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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.

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.

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

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.)

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

Sharks skipper Keegan Daniel is expecting the Springbok forwards in his pack to make a major difference when they take on the Cheetahs in their Currie Cup semifinal in Durban on Saturday.

Australia and Wales will look to Friday's bronze medal match at Eden Park in Auckland for some consolation after their hopes of winning the World Cup were extinguished following semifinal defeats last weekend.

The Lions have called on the services of former Western Province prop CJ van der Linde who forms part of a strong starting line-up that will take on the Cape side in their Currie Cup semifinal on Saturday.

Schalk Burger will lead a Western Province team that includes five other World Cup Springboks when they tackle the Lions in the Currie Cup semifinal in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Exciting young flyhalf Johan Goosen returns to the Cheetahs starting line-up for their Currie Cup semifinal against the defending champions Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.

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.

France need to embrace the underdogs tag and reap the benefits of it - otherwise the All Blacks will cruise to an easy victory in Sunday's Rugby World Cup Final, according to rugby365.com's mental coach Tom Dawson-Squibb.

Fiji plans to advertise for a new national rugby coach after their disappointing World Cup campaign which saw them fail to make it out of the pool stage.

Kurtley Beale was one of eight changes announced Wednesday to the Australia side for Friday's World Cup third-place play-off against Wales in a match where lock Nathan Sharpe is set to win his 100th cap.

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.

Former Australia captain Nick Farr-Jones believes the current New Zealand team can be compared to the All Blacks side of 1987.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has sympathized with his Wales counterpart Warren Gatland, who stirred a World Cup controversy by admitting he'd considered asking a front row forward to fake an injury to force uncontested scrums in last weekend's semifinals.

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.

Two matches against France will stand out as landmarks in the career of Graham Henry, marking would could be its highest and lowest points.

As the 2011 World Cup winds down, and after numerous requests from readers, we thought we would try our hand at some RWC lookalikes.

Springbok flan Schalk Burger was cited for a dangerous tackle in the Currie Cup match between Western Province and the Pumas at Newlands on Saturday evening but he was cleared of foul play.

Wayne Smith will step down as assistant coach after the All Blacks take on France in Sunday's World Cup final, he said Tuesday.

Conrad Smith is doing his utmost to keep his and his teammates' feet on the ground ahead of the World Cup Final against France.

In barefoot, backyard games of rugby with neighbors, Aaron Cruden rehearsed the moves that might wow a World Cup final crowd.

Australia players insisted on Tuesday they want to come away with something to show from their flawed World Cup campaign and deeply care about winning this week's third place playoff with Wales.

Sharks coach John Plumtree knows that although his side have the advantage of playing at home with their Boks back in the mix, they will still have to be on top of their game in their Currie Cup semifinal against the Cheetahs.

Warren Gatland has reaffirmed his commitment to coaching Wales until 2015, despite speculation that he would return to New Zealand.

Western Province forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot has challenged his tight five to change their attitude and get stuck into the Lions pack in their Currie Cup semifinal in Johannesburg this weekend.

John O'Neill will stand down as chief executive of the Australian Rugby Union in 2013 after the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee on Monday returned to base at the High Performance Centre in Bellville in Cape Town with much satisfaction.

Craig Joubert has been appointed to the biggest match in the world - the 2011 World Cup Final, and all referees will be wanting him to do really well. That is the big match for this week and all the other weeks of the year.

The semifinals have come and gone and now the world gears itself for the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. We give some statistics of the semifinals.

The Springboks are back, and that fact is reflected in our Currie Cup team of the week which has six Boks in the line-up after the last round of fixtures before the play-offs.

France's reward for reaching a third World Cup Final is a rise to number three in the latest IRB World Rankings, thus becoming the first northern hemisphere nation to occupy this position in nearly 16 months.

Sharks coach John Plumtree will have the majority of his big guns at his disposal when the defending champions take on the Cheetahs in their Currie Cup semifinal in Durban this weekend.

Ellis Park, also known by the name of the team's soft drink sponsor, will remain the home of the Golden Lions Rugby Union.

Craig Joubert of South Africa has been appointed to referee next Sunday's Rugby World Cup Final between France and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. He is the second South African referee to referee a World Cup Final.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has backed harassed Wallaby playmaker Quade Cooper amid the 'unwarranted' attention he received in Australia's failed World Cup campaign in New Zealand.

With the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final nearly upon us, how will the world's most consistent team, New Zealand, fare against their inconsistent and unfancied opponents? Howard Kahn investigates.

