How does WXV look after one weekend? Here are a few pointers. Safety ‘Smart mouthguards for all’. All the more necessary as less experienced players infringe. The greater the disparity in team skills, the greater the difference in the speed of play. Consequence: higher likelihood of tackles arriving late or poorly targeted. Fortunately, the number
If ever a game proved the worth of the WXV concept, this was it. Opposites met; the large versus the small (only in the geographical sense); the highest (7th) versus the lowest (15th) in world rankings. A final gap of only ten points showed how the competition is opening new horizons. Though the Eagles haven’t
The first-day results: Colombia 13 Fiji 67; Ireland 109 Kazakhstan 0 These runaway victories simply had to be expected. We have seen similar margins at many a World Cup of the past, and they involved far fewer nations than the eighteen contesting this brand-new WXV. The disparities were shown most clearly in that second game.
The sides had met four times in the 2010s, twice in Scotland, twice in South Africa. Curiously, all four resulted in away wins. In the run-up to WXV the Boks played lots of warm-ups, Scotland very few. We would see which approach was sensible. For much of the first half the Bok pack controlled events.
History will be made on Friday as Italy and Japan enter Danie Craven Stadium to contest the first-ever WXV match and kick-off a thrilling weekend of action in the competition’s second level. Stellenbosch will also be the picturesque setting for hosts South Africa’s meeting with Scotland later on Friday and Saturday’s encounter between USA and
Colombia, Fiji, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Ireland and Spain have arrived in the UAE with their sights set on becoming the first winners of WXV 3. Fiji and Colombia will bring the curtain up on what promises to be an enthralling opening weekend of WXV 3 2023 at The Sevens Stadium on Friday. And with qualification for
WXV1 Australia – Jay Tregonning The only part-timer in the top tier; Rugby Australia has launched a search for a permanent DoR Canada – Kevin Rouet Born in Bordeaux, but emigrated to Canada fourteen years ago England – Louis Deacon Interim only; if John Mitchell makes it to NZ in time, he will be ‘an
The six teams involved are: Colombia (ranked 25th), Fiji (19th), Ireland (11th), Kazakhstan (18th), Kenya (23rd) and Spain (13th). As with WXV2, five continents are represented here, another feather in World Rugby cap. But there is a chasm-like disparity in experience, both at World Cup and general test level. Though Ireland and Kazakhstan both date
More unfortunate withdrawals Two of England’s injured players have now been confirmed as unable to make the trip to New Zealand. They are Lucy Packer and Sadia Kabeya. Their replacements are Daisy Hibbert-Jones who is uncapped, and Emma Sing, who has earned five caps over the past two seasons. While DH-J is a direct replacement
Red Roses flanker Sadia Kabeya and scrum-half Lucy Packer will miss the inaugural WXV tournament due to injury. Kabeya will continue to rehabilitate her hamstring after missing the Summer Series matches against Canada, while Packer sustained an ankle injury in the second Test which will keep her sidelined. Loughborough Lightning’s Daisy Hibbert-Jones and Emma Sing
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