Rugby World Cup

Tonga is embracing the challenge of playing three consecutive Rugby World Cup pool games against tier one nations, starting tonight against England in Sapporo.

Fiji were left lamenting ill discipline and untimely injuries as they were denied an upset win over the Wallabies in their Rugby World Cup opener.

Rugby's greatest rivalry is well and truly back, according to Springboks halfback Faf de Klerk, as they prepare for their World Cup showdown with the All Blacks.

Spark Sport says almost 60,000 customers watched the live stream of the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony and the first match, despite users complaining of images freezing or glitches to their stream.

The All Blacks are focusing all their energy on the World Cup opener against South Africa with coaches happy to have their most challenging pool match first up.

The World Cup will be treated to plenty of their flair, but the Fiji coach says this time it will be allied with a firm focus on the basics of the game.

Samoan players will wear their hearts on their sleeves - but keep traditional Pacific islander tattoos under wraps with skin suits during the World Cup in Japan to avoid offending their hosts.

The leaders of the game have lined up all week proclaiming the ninth Rugby World Cup as "historic" and for once the hyperbole was not misplaced as the sport prepared to take a bold leap out of its…

A chance for the All Blacks or South Africa to lay down a marker.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has selected the "Pooper" flanker combination for Australia's Rugby World Cup opener.

Head coach Warren Gatland said the Wales team were "shocked" by the news of Rob Howley's alleged breach of betting and anti-corruption regulations.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has made just one change from the starting side that drew with New Zealand in July for Saturday's crunch Rugby World Cup match with the world champions.

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has been sent home six days before the team's opening match at the Rugby World Cup over a possible breach of rules about betting.

South Africa hoping for a strong performance by the match officials when they take on New Zealand in their RWC opener in Yokohama on Saturday.

The All Blacks will be looking to capitalise on any unnecessary risks South Africa choose to take in their World Cup opener on Saturday.