What did we learn from the Rugby Championship?

Images courtesy of Getty

The Rugby Championship has been completed for a further year by the southern hemisphere sides.

South Africa won back-to-back titles for the first time when they defeated Argentina at Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday.

The opening four rounds saw the four teams each claim two victories in a thrilling tournament.

Pumas have promise but fall short.

Argentina players celebrate after beating New Zealand in the Rugby Championship in 2025Images courtesy of Getty

An Argentina side that defeated all three of their rivals for the first time in the Rugby Championship last year will be disappointed by two wins out of six.

For the first time since 2022, the Pumas, who entered the competition in 2012, came in at the bottom of the table this year.

Felipe Contepomi’s team’s highlight was a first-ever home victory over New Zealand in round two.

The biggest disappointment will be wasting a 14-point lead over Australia in round three, which they corrected the following week, as another victory would have prevented them from finishing fourth.

Financial advantages come with choosing to play the Springboks’ final home game at Allianz Stadium, but the city’s large, expat community in London gave them a leg.

Losing a two-test series against England in July had already put pressure on the outcome of the campaign.

Argentina, who play an exciting and quick style of rugby, needs to continue pushing forward with a significant result to have a realistic title charge.

With Wallabies on the rise, Schmidt departs.

Joe Schmidt and Scott RobertsonImages courtesy of Getty

Would the Australian tour of the British and Irish Lions be competitive? For the advancing Wallabies, that question has a good age.

After failing to reach the knockout stages of a rugby world cup for the first time in 2023, Joe Schmidt took over at their lowest level.

With victories over South Africa and Argentina, they finished third overall, which is an improvement on their previous two last-place finishes in a row.

With New Zealand playing the Wallabies in their final two matches following a record-loss by South Africa, their campaign forged toward a historic push to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.

However, Schmidt was unable to remove the Bledisloe from the All Blacks, leading to his two-loss reign.

Even so, he succeeds Les Kiss as head coach, who is also in charge.

“I do believe the team is growing, and I can’t say for sure that will be linear, but I can pretty much guarantee that the effort will be there,” he said.

Max Jorgensen, a back-to-back three star, and Joseph Suaalii, a center, are dangerous attackers in tight spaces.

Barrett, a veteran fly-half, is Robertson’s ally.

Beauden Barrett passes Images courtesy of Getty

The All Blacks had won six of their previous seven Rugby Championships before Scott Robertson became the new Zealand head coach.

Robertson’s side fell short of South Africa for the second year in a row.

A positive aspect of Robertson’s use of 43 players this year keeps its November home games with the four home nations.

Leroy Carter made three wing starts, with No. 8 Peter Lakai, 22, making his debut in the black jersey.

Robertson is starting to add significant depth to his World Cup winning streak in 2027 while still defeating South Africa, Australia, and Argentina.

However, the All Blacks’ hopes of winning the title were hampered by their first defeat in Argentina and a shock record-setting defeat by the Springboks, which both proved unfavorable.

As Robertson switched from Damian McKenzie’s regular number 10 last year, Beauden Barrett, 34, started five of the six games at fly-half.

Richie Mo’unga, who won the World Cup final at fly-half two years ago, will have another chance to win.

Barrett, who has 142 caps, would have been in pole position to start the following World Cup, but he isn’t slowing down at the moment.

Erasmus acquires skills and triumphs in battle.

Sacha Feinberg-MngomezuluImages courtesy of Getty

At the World Rugby Awards last year, South Africa was chosen as the men’s team of the year.

The world’s top-ranked team could win the title once more after winning back-to-back Rugby Championships.

The number of players that head coach Rassie Erasmus has used, though, is what makes the achievement even more remarkable.

He said, “I believe we had close to 47 players in our lineup, and I’d like to have given them more chances.”

The pressure was put on Erasmus by Australia and New Zealand’s defeats in the first three games, but the rewards were worth it given by the subsequent results.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23, started all three of her victories, earning her the title in three games.

Highlight of Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s record 37 points against Argentina in Durban marked the start of Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s potential ascendancy at fly-half in November.

Canan Moodie, also 23, started outside center in the final three games while Ethan Hooker, 22, started the final three games on the left and produced a standout performance against New Zealand.

With the title in their hands, Erasmus lacked confidence in his young stars.

The Springboks’ World Cup winners’ hopes of playing again, especially in matches against France and Ireland, will now become heated up for the autumn.

Erasmus once said that he would rather win the World Cup than maintain an 85 percent win rate.

He has now created a squad that appears to be capable of both.

