Person: Conrad Smith

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

rugby

Personnel may have changed but potency remains

Joe Schmidt wasn’t having any of Steve Hansen’s mind games after Ireland saw off the All Blacks last November.

rugby

How All Blacks handed the keys to Generation Y

rugby

All Blacks a very different proposition to last November

other

'In New Zealand, they are predicting a 20-point win. That suits Ireland just fine'

rugby

Dane Coles: Irish defeats not relevant in a World Cup quarter-final

rugby

Conor Murray honoured as World Player of the Year at French Rugby Oscars

MORNING BULLETIN: Dublin hotel fire update; Your Facebook questions answers

This morning's headlines:

Thu, 22 Mar, 2018

Jonathan Sexton, Rachael Burford, Jamie Heaslip and Conrad Smith 21/3/2018

Conrad Smith: Ireland now at All Blacks level

As a two-time world champion, Conrad Smith knows what it takes to be the best in the world.

Thu, 22 Mar, 2018

Ian Ritchie defends reduction in number of Lions games

Outgoing Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie has defended the reduction in the number of matches on future British and Irish Lions tours.

Mon, 17 Jul, 2017

Leinster men o’war happy to steady ship for young guns

Elite sport holds no respect for age.

Fri, 31 Mar, 2017

Dave Foley on his way to club Pau

Injured second-row Dave Foley has played his last game for Munster after the province revealed he will be joining French Top14 club Pau at the end of the season.

Wed, 22 Mar, 2017

Ireland hoping to make up for 2013 heartache against New Zealand

Ireland went for a cruise along the Chicago River yesterday afternoon, wending their way between the towering skyscrapers and enjoying some peaceful moments before the storm brewing in tonight’s clash with New Zealand. 

Sat, 05 Nov, 2016

Are New Zealand beatable? Yes, of course they are

Joe Schmidt isn’t the only one looking forward to seeing his charges face the best side in the world twice over the next few weeks.

Wed, 02 Nov, 2016

When Springbok backs are to the wall, Ellis Park provides comfort

After the sobering sight of four World Cup semi-finalists coming from the southern hemisphere, last weekend offered a glimmer of hope for European rugby. The question now is, was it an aberration or a line in the sand?

Wed, 15 Jun, 2016

Paddy Butler not Pau-faced after gruelling survival season

Just 80 more minutes and it will be all over for those in the red jersey of Munster. There may be summer tours to relish for some and the beach may beckon for others but if any players still crave more rugby and a catch-up with old friends, Paddy Butler, James Coughlan, and Sean Dougall still have another month of Top 14 rugby to play with Pau.

Sat, 07 May, 2016

Richie McCaw: Joe Schmidt could be All Blacks boss

Few people understand what it takes to be a successful All Blacks coach more than Richie McCaw and the two-time World Cup-winning captain happens to believe that Joe Schmidt has exactly what it takes to do the job.

Wed, 20 Apr, 2016

Irish provinces digging in to keep up with deep European pockets

QUITE how Ireland’s World Cup hangover will be reflected in the upcoming rounds of the Champions Cup remains to be seen.

Wed, 11 Nov, 2015

Cheika eyeing revenge in 2019 if Aussie contract extended

Michael Cheika says he’s just getting started, as he prepares to set the Wallabies up for Rugby World Cup success in Japan in 2019.

Tue, 03 Nov, 2015

The world is All Black after New Zealand win Rugby World Cup

Forty five minutes after the final whistle, Richie McCaw led the Haka, perhaps for the last time.

Mon, 02 Nov, 2015

New Zealand’s intoxicating potion of power and poetry seals World Cup

New Zealand 34 Australia 17<br>The final had been fought, victory was secured, and the famous gold trophy regained by its rightful holders. 

Mon, 02 Nov, 2015

Dan Carter’s moment in the real deal

The great and the good of this wonderful game will gather in London this weekend for a gala event that will bring down the curtain on a wonderful six weeks of intrigue and excitement that has showcased its finest exponents at the peak of their powers.

Sat, 31 Oct, 2015

Skipper McCaw’s focus on completing final mission

It is widely expected that Richie McCaw will retire after tomorrow’s World Cup final against Australia, and yet New Zealand’s decorated captain is still refusing to make an announcement.

Fri, 30 Oct, 2015

Jonah Lomu wary of Australia in crucial breakdown battle

New Zealand great Jonah Lomu fears David Pocock and Michael Hooper will give Australia a critical edge at the breakdown in Saturday’s World Cup final.

Thu, 29 Oct, 2015

Steve Hansen: Last-gasp Dublin win cemented our self-belief

Just to compound northern hemisphere misery after their quarter-final wipeout, New Zealand and South Africa pitched up in their backyard at Twickenham and showed them the level at which a Six Nations match in the rain can really be played.

Mon, 26 Oct, 2015

Could Mario Ledesma destroy his native country’s dreams?

When New Zealand and South Africa clash, all bets are off.

