Rugby

The first women's professional rugby league in the United States is targeting 2025 for its start with six to eight 30-player teams, organizers said Wednesday.

HONG KONG — New Zealand's women and men both repeated as champions Sunday at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, one of the most celebrated stops on the rugby sevens circuit.

HONG KONG (AP) — New Zealand won the men’s and women’s titles at the Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday to cap off a tournament that sets a scene for rugby at the Paris Olympics.

HONG KONG — After winning their pool with three straight wins, the Canadian women ran into a New Zealand buzz saw Saturday in the Cup quarterfinal at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

HONG KONG — Canada's women defeated the U.S. 12-5 Friday to finish first in Pool C with its third straight win at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

The insults descending from the stands were vicious, rude and racist, but not unusual. “Go back home!” What was more unusual was when they came from the players on the other team. “I've got the African in check.” “Filthy Black.

DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) — The Wellington-based Hurricanes stretched their winning start to the Super Rugby Pacific season to six games Saturday with a comprehensive 47-7 win over the Highlanders in Dunedin.

SYDNEY (AP) — After setting records in the traditional game, ex-Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is ready to complete the transition to rugby sevens in a bid to play for Australia at the Paris Olympics.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The Auckland-based Blues produced a superb second-half performance to beat the Crusaders 26-6 in Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday, consigning the 11-time champions to their fifth consecutive defeat in 2024.

DUBLIN (AP) — Rugby might be headed toward having 20-minute red cards. The sport’s global governing body will set up a working group to explore whether a player who has been sent off can be replaced by another player after 20 minutes has elapsed.