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Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw believes his side's 31-24 victory over European giants Toulouse puts their Heineken Cup quarterfinal hopes right back on track this season.

The time has finally come for the esteemed rugby365.com Team of the Year for 2011 to be unveiled. And, after much deliberation and debate, we can finally tip our caps to the best in the world from this year.

The world mostly takes a break at this time. Even rugby does and for the most part referees are allowed to celebrate the happy feast of Christmas. The day itself is free but there will be some club action around about.

Northampton Saints boss Jim Mallinder believes hard graft laid the platform for his side's stunning second-half display to defeat Castres Olympique 45-0.

After another exhausting year of non-stop rugby action the rugby365.com team are proud to announce our awards for the best of the best in 2011.

A sensational second-half display saw Northampton Saints secure a first Heineken Cup success of the year with a 45-0 triumph over Castres on Saturday.

Glasgow Warriors head coach, Sean Lineen, said he was proud of the way his players fought back to earn a 13-13 draw with Montpellier in Pool 3 at the Stade Yves du Manoir.

Racing Metro centre Josh Matavesi dedicated his side's first win in Pool 2 to the 58 fans who travelled to the Madejski Stadium to see their side turn the tables on London Irish with a 25-19 win.

Munster took firm control of their Heineken Cup pool with their fourth successive victory, 19-13 over their nearest rivals Scarlets, who are in second place five points adrift.

Harlequins claimed a thrilling 31-24 victory over Toulouse at Le Stadium in a stunning game of rugby on Sunday.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has indicated that he plans to call on his 'old mates' Graham Henry and Wayne Smith for advice during his tenure in charge of New Zealand.

Bath coach Brad Davis has admitted his side were taught a finishing lesson by Heineken Cup Champions Leinster in Dublin on Saturday, with the English club going down 52-27.

A battling second-half showing from former champions Leicester Tigers secured a vital 23-19 victory over ASM Clermont Auvergne and ensured Pool Four remains a three-horse race.

Italian international captain Sergio Parisse has signed a new contract at Stade Francais which will keep him at the French Top 14 side until 2016.

Saracens ended the Ospreys' six-year unbeaten record at home in the Heineken Cup to seize the initiative in Pool Five with a 16-13 victory at the Liberty Stadium.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has revealed that he is taking nothing for granted ahead of his side's clash with the Scarlets despite still being unbeaten in this season's Heineken Cup.

Ulster held off a spirited fight-back from Aironi to complete the Heineken Cup double and cruise to the top of Pool Four with a 46-20 victory.

Four times Heineken Cup champions Toulouse will reach another tournament milestone this weekend when they become the first team to notch 1 million fans at their home matches in Europe's premier club tournament.

Jonathan Wisniewski slotted a hat-trick of drop goals to guide Racing Metro 92 to a tense 19-25 victory over London Irish, the French side's first win in Pool Two.

Greig Laidlaw inspired Edinburgh to turn the tables on Cardiff Blues and make amends for their defeat in the Welsh capital a week earlier and move back to the top of Pool Two.

Jonny Wilkinson has signed a one-year extension to his contract at Toulon, the new deal tying the former England flyhalf to the French Top 14 club until 2013.

Biarritz Olympique survived another scare against a 14-man Benetton Treviso to avenge their defeat in Italy to keep their Heineken Cup quarterfinal hopes alive with a much-needed victory at the Stade Aguilera.

Leinster demonstrated why they are the reigning Heineken Cup champions after dismantling Bath 52-27 with seven tries to put one foot in the knockout stages in Dublin on Saturday.

There is some talk about changing laws, including those dealing with the scrummage. The nearest we have to a suggestion is a change to the referee's cadence at the setting of the scrum. But surely the messy problem goes well beyond the cadence.

New All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will not make sweeping changes to what is clearly a good formula, but he will seek to be challenged in order to ensure that the world champions' game does not stagnate.

Rory Lamont marked his return to France with a try as Glasgow clinched a 13-13 draw against Montpellier in their European Cup clash at Stade Yves du Manoir on Saturday.

Johnny May scored a try four minutes from time to hand Gloucester a 23-19 victory and deny Connacht what looked to have been their first victory in the Heineken Cup.

After 15 days of intense banter and lobbying the rugby365.com Readers dream team of 2011 has been decided and it is time to take a look at who made the cut after you made your voices heard.

World Cup winning All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is not interested in receiving a knighthood until his playing days are over, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has said.

The father of France forward Imanol Harinordoquy was banned by the Biarritz club from its Aguilera Stadium for the rest of the season on Thursday after invading the pitch to defend his son in a punch-up.

For newly appointed All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, following in the footsteps of his World Cup-winning predecessor Graham Henry is an all-too familiar feeling.

Heavy favourite Steve Hansen has been confirmed as the new head coach of the All Blacks after serving eight years as an assistant coach of the world's most successful rugby side.

The Pioneers. The first Springbok rugby tour to Australia & New Zealand 1921 is written by Hans Saestad. It is a book to admire.

Richie McCaw insisted his bitter criticism of France, who he accused of "filthy" play in the World Cup final, was taken out of context.

On 29 November 2011 Lucien Harinordoquy came onto the field during a fight involving his son Imanol, the French international, and attacked a Bayonne player.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has insisted that his bitter criticism of France, who he accused of "filthy" play in the World Cup final, had been taken out of context.

Zac Guildford has been slapped with a suspension that will see him miss the first Super Rugby game next year following drinking offenses.

New Zealand will name their new coach on Friday with current assistant coach Steve Hansen the overwhelming favourite for the position.

The final day of voting is upon us and you can help to wrap up the rugby365.com Readers XV of 2011 by selecting your favourite powerful scrummager on the loosehead side. Which of our three front row giants impressed the most this year?

Agen have been having a really good season but came badly unstuck against Toulon in a catch-up Round-10 match at Stade Mayol on Tuesday. RCT scored four tries to nil in winning 34-12.

World Cup-winners New Zealand will name their new coach on Friday with current assistant coach Steve Hansen the overwhelming favourite for the position.

Western Force skipper and Wallaby veteran Nathan Sharpe has emulated the great George Gregan by winning the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) medal for excellence for the third time.

New Zealand rugby officials voiced confidence on Wednesday that change is on the way despite the re-election of Frenchman Bernard Lapasset as International Rugby Board chairman.

French wing Yoann Huget, of Bayonne, will attend a hearing at the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) on Thursday to decide whether he will face a further ban for missing three doping controls last season.

All Blacks and Crusaders' wing Zac Guildford has been slapped with a suspension that will see him miss the first Super Rugby game next year as punishment for his drunken spree in the Cook Islands last month.

The battle for a spot in the middle of the front row in the

South Africa's John Smit became the first ever World Cup-winning captain to play at the following instalment of the global showpiece this year, so what are the odds of Richie McCaw following suit in 2015?

SA Under-20 coach Dawie Theron has included three Springbok Sevens players in a 33-man squad which will attend a training camp in Stellenbosch in January.

Into the front row we go and there are three burly contenders ready to pack down in the front row for the rugby365.com readers' Team of 2011 and all have a strong pedigree to make it a tight race to win your vote.

At the risk of being labelled nitpickers and spoilsports and killjoys, we shall look at the mark and getting the kick wrong. But it is not clear why the law should be applied...

Last week they were at one home, this week at the other. The same teams at difference venues ad spice to the two European competitions.

The contest for the No.4 jersey in the rugby365.com readers' XV of 2011 is between two players from each hemisphere, each at opposite stages of their Test careers. Make your voice heard by leaving your vote now!

The South African Under-20 team will face England, the team that dumped them out of this year's tournament, in the pool stages of the IRB Junior World Championships in Cape Town and Stellenbosch next year.

All Blacks loose forward Adam Thomson has had his World Cup jerseys stolen from his apartment in Dunedin, leaving him 'heartbroken'.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has reflected on his long international career and what the future holds, but doesn't plan to play on when he isn't good enough to make the team on merit.

We make the move into the tight five and call on the readers to pick the best No.5 lock to pack down in the scrum and win line-out ball for the rugby365.com Team of the Year from 2011.

In a pool match in the IRB Sevens in Port Elizabeth, Lucas Hammond of Canada darts ahead and is stopped five metres by Cecil Africa and Branco du Preez of South Africa.

After reaching their first Cup Final of the season in Port Elizabeth the South African Sevens team have been drawn with England for the next tournament in the World Series in New Zealand in February.

Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu blamed missed opportunities in a see-sawing final as South Africa's hopes of claiming victory in the Port Elizabeth tournament were cruelly dashed with a try on the final siren by New Zealand.

To complete the loose trio for the rugby365.com Team of the Year we need our readers to pick one more flank, with four more quality men to choose from for the No.6 jersey.

France's new coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Friday unveiled his backroom staff, naming fellow former players Yannick Bru and Patrice Lagisquet as his assistants.

The loose forwards are always highly contested positions with a bountiful supply of world class players packing onto the side of the scrum around the world. So who should be the rugby365.com No.7?

New Zealand have beaten hosts South Africa in dramatic fashion with the final play of the match to win the Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa Sevens, round three of the Sevens World Series.

Hosts South Africa, current Series leaders Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand all reached the Cup quarter-finals of the Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa Sevens with 100 percent records at the end of day one.

If somebody said that scrums were a mess, would you contradict him? Paddy O'Brien, the IRB's refereeing manager, agrees.

Instead of Edinburgh Glasgow will host the second-last round of the IRB's Sevens Series on 5-6 May 2012.

One player at the World Cup failed a drugs test, the International Rugby Board (IRB) said on Wednesday, although the governing body refused to identify the player.

Champions New Zealand and hosts South Africa will be determined to get their campaigns on track in the third leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Port Elizabeth this weekend.

Dawie Theron, coach of the South African Under-20 side, is satisfied with the significant amount of work his training squad put in during their camp in Stellenbosch, which concluded on Wednesday.

England have named the exact same squad that lifted the Dubai Sevens title last weekend for the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in Port Elizabeth that kicks off on Friday.

Toulouse's injury-plagued Springbok prop Gurthro Steenkamp, who has played just 40 minutes for the French side, has suffered a hip injury, the club's manager Guy Noves revealed on Wednesday.

With the backline behind us it is time to turn our attention to the big boys up front and we start with No.8. So which player deserves his place at the back of the scrum for the rugby365.com readers XV?

The Australian Sevens team will enter the third leg of the World Series in Port Elizabeth with a new-look squad after injury forced coach Michael O'Connor to make two changes following their Plate Final win in Dubai last weekend over South Africa.

The final backline position is one of the most crucial ones, as every great teams need a world-class scrumhalf to run the show and now is your chance to vote for the best in the business from 2011.

Springbok utility back Frans Steyn could be on his way back to South Africa at the conclusion of his contract with French club Racing Metro, which expires at the end of June next year.

IRB Sevens Player of the Year Cecil Afrika will lead the Springbok Sevens attack on home soil after the playmaker was included in the South Africa squad for the tournament which starts on Friday.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has spoken for the first time about allegedly being eye gouged in the World Cup Final.

Versatile Wallabies inside back Berrick Barnes has backed Reds playmaker Quade Cooper to come back strong from injury and make the Australian No.10 jersey his own next year.

Victor My Journey is an excellent autobiography with several excellent reasons to read it.

Former Wallabies mentor Rod Macqueen has advised current Australia coach Robbie Deans to get rid of players getting a bit long in the tooth well before the British and Irish Lions tour in 2013.

Towering Wales lock Luke Charteris looks set to join struggling French rugby giants Perpignan on a three year contract and be reunited with fellow Welsh international James Hook, a source close to the club revealed on Monday.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has spoken for the first time about allegedly being eye gouged in the World Cup Final, reportedly accusing France of "filthy" play in the tournament decider.

Steve Hansen may be the overwhelming favourite to succeed Graham Henry as coach of New Zealand but iconic All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is not rushing to congratulate him just yet.

All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams will re-enter the boxing ring next year to fight for the New Zealand heavyweight title.

There are four very different options to consider before you cast your vote for the best flyhalf in world rugby in 2011. Which playmaker has the goods to make it into the rugby365.com readers' Team of the year?

The Springbok Sevens team are determined to turn things around in their home tournament in Port Elizabeth this weekend after a disappointing performance in Dubai which saw them lose to Australia in the Plate Final.

The search continues and now we're after the best left wing from 2011 in the rugby365.com readers' Team of the Year series, so make your vote count to see who fills the No.11 jersey vacancy.

Christmas is close now but this week we have another burst of European rugby and, in Port Elizabeth, the third in the IRB's Sevens series. Then in Dubai there is a brand new competition - the Emirate Airlines Cup of Nations. We have all the referees.

Stade Francais still rule Paris after their Top 14 victory at Saturday's Stade de France carnival. Agen continue strongly, Biarritz are at the bottom and Perpignan seem in free fall, change of coach notwithstanding.

The Springbok Sevens will get an early chance to make amends for Saturday's last-minute loss to Australia in the Dubai Plate Final when the two teams clash again on Friday in Port Elizabeth.

Australia captain James Horwill set his side the challenge of becoming the world's best team next year after they ended 2011 with a 24-18 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

At glamorous Stade de France on Saturday, Stade Francais celebrated a big 29-3 win over their Parisian rivals Racing-Metro. On Saturday, too, Toulouse had too much class for Toulon and Clermont kept Castres in check.

Wales coach Warren Gatland was already looking forward to next year's three-Test series in Australia after a 24-18 defeat by the Wallabies on Saturday.

England Women drew their third Test in eight days with the world champion New Zealanders with an 8-all draw at Esher on Saturday afternoon. Having won the first two Tests, England thus took the series 2-0.

The search for the rugby365.com readers' Team of the Year continues as we consider the virtues of four inside centres from just two countries, make your pick now!

Welsh rugby great Barry John paid tribute to both the retiring Shane Williams and Australia's "outstanding" backline after the Wallabies' 24-18 win at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Join Kim Senogles in the third - and this year's final - episode of 'Kim's review', as rugby365.com's roving reporter continues her quest to find the perfect place to take in eighty minutes of rugby.

England Sevens head coach Ben Ryan claims he "isn't satisfied" with the way his side are playing after they lifted the Dubai Sevens title with a 29-12 win over France in the final.

Electrifying Wallabies wing Digby Ioane has ended speculation about his future by signing a three-year contract with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) after rejecting a massive offer to play in Japan.

A late Vungakoto Lilo try handed Bordeaux a dramatic 16-12 Top 14 win over Brive on Friday evening.

Welsh wing legend Shane Williams capped a stellar Test career with a last-minute try against Australia, but it was not enough as the Red Dragons went down 24-18 at the Millenium Stadium on Saturday.

Springbok great Bryan Habana has paid tribute to Shane Williams ahead of his fellow wing's final appearance for Wales and hopes his old rival can finish with a flourish against Australia.

England notched up their second consecutive Dubai Sevens title with a 29-12 victory over France on a day which saw big guns New Zealand and South Africa fall by the wayside early on.

The search for the ultimate rugby side continues as rugby365.com hunts for the best right wing from 2011, and we call on all our readers to join the fun and cast your vote in the Team of the Year selection.

Shane Williams, hailed as a "once in a generation player" by Australia coach Robbie Deans, forecast a bright future for Wales after playing his final Test match on Saturday.

The one is USA's rugby captain. The other reckons he is Captain America!

The quest to identify the cream of the crop in 2011 continues as we turn our attention to the No.13 jersey. Cast your vote for the best outside centre around in the rugby365.com readers' Team of the Year now!

After 86 appearances in an 11-year career at the highest level, having become the third highest try scorer of all time with 59 tries, Shane Williams will bring a glittering Test career to an end on Saturday.

A tight hamstring has forced Wallabies centre Rob Horne to withdraw from Saturday's James Bevan Trophy Test match against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

All Blacks flank Jerome Kaino capped an outstanding year by being named as the New Zealand Player of the Year.

The Blitzbokke stole the show on the first day of the Dubai Sevens when they defeated New Zealand, while Samoa fell short of the quarterfinals after a draw with Argentina.

The NZRU has offered the licenses of four of its Super Rugby franchises to owner-managers in an unprecedented partial-privatization move.

Australia will look to end a see-saw 2011 with victory over Wales on Saturday as they bid to repeat their recent third place playoff win at the World Cup.

Matt Giteau believes that his partnership with England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson will be crucial to French glamour club Toulon's lofty aspirations in the Top 14 this season.

The big Top 14 match this weekend is at magnificent Stade de France when Stade Francais host neighbours Racing-Metro who are determined to surpass Stade as Paris's dominant club.

Christian Lewis-Pratt will make his first international appearance and Simon Hunt returns to the squad as England prepare to defend their Dubai Sevens title.

