Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx and England flanker Tom Curry are just a couple of the names making waves in the rugby world this past weekend. Here’s the breakdown of the triumphs and the tribulations from the latest round of international rugby action.
The spotlight shone bright on the World Rugby awards, where the crème de la crème were honored for their prowess on the field. Malcolm Marx not only shined as a nominee but clinched the Men’s 15s Player of the Year, solidifying his status alongside South African legends like Pieter-Steph du Toit, Schalk Burger, and Bryan Habana. Meanwhile, All Blacks’ newcomer Fabian Holland bagged the Breakthrough Player of the Year, continuing New Zealand’s streak in the category. In a thrilling twist, Santiago Pedrero of Chile claimed the Men’s 15s Try of the Year with a spectacular play during a World Cup qualifier against Samoa.
The Springboks' scrum was a force to be reckoned with against Ireland, dictating the game and contributing to a 24-13 victory - their first in Dublin since 2012. This win capped off a perfect tour with earlier victories over Japan, France, and Italy.
England's Max Ojomoh stepped up spectacularly against Argentina, seizing the opportunity as a late replacement. His standout performance, punctuated by a try and crucial assists, earned him the player of the match honors. "It looks like a new star has emerged for England," heralded his performance.
Tom Rogers of Wales made history with a hat-trick against the All Blacks, becoming the first Welshman to do so, showcasing his agility and scoring prowess.
However, not everything was rosy. The Springboks' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu found himself in hot water for a no-arms tackle, which surprisingly didn't earn him a yellow card, a decision that stirred controversy given the referee's otherwise strict enforcement in the game.
Georgia faced a setback after a narrow defeat to Japan, causing them to slip in the World Rugby rankings and impacting their seeding for the upcoming World Cup.
"Maybe that's just in his nature, I don't know, but those are the guys whom we are rewarding and praising – maybe that's where we want rugby to go,"
lamented Argentina's coach Felipe Contepomi, after an altercation involving England's Tom Curry post-match, highlighting tensions off the field.
James Ryan's red card for a dangerous play significantly hampered Ireland in their struggle against the dominant Springboks, while the Wallabies’ lamentable tour ended without a single win, marking their worst European tour since 1958.
From breakthrough performances to contentious decisions, the weekend encapsulated the highs and lows that make rugby such a passionately followed sport across the globe.
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Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx and England flanker Tom Curry are just a couple of the names making waves in the rugby world this past weekend. Here’s the breakdown of the triumphs and the tribulations from the latest round of international rugby action.
The spotlight shone bright on the World Rugby awards, where the crème de la crème were honored for their prowess on the field. Malcolm Marx not only shined as a nominee but clinched the Men’s 15s Player of the Year, solidifying his status alongside South African legends like Pieter-Steph du Toit, Schalk Burger, and Bryan Habana. Meanwhile, All Blacks’ newcomer Fabian Holland bagged the Breakthrough Player of the Year, continuing New Zealand’s streak in the category. In a thrilling twist, Santiago Pedrero of Chile claimed the Men’s 15s Try of the Year with a spectacular play during a World Cup qualifier against Samoa.
The Springboks' scrum was a force to be reckoned with against Ireland, dictating the game and contributing to a 24-13 victory - their first in Dublin since 2012. This win capped off a perfect tour with earlier victories over Japan, France, and Italy.
England's Max Ojomoh stepped up spectacularly against Argentina, seizing the opportunity as a late replacement. His standout performance, punctuated by a try and crucial assists, earned him the player of the match honors. "It looks like a new star has emerged for England," heralded his performance.
Tom Rogers of Wales made history with a hat-trick against the All Blacks, becoming the first Welshman to do so, showcasing his agility and scoring prowess.
However, not everything was rosy. The Springboks' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu found himself in hot water for a no-arms tackle, which surprisingly didn't earn him a yellow card, a decision that stirred controversy given the referee's otherwise strict enforcement in the game.
Georgia faced a setback after a narrow defeat to Japan, causing them to slip in the World Rugby rankings and impacting their seeding for the upcoming World Cup.
"Maybe that's just in his nature, I don't know, but those are the guys whom we are rewarding and praising – maybe that's where we want rugby to go,"
lamented Argentina's coach Felipe Contepomi, after an altercation involving England's Tom Curry post-match, highlighting tensions off the field.James Ryan's red card for a dangerous play significantly hampered Ireland in their struggle against the dominant Springboks, while the Wallabies’ lamentable tour ended without a single win, marking their worst European tour since 1958.
From breakthrough performances to contentious decisions, the weekend encapsulated the highs and lows that make rugby such a passionately followed sport across the globe.