Rugby

PARIS (AP) — A brief history of Rugby World Cup matches between New Zealand and South Africa before they meet again on Saturday in the final at Stade de France.

PARIS (AP) — South Africa. New Zealand. New Zealand. South Africa. That's how the last four champions line up on the Webb Ellis Cup.

This Rugby World Cup has been one long chain of achievements for Sam Whitelock. Just about every appearance has marked a milestone for the bearded New Zealand lock. Against Namibia, his 148th test equaled Richie McCaw as the most capped All Black.

Jacques Nienaber said the Springboks considered the more traditional option of 5-3 and the slightly risky 6-2. Then they went 7-1 and all-in for the Rugby World Cup final and Nienaber's last game as coach of South Africa.

Stephen Meehan, whose coaching journey has taken him from his native Australia to France, England and Japan, has been named head coach of the Toronto Arrows.

It's a match no team wants to play, no matter what the players or coaches say in public.

PARIS (AP) — South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi was picked to play in the Rugby World Cup final after World Rugby found no evidence he racially abused England player Tom Curry in their semifinal last weekend.

The fourth-ranked Canadian women's rugby team has lost 11 straight to top-ranked England, including three defeats in the last year. Most recently Canada was beaten 50-24 and 29-12 by the Red Roses in September in Exeter and London, respectively.

Canada coach Kingsley Jones has named five uncapped players in his 32-man roster for next month's La Vila International Rugby Cup in Spain The five are forwards Zephyr Melnyk and Dewald Kotze and backs Ciaran Breen, Jamin Hodgkins and Reid Watkins.

PARIS — Argentina wants to turn two wrongs into a right when it plays England in the Rugby World Cup third-place game on Friday in Paris. England says it just wants to do right by the jersey.