Powerful All Blacks flank Jerome Kaino capped an outstanding year by being named as the New Zealand Player of the Year while Bryce Lawrence was named Referee of the Year at an awards ceremony in Auckland on Thursday.

After a successful trial at No.10 last week James O'Connor will start his maiden Test as a flyhalf for the Wallabies combination for Saturday's James Bevan Trophy Test against Wales in Cardiff.

According to the French newspaper La Depeche, Luke McAlister - the All Black inside back now playing for Toulouse - has declared himself finished with the All Blacks.

Racing-Metro president Jacky Lorenzetti has said that he hopes his expensively-assembled side emulates the achievements of fellow Parisian Top 14 rivals Stade Francais.

Fiji come into the second round of this season's Sevens World Series on a high after seeing off champions New Zealand to win the opening tournament last weekend.

We're into the final month of 2011, a blockbusting year of rugby, which means there's just one thing left to do... It's time to pick our Team of the Year and this time we want you, our readers, to join in the fun; starting with fullback.

Leicester Tigers could look to bring in Graham Henry to mentor director of rugby Richard Cockerill to form a dream team.

At the request of the Australian Rugby Union the International Rugby Board, the game's legislative body, has clarified on three aspects of law. These clarifications, which used to be called rulings, were issued on 23 November 2011 and have the force of law.

The International Rugby Board will, apparently, experiment with widening the television match official's powers to enable the man with the video to help in combatting foul play. This is according to a report in the Otago Daily Times, though it is a long way from being official or structured.

England Women repeated Saturday's dose when they beat the world champion New Zealanders 21-7 at Esher on Tuesday evening, thus taking the three-match series after their 10-0 win at Twickenham on Saturday.

South Africa Sevens coach Paul Treu has made two changes to his squad for the Dubai Sevens tournament this weekend.

England's John Brake has been ruled out of this week's second leg of the Sevens World Series in Dubai.

The sacking of Racing-Metro's popular backs coach Simon Mannix last Friday was part of an overall plan to take the Top 14 club forward, Director of Rugby Pierre Berbizier explained.

Bayonne president Michel Cacouault is to file a complaint after the father of Biarritz's Imanol Harinordoquy invaded the pitch to defend his son during a fight, the club announced on Wednesday.

Lucien Harinordoquy, the father of Biarritz captain Imanol, apologised on Wednesday for running onto the pitch to defend his son in a fight that erupted during Tuesday's game with Bayonne.

The father of French international Imanol Harinordoquy brought the Top 14 Basque derby between Biarritz and Bayonne to a halt on Tuesday, after running onto the pitch to defend his son.

Biarritz have been summoned to a hearing by the disciplinary commission of the National Rugby League (LNR) after the father of Biarritz captain Imanol Harinordoquy ran onto the pitch during Tuesday's fiery Top 14 Basque derby with Bayonne.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson has revealed that he plans to involve Edinburgh's prolific Dutch-born wing Tim Visser in the national squad as soon as he is eligible.

Toby Faletau is hoping Wales can carry their World Cup form into Saturday's clash against Australia and build valuable momentum ahead of the Six Nations.

Burly Welsh inside centre Jamie Roberts is excited at the prospect of testing out the defensive mettle of Wallabies inside backs James O'Connor and Berrick Barnes this weekend.

Mathew Turner can feel the excitement building as the England Sevens squad return to the scene of last season's tournament triumph in Dubai.

France flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc was named as the Top 14 Player of the Year by his fellow French professionals.

Lachie Turner of Australia scores a try against the Barbarians at Twickenham and James O'Connor prepares to take the conversion. He does his ritualistic things and suddenly Peter Stringer arrives and makes off with the ball. The referee gives his stamp of approval and blows the whistle for half-time.

Shane Williams was the first name on the team sheet - as promised by Wales head coach Warren Gatland - when the side was announced to take on Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Former Argentinian flyhalf Gonzalo Quesada was on Monday confirmed as the new backs coach of Racing-Metro, switching from his current position as the kicking coach of the French national side.

The British and Irish Lions will play an historic match in Hong Kong, against the famous Barbarians, a perfect stopover on their way to Australia for the 2013 tour.

As the Springbok coach rumour mill hits overdrive, WP and Stormers supremo Allister Coetzee stands out as the obvious favourite, despite talk of SARU still trying the traditional left field options - like Ireland assistant coach Gert Smal.

England have added Christian Lewis-Pratt and Simon Hunt to their squad as they head for the second leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai.

Former Springbok centre Brendan Venter and Nazeem Adams, head coach of the Western Province Under-19 side, have been appointed as assistant coaches of the South African Under-20 side.

The British and Irish Lions will play the Wallabies in three Tests on their nine-match tour of Australia in 2013, in what the Australian Rugby Union feel will be another extraordinary event.

As December closes in, Test matches close down but we have this week the Oceania Cup in Port Moresby and then the exciting prospect of the match between Wales and Australia at Millennium Stadium. Jonathan Kaplan is the referee for that match, his 68th Test match - far and away the biggest number in refereeing history.

Australian rugby boss John O'Neill believes that the threat from the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to boycott the 2015 World Cup was entirely warranted considering the current commercial agreements in place.

England flank James Haskell is prepared to launch a legal case against the Kiwi woman who claims he sexually harassed her.

Wallabies playmaker Berrick Barnes is expected to be declared fit for this weekend's clash with Wales at the Millenium Stadium despite hurting his back in Australia's thrashing of the Barbarians.

Fiji, who upset reigning Sevens World Series champions New Zealand 26-12 in the Final of the Gold Coast tournament at the weekend, believe they have laid a sound platform for global success.

There were two draws in Round 11 of France's Top 14, a rarity, and there was a surprisingly big win for Stade Francais in Perpignan.

Australian coach Robbie Deans said his side was prepared for a "tough assignment" against Wales after warming up for the Cardiff clash with a 60-11 thrashing of the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Steve Hansen remains the bookmakers' - and for most New Zealanders - favourite to become the next All Black coach.

Former Argentinian flyhalf Gonzalo Quesada is set to move from being the French national side's kicking coach to become backs coach of Racing-Metro, according to L'Equipe on Sunday.

South Africa may not have reached the Final, but Springbok coach Paul Treu felt there were many positives from the side's performance at the Gold Coast Sevens - the first leg of the IRB World Series.

Stade Francais came down from Paris to play Perpignan at their Stade Aime Giral stronghold in a Top 14 match and won 35-16, thanks partly to 15 points while Perpignan had a scrumhalf in the sin bin.

Taranaki's second Ranfurly Shield defence for 2012 has been confirmed for Saturday, August 4, against Whanganui.

Defending champions New Zealand and South Africa, second on the 2010/11 standings, were drawn in the same pool for the second leg of the 2011/12 IRB Sevens World Series.

Fiji came back from a Day One loss to stun the defending champions New Zealand, winning 26-12 in the Cup Final at the Gold Coast Sevens, Round One on the IRB World Series circuit.

The fallout over the disgraced England team's shameful antics at the World Cup in New Zealand produced another twist when a chambermaid insisted she was sexually harassed.

England were left frustrated after being edged out by New Zealand and Samoa in their second day games at the Gold Coast Sevens.

The New Zealand Rugby Union says it has received "several" applications for the All Blacks coaching job vacated by Graham Henry after last month's World Cup victory.

Samoan centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu on Saturday lost his appeal against a six-month suspended sentence imposed after an angry Twitter rant during the World Cup.

The Wallabies brought the curtain down on the career of legendary Springbok Victor Matfield by walloping his Barbarians team 60-11 at Twickenham on Saturday.

Australia warmed-up for their Test away to Wales next weekend by running in eight tries as they overwhelmed the star-studded Barbarians by a record 60-11 win at Twickenham on Saturday.

Defending World Series champions New Zealand put down a marker by beating Fiji, while South Africa brushed Australia aside and Wales shocked England on day one of the Gold Coast Sevens.

Australia will try to gain some valuable pointers for the future when they face a star-studded Barbarians team at Twickenham on Saturday.

Springbok Sevens star Cecil Afrika injured his ribs during South Africa's 31-7 Pool B victory over Japan on Friday and is a doubt for the rest of the Gold Coast Sevens tournament.

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards has hailed the career of wing Shane Williams, as the 34-year-old prepares for his final Test match against the Wallabies next weekend.

As the Sevens World Series gets underway on the Gold Coast, the International Rugby Board announced an exciting enhancement to the season-long event.

