International Rugby

The United States is moving on to the semifinals in rugby.

Team USA downed Great Britain 17-7 on Monday in an exciting quarterfinal matchup behind five points each from Kristi Kirshe, Naya Tapper and Sammy Sullivan as was as two points from Kayla Cannett.

Great Britain got its scoring from Ellie Boatman and Lisa Thomson, who had five and two points, respectively.

After the United States win over Great Britain, here's a look at the updated bracket and upcoming schedule.

Updated Olympic Bracket

Quarterfinal

New Zealand def. China 55-5

United States def. Great Britain 17-7

Canada def. France, 19-14

Australia def. Ireland, 40-7

Semifinal

United States vs. New Zealand, July 30, 9:30 a.m. ET

Canada vs. Australia, July 30, 10 a.m. ET

The United State's women's rugby team has yet to win a medal since rugby was reinstated as an Olympic sport before the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. It finished fifth in the 2020 Olympics, but has the chance to make history this year.

Up next, the United States will take on one of the toughest competitors in this year's Olympics. New Zealand is coming off a gold medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics and is looking to follow it up with another win.

New Zealand coasted past China in the quarterfinal and will come into Tuesday's matchup fired up.

Even if the United States can't top New Zealand on Tuesday, it will still have the chance to medal in the bronze matchup against the loser of Canada vs. Australia.

For United States rugby star Ilona Maher, this year's games are more than just about winning a medal. They're about growing the game to the rest of the country.

"It is really important to have a profile, and a profile for our sport," Maher said, per The Guardian's Bryan Graham. "It's about building the brand. We are female rugby players – we're not getting million dollar contracts, we're not getting paid the money that we should be. Me and my friends are keen on getting the sport out there and getting us noticed. It's important in the US where so much attention is on other sports. And I think it's just about showing the personality that the women have. The game is very strong, not just for men, but for women too."

After a big win over Great Britain, it's fair to say Maher and the United States are making progress towards making a name for themselves.

Not even a year removed from his NFL retirement, Jason Kelce is competing against world-class athletes again, but not in football.

The former Philadelphia Eagles star matched up with United States rugby team member Nicole Heavirland in an arm wrestling contest at the 2024 Paris Olympics this weekend.

While Kelce got the win, it didn't come without a solid fight from Heavirland. Even as a star rugby player, almost taking down a former NFL center in a feat of strength like arm wrestling is impressive.

All due respect to Kelce, but Heavirland has a bigger win on her mind this week.

She and Team USA will look to put together a gold-medal-worthy performance in Paris after finishing fifth at the 2020 Olympics in Japan. They are off to a strong start, taking down Japan 36-7 on Sunday.

The United States has a tough matchup ahead of it though, as it will take on France on Monday in its final match of pool play. France defeated Brazil 26-0 and Japan 49-0 to begin Olympic play.

Heavirland has had a prominent rugby career so far, competing for the United States Military Academy in college after transitioning from the women's basketball team. She made her Olympic debut in Japan and is now hoping to lead her team to a medal in Paris.

After putting up a strong fight against Kelce, it seems she has a prominent fan in her corner as the Olympics continue.

Members of the women's club rugby team at Salisbury University remain stranded in Peru after its government declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Asbury Park Press' Daniel LoGiudice.

The team had traveled to Peru for spring break. LoGiudice reported four players successfully booked flights out of the country after President Martin Vizcarra issued his order to begin halting international flights.

Kirby Given is among those unable to secure a departure.

"We're dealing with it on a day-to-day basis," she said. "The uncertainty part is something I don't keep in the forefront of my head because that panic and anxiety is not going to be beneficial to anybody. I hope for the best, and we've been proactive every day."

More than 267,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide and at least 11,000 people have died, per CNN. The World Health Organization has identified 234 cases in Peru.

The United States Embassy in Lima issued a statement Sunday addressing the situation:

"The U.S. Embassy in Lima is operating and is coordinating closely with the Peruvian Government on all options for U.S. citizens to depart the country and are arranging charter aircraft. To date, approximately 500 American tourists departed Peru this weekend and included some of the most urgent medical cases. The U.S. Embassy will continue messaging as additional flight plans are finalized."

The State Department also told CNN that officials "are considering all options" to help any Americans who need to return to the U.S.

England rugby prop Joe Marler has been punished with a 10-week ban for grabbing Wales' Alun Wyn Jones' genitals.

