to be signing again. I can’t wait for the season ahead of us now. We’re fitter, stronger…

The Highlanders have announced the appointment of former player Scott Eade as the new head coach for their Under-20s squad. Eade, who previously donned the Highlanders jersey, brings a wealth of experience from his playing days with Southland and Otago, as well as his recent role as Rugby Southland’s Academy & Pathways Manager.Expressing his enthusiasm, Eade stated, “I am excited to be taking on the role of U20 Coach and am truly passionate about helping develop the next generation of rugby talent from our region.” He emphasized the importance of supporting young players both on and off the field, noting,…

The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies are thrilled to announce that rising star Faitala Moleka has signed a one-year extension, solidifying her place in the club’s Super Rugby Women’s program for the 2025 season.Originally hailing from Penrith, Moleka made the move to Canberra, making her debut in 2023 against the Fijiana Drua. Since then, the flyhalf has been a formidable presence on the field. At just 18, she earned her first cap with the Wallaroos and played a pivotal role in their WXV 2 triumph in South Africa last year. Her stellar debut season also saw her crowned as the Wallaroos…

NSW Waratahs’ seasoned backrower, Hugh Sinclair, is set to lead the team as captain in their upcoming trial match against NSW Pasifica this Saturday. With regular skipper Jake Gordon recently returning from Wallabies duties, Sinclair steps into the leadership role, donning the number 8 jersey at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Granville, Sydney.Sinclair emphasises the significance of this trial as a platform for players to stake their claim for selection ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific 2025 season opener. He notes, “Everyone gets over running into each other for twelve or fourteen weeks.” The anticipation to face external opposition is palpable…

As the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations approaches, Opta has unveiled its ‘Form XV,’ a lineup based on player performances leading up to the championship. This selection offers a data-driven perspective on the players who have been making waves in European rugby.The Form XV Lineup:Key Observations:As the championship unfolds, it will be intriguing to see how these in-form players translate their club performances to the international stage. Rugby fans and analysts alike will be keen to observe whether the data-driven predictions align with on-field realities.Read more: https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/news/form-xv-for-six-nations-rugby-2025

The NSW Waratahs kicked off their 2025 campaign with a commanding 73-5 victory over NSW Pasifica at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Granville, Sydney. The Tahs showcased their attacking prowess, running in eleven tries to one after establishing a 40-0 lead by halftime.Head Coach Dan McKellar expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting the clinical execution in the opening stages. “There were some really good passages. I thought that in the first 20 minutes, we were really clinical,” McKellar said post-match. He acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in maintaining ruthlessness throughout the game, but overall was pleased with the effort.The match…