He continued, “I believe one of our goals is to stay in the present, perform well, and not just concentrate on the World Cup.”

related subjects

  • Rugby Union

South Africa juggernaut rolls on – what we learned from Rugby Championship

Images courtesy of Getty

The Rugby Championship has been completed for a further year by the southern hemisphere sides.

South Africa won back-to-back titles for the first time when they defeated Argentina at Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday.

The opening four rounds saw the four teams each claim two victories in a thrilling tournament.

Pumas have promise but fall short.

Argentina players celebrate after beating New Zealand in the Rugby Championship in 2025Images courtesy of Getty

An Argentina side that defeated all three of their rivals for the first time in the Rugby Championship last year will be disappointed by two wins out of six.

For the first time since 2022, the Pumas, who entered the competition in 2012, came in at the bottom of the table this year.

Felipe Contepomi’s team’s highlight was a first-ever home victory over New Zealand in round two.

The biggest disappointment will be wasting a 14-point lead over Australia in round three, which they corrected the following week, as another victory would have prevented them from finishing fourth.

Financial advantages come with choosing to play the Springboks’ final home game at Allianz Stadium, but the city’s large, expat community in London gave them a leg.

Losing a two-test series against England in July had already put pressure on the outcome of the campaign.

Argentina, who play an exciting and quick style of rugby, needs to continue pushing forward with a significant result to have a realistic title charge.

With Wallabies on the rise, Schmidt departs.

Joe Schmidt and Scott RobertsonImages courtesy of Getty

Would the Australian tour of the British and Irish Lions be competitive? For the advancing Wallabies, that question has a good age.

After failing to reach the knockout stages of a rugby world cup for the first time in 2023, Joe Schmidt took over at their lowest level.

With victories over South Africa and Argentina, they finished third overall, which is an improvement on their previous two last-place finishes in a row.

With New Zealand playing the Wallabies in their final two matches following a record-loss by South Africa, their campaign forged toward a historic push to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.

However, Schmidt was unable to remove the Bledisloe from the All Blacks, leading to his two-loss reign.

Even so, he succeeds Les Kiss as head coach, who is also in charge.

“I do believe the team is growing, and I can’t say for sure that will be linear, but I can pretty much guarantee that the effort will be there,” he said.

Max Jorgensen, a back-to-back three star, and Joseph Suaalii, a center, are dangerous attackers in tight spaces.

Barrett, a veteran fly-half, is Robertson’s ally.

Beauden Barrett passes Images courtesy of Getty

The All Blacks had won six of their previous seven Rugby Championships before Scott Robertson became the new Zealand head coach.

Robertson’s side fell short of South Africa for the second year in a row.

A positive aspect of Robertson’s use of 43 players this year keeps its November home games with the four home nations.

Leroy Carter made three wing starts, with No. 8 Peter Lakai, 22, making his debut in the black jersey.

Robertson is starting to add significant depth to his World Cup winning streak in 2027 while still defeating South Africa, Australia, and Argentina.

However, the All Blacks’ hopes of winning the title were hampered by their first defeat in Argentina and a shock record-setting defeat by the Springboks, which both proved unfavorable.

As Robertson switched from Damian McKenzie’s regular number 10 last year, Beauden Barrett, 34, started five of the six games at fly-half.

Richie Mo’unga, who won the World Cup final at fly-half two years ago, will have another chance to win.

Barrett, who has 142 caps, would have been in pole position to start the following World Cup, but he isn’t slowing down at the moment.

Erasmus acquires skills and triumphs in battle.

Sacha Feinberg-MngomezuluImages courtesy of Getty

At the World Rugby Awards last year, South Africa was chosen as the men’s team of the year.

The world’s top-ranked team could win the title once more after winning back-to-back Rugby Championships.

The number of players that head coach Rassie Erasmus has used, though, is what makes the achievement even more remarkable.

He said, “I believe we had close to 47 players in our lineup, and I’d like to have given them more chances.”

The pressure was put on Erasmus by Australia and New Zealand’s defeats in the first three games, but the rewards were worth it given by the subsequent results.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23, started all three of her victories, earning her the title in three games.

Highlight of Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s record 37 points against Argentina in Durban marked the start of Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s potential ascendancy at fly-half in November.

Canan Moodie, also 23, started outside center in the final three games while Ethan Hooker, 22, started the final three games on the left and produced a standout performance against New Zealand.

With the title in their hands, Erasmus lacked confidence in his young stars.

The Springboks’ World Cup winners’ hopes of playing again, especially in matches against France and Ireland, will now become heated up for the autumn.

