Rugby Union
2011 News
Wallabies Spoil Williams Farewell
James Bevan Trophy
Wales 18-24 Australia
December 3 2011- Cardiff, Wal
Australia retained the prize from their matches with the Draons oj the final major international of 2011. The game marked Wales wing Shane WIlliams' last Test, and he marked it witha tryjust before the final whistle.
Lions Maul Sharks
Currie Cup Final
Golden Lions 42-16 Natal Sharks
Johannesburg, Rsa - October 29 2011
The Golden Lions claimed the trophy from last year's winners at Ellis Park.Tries from Michael Killian, Patrick Cillies and Jaco Taute, plus 24 points from the faultless boot of Elton Jantjies took the Jo'burg-based provincial side to a first Currie Cup on home soil in 61 years.
All Blacks Fly to Victory
IRB World Cup Final
New Zealsnd 8-7 France
Auckland, Nzl - October 23 2011
The All Blacks won their first World Cup for 24 years after beating France narrowly at Eden Park. The Kiwis had cruised past Argentina in the quarter-finals and saw off old rivals Australia in the the last four.
World Cup history
Canterbury Raise Spirits with National Title
NZ National Provincial Championship Final
Waikato 3-12 Canterbury
Hamilton, Nzl
September 3 2011
Tom Taylor's four penalties were enough to clinch the NPC title for the earthqualke-ravaged province based around Christchurch at Waikato Stadium.
Wallabies Snatch Tri-Nations Title
Bledisloe Cup/Tri-Nations
Australia 25-20 New Zealand
Brisbane, Aus
August 27 2011
Australia sensationally claimed a first southern hemisphere title for 10 years with a dramatc triumph at Suncorp Stadium. Tries from scrum-half Will Genia, No.8 Radike Samo and full-back Kurtley Beale gave the Wallabies victory. The All Blacks came back from a 20-3 half-time deficit with tries from centres Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu. New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup by virtue of the 2011 series being tied 1-1. Tri-Nations history | Bledisloe Cup history
Depleted All Blacks Bashed By Boks
Freedom Cup/Tri-Nations
South Africa 18-5 New Zealand
Port Elizabeth, Rsa
August 20 2011
South Africa claimed thei only win of the 2011 Tri-Nations against a New Zealand side shorn of several first-choice players rested prior to the World Cup. Morne Steyn scored all his side's points through five penalties and a drop goal. Richard Kahui scored the sole try for the All Blacks. Freedom Cup history
Boks Remain Winless
Nelson Mandela Plate/Tri-Nations
South Africa 9-14 Australia
Durban, Rsa
August 13 2011
South Africa's Tri-Nations hopes ended with defeat at King's Park, Pat McCabe's second half try being decisive. Nelson Mandela Plate history
Carter Masterminds Bledisloe Bashing
Bledisloe Cup/Tri-Nations
New Zealand 30-14 Australia
Auckland, Nzl
August 6 2011
Dan Carter slotted 15 points to add to tries from Maa Nonu'u, Kevan Meaamu and Sitiveni Sivivatu as New Zealand reached the halfway point of the Tri-Nations in pole position.Bledisloe Cup history
All Blacks Thrash Sorry Springboks
Freedom Cup/Tri-Nations
New Zealand 40-9 South Africa
Wellington, Nzl
July 30 2011
Josh Guilford and Cory Janes each scored two tries in a six-touchdown romp for the Tri-Nations champions. Dan Carter regained the all-time world points scoring record from Jonny Wilkinson.
Aussies Ease Past Boks
Nelson Mandela Plate/Tri-Nations
Australia 39-20 South Africa
Sydney, Aus
July 23 2011
James O'Connor scored 14 points as Australia regained the Mandela Plate with a comfortable win over a below-strength South Africa at Stadium Australia.
Reds Give Crusaders Blues
Super Rugby Final
Reds (Aus) 18-13 Crusaders (Nzl)
Brisbane, Aus
July 9 2011
The Reds became just the second Australian side to win the southern hemisphere title after beating the seven-time champions from New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium. It was a fantastic individual try from scrum-half Will Genia 12 minutes from time that clinched victory for the Queensland-based No.1 seeds. Super Rugby history
Toulouse French Champions Yet Again
French Top 14 Final
Toulouse 15-10 Montpellier
Paris, Fra
June 4 2011
Toulouse claimed their 18th French title with a hard fought victory over outsiders Montpellier at Stade de France. Montpellier scored the game'sonly try through Timoci Nagusa but were repelled by three late penalties from Toulouse replacement Nicolas Bezy.
French Top 14 history
Munster Deny Leinster Double
Celtic League Grand Final
Munster (Irl) 19-9 Leinster (Irl)
Limerick, Irl
May 28 2011
Munster claimed the title, and denied Heineken Cup winners the double, with a three tries to nil victory over their arch rivals from the east of Ireland at Thomond Park. Doug Howlett, Keith Earls and a penalty try. Leinster could only offer three Jonny Sexton penaltiee.
Celtic League history
Saracens Secure First Title
English Premiership Final
Leicester 18-22 Saracens
London, Eng
May 28 2011
Saracens weathered a furious late assault by Leicester to clinch their first English league crown in a hart-stopping climax at Twickenham. A try from James Short and 17 points from the boot of 19-year-old fly-half Owen farrell bettered six Toby Flood penalties to deny the Tigers a third straight Premiership final victory, the London club having defended against 32 consecutive phases in added time on their own line. Premiership history
Magnificent Leinster Break Saints Hearts
Heineken Cup Final
Leinster (Irl) 33-22 Northampton Saints (Eng)
Cardiff, Wal
May 21 2011
Fly-half Jonny Sexton scored 28 points, including two tries, as Leinster regained European club rugby's premier trophy with a scintillating second half comeback at Millennium Stadium. The Irish side had trailled Northampton 22-6 at the break.