The incident took place during Saturday's dramatic Six Nations battle at Twickenham, which England narrowly won 33-30.

Per BBC Sport, the shortest ban World Rugby issues for "grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals" is 12 weeks. However, the commission opted to impose a 10-week suspension after considering the case.

Marler's club, Harlequins, expressed their disappointment at the length of the ban. A statement read: "Whilst not in any way condoning Joe's actions last Saturday we are disappointed at the level of sanction applied, particularly when compared to other disciplinary decisions announced this week."  

South Africa produced a stunning performance to clinch the 2019 Rugby World Cup on Saturday, comfortably beating England 32-12 in Yokohama, Japan.

The first half was a tetchy affair, with both sides making a number of mistakes in possession. However, South Africa's set-piece play saw them earn regular penalties, and four kicks from Handre Pollard put them 12-6 ahead at the interval, with Owen Farrell notching two for England.

After a couple more penalties each in the second half, South Africa made a decisive score through Makazole Mapimpi in the 66th minute, with his converted try moving the Springboks 25-12 in front.

With England chasing a late comeback, South Africa were then able to counter, with Cheslin Kolbe scoring their second try and sealing the contest:

Success for South Africa sees them draw level with New Zealand on three titles having previously won the tournament in 1995 and 2007.

The pattern of the first period was set early on, when England lost Kyle Sinckler following a heavy hit. His absence would prove detrimental to Eddie Jones' team in the scrum battles later in the match.

South Africa were the stronger side from the off, and after Pollard missed with his first attempt at goal, he found his range quickly.

He slotted four penalties between the posts, including one on the brink of half time, to give the Springboks a six-point advantage:

England came closest of the two sides to scoring a try in the first period, but they were held up by some stellar defensive play from South Africa, per Matthew Southcombe of the MailOnline:

As Guy Williams relayed at half time, England were going to have to produce a historic second half if they were to clinch the Webb Ellis Cup:

England's task didn't get any easier after the restart, when another brutal scrum from South Africa resulted in another penalty, allowing them to extend their lead to nine.

Despite their struggles, England were able to keep knocking kicks over themselves, as a couple more from Farrell came either side of another from Pollard. With an hour gone, the Springboks had an 18-12 lead.

The decisive moment in the game came not long after, as South Africa produced a sweeping counter, finished brilliantly by Mapimpi:

Per The Sportsman, it was the first time the Springboks have ever scored a try in a World Cup final:

England sought to rally in the final stages, but a combination of errors on their part and continued rock-solid defence from South Africa prevented them from building any late momentum. 

Eventually, the Springboks capitalised on that desperation, with Kolbe producing a sensational finish to cap off a fine performance from his side.

The win is testament to head coach Rassie Erasmus, who has done a stellar job turning the South African team around since his arrival. He will be delighted with the manner in which his side executed their game plan on Saturday, as they were dominant against a strong opponent.  

England produced one of their greatest-ever performances to beat New Zealand 19-7 on Saturday at Yokohama's Nissan Stadium and book themselves a spot in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Japan.

Manu Tuilagi put his side ahead with a try inside two minutes, and England never relented despite late New Zealand pressure.

The all-conquering All Blacks, aiming to win a third consecutive World Cup, were never allowed on to the front foot by an immaculate England side, who responded brilliantly after Ardie Savea narrowed the scoreline in the 57th minute with New Zealand's only try of the match.

George Ford's four penalties made England's lead unassailable, and they will now wait for the result of Sunday's semi-final to see whether they face South Africa or Wales in the final.   

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, meanwhile, will bow out from his remarkable tenure after the bronze final following New Zealand's first World Cup loss since 2007. The 60-year-old announced in December he will step down as the side's manager at the conclusion of the tournament.

England came flying out of the blocks with a set of brilliant opening phases in Yokohama.

Just 98 seconds into proceedings, with New Zealand barely having touched the ball, Tuilagi drove over the line from two metres for the first try after superb work from Kyle Sinckler and Courtney Lawes:

It set the tone for much of the first half, which was dominated by England in almost every area.

Maro Itoje enjoyed a dominant first 40 minutes, impressing at the lineout and the breakdown:

In the 25th minute, Sam Underhill crossed the try line under the posts after a brilliant delayed pass from Sinckler, but it was chalked off by the TMO due to Tom Curry's obstruction.