Former Wales flyhalf and kicking ace Neil Jenkins is the latest coach to pledge his future to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), it was confirmed on Friday.

Waratahs loose forward Dave Dennis was handed a place in the Wallabies starting line-up when No.8 Ben McCalman had to withdraw from the game agains the Barbarians because of an eye infection.

New Zealand Sevens captain DJ Forbes believes that his side will need to soak a little more pressure than usual as the defending champions when they launch their bid to retain the title this season.

Back from Heineken Cup, the French clubs again do battle in their competitive Top 14 where existence is so important and success so glorious.

Shane Williams will end his glittering international career against Australia at the Millennium Stadium next Saturday and he is determined to go out on a high.

Young Saracens wing Marcus Watson has a more central role to play as England prepare to kick off the IRB Sevens World Series.

Richie McCaw will definitely miss the start of the Super Rugby season, after he underwent surgery to remove a screw from his injured foot.

IRB Sevens Player of the Year Cecil Afrika has been included in the final squad of 12 Springbok Sevens players for the first round of the Sevens World Series at the Gold Coast in Australia this weekend.

Western Force flank David Pocock will captain the Wallabies for the first time after being named to lead Australia in Saturday's match against the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium in London.

England Women play the New Zealand Black Ferns three times in a week, starting at Twickenham on Saturday when it will be played after the Barbarians-Wales match.

Graham Henry has ruled out the possibility of replacing Martin Johnson as England manager, saying: "It is time to move on."

SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters has "recommended" that Argentina hold two of their three home games in the new Rugby Championship in Buenos Aires, the nation's capital.

Former Italian and South African coach Nick Mallett won't be taking charge of the England side - at least not until after the Six Nations.

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), the body responsible for running professional rugby in France, will be holding its eighth Night of Rugby on Monday, 28 November 2011 at the elegant former hunting lodge Pavillon d'Armenonville in central Paris.

John Kirwan came under fire from Japan's Rugby Union for choosing too many players of foreign origin but still the influx of foreign players into Japan's rugby continues.

Wallabies legend David Campese has heaped criticism on Australia's Kiwi coach Robbie Deans for what he believes was a seriously disappointing World Cup campaign.

Wales have called uncapped Scarlets prop Rhodri Jones into the squad preparing to face Australia at the Millennium Stadium next Saturday.

New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is happy with the state of his squad and is confident that they have what it takes to get their World Series defence off to a good start on the Gold Coast this weekend.

SANZAR chairman Mike Eagle would like to see Argentina play a bigger role in southern hemisphere rugby's controlling body and eventually have their own Super Rugby conference.

Being boring is not something you would associate an Australian team with and they will certainly pull out all the stops to 'entertain' when they tackle the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.

Former French international centre Brian Liebenberg has announced his retirement, after Stade Francais refused to renew his contract.

Montpellier flank Remy Martin is suing Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal for defamation in the wake of a post-match assault by Toulon forward Olivier Missoup.

The IRB's Sevens get going this weekend and the Wallabies wander into Europe but for the rest club rugby resumes in the north, rest and recreation in the south.

Greg Barden will lead England in this season's Sevens World Series after being named as the side's new captain on Tuesday.

The manager of Samoa's rugby team has been fined 100 pigs for disgracing his village and discrediting his chiefly title at the World Cup.

The Hurricanes are preparing for a new Super Rugby season and have named Conrad Smith as captain for the 2012 campaign.

The great French journal Midi Olympique held its 58th awards evening on Monday at Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, and the top French award, the Golden Oscar, went to Vincent Clerc of Toulouse.

Glasgow Warriors have delivered a significant statement of intent by securing Chris Cusiter, a British & Irish Lion and one of the leading scrumhalves in the world game, on a long-term deal.

Wallabies flank David Pocock believes that a good performance on the tour of the UK is exactly what Australia needs to erase the disappointment of their World Cup semifinal exit.

Australian coach Michael O'Connor has named an exciting new team for the opening leg of the 2011/12 IRB Sevens World Series with eight debutants joining the ranks for the inaugural Gold Coast tournament.

The Welsh Rugby Union has signed up 12 core sevens players for the forthcoming IRB Sevens World Series, which kicks off on Friday in Australia.

England's Greg Barden has swapped the military frontline for a full-time Sevens career.

One week remains until the kick-off of the Sevens World Series 2011/12 in Australia at the Gold Coast Sevens - Fever Pitch on November 25-26.

Sitiveni Sivivatu, the powerful All Blacks wing, has arrived at last at his French club Clermont Auvergne.

The Chiefs matches against the Brumbies and Lions will be played at the other provinces in the franchise region.

Sam Tomkins is the latest addition to the Barbarians' squad for the match against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

At the Estadio Nacional Universidad Computense in Madrid on Saturday, Spain beat the touring Uruguay team 16-13 after leading 16-0 at half-time.

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has agreed a new contract with the Welsh Rugby Union which will ensure he continues at the helm of the senior team for at least a full season after the next Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Sam Waburton has retained the Wales captaincy for the one-off Test against Australia at the Millennium Stadium despite the return of Matthew Rees.

A string of injuries to key players has left the cupboard looking decidedly bare for Wales coach Warren Gatland ahead of his team's big clash with the Wallabies at the Millenium Stadium.

Veteran Wallaby lock Nathan Sharpe has written off speculation that he will seek a fat paycheque overseas to end his career, confirming that he plans to end his playing days in Australia.

The Varsity Cup Rugby competition will - once again - lend itself to experimentation, with the importance of tries being the major focus ahead of the 2012 tournaments.

Wallaby and Reds wing Digby Ioane's decision to delay a decision on his future has left the door open for Japan to lure him away from Australia.

Disgraced All Black Zac Guildford has pledged to give up alcohol and wants to continue playing rugby, but first he will have to go through a misconduct process that will include professional help.

The experienced Wayne Pivac has been named head coach of the Auckland National Provincial Championship team for the next two seasons, and will replace Mark Anscombe who held the position from 2009-2011.

Australian rugby boss John O'Neill has challenged the Wallabies to unseat the All Blacks at the top of the world rankings by the end of 2012.

Shane Williams is currently the first name on Warren Gatland's team sheet for the clash against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, December 3.

United States Eagles head coach Eddie O'Sullivan has become the latest man to quit his job in the aftermath of the World Cup.

The Teros of Uruguay have flown over the Atlantic to Europe on a two-Test tour. They beat Portugal 16-9 on Sunday and play Spain on Saturday at Estadio Nacional Complutense in Madrid.

Bryce Lawrence has said he would not referee in South Africa if he received threats against his person. This follows the outcry in South Africa about his refereeing of the World Cup quarterfinal between the Springboks and the Wallabies.

Charismatic Racing-Metro forward Sebastien Chabal put on his suit and wrote a referees' exam - and passed!

South African Sevens coach Paul Treu believes that his young team has all the mental toughness to have a special season and challenge the best for the IRB Sevens World Series title.

Irish referee Alain Rolland has insisted he had no regrets in sending off Wales captain Sam Warburton when he produced a controversial red card during last month's World Cup semifinal against France.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes that constant communication between all role players will be key to properly managing Australian players in what will be an intensely congested season next year.

De Jongh Borchardt, the author of Victor Matfield's book, Victor: My Journey, spent Saturday morning at the 2Oceansviberadio studios chatting to Crispin Inglis and Howie Kahn on The Bench; their weekly online-based sports and lifestyle show.

All Blacks wing Zac Guildford faced fresh allegations on Tuesday stemming from a drunken binge that ended with him staggering naked and bleeding into a bar then assaulting two people.

The Rugby World Cup is over and it's time again when laws will be changed. Looking after the Laws of the Game is the IRB's primary and most serious responsibility.

Rugby in Namibia is in chaos with nobody to run it. The whole Executive has resigned.

Zac Guildford faced fresh allegations on Tuesday, as triathlete Kelly Pick claims he made lewd sexual comments and harassed her.

All Black Zac Guildford apologised for a drunken binge that ended with him staggering naked, bleeding into a bar and assaulting people.

The New Zealand Rugby Union is not about to discard troubled All Blacks wing Zac Guildford. They will do their best to help him recover from his alcohol addiction.

All Black wing Zac Guildford apologised Monday for a drunken binge that ended with him staggering naked and bleeding into a bar then assaulting two people.

The Hurricanes and the Crusaders will meet in a pre-season game on Saturday, February 11, in Mangatainoka.

