Rugby Union Highlights
Louis Rees-Zammit's Return to Rugby Union:
The Welsh winger has joined Bristol Bears effective immediately, marking his return to rugby following a brief and ultimately disappointing spell in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars. At 24, he had left Gloucester early in 2025 to chase his American football ambitions, but now his focus is firmly back on rugby, with an eye toward possible selection for Wales' autumn fixtures.
Pat Lam, Bristol's director of rugby, spoke highly of his pace and physicality, noting that he remains a top-tier athlete and expressing optimism about his reintegration into the sport. The signing has stirred considerable interest, especially as Rees-Zammit was reportedly on the verge of finalizing the agreement after being—
All Blacks Team Announcement for Rugby Championship Opener vs Argentina:
New Zealand has announced their starting lineup for the upcoming Test at Eden Park. Up front, Ethan de Groot gets the nod at loosehead prop, with Codie Taylor at hooker and Fletcher Newell anchoring the tighthead side. The second row features Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa’i, while the loose trio consists of Sam Darry, Dalton Papali’i, and captain Ardie Savea at number eight.
Cortez Ratima will start at scrum-half, partnering Beauden Barrett, who takes the fly-half role. The midfield sees Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor paired together, with Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece on the wings. Will Jordan slots in at fullback.
The bench includes Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, and Pasilio Tosi, among others. It’s worth noting that Beauden Barrett’s selection at ten and Jordan’s shift to fifteen reflect some tactical adjustments.
Scott Robertson, the head coach, stressed the importance of squad depth in his comments. He acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly against a Pumas side riding high after their recent victory over the Lions. The match is part of what’s shaping up to be a highly unpredictable 2025 Rugby Championship.
Los Pumas (Argentina) Team vs All Blacks:
Argentina has named their 23-man squad, with Pedro Rubiolo from Bristol Bears making the cut. Julián Montoya will lead the side as captain, while Santiago Carreras slots in at fly-half. Felipe Contepomi, the team's coach, pointed to the forward pack's depth of experience as a particular strength. The selection comes on the heels of their notable victory against the British & Irish Lions.
There’s a mix of familiar faces and fresh names in the group. Montoya’s leadership will be crucial, especially with Carreras taking on playmaking duties. Contepomi seems to be banking on a solid foundation up front to set the tone.
The win over the Lions must have given them some confidence; now it’s about carrying that momentum forward. The squad looks balanced, though how they gel will be the real test.
Springboks Team for Rugby Championship vs Wallabies:
South Africa has selected a formidable lineup for the upcoming match, with Eben Etzebeth poised to make history by surpassing the caps record and becoming the most-capped Springbok. The starting XV sees Siya Kolisi leading as captain, while Manie Libbok gets the nod at fly-half over Handré Pollard—a decision coach Rassie Erasmus took time to explain. Aphelele Fassi slots in at fullback, adding fresh energy to the backline.
The bench includes proven game-changers like Malcolm Marx, offering depth when needed. Meanwhile, Victor Matfield shared his thoughts, suggesting the Boks don’t always thrive when they’re expected to dominate. His observation adds an interesting layer to the narrative, given the team’s recent performances under pressure.
Wallabies Team vs Springboks:
Australia has brought back James O'Connor at fly-half for the upcoming Highveld match. Joe Schmidt's squad choices have raised some eyebrows, particularly with Zane Nonggorr drawing comparisons between new prop Aidan Ross and more seasoned players. Meanwhile, Will Skelton seems perfectly content embracing his reputation as the team's enforcer.
The selections feel a bit unexpected, but Schmidt clearly has his reasons. O'Connor's experience could be crucial in a tough away fixture. Nonggorr's comments about Ross suggest the coaching staff sees something special in him. As for Skelton, he's never shied away from the physical side of the game, and that edge might be exactly what Australia needs.
It's hard to predict how these decisions will play out, but there's a sense that Schmidt is willing to take risks. Whether they pay off remains to be seen.
Transfers and Other News:
Tom Christie, the Crusaders flanker, has signed with Newcastle Red Bulls for two years, keeping him there until 2027. Meanwhile, Borders Rugby is covering upcoming local league fixtures, including the Melrose versus Jed-Forest clash. Over on X, there’s been some chatter about the Rugby Championship, with fans and analysts pointing out how unpredictable this year’s tournament could be. The anticipation seems to be building, though nobody’s quite sure what to expect.
Rugby League Highlights
Ongoing Super League Match: Warrington Wolves vs Catalans Dragons (#SLWarCat):
The game’s still alive, with Warrington fighting back after halftime. There have been some questionable calls—like Thewlis’s try, where the ball looked loose but the referee gave it anyway. Fans on X aren’t happy, slamming the video ref tech for grainy slow-motion replays and what feels like a string of borderline decisions going Warrington’s way. A few commentators have even thrown out the idea of bringing in old-school enforcers like Ben Westwood to shake things up. No final whistle yet, but Warrington’s ahead in this half.
Other League Chatter:
The conversation touches on several NRL talking points that have been making waves. There’s been some debate around Harry Grant's alleged tendency to draw penalties during the Panthers–Storm clash, with opinions split on whether it's gamesmanship or outright milking.
Birthdays came up too—Paul Gallen and Kofi Kingston got shout-outs, though the latter isn't strictly NRL-related, which led to a few lighthearted side comments.
The broader discussion kept circling back to officiating standards. Fans seem frustrated with inconsistent calls, and there's growing chatter about whether the league should invest in better technology to reduce human error. Some argue it's overdue, while others worry it might slow the game down too much. The ethics of player conduct got a mention as well, though that thread didn’t go too deep before shifting topics again.