Erasmus once said that he would rather win the World Cup than maintain an 85 percent win rate.

He has now created a squad that appears to be capable of both.

He continued, “I believe one of our goals is to stay in the present, perform well, and not just concentrate on the World Cup.”

related subjects

  • Rugby Union

Coronation Street star Lisa George terrified as she’s hospitalised after losing eyesight

After playing Beth Tinker on Weatherfield for more than ten years, Coronation Street actress Lisa George discusses her terrifying health battle and transitioning into life.

Lisa George was adored for her shady dealings and protective parenting of her son Craig for 13 years as Coronation Street’s iconic and outspoken Beth Sutherland (née Tinker). After her final (tearful) farewell to the cobbles, she’s determined to demonstrate there is indeed life after soap when we catch up with her a year later.

Grimsby-born Lisa has also undergone a major health transformation over the last year, with the help of a surgical tweak, and is finally loving who she sees in the mirror. As well as getting stuck into two history diplomas, Lisa – who competed on Dancing On Ice in 2020 – has also been managing a medical condition which has left her partially blind in one eye and without peripheral vision in her other.

After years of searching for answers after first experiencing sight loss in 2016, she was diagnosed with NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), which returned in 2022. She details how she’s coping and why she’s determined to keep it that way in our exclusive conversation…

How has life been since Coronation Street, Lisa?

busy ! I’ve been engaging in a variety of activities. I recently received an award at the National Diversity Awards, and I’ve met some incredible people. Additionally, I’ve joined the acting lingcs in Lincolnshire, which helps connect residents of the area with the sector. You can do it because we live in Lincolnshire, but that doesn’t mean you can’t.

Nowadays, it must be nice to have the opportunity to say “Yes” to things…

There are many things I want to do, and it is. I’d like to write a period drama, too. I used to talk about the Second World War with my grandad a lot, and I’ve always been fascinated by it. Something based on the 1950s and 1960s would be amazing, too, since I also adore those days. I’m primarily fascinated by historical topics. I earned two diplomas during lockdown, one on Henry VIII’s six wives, and the other on Tudor history. Oh, and there’s a second one about Native American studies!

After watching a soap for so long, is it difficult to get moving?

I suppose many people recognize me as Beth, but I’m not a one-trick pony. Before Beth, I spent a lot of time watching TV, and I’d like to continue doing so. I want to resume singing and perhaps re-enter the recording room. When Corrie began, I stopped singing, but I had previously been teaching and performing in a large band.

You’ve also been promoting your vision issues. What’s going on now?

My eyes seem to be settling right now, in my opinion. I can see writing perfectly fine, but I can’t see the distances. I need glasses for reading because all the writing and numbers are so blurred, and because I can see the SatNav, I also have varifocals for driving. I have blind spots, so I don’t like doing night driving at night, but I believe that’s also a matter of age! I’d ask to be on the inside of the pavement if Corrie scenes were being shot in the dark because I couldn’t see the kerb’s edge.

You just recently appeared in a charity campaign for Vista magazine. More information please…

I was so pleased to be asked. It was wonderful to participate in National Eye Health Week because it is National Eye Health Week. I’m excited about recording a section of literature for an audiobook for the Royal National Institute of Blind People, as well as being a part of their 90th anniversary celebrations.

Recently, you recently experienced another sight loss episode…

Yes, I went out for dinner in 2022 to celebrate Katie McGlynn’s birthday in a dark room. The menu was completely blurry when I looked at it.

That must have been incredibly terrifying…

It was . I recall remarking, “Something is really wrong. I called the opthamologist the following day, was taken to A&amp, E, and spent a week recovering in the hospital. They said I must have had diabetes because I hadn’t been fully diagnosed with it yet.

What do you think of the label “visually impaired”?

To be honest, I don’t mention it that often. When I was on Coronation Street, the only reason many people knew was because my script was in font size 16 so they could probably see it from the other side of the set! I’m classed as “visually impaired” now on my Spotlight CV, and that did make me wonder if people maybe wouldn’t want to cast me. But there is better access now for people with all sorts of disabilities so I don’t let it worry me.

When it comes to your future employment, do you worry?

You know, I really don’t want my eyes to deteriorate any more. When it first happened, one of my fears was, “How am I going to work in a theatre if the stage is dark?” But I did panto last year and the crew and cast were amazing and made things easy for me.

How exactly?

I was forced to leave the stage at one point because there was smoke all over the entire show, so two dancers helped me get off. Although it was insignificant, it allowed it. They were fantastic and extremely helpful.

