Why Wallabies coach Les Kiss was laughing as Japan Test hung in the balance
The Wallabies-Japan clash was a white-knuckle ride, but a brief snapshot of the Australian coach in his first Test proved insightful.
Rugby Union
10th August 2026
9th August 2026
The Wallabies almost beat themselves in Osaka, but Kiss won’t apply the shackles
New Wallabies coach Les Kiss encourages his players to chance their arm in attack, but that led to mistakes, and a nervous win, in his first Test.
What Kiss’ approach to attack will mean for million-dollar man Suaalii
The Wallabies started life under a new coach with both a narrow win and an insight into how different things will be.
Les Kiss and his Wallabies have a mountain to climb but gritty win over Japan is a big first step
Australia got ambushed early and were a hot mess at times. But Kiss showed patience and nous as he found a way to win When scaling a mountain, “don’t look at the peak”, advised the Japanese film-maker Akira Kurosawa.
8th August 2026
Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold performed against Japan
The Wallabies hung on against Japan in Osaka. Here’s how they rated.
New coach Kiss off to a winning start as Wallabies rumble past bold Japan
There was good, bad and plenty of ugly but the Les Kiss era is off to a winning start.
There were plenty of mistakes, but the Wallabies’ win also brought plenty of satisfaction
Three years after Eddie Jones left the Wallabies in ruins, our blokes registered a small payback against a solid Japanese side.
‘Very dangerous’: New Wallabies coach’s winning start despite ‘ugly’ red card
Australia got new coach Les Kiss off to a winning start on Saturday with a nail-biting 35-32 victory over Japan that was full of twists and turns in sweltering Osaka.
‘Superstar’ university student carves up Australia
Japan has made a brilliant start in the Osaka heat as Ryunosuke Ito bamboozles the Wallabies’ defence to score the opening try.
Wallabies lock sent off for high shot
Wallabies lock Miles Amatosero has been sent off for his high shot on Japan captain Warner Dearns.
Wright fires Wallabies in front
That’s more like it from the Wallabies as Tom Wright fires Les Kiss’ side in front for the first time in this Test.
Fijian Vunilagi dies in Japan from suspected heatstroke
Fijian Saimoni Vunilagi has died of suspected heatstroke after a training session, his Japanese club Kyuden Voltex announce.
‘We found a way’: Wallabies defy heat, red card to get home over Eddie’s Japan
Les Kiss took charge of his first game as Wallabies coach, defeating Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms 35-32 in Osaka.
Carter scores sparkling All Blacks try
Leroy Carter scores a sparkling All Blacks try against the Stormers.
The new Wallabies coach has copped an early hospital pass
Les Kiss’ first match as Wallabies coach pits him against the wily Eddie Jones and a strong Japan side more than capable of springing an upset.
Wallabies need to handle the heat as Les Kiss era begins in sweltering Japan
Australia’s new head coach refused to cool expectations before a rugby international in Osaka with a short runway to hosting the 2027 World Cup.
7th August 2026
All Blacks receive heroes welcome in South Africa
The All Blacks receive a heroes welcome in South Africa ahead of their first tour game against the Stormers in Cape Town.
A World Cup comeback for Quade Cooper? Don’t rule it out, says Wallabies captain
The 38-year-old former Test five-eighth spent a day with the Wallabies in his home city this week as they prepare for Saturday’s clash against Japan. Harry Wilson remains a big fan.
Hoop dreams: How growing up on a court turned Josh into a Wallabies ‘baller’
He has only played five Tests but Josh Canham had a fan club waiting for him in Japan. And after his form in July, there are many more Canham admirers popping up around the world.
Springboks and All Blacks flex financial muscles with ‘Greatest Rivalry’ tour
Throwback series rekindles memories of the past, but the focus is very much on realities of the modern game.
6th August 2026
‘The pressure is on Australia’: Eddie Jones fires a shot at the Wallabies. Sort of
The expectations of some verbal fireworks from the Japan coach ahead of a clash with the Wallabies were high. It didn’t turn out that way.
Cheika comeback firms as possibility after Foley and Phipps return to Tahs
Six years after they left, veterans Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps are back at the NSW Waratahs. But it is a very different club to the one they left.
Wallabies send love to injured Sydney player
The Wallabies send love to Warringah Rats hooker Wes Thomas, who suffered a serious neck injury in the Shute Shield.
Inexperienced halves pair get nod for first Wallabies Test under new coach Les Kiss
New Australian coach Les Kiss has thrown his support behind inexperienced halves pair Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith for his first match in charge of the Wallabies against Eddie Jones’s Japan in Osaka on Saturday.
‘Horses for courses’: Kiss stacks bench in first Wallabies team as Eddie showdown looms
Miles Amatosero and Aidan Ross will start against Japan as part of a ploy to counter Japan’s speed and the oppressive heat in Osaka.
