William Webb
39 results

Sporting upsets: Shadow of ‘Susie’ still lingers over seismic rugby shock
- International
- September 3, 2020, 06:00
Poisonous coffee. The Friday morning before the World Cup final Frank Bunce gingerly moved off his toilet bowl to track down Dr Mike Bowen. “Doc, I g(...)

Gerry Thornley: Edinburgh’s upright antics must be nipped in the bud by World Rugby
- Rugby
- December 3, 2019, 06:00
Ever since William Webb Ellis supposedly picked up the leather pill and ran with it, rugby teams have been trying to bend the laws. It’s true of any s(...)

Gerry Thornley: Japan World Cup reminds rugby of its core values
- International
- November 5, 2019, 06:30
Way, way back in time, circa mid-September 2019, the common perception was that this World Cup would be the most open of the nine to date. Now that it(...)

How 1995 remains a key part of the Springbok spirit
- International
- October 26, 2019, 14:00
It will forever remain the single most iconic image in the history of Rugby World Cups and, perhaps, the game itself. Nelson Mandela handing over the (...)

Matt Williams: Eddie Jones’ masterclass a sight to behold
- International
- October 25, 2019, 12:31
New Zealand are the best team at this tournament, as they have been at every World Cup since its inception. The four year planning cycle New Zealand (...)

Matt Williams: Momentum is king when it comes to Ireland’s World Cup ambitions
- Rugby
- September 21, 2019, 06:00
The veteran Wallaby centre Adam Ashley-Cooper is attending his fourth RWC. When he spoke to the media this week he displayed all his wisdom in succinc(...)

Rugby World Cup: Ex-players, coaches and our pundits share their predictions
- International
- September 20, 2019, 12:00
Gerry Thornley (Rugby Correspondent) Q1 – How far can Ireland go (where does it end)? Ireland are one of several teams that could actually win the w(...)

Where’s Chester? Another Springboks ’95 legend passes away
- Rugby
- September 9, 2019, 11:00
The iconic picture from the 1995 World Cup final of Nelson Mandela presenting Francois Pienaar with the William Webb Ellis trophy gifted rugby and Sou(...)

Stephen Larkham coming into Munster ‘to make a change’
- Rugby
- August 27, 2019, 06:20
After reaching the semi-finals of both the Heineken Cup and Guinness Pro14 in each of the last two seasons, their newly acquired senior coach Stephen (...)

World Cup history and versatility point to gamble on Carbery
- International
- August 24, 2019, 06:00
Nobody died, but it sure as hell felt like someone had. Everyone being dressed in black maybe added to the funereal atmosphere. The news had broken ea(...)