Could more work be done to improve the inclusion of the entertainment sector?

Absolutely not. I want to highlight one aspect of acting that will appeal to viewers. When you are asked to create a self-tape, you are typically sent documents in PDF with a small font size, which prevents me from copying and pasting the letters and making them larger. Many people would be greatly affected by things like that if they were taken into account.

You appear to be incredible right now, which is a significant change from Beth of Weatherfield!

Thank you. I’m feeling fantastic right now. When I was on Coronation Street, I had stomach issues that lasted for ten or more years. My stomach would become extremely swollen, and I would appear pregnant. After visiting The IBS &amp, Gut Health Clinic in Wilmslow, I was put on a low-FODMAP diet, and the weight just disappeared. I’ve had only two meals a day for the past two years, so I’ve been very strict with my diet.

Do you also exercise?

I did really well last year, and I started training and running three times per week. Not so much now! However, I’ll soon resume it.

You had an eyelift in January of that year as well.

I did it. When I had my photo taken, I only looked at my saggy eyes. I was really getting older and it bothered me. I’ve been discussing it for a while, but I’m now so pleased with the outcomes.

Continue reading the article.

This December, Lisa (@lisageorgeactor) will be performing in Cinderella at York’s Grand Opera House.

Five things we learned as Wales winless in URC round two

Picture agency for Huw Evans
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Cardiff lost and Dragons lost, but the Arms Park club was happier with their two-point performance in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

When lively wing Tom Bowen added a hat-trick at the death, The Blue and Blacks reappeared the rewards of an expansive attack against Munster.

While Dragons are still kicking themselves for failing to sneak a win against Sharks in Newport, Cardiff deservedly won two bonus points at Thomond Park.

Ospreys, in contrast, can truly kick off their season with predictable defeats at Bulls and Stormers, which set up their South African double-header.

Due to the delayed nature of their game at Connacht, Scarlets had to travel a nightmare.

Bowen and Sheedy aid Cardiff in a double take.

Callum Sheedy kicks the ball through for Cardiff at MunsterPicture agency for Huw Evans

When Cardiff led by eight in the closing stages, it appeared as though they were lamenting that they had lost a third try and a costly kick out on the full.

However, a strong scrum, brave kick by replacement kicker Ioan Lloyd to the 22 and patient attack resulted in Bowen scurtling over for the team’s fourth try.

Despite the 23-20 defeat, there was a nagging apprehension for the TMO before Cardiff could celebrate what must have gone down as a successful trip to Ireland.

Granted, they were penalized by a forward pass in the lead up to Munster’s first try and missed five kicks at goal in windy conditions.

Due to their pair of bonuses at Thomond Park, where they have lost all 12 games, and a five-pointer against the Lions, Cardiff are two points better than many would have predicted.

Two incredible hat-tricks were scored in Limerick, with Bowen, who was hustler, going over three times, and Callum Sheedy, who was also in charge, providing three assists, two with pinpoint kicks, and the other with a peach of a tip-on.

The fly-half’s third try came to an end, and it was clattered as he set it up.

With a home game against Connacht, a trip to a Dragons team desperate to put an end to their Blue and Black hoodoo, and a date at Edinburgh Park, Cardiff have given themselves a chance to make it an excellent first block.

They still need to be more competitive in the 22nd grade because of how much work they still do. Due to their injuries and Ben Thomas’ suspension, Midfield is a concern, but it doesn’t seem like Matt Sherratt’s absence has completely thrown them.

Dragons were speechless.

After another missed chance, Dragons co-captain Angus O’Brien’s live interview following the game was agonizing to watch.

The Sharks’ 17-17 draw, which actually should have been a 20-17 victory, left the full-back speechless in the aftermath.

Dragons ended their 18-game losing streak in the URC by failing to attempt a routine drop goal at the death, ending their 19-game winless streak.

In the rain, Dragons exhibited admirable tenacity to survive a strong Sharks side, but they were unable to earn what would have been a bold victory.

While head coach Filo Tiatia is awaiting a first URC victory, they are still claiming a scalp of one of the big South African four, the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls, and Lions.

The 14 men on the field attempted to convert two points into four at the death, but the management was helpless.

Although Tinus de Beer was required to have cool heads in the pocket right in front of the posts, the ball was not passed to him.

Rhodri Williams, De Beer, and Angus O’Brien are all well-versed in making decisions, which is not to blame.

Dragons need to nail such a match scenario because they haven’t done it much recently.