Heineken Cup history
Quins Win at the Death
European Challenge Cup Final
Harlequins (Eng) 19-18 Stade Francais (Fra)
Cardiff, Wal
May 20 2011
Gonzalo Camacho's late try and Nick Evans' conversion gave Harlequins victory at Cardiff City Stadium. Quins are the first side to win the European Challenge Cup three times. European Challenge Cup history
Gloucester Clip Falcons Wings
Anglo Welsh Cup Final
Gloucester 32-7 Newcastle
Northampton, Eng
March 20 2011
Gloucesterlifted the first major club trophy of 2011 in European rugby union by thrashing Newcastle Falcons at Franklin's Gardens. The Cherries scored four tries to one to secure qualification for the 2011/12 Heineken Cup, having lost the previous two finals of this event. The champions were worthy winners after dismantling the Dragons in the semis; the stage when Newcastle surprisingly edged past Harlequins.
England Clinch Six Nations Title
Six Nations Championship, Final Week
France 28-9 Wales
Ireland 24-8 England
Scotland 21-8 Italy
Paris, Fra/Dublin, Irl/Edinburgh, Sco
March 19 2011
England were denied the Grand Slam, with Ireland retaining the Millennium Trophy, but still comfortably won the Six Nations Championship for the first time since 2003. Ireland, Wales and France all finished on three wins, while Scotland pipped Italy in the battle to avoid finishing last.
England One Step From Grand Slam
Six Nations Championship, Week 4/Calcutta Cup
England 22-16 Scotland
London, Eng
March 13 2011
England cleared the fourth hurdle in their progress towards the target of a first Six Nations Grand Slam in eight years, and retained the Calcutta Cup, after making hard work of seeing off bottom side Scotland. Tom Croft's second half try proved to be the difference, after the oldest rivals in international rugby went in at the break all-square at 9-9. Scotland have not won at Twickenham since 1983.
Italy Achieve Historic Victory
Six Nations Championship, Week 4/Trophee Garibaldi
Italy 22-21 France
Rome, Ita
March 12 2011
Italy beat France for the first time in a Six Nations match and just the second time in 32 meetings to finally lay their hands on the Trophee Garibaldi. France led 18-6 with 30 minutes to go but Andrea Masi's converted try and three Mirco Bergamasco penalties sealed the deal at Stadio Flaminio.
Wales Scupper Irish Triple Crown Dream
Six Nations Championship, Week 4
Wales 19-13 Ireland
Cardiff, Wal
March 12 2011
A controversial Mike Phillips try was the difference at the Millennium Stadium as Ireland were denied a shot at the Triple Crown. Brian O'Driscoll equalled the 90-year-old Championship record with his 24th try in the tournament but it was the Wales scrum-half who profited from a quick line-out that should not have been allowed, after Wales skipper Matthew Rees threw a different ball to the one that was kicked out.
England Stay on Course For Title
Six Nations Championship, Week 3
Scotland 18-21 Ireland
England 17-9 France
Italy 16-24 Wales
Edinburgh, Sco/London, Eng/Rome, Ita
February 26-27 2011
Ben Foden's second half try and Aurelien Rougerie's failure to gather a grubber kick over the English line combined to keep the Red Rose on course for a first Six Nations Championship, and Grand Slam, since 2003. In Rome, Wales managed to fend off another gutsy Italian performance, while Ireland also kept their title hopes alive at Murrayfield and regained the Centenary Quaich into the bargain.
Ashton Avalanche Smothers Azzurri
Six Nations Championship, Week 2
England 59-13 Italy
Scotland 6-24 Wales
Ireland 22-25 France
London, Edinburgh, Dublin
February 12-13 2011
England wing Chris Ashton became the first player from his country to score four tries in a Championship match for 97 years as the former world champions humbled Italy at Twickenham in a eight touchdown romp, Wales returned to form with a comfortable win over a poor Scotland side at Murrayfield, Shane Williams taking his career tournament try tally to 22, two short of Ian Smith's long-standing record. On Sunday, Ireland out-scored the reigning Six Nations champions by three tries to one at the Aviva Stadium but still came off as losers.
England and France Impress
Six Nations Champonship, Week 1
France 34-21 Scotland
Italy 11-13 Italy
Wales 19-26 England
Paris, Rome, Cardiff
February 4-6 2011
Defending champions France began their 2011 season with an impressive victory over Scotland at Stade de France. France scored four tries through man of the match Maxime Medard, a penalty try, Imanol Harinordoquy and Damien Traille but due to the archaic rules of the tournament they don't get a bonus point for their efforts. Scotland recorded three tries of their own by skipper Alastair Kellock, Kelly Brown and Rory Lamont.
Ronan O'Gara's late drop-goal denied Italy their first-ever Six Nations victory over the Irish. After a dull first half at Stadio Flaminio finished with Italy 6-3 up, Brian O'Driscoll's try helped Ireland move 10-6 ahead but Luke McLean's 75th-minute reply regained the lead for the hosts.
Earlier on in the weekend, wing Chris Ashton scored two tries and fly-half Toby Flood was named man of the match as England ended the historic first Friday start to the Six Nations on top against bitter rivals Wales at the Millennium Stadium. England led 23-9 midway through the second half but Morgan Stoddart's try pulled Wales back into it. Substitute Jonny Wilkinson sllotted a late penalty to confirm victory.