The Heineken Cup got off to a thrilling start. Any more of what happened in Limerick, Glasgow, Paris, Reading, Montpellier, Belfast and Gloucester and the sale of tranquillisers will soar. We bring you the referees for the next round of matches.

All Blacks wing Zac Guildford has been accused of staggering naked, drunk and bleeding into a bar where he allegedly assaulted two people.

All Blacks wing Zac Guildford has been accused of staggering naked, drunk and bleeding into a bar where he allegedly assaulted two people.

Western Province Rugby's Senior Professional Coach Rassie Erasmus has gone to great lengths to tell us he does not need to 'buy a team' and has all the player resources he needs. He may well be right...

Enigmatic Earl Rose has built up such a reputation in South Africa that he has been forced to start looking abroad for employment.

England have named an experienced squad, including the majority of the players who lifted the first silverware of the 2010/11 season, for the start of the new IRB Sevens World Series in Australia.

Western Province Rugby Football Union President Tobie Titus is standing firm in the ongoing debate about his union moving their home base from Newlands to the new Cape Town Stadium.

Promising Free State Cheetahs centre Robert Ebersohn makes a welcome return to the Springbok team after a two-year absence, having helped the Blitzbokke to capture the IRB Sevens World Series in 2009.

New Zealanders were scrambling to do damage control, following claims that the All Blacks were taking steroid in the 1990s.

The Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks dominate the list of nominees for the 2011 New Zealand Rugby Awards to be held in Auckland on December 1.

SANZAR had named its merit panel of 10 referees for Super Rugby in 2012 and eight reserves who will get chances to referee.

The Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks dominate the list of nominees for the 2011 NZRU Awards to be held in Auckland on December 1.

NPC winning Canterbury coach Rob Penney has been selected as head coach of the World Championship winning New Zealand Under-20 team.

NPC winning Canterbury coach Rob Penney has been selected as head coach of the World Championship winning New Zealand Under-20 team.

Wang Wyness died on Sunday 6 November 2011 after a battle against cancer. He was a Springbok centre in the early 1960s.

The South African Rugby Union would be foolish not to look to the northern hemisphere to secure their long-term future.

Scotland coach Graham Shiel has opted for specialist players when he named the 12- man squad for the opening rounds of the IRB Sevens World Series - starting at the inaugural Gold Coast tournament in Australia, in a fortnight's time.

One World Cup triumph, a series win over the British & Irish Lions, two Tri-Nations titles, three Super Rugby trophies and three Currie Cups...

Nathan Hines, the 77-times-capped Scotland forward, is retiring from the international arena after 11 years on the Test stage.

The IRB are mulling over a change to disciplinary procedures after being prevented from taking action on French centre Aurelien Rougerie's alleged eye gouging on Richie McCaw.

The Springboks will kick off against the Pumas when the all-new 'Rugby Championship' launches in 2012 - the exciting and ground-breaking replacement for the Tri-Nations series, SANZAR announced on Tuesday.

Four matches in the Top 14 have been postponed, four for mumps and one for rain. They have been rescheduled.

Experienced former Free State captain and former Blue Bulls coach Pote Human has been named as head coach of Griquas for the next three years.

The Wallabies will take on World Cup champion All Blacks to launch the game's latest jewel in the crown - the Rugby Championship - in Sydney next year.

The All Blacks will play Ireland at a specially revamped stadium which will be the interim home of rugby in Christchurch.

The World Cup-winning All Blacks will play one of six domestic Test matches in 2012 at a specially revamped stadium which will be the interim home of rugby in Christchurch.

The Wallabies will take on World Cup quarterfinalists Argentina in a historic showdown at Skilled Park, Gold Coast, when the game's latest jewel in the crown - Rugby Championship - is launched next year.

South Africa, who have been drawn against hosts Australia in the opening round of the IRB Sevens World Series at the Gold Coast later this month, are determined to make a fast start to the 2011/12 season.

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) hit out at Pro 12 franchise Treviso for not respecting an agreement which is designed ultimately to improve the national team's prospects.

The Crusaders and the Melbourne Rebels will be heading to Singapore for a Super Rugby pre-season friendly.

England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson rounded on his teammates at the World Cup, criticising their work ethic after a group went out drinking, according to extracts from his autobiography published on Monday.

Europe gets moving this weekend and match officials will be flying all over the place. George Clancy, who started the World Cup, starts the Heieneken Cup.

Call it a repair job or a healing process, but part of the painful procedure of administrative restoration within the Golden Lions Rugby Union means making tough decisions.

Stuart Dickinson has just finished one of the greatest refereeing careers in the history of the game, and at 43 he moves to pastures new.

A strong Wallabies touring party, collectively boasting 634 Test appearances, has been announced for the short tour of the United Kingdom starting later this month.

In a Women's International at Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Chateaurenard on Saturday, France came from behind to snatch a 16-15 victory over England, France's second win in three days.

With the playing curtain down on what has been probably, in the overall, a marginally disappointing season, interest turns to off-field matters now - one of them being the appointment of a new Bok coach.

Having had eight years as an 'apprentice' under Graham Henry, Steve Hansen feels he is ready to step into the most prized job in New Zealand.

It was not a full round, Round 10, not with three Top 14 matches postponed, two for mumps and one for rain. This will naturally produce an unsatisfactory log.

On Saturday at glamorous Stade de France, Stade Francais rose up and toppled the Top 14 log leaders in the great Parisian tradition of revolution.

Veteran Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll has brushed off suggestions that he will retire from international rugby soon as he eyes another chance to make history in New Zealand next year.

Racing-Metro went down from Paris and kicked six kicks to the home side's four and so beat Brive 18-12 in miserable weather at Stade Amedee-Domenech in Top 14 action on Friday night.

The Australian Rugby Union on Friday announced an historic one-off International between the Wallabies and Scotland at the Ausgrid Stadium in Newcastle next year.

For Part Two of Kim's Rugby Pub Review, our intrepid presenter Kim Senogles and the rugby365 TV crew visited the legendary Fireman's Arms in Cape Town.

According to utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper the ambitious Wallabies are not going to wait until the next World Cup to prove that they are the best team in the world.

The Australian Rugby Union today announced on Friday that the Wallabies will return to playing traditional June Tests next year - with Scotland and Wales to tour Down Under.

The European Rugby Cup, who are responsible for Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup rugby, have announced the referees for the first two rounds of the Amlin Challenge Cup which kicks off on Thursday, 10 November 2011.

The 1950 Currie Cup Final was one of the great Finals. It was a great match and there was in it a moment of remarkable sportsmanship when Transvaal - as the Golden Lions then were - and Western Province met. Playing for Transvaal was flank Piet Malan and he remembers it well.

All Black captain Richie McCaw is to undergo surgery on his injured foot and will definitely miss the early round of the Super Rugby season

World Cup-winning All Black captain Richie McCaw is to undergo surgery on his injured foot and will definitely miss the early round of the Super Rugby season next year, the New Zealand team doctor confirmed on Friday.

New Italian coach Jacques Brunel says there will be no revolution when he lines up his first team for the Six Nations opener against France in Paris in February.

World Cup-winning All Black coach Graham Henry's vast reservoir of knowledge should be retained for the exclusive use of New Zealand teams.

The one is an animated coach. The other is an animated character.

The Top 14 match between Toulon's and Agen, scheduled to be played at Stade Mayol on Saturday afternoon, has been postponed.

As was the case with the player upheavals, the Golden Lions Rugby Union went through some rough times before finding the right coaching combination.

New Italian coach Jacques Brunel said his team must quickly reach a level that will enable them to compete for the Six Nations title.

Mumps is still playing its part in France's Top 14 fixtures and two matches have been postponed as a result. The matches Lyon vs Montpellier and Biarritz vs Bayonne have been postponed. Toulon vs Agen is also off because of heavy rain.

Wales captain Sam Warburton admits referee Alain Rolland was right to send him off in the World Cup semifinals loss to France for a tackle that was "uglier" than he first thought.

After no score in the first half, France beat England 14-5 in a Women's Test played in the rain at Stade Jean Bouin in Marseille on Wednesday evening, the first of two Tests between the two countries this week.

Blues coach Pat Lam believes he has the "most exciting and experienced" squad ever assembled, after revealing the 2012 team.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett, having learned valuable lessons from a tumultuous 2011, said he is ready to tackle a very tough 2012 season.

Twenty-eight new faces feature in New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises, who named their squads for the 2012 season on Wednesday.