Grant Ball writes that Western Province's move to retain Bryan Habana highlights how many teams unwisely pick older players ahead of promising youngsters.

To borrow the opening lines from that famous Rolling Stones song 'Paint It Black', we say: 'I see a red door and I want it painted black; No colours anymore I want them to turn black.'

The Australian media on Monday laid into the Wallabies after arch-rivals New Zealand overwhelmed them in their World Cup semifinal, blasting the team's performance as woeful.

New Zealand will be overwhelming favourites in the World Cup final, but coach Graham Henry won't underestimate France.

New Zealand will wear their first-choice all-black strip in Sunday's World Cup Final despite losing the toss to France in Auckland.

Australia are expecting to make changes for Friday's third place playoff with Wales after their hammering by the All Blacks ended their dreams of World Cup glory.

The All Blacks were at their dominant best and hammered the Wallabies into submission in an impressive 20-6 Rugby World Cup semifinal victory on Sunday.

John Plumtree hailed what he called the 'performance of the season' from the Sharks, after their crushing 53-9 win over the Lions.

The Sharks' victory over the Lions on Saturday night put an end to the Cheetahs' hopes of playing a Currie Cup rugby semifinal at home, but coach Naka Drotske will be satisfied with his team's win over Griquas.

Australia coach Robbie Deans said New Zealand will take some stopping in next week's World Cup Final against France after his battered Wallabies were well beaten by the tournament hosts on Sunday.

Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse believes the smaller provincial unions are not getting a fair deal from SARU or from referees.

New Zealand booked their spot in the World Cup Final next week with a determined performance against Australia who they beat 20-6 in their semifinal at Eden Park on Sunday.

Quade Cooper insisted he would be a better player for the experience of enduring a second straight World Cup horror show as Australia lost 20-6 to New Zealand in the semi-final on Sunday.

So, there you have it... the Wallabies went down 6-20 to the All Blacks in Sunday's Rugby World Cup semifinal in Auckland - meaning history would repeat itself in next weekend's RWC Final at the same venue.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee and captain Jean de Villiers both lauded the youngsters who had kept Province's Currie Cup hopes alive while the team's six Springboks were on World Cup duty.

Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu has reportedly threatened to quit rugby after receiving a six-month suspended ban for accusing referee Nigel Owens of racism and bias following his team's World Cup exit.

Western Province advanced to the semifinals of the Currie Cup competition, at the expense of the Blue Bulls, courtesy of a heard-earned 43-18 win over the Pumas at Newlands on Saturday.

Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu was given a six-month suspended ban from rugby on Saturday after accusing Welsh referee Nigel Owens of racism and bias following the Pacific islanders' World Cup exit.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said the confidence Aaron Cruden has shown at training meant the flyhalf could boss the Wallabies.

Australia fullback Kurtley Beale has lost his race against time to be fit for Sunday's World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.

The Sharks sent a clear statement of intent when - with all their World Cup Springboks back in action - they dispatched the table-topping Lions by 53-9 in their Currie Cup encounter in Durban on Saturday.

The Cheetahs kept alive their hopes of hosting a Currie Cup semifinal when they mauled Griquas 49-39 in an 11-try thriller in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Wallaby hopes received a blow on the eve of their semifinal against the All Blacks with fullback Kurtley Beale ruled out with a hamstring injury.

In today's second episode of rugby365 TV, brought to you by adidas, we spoke to former Junior Springbok Gavin Cowley about the form players from the quarterfinal stages of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Veteran flyhalf Nicky Little has blamed Fiji's failure at the Rugby World Cup on an intransigent management that enforced a style of play he described as "so not Fijian."

The Cheetahs have followed the French theory and picked a scrumhalf at flyhalf for their Currie Cup clash with Griquas on Saturday.

The All Blacks and the Wallabies square off in a mouth-watering World Cup semifinal this weekend, and the battle between the two flyhalves will be the centre of attention in the Eden Park pressure-cooker.

The battle of the breakdown is always a crucial area of the game and often dictates the outcome of tight matches. It will be no different when two of the world's best No.7s go head-to-head in Sunday's RWC semifinal clash between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park.

Pumas loosehead prop Dawie Steyn has signed a two-year contract with the Blue Bulls.

Nathan Sharpe's hopes of becoming only the fifth man to play 100 Tests for Australia were put on hold when the veteran lock was left out of the Wallaby 22 for Sunday's World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.

