Sydney coach Steve Corica enjoyed most aspects of the first A-League derby played at Bankwest Stadium, bar the result. Western Sydney coach Markus Babbel has lavished praise on the controversial VAR system after his side went top of the A-League with a home win over Sydney. Swiss veterans Daniel Lopar and Pirmin Schwegler are making

2:08 PM BST All Blacks coach Steve Hansen had no excuses or regrets as his side’s eight-year hold on the World Cup ended with a 19-7 loss to England in the semifinal in Yokohama Saturday, stating simply that his team were beaten by a better side. The 2003 champions rattled the All Blacks from the

1:26 PM BST YOKOHAMA, Japan — This was as conclusive a win over the All Blacks as you will ever see. England shattered New Zealand’s aura and prevented them from barely firing a shot. The eventual 19-7 scoreline Saturday flattered the All Blacks. England were better in every area of the game as they put

Oct 24, 2019 South Africa will be without speedy winger Cheslin Kolbe for their Rugby World Cup semifinal against Wales on Sunday, after the Springboks’ number 14 failed to recover from an ankle injury. Kolbe aggravated the injury, which he picked up against Italy, in the quarterfinal win against hosts Japan, and coach Rassie Erasmus

3:57 AM BST Wales fullback Liam Williams has been ruled out of Sunday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa after sustaining an ankle injury. Williams, who has won 62 caps and started all of Wales’s World Cup games except one, is not expected to recover in time for their next match — either the final

4:58 PM BST France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina has been suspended for six weeks for his red card in their World Cup quarterfinal defeat by Wales last week, World Rugby announced on Thursday. France were leading 19-10 in Oita, Japan when Vahaamahina elbowed Wales forward Aaron Wainwright in the face and was sent off. The French

4:53 PM BST Huw Richards Close • FT’s rugby writer from 1995 to 2009• Also writes for the International Herald Tribune and the Sunday Herald Some of the Rugby World Cup’s greatest games have been played in the step before its showcase conclusion. Finals are often tense, cagey affairs, with both sides too close to the Webb

9:00 AM BST England have made one change for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, with George Ford returning to the starting lineup. Ford starts at fly-half, with captain Owen Farrell shifted to inside centre and Manu Tuilagi outside. 1 Related Henry Slade drops to the bench, where Mark Wilson replaces Lewis Ludlam.

8:08 AM BST New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has laughed off spying claims by England counterpart Eddie Jones, repeating his own assertions that the Australian likes to play mind games before big matches. Jones told reporters on Tuesday that England had seen someone filming their training session in Tokyo ahead of their World Cup semifinal

7:43 AM BST Scott Barrett has been handed a surprise start at blindside flanker for New Zealand in their Rugby World Cup semifinal against England on Saturday, with Ardie Savea shifting to the openside of the scrum. Sam Cane, who had operated in a twin-openside combination with Savea since the All Blacks’ match against Australia