Powerful Paea’s promising debut was slack off.

Fetuli Paea with his right arm in a sling after Dragons' draw with SharksPicture agency for Huw Evans

Fetuli Paea’s most anticipated Dragons debut came in 2004, but there may be a wait for his subsequent film.

The center moved to Rodney Parade from Zebre Parma in the summer, and he helped Tonga advance to the Rugby World Cup by placing third overall at the Pacific Nations Cup.

Paea missed the URC opener against Ulster because of that, but he made a direct start in the 17-17 draw with the Lions.

Before Aaron Wainwright’s try, the 31-year-old put the Dragons on the front foot with an impressive burst.

After breaking through Christie Grobbelaar’s short pass, he hit a fantastic line from midfield partner Aneurin Owen, who stayed calm throughout.

The center also delivered some powerful hits against powerful South African runners in his tight-to-the-ruck defense, but sadly his game ended after 50 minutes.

When Paea attempted to tackle him, his right wrist was injured, and O’Brien wiped his arm as he ran the ball back during a counterattack.

The summer signing’s wrist will be scanned along with his arm in a sling.

Ospreys optimistic before making a full comeback to Bridgend.

Keelan Giles on the run for Ospreys at Stormers in the URCPicture agency for Huw Evans

Most people expected Ospreys to return to Wales after two defeats, which would have always been a challenging first start to the season in South Africa.

In spite of another impressive effort, the Bulls lost to the Bulls 53-40 in Pretoria, but it was a pointless trip to Cape Town, where they lost 26-10 to the Stormers.

Mark Jones’ men’s side are slightly energized by their South African double-header as they prepare for their first game against Zebre Parma on Saturday at their Bridgend home this season.

Dewi Lake, an Ospreys hooker, said, “We will go home with our heads held high.”

“I’m aware that we may not have achieved the results we desired, but this trip has many advantages,” he said.

After a sluggish start to the season following his exploits with the British and Irish Lions in Australia, Lake and flanker Harri Deaves have both excelled in filling in for the absent Jac Morgan.

In Morgan’s absence, Lake impressed, and Deaves, who has made 28 tackles for the Stormers, has excelled in the number seven jersey.

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Welsh scrum battles

The Ospreys lack forward dominance under former coach Toby Booth, who made a crucial contribution to both South Africa defeats while the referee disapproved of their attacking maul against the Stormers.

Ospreys needed to find top-notch tight-head because they lack front-row resources.

Ospreys will be able to unleash their vastly improved attacking game if they can achieve set-piece parity in some way. The rest of the season will be filled with that challenge.

The scrum also suffered from the strong South African opposition.

The home camp was upset that the Sharks had the angle of their scrummaging that caused Italian referee Fillipo Russo to penalize the home side nine times in that regard.

After replacing tight-head Chris Coleman was yellow-carded for the infringements, the Dragons came to an end with 14 men.

Due to Rodrigo Martinez’s head injury, they also had both starters on the field after Rob Hunt’s return and a 75-minute shift for loose-head prop Wyn Jones.

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  • Welsh Rugby
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Poland deploys air defences as Russia launches new strikes on Ukraine

As Russia launched new deadly airstrikes against neighboring Ukraine, Polish and allies have been deployed to secure the nation’s airspace, according to its military.

In response to alleged Russian airspace incursions and drone sightings in several member states, NATO’s transatlantic security bloc increased its air patrols across the region on Sunday.

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Poland’s operational command stated in a post on X early on Sunday that “polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest level of readiness.”

These actions, according to the statement, are preventive in nature and aim to protect people from harm, particularly in areas close to the threatened region.

The Polish military stated that its forces under its control “remain fully prepared for immediate response” and that it is monitoring the current situation.

Poland and Ukraine are estimated to travel 530 kilometers (329 miles).

Following Ukrainian Air Force warnings of Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukraine was currently on air raid alerts for the entire country as of 02:10 GMT.

Ivan Fedorov, the region’s head of southeast Zapoprizhia, claimed in a statement posted on Telegram that a 16-year-old girl was among the victims of a “combined strike” by Russia that left six people dead and injured.

After Russia launched a significant attack across Ukraine in late September, Poland&nbsp was forced to temporarily close some of its airspace southeast of Warsaw.

Russian drones&nbsp entered Poland’s airspace earlier that month, marking their first direct military engagement with Moscow since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine&nbsp, which started in 2022.

After being closed for hours for a “series of balloons” in its airspace, NATO member Lithuania reopened its main airport on Sunday.