Saving the presence of Wales and France, this match has a RWC Final look about it. The IRB's rankings confirm this - No.1 is playing No.2.

New Zealand will meet Wales in the 2011 World Cup Final.

Australia will wait until the last possible moment to decide on whether star fullback Kurtley Beale is fit to play in Sunday's World Cup semifinal against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.

New Zealand play Australia in a World Cup semifinal this weekend. It will be the third time the two teams have met in World Cup semifinals.

Robbie Deans has said he's firmly in Australia's camp and will harbour no mixed emotions when the Wallabies take on his homeland New Zealand in Sunday's World Cup semifinal at Eden Park in Auckland.

The Blue Bulls gave themselves the best possible chance of qualifying for the Currie Cup semifinals as they ran riot at Loftus Versfeld, scoring 14 tries against the Leopards on their way to a resounding 92-21 victory.

As another World Cup chapter closes for the Boks, and with several senior members calling time on their glittering careers, the rugby365.com team has peered into the future and chosen a Springbok team for the 2015 World Cup in England.

Thousands of South Africans are still flooding an online petition to have a referee banned from the game, following his performance in Australia's 11-9 quarterfinal win over the Springboks last Sunday.

The Wallabies will be out to crank up the pressure on the All Blacks and ensure yet more World Cup depression for the whole of New Zealand, Australia assistant coach David Nucifora said in Auckland Thursday.

When New Zealand-born Robbie Deans left his post at the Crusaders to take control of the Wallabies, one of the first thoughts he shared with his supporters was the difficulty he would face in coaching against his native New Zealand.

As Peter de Villiers arrived back in South Africa with tears in his eyes about John Smit and Victor Matfield, it got us thinking in today's RWC wrap - which other players will never be seen again at Rugby World Cup level?

All Black legend John Kirwan Thursday said he is stepping down as coach of Japan after a dismal World Cup where they failed to win a game for the fifth successive tournament.

The luxury of having already booked their spot in the play-offs has given Lions coach John Mitchell an advantage that makes him the envy of other Currie Cup mentors.

Right, so we've presented Peter de Villiers's potential replacements as Springbok coach. But who, then, will captain the Boks in their first Test outing under this new coach in 2012?

New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen has ratcheted up the pressure on referee Craig Joubert to prevent a free for all at the breakdown in this weekend's World Cup semifinal with Australia.

Three teams will fight it out this weekend for the final spot in the Currie Cup semifinals, with Western Province best placed to qualify for the playoffs.

The Pumas prepare for their final Currie Cup match of the season with the daunting challenge of facing a number of returning Springboks in the Western Province team.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee wasted no time in drafting in all his World Cup Springboks for the Currie Cup encounter with the Pumas at Newlands on Saturday.

The Sharks have six Springboks back from World Cup and straight into their side for the weekend's clash with the table-topping Golden Lions.

South Africans may have spat the dummy over New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence's poor performance in last week's semifinal, but the Australians have also found themselves on the receiving end of a glaring error.

Flying Australia fullback Kurtley Beale missed Wednesday's training session to continue treatment on an injured hamstring ahead of this weekend's World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.

A major talking point at the World Cup has been the off-field antics of some of the players that have got their names in the headlines for the wrong reasons, can we expect any more shenanigans at this late stage?

Outgoing Lions CEO Manie Reyneke believes the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) will go from strength to strength under new leadership.

The Lions' World Cup Springbok, flyhalf Butch James, has been bracketed on the bench ahead of the Johannesburg team's final Currie Cup league fixture.

Griquas coach Abre Minnie has named an unchanged line-up from the team that beat the Blue Bulls last week for his side's crucial Currie Cup showdown with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Wallabies loose forward Rocky Elsom has dismissed suggestions that his team will be the ones under pressure in their crunch World Cup quarterfinal against New Zealand, pointing to the weight of expectation in the host country.

Australia's ace ball thief David Pocock said claims he'd repeatedly 'cheated' at the breakdown in the World Cup, were just standard accusations facing the game's top openside flanks.

Under-fire Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper attempted to switch the spotlight away from his own game and onto New Zealand ahead of this weekend's World Cup semifinal.

New Zealand have never beaten Australia in a World Cup match, but the Wallabies have not won in New Zealand since 2001 and their last win in Auckland was in 1986.

Sharks coach John Plumtree is hopeful that his returning Springboks will make an impact when his team take on the table-topping Lions in Durban this weekend in a bid to secure a home semifinal.

