International Tests ignite France 2023
Bravehearts.
This week's mouthwatering clashes between the All Blacks and England, Italy and South Africa and Ireland and Australia will definitely set the platform for next year's RWC 15s.
Fiji has learned valuable lessons despite going down to Ireland, and I'm sure head coach Vern Cotter will use the loss to build a versatile team, going into France '2023.
Black Ferns win decider
The Black Ferns won the Women's RWC 15s in a thrilling match against England, beating the Red Roses in an extraordinary final in front of a record crowd at Eden Park.
Ayesha Leti-l'iga scored a scintillating try nine minutes from time to edge the Black Ferns ahead for just the second time in a pulsating match, 34-31. England, who with 14 players after Lydia Thompson was sent off for a reckless tackle, had the chance to drive the ball over the line from a five-metre lineout, a tactic that had already bought four tries in the game.
However, the Black Ferns stopped the drive first time, and then Joanah Ngan-Woo stuck up a hand to steal the lineout and send the Black Ferns and their legions of fans wild.
Saturday night's victory crowned a sixth Women's RWC 15s title for the Black Ferns and bought an end to three years of utter domination from England's women, who had won 30 games in a row- including twice thrashing the Black Ferns. The crowd was fantastic, and atmosphere was superb. Congratulations to NZ!
England wins T20 Cup, creates history Congratulations to the England cricket team for winning the T20 World Cup with dramatic victory in the final against Pakistan to create history. England won in sensational style, defeating Pakistan by five wickets in front of more than 80,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday night.
Played under the threat of rain, drizzle punctuated England's innings, but the skies remained clear as England's talisman Ben Stokes guided his side to victory with an unbeaten 52 off 49 balls.
As he did three years ago when England won the one-day World Cup, Stokes hit the winning runs, as England became the first ever men's side to hold the one day and T20 World Cup at the same time. Congratulations England!
Toa Samoa wins hearts
Samoa's Stephen Crichton broke England hearts with a golden drop goal in the RLWC semifinal. His drop goal meant there was a painstaking moment etched into the memories of England supporters.
It is hard to sum up arguably the most extraordinary semi-final in RLWC history, and whether or not Samoa can challenge Australia in its first final is a debate that can be parked for now because the Samoans deserve their moment to celebrate the most historic win their nation has known.
The Samoans, who upset Tonga and were thrashed by the Roses in their first pool match, were worthy winners.
Having led by eight points with 15 minutes remaining and then again by six in the dying moments, they might have felt they could have won it sooner, but they held their nerve when it mattered, and the England players slumped to the turf collectively when Crichton landed the winning drop goal in golden-point extra time.
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