George Ford added three points from a penalty before the break, though, to keep England in the ascendancy:

England's relentless pressure continued after the break, and Ben Youngs finished off a near-perfect driving lineout for what looked to be England's second try six minutes into the second half.

Again, though, the TMO ruled the score out, this time more controversially:

Another Ford penalty soon after made it 13-0, but Savea then went over for a try just before the hour to put the All Blacks firmly back in contention.

For almost the first time in the whole match, England's lineout broke down, and Savea gratefully snatched the ball in space and got New Zealand on the board.

England's response was clinical as they immediately piled pressure on the All Black line with consecutive phases, and the defending world champions would have been relieved to escape with just Ford's third penalty of the match conceded.  

New Zealand could not turn the momentum, though, with England defending brilliantly and consistently turning over the ball, strangling the life out of their opponents.

A fourth Ford penalty 11 minutes from time gave Eddie Jones' side a 12-point lead, and the All Blacks never looked like making a comeback against an impressively dominant England who will likely go into the final as favourites no matter their opponents. 

Having secured their sixth Rugby Championship in the last seven years last weekend, New Zealand face a South African team that beat them at home when they last met on September 15.

Rieko Ioane scored two of New Zealand's five tries in their win 35-17 win over Argentina on Saturday to clinch the 2018 title, but the winger and his teammates will have redemption on their mind when they travel to Pretoria to face the Springboks on Sunday.

The 36-34 loss to South Africa was the best match of the Rugby Championship so far and is the only defeat the All Blacks have tasted in 2018.

Despite that result, the Kiwis are at the short-priced odds of $1.21 AUD to defeat the hosts, who are out at $4.45, according to AustralianGambling.

South Africa are coming off a 23-12 win over Australia in Port Elizabeth, a game in which their defence was immense, making 144 tackles to the Wallabies' 74.

That result leaves Australia in a precarious position at the foot of the table, and Michael Cheika's men are staring at the prospect of a first wooden spoon.

If they fail to beat Argentina on Sunday in Salta, they will create some unwanted history in becoming the first Australian side to finish in last place since the southern hemisphere's premier rugby competition started six years ago.

Cheika was named 2015 World Rugby Coach of the Year after guiding the Aussies to the World Cup final, but with just 15 wins from the 36 games since the 17-34 loss to the All Blacks in that game, the pressure is on the 51-year-old.

The Australian squad are training in Buenos Aires this week before flying to Salta for the match. Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has traveled home with a hamstring injury along with winger Jack Maddocks, who suffered a finger injury in the loss to the Springboks.

Those two injuries plus the fact Argentina stunned Australia 23-19 on the Gold Coast in mid-September see the Wallabies enter this one as the $2 outsider, with the Pumas in at $1.81.

With the 2019 Rugby World Cup set to kick off in Japan in September next year, both of the weekend's fixtures are crucial.

Australia face the unenviable task of beating New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday if they are to have a chance of winning the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.

The Wallabies lost 38-13 to the All Blacks in Sydney on August 18. They will take on New Zealand at Eden Park in the second match of the three-game series on Saturday before a final clash on neutral territory in October, which will take place at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.

Remaining Fixtures

New Zealand vs Australia: Saturday, August 25, 7:35 p.m. local (8:35 a.m. BST/3:35 a.m ET)

New Zealand vs. Australia: Saturday, October 27, 4 p.m. local (8 a.m. BST/3 a.m ET)

Australia took a 6-0 lead early on against New Zealand in the series opener thanks to a pair of penalties, but Aaron Smith's try shortly before half-time reduced the Wallabies' lead to a single point at the break.

The Wallabies crumbled in the second half, allowing the All Blacks to crash home another five tries:

New Zealand were ruthless in taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them, as the Telegraph's Charlie Morgan noted:

Australia defended well prior to their collapse, and coach Michael Cheika will be hoping to see them put in such a performance over the course of an entire match.

Per the Australian Associated Press (h/t MailOnline), he said: 

"All the good work you do can get undone in a very short space of time when you aren't concentrating on what you want to do, playing your role in the team for 80 minutes. 

"We need to be playing more of that 80 minutes, be clear on what we're doing and deliver on that to defeat New Zealand."

Cheika's side lost seven lineouts, but he believes his side should have remained competitive despite those struggles, saying: "You've got to get on with it. It's a lineout; if you don't win it, go get the ball some other way."