Sat, 24 Oct, 2015

Steve Hansen and Heyneke Meyer unlikely beer buddies

There’s something deliciously gruff about Steve Hansen and something gloriously barmy about Heyneke Meyer. Talk about being as dry as chalk and as mad as cheese.

Sat, 24 Oct, 2015

Bryan Habana pays tribute to murdered teacher

Bryan Habana has dedicated South Africa’s World Cup semi-final to teacher Zukisa Kela, whose last words were “Go Springboks Go” before being drowned by a gang.

Wed, 21 Oct, 2015

A Rugby World Cup 2015 Diary - Week 3

A compilation of some the latest gossip and news from inside RWC2015.

Thu, 01 Oct, 2015

Conrad Smith saves All Blacks’ blushes

New Zealand 26 Argentina 16: World champions New Zealand got the defence of their crown off to a winning start, but not until shaking off a terrible opening period in front of a Rugby World Cup record crowd at Wembley yesterday.

Mon, 21 Sep, 2015

James Coughlan loving life at French side Pau

The growing Munster contingent in Pau is settling into life in the top flight in France and showed at the weekend they have what it takes to cut it amongst the best in the richest rugby league in the world.

Wed, 16 Sep, 2015

All Blacks omit Israel Dagg and Cory Jane

Defending champions New Zealand have announced their 31-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with Waisake Naholo included but Israel Dagg and Cory Jane among those to miss out.

Mon, 31 Aug, 2015

Anthony Foley warns against complacency over Munster’s cup draw

Months before the commencement of battle, Munster head coach Anthony Foley has forewarned his troops that nothing will come easy in Pool 4 of the European Champions Cup.

Thu, 18 Jun, 2015

Pau’s Coughlan revelling in French adventure

If individual awards — Player of the Month, Man of the Match and the like — are an indication of the impact made by James Coughlan in his first season playing French rugby, then the boy has done well.

Fri, 15 May, 2015

Wallabies see writing on the wall, so they adapt to try and change it

Before looking forward to the inaugural Champions Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday, I feel compelled to examine the implications of an announcement last week that attracted minimal attention on this side of the world.

Wed, 29 Apr, 2015

Ireland must learn from 2007 meltdown

So where do we stand after the autumn interntionals, asks Donal Lenihan?

Wed, 26 Nov, 2014

’Dad Strength’ lifting England to new heights

It is a sign of England’s growing maturity that the talk in the gym ahead of their game against New Zealand today has been of ‘Dad Strength’.

Sat, 08 Nov, 2014

All Blacks score last-minute winner against Australia

Australia 28 New Zealand 29

Sat, 18 Oct, 2014

Springboks end New Zealand's 22-match unbeaten run

Patrick Lambie’s late long-range penalty consigned New Zealand to just their second defeat in 38 Test matches as South Africa edged to a 27-25 Rugby Championship victory at Ellis Park.

Sat, 04 Oct, 2014

New Zealand trounce Argentina

Beauden Barrett inspired New Zealand to a thumping 28-9 win over Argentina in the Rugby Championship at McLean Park, Napier.

Sat, 06 Sep, 2014

All Blacks look set to target Tuilagi

Manu Tuilagi has been warned to expect an aerial bombardment as New Zealand seek to expose the England wing’s inexperience in his new position.

Fri, 13 Jun, 2014

England fail at final hurdle against Kiwis

England slipped to a painful late defeat in their first Test against New Zealand knowing that a glorious opportunity to topple the world champions had eluded them.

Sat, 07 Jun, 2014

Read and Savea out for All Blacks

Jerome Kaino will replace Kieran Read in New Zealand’s team to face England in the first Test at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

Thu, 05 Jun, 2014

Munster: The final frontier

Are the days of signing top, top names now more difficult for Munster because of finances?

Fri, 02 May, 2014

Kiss: O’Driscoll is still tops

Brian O’Driscoll will embark on his final season of Test rugby this evening having been told he is still the best outside centre in the world.

Sat, 09 Nov, 2013

Marshall ready to answer the call

For a full decade now, the Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy midfield axis has survived and thrived in the pell-mell that is international rugby but the durable duo are on borrowed time.

Fri, 01 Nov, 2013

Gopperth making presence felt at 10

Leinster may have lost Jonathan Sexton to France over the summer but the province has gained an element of unpredictability at out-half which the most inventive of tens would be unable to match.

Thu, 17 Oct, 2013

Bonus-point win over Pumas puts All Blacks closer to title

Argentina 15 New Zealand 33

Sun, 29 Sep, 2013

Carter crocked as All Blacks take victory

New Zealand 29 South Africa 15

Sat, 14 Sep, 2013

All Blacks crush Wallabies in opener

Australia 29 New Zealand 47

Sat, 17 Aug, 2013

Veteran Weepu dropped by All Blacks

New Zealand have selected uncapped scrum half TJ Perenara ahead of veteran Piri Weepu in their squad for the Investec Rugby Championship.

Sun, 04 Aug, 2013