Speaking to France's sporting daily L'Equipe Frederic Michalak said that he still wants to play for France and to do that he is ready to return to Europe.

The Crusaders will start their 2012 campaign without two of their most influential players - Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.

England World Cup loose forward James Haskell is to play Super Rugby next season in a surprise move that sees him join the Highlanders.

The Golden Lions were handsome winners of the 2011 Currie Cup when they beat the Sharks 42-16 at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday. We give some statistics for the match.

Bay of Plenty lock Leon Power has become the latest acquisition for new Brumbies coach Jake White.

Jonah Lomu's former manager Phil Kingsley Jones believes that recent Chiefs signing Sonny Bill Williams is alienating fans by taking his rugby commitments too lightly.

All Black coach Graham Henry is stepping down just nine days after guiding the team to win the World Cup.

All Black coach Graham Henry, one of the world's most successful coaches, announced Tuesday he is stepping down just nine days after guiding the team to win the World Cup in New Zealand.

The Currie Cup is done and dusted for another year and despite the lack of Springbok stars there is plenty to applaud as we hand out our prestigious rugby365.com awards.

Jonah Lomu's former manager believes that Sonny Bill Williams is alienating fans by taking his rugby commitments too lightly.

England Women go across to France to meet their most serious European rivals in two Tests this week - one at Stade Jean Bouin in Marseille on Wednesday evening and the other at Pierre de Coubertin Stadium in Chateaurenard on Saturday afternoon.

When Kevin de Klerk arrived at Ellis Park in 2009, to step into the Golden Lions hotseat, he inherited a near bankrupt union in turmoil.

In our fourth episode of rugby365 TV, brought to you by adidas, we spoke to Western Province and Springbok defence guru Jacques Nienaber.

International Rugby Board referees boss Paddy O'Brien says the authority of television match officials is likely to be extended on a trial basis next year and could be permanently increased.

All Black utility back Sonny Bill Williams has signed a one-year contract with the NZRU and will play for the Chiefs in the S15.

French No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy of Biarritz said that the French coach Marc Lievremont was lost at the World Cup in New Zealand and that the players had taken over the running of the team, ignoring their coach.

The age-old debate of 'home grown' players versus 'imports' continue to rage on, even after the Currie Cup Final - won in such emphatic fashion by the Lions.

The referees for Round 10 of the Top 14 are all from outside of France, one from each of the other five nations of the Six Nations.

Injury-prone All Black Colin Slade is determined to overcome his latest injury setback, an infection that hospitalised him for a week.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is set to launch a series of initiatives which will aim to boost the community game by harnessing the energy generated by Wales in the World Cup.

Ulster confirmed on Monday that evergreen Springbok Stefan Terblanche will join the growing shiver of Sharks in Belfast.

Following their dominant campaign which eventually ended in glory on home turf on Saturday the Lions understandably make up the bulk of our Currie Cup Team of the Tournament.

Lock Jason Eaton has become the latest player to recommit to the Hurricanes for 2012, which will be his seventh season with the franchise.

Southern lands have closed down and gradually the ambitious clubs of the north are getting their big men into action again, and the referees, too, are back home in action.

All Black utility back Sonny Bill Williams has signed a one-year contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union and will play for the Chiefs in next year's Super Rugby tournament.

Newly crowned world champions New Zealand remain on top of the IRB rankings following their 8-7 victory over France in the World Cup 2011 Final last weekend, but the tournament did see a number of changes over the seven weeks.

While World Cup-winning All Black coach Graham Henry is yearning for some 'down time', he is being bombarded with 'offers' and suggestions from around the world about what to do in future.

Lions coach John Mitchell said filling Ellis Park from corner to corner, in his team's 42-16 Currie Cup Final victory over the Sharks which broke the 12-year trophy drought in Johannesburg was a dream come true.

Former England captain Lewis Moody admits he should have banned his teammates from going on nights out during their shambolic World Cup campaign in New Zealand.

All Blacks legend John Kirwan, due to quit as Japan coach after the Brave Blossoms' disappointment at the World Cup, came under fire Saturday for his use of foreign-born players.

The big beard Lions captain Joshua Strauss had grown while he waited for his girlfriend to relocate from Cape Town was forcefully removed by teammate Wikus van Heerden after Saturday's Currie Cup Final victory against the Sharks.

Italian wing Mirco Bergamasco is confident he will recover from his shoulder injury in time for the start of next year's Six Nations tournament.

George Clancy blew the whistle to start the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He will also blow the whistle to start the 2011/12 Heineken Cup, Europe's club championship.

At a time when coaching the national team seems to be the most unattractive job in South Africa, the most unlikely group of players proved that a good coach can achieve extraordinary feats.

The Lions ended a drought of six-decades when they smashed the Sharks 42-16 in the Currie Cup Final in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has fined six players for going out drinking during their World Cup campaign which saw the Pacific island nation dumped out in the pool stage.

There may be a clamour for him to join the growing list at the exit door after the World Cup, but Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll is not yet ready to step off the international stage.

"I'm never going to make a hooker and you're never going to make a referee."

Japan's winless exit from the World Cup raises a worrying question for the perennial Asian champions but minnows on the global stage: What will happen when they hold the event in 2019?

It's October, the loveliest month of the year, according to the poet Louis Leipoldt: 'Dit is die maand Oktober, die mooiste, mooiste maand.' It is that time - the Currie Cup Final is upon us at a sold-out stadium in Johannesburg.

English rugby chief Martyn Thomas gave team manager Martin Johnson a vote of confidence on Friday and insisted he had not been given a deadline to indicate if he wants to continue in the job.

Although his side is often described as promising yet inexperienced, John Mitchell believes that the stability and continuity that has been created in Johannesburg will bear fruit for his young Lions in the Currie Cup Final this weekend.

There was more than enough banter about during the World Cup and here at rugby365.com we have kept our ear to the ground and picked out the best of the chatter - both on and off the field.

The Fiji Rugby Union has sacked its national selectors in one of its first public responses to the failure of the Fijian team at the World Cup.

Former Sharks skipper John Smit is backing his old team to successfully defend their Currie Cup title against the high-riding Golden Lions this weekend.

Just days after beating France in the World Cup Final, the New Zealand Rugby Union has announced it will open a commercial office in Paris.

The one missed the World Cup play-offs. The other almost missed his wedding.

In our third episode of rugby365 TV, brought to you by adidas, we spoke to Western Province Under-21 coach John Dobson - the man who actually started up rugby365.com some twelves years ago.

Four days after beating France in the World Cup Final, the New Zealand Rugby Union has announced it will open a commercial office in Paris.

Just call 2011 the Year of the Kiwi. The All Blacks have just won their second World Cup title; three of four coaches in the semifinals of that tournament were New Zealanders and the Kiwi foreign legion are also top of the pops in South Africa's Currie Cup.

World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry is poised to step down in the coming days, but he won't step away from the game.

All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams is under the spotlight once again as his decision on where his future lies comes into question once again.

The Currie Cup is named after a man and was from the beginning a sponsor's trophy. That is surprising considering the aggressive amateurism of the 1890s.

French centre Aurelien Rougerie has been accused of eye-gouging All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in the World Cup final.

Sharks coach John Plumtree has made just one change to his matchday 22 for Saturday's Currie Cup Final against the Lions in Johannesburg.

Sonny Bill Williams is under the spotlight once again as his decision on where his future lies comes into question once again.

Former Golden Lions captain Hannes Strydom believes the Johannesburg-based side can win the Currie Cup Final against the Sharks on Saturday - provided they play as a unit.

World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry is poised to step down in the coming days, but he won't step away from the game.

The French side that lost 7-8 to the All Blacks in last Sunday's World Cup Final are to be commemorated on a stamp issued by the French postal service La Poste.

Sharks tackling machine Willem Alberts believes it's time to go to work in the Currie Cup Final regardless of World Cup disappointments.

Samoan captain Mahroni Schwalger has blamed his team's World Cup failure on a lack of professionalism and a culture of alcohol abuse in the team management.

Currie Cup Finals between the Sharks and the Golden Lions are strange. It is almost as if playing at home is a curse!

Lions coach John Mitchell has announced an unchanged starting XV to take on the Sharks in the Currie Cup Final in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Sharks coach John Plumtree believes that his team's recent thrashing of the Lions will be irrelevant when they attempt to become the first team in six years to win the Currie Cup Final away from home this weekend.

Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske and Griquas fullback Rudi Vogt received the Currie Cup Coach and Player of the Month Awards, respectively, for October.

