Rugby World Cup

The pair are joined by a host of players who have used the 2022 change in eligibility laws to represent a second Test nation provided they have ’a close and credible link to that union via birth-right.’

Former All Blacks Vaea Fifita, Augustine Pulu, Charles Piutau, Malakai Fekitoa and George Moala feature in the squad, as do former Wallabies Lopeti Timani and Israel Folau.

Coleman and Ahki are two of just three first-time call-ups, with Tonga Sevens star Kyren Taumoefolau completing the trio.

Kolisi suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury playing for the Sharks against Munster in the United Rugby Championship last month, but according to South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber is "hitting his markers" in terms of his recovery.

He said Kolisi was on track to be fit for the Word Cup, which kicks off in France in September and where South Africa will be defending the trophy that Kolisi lifted in Japan four years ago.

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is now just five short months away, and whilst there is still plenty of high stakes rugby to be played. One could be forgiven for taking a peek behind the curtain as to what the tournament may have in store.

One such storyline that will be interesting to track is players changing their national team, given this is the first World Cup since the 2021 World Rugby eligibility rule change. 

The Sharks flank was forced from the field in the early minutes of the game but was able to stand and walk off on his own accord.

But South Africa’s Independent Newspapers group reported that the World Cup-winning flanker suffered a partial ACL tear that typically involves a 9 month recovery process if surgery is undertaken.

The report said that Kolisi has seen two specialists who have recommended surgery, and a third will be consulted before a decision is made.

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka announced that the Flying Fijians have received a massive boost.

A statement said the agreement with Earth’s finest water will provide $3.8 million to help ensure the Flying Fijians are in the strongest position to compete at the World Cup in France.

The deal builds on previous support FIJI Water provided for the Flying Fijians when it was a supporting sponsor of the team in 2020 during the Autumn Nations Cup. For the past three years, the FRU and Flying Fijians have been supported through the Fiji Sports Commission and government funding.

Jones took over from the sacked Dave Rennie last month but, despite the World Cup being so close, has brought on board no backroom staff since his appointment.

Reuters reports the 63-year-old, who was knocked back this week by former New Zealand rugby league coach Michael Maguire, said he was looking for specific skills for a specific task.

"In a lot of ways, we've got time because as a coaching team, we need to be together probably for the last six or eight weeks of Super Rugby, where selection is going to become important," Jones said.

Vern Cotter dramatically split ways with the Flying Fijians at the start of the month, just eight months out from the Rugby World Cup in France.

Matters got worse for the union a week later with news that assistant coach Richie Gray was also leaving, saying that he considered he had to exit from ‘an integrity point of view’ after the departure of Cotter.

It’s left Fiji looking for a head coach and now the FRU acting chief executive Tevita Tuiloa has said he has offered the job to Robertson.

Reuters reports Australian Jones, who led the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final, has been linked with various roles at Rugby Australia since he was sacked by England in December.

"It's not going to happen," New Zealander Rennie told reporters, later adding: "It's not going to happen before the World Cup.

"We've had no discussions around changes to the coaching group ... what happens beyond 2023 is another matter."

Jones was equally blunt in an interview with the Guardian on Friday when he was asked whether he would be interested in working under Rennie.

Former Ireland coach now All Blacks selector and analyst Joe Schmidt will be given an expanded role with the team.

The All Blacks produced one of the best performances in recent times to upset the Springboks at Ellis Park last Sunday.

However, Foster's job had come under scrutiny following a run of five defeats from their last seven games, with NZR boss Mark Robinson refusing to back Foster after the All Blacks victory in Johannesburg.

'We feel it is a new dawn for this team' - Robinson

Beaten out for the All Blacks' top job by Ian Foster in 2019 - the six-time Super Rugby winning coach is contracted with the Crusaders to the end of next season.

Robertson told the Rugby Pod - a podcast hosted by ex-Scotland international Jim Hamilton - that international rugby is where his future lies and he wants to be coaching at the 2027 World Cup.

"I want to win a Rugby World Cup. But I want to win it with two different countries. I think that would transcend (the game).