There's plenty of room for improvement on what ended as an embarrassing display from the Wallabies, per Rugby World's Paul Williams:

The All Blacks haven't lost at Eden Park since 1994, though, and better Australia sides than this year's vintage have tried and failed to beat them in Auckland in the years since.

Australia may be able to produce a more respectable showing, but upsetting the odds to keep the series alive seems unlikely.

Prediction: All Blacks claim the Bledisloe Cup with a victory at Eden Park.

Argentina will look to avenge their defeat to South Africa when they host the Springboks in the 2018 Rugby Championship on Saturday.

South Africa won 34-21 at Kings Park in Durban last weekend, and Los Pumas will hope for a reverse at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza as they look to get their campaign back on track.

Here are the details of how to catch the action:

Date: Saturday, August 25

Time: 4:10 p.m. local/8:10 p.m. BST/3:10 p.m. ET

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Live Stream:  Sky Go (UK)

Argentina looked to be on the verge of a memorable away win as they held a 14-10 lead going into the break against South Africa, but the hosts battled back as Aphiwe Dyantyi and Makazole Mapimpi each scored a brace to earn a winning start:

It was one of their strongest attacking performances against Los Pumas for some time:

Head coach Rassie Erasmus felt there was plenty to work on, though.

Per Reuters (h/t ESPN), he said "technically and tactically we weren't on par" after his side made several mistakes in the match, including five missed lineouts, following the return of a number of players to the team after time on the sidelines.

He's also set to make some changes ahead of what he anticipates will be a difficult clash:

"We're expecting a massive physical onslaught next week, I know they are fuming and will want to get at us.

"We'll play around a little in terms of what we think they are going to throw at us and what we think is the best team to handle that.

"We tried a few things here with an eye the World Cup and you can do that at home but going there, I don't think we've got the luxury of experimenting too much."

The Springboks boast a one-sided head-to-head record, with Argentina having picked up just two victories in their 27 meetings.

Los Pumas' wins have come relatively recently, though, having beaten South Africa in 2015 and 2016.

The Springboks should be the favourites to come out on top here given their record, but they will need to tighten things up on their last showing if they are to do so.

Australia and New Zealand renew their rivalry when the two teams meet in the opening match of the 2018 Rugby Championship at Sydney's ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

The match also serves as the first of the 2018 Bledisloe Cup, a three-match series contested between the two nations. The two teams meet again at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on August 25, with the final match taking place at the Nissan Stadium and Yokohama, Japan, on October 27.

Australia have not lifted the trophy since 2002. However, there is reason for optimism, as they beat New Zealand in the third and final Test in 2017. The win ended a seven-match losing streak against the All Blacks.

Date: Saturday, August 18

Time: 11:05 a.m. (BST), 6:05 a.m. (ET), 8:05 p.m. (Local)

TV Info: Sky Sports Action (UK)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK)

New Zealand have dominated the Bledisloe Cup for over a decade and will start as clear favourites once again. The All Blacks will also be out to defend their 2017 Rugby Championship. They claimed the title by winning all six of their Tests against Australia, South Africa and Argentina to clinch a perfect campaign.

The defending champions head into the match on a good run of form. They beat France 3-0 in their most recent series, and it looks like it will take something special for them to lose their crown.

The All Blacks have named their 23 for the match:

Head coach Steve Hansen has offered his thoughts on the game, per his team's official website.

"The Bledisloe means a lot to this team and we have the opportunity to show just how much on Saturday night," he said. "As far as we're concerned, neither team currently has possession of the Cup, and if we want it, we've got to front up and take it."

Australia finally tasted victory over their rivals in October in last year's competition. Although the 2017 Bledisloe Cup had already been decided, their 23-18 win at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium should provide confidence.

Another victory on Saturday would offer the Wallabies a real chance of finally getting their hands on the trophy. The decision to move the final game to Japan may also work in the Wallabies' favour.

Australia beat New Zealand 26-24 in 2010 in Hong Kong the last time a Bledisloe game was played on neutral territory.

Captain Michael Hooper has given Australia a boost by being cleared to play after recovering from a hamstring problem, per the New Zealand Herald.

Scrum-half Will Genia said winning the competition would be the "pinnacle" of his career and explained why the Bledisloe Cup has proved so elusive, per Reuters (h/t the Guardian).

He said: "I mean, the World Cup is obviously up there but how often do you get to play the best team in the world three times and have to win two out of three to win a trophy?"

There's a feeling that Australia are a team on the rise, and this match will prove a real indication of how they are shaping up.