https://rugbyonslaught.com/ en Copyright 2026 Coliseum Sports Media Tue, 29 Sep 2026 06:21:26 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Rugbyonslaught RSS Generator simon@rugbypass.com rob@fracture.co.nz https://rugbyonslaught.com/wp-content/themes/rugby-onslaught/images/ros-logo-black.png https://rugbyonslaught.com/ South Africa's formidable loosehead prop, Ox Nche, has gone missing in action this week, sending ripples of panic through the Springboks camp just days before their much-anticipated World Cup final showdown with the All Blacks. The reason for his sudden disappearance? None other than a Parisian patisserie tour that turned into a cake-induced quest of epic proportions. As the countdown to the final reached its peak, Nche's teammates, coaches, and fans alike were left scratching their heads when the man-mountain prop failed to show up for a crucial team meeting. While the rest of the squad was busy analysing the All Blacks' tactics, the loosehead had set his sights on something sweeter than victory: the delectable delights of Paris. Our sources report that the 28-year-old embarked on what he described as the "Great Patisserie Caper," an adventure through the labyrinthine streets of Paris in search of the perfect éclair, macaron, and croissant. His teammates, accustomed to his boundless enthusiasm for the finer things in life, were not entirely surprised by his sweet tooth-inspired vanishing act. But what they hadn't anticipated was the sheer dedication and appetite he would bring to the table. Nche was last spotted exploring the historic streets of Montmartre, with powdered sugar adorning his Springbok jersey like battle scars. Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber, who initially dismissed the disappearance as a "French love affair," is now growing increasingly concerned. "We knew Ox had a passion for scrummaging, but we didn't think he'd scrum his way through the patisseries of Paris," he lamented, "The team needs him back to tackle the All Blacks, not croissants!" Rumours have been swirling that Ox Nche has been gorging on gateaux, devouring mille-feuille, and sampling tarts of all shapes and sizes. His insatiable appetite has left patisserie owners scrambling to keep their display cases stocked. As the clock ticks down to the final showdown with the All Blacks, there's no telling when or if Nche will return from his cake-fueled escapade. But one thing is for certain: should he rejoin the squad, he'll be carrying the spirit of Paris and a few extra pounds of delicious memories with him. Whether those memories will include a Springbok victory or a belly full of French pastries, only time will tell. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/latest-disaster-completely-derails-springboks-world-cup-hopes-against-all-blacks Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-28 12:00:59 If anyone thought the beef between England's Tom Curry and South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi was something new, think again. The two players have been in the spotlight this week after Curry accused the Springboks hooker of racially abusing him during the World Cup semi-final on Saturday. Their spat did not end there either as Mbonambi refused to shake the flanker's hand at the end of the match. But this feud predates the match as footage of the two butting heads in a previous meeting has emerged since South Africa's victory at the weekend. In an encounter between the two sides last year at Twickenham, a video shows both Curry and Mbonambi both grabbing each other's shirts in what is a modern rugby fight while also shouting in each other's faces. Clearly there is a lot of bad blood between the two and if the events of the weekend are proven to be true, it's unlikely that they are making up any time soon. Look at the fight: This is Bongi Mbonambi singling out Tom Curry in the Autumn Nations series last year. These two have history 👀 #rugby #RSAvsENG #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/NL7fvIDdTY — springbokbabyyy (@springbokbabyyy) October 22, 2023         https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/footage-emerges-revealing-longstanding-feud-between-tom-curry-and-bongi-mbonambi Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-23 14:36:36 The bare truth is that many Bokke fans secretly want South Africa to lose to England in this weekend's Rugby World Cup semi-final in Paris. In the world of sports, the line between unwavering support and unwarranted skepticism can often be blurred. Rugby, like many other sports, has its fair share of conspiracy theories, especially when it comes to high-stakes events like the Rugby World Cup. In the case of the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, their passionate fans have at times taken an extreme stance. The truth is that winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup is the last thing many Bokke fans want. The sentiment of their fans sheds light on a concerning aspect of South African sports culture. The dichotomy between deserving victory and a rigged outcome is a reflection of poor sportsmanship that ultimately detracts from the spirit of competition and unity that the sport represents. To put it simply in Bokke math: If we win, the game is fair and the result was deserved. If we lose? It was rigged. It's a perfect circle for the Bokke faithful, as it protects them from ever admitting the opposing side was the better team. Remember the Springboks have won just 62.96 per cent of their Test matches, so there's been lots of bottom soreness over the years. The Springboks have a storied history in rugby, marked by moments of immense triumph and adversity. Their fans' unwavering loyalty is commendable, as it's an essential part of any sports culture. However, the idea that the Springboks must win to prove that the competition was fair is not only flawed but also detrimental to the essence of sportsmanship. So if South Africa win the Rugby World Cup, all the theories about it being rigged are all surely put to bed? Will Bokke fans then admit they were wrong all along? Hardly. In any sport, there will always be winners and losers. Victory and defeat are intrinsic elements of competition, and attributing losses to conspiracy theories and rigged outcomes only diminishes the hard work and dedication of both the athletes and their opponents. It's vital to remember that every team competes to the best of their abilities, with the intention of winning, and these contests should be celebrated for the effort and skill they showcase, not scrutinized for ulterior motives. It is important to acknowledge that conspiracy theories have been a part of sports culture for as long as anyone can remember. They often serve as an outlet for frustration when a beloved team falls short. However, these theories can easily spiral out of control, fostering a negative and divisive environment. Instead of uniting behind their team, some Springbok fans have fallen into the trap of questioning the integrity of the game itself. https://youtu.be/IDek_LLtQLM Rugby, like all sports, relies on the dedication and passion of fans to thrive. Without their support, the sport would lose its heart and soul. But it's essential for fans to remember that the outcome of any game is determined on the field by the players and not in the realm of conspiracy theories. This is not to say that questionable decisions or controversies do not exist, but accusing every loss of being a result of nefarious interference is both counterproductive and unfair to the athletes and their opponents. The 2023 Rugby World Cup should be an opportunity for Springbok fans to unite behind their team, to celebrate the sport they love, and to appreciate the talents of athletes from around the world. Whether they win or lose, the emphasis should be on the skill, dedication, and camaraderie of the players. In this spirit, South African rugby can continue to thrive and inspire generations of fans, both in victory and defeat. Tags: South Africa England, South Africa England, South Africa England https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/why-many-bokke-fans-secretly-want-south-africa-to-lose-to-england Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-19 09:41:38 There's been a lot of talk about what exactly All Blacks players actually said to the Irish lads after this World Cup win on Saturday, Rieko Ioane and Brodie Retallick in particular. Not long after the final whistle Johnny Sexton could be seen exchanging unpleasantries with Rieko Ioane. What we understand Ioane said to Sexton was something along the lines of: "Enjoy retirement and don't miss the flight home". That set Sexton off who started shouting more explicit stuff back. Brodie Retallick got one back on Irish back row Peter O’Mahony, allegedly telling him: "Oi Peter, four more years you ****wit". O'Mahony had called All Blacks captain Sam Cane a 's**te version' of Richie McCaw' last year, so I guess he had that coming. If you live by the sword, you die by it. Anyway, fantastic to see that in the age of the PR managed rugby players, the real rugby players still exist beneath. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/what-ioane-and-retallick-actually-said-to-irish-players Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-16 14:10:14 You heard it here first. 2025. British & Irish Lions versus Australia. 15 Australians versus 15 Englishmen. It just makes sense. After England marched towards the World Cup semi-final on Sunday against Fiji in Marseille, the entire rugby world are questioning just one thing. Is there any point in selecting players from any other country? Scotland tried at this World Cup and did not make it out of their pool. Wales tried and crashed out in the quarter-finals. Ireland tried and fell at the same stage too. But the unbeaten England continue to steamroller towards the final at the Stade de France and quite possibly the Webb Ellis Cup. Now sources close to Rugby Onslaught have confirmed that the higher-ups in the Lions set-up are seriously considering selecting this entire England squad. Surely that only means Steve Borthwick will be Lions head coach as well up against Eddie Jones (should he remain in the job), which is what the entire world wants to see. Rumours are that Andy Farrell and Gregor Townsend will be called to be part of Borthwick's backroom staff but only, and we quote, as 'tealadies'. A likely victory over the Springboks next week in the semi-final and a win over Argentina the week later in the final will all but seal it for the future Lions XV. Here's how the 2025 Lions should look: 1 Ellis Genge 2 Jamie George 3 Dan Cole 4 Maro Itoje 5 Ollie Chessum 6 Courtney Lawes 7 Tom Curry 8 Ben Earl 9 Alex Mitchell 10 Owen Farrell (c) 11 Elliot Daly 12 Manu Tuilagi 13 Joe Marchant 14 Jonny May 15 Marcus Smith Replacements: 16 Theo Dan 17 Joe Marler 18 Kyle Sinckler 19 George Martin 20 Billy Vunipola 21 Danny Care 22 George Ford 23 Ollie Lawrence https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/calls-grow-for-entire-england-team-to-makes-lions-xv-after-dominating-world-cup Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-15 21:21:52 Four years after their heart-wrenching pummelling at the hands of England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, New Zealand rugby fans are back online. Their remarkable 28-24 victory over Ireland in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup has reignited the passion of All Blacks fans and bolstered their heretofore total lack of online confidence. This resurgence has been accompanied by a resurgence of Kiwi toxicity - sorry, passion -  online, with fans fervently defending their team and confidently declaring they're going to win the World Cup in France. In 2019, the All Blacks' exit from the Rugby World Cup in the quarterfinals had left a sense of shock and disappointment among their sunshine supporter fan base, who vanished from social media overnight. Critics were quick to label All Blacks fans as cowards and bandwagoners, as they abandoned their side despite the years of dominance the team had enjoyed running up to the throttling. Many resorted to using fax machines, Teletext, Nokia telephones and analogue televisions to avoid being online at all costs. A high price to pay, but definitely worth it after how badly their team had been humiliated. However, their "supporters" are back in force now they are back to winning ways. One of the main reasons that fans left the web in the first place was because Rugby Onslaught had defeated them so easily, but now they are back and they are trying to bully Rugby Onslaught once again. Our brave team of investigative journalists have grown tired of flogging Bok supporters online that in fact we welcome the "challenge" of New Zealand rugby fans provide, if you could call it that. The narrow win over Ireland, which only happened because the Irish were tired of winning so much, means New Zealand have secured their spot in the semifinals but also rekindled the fervour among their fans. https://youtu.be/0l8Fd355GmI The internet has become the new battleground for Kiwi pride and rugby supremacy. Social media platforms, fan forums, and comment sections are now brimming with All Blacks supporters proudly proclaiming their team's strength and determination. Self-styled All Blacks super fan Diane from Greymouth, a 'long-time' watcher who has supported the All Blacks for literally weeks and is an active participant in online discussions, shared her enthusiasm: "I can't tell you how great it feels to see the All Blacks rise again. We've been through some tough times, and the critics were harsh. But now, we're back, and we're here to stay. I have no doubt we'll win the 2023 World Cup." Tags: New Zealand rugby fans, New Zealand rugby fans https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/new-zealand-rugby-fans-back-online-after-4-years-in-hiding Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-15 15:56:46 Dr. Joshua van der Merwe, a South African researcher, has boldly claimed that the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, has never lost a rugby match in their storied history. Dr. van der Merwe, known for his unwavering devotion to rugby, embarked on an audacious quest to uncover the truth beneath decades of statistics and scores. The Boks have won 339 times but Dr van der Merwe had an unwavering belief was that the Springboks' record of 177 losses and 24 draws was the result of poor refereeing decisions rather than legitimate defeats. Years of relentless research led him to a pivotal discovery - obscure archival match footage from the early days of rugby. He meticulously analyzed these recordings, pointing out countless instances of what he believed were incorrect refereeing decisions. Phantom offside calls, dubious forward passes, and questionable scrum penalties all featured prominently in his findings. Out of the 540 games the Springboks have played, he argued that the official records were flawed, and the team had, in fact, never lost a match. To share his groundbreaking findings with the world, Dr. van der Merwe contacted "Rugby Onslaught," a renowned rugby news outlet. The resulting interview saw Joshua passionately exclaim, "The Springboks have never lost a game! You need to do your research and not believe the mainstream media narrative. These 177 losses and 24 draws are a result of poor refereeing decisions, and I can prove it!" This bold assertion quickly captured global attention, igniting debates and discussions across the rugby community. However, Joshua's mission didn't end there. Fueled by newfound notoriety, he announced his departure for a UFO convention in Nevada, believing that uncovering hidden truths was a calling that extended beyond the world of rugby. The enigmatic researcher sought to expose concealed narratives and encourage others to "question everything."   