Leopards coach Leon Boshoff has maned an unchanged team from the side that went down to the Sharks last week for their final Currie Cup match against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

The Blue Bulls know that they will have to put the Leopards to the sword in their Currie Cup clash at Loftus Versfeld on Friday and then hope that a few more results go their way if they are to secure a semifinal spot.

Blue Bulls captain Gary Botha will play his last game at Loftus Versfeld this weekend before he sets off with teammate Gurthro Steenkamp to join French Top 14 champions Toulouse.

New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence, the target of much anger in the wake of South Africa's early exit from the World Cup, will be punished and may never referee at the global showpiece again.

Fullback Kurtley Beale has a hamstring injury and is rated "touch and go" to play for Australia in Sunday's World Cup semifinal with New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park.

As the Rugby World Cup enters its semifinal stage, some players have been caught off-side - both on and off the field. rugby365.com highlights those bad boys from RWC 2011 - both in the lead-up and whilst in New Zealand.

Bored with watching rugby at home or stuck without a television at your boarding house or residence? Well, thanks to Kim's Rugby Pub Review - rugby365 TV brings you the best venues to watch rugby!

Stephen Donald says he was unwinding down by the Waikato River fishing when the SOS call came from through from the All Blacks.

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith believes there is depth and maturity in the squad to fill the void left by Carter and Muliaina.

Australia lock Dan Vickerman has accepted some of the blame for the Wallabies' poor line-out and said it's an area that must be addressed for this weekend's World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has backed mercurial Wallabies' playmaker Quade Cooper to be at his best in this weekend's World Cup semifinal with the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland.

The two semifinals this week are huge matches, involving the same four teams as played in the inaugural World Cup in 1987.

The weekend's dramatic quarterfinal matches - which produced plenty of cause for both celebration and controversy - means the northern hemisphere countries dominate our weekly selection.

Columnist Grant Ball questions whether Peter de Villiers will hand over the Springbok squad to his successor in a better shape than he found it.

The Lions are the kings of the jungle and appropriately top the Currie Cup table and dominate the rugby365.com Team of the Week.

The prickly All Blacks-Wallabies rivalry could be the highlight of the World Cup semifinals, with both history and passion to draw from.

Within a week, Aaron Cruden has gone from watching the World Cup at home on TV to being the last All Blacks flyhalf left standing.

All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden will be unfazed at being thrust into the World Cup pressure cooker after surviving a cancer scare.

With one round of fixtures left before the Currie Cup play-offs it is crunch time this weekend with the top six teams still in with a shout of securing a semifinal spot in South Africa's premier domestic competition.

The "jackal at the tackle" has become common parlance at the World Cup, but it has never been better personified than in the shape of Australia flank David Pocock.

Craig Joubert of South Africa and Alain Rolland of Ireland have been appointed to referee the semifinals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Australia's Kurtley Beale, Pat McCabe and Sekope Kepu are all battling injuries ahead of this coming weekend's World Cup semifinal with New Zealand, after a bruising last eight clash against South Africa.

We have again combined with The Sharks to give readers a chance to watch rugby in Durban.

New Zealand called up Stephen Donald and Hosea Gear to replace injured Colin Slade and Mils Muliaina ahead of the World Cup semifinals.

Sharks coach John Plumtree is licking his lips at the prospect of having several experienced Springboks available for the closing stages of the Currie Cup.

The World Cup has distilled down to two compelling semifinals this coming weekend: tournament revelations Wales against the great enigmas France and another instalment in the prickly All Blacks-Wallabies rivalry.

Mils Muliaina's joy at notching up 100 Test caps turned to bitter disappointment with a shoulder injury ruling him out of the World Cup.

Cory Jane did not want to let New Zealand down twice in one week after a 'booze binge' just 72 hours before the World Cup quarterfinal.

The Wallabies showed plenty of guts, and rode their luck, to beat the Springboks 11-9 in their dramatic Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in Wellington on Sunday.

New Zealand left it late, but two tries in the final 15 minutes saw them ease to a 33-10 win over Argentina in their World Cup quarterfinal in Auckland on Sunday.

Argentina were valiant in their efforts against the All Blacks and will be proud of their achievement - despite their disappointing 10-33 loss in the World Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.

Like a thief in the night Australia sneaked a 11-9 win over South Africa in their epic World Cup quarterfinal encounter in Wellington on Sunday.

In the aftermath of Sunday's news that Peter de Villiers would be stepping down as Springbok coach after four years in charge, we thought we would take a stab at choosing his replacement.