Lions coach John Mitchell has plenty of respect for what the Sharks are capable of, but his focus ahead of the Currie Cup Final is firmly on his team and how they can impose themselves on the defending champions.

A reader on our website, Gleb Spivak, sent us an interesting email on Wednesday; which could just create some more post-World Cup controversy.

Former Australian coach Eddie Jones said Wednesday he has the "passion" to improve Japanese rugby if he is appointed to replace All Blacks legend John Kirwan as the country's coach.

French centre Aurelien Rougerie was accused on Wednesday of eye-gouging All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in the closing minutes of the World Cup Final amid swirling speculation over the incident.

As the dust settles on the spectacle that was Rugby World Cup New Zealand 2011, rugbyworldcup.com takes a look at some of the numbers that defined the global showpiece.

Although Western Province's weak tight five proved to be their Achilles heel yet again this season, forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot believes that he has some young players that will turn things around up front fairly soon.

The World Cup is over and had more than its fair share of comical and embarrassing moments. We, at rugby365.com, bring you our Wacky World Cup Awards for 2011.

Sharks captain Keegan Daniel believes that the settled and confident Lions will be a seriously tough prospect this weekend despite his team's vast experience in knock-out rugby.

Current Leopards coach and former Lions player Leon Boshoff believes that the discipline and structure introduced by John Mitchell has groomed the Golden Lions into a Currie Cup-winning team.

The end of the World Cup has turned sour for beaten finalists France after they were fined for breaching protocols and police were called to an incident involving players and photographers.

The first Currie Cup Final was played in 1939, at Newlands when Transvaal beat Western Province. The Sharks (a.k.a. Natal) are back in the final for the second year in a row and will be playing the Golden Lions (a.k.a. Transvaal) for the fourth time in a Currie Cup Final.

Sharks assistant coach Reece-Edwards believes that the team is coming of age and have learnt the hard way that a good season means nothing if you don't claim silverware.

The NZRU is inviting applications for All Blacks coach, though World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry remains tight-lipped about his future.

The New Zealand Rugby Union is inviting applications for All Blacks coach, though World Cup-winning head coach Graham Henry remains tight-lipped about his future.

The trophy cabinet remains empty and the Western Province pack's reputation took another battering, but the coaching staff are not planning to go on a buying spree.

At the end of another fantastic Rugby World Cup full of magical moments, the rugby365.com team have identified the winners of our own prestigious awards for the tournament.

France will head home after a troubled World Cup campaign knowing they stunned their many critics to push champions New Zealand to the limit in an 8-7 final defeat at Eden Park on Sunday.

Graham Henry can bow out a happy man after guiding the All Blacks to a World Cup final win that ended 24 years of pain for New Zealand.

Bulls wing Gerhard van den Heever has transferred to Western Province, having fallen out of favour with the selectors in Pretoria.

Graham Henry can bow out a happy man after guiding the All Blacks to a World Cup Final win that ended 24 years of pain for New Zealand.

The 2011 Rugby World Cup is over. Like a child who waits and waits for Christmas and then suddenly it is over, so we waited for four years and now suddenly it is over, and New Zealand are the champions, beating France by a point in a gripping match. We give statistics from the final and the third-place play-off.

Suddenly, the World Cup has ended, and players and referees leave New Zealand. In Europe club matches resume and in South Africa the Currie Cup Final approaches with Mark Lawrence, recently retired from international rugby, to referee it, his second Currie Cup Final.

Mark Lawrence has been appointed to referee the 2011 Currie Cup Final at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg, on October 29.

Wales can't be certain of hosting any matches in the 2015 World Cup, IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said on Monday.

All Black coach Graham Henry said his team's grit and discipline were the reasons why they were able to finally lift the World Cup.

Hundreds of thousands of jubilant New Zealanders packed central Auckland for the All Blacks victory parade on Monday.

International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset praised an "exceptional" World Cup on Monday and said New Zealand had put itself in position to host the tournament again.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset praised an "exceptional" World Cup and said New Zealand had put itself in position to be hosts again.

Our Currie Cup team of the semifinals is understandably dominated by players from the Lions and the Sharks who will contest the Final in Johannesburg on Saturday.

International media heaped generous praise on the All Blacks on Monday after they shed their hated 'choker' tag and eased the pain of recent deadly disasters with a nail-biting World Cup Final victory.

New Zealand great Jonah Lomu said it felt as if he had "turned to custard" after suffering his latest health scare which struck him down during the World Cup.

New Zealand added another accolade to the Webb Ellis Cup - again edging their rivals in our famous Team of the Tournament.

Hundreds of thousands of jubilant New Zealanders packed central Auckland for the All Blacks victory parade on Monday, celebrating their 'ultimate achievement' in winning the Rugby World Cup.

Morgan Parra started the World Cup on the bench and ended it the same way, as an injury cut short his involvement in the first half of Sunday's final against New Zealand.

Queen Elizabeth II has sent her congratulations to the New Zealand rugby team after they won the 2011 World Cup, beating France 8-7.

Sharks coach John Plumtree hopes his players will take a lesson from Saturday's Currie Cup semifinal performance against the Cheetahs in Durban after booking their place in the final for a third time in four years.

New Zealand found an unlikely hero in flyhalf Stephen Donald in their gripping 8-7 World Cup final win over France at Eden Park on Sunday.

All Black coach Graham Henry said his team's grit and discipline were the reasons why they were able to end New Zealand's 24 years of World Cup heartache in Auckland on Sunday.

New Zealand erupted with a nationwide celebration Sunday as the All Blacks ended 24 years of hurt by the narrowest of margins with their 8-7 win over France to claim the World Cup.

New Zealand ended a 24-year World Cup drought when they edged France 8-7 in an epic Final in Auckland on Sunday.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw hailed the country's new heroes, after New Zealand ended 24 years of misery without a World Cup.

New Zealand ended a 24-year World Cup drought when they edged France 8-7 in an epic Final in Auckland on Sunday.

Erratic Australian playmaker Quade Cooper will be sidelined for at least six months with knee surgery after collapsing in agony during the World Cup bronze play-off, officials said Sunday.

Marc Lievremont's last match in charge of France ended with a narrow 8-7 defeat to New Zealand in a gripping World Cup Final which ensured the beleaguered coach can leave international rugby with his pride intact.

France were left cursing the absence of a stroke or two of good fortune after losing 8-7 to New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup Final in Auckland on Sunday.

New Zealand found an unlikely hero in replacement flyhalf Stephen Donald in their gripping 8-7 World Cup Final win over France at Eden Park on Sunday.

Golden Lions coach John Mitchell believes his side can go up another notch, despite a convincing 29-20 Currie Cup semifinal win over Western Province at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Finally! The French turned up at the 2011 World Cup just in time for the final where they ran hosts New Zealand ever so close, going down 8-7 at Eden Park in Auckland.

New Zealanders will celebrate long and hard, after 24 years of World Cup heartache ended with victory in Auckland on Sunday.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw hailed the country's new heroes, after New Zealand ended 24 years of misery when they edged France 8-7 to win the World Cup for a second time in Auckland on Sunday.

Richie McCaw will stress the opportunity awaiting the All Blacks shortly before they go out to play France in the World Cup Final.

Even the usually reserved Thierry Dusautoir doesn't expect to have any trouble finding the right words to motivate his French squad before the World Cup Final against New Zealand.

New Zealand ended a 24-year Rugby World Cup drought when they edged France 8-7 in an epic final in Auckland on Sunday.

The Lions showed great character to hold off the challenge of Western Province who they beat 29-20 in their high octane Currie Cup semifinal in Johannesburg on Saturday.

John Mitchell is adamant his successor, Graham Henry, will get to taste success on the biggest stage in the game.

French sports daily l'Equipe on Saturday devoted its entire front page to 50 reasons why France should set its alarm early on Sunday morning to watch the World Cup Final against New Zealand.

John Eric Paul Mitchell has first-hand experience of World Cup heartache, but he is adamant his successor, Graham Henry, will get to taste success on the biggest stage in the game.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said that he will stress the opportunity awaiting the All Blacks shortly before they go out to play France in Sunday's World Cup Final at Eden Park.

Wales' World Cup campaign ultimately ended in massive disappointment, a bronze medal game defeat by Australia capping a tournament in which several younger players starred.

Australian media Saturday described as bittersweet the Wallabies victory over Wales in the Rugby World Cup bronze play-off, noting that it came too late and at great injury cost.