https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/south-african-researcher-publishes-stunning-springboks-findings Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-15 14:58:58 In a gripping quarter-final showdown at the Stade de France, Ireland's Rugby World Cup dreams were dashed once again as they faced a formidable New Zealand All Blacks team. Despite an epic contest that saw New Zealand emerge victorious with a 28-24 scoreline, the real reason behind Ireland's defeat is can now be revealed by Rugby Onslaught. Leicester Fainga’anuku’s early try set the tone for the All Blacks as they raced to a 13-0 lead. However, Ireland's center Bundee Aki danced his way over the try line, breathing new life into the Irish challenge. Ardie Savea responded for New Zealand, but Jamison Gibson-Park's try, while Aaron Smith was in the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, saw Ireland narrow the lead to 18-17 at halftime. Will Jordan bagged his fifth try of the tournament for the All Blacks, but a crucial penalty try, with hooker Codie Taylor receiving a yellow card, once again brought Ireland within one point of their opponents. Center Jordie Barrett secured a penalty kick for New Zealand, and despite a relentless 37-phase Irish attack in the closing minutes, the All Blacks held on to secure their place in the semi-finals. While many factors contributed to Ireland's heartbreaking loss, some fans and pundits are pointing to a peculiar twist of fate as the real reason for their downfall. Beloved fan site Rugby Onslaught had appealed to bitter rivals, the Springbok fans, to send their prayers to Ireland, hoping to receive some moral support in the face of their quarter-final challenge. However, Springbok fans opted to withhold their prayers, which had a devastating impact on the outcome of the match. Rugby Onslaught, known for its engaging and passionate community of fans, often encourages support between rival teams as a display of camaraderie within the sport. In this case, they reached out to Springbok fans, requesting prayers for Ireland. The absence of these prayers, as some believe, made the difference between Ireland winning and losing. In the aftermath of this thrilling quarter-final, New Zealand now advances to the semi-finals, where they will face Argentina at the Stade de France on Friday, October 20, 2023. As Ireland reflects on another quarter-final exit, they may wonder what might have been if they had received the support and prayers of their fellow rugby enthusiasts. https://youtu.be/LulgVEloNJo   https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/the-real-group-behind-ireland-loss-to-new-zealand-revealed Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-15 09:43:52 Ireland's 28-24 loss to the All Blacks on Saturday in the World Cup quarter-final brought to an end the career of captain Johnny Sexton- and he ended his career in fitting style. The fly-half had a decent game and a great tournament, but it is not what he did in the match that is being talked about, rather what happened after the final whistle had blown. Coverage showed the 38-year-old aggressively shouting at the All Blacks' Rieko Ioane as the two teams shook hands, which has proven to be quite controversial online. There are rumours that the All Black was antagonising the Irish crowd and that he refused to shake Sexton's hand, and while that may be true, it is not like Sexton doesn't have a history of this kind of behaviour. In fact, he actually missed the World Cup warm-ups due to a ban after confronting Jaco Peyper after Leinster's Champions Cup final loss earlier this year. In light of his past behaviour, fans have not pulled any punches on X in the aftermath of the match. Here is the incident and some comments online: pic.twitter.com/Yq3cM0kwYj — Michael Cuthbert Photography (@mikecuthbertuk) October 14, 2023 "He’s a disgrace to the sport. Thank god he’s retired. Great player but terrible human being. Rugby will be far better off without him." "Obviously he’s upset but just unclassy behaviour, not what you want to see at the end of such a magnificent match." "Has always been classless." "I don’t think he or Porter won any friends tonight. Despite the hurt, need to learn from the AB’s and lose graciously. Irish have been fantastic the last two years but came up short against a team who tackled for the lives." "The guy banned for swearing at an official swearing at a player. Sums it up really." "Never beaten always cheated. Delighted he's heading home." "Sexton’s a great player, but to have the attitude he’s displaying right now smacks of it being more about his loss than Ireland’s, and that’s not right." "Really poor captaincy! Have just watched him standing shaking his head instead of consoling his team. Really poor." https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/great-player-but-terrible-human-fans-react-to-latest-sexton-meltdown Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-15 09:41:00 There are some things you do and some things you don't do before an All Blacks match and one of the things you don't do is mock the Haka. Ahead of one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in Rugby World Cup history, certainly for a quarter-final, between the All Blacks and the world number ones Ireland, the Haka did not disappoint as Ireland formed a number eight in memory of the late Anthony Foley, just as they did at Soldier Field against the All Blacks in 2016 when they recorded their first ever win over them. The atmosphere was incredible, but one person was not so impressed, and it just so happened to be one of the most outspoken people on planet Earth. UFC great Conor McGregor piped up on X before kick off to mock the Haka the All Blacks had produced, writing "Weak haka imo. Whole team ductaped up ahaha let's go Ireland." The 35-year-old soon realised the error of his ways and deleted the tweet, although it is unclear whether he deleted it because of the insensitivity towards the Haka or because the All Blacks went on to beat his Ireland in one of the all time great games. Fortunately, we have the tweet still, here it is: Then again, if McGregor was embarrassed about his tweet after the result, he did not delete his other tweets where he seemed to say that Ireland weren't afraid of the All Blacks. He wrote: "Dear All Blacks, the only black stuff that scares our lads are shite pints and there's none to be found @ForgedStout#COYBIG #HistoryMakers" Dear @Allblacks, the only black stuff that scares our lads are shite pints and there's none to be found @ForgedStout #COYBIG #HistoryMakers — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 14, 2023 Take a look at the Haka before the match: 🇮🇪 🆚 🇳🇿 LE HAKA DES ALL BLACKS FACE AUX IRLANDAIS EN 8 ☘️ All Blacks HAKA against Irish songs in an incredible Stade de France 🔥 #IREvNZL #RWC2023 #rugbyworldcup2023 #AllBlacks #IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/NmUpxLhhjh — Le Top14 Pas Officiel (@Top14PasOff_Bis) October 14, 2023 All Blacks (caps in brackets): 1. Ethan de Groot (19) 2. Codie Taylor (82) 3. Tyrel Lomax (29) 4. Brodie Retallick (106) 5. Scott Barrett (66) 6. Shannon Frizell (30) 7. Sam Cane (c) (92) 8. Ardie Savea (78) 9. Aaron Smith (122) 10. Richie Mo’unga (53) 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku (6) 12. Jordie Barrett (54) 13. Rieko Ioane (66) 14. Will Jordan (28) 15. Beauden Barrett (120) Replacements: 16. Dane Coles (89) 17. Tamaiti Williams (5) 18. Fletcher Newell (11) 19. Samuel Whitelock (150) 20. Dalton Papali’i (29) 21. Finlay Christie (19) 22. Damian McKenzie (45) 23. Anton Lienert-Brown (67) Ireland: 1 Andrew Porter 2 Dan Sheehan 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 Tadhg Beirne 5 Iain Henderson 6 Peter O’Mahony 7 Josh van der Flier 8 Caelan Doris 9 Jamison Gibson-Park 10 Johnny Sexton (c) 11 James Lowe 12 Bundee Aki 13 Garry Ringrose 14 Mack Hansen 15 Hugo Keenan Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher 17 Dave Kilcoyne 18 Finlay Bealham 19 Joe McCarthy 20 Jack Conan 21 Conor Murray 22 Jack Crowley 23 Jimmy O’Brien https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/conor-mcgregor-lives-to-regret-mocking-all-blacks-haka-in-deleted-tweet Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-14 21:55:33 Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber is rumoured to be considering an unconventional decision to call up Joseph Dweba to replace the injured referee Jaco Peyper for the rest of the knockout stages. This unexpected move, while highly unusual in the world of rugby, underscores the strategic brilliance of South African rugby legend Rassie Erasmus - the man who invented the 7-1 bench split don't you know. Joseph Dweba, a talented hooker renowned for his scrummaging prowess and physicality, might seem like an unconventional choice for a referee's replacement. However, this audacious decision aligns with Erasmus' reputation for pushing the boundaries and thinking outside the box when it comes to his team's strategy. Rassie Erasmus, who played a pivotal role in South Africa's 2019 Rugby World Cup victory, is known for his innovative thinking and unconventional tactics. This potential call-up could be yet another masterstroke that showcases his ability to challenge convention and maximize the strengths of his players. https://twitter.com/WezoV2/status/1713213668773548514 While the rugby world awaits official confirmation of this extraordinary move, it serves as a reminder that in the sport, unpredictability and bold decisions often lead to thrilling and unforgettable moments on the field. Rugby fans can only anticipate the excitement and intrigue that such an unprecedented decision could bring to the game. Same old Rassie, always thinking of the box! https://twitter.com/ITVRugby/status/1713213394084352188 https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/boks-to-call-up-joseph-dweba-for-injured-jaco-peyper Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-14 15:38:56 It has been tough viewing for a lot of England fans during 2023, as Steve Borthwick's side have seemingly picked up as many red cards as they have scored tries. After both Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola were red carded in the World Cup warm-ups for high tackles, a lot of England fans would have hoped that that would have been a turning point for the side. But no, only seconds into the opening match of the tournament Tom Curry was red carded for another high shot. Since then, England have been squeaky clean with their discipline, and it may all be down to one genius training drill that Borthwick has deployed. The players were filmed this week in a tackling drill whereby they had to run under what looked to be a washing line before making contact. This obviously forced them to lower their body height to avoid being clotheslined. This drill has been seen before, but this appears to be the first time that it has been rolled out for the whole squad. It looks like it's working... Take a look at the drill: #ENGvFIJ | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/TV8GdS99lm — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 12, 2023 England (vs Fiji, Sunday – Marseille, 5pm local time) 15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 28 caps) 14. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 76 caps) 13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 23 caps) 12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 56 caps) 11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 62 caps) 10. Owen Farrell – captain (Saracens, 109 caps) 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 9 caps) 1. Ellis Genge – vice-captain (Bristol Bears, 55 caps) 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 82 caps) 3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 104 caps) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 73 caps) 5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps) 6. Courtney Lawes – vice-captain (Northampton Saints, 103 caps) 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 47 caps) 8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 22 caps) Replacements: 16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 6 caps) 17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 86 caps) 18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 66 caps) 19. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps) 20. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 73 caps) 21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 93 caps) 22. George Ford – vice-captain (Sale Sharks, 89 caps) 23. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 18 caps) Fiji XV 1 Eroni Mawi 2 Tevita Ikanivere 3 Luke Tagi 4 Isoa Nasilasila 5 Albert Tuisue 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu 7 Levani Botia 8 Viliame Mata 9 Frank Lomani 10 Vilimoni Botitu 11 Semi Radradra 12 Josua Tuisova 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c) 14 Vinaya Habosi 15 Ilaisa Droasese Replacements: 16 Samuel Matavesi 17 Peni Ravai 18 Mesake Doge 19 Meli Derenalagi 20 Vilive Miramira 21 Simione Kuruvoli 22 Iosefo Masi 23 Sireli Maqala https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/englands-red-card-nightmare-is-finally-over-with-latest-borthwick-masterstroke Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-14 10:15:44 The All Blacks may have been annihilated by the Springboks in their last game before the World Cup. Then they may have been comfortably beaten by France in the opening game of the World Cup. But the improvement they have made since then is nothing short of superhuman. France and the Springboks are good, but have they created a highly inefficient and impractical way of unloading bags off a lorry? No, didn't think so. Have the All Blacks? Yes. What's more, they have even praised themselves for it on social media. Some would say, isn't it easier for one person just to call out the name of the owner of a bag and then the owner goes and picks it up? Well where would the teamwork be in that? The All Blacks have found a way to turn a simple and easy individual task into a team effort with only a few minor problems by forming their 'bag chain'- where they all pass their bags along to the hotel. This just shows the elite level of teamwork by the men in black, and why it effectively spells the end of Ireland's hopes of winning their World Cup quarter-final against them. On the other hand, Ireland may be the metaphorical pile of bags that awaits them once they get to the hotel. All their teamwork and trickery may have looked good with their bag chain, or their 96-17 win over Italy, but ultimately there is still a problem awaiting them once they reach a new pile of bags in the hotel, or a top ranked team in the form of Ireland. We will have to wait and see. Take a look at the chain: The All Blacks bag chain is unmatched 🙌#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/hUbXzsPdWv — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 12, 2023 All Blacks (caps in brackets): 1. Ethan de Groot (19) 2. Codie Taylor (82) 3. Tyrel Lomax (29) 4. Brodie Retallick (106) 5. Scott Barrett (66) 6. Shannon Frizell (30) 7. Sam Cane (c) (92) 8. Ardie Savea (78) 9. Aaron Smith (122) 10. Richie Mo’unga (53) 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku (6) 12. Jordie Barrett (54) 13. Rieko Ioane (66) 14. Will Jordan (28) 15. Beauden Barrett (120) Replacements: 16. Dane Coles (89) 17. Tamaiti Williams (5) 18. Fletcher Newell (11) 19. Samuel Whitelock (150) 20. Dalton Papali’i (29) 21. Finlay Christie (19) 22. Damian McKenzie (45) 23. Anton Lienert-Brown (67) Ireland: 1 Andrew Porter 2 Dan Sheehan 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 Tadhg Beirne 5 Iain Henderson 6 Peter O’Mahony 7 Josh van der Flier 8 Caelan Doris 9 Jamison Gibson-Park 10 Johnny Sexton (c) 11 James Lowe 12 Bundee Aki 13 Garry Ringrose 14 Mack Hansen 15 Hugo Keenan Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher 17 Dave Kilcoyne 18 Finlay Bealham 19 Joe McCarthy 20 Jack Conan 21 Conor Murray 22 Jack Crowley 23 Jimmy O’Brien https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/all-blacks-win-all-but-guaranteed-vs-ireland-after-this-display-of-brilliance Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-14 09:06:56 Just checking, could Antoine Dupont do this before his surgery? Over the past four years the France captain has played at such an absurd level that even the most rational people out there have started to question whether he is a cyborg or not. Well those questions may have been answered after his surgery. While most of the us believed the scrum-half was having a metal plate inserted into his face after fracturing his cheekbone against Namibia in September, that was just a ruse to allow France technicians to access his motherboard and increase his skill level- the evidence is plain to see. France perhaps revealed too much this week in a video they shared online showing Dupont kicking at goal. Now the Toulouse star has kicked at goal before, but we don't remember him being this good. The 26-year-old was able to slot a touchline kick in training. Oh, and it was from about two metres from the try line. The scientists who created the Antoine Dupont that we all thought we knew have clearly upped his kicking stats, and it does not bode well for South Africa in tomorrow's World Cup quarter-final. Take a look at the kick: 🎯😱 @Dupont9A #UnisPourUnRêve #RWC2023 #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/zqoQ5p20qD — France Rugby (@FranceRugby) October 12, 2023 France XV  1 Cyril Baille 2 Peato Mauvaka 3 Uini Atonio 4 Cameron Woki 5 Thibaud Flament 6 Anthony Jelonch 7 Charles Ollivon 8 Gregory Alldritt 9 Antoine Dupont (c) 10 Matthieu Jalibert 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey 12 Jonathan Danty 13 Gael Fickou 14 Damian Penaud 15 Thomas Ramos Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit 17 Reda Wardi 18 Dorian Aldegheri 19 Romain Taofifenua 20 Francois Cros 21 Sekou Macalou 22 Maxime Lucu 23 Yoram Moefana South Africa XV 1 Steven Kitshoff 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi 3 Frans Malherbe 4 Eben Etzebeth 5 Franco Mostert 6 Siya Kolisi (c) 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit 8 Duane Vermeulen 9 Cobus Reinach 10 Manie Libbok 11 Cheslin Kolbe 12 Damian de Allende 13 Jesse Kriel 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse 15 Damian Willemse Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie 17 Ox Nche 18 Vincent Koch 19 RG Snyman 20 Kwagga Smith 21 Faf de Klerk 22 Handre Pollard 23 Willie Le Roux https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/boks-asking-serious-questions-after-dupont-returns-from-surgery-even-better Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-14 08:18:07 Rugby is a sport that captures the hearts of its fans through the sheer physicality, tactics, and spirit displayed on the field. Over the years, there have been players who have not just played the game but have redefined it with their skills, determination, and leadership. Let's dive into the careers of seven rugby legends who have left an indelible mark on the game. 1. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) The All Black icon was truly one-of-a-kind on the rugby field and is widely recognized as rugby's first international superstar, leaving a lasting mark on the game. He catapulted to stardom with his remarkable display at the 1995 World Cup, notching up seven tries across five games, including an unforgettable four-try haul in the semi-final against England. He outdid himself by setting a new record with 15 tries in the 1999 Rugby World Cup. With his formidable strength and blazing speed, he earned 63 caps and scored 37 tries during his time with the national team. His commanding presence on the pitch played a significant role in elevating rugby's profile globally. 2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand) The esteemed flanker's impressive 14-year stint truly underscores his prominent role as the most honoured All Black captain, steering his team to back-to-back World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015. McCaw is renowned for his formidable skills at the breakdown, but he honed his abilities to become an incredibly versatile player, boasting exceptional ball-carrying dynamism. Together with teammate Dan Carter, McCaw set remarkable Super Rugby records for the Canterbury Crusaders. With a total of 148 caps for the All Blacks and numerous World Records under his belt, there's no doubt that McCaw is one of the most successful and influential figures to ever step onto both the domestic and international rugby stage. 3. Dan Carter (New Zealand) Carter is frequently hailed as the quintessential fly-half, establishing himself as one of the most outstanding backs in the professional era. His influence and command over the game were unquestionable, thanks to a lethal mix of precise kicking accuracy, strategic vision, and running prowess. Among his many stellar performances, his unforgettable 33-point feat against the British and Irish Lions in 2005 stands out. During his tenure with the formidable All Black team, Carter emerged as the top scorer in international rugby, amassing a total of 1598 points and 112 caps. He played a crucial role in their two World Cup victories, and his exceptional performances earned him the title of World Rugby Player of the Year three times. 4. Jonny Wilkinson (England) The fly-half for Newcastle Falcons and Toulouse has undoubtedly secured his position as one of the nation's finest players, with his remarkable achievements in the sport etching his name into English sports history. While Wilkinson is best known for his exceptional kicking skills, he also demonstrated a strong commitment to his team with an impressive work ethic, often standing out in his defensive efforts despite his jersey number and size. His legendary last-minute drop goal in overtime clinched England's victory against Australia in the memorable 2003 Rugby World Cup, inspiring an entire generation with that exhilarating moment. He has also received many awards and holds several world records, including the most drop goals in an international career (36). 5. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) The former leader of Ireland, Leinster Rugby, and the British and Irish Lions is destined to be remembered as one of history's greatest and most decorated Irish players. The highly skilled centre was nearly an unstoppable force, scoring some truly spectacular tries. His offloads, interceptions, and dummy passes were a marvel to watch, with his drop goal that clinched the 2009 Grand Slam (one of his most memorable moments). He guided his Irish team to an impressive three Triple Crowns and Grand Slam while setting a record by scoring 26 tries in the Six Nations Championship. He also ranks as the 8th highest try scorer in international rugby union history. FAQs How many players are on a rugby team? In Rugby Union, each team has 15 players on the field, while in Rugby League, teams consist of 13 players each. How long is a rugby match? A standard rugby match consists of two halves, each lasting 40 minutes, with a halftime break of about 10-15 minutes. Can I Bet on Rugby? Yes, you can bet on rugby. Betting on rugby matches is a popular activity for many fans worldwide. You can place bets on various outcomes, such as match winners, tournament winners, point spreads, and more. Check this beginners guide to rugby betting for more info. What is a try in rugby? A try is the primary way to score points in rugby and is worth five points. It is scored when a player grounds the ball in the opponent's in-goal area. Can games end in a draw? Yes, rugby games can end in a draw during regular season play. However, knockout games or finals often have extra time or other tie-breaking methods to determine a winner. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/7-rugby-players-who-dominated-the-field-through-the-years Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-13 14:54:27 The air in the All Blacks' Parisian hotel is heavy with a sense of foreboding. It's the eve of their highly anticipated Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland, but the mood in the team's camp is far from what you'd expect from the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup champions. Something unusual is happening, and the rumour mill is working overtime. Thankfully, Rugby Onslaught's famed investigative crew is on the ground in Paris to find out what the hell is going on. The All Blacks, normally known for their unwavering confidence and unshakable belief in their abilities, seem to have lost their swagger. The players whisper nervously to one another, the uncertainty growing like a creeping fog. It's no secret that this particular group of All Blacks, under the leadership of Ian Foster, is plagued by low self-confidence. This is a stark contrast to the legendary teams of the past, who entered every match with the firm belief that victory is inevitable. But now, as they face Ireland, they are haunted by doubt. The truth? The team has already chartered a flight back to New Zealand before even playing the pivotal match against Ireland. The flight, a symbol of surrender before the battle has even begun, will shock both fans and critics alike. To make matters worse, there are whispers that Mark Telea, one of the team's most promising young talents, purposely breached team protocols in a desperate attempt to get deselected from the lineup for the Ireland match. He is rumoured to have confided in a close friend that he is terrified of Ireland hammering the All Blacks so severely that it would be a stain on his career forever. Desperation has driven him to sabotage his own selection, or so the rumours go. While the All Blacks remained tight-lipped about what Telea actually did, Rugby Onslaught has learned that he attended a team breakfast in a Wallabies jersey and announced he's moving to Sydney to start a five year residency in a desperate bid to make the Aussie side by Rugby World Cup 2031. Cam Roigard has also not made the team, although we understand that assistant coach Joe Schmidt demanded the halfback be protected from what he expected would be a '50 to 60 nil drubbing' at the hands of his former side. The Irish are just too good, Schmidt probably thinks, better save our best players for 2027. The day before the quarter-final, the team gathers in their hotel's conference room for a meeting. The atmosphere is tense, and Foster struggles to instill a sense of belief in his players. He knows that the world is watching, and they need to stand up and fight, not run away. One of the senior players, Sam Whitelock, rises to speak. He has a steely resolve in his eyes, a glimmer of the old All Blacks' spirit. "We may be going through a rough patch, and we may doubt ourselves right now, but remember who we are. We are the All Blacks, and that means something. It's time we stand together, face Ireland head-on, and show the world what we're made of." At this stage, the room descends into raucous laughter, with even Ian Foster unable to suppress a smirk. The NZ boss can be heard whispering under his breath: "That's why you're on the bench mate", which even Whitelock finds funny to be fair. What now for the once brave All Blacks? Well, online check opens for their Air New Zealand flight home shortly, which will likely have a stopover in Bali for 3 weeks included. None of this probably happened but it's impossible to rule out, with absolute certainty. Tag: All Blacks camp, All Blacks camp https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/staggering-news-coming-out-of-all-blacks-camp Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-13 14:27:42 The Springboks, under the strategic genius of Rassie Erasmus, are preparing to unleash a cunning tactic against France that has the rugby world buzzing with anticipation. Rugby Onslaught can exclusively reveal that the South African team plans to start the match against France with only 14 players on the field, leaving a gaping hole in their lineup. But this seemingly audacious move is all part of a master plan. Erasmus, known for his innovative approach to the game, is set to introduce a revolutionary strategy that he believes will catch their opponents off guard. The Boks will start with a 14-man lineup, sacrificing one player to create an unprecedented 9-man replacements bench. This new '8-1' split on the bench is set to be met with plaudits from Springboks fans, who are likely to hail the unorthodox move as sheer genius. What exactly is the rationale behind this daring decision? The answer lies in the Springboks' ability to wreak havoc against the hosts, France. With a bench filled to the brim with forwards, they can bring on an entirely new pack of powerful forwards at any moment during the game. This tactic will not only provide fresh legs but also disrupt France's game plan and tire out their front row. It's a move that showcases Erasmus's tactical brilliance and willingness to take risks in the pursuit of victory. The Springboks have always been known for their formidable forward pack, and now, with this audacious tactic, they are poised to take their physicality and dominance to a whole new level. It's a high-stakes gamble that could define their Rugby World Cup campaign. As the rugby world eagerly awaits the clash between South Africa and France in the quarter-finals, one thing is clear: Rassie Erasmus and his Springboks are ready to make history with a daring and cunning move that could change the face of rugby tactics forever. The question now is whether their 8-1 bench split will prove to be the stroke of genius that leads them to glory on the world stage. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/leaked-the-springboks-ploy-that-will-destroy-france-by-halftime Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-08 09:25:31 Leading up to Ireland's contest with Scotland this week, there was plenty of talk about the two sides working together to kick South Africa out of the World Cup. It was mathematically possible, but it could have only been achieved through some collusion between the two sides. But no one entertained the very real possibility that the Springboks and Scotland would work together to ensure the world champions make the quarter finals. Of course, what is in it for Scotland? Well that's where bribery comes into it, and it must have been a hefty sum. Rugby Onslaught are now launching their own investigation over bribery, and given the amount of genius detectives we have, it does not look good for Rassie Erasmus and co. South Africa now make the quarter finals and will face France next week, but they were clearly very nervous about a historic pool stage exit this week, which is why they turned to these potentially illegal tactics. That is the only way to explain Scotland's no-show at the Stade de France against Ireland, where two late tries meant they weren't nilled. If the Springboks are found guilty of bribery, they will face immediate expulsion from the World Cup. Alternatively, we could all wait a week until France do that to them anyway. It may have only been a financial incentive for Scotland, but initial reports are saying that South Africa offered them two new props and a new winger for their next World Cup cycle. That was probably an offer that Gregor Townsend simply could not refuse. In return, they would throw the match against Ireland and gift South Africa their place in the quarter finals. Then again, come the final whistle against Les Bleus next week, the Springboks might be regretting ever (allegedly) bribing Scotland. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/exclusive-major-investigation-launched-into-springboks-bribing-scotland Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-07 20:59:06 Though they did not come away with the win last week (they actually suffered a fairly heavy 49-18 loss), Tonga tested the Springboks and pushed them all the way in certain passages of the match. Huge periods of the first half were spent in the Springboks' half as Tonga kept hold of the ball, although to little avail. They ran out of steam eventually, but they showed how to trouble the world champions. In fact, they were so strong at points that captain Ben Tameifuna felt confident in explaining after the match how exactly any team can beat the Springboks. Of course, we already know how as Ireland did it just a matter of weeks ago, but this is a pretty succinct explanation. He said: "The Springboks are obviously known for their physicality. So for us we just had to meet fire with fire, because if we didn't the score could have been bigger. But I'm still proud of the boys, they dug deep and held them out for long periods of time. There's definitely going to be a few sore bodies tomorrow, I can tell you that. "You've got to meet them on the line. They tend to run straight and hard and try to beat people up around the ruck area. Like I said, we matched up well but obviously not for long enough periods to hold them out." Reports have emerged from Rugby Onslaught's world class sources that Rassie Erasmus is not happy about that, and he has already started penning a post on X towards Tonga that is so sarcastic that Elon Musk himself might have to intervene to censor it. It is understandable why he might be a little angry as, after all, the last team in the world that need a blueprint to beat South Africa is France. If anything, Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber will be desperate to find a blueprint to beat Les Bleus in the next week. Take a look at what Tameifuna said: https://youtu.be/_NjsBqApysg?t=111   https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/rassie-erasmus-incensed-as-ultimate-blueprint-to-beat-springboks-is-revealed Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-07 13:24:04 While everyone has been talking about the injury to France captain Antoine Dupont over the last two weeks, another player has been on the recovery trail at the same time, and this player may actually be more important than the scrum-half. Yes, Dupont is probably the best player in the world, but in Maxime Lucu they have a good replacement. Not only that, but South Africa have the players and the defence to nullify the No9 potentially. The area of the game where they might struggle to compete in is hooker, where Julien Marchand is nearing a return. The No2 picked up a hamstring injury in the opening match of the World Cup against the All Blacks, but a video shared by him recently shows him back in training on the grass. If he could be fit for a potential clash between France and South Africa in the quarter-finals, it could be the deciding factor. Look at it this way- going into the World Cup, the two best hookers in the world were Malcolm Marx and Julien Marchand. People will be split on which one is better. Both have picked up injuries, but Marx's ruled him out of the tournament, while Marchand's did not. For one of them to be fit in the quarter-final, it is no longer the best going against the best, it is now the best going against a lesser player. To be fair, Bongi Mbonambi is still one of the best hookers in the world, but where it may become really apparent is when Mbonambi and Marchand both leave the field. The game may change when the substitutes come on as the replacements for each player are different. South Africa have not opted for an out and out hooker beyond Mbonambi, and have relied on flankers Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden. It cost them in the latter stages against Ireland, and that could very well happen again against France when they are able to call upon specialist hookers. Bok fans will just have to hope that Marchand does not recover in time.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by (@jumarchand_) https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/returning-110kg-french-star-is-more-important-than-dupont-for-win-over-the-boks Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-06 16:23:35 Going into the World Cup, anyone that was talking up England's chances had clearly not being watching any rugby over August. Or the Six Nations for that matter. Or even the autumn internationals in 2022. Actually for most of 2022 as well. Now after three matches of the World Cup, where England have conceded the fewest points in the entire tournament, still no one is talking up their chances. But but if anyone chose to, they wouldn't be treated like an absolute lunatic anymore. Few teams have ever entered a World Cup at a lower point in their history than England did at the beginning of September. Having lost to Fiji at Twickenham for the first time ever in their final match before the tournament, England had plenty of critics. In fact, anyone who wasn't a critic of England clearly had rose tinted glasses permanently glued to their face. Now after wins against Argentina, Japan and Chile, England still have not won over many fans out there. That is largely because there is the narrative that England have been given an easy pool at the world cup, which is hard to deny. But England loosehead Ellis Genge had the ultimate message to send to all those critics of England out there, who based on the results of the last year are probably in their billions by now. He said: "If I say yeah I believed all this whole time that we were going to get to where we are right now I'm arrogant. If I say that 'oh I didn't believe it and we're so lucky to get it we had the easiest group' that's what people are saying that's that's what's been coming out us left, right, and rhubarb. Every single time Steve's been brilliant with it. He's just been saying listen boys ignore it, we're doing our thing, going about our business and everyone's been on page with that and for us it was like 'no problem'. You can all have your opinions, we know what we're doing, we've made our mind that we know where we're going, we know what we have to do and this is what we're going to do about it. So it's very much so been let our actions do the talking because to be honest it wasn't doing the talking in the warm-ups and now it is." https://youtu.be/FJ5-b673qMI?t=482 https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/ellis-genge-has-the-ultimate-response-to-salty-england-critics Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-06 15:05:24 In the grand theatre of rugby, where legends are born and history is written, there comes a moment that defines a coach's career. For All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, that moment arrived in Lyon during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Uruguay. It was a match that would forever be etched in the annals of his coaching journey as the greatest victory he had ever orchestrated. As the All Blacks took the field for the third consecutive match, putting up over 50 points against their opponents, Foster couldn't help but wear a grin of satisfaction. The Kiwis were on fire, and their recent performances had elevated them to an unprecedented level of excellence. Damian McKenzie, starting at full-back for the first time since 2021, was the catalyst for this rugby symphony. He was at the heart of just about everything, pulling the strings like a master conductor. The match began with a frenzied opening quarter, during which three tries in 16 minutes left the spectators in awe. Two tries for New Zealand and one for Uruguay were recorded, then promptly chalked off on review. Foster couldn't help but appreciate the theatre of it all, probably thinking to himself: "Who needs Broadway when you have the Rugby World Cup? We had three tries, a dramatic plot twist, and a nail-biting review – it was Shakespearean! Nothing like that boring **** Ireland and South Africa play!" However, the tide began to turn when McKenzie, seemingly imbued with a touch of magic, skipped in off the back of a scrum on the five-meter line. New Zealand became an unstoppable force. Richie Mo'unga followed suit, capitalizing on another close-range scrum, and McKenzie himself lit up the packed stadium with a breathtaking one-handed pass to winger Will Jordan. With scrum-half Cam Roigard securing the bonus point just before half-time, Foster watched his team with a sense of pride that bordered on paternal. "These lads are writing history," he mused internally. "We're not just winning, we're creating art." https://twitter.com/ScrumESPN/status/1710037933078507607 The second half was a relentless onslaught. New Zealand, maintaining their pace despite a flurry of substitutions, ran in a further seven tries. Winger Leicester Fainga'anuku emerged as the second-half hero, securing a hat-trick of tries. Foster couldn't help but shake his head in amazement. "Leicester, you beauty! Hat-trick hero, and you've just earned yourself a lifetime supply of fush and chups!" As the final whistle blew and the All Blacks headed to the knockout stages with formidable momentum, Foster knew that this victory was special. It was a culmination of hard work, talent, and a sprinkle of rugby magic. McKenzie, named the Mastercard Player of the Match, summed it up succinctly, "I think it was a really enjoyable game, pretty free-flowing. It took us a long while to break Uruguay, they defended us really well, and then we were able to put some points on the board, so really proud of the win." Foster couldn't resist adding a flash of hubris, mumbling under his breath, so no mics could pick it up: "Yes, Damian, enjoyable indeed! But let's not forget, it was also the greatest victory in the history of victories!" As the All Blacks looked ahead to the quarter-finals with anticipation and excitement, Foster couldn't have been prouder of his team. "We've got to where we want to be," he said with a grin. "And now, the world better watch out, because the All Blacks are on the march!" Tags: All Blacks, All Blacks https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/foster-literal-genius-after-masterminding-greatest-win-in-all-blacks-history Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-05 21:44:30 The brave Springboks have always been known for their unwavering determination and rigorous training regimes. But in the lead-up to the knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, something extraordinary is happening that has left the world of rugby in disbelief. The Springboks, brimming with confidence, have now stopped training altogether - Rugby Onslaught can reveal. The team's newfound bravado stemmed from a string of recent victories, most notably a heart-stopping match against Ireland. Despite technically losing the game, they celebrated it as a moral victory. The Boks had missed so many kicks at goal that it felt like a win to the Springboks, even if they actually lost. Their belief in themselves was so unshakeable after the 'win' that they decided they didn't need to train anymore. One source from inside the camp told Rugby Onslaught: "We'll just use an 8-0 split on the bench against France and moer them'. With an air of invincibility surrounding them, the Springboks and their families decided to take an unprecedented break. They chose the picturesque town of Cassis, nestled on the Mediterranean coast of France, as their destination. The Springbok squad, along with their loved ones, descended upon Cassis like a partying army. Same Same Beach in Cassis became their headquarters, a place where the team celebrated their recent triumphs and revelled in their newfound confidence. The beach, where the Mediterranean met the southern coast of France, bore witness to the Springboks' carefree celebrations. Music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses filled the air as they soaked up the sun and enjoyed the idyllic surroundings. Brave Boks indeed! The Springboks' confidence was palpable. They believed that their natural talent and mental fortitude were enough to secure victory in the upcoming Rugby World Cup. Their unbeaten streak, coupled with their self-assured demeanor, led them to think that training was merely a formality. It was as though they possessed an unshakable faith that they were destined to lift the coveted Webb Ellis Cup. As the Springboks reveled in the Cassis sunshine, the rugby world watched in disbelief. Critics and fans alike couldn't fathom how a team that had once prided itself on hard work and dedication could become so complacent. Some wondered if their overconfidence would lead to their downfall, while others admired their audacity. Then came the day of reckoning, October 1st, 2023. The Springboks faced Tonga in a crucial Pool B match at the Stade de Marseille Velodrome in Marseille. The stadium was packed with fans eager to see if the Springboks could live up to their self-assured reputation. The game began with a shaky start for the Springboks. Tonga, sensing an opportunity to exploit their opponents' lack of preparation, pushed hard. However, the Springboks' natural talent, bravery and experience began to shine through. With each try and conversion, their confidence swelled. The crowd could hardly believe their eyes as the Springboks put on a display of rugby that defied logic. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 49-18 in favor of the Springboks. They had not only won the match, but they had done so convincingly. It was a performance that left even their harshest critics in awe. https://twitter.com/MSNSouthAfrica/status/1709161569538482284 No doubt, the result from this bruising encounter all but assured the Springboks’ safe passage through to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Their gamble, their audacious belief that they didn't need to train, will surely pay off against France. The Springboks returned to Cassis as heroes, their celebrations on Same Same Beach even more exuberant than before. The world may have doubted their approach, but the Springboks believed in themselves when no one else did. As they continued to party under the Mediterranean sun, it was clear that the Springboks' self-assuredness had become their greatest asset. They were on a mission, and they were determined to prove that sometimes, belief alone could move mountains – or, in their case, win Rugby World Cups. Tags: Springboks World Cup, Springboks World Cup https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/springboks-ditch-training-with-rugby-world-cup-already-in-the-bag Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-05 21:20:43 France captain Antoine Dupont took a step closer to a miraculous recovery this week when he returned to training with France just days after having a metal plate inserted into his face. The scrum health fractured his cheekbone against Namibia in France's third game of the World Cup and has left the entire nation sweating over his participation in the rest of the competition. It is highly likely that he will miss the game against Italy this week, but there are hopes that he will return for France's quarter final match, which is likely to be against the reigning champions South Africa. That may or may not be with a mask around his face. But the France star took a step towards making that match this week when he returned to training, although he looked a little worse for wear. In a video shared by France, the 26-year-old was seen in training with an enormous black eye on the right side of his face where he was hit. He was wearing a cap to maybe make it less obvious but it is quite extreme, which is understandable so soon after fracturing his cheekbone. Then again, if this is the only sign of damage he has, he's done pretty well out of this entire ordeal. Other than his eye, Dupont looked well in training as he was running about and passing. The outcome of the World Cup may well depend on whether he is fit to face the Springboks or not. With him, they are probably favorites to win that match, but without him the advantage will surely go to the reigning champions. The race is now on to see if he will be able to make it as he has just under two weeks. Take a look at Dupont's face in training: 🤗 Bon retour parmi nous Antoine @Dupont9A ! #UnisPourUnRêve pic.twitter.com/cFs3u0weSw — France Rugby (@FranceRugby) October 1, 2023             https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/rugby-world-shocked-at-the-sight-of-duponts-face-as-he-returns-to-france-squad Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-02 10:30:37 In the crucial pool B match at the Rugby World Cup, tensions ran high as the Springboks faced a potential disaster. Eben Etzebeth, known for his uncompromising style of play, found himself in a precarious situation. Charles Piutau, Tonga’s star full-back, went for a high ball, and Etzebeth, in a moment of reckless aggression, plowed into him with a headshot. The stadium held its collective breath as the referee assessed the incident. The consequences were dire: if Etzebeth received a red card, the Springboks would be on the brink of elimination from the tournament. The replay was scrutinized from multiple angles, and the crowd's anxiety was palpable. Referee Luke Pearce, after consulting with the TMO, decided it was only a penalty against Etzebeth. The decision shocked many, but it allowed South Africa to maintain a numerical advantage on the field that they didn’t deserve, preventing them from losing their grip on the match. As the game resumed, the Springboks rallied, seizing the opportunity presented by Etzebeth's reprieve. They held on for a narrow victory, securing their place in the knockout stage of the Rugby World Cup. The controversial call left pundits and fans debating, but for South Africa, it will surely become a pivotal moment on their journey to the tournament's later stages. Presumably all the Springbok fan accounts will be making videos about this disgraceful dog act from Etzebeth? Because they are objection of course and are only interested in the truth? https://twitter.com/GoodBadRugby/status/1708579338533114356 https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/etzebeth-gets-free-pass-after-abysmal-incident Rugby Onslaught 2023-10-01 22:03:18 Welsh hunk and heartthrob rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit has filmed himself over 100 metres and he's recorded a very decent time. The brave Welsh rugby sensation known for his lightning-fast pace on the field, has recently turned heads with his self-timed 100-meter sprint, clocking a scarcely believer time, with a stopwatch. While this unofficial timing may raise some eyebrows, it's impossible to overlook the extraordinary athleticism and speed that Rees-Zammit brings to the rugby pitch. His remarkable speed has been a game-changer in international rugby, allowing him to outpace defenders and score crucial tries. Rees-Zammit's acceleration and top-end speed make him a formidable weapon in open play, and his ability to cover ground swiftly has left opponents in his wake. While the stopwatch timing might not hold up in an official track and field event, it underscores the undeniable fact that Louis Rees-Zammit possesses a rare blend of pace and agility that sets him apart in the world of rugby. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, fans can expect to witness even more breathtaking moments from this young rugby prodigy on the field. What make his time even more impressive is that it's on a 6'3, 95kg plus frame. A lot of rugby fans talk absolute rubbish about 100-metre times and don't appreciate that to go on under 11 seconds - especially as a rugby player - you are very rapid. People claim that Habana could run 10.4 but that is total nonsense and has never, ever been corroborated. If you leave aside all the in-video advertising, this is quite a good video and it gives his exact time. https://youtu.be/3e0EX3GxkRo Players like Carlin Isles from the USA, the "Fastest Man in Rugby," has clocked incredible sprint times. England's Jonny May possesses rapid acceleration and top-end speed. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Rieko Ioane and South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe are celebrated for their agility and lightning-quick footwork. These speedsters add excitement to the game, leaving defenders struggling to catch up as they race toward the try line. Tags: Rees-Zammit 100 metres, Rees-Zammit 100 metres Tags: How fast in Louis Rees-Zammit, How fast in Louis Rees-Zammit https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/louis-rees-zammit-films-himself-over-100-metres Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-30 14:42:52 While Ireland centre Bundee Aki grabbed the headlines on Saturday with his player of the match performance where he made the South African defence look nothing more than white and green tissue paper, there were some other interventions that were perhaps more important than his bulldozing runs. The sight of the 102kg centre bursting through the heart of the Boks' defence may be the standout moment of the match, or at least his match, but his most important intervention came in the final seconds of the match, and it was a moment of genius that takes him on to a whole new level in rugby. With a South African driving maul making its way to Ireland's try line at a frightening speed, Aki knew he had to do something to hold onto his side's precious 13-8 lead. He knew that an entry at the back of the maul to try and drive the Boks backwards would have been futile- instead, he only had one option, and this shows his genius. Aki decided to fly into the Springbok forwards at the side of the maul, lifting one of their legs up in the process and contributing to the collapsed maul which South Africa were unable to get the ball out of. Now many people would immediately say that what Aki did was horrendously illegal, and should have been a penalty try potentially. But there is a very thin line between genius and flagrantly illegal, and only the greats teeter on that line. Was Richie McCaw onside at every ruck he won a penalty at or turned the ball over? Of course not! But he is in that very elite club which Aki joined at the Stade de France. At the end of the day, one person's intentionally illegal entry at a maul to kill a maul metres from their own line is another person's genius, and if you get away with it, it is definitely a stroke of genius. Well played, Bundee! Take a look at the clip, provided by TAS Analytics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RgLfplX_9I https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/springboks-simply-couldnt-handle-moment-of-unseen-genius-from-irelands-aki Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-28 10:01:21 We all know that the Springboks have never legitimately lost a rugby match ever since William Webb Ellis first picked up a ball and ran with it 200 years ago. It is always the referee's fault or some other reason that is conjured up after the final whistle is blown. Their loss to Ireland on Saturday at the Stade de France is no different. To the rest of the world it looked as though the world number ones matched the Boks physically up front, and as a result the world champions did not have any answers. But to a Bok fan experienced in the art of complaining, Andy Farrell's side were gifted a try that should not have stood and eventually led to them winning the game. Mack Hansen was the scorer of Ireland's sole try in the match, but there have been plenty of fans (no prizes for guessing where from) that have claimed the try should not have stood due to the winger being out of play when he placed the ball down. Now Hansen did leave this one very close indeed, and his elbow was certainly very close to being on the dead ball line when he dived to score, but the ultimate evidence has been provided which proves the ball was placed down first. In what is surely a groundbreaking technological advancement, one TikTok user has provided the definitive proof that this was a try, therefore debunking the final excuse the Boks had for their loss. Take a look: @louis_viljoen777 RSA VS IRLAND #southafrica #irland #rugby #worldcup2023 #fyp ♬ Ireland - Irish Pub Society This is all the evidence we need, or indeed anyone else should need. The Springboks have one more match remaining in the pool stages at this World Cup against Tonga, which is now a must-win with a bonus point. With Scotland having two games left, two bonus point victories could see them progress ahead of the Springboks should they fail to score four tries against Tonga. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/bitter-bok-fans-last-remaining-excuse-for-humbling-ireland-loss-is-debunked Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-26 15:46:49 Given how physical the match was between Ireland and South Africa was on Saturday night at the Stade de France, it is crazy that there were no serious injuries or cards handed out by referee Ben O'Keeffe. Then again, there probably should have been. South Africa replacement loosehead prop Ox Nche can count himself very lucky that he managed to remain on the Stade de France pitch in the second-half, and likewise Ireland flanker and reigning World Rugby player of the year Josh van der Flier can count himself very lucky that he is not ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a broken hand. That is because Nche subtly stamped on the hand of van der Flier in the second-half of their encounter and got away with it. Nche did this while leaving a ruck which van der Flier was at the bottom of, and it was quite serious. After all, that is all 114kg of a prop wearing studs and putting all his weight on the hand of another player. At first, it does look like Nche accidentally place his foot on the hand of van der Flier. It could just be good acting, but we'll give him the benefit of the doubt here. But when someone steps on another person's hand, they immediately know about it and will instantly pull their foot away. Nche does not do that though, as he seems to press all his weight on the flanker's hand before eventually moving his foot. This is all done over the space of a couple of seconds, but even the most one-eyed Bok fans would have a hard time claiming that Nche was not aware that he was standing on someone's hand rather than turf. He was very lucky to get away with that. Take a look at the incident here: 🤫 pic.twitter.com/6wbZPRajMA— Derf (@DerfDvx) September 23, 2023   https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/unseen-bok-grub-act-on-irelands-player-of-year-could-have-ended-his-world-cup Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-24 11:42:02 Outside the Stade de France, a sea of green and gold-clad Springboks fans fumed with frustration after witnessing their beloved team's loss to Ireland in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup. The air was thick with disappointment - nearly as thick as the average Bok supporter - as fans gathered for interviews with RugbyPass, their emotions laid bare for the world to see. Anger boiled beneath the surface as they dissected the game. Many fans believed that Handre Pollard's absence, due to injury, had been the critical factor in the loss. They were convinced that Pollard's precision kicking could have turned the tide in South Africa's favor, especially in the tense final moments when Manie Libbok, his replacement, missed a crucial penalty kick. The disappointment was palpable, etched into the faces of the fans. They had traveled from afar, pouring their hopes and dreams into this tournament, only to see their team stumble. The cope was real, and the Springbok faithful were struggling to come to terms with the loss. Yet, amidst the anger and frustration, there was a shared determination. These fans, like their team, were resilient. They pledged their unwavering support, vowing to rally behind the Springboks in the challenges that lay ahead. They believed that redemption was still possible, and their faith in their team burned brighter than ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpnZp2QBODA "It was a tough test match. It was physical," said Eben Etzebeth after the game, after getting ragdolled by James Lowe. "That was like playing a play-off game. We have one more [pool] game left. We have Tonga, that is the main focus now and after that the knock-out starts so I'm looking forward to that. "We have Tonga, we still have to win that game and then France have obviously got Italy. So there are still a few games that need to happen so we'll probably play France or New Zealand. I am excited for either one of them." Tags: Springboks fans, Springboks fans, https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/springboks-fans-cope-overload-after-devastating-loss Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-24 10:55:31 It is fair to say all the questions surrounding the Springboks' selection policy over the last month were answered yesterday against Ireland in Paris. And they weren't good answers if you're a Bok fan. There were questions over a lack of a world-class kicker in the initial squad and that proved to be the undoing of the side and the Stade de France. Then there were questions over not replacing Malcolm Marx with another hooker. That well and truly did not pay off against Ireland. Then there were also questions about the 7-1 split on the bench. That was also something that let the world champions down, or at least didn't give them the ascendancy they would have hoped for. Anyone who's questioned some of these decisions over the past month has done so at their peril though, as they have probably been met by an army of angry Bok fans defending every decision that Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have made regardless of how inane and left field they have increasingly become . At the back of everyone's mind though was the fact that Erasmus did guide the Boks to World Cup glory in 2019 and then a Lions series two years later. But some of the decisions he has made recently have crossed the line from rugby genius to outright lunacy. I mean, anyone could have told you that starting arguably the biggest game for the Boks in the last two years without a recognised hooker on the bench was always going to spell disaster, and it did as their line out faltered in the latter stages. Is about time that all of those fans who have defended Erasmus and Nienaber over the last month apologised and accepted that maybe the coaching duo have got a few things wrong. Of course, the kicking problem can be easily solved by starting Handre Pollard in future matches, which is likely to happen. Then again he is only in the squad as a replacement for Marx, so that doesn't really resolve the hooker issue. There will be plenty of Bok fans that will continue to defend some of these decisions made, but that is harder to do after Saturday. Here's what Nienaber said after the match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhF39WfK4wI https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/its-about-time-bok-fans-started-apologising Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-24 10:47:45 The rugby world witness something today that was so shocking and rare that we all may never recover from it. This was something that no one thought was possible, and something that may have given every single Springboks fan a headache as they try and compute what just happened. That is because Eben Etzebeth -Bok enforcer and 120kg beast- was completely manhandled by the Ireland defence at the Stade de France. Completely manhandled is bad enough, but he was completely manhandled by winger James Lowe. You read that correctly. Etzebeth carried the ball into Lowe while the Boks were camped in the Ireland 22 in the second half, but Lowe met the lock head on and alongside flanker Josh van der Flier, picked him up and drove him backwards. The sight of Etzebeth's legs helplessly dangling in the air is a sight that no one on Earth is familiar with. He could do nothing as the ball was eventually turned over. No one was more shocked than Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber, who immediately substituted his second-row after he was turned over. That was maybe the lowest point of Etzebeth's career, and he was not even given the chance to respond. Take a look: James Lowe réussit l'impossible : faire reculer Eben Etzebeth#RWC2023 | #RSAvIRE pic.twitter.com/V65eCkOQkR— Rugby World Cup FR 🇫🇷 (@RugbyWorldCupFR) September 23, 2023 🇿🇦 🆚 🇮🇪 Ce plaquage de James Lowe sur le monstre Eben Etzebeth 💥 This James Lowe’s tackle on the monster Etzebeth is just crazy 🤯#RSAvIRE #RWC2023 #IREvRSA #AFSIRL #Springboks #rugbyworldcup2023 pic.twitter.com/vBBOqPjhON — Le Top14 Pas Officiel (@Top14PasOff_Bis) September 23, 2023 Rare footage of Etzebeth getting monstered #RSAvIRE pic.twitter.com/pLMCEtHTMW— Steve Lenthall (@steve_l15) September 23, 2023 https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/game-over-eben-etzebeth-easily-manhandled-by-ireland-winger-in-new-career-low Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-23 20:28:51 The reigning world champions South Africa take on the number one ranked side in the world Ireland on Saturday at the Stade de France in Paris in what is possibly the biggest match of the World Cup so far. This is a huge match for so many reasons. Firstly, the number one spot in the world rankings is at stake, but more importantly the chance to top Pool B is on the line. The winner of the pool will likely play the tier two All Blacks in the quarter-finals, which seems a much better prospect than playing the red hot hosts France. Moreover, this is a match that could easily be repeated in the final, so both sides will be desperate to make a statement. With that in mind, Rugby Onslaught are here to provide their match prediction. This will be a close game, and it is unlikely that one side will pull away in the same way France did against the All Blacks in the opening match of the tournament. But when it comes down to close games, it is foolish to ever bet against the Boks, particularly when they have named a 7-1 split on the bench. The Springboks having the opportunity to completely replenish their pack could well be the deciding factor at the Stade de France, as it will likely give them the energy and power to grind Ireland out in the final quarter. While betting against a maestro like Johnny Sexton is never wise, South Africa have in truth been the best team in the world over the past month or so. Not only did they inflict the biggest defeat ever upon the All Blacks, but they followed that up with a clinical dismantling of Scotland in Marseille in round one. They have the physicality up front that only France can match, and that will be the deciding factor. Here's what happened when the two sides met last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb4ynaZmCcg Match prediction: South Africa win https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/world-cup-prediction-south-africa-versus-ireland Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-23 14:20:04 A video has emerged showing the Springboks Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, and the team's Head Coach, Jacques Nienaber, allegedly using a sophisticated lighting system to signal the correct answers to school exams during their formative years. This bombshell revelation has sent shockwaves through the rugby world and sparked widespread debate on the ethics and integrity of the sport. The video, which is believed to be decades old, shows a young Erasmus and Nienaber covertly using a concealed lighting system outside the classroom to communicate during a school exam. While the authenticity of the video is yet to be confirmed, it has raised serious questions about the duo's character and their rise to prominence in the rugby world. Rassie Erasmus, a highly respected figure in South African rugby, played a pivotal role in the Springboks' Rugby World Cup victory in 2019 as head coach before assuming his current role as Director of Rugby. Jacques Nienaber, his close confidant and long-time coaching partner, has also been instrumental in the team's success. The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has not yet issued an official statement on the matter, but the video has ignited a storm of controversy and speculation among fans and experts alike. Many are wondering whether the alleged cheating incident could tarnish the legacy of the two men responsible for bringing glory to the Springboks. Observers argue that using a lighting system to cheat during school exams is a far more serious offence than a common youthful indiscretion. The leadership roles Erasmus and Nienaber hold in the world of professional rugby demand the highest standards of ethics and integrity. The incident, if proven to be true, could have far-reaching consequences for their careers and reputations. As the rugby world eagerly awaits a response from SARU and further investigation into the authenticity of the video, the shocking revelation serves as a stark reminder that the sport, like any other, is not immune to controversies that can rock its foundations. The future of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber as leaders of the Springboks hangs in the balance, with fans and critics anxiously awaiting the outcome of this unfolding saga. https://twitter.com/SARugbymag/status/1704201851011207648 Tags: Nienaber Erasmus, Nienaber Erasmus https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/new-footage-reveals-nienaber-and-erasmus-have-been-cheating-for-years Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-20 09:45:09 In an astonishing turn of events that reads like a script from a Hollywood blockbuster, the legendary Rugby Onslaught, himself a symbol of rugby's power and unity, stepped in to defend the grave of William Webb Ellis from a group of extremist Springbok fans. Our investigative team brings you this exclusive account of the dramatic showdown. As the news of the extremist plot unraveled, our reporters discovered that the group was indeed composed of largely Afrikaans individuals, their misguided passion for the Springboks driving them to the brink of infamy. Their audacious scheme was to strike on the eve of the Rugby World Cup match with Romania, when the eyes of the world would be on the sport. They intended to deface the grave, sending a message that rugby belonged exclusively to them. On the fateful night, beneath a moonless sky, the extremist Bok fans crept through the cemetery gates in the south of France after arriving in the back of a Hilux, their hearts aflame with their twisted ambitions and bellies full of Brandy wyn. Jaco, the ringleader, clutching a can of spray paint, approached the weathered tombstone. But before he could make his mark, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was none other than Rugby Onslaught himself, a towering and imposing presence, radiating the very essence of the sport. He confronted the extremists, his voice a thunderous roar that echoed through the night, demanding they abandon their sacrilegious act. For a moment, the extremists, driven by their misguided fervor, hesitated. But as Rugby Onslaught, a symbol of rugby's unity, stared them down, they were struck by a profound realization. Rugby transcended personal rivalries and bitterness. It is a game built on respect, honour and sportsmanship. Jaco, the once-defiant ringleader, lowered the spray can, realizing the folly of their actions. The group exchanged uneasy glances, acknowledging the gravity of their misguided intentions. Slowly, they retreated into the darkness, leaving the grave untouched. As the sun rose on the Rugby World Cup once more, the extremist Bokke fans disbanded, their hearts heavy with remorse. They had chosen the path of respect and sportsmanship over destruction, recognizing that rugby was not a tool for hatred but a force for unity. In a dramatic twist, Rugby Onslaught himself became the guardian of rugby's legacy that night, standing as a living testament to the sport's values. This remarkable episode serves as a testament to the power of rugby to bring people together, even in the face of extremism, and reinforces the core principles of respect and unity that lie at the heart of the sport. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/breakaway-springbok-fans-plan-to-deface-webb-ellis-grave Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-17 13:21:31 It was only a matter of time. England head coach Steve Borthwick could only watch for so long as his England side were sent off and banned while nothing happened to the rest of the world before he did something about it. He saw Curry get red carded against Argentina, then he saw Chile's Martin Sigren get yellow carded for a similar incident, then he saw South Africa's Jesse Kriel get away with almost the same tackle, then he saw that Kriel would not be cited, then he saw Curry receive a ban for his tackle and he still managed to maintain his composure. But seeing France's Romain Taofifénua launch his shoulder into the head of Uruguay's Santiago Arata on Thursday and only receive a yellow card was obviously the straw that broke the camel's back. In response to seeing the Frenchman's outrageous tackle, Borthwick got out his camera and produced his own Rassie Erasmus-style rant about how his England team are being unfairly treated, and to be honest it was infinitely more convincing than Erasmus' video in 2021. He came to his senses soon after sharing it online and removed it, but Rugby Onslaught were able to watch it before he did. The best way to describe the video was that it looked like this (WARNING: Explicit language): https://youtu.be/T1h4pjr0XOg?t=224 That gives a taste of how angry Borthwick was, and rightly so. England have now received a red card in four of their last six matches (winning losing the two they did not receive a red card in), so Borthwick will be hoping that his team turn around this worrying trend when they face Japan in Nice on Sunday. A win would leave them in a very strong position in their pool after victory over Argentina last week, but you never know what could happen after that, or more importantly, who will be banned after that. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/exclusive-steve-borthwick-releases-erasmus-style-rant-after-tom-curry-ban Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-15 14:33:35 Dan Biggar wears his heart on his sleeve, we all know that. But the former Wales captain took passion to a new level on Sunday when they faced Fiji in the opening match of their World Cup campaign, and it was not a good level. Wales held a slender lead over Fiji in the final minute of the first half when his teammates Nick Tompkins and George North decided to try and run the ball out from their own 22. North knocked the ball on which brought an end to the half, but the 115 cap Wales international was surely not expecting what would happen next. Biggar stood over Tompkins and North screaming in their face "Get the f****** ball off the park" over and over again. He then proceeded to march to the tunnel gesticulating passionately and ranting to himself in an enraged manner even by his own standards. Very rarely does anyone see a player get that angry in a rugby match, let alone to his own teammates. Rugby Onslaught are now guessing that Wales head coach Warren Gatland is mulling over whether he sends Biggar back to Wales or not, which would bring his Wales career to an end. That seems very unlikely as Wales actually came away with a win, which was not a formality given their form. To send bigger home after that would be ludicrous. Alternatively, Tompkins and North may be planning on forming a rebellion and kicking Biggar out of the squad themselves. Both are a possibility as this was only the first match of the World Cup for Wales, so it is a scary thought how abusive and out of control Biggar will be after weeks on end with the Wales squad. We can only assume it will be similar to The Shining. Here are some of the best reproductions of the abuse: Biggar chasing North into the tunnel at half time (credit to @TomasTaylor4 ) pic.twitter.com/NgPXBVsbUj— Tom Shanklin (@TomShanklin) September 11, 2023 Dan Biggar at half-time. pic.twitter.com/qjM3oaRyee— Jordan (@JordanWebber96) September 10, 2023 https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/watch-wales-reach-new-low-as-dan-biggar-verbally-attacks-teammates-on-live-tv Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-11 10:39:31 In the heat of a crucial Rugby World Cup Pool B match between the South Africa and Scotland at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, an unexpected twist unfolded. It was a match that had the potential to determine both teams' fates in the tournament. Little did anyone know, it would become a tale of sportsmanship and cowardice. The game was fiercely contested, with both teams displaying their trademark tenacity. However, as the clock ticked down in the second half, the Springboks found themselves struggling. Desperation began to creep in as they struggled to contain Scotland's superior manliness. Amid the tension, a peculiar sight caught the attention of referee Angus Gardner. Flashing lights emerged from the Springboks' technical area. It was Rassie Erasmus, the team's director of rugby, attempting to signal something. Gardner, momentarily puzzled, waved the game on. Erasmus was not signaling for a substitution or strategy change; he was attempting to communicate something unconventional. With a series of precise flashes, he conveyed a message to Gardner that left everyone stunned. It was a signal of surrender. Erasmus had made the controversial decision to concede the match. Sadly, referee Gardner ignored the South African's pleas for mercy and allowed the game to continue. Nautrally there will be calls for the Springboks to be eliminated from the tournament on the back of his disgraceful actions. Look at the vision: https://twitter.com/TheWell3/status/1700907230822826124 https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/erasmus-attempts-to-signal-surrender-in-marseille Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-10 17:10:46 The Springboks thought they could turn up at Marseille and bully Scotland, but Jamie Ritchie and his team were having none of it at the Stade Velodrome. Arch bully Eben Etzebeth thought he could throw his weight around in the first half and Scotland would wilt, but instead it was the lock that was charging down the tunnel in terror after encountering Ritchie. After Damian de Allende needlessly starting throwing elbows and punches after being bundled into touch, Etzebeth came charging in in typical Bok fashion to push some of his opponents around. Instead he found the Scotland captain squaring up to him and not bowing down. Immediately, the entire rugby world could see the terror in the South African enforcer's eyes as Ritchie presumably bellowed some indecipherable Scottish abuse in his face. Picture a kitten or a puppy running away in terror, and you've got the scene. Within minutes of this fracas occurring, Etzebeth was leaving the field with what looked like a leg injury. But Rugby Onslaught sources have confirmed that Etzebeth was heard screaming down the medic's mic "Get me off! Get me off!" to Jacques Nienaber, who kindly granted his wishes. Take a look at the fight: Pierre Schoeman trying to save Jamie Richie’s life from Eben Etzebeth.#RWC2023 | #RSAvSCO pic.twitter.com/qtpaSmgt3R — Darren (@SaffasRugby) September 10, 2023 South Africa were leading the contest in their World Cup opener 6-0 when Etzebeth left the field, but that lead was halved before half time courtesy of a Finn Russell penalty. The only trouble for Scotland was that Etzebeth was replaced by RG Snyman, who is just as big and just as aggressive. Then again, one look into the eyes of Ritchie and Snyman may be charging down the tunnel in absolute terror as well. If Etzebeth's injury is genuine, then that is an enormous blow for South Africa, as he is arguably their most important player. With Ireland waiting towards the end of the pool stages, the Boks will not want to be without their lock. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/scotland-captain-makes-quivering-etzebeth-immediately-leave-the-field-in-terror Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-10 16:39:02 Owen Farrell who? The England captain was barely missed on Saturday as England opened their World Cup campaign with an unexpected dispatching of Argentina. Yes, there were no tries, but England defended well and forced Argentina into plenty of errors. Oh, and George Ford kicked 27 points, with nine of those points coming by way of drop goal. It was a truly epic display from the fly-half to steer an England team who played 78 minutes with 14 players to victory after Tom Curry's red card. Though England might not want to admit it, but their style is pretty much built for drop goals at the moment. They seem to have given up completely trying to score tries, but drop goals now seem like a viable source of points, and therefore wins, and Ford knows it. Footage has emerged of the Sale Sharks No10 practicing at the Stade Velodrome before the match started, and drop goals seemed to be high on the agenda. He was actually asked that in the changing room after the match by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, but he obviously did not want to give away all his secrets. But England rugby have given them away for him, as a video was shared of him slotting drop goals in an empty stadium. There is another video of him slotted drop goals in a full stadium as well. Take a look at Ford before the match: @KensingtonRoyal @George_Fordy #ENGvARG | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Ba9x1XRJKs— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) September 10, 2023 England take on Japan on Sunday in Nice, and do not be surprise if you see another few drop goals by Ford again. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/previously-unseen-footage-shows-ford-was-preparing-for-masterclass-all-along Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-10 14:14:32 The rugby world laughed at Rugby Onslaught when we said that Steve Borthwick clearly had a genius World Cup winning masterplan. Well who's laughing now. As England plodded through August, finding a new and innovative way to reach a new low with every week that passed, it became abundantly clear that Borthwick was playing his cards close to his chest. Admittedly, it looked at times that the cards were so close to his chest that they were lodged about half a foot into his ribcage, but that only means he is a true master of deception. Following the win over Argentina in Marseille, England have a 100% record at this World Cup and the rugby world are begrudgingly accepting that they were fooled by Borthwick's poker face. Now Borthwick knew from the start that the establishment weren't going to let England reach the World Cup final. After all, how could they let one team reach half the finals of one competition? He knew referees would do everything to stop them. The England boss could have released a video about the refereeing of his team so long and convincing that it would have made Rassie Erasmus' infamous film look like a TikTok video. But no, instead he just worked a way around it. He knew referees would be throwing cards at England like confetti at this World Cup, so there was no better way to prepare for it than playing with 14-players throughout August. That is why England captain Owen Farrell got himself sent off, that is why their only No8 Billy Vunipola got himself sent off- they knew what was coming. Lo and behold, within three minutes of the match Tom Curry was sent off. England are now so well versed with playing with 14 players that they probably won't know what to do when they have the full complement of players. That pretty much explains the loss to Fiji. The next step is working out how to play with 15 players for those rare occasions there isn't a red card and they're golden. Take a look at their performance against Argentina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2nRCMP61H0 https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/entire-rugby-world-bitterly-accept-borthwicks-rwc-winning-masterplan-is-working Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-10 10:38:23 Genius England head coach Steve Borthwick is poised to make an unprecedented move in their upcoming Rugby World Cup clash against Japan, as they plan to field just 13 players. This unconventional decision, slated for the future, arises from a confluence of tactical considerations and injury setbacks. The simple truth is that England players are so bad, that starting with less of them is actually an advantage. The move has been endorsed by rugby league enthusiast Owen Farrell, who has been trying to reduce England teams to less than 15 for the entirety of his career, usually by trying to have himself red carded. In the face of key players sidelined due to injuries, England's coaching staff is gearing up for an audacious strategy. Reducing the team size to 13 players is a high-stakes gamble, with the intent to exploit rugby's unique rules. The absence of two players is expected to create open spaces on the field, affording England the opportunity to embrace a lightning-fast, fluid style of play, which they hope will take Japan by surprise. The implementation of this daring tactic will hinge on flawless execution and precise decision-making, as players will need to cover more ground. Furthermore, this maneuver will place immense pressure on England's defensive capabilities, as they will have fewer resources to tackle and thwart Japan's formidable offensive threats. The future will see whether their precision, agility, and communication can withstand this challenging strategy. https://twitter.com/jaredwright17/status/1700593308693635447 England's choice to play with just 13 players is set to challenge rugby conventions and potentially redefine tactics for future matches. It's a testament to their adaptability and determination in the face of adversity, and the rugby world eagerly anticipates whether this bold move will secure them victory or etch their name in the annals of rugby history. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/england-to-start-13-players-against-japan Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-09 20:56:42 Brave Sam Cane is a victim. In the heart of South Africa, whispers of a devious plot began to circulate as the Rugby World Cup opener drew near. The Springboks, fierce competitors on the field, were rumored to have hatched a sinister plan to weaken their arch-rivals, the All Blacks. As anticipation reached a fever pitch, an unthinkable twist unfolded. Sam Cane, the All Blacks' fearless captain, fell mysteriously ill on the eve of the match. Medical examinations soon revealed a shocking truth – he had been poisoned. And the weapon of choice? Biltong, the beloved South African dried meat snack. Suspicion fell on the Springboks, whose obsession with victory had allegedly driven them to this extreme measure. The world watched in disbelief as the rugby world was rocked by scandal. Amidst the chaos, investigators delved deep into the case. Yet, as the Rugby World Cup opener loomed, concrete evidence remained elusive. Accusations and denials filled the airwaves, creating a volatile atmosphere of mistrust. In the end, the truth behind Sam Cane's poisoning remained shrouded in uncertainty, a shadowy stain on the tournament. As the teams clashed on the field, the world could only wonder whether this was a case of foul play or mere coincidence, forever etching the mystery of the poisoned biltong into rugby folklore. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/springboks-behind-sam-cane-injury Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-08 19:26:24 One of the biggest challenges Eddie Jones has on his hands this World Cup is trying to keep tighthead prop Taniela Tupou fit throughout the tournament, because he and everyone else is very much aware of how destructive the 140kg prop can be. But such size and power will inevitably put a player at a greater injury risk, as 'Tongan Thor' has found out. But when fit and firing, the 27-year-old is as dangerous as any player out there. Just ask his front row teammate Angus Bell. The Wallabies loosehead gave a glowing endorsement of Tupou recently, throwing around words like "beast," "anomaly" and "freak" when describing him. "He's 140 kilos, he squats 300 kilos and he moves almost at nine metres a second," Bell said. "He's a beast. He's just an anomaly, he's a freak. He's something you can't create. That's what Nela is and we're just lucky we have him in our team and he's not playing for Tonga." Take a look at what Bell said:   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by rugby.com.au (@rugbycomau) Tupou's prowess at the squat rack and bench press are nothing new to the rugby world, as there have been plenty of videos over the years of the Wallaby lifting some inordinate amounts in the gym. But to partner that with some incredible athleticism on the grass is probably why Bell is in awe of his teammate. Jones might be asking Tupou to tone down the weights over the next few weeks though to ensure he does not suffer any more injuries during the World Cup. After all, squatting 300kg comes with risks. The head coach will want to start Tupou and Bell together this weekend when Australia get their World Cup underway against Georgia. That duo started against France last week, and is probably the preferred combination at this moment in time for the Wallabies. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/hes-140kg-squats-300kg-and-moves-at-almost-nine-metres-a-second-a-beast Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-05 12:03:55 Sorry Oyonnax, but the trick you tried at the weekend against Top 14 champions Toulouse was done twelve years ago, and it is kind of a one time only try. When Mike Phillips ran in for a try against Ireland in Cardiff in 2011 after receiving a quick lineout from the wrong ball, we all knew that mistake was not going to happen again. But all credit to Oyonnax who tried it at the Stade Charles-Mathon on Saturday. To be fair to them, they almost pulled it off as well. Flanker Kevin Lebreton went in for the try after receiving a pass from Darren Sweetnam, who had in turn received a quick lineout from teammate Enzo Reybier. The only trouble is, the ball he threw in with was clearly not the ball that was kicked into touch, as that happened to still be in Toulouse fullback Matthis Lebel's hands. A quick lineout can only be taken with the ball that was kicked into touch, but some quick thinking from the ball boy and Reybier meant the newly promoted outfit almost pulled the wool over the referee's eyes. However, plenty of protesting from Lebel (with the ball still in his hand) meant the try was eventually chalked off. Toulouse were leading 10-0 at the time, so it would have got the hosts right back into the game. In fact, had the try stood they might have actually won the game as they only lost by six points in the end, 27-21. Take a look at the try:   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) Oyonnax: 15. Sweetnam; 14. Stark, 13. Farrell, 12. Millet, 11. Reybier; 10. Soulan, 9. Cassang; 8. Grice, 7. Credoz, 6. Lebreton; 5. Fabrègue, 4. Kornath; 3. Oz, 2. Durand, 1. Raynaud (cap.). Replacements: 16. Leiataua, 17. Mirtskhulava, 18. Lebas, 19. Fifita, 20. Ruru, 21. Bouraux, 22. Mensa, 23. Berthaud. Toulouse: 15. Lebel; 14. Tauzin, 13. Costes, 12. Guitoune, 11. Retière; 10. Searle, 9. Graou ; 8. Roumat, 7. Ntamack, 6. Banos; 5. Meafou, 4. Fa’asalele; 3. Franks, 2. Cramont, 1. Neti (cap.). Replacements: 16. Boubila, 17. Ainu’u, 18. Vergé, 19. Placines, 20. Castro Ferreira, 21. Barassi, 22. Delpy, 23. Merkler. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/attempted-try-against-euro-giants-will-give-every-ireland-fan-flashbacks Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-04 16:36:34 With South Africa suddenly emerging as many people's favourites to win the World Cup in October, former assistant coach Swys de Bruin decided that it is only fair to start giving advice to their opponents. The Springboks face Scotland this weekend in their opening match of the World Cup, and with both sides coming from positive Augusts, it will likely be a defining match for either side in terms of progressing to the quarter finals with Ireland in the group as well. Even though it is a crunch match, de Bruin decided nevertheless to give some pointers to head coach Gregor Townsend and fly-half Finn Russell as to how they can beat the world champions. "If I was Gregor Townsend," he said. "Firstly, I wouldn't play too many phases- if there's a mistake, scrum, Boks' ball. I'll avoid scrums. I will have one or two goes, then turn them, because I'm not so sure we're turning so well. "The other thing is, the Boks, what is their biggest strength? Their defence, they're going to rush us. So what is Finn Russell going to do? He's going to get guys closer, he's going to change direction a lot because that's all methods to beat the rush. He'll play the blind more, he'll play the pick and go more. When are the Boks rushing well? When there's slow ball and the target is set and they are slightly deep. Then they go. So what must you do? You must play away from anywhere where they can rush you. So that, for me, if Scotland can do that they'll be in the game all day. "But I still don't know what Scotland will do if we come with our second pack. Because you can only stay on your feet with what you've got for so long." Take a look: https://youtu.be/MlmJS9a6XjM?t=154 https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/if-i-was-gregor-townsend-ex-bok-coach-explains-how-scotland-can-beat-them Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-04 14:52:50 Whether Willie le Roux legitimately had to pull out of the All Blacks match at the last minute or whether it was South Africa's plan all along to field a 7-1 bench at Twickenham we will never know, but what we do know is that it worked. Flanker Kwagga Smith came in to replace le Roux, and head coach Jacques Nienaber decided to unleash all seven of his forwards at once in the second half. But what at first looked like a last minute decision by South Africa is increasingly looking like a premeditated plan. Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was recently quizzed about the 7-1 split, and he responded by suggesting that his coaching team knew the All Blacks would "struggle" with that ploy, which they did. He said: "We will definitely use it again, but that will be when the situation is right, when the opposition, we think, might struggle to handle it. But there's other teams that will handle that with a breeze, so it won't be every game." That does not sound like a last minute decision by Erasmus and Nienaber, that was preplanned. But was it allowed? World Rugby regulations state that two international teams must exchange matchday squads 72 hours before kick-off. Take a look: "9.16 Prior to an International Match, the following shall apply: "(a) Unions shall reduce their Squad size to 26 no later than 96 hours prior to the kick off of an International Match; "(b) 72 hours before the kick off of an International Match Unions shall announce and exchange a list of the 15 Players who will start the Match and up to 8 replacements/substitutes." So the All Blacks would have been given a team with a 6-2 split, just as it was announced. But the only way to truly catch the All Blacks off guard, was to exploit a loophole and feign an injury at the last minute. Maybe le Roux genuinely had to pull out, but it would not be surprising if this was another Erasmus masterstroke and the best way to trial out an innovative new idea. Announce it in the week, the All Blacks would know what is coming. Make the change last minute, New Zealand stood now chance. If it comes off, it was genius, if it did not, it was only a last minute decision. Bravo Rassie. Take a look at the interview: 💭 "It's definitely not something you can use week in, week out. You can't roll the dice every weekend."Rassie Erasmus on the Springboks 7-1 bench split and the strategy behind it. pic.twitter.com/NPta8mQLxY— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 3, 2023   https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/rassie-erasmus-accidentally-admits-to-exploiting-world-rugby-loophole Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-04 10:51:54 There were incredible, if not slightly strange, scenes yesterday in Tours as the Ireland squad trained before a crowd of 12,000 people at the Stade de la Vallée du Cher. After an extravagant entrance out of the tunnel, Andy Farrell's squad trained a bit, clapped a bit and did a lap of honour before the crowd. But the funniest moment of the entire day came as Ireland emerged from the tunnel, specifically captain Johnny Sexton. The players walked out before the crowd in pairs, and Sexton was coupled with scrum-half Craig Casey, who just so happens to be 14 years his junior, and, crucially, nine inches shorter than his captain. As a result, Sexton decided to walk out holding the hand of Casey, as if he were the team's mascot. Fans online have loved this, and to be fair to Casey he found the funny side of it as well even though the joke was at his expense. Here are some of the comments online: "Hahaha that’s unbelievable to bring Craig out holding hands like a mascot. Heroic." "Nice that Johnny took the mascot out with him too." "Craig at the beginning." "Craig just can't catch a break." "Casey the mascot! 🤪" "Casey as the mascot 😅🤌" "Absolutely weak at this hahahahaha Casey is a gas man 😂" Take a look at the moment Sexton and Casey walked out: What a welcome in Tours! 👋#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/Xe6xJdj830 — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 2, 2023 This training session came a week before the world number ones get their World Cup campaign started against Romania in Bordeaux. They follow that fixture with a match against Tonga, before facing South Africa and Scotland to decide the winners of Pool B. Sexton goes into the World Cup uncooked having not played for months due to an injury and a ban, but he has not lost his sense of humour in that time. https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/johnny-sexton-brutally-mocks-his-own-teammate-in-front-of-thousands Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-03 11:19:43 La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara seems to get in infinitely more fights as a coach than he ever did as a player. The former Ireland fly-half has been disciplined and reprimanded on a number of occasions during his time on the west coast of France, but Saturday's altercation with Clermont Auvergne fly-half Benjamín Urdapilleta might have been his worst incident yet. To be fair to O'Gara, he did not do much wrong on this occasion, as the 37-year-old ex Argentina international took exception to the coach standing on the touchline and interfering with his attempt to catch a kick to touch. The ball hit O'Gara meaning a quick lineout could not be taken, and Urdapilleta clearly got riled by that that, pushing the Irishman twice. Credit must go to O'Gara though as he did not retaliate. This was a crucial period of the match, as La Rochelle were leading by two points with 25 minutes remaining at the Stade Marcel Michelin. Urdapilleta had the last laugh though, as his penalty secured the win for his side, condemning the Champions Cup winners to a second loss in their opening three matches. Take a look at the fight: 💥Il n'y a pas que l'#UFC en ce moment ! Retrouvez le combat Benjamin Urdapiletta🆚 Ronan O'gara !!👊#ASMSR #Top14 #Rugby #YellowArmy #FievreSR pic.twitter.com/a0m6ImYoMG — Le Top14 Pas Officiel (@Top14PasOff) September 2, 2023 It is actually Clermont coach Christophe Urios that O'Gara has history with, having butted heads with him plenty of times when he was Bordeaux Begles coach. This actually resulted one time in Urios slapping O'Gara on the touchline after his exuberant celebrations. So this is not exactly new territory for O'Gara. As a player O'Gara was not particularly confrontational, which begs the question: what will his Ireland successor Johnny Sexton be like as a coach? Sexton is far more confrontational as a player than O'Gara ever was, meaning he could be 1000 times worse than his countryman if he ever decides to become a coach.   https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/ronan-ogara-attacked-by-argentina-international-in-touchline-fight Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-03 08:39:08 The knives have been out for England captain Owen Farrell this past month, as his tackle technique has been criticised and attacked following his red card against Wales. Farrell's England teammate Billy Vunipola was also red carded against Ireland, but while the No8 has not faced personal attacks, Farrell's sketchy tackling history has led to him being labelled in a negative way. But former England coach, now Australia coach, Eddie Jones defended both players recently, saying neither were willingly trying to break the law with their tackles. That is easy to believe with Vunipola given his clean disciplinary record, but that might we be harder for some to swallow regarding Farrell as he has a long history of dangerous tackles. "They all care," Jones said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday. "Billy cares about his game, cares about his team, cares about his nation, as does Owen. There's some times in a game where actions are inappropriate to the situation and there's a consequence for it. "They're not willingly breaking the rules. The situation just happens where they make a judgment mistake, a decision-making mistake and as a consequence they get punished for it." Both Farrell and Vunipola missed England's historic first ever loss to Fiji last Saturday at Twickenham as they both serve their bans. Vunipola will also miss England's opening match of the World Cup against Argentina, while Farrell will miss matches against Argentina and Japan. Despite these bans, both players have been retained in Steve Borthwick's 33-man England squad.   https://rugbyonslaught.com/news/eddie-jones-defends-owen-farrell-tackling-amid-criticism Rugby Onslaught 2023-09-01 12:19:48