British & Irish Lions news: Tourists crush Reds in Brisbane, call up Owen Farrell for injured Elliot Daly
Tuesday saw Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions team convincingly beat another Australian Super Rugby Pacific side in the form of the Queensland Reds.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett takes a look at the standout aspects of the Lions’ victory and considers which players put their hands up for the first Test.
Rugby union news: Springboks vs Barbarians - Rusty Boks run rampant over BaaBaas
A rusty, makeshift Springbok side ran a second-half clinic over the Barbarians, decimating their challengers 54-7 on a cold and wet night at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, June 28.
Rassie Erasmus’ men comprised a mixture of World Cup winners along with promising prospects.
Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo reviews the Springboks’ dominant showing against the BaaBaas.
British and Irish Lions news: Lions crush Western Force with second-half onslaught
After a tasty introduction in Dublin against Argentina, Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions took on the quality and iconic Perth-based Western Force on Saturday, June 28.
In the aftermath of the tour-opener in Dublin there were certainly more questions than answers for Farrell and his coaching team.
A lot was made of the lack of directness and poor cohesion in the loose and in the set piece in the side’s first outing against the Pumas.
Sports News Blitz’s rugby writer Jacob Garrett gives his assessment on what we learned from the opener Down Under.
British & Irish Lions news: Player watch – Ellis Genge shines, Marcus Smith struggles vs Argentina
The British & Irish Lions fell to a narrow defeat against Argentina in Dublin last week as Andy Farrell got a first look at his squad in Test-match conditions ahead of the tour to Australia.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett takes a look at three players who benefitted from the loss at the Aviva and one who did not.
Breaking rugby news: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi out of Barbarians clash, Jesse Kriel to lead hosts
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has withdrawn from the clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28 after picking up a slight injury, with experienced outside centre Jesse Kriel taking the reins as skipper.
Sports News Blitz writer Aidan Leo reports on the breaking news.
Rugby union news: New Zealand vs France – Scott Robertson opts for pace and inexperience in All Blacks squad
New Zealand are set to welcome bitter rivals France for an exciting three-Test series this summer, with All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson opting for pace and inexperience in his squad selection.
The first Test takes place on July 5, the second on July 12, followed by a third on July 19.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Aidan Leo weighs in on whether or not Razor’s new-look squad will have enough quality to triumph over Les Bleus.
Rugby union news: Springboks vs Barbarians – Rassie Erasmus backs rookies for BaaBaas clash
Saturday promises a historical occasion as the Springboks and Barbarians clash for the first time on South African soil, with Cape Town’s DHL Stadium the venue.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Aidan Leo takes an in-depth look at Rassie Erasmus’ selections and offers a score prediction.
British & Irish Lions news: Andy Farrell’s disjointed team beaten by Argentina in Dublin warm-up
It was a classic disjointed British & Irish Lions performance in Dublin on Friday as Andy Farrell’s charges came unstuck against an ever-improving Argentina, losing 28-24 to Felipe Contepomi and co.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett reviews the game at the Aviva.
Rugby union news: Erasmus trims Springbok squad ahead of Barbarians clash
On Sunday, June 15, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus trimmed his squad from 55 to 45 players ahead of the start of the Boks’ international season.
With plenty of injury replacements and some surprise omissions, much has been debated about the make-up of the Boks ahead of their first game against the Barbarians.
Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo presents an overview of the new-look Springbok squad and the reaction coming out of the camp.
British & Irish Lions news: Player watch – Premiership, United Rugby Championship semi-finals
With three of four semi-finals across the English Premiership and United Rugby Championship involving constituent nations of the British & Irish Lions, several members of Andy Farrell’s squad for the upcoming tour to Australia had a welcome run-out in pressure matches.
Here, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Jacob Garrett reviews the weekend’s action and considers which Lions players put their hands up to start against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies side.
Springboks news: Rassie Erasmus charges into the 2025 Test season with bold 54-man squad
On Thursday, June 5, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus named his first official Test squad consisting of 54 players for the season-opening clashes against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia.
The squad blends explosiveness and versatility with a make-up that balances youth and experience.
What this means for the 2025 Test season - Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo discusses.
British & Irish Lions news: 2025 Australia tour - Analysis and warm-up games preview
With the beginning of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia just over two weeks away, all the hype is building around the challenging Test matches against Joe Schmidt’s charges.
But who else will Andy Farrell’s men go up against in the lead up to the three premier matches against the Wallabies?
Sports News Blitz’s rugby union writer Jacob Garrett elaborates on the tour further.
British & Irish Lions news: A backline of players not selected by Andy Farrell for Australia tour
Head coach Andy Farrell recently named his British & Irish Lions squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, and the Englishman had to leave out some noteworthy talent in the process.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett picks seven backline players that would not look out of place Down Under.
British & Irish Lions news: A forward pack of players not selected by Andy Farrell for Australia tour
Andy Farrell has chosen his squad for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, giving 38 players what will no doubt be one of the best experiences of their careers.
However, the cut-throat nature of professional sport has also left a number of top-class players devastated that their name was not called out during the live event on May 8.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett picks eight players who will feel hard done by not to be sitting on the plane Down Under.
Rugby union news: Forgotten Springbok stars – Jan Serfontein
In this series, we look at those ex-Springboks who, although still active, have receded into obscurity despite their historical contributions remaining cherished memories for many fans.
First up is current Montpellier star and erstwhile Bulls centre Jan Serfontein, a former youth sensation who made his mark in the annals of World Rugby while wearing the green and gold of the Springboks during the mid-2010s.
Sports News Blitz/Film News Blitz writer and Springbok enthusiast Aidan Leo takes an in-depth look back at the career of one of South Africa’s greatest centres.
British & Irish Lions news: Five best Lions jerseys of all time
Over the years, the various iterations of British & Irish Lions jerseys have taken on both cultural and historical importance.
Here, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott counts down the five best Lions jerseys of all time.
British & Irish Lions news: The two teams with a 100% winning record against the Lions
Only two teams have a 100% win record against the British and Irish Lions in Test matches.
Since its inception in 1888, the Lions have played 144 recognised Test matches, with 70 wins and 63 defeats.
British & Irish Lions news: Who are head coach Andy Farrell’s assistants?
Head coach Andy Farrell has named his assistants for the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.
It is, by all accounts, set to be a varied backroom that tours Australia in a couple of months, with lots of different experiences and expertise at Farrell’s disposal.
Here, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott takes a look at each assistant and gives a rundown of their career so far.
Rugby union news: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus launches podcast
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has released a new podcast, Rassie+, on the Smash Sports YouTube channel and excitement is building over the rugby insights and general sporting prowess that will be on offer.
Sports News Blitz and Film News Blitz writer – not to mention stalwart Springboks supporter – Aidan Leo analyses the purpose of the new podcast and what it means for the South African national side this season and beyond.
Rugby union news: Premiership weekend review, British & Irish Lions watch
The English Premiership returned this week after a hiatus for the Six Nations.
Storming back with the ‘Derby Weekend’, the competition returned with an absolute bang.
From high-scoring contests to demolitions of local rivals, this weekend had it all.
With British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell constantly watching over the action for which players may put their hand up, there are several talking points from this weekend.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s rugby writer Jacob Garrett breaks it down game by game.