Marc Lievremont has only one wish left heading into the World Cup Final against New Zealand - to wake up with a hangover on Monday as the first French coach to win the global showpiece.

Underdogs France are confident they will pose New Zealand problems in Sunday's World Cup Final and have dismissed suggestions that they will resort to dirty tactics in a bid for an unlikely triumph.

Sir Wilson Whineray, regarded as one of the greatest New Zealand rugby captains, said the World Cup would still be a "joy" for the country even if France beat the home side in Sunday's Final.

The wounded Wallabies limped home on Saturday with Quade Cooper on crutches and a hard-fought bronze medal to show for a World Cup campaign that failed to deliver on its rich promise.

It has been a remarkable year for All Blacks scrumhalf Piri Weepu, rebounding from a broken leg to become the pivotal player in a New Zealand team that plays France in the World Cup Final on Sunday.

Tension does not abate this weekend as an exciting Currie Cup season goes into the semifinals and the unpredictable. We look at semifinals down the years, not that they have all that long a history.

It has been a remarkable year for All Black Piri Weepu, rebounding from a broken leg to become the pivotal player for New Zealand.

The Sharks scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to come from behind and book their place in the Currie Cup Final next week with a 20-13 victory over the Cheetahs at Kings Park on Saturday.

All Blacks legend John Kirwan, due to quit as Japan coach following their dismal showing at the World Cup, says he hopes the 2019 tournament they host will be a 'very Japanese' fusion of sushi and sport.

New Zealand's Aaron Cruden and France's Morgan Parra find themselves squaring off in Sunday's World Cup Final.

We asked our readers to nominate their World Cup Player of the Tournament and New Zealand flank Jerome Kaino won by a proverbial country mile.

New Zealand's Aaron Cruden and France's Morgan Parra find themselves squaring off in Sunday's Final after contrasting pathways that neither would have expected to lead them to playing flyhalf in the deciding match of a Rugby World Cup.

Wales were left lamenting more poor goal-kicking after a 21-18 bronze medal defeat by Australia at Eden Park on Friday brought a disappointing end to a World Cup campaign that had promised so much.

Wales fought manfully in their third-place play-off against Australia but seemed to be their own worst enemies at times and ended coming up just short in a game high on passion but low on quality.

Australia won the consolation prize and take home the bronze medal after their 21-18 victory over Wales.

To suggest anything but a New Zealand victory in Sunday's World Cup Final against France seems madness. It seems that at last New Zealand will get the monkey off their back and surf with the surge of the nation to a victory in the City of Sails. And yet...

The International Rugby Board has announced the 12 referees for the nine legs of its 2011/12 Sevens World Series.

Quade Cooper suffered a knee injury as the Wallabies ended their ill-fated World Cup with a fighting 21-18 victory over Wales to take third place.

Veteran back Damien Traille was on Friday included among the France replacements named by coach Marc Lievremont for this weekend's World Cup Final against New Zealand.

Robbie Deans and Warren Gatland turned to face new challenges in their international coaching careers after Friday's bronze medal match at the World Cup.

The World Cup Final may well be the biggest moment in New Zealand head coach Graham Henry's career.

Joel Jutge and David Ellis seem like an odd couple in France's preparations for Sunday's World Cup Final against the All Blacks.

France's path to the World Cup Final at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday.

No one more typifies the All Blacks' insatiable hunger for an elusive World Cup crown than inspirational skipper Richie McCaw.

Thierry Dusautoir faces his hardest task in more than two years since he became France captain when he leads his country into a World Cup Final against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday.

The second semifinal in this year's Currie Cup pits the consistently strong Golden Lions up against a Springbok-clad Western Province at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.

The Cheetahs face a massive task this weekend when they travel to Durban to take on the defending champion Sharks in their potentially epic Currie Cup semifinal.

A France team derided as the "worst" side ever to reach a World Cup Final found itself under fresh attack on Friday, just two days out from the showpiece match against hosts New Zealand.

Right then, folks... it's been fun, but, sadly our Rugby World Cup lookalikes have come to an end. (Which kind of makes sense with the final just two days away now.)

The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd announced on Friday that promising midfielder Stefan Watermeyer has been released from his contract with the Pretoria-based side.

New Zealand's path to the World Cup Final against France at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday.

Australia won their first game at Eden Park in 25 years when they beat a poor Welsh side 21-18 in the World Cup third-place play-off in Auckland on Friday.

Teenage sensation Johan Goosen has excelled every time he has made a step up to the next level of the game in his short career, so how will he measure up against a Sharks team full of Springboks in Saturday's Currie Cup semifinal?

There have been six Rugby World Cup Finals so far - in 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007. We take a trip down memory lane ahead of Sunday's finale to the 2011 RWC.

Two of the more distinctive and eye-catching players in Sunday's World Cup Final will roam at the back in no-man's land. That is where fullbacks Israel Dagg and Maxime Medard are at their most dangerous.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has named an unchanged starting XV to play France in the World Cup Final at Eden Park on Sunday.

The battle at outside centre is an interesting one, between two players who have been away from the headlines during the World Cup. We look ahead to the one-on-one clash between Conrad Smith and Aurelien Rougerie in Sunday's RWC Final.

The forward battle will be key in Sunday's World Cup Final, and two old warhorses - Brad Thorn and Lionel Nallet - will be leading the charge for their respective teams at Eden Park.

Appointed to Sunday's World Cup Final between New Zealand and France, Craig Joubert joins an exclusive club, one with literally a handful of members, the referees of the Rugby World Cup Final.

An online bookmaker has already paid out bets on New Zealand to win Sunday's World Cup Final, declaring opponents France "the worst team ever" to reach the tournament decider.

Either Richie McCaw or Thierry Dusautoir will brandish aloft the World Cup on Sunday night in Eden Park, Auckland. On its face is engraved The International Rugby Board and below that arch the name of the trophy: The Webb Ellis Cup. The cup itself is quite a bit older than the World Cup.

The Sharks have signaled their intent to retain the Currie Cup this season, with a full strength side named for Saturday's semifinal against the Cheetahs.

The man whose name is on the Rugby World Cup is a real person, once a real schoolboy.

There is home advantage and then there is Eden Park, the venue for Sunday's World Cup Final between New Zealand and France.

We at rugby365 pride ourselves on knowing our rugby and are always ready to stick our necks out when it comes to prediction time. But how have we done with our match-by-match predictions during the 2011 Rugby World Cup?

World Cup chiefs said Thursday they had achieved their ticket sales revenue target with two matches still to play.

Clearly we have nothing better to do with our time here at rugby365... despite the Rugby World Cup still being on the go. But that said, and judging by your comments, our lookalikes have produced a smile... or two.

The Lions won't die wondering when they take on Western Province in the second of the two Currie Cup semifinals in Johannesburg on Saturday.

If France lose Sunday's World Cup final against hosts New Zealand, team manager Jo Maso will undoubtedly be disappointed.

France play New Zealand in the World Cup Final at Eden Park on Sunday, a ground where the All Blacks last tasted defeat on July 3, 1994, after Les Bleus snatched a win in the final minute with a memorable try.

France's patchy form going into the World Cup Final will have no bearing on what remains a two-horse race, All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen insisted Thursday.

All Blacks star Dan Carter revealed on Thursday that the surgery he underwent on his World Cup-ending groin injury had been successful.

With World Cup glory on the line at Eden Park on Sunday both teams will be hoping that their talismanic skippers are able to impose themselves on the opposition to give them the edge.

New Zealand will host France in the seventh World Cup Final in Auckland on Sunday and if history is a yardstick we should not be expecting a try feast. Jan de Koning investigates how finals are won or lost.

The South African players with the best form at the World Cup will pose the biggest threat in the Currie Cup play-offs and for the Free State Cheetahs that is bad news.

Nathan Sharpe, set to join a select Wallaby quartet with 100 Tests this week, ranks alongside South Africa's Victor Matfield as the best line-out exponent of the last decade, according to Australia coach Robbie Deans.

There was a great response to our first RWC lookalike feature yesterday. Today, we have some more Rugby World Cup doppelgangers... all of which are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone's face.

We rather enjoyed the 2011 Rugby World Cup, so we thought we'd preserve its memory with this little gallery. Come in and check it out...

Thank you Richie McCaw. Not for your inspiring leadership as New Zealand ended their 24-year Rugby World Cup drought, but rather for your rather accurate summation of events at the full-time whistle of Sunday's dramatic RWC Final.