Sydney rugby community rallies around star after neck injury
Warringah hooker Wes Thomas faces an uncertain future after injuring his neck playing for his club on Saturday.
Argentina’s Albornoz given four-match ban for intimidating referee after England defeat
Tomás Albornoz, the Argentina fly-half, has been banned for four matches for intimidating the referee after the full-time whistle of England’s controversial victory against the Pumas last month.
Kloska & Halliwell stay as Bears also sign Lennon
Bristol props George Kloska and Jimmy Halliwell agree new deals and scrum-half Oscar Lennon re-signs with the club.
Scarlets chief Daniels dismisses Ospreys merger
Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels also wants greater transparency from the Welsh Rugby Union as their future hangs in the balance.
5th August 2026
Ex-England prop Marler to become BBC's first celebrity Gladiator
The former rugby star will be known as Mauler when the fourth series airs in 2027, the BBC confirmed.
TV presenter Knowles buys stake in Cornish Pirates
Television presenter Nick Knowles becomes a shareholder in Champ Rugby side Cornish Pirates.
Mumbai, Mie, Madrid - GB part-time stars' search for sevens
Since their contracts were stripped back to part-time last summer, Great Britain Sevens players have had to find alternative employment and teams to keep their passion alive.
RFU expects £10m loss off the back of England’s worst Six Nations campaign
England’s worst Six Nations performance has contributed to the Rugby Football Union expecting a £10m loss for the financial year ending June 2026, the Guardian can reveal.
The 310 seconds of All Blacks defence that should give Wallabies fans hope
Defence coach Scott McLeod masterminded one of the most famous finishes at a World Cup when the Kiwis held out Ireland for more than five minutes in 2023. He wants to bring that steel to Australia.
‘He backed me’: Why young Wallabies star won’t say a bad word about Eddie
Max Jorgensen is coming up against Eddie Jones for the first time in Australian colours, three years after the ex-Wallabies coach called him up as an 18-year-old.
Why £1m-a-season deal will be hard for Pollock and Hearn to find
Salary cap regulations might not be high on everyone's holiday reading list, but Eddie Hearn might be interested if he's keen to get Henry Pollock's £1m pay-day.
4th August 2026
Newcastle sign Fiji hooker Togiatama
Newcastle Red Bulls sign Fiji hooker Zuriel Togiatama on a one-year deal.
The teenage Cardiff hooker ignoring Wales hype
Hooker Tom Howe stays grounded after being tipped as one to watch for Wales before his debut for Cardiff.
‘Run us off our feet’: Wallabies’ surprising ploy to prepare for Japanese heat
Knowing Eddie Jones will be taking full advantage of a well-timed heatwave, the Wallabies began preparing for it last week in Sydney.
All Blacks receive hero's welcome in South Africa
The All Blacks receive a hero's welcome in South Africa ahead of their first tour game against the Stormers in Cape Town.
Kiss explains first steps with Wallabies
New coach Les Kiss explains his first steps with the Wallabies in a sit-down interview with Stan Sport's Matt Burke.
Exeter stalwart Cowling dies aged 82
Former Exeter Chiefs coach and Leicester Tigers and Gloucester player Robin Cowling dies aged 82.
Pollock to demand £1m a year at Northampton - Hearn
Henry Pollock is set to demand a substantial increase on his current Northampton contract to stay at Franklin's Gardens, with agent Eddie Hearn suggesting annual earnings of £1m are his going rate.
3rd August 2026
Northampton sign Italian international Neculai
Northampton Saints sign Italian International tighthead prop Ion Neculai from Zebre.
Wallabies melt in Japan, where the weather is officially ‘cruelly hot’
Les Kiss’ side has landed in Osaka as the country suffers through an extreme heatwave that has lasted nearly three weeks.
'Family stress' forces Scotland boss Fukofuka to step down
Sione Fukofuka steps down from his role as Scotland Women head coach because of "the stress and the strain" of being apart from his family in Australia.
‘He’d walk into the Wallabies’: Japan benefit from Australian-raised talent
Brad Thorn once said Harry Hockings could be a “100-Test Wallaby”. This weekend he’ll play against Australia for the first time.
2nd August 2026
Be it a HQ Holden or a Wallabies jersey, Lonergan’s no stranger to playing the long game
For a long time, Ryan Lonergan was the best player in Australia without a Test cap. Now he is a Wallaby – and he’s reaping the benefits of that battle for recognition.
1st August 2026
Leicester back row Ilione out until 2027
Leicester Tigers back row Emeka Ilione is ruled out with a shoulder problem until "at least" the end of 2026.
Before they find a new coach, the Waratahs need to find an identity
The last time NSW had a clear sense of who they were was in 2014, when they last won the Super Rugby title. Twelve years later, does anyone have a clue what they stand for?.
