Rugby

The visitors led 33-7 at half-time and scored 16 tries to two against an understrength US team.

Wing Will Jordan dotted down for a hattrick, while loose forward Luke Jacobsen and prop Angus Ta'avao bagged two tries each.

Prop Ethan de Groot, fullback Damian McKenzie, first-five Richie Mo'unga, second-five Quinn Tupaea, loose forward Dalton Papalii also scored tries as did replacements Anton Lienert-Brown, Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles and TJ Perenara.

The Eagles secured their first-ever try against the All Blacks during the test.

Kasivaki is an ancient Tongan sport very similar to rugby, but it was played in the ocean, under the water and with a rock.

Tongan artist and practitioner, Milika Pusiaki, said it was a sport used to entertain the king and chiefs of the villages. 

The first course was held at the Manukau Rovers Rugby Football Club in Māngere Auckland last week, with the compulsory injury prevention workshop translated into Samoan and Tongan.  

Central region delivery lead of Auckland Rugby, Tidah Leaupepe, is on a mission to remove any barriers that might be holding back Pasifika people from taking up opportunities both on and off the field. 

"A lot of them don't come to our Rugby Smart [courses] because language is a barrier," she said.

The 47-year-old former back rower — who played 60 Tests for Australia and now coaches Tonga — is in a serious condition after reportedly being stabbed in the stomach during a home invasion in Brisbane overnight.

The news was met with shock, sadness and anger from all over the world as many took to social media to send well-wishes.

Kefu played 60 times for the Wallabies, including winning the World Cup in 1999 and scoring a matchwinning and Bledisloe Cup-winning try in 2001.

The French Rugby Federation announced on Monday that five more players - including captain Charles Ollivon - had tested positive for Covid-19.

Ten France players are isolating and will be unavailable for Sunday's (Monday morning NZ time) game.

Les Bleus are top of the Six Nations table after beating Italy and Ireland.

Scottish Rugby released a statement saying they could be without 10 players should the game be rearranged for another date.

The competition had been due to start this weekend but with 10 positive tests at Kobe Steelers on Thursday taking the total to 67 league-wide, organisers said they were now aiming for a mid-February start.

Last year's season was cancelled entirely because of the pandemic.

"Japan Rugby Football Union and Top League have had discussions and we want to do everything we can to have this year's Top League season," said JRFU Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi.

Ledesma had made only minor tweaks to his side for last week's clash against the Wallabies after the breakthrough win over New Zealand in their tournament opener, but drew fully on his squad for Thursday's team announcement.

Nicolas Sanchez, who has scored all of Argentina's 40 points in their first two matches, remains at first-five with inspirational captain Pablo Matera and Marcos Kremer retained in the back row and Guido Petti at lock.

England top the group A standings with nine points with one game remaining away to Wales next week and remain on course for a potential competition decider at home against France or Scotland, who meet tomorrow.

It was something of a strange performance from England, who were always in control but barely fired an attacking shot in the second half, seemingly content to display their admittedly impressive defensive organisation and aggression as Ireland banged away in midfield.

Southern hemisphere rugby body SANZAAR and the Six Nations have entered a consultation process aimed at creating an aligned global rugby calendar "in total transparency with unions, clubs and players".

The hope is to have international windows that are aligned between the northern and southern hemisphere, to lessen the overlap between club and country fixtures and free players from domestic commitments for internationals.

Kean was the official nominated by the Fijian Rugby Union – and seconded by France – to run for a place on World Rugby’s executive committee, but that nomination has since been withdrawn following revelations of a manslaughter conviction in 2007.

Fresh allegations of homophobia and discrimination also contributed to Kean’s demise from the global organising body’s ruling council, and that could impact whether rugby remains in the Olympics.