Argentina captain Felipe Contepomi compared playing New Zealand to facing an unstoppable black wave as the Pumas bowed out of the World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday.

Australian playmaker Quade Cooper finished on the winning side but gave his army of critics in New Zealand ample ammunition in the Wallabies' 11-9 World Cup quarterfinal victory over South Africa in Wellington Sunday.

The Springboks' narrow World Cup quarterfinal loss to the Wallabies in Wellington on Sunday signalled the end of the road for a few players that have been the heartbeat of the team for the best part of a decade.

Australia coach Robbie Deans said his young side came of age Sunday to eliminate reigning champions South Africa from the World Cup in an 'epic' 11-9 quarterfinal win in Wellington.

Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma contemplated the end of his international road on Sunday after the Pumas came off, as expected, second best in losing their World Cup quarterfinal 10-33 to hosts New Zealand.

Dejected Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll was left regretting missed opportunities as the country's so-called 'golden generation' faltered at the World Cup quarterfinals.

Ireland ran into a red brick wall, as Wales beat the Men from the Emerald Isle 22-10 in their World Cup quarterfinal in Wellington on Saturday.

Samoa's Prime Minister has slammed the IRB for allowing a Welshman to referee his country's World Cup loss to South Africa last week, which saw Wales make the quarterfinals at Samoa's expense.

Wales showed great character and determination to knock Celtic rivals Ireland out of the World Cup by recording a 22-10 victory in their pulsating quarterfinal in Wellington on Saturday.

The Sharks achieved the victory with a bonus point to beat the Leopards 41-14 on Saturday, but the scoreline was flattering for the Durban side.

After four victories out of their last five meetings against the Springboks, including back-to-back successes on South African soil, Australia will enter Sunday's World Cup quarterfinal as favourites, according to Bok coach Peter de Villiers.

The Lions continue to dominate the top of the log in the Currie Cup after a convincing 42-25 thrashing of a conservative Western Province in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Kimberley, the killing field of many major unions, claimed another scalp on Saturday when Griquas edged the Blue Bulls 48-44 in a 12-try Currie Cup thriller.

The only way Australia's dangerous backline players will have an impact on Sunday's World Cup quarterfinal is if South Africa open the door for them, according to Springbok centre Jaque Fourie.

If Ireland manage to beat Wales in Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal they will have qualified for the final four for the first time in their history - something that defence coach Les Kiss believes will be a massive motivating factor.

Two New Zealand politicians have come out in support of Samoa center Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, who is provisionally banned from rugby for his outspoken comments against a referee and the IRB.

France coach Marc Lievremont has seemed to be doing his best Peter de Villiers impression at the World Cup, with plenty of controversial quotes, but he has taken it to the next level this week by growing a moustache.

The form book says it will be New Zealand all the way over Argentina in their World Cup quarterfinal on Sunday, but the All Blacks know from bitter experience nothing can be taken for granted.

Even the most astute brains in the game don't always agree and, for most part, this was the case when rugby365.com approached a handful of experts to ask them for their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal predictions.

Australia may have won four of their last five Tests against South Africa, but Wallaby coach Robbie Deans insisted those results were "irrelevant" going into their World Cup quarterfinal showdown in Wellington on Sunday.

It was heartbreak for the Pumas as they did everything other than finish the job in their narrow 23-29 Currie Cup defeat against the Cheetahs in Witbank on Friday.

All Black fullback Mils Muliaina is hoping to avoid being struck down by injury at this World Cup ahead of what should be his 100th Test.

We are proud to bring you the first-ever edition of rugby365 TV, brought to you by adidas; the first in a four-part series as we take a look at the goings-on at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The World Cup quarterfinal between Australia and South Africa will hinge on the breakdown, with "jackals" Heinrich Brussow and David Pocock to play key roles, Boks assistant coach Gary Gold said Friday.

The Wallabies will take on fellow World Cup quarterfinalists Wales in a one-off Test match in Cardiff in December ? a week after the Australians play the Barbarians at Twickenham.

The 2011 World Cup might be over for South Africa - after their loss to Australia in the quarterfinals this past weekend - but you can continue to live the RWC 2011 dream via its official game.

Argentinian front row rock Rodrigo Roncero has been cleared to start in the World Cup quarterfinal clash with New Zealand, enabling the South Americans to field their strongest available team in Auckland on Sunday.

There will be plenty of passion on display when Celtic rivals Ireland and Wales do battle in a mouth-watering Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in Wellington on Saturday.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee says his side must nullify the Lions' hard-running pack in Saturday's Currie Cup crunch match in Johannesburg.