Scarlets vow to remain at heart of west Wales
Scarlets and Ospreys are in a fight for survival in west Wales following plans by the Welsh Rugby Union to cut to three teams.
31st July 2026
Venner and Robinson among 32 Red Roses contracts
Gloucester-Hartpury wing Mia Venner and Exeter scrum-half Flo Robinson receive full-time England contracts for the first time.
Rugby v cricket - England's George swaps sports to help tackle MND
England and Saracens' Jamie George on why he and Somerset's Lewis Gregory are playing a charity cricket match to raise money for motor neurone disease charities.
Hooker Jibulu signs new Sale deal
Nathan Jibulu signs a new long-term contract with Sale Sharks, aiming to keep him at the side until 2030.
Lomax return to NRL with PNG will not harm Wallabies chances, says Kiss
As Les Kiss began his Wallabies coaching stint by returning to North Sydney Oval, he said Zac Lomax would not be blacklisted in rugby because he has signed with the PNG Chiefs for 2028.
30th July 2026
Scottish Rugby sacks chief executive Williamson after inquiry
Scottish Rugby sacks its chief executive, Alex Williamson, after a months-long examination of his conduct in the role.
WRU confirms Scarlets or Ospreys will be cut
The Welsh Rugby Union gives details of how it intends to cut a team - with Ospreys and Scarlets set to fight to be the side in south west Wales.
29th July 2026
Schmidt to work in consultancy role at Ulster
Former Ireland and Australia head coach Joe Schmidt will work with Ulster in a consultancy role focused on the province's coaching pathway.
Short-lived absence for returning Wallabies star
Wallabies star Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is back in the side after being overlooked for Joe Schmidt's final squad.
Silver linings and blonde renewals: Why Wallabies enforcer stayed chilled about Schmidt snub
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto returned to the Wallabies this week under new coach Les Kiss after being overlooked by Joe Schmidt. He says it was a “blessing in disguise”.
Scarlets sign Wales fly-half Anscombe from Bayonne
Fly-half Gareth Anscombe signs for a third Welsh club after joining Scarlets from Bayonne for the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship season.
28th July 2026
$90 million is a start. But a Wallaroo fears for the future without urgent change
New competitions have been promised ahead of the 2029 Women’s World Cup, boosting hopes that a new generation of talent will take Australia to the top.
Kiss era is under way, but can he spark Wallabies in time for World Cup?
After a drawn-out handover from Joe Schmidt, Les Kiss has finally taken over as Wallabies coach. He has just 14 months until the Rugby World Cup kicks off.
Champions Saints host Newcastle on opening weekend
Prem champions Northampton host Newcastle on the opening weekend of the 2026-27 season, with Exeter at home to Gloucester.
27th July 2026
Lowe signs for Suntory Sungoliath after Leinster exit
Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath confirm the signing of former Ireland and Leinster wing James Lowe on a two-year deal.
ITV confirmed as 2027 Rugby World Cup broadcaster
ITV will show next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia, extending the broadcaster's coverage of the tournament to a 10th successive edition.
‘Very confident’: Huge Cleary contract call; Perth poised to sign two stars: Transfer Whispers
There is welcome news for the Panthers on two key players while the Bears have reportedly landed a crucial dual coup.
Exeter sign prop McArthur from Gloucester
Gloucester's loosehead prop joins last season's Prem runner's up as cover for the departing Scott Sio.
Kiss outlines bold Wallabies vision
New coach Les Kiss outlines his bold Wallabies vision on Nine's Wide World of Sports.
26th July 2026
Star rugby teen turns down PNG as Lomax is unveiled as ‘Chief 005’
Rising Queensland star Treyvon Pritchard was being chased by PNG and the Roosters, but the 19-year-old is staying in rugby. Zac Lomax, meanwhile, is heading to the Chiefs in 2028.
Channel Islands score six tries to beat Poland
The Channel Islands rugby union team beat Poland 38-27 in their second annual "international" match.
25th July 2026
Waratahs spoil Fijian Drua party to claim third straight Super Rugby Women’s title
NSW Waratahs have produced a scintillating performance to complete a hat-trick of Super W women’s rugby titles and defy their detractors with a 34-17 win over minor premiers Fijian Drua in Ba, Fiji. The Tahs secured a record-extending seventh Super W title. Continue reading...
Whitaker double seals Waratahs title
Amelia Whitaker's double seals the NSW Waratahs victory in the Super Rugby Women's grand final.
Dismissed solicitor is still acting for footballers in brain injury court case
The solicitor dismissed by a group of over 1,000 rugby players with brain injuries who are suing the sport’s governing bodies is still leading a similar claim on behalf of dozens of former footballers.
24th July 2026
New investment talks ongoing says Gloucester CEO
Gloucester chief executive officer Alex Brown says there are talks ongoing regarding new investment in the Prem club.