As the pool matches at the 2011 Rugby World Cup come to an end, we give the statistics for the last 12 pool matches and then some further stats about the pools.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has made four changes to the team to play Ireland in the World Cup quarterfinal in Wellington on Saturday, buoyed by the return to fitness of Shane Williams and Dan Lydiate.

Whilst some people might regard him as wild and inconsistent, Ma'a Nonu has grown into the complete inside centre at international level and that will give him the edge in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match-up with Argentina's Felipe Contepomi.

The Sharks will be going all-out to secure a bonus-point victory against the Leopards in Rustenburg this weekend as the defending champions seek to secure a spot in the Currie Cup play-offs.

Convicted killer Bees Roux and the Blue Bulls have formally parted company.

Ireland confirmed Thursday that Rory Best would be their starting hooker to play Wales in a World Cup quarterfinal in Wellington on Saturday.

Argentina are hoping their Kiwi physical trainer Simon Fathers can help provide a special insight into how to pull off what would be one of the greatest ever World Cup shocks against hosts New Zealand in Sunday's quarterfinal.

The Wallabies recently 'called up' Braam van Straaten to fine-tune their kicking ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup play-offs. He is, of course, not the only 'turncoat' coach on duty in New Zealand at present.

Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has made four changes to his starting line-up for their clash with the Cheetahs on Friday which will be their final home game of the Currie Cup season.

Paddy O'Brien, well known as one of the top Test referees in the world and now in charge of the International Rugby Board's referees, has expressed his pleasure at the way the scrums have been played in the pool matches of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

With just two rounds of fixtures left until the Currie Cup play-offs there will be some crucial match-ups this weekend as teams jostle for a place in the knockout phase of this closely contested season.

Two new faces on the international rugby stage who have both made a major impact at the World Cup are the openside flanks for Ireland and Wales - respectively - Sean O'Brien and Sam Warburton.

Expect the All Blacks to tone down the razzle-dazzle as a must-win attitude takes precedence over entertainment against Argentina.

Samoa's controversial midfielder Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu may be facing a life ban from the game, but he refuses to go quietly.

New Zealand have talked up Argentina ahead of their World Cup sudden-death clash on Sunday, rating it their toughest game of the tournament so far after a discreet first-hand look at them in action.

Discipline and defence, according to the experts, are the two key elements going into the play-offs of the 2011 World Cup. Jan de Koning looks at the eight quarterfinal teams' defensive statistics.

The Springboks have proven before that they don't need the majority of possession to win the big games, but will their territory-based approach cut it in the wind and the rain of Wellington this weekend? Michael de Vries asks the questions.

The Blue Bulls are looking at upping the tempo in their penultimate Currie Cup league match against the Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

Argentina are looking for an impressive start to ensure New Zealand don't get an early lead in their last eight World Cup clash at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday.

Currie Cup leaders, the Golden Lions, have made an injury-enforced change to their team to face Western Province in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Griquas have made a number of changes to their side for the clash against the Blue Bulls in Kimberley on Saturday, the most notably the return of scrumhalf and match breaker Sarel Pretorius.

In-form wing Zac Guildford became the latest injured All Black when he pulled up lame at training, while Richie McCaw should be fit.

Australia?s most celebrated referee Stuart Dickinson has announced his retirement with immediate effect at the age of 43.

New Zealand have talked up Argentina ahead of their World Cup clash, rating it their toughest game of the tournament so far.

Ireland were left waiting on the fitness of hooker Rory Best after naming their team to play Wales in a World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, as Keith Earls dreamed of appearing in the final.

Controversial Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu remained provisionally suspended from all rugby after disciplinary proceedings against him were adjourned until October 15.

Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini faces a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday after being cited for allegedly 'gouging' the eyes of Ireland prop Cian Healy during the teams' decisive World Cup pool match last weekend.

The Leopards have wasted no time in recalling their Namibian World Cup flyer Danie Dames, ahead of their Currie Cup encounter with the Sharks in Phokeng, Rustenburg, on Saturday.

Italy's Leonardo Ghiraldini has been suspended for 15 weeks for 'gouging' the eyes of Ireland prop Cian Healy during the teams' decisive World Cup pool match last weekend, the IRB confirmed after a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

rugby365.com columnist Grant Ball believes that after recent events, Peter de Villiers can't have any excuses for the Springboks not winning the World Cup.

IRB boss Mike Miller has responded to New Zealand's threat to withdraw from the 2015 World Cup by saying "everyone is replaceable".

Samoa's Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu was banned from playing rugby at all levels on Tuesday after calling Welsh referee Nigel Owens 'racist' on Twitter.

And then there were eight! However, the 12 'leavers' have given us a lot of joy at the World Cup and more than once in the one-on-one battles David was able to slay Goliath. We salute the best of the rest from the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

New Zealand players and coaches poured scorn on an IRB warning on Tuesday that future World Cup tournaments could go ahead without them.

The 2011 Rugby World Cup - the wonderful Rugby World Cup - is thousands of kilometres from me and so I sit glued to the television set. And I am loving it and though I should put down some of my favourite things.

The referees for the quarterfinals have been appointed - just four matches and so four referees. Then it will dwindle down to two matches for the semifinals and then just one match... How, though are these knock-out refs appointed?

Tighthead prop Juan Figallo said Argentina "must play the game of our lives" if they are to pull off one of the all-time great shocks and beat hosts New Zealand in their World Cup quarterfinal on Sunday.

Ireland's so-called 'golden generation' have a chance to finally write themselves into the history books in Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal clash with Wales, lock Donncha O'Callaghan said on Tuesday.

Rory Best could recover from injury to his right shoulder to play again at the World Cup if Ireland beats Wales in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Ireland flank Sean O'Brien urged his side to go to "bigger and better things than this" after they set up a World Cup quarterfinal against Wales with a 36-6 win over Italy.

We head into crunch time at the World Cup this week ahead of the knock-out stages and there is no longer any margin for error, but more importantly does your team have a match-winner?

The World Cup marches into the quarterfinals this weekend - eight teams, four referees, crunch time. The referees for the quarters are Craig Joubert, Steve Walsh, Bryce Lawrence and Nigel Owens.

The International Rugby Board has announced the group of match officials, referees, television match officials and selectors, and the Board has announced the appointments for the upcoming Rugby World Cup quarterfinals.

The emphatic and clinical way with which Ireland disposed of Italy in the final match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup pool stages means they naturally dominate the fourth edition of our Team of the Week.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll predicted an 'incredibly close' World Cup quarterfinal against Wales, after leading his side into the last eight following a 36-6 Pool C victory over Italy on Sunday.

Wales will face Ireland in Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal buoyed by a lack of injuries to the squad, something that has forced rival stars Dan Carter and Frans Steyn to pull out of the tournament.

Italian coach Nick Mallett saluted Ireland counterpart Declan Kidney as an 'amazing gentleman' after his last match in charge of the Azzurri ended in a 36-6 World Cup Pool C defeat.

The South African team will not be arguing its case against Samoa for several off-the-ball incidents that took place during their 13-5 World Cup victory on Friday, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said.

The All Blacks were their usual ruthless self running in 12 tries to hammer brave Canada 79-15 in Pool A of the World Cup in Wellington.

Wales took their opportunities well in an impressive display of classy finishing, running in nine tries as they romped to a 66-0 victory over Fiji in their World Cup Pool D clash in Hamilton on Sunday.

Argentina secured their progress to the quarterfinals from Pool B at the World Cup after an unconvincing 25-7 win over a tough Georgia side who weren't intimidated against the bigger opposition.

Ireland, for the first time in the tournament's history, will top their pool at a World Cup, after an emphatic 36-6 Pool C win in Dunedin on Sunday.

Ireland made an emphatic statement of intent with their 36-6 demolition of Italy in the World Cup match at the Otago Stadium on Sunday - finishing top of Pool C.

The All Blacks were their usual ruthless self running in 12 tries as they hammered the brave Canadians 79-15 in Pool A of the World Cup in Wellington.

Samoa's Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono will face a misconduct hearing for breaches of the RWC/IRB Code of Conduct in relation to comments made about referee Nigel Owens via the public social media network Twitter.

Italy exited the 2011 Rugby World Cup with a 6-36 loss to Ireland on Sunday. After their heroics against the USA Eagles, which kept their slim quarterfinal hopes alive, it was not the way Nick Mallett would have wanted his four-year reign to end.

So, the 2011 World Cup will now enter its knock-out phase. Just eight teams remain. Who would you pick as your winner at this stage?

The All Blacks were dealt a massive blow when star playmaker Dan Carter was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a groin injury.

Sukanaivalu Hufanga of Tonga has been suspended for five weeks after being found guilty of an act of foul play contrary to law 10(4)(j) - the incident having occured in his team's 19-14 World Cup win over France.