From Wallabies to Waratahs? Schmidt emerges as option for a NSW coaching role
Rugby Australia are on the hunt for a new Waratahs coach after Dan McKellar’s exit. One unusual option being considered could involve Joe Schmidt shifting to Daceyville.
Sports quiz of the week: Rodri, Kevin Keegan, Women’s Afcon and Tyson Fury
Have you been following the big news in football, cricket, rugby union, golf, boxing and athletics?. Continue reading...
The three things Wallabies coach Les Kiss needs to focus on now
The most important clue the new Wallabies boss gave this week related to the type of player that Australia produces naturally.
Saracens appoint Coetzee as new chief executive
Premiership side Saracens appoint South African Ed Coetzee as their new chief executive officer following similar roles at Brive and Sharks.
Rugby brain injury case reaches crisis point as judge retires to consider 95% strikeouts
The landmark legal action over brain damage in rugby is on the brink of collapse as the managing judge weighs whether to strike out 95% of the first batch of 561 claimants on the grounds they have failed to comply with a court order to disclose all available documents relating to their neurological testing.
High Court leaves rugby brain injury case in balance
The cases of hundreds of players in rugby's multi-million-pound concussion legal battle remain in the balance after the latest High Court hearing.
23rd July 2026
‘Is this the end?’: Contract call twists fate for plagued Wallaby
Four surgeries in four years left a new Wallabies squad member contemplating retirement. But a former Test star knew it would not be the end of him.
Kiss of life? Why an ex-Kangaroo believes he can get the Wallabies to bounce back
Sixteen months after it was announced he would be taking over as coach, Les Kiss has picked his first national squad.
Hard-hitters, gritty stayers and smart cookies: Kiss’s first Wallabies squad is built in his image
The Queensland-born league winger has never played rugby union but Australia need something different – and his players have been put on notice. Les Kiss has been waiting patiently in the wings since being announced as Joe Schmidt’s successor for the Wallabies top job in April last year.
Rugby players seek new lawyers for brain injury cases against governing bodies
Hundreds of former rugby league and rugby union players taking legal action against the game’s governing bodies are now “staring into the precipice”, according to the barrister representing the claimants, Susan Rodway KC. Richard Boardman, the solicitor who has been the organising force behind the litigation, has requested formally to come off the record after his handling of the case was criticised by the managing judge, Senior Master Cook.
22nd July 2026
Scarratt joins England coaching team permanently
England's record points-scorer Emily Scarratt commits her long-term future to the Red Roses coaching team.
Rugby’s landmark concussion case enters crucial week: the key questions answered
The outcome of this week’s hearings could determine the entire direction of the case – we explain the current state of play.
Fittler burst lights up world champs
Zach Fittler’s burst in the first 20 seconds of the second half ended any hopes of an Argentinian comeback, setting Toby Brial up for a commanding advantage.
Fittler strikes against Argentina
Australia centre Zach Fittler strikes against Argentina at the Junior World Championship.
Canham reflects on historic hat-trick
Josh Canham reflects on his historic hat-trick against Italy, becoming the first Wallabies lock to score three tries in a game.
Halfpenny commits coaching future to Cardiff
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny commits his coaching career to Cardiff.
Saracens re-sign prop Tuimauga for 2026-27 season
Saracens have re-signed Samoa international prop Tietie Tuimauga for the 2026-27 season.
21st July 2026
Progress or standing still - where are England under Borthwick?
As the 2027 Rugby World Cup continues to creep closer, where are England under Steve Borthwick, and do their Nations Championship performances point to progress?.
The Breakdown
Opening rounds of inaugural global competition provided compelling moments but the same old frustrations over refereeing consistency remain. There are a few contenders for the most striking image from the first block of fixtures in the inaugural Nations Championship.
Aussie ref touched by Argentina player
Aussie ref Angus Gardner is touched by Argentina player Tomas Albornoz.
A second Argentina team is being probed for a post-game ruckus … and an Aussie is in the middle of it
Just 24 hours before their soccer team’s loss in the FIFA World Cup final, Argentina’s rugby side reacted with fury towards referee Angus Gardner following a controversial defeat to England.
How will Schmidt be remembered?
How will Joe Schmidt be remembered? The Between Two Posts crew discuss the legacy of the outgoing Wallabies coach.
Earl wants changes to 'brutal' Nations Championship format
Ben Earl calls for a change to the Nations Championship format after England's "brutal" schedule in the summer leg of the inaugural competition.
Ambitious Carpenter commits to Sale long-term
Sale full-back Joe Carpenter extends his contract with the Sharks until 2029.
England players question ‘brutal’ travel demands in Nations Championship format
England’s players have questioned the current Nations Championship format after being required to play Test matches on three different continents on successive weekends.