All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu revealed he was facing the prospect of a second kidney transplant amid fears a donated organ is failing.

Niggling foot pains have ruled Richie McCaw out of New Zealand's final World Cup Pool A match against Canada on Sunday.

Argentina didn't look to play a dynamic match and create any real excitement in their 25-7 win over Georgia, but were happy to secure safe passage fro Pool B to the quarterfinals.

The Samoan player who compared the World Cup to "slavery" was at the centre of another row on Saturday when he accused a referee of being racist and biased in an expletive-filled Twitter rant.

It is the last match of Pool D - the Pool of Death. South Africa have survived it to go to the quarterfinals and Wales will survive it unless something like a tsunami happens.

Brian O'Driscoll has said the fact Ireland have won their last 15 Tests against Italy will count for little when the teams clash for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.

Ireland lock Donncha O'Callaghan has said the "fear of being sent home" will drive the team when they face Italy in their decisive World Cup clash.

Tonga may have bowed out of the World Cup, but they left their mark on the tournament with the biggest upset of 2011 - a 19-14 Pool A win over top-ranked France in Wellington on Saturday.

It is becoming a fast-growing fad in an ever more apologetic world. If you disagree with somebody and he is of a different racial classification, just call him a racist.

Samoa fullback Paul Williams will have his red card hearing in Auckland on Saturday, after he was sent packing for striking South African flank Heinrich Brussow in the face during Friday's World Cup Pool D game.

England virtually ensured that Scotland will fail to make the World Cup play-offs, beating the Auld Enemy 16-12 in an enthralling Pool B match at Eden Park on Saturday.

Scotland had their hearts broken at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, after leading their old enemies England for most of the game, only to fade in the closing stages.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse insisted it was a good sign powerhouse prop Martin Castrogiovanni and reserve flyhalf Riccardo Bocchino had clashed during training ahead of the team's make-or-break World Cup Pool C clash against Ireland.

Tonga were left basking in a famous victory over France at the World Cup on Saturday, even though an earlier pool defeat to Canada had left them too much to do to assure a quarterfinal berth.

Scotland need to learn how to hold onto a lead when they get ahead if they want to once again be a major force in the World Cup, coach Andy Robinson said on Saturday after his side had lost to England.

Georgia made six changes to the team that beat Romania as they aim to end their World Cup on a high against Argentina at the Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North on Sunday.

Samoan fullback Paul Williams has escaped a ban, after being sent off in the World Cup Pool D game against South Africa for striking an opponent in the face, organisers announced on Saturday.

Fiji retained only five players from the loss to Samoa and handed the captaincy to No. 8 Netani Talei for their World Cup Pool D match against Wales in Hamilton on Sunday.

France will bid to put rumours of internal strife to bed in bagging the one point from their final 2011 World Cup pool match against Tonga on Saturday that will see them progress to the quarterfinals.

Goalkicking fullback James Pritchard will miss Canada's final World Cup Pool A match against unbeaten group leaders New Zealand in Wellington on Sunday.

Ancient rivals England and Scotland will face each other on neutral ground for the first time in their pivotal World Cup Pool B clash at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Rating their own performances against vastly different benchmarks will be the game within the game when Canada meet New Zealand in the final Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool A match in Wellington on Sunday.

Argentina will hold most of the aces going into Sunday's Pool B finale against Georgia with World Cup last-eight qualification rivals England and Scotland having fought it out the previous day.

Ireland have picked scrumhalf Conor Murray for his second Test start alongside veteran flyhalf Ronan O'Gara against Italy in their crunch World Cup Pool C clash at the Otago Stadium in Dunedin on Sunday.

The IRB have come in for more stick from the media for their decision to fine Samoa's Alesana Tuilagi for using the wrong gumguard and their failure to punish England for a blatant 'balls-up'.

South Africa were relieved to have scraped past a brutal and spiteful Samoa, to keep their World Cup defence alive with a 13-5 Pool D victory at the North Harbour Stadium on Friday.

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.

The loss of Dan Carter is one of massive proportions for the All Blacks side at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Tom Dawson-Squibb, rugby365.com's mental coach, thinks New Zealand can bounce back from his loss, however.

In the match between Ireland and Italy, the referee refers an incident to the television match official, asking him if a try had been scored and asking him to be aware of the possibility of foul play. The TMO reports that try had not been scored and that there had been no foul play in in-goal. The referee awards a drop-out to Italy.