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The All Blacks have been slammed for their ‘unforgivable’ performance against Argentina
These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, August 25.
All Black hits back at Welsh anthem dig
All Blacks icon Sonny Bill Williams has hit back at a pundit who suggested that New Zealand should adopt the Welsh national anthem as their own, following their Rugby Championship defeat to Argentina. Scott Robertson’s side were beaten 23-29 by the Pumas in round two of this year’s tournament, in what was their first defeat of the calendar year.
However, after losing four times under Robertson in 2024, pundit Mark Watson has compared the All Blacks’ form to that of Wales, who only ended their record losing streak of 18 successive Test matches against Japan last month.
In a bizarre two-minute rant in the wake of Saturday’s defeat, Watson – a host on Kiwi radio station Sport Nation – hit out at Robertson and his team over what he said was an “unforgivable” performance and “one of the worst” he had seen in his life.
Most strangely of all, he claimed that New Zealand should consider adopting Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau as its own national anthem, as the team are, in his opinion “heading down the same path as Wales”. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby
“What a disastrous performance from a proud nation,” said Watson. “Simply unforgivable. The All Blacks get beaten 29-23 in one of the worst All Black performances I have seen in my lifetime of watching rugby.
“This [Argentina] is a country where rugby is not their No.1 sport. It’s still a minority sport. Their club competition is still amateur. They don’t have a coaching group like the All Blacks do. They don’t have 25 backroom staff.
“What the hell is going on with New Zealand rugby? And if you think I’m being a little wet, if you think I’m going off my nut and I am being a little over the top, you are part of the problem because you are starting to accept All Black losses.
“I used to be the norm. It is not good enough. We should be demanding more. This is who we are, man. We are supposed to be the best rugby nation in the world,” he added. “Let’s get rid of the New Zealand national anthem and start playing the damn Welsh one because we are heading down the same path as Wales.”
However, two-time Rugby World Cup winner Williams has now hit back at Watson, taking to X to talk up the performances of the Pumas as well as Australia, who stunned the Springboks in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.
Sharing a clip of the pundit’s bizarre rant, he wrote: “Can we not just accept other nations have improved? Can we just appreciate how good international rugby is at the moment and how good the Pumas and Wallabies have been this international window?
“PS: Anyone else excited for All Blacks v Boks at Eden Park?”
Tributes paid to ‘legend’
Tributes have been paid to an “extraordinary man” who worked tirelessly to honour the memory of rugby players who died during the First World War.
Former referee John Dennison was respected across the world of rugby for his work in remembering those killed in the Great War, and particularly the role he played in organising the creation of the World Rugby Memorial, which stands on a French battlefield and is dedicated to the players who lost their lives in the conflict.
He also helped to highlight the incredible contributions made by soldiers from the Caribbean to the war, as well as other conflicts.
Wales legend John Taylor is among the greats of the game who supported Dennison’s work, with other supporters including Ireland’s Fergus Slattery and former France flanker Serge Betsen.
Tragically, the 65-year-old has died suddenly at his home in Laon, France, with tributes pouring in for the ‘legendary’ rugby man.
“John’s enthusiasm for rugby was infectious, and his core belief was that the sport could bring communities from across Europe together,” said historian Peter Jones.
“Players from England, Wales, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Germany gathered at rugby festivals and enjoyed experiences that they will all talk about for the rest of their lives.
“John has created memories for a generation of young players across Europe. That is his legacy.”
Sue Liburd, who worked with Dennison on an international Rugby and World War II VE80 heritage and educational commemorative programme to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, said: “John was a true visionary whose ideas touched thousands of lives.
“His legendary passion for education, remembrance, and community gave the VE80 Lincoln project its heart. John was more than a colleague — he was a friend.
“His warmth, humour, and generosity brought people together in ways that will never be forgotten. He gave so much of himself to others. His vision, kindness, and commitment to community will remain his lasting legacy.”
Springboks get major Kolisi boost
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has defied the odds again to make a lightning-quick recovery from a knee injury that was expected to keep him out for at least a month.
The talismanic back-rower was ruled out of last week’s second Rugby Championship showdown with the Wallabies, having picked up the injury during their shock defeat in the opening round.
It was widely expected that Kolisi would also miss their two matches against New Zealand at the start of September, but he has recovered in time to be named in Rassie Erasmus’ squad for the double clash.
Head coach Erasmus has stuck with largely the same squad that faced Australia, with all but two of the 38 players from the previous group retained.
Makazole Mapimpi has been added to the squad following injuries to Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe, while utility forward Cobus Wiese has been placed on standby.
In a further boost for Erasmus, Pieter-Steph du Toit has been passed fit after suffering a concussion, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Willie le Roux have also been medically cleared to play.
“This group has been working hard together since our first training camp in June, and most of them have been playing together for years, while the newer players in the squad have shown that they are ready for this challenge,” said Erasmus.
“Siya, Pieter-Steph, Willie and Jan-Hendrik have been cleared of their niggles, while all the players who faced Australia have received a clean bill of health.”
“The Rugby Championship is wide open with all four teams having won a match in the first two rounds, so this tour is going to be vital for us, and we certainly take confidence from the win against Australia.
“Facing the All Blacks in New Zealand is a massive challenge, but all the teams in this competition are ranked among the top sides in the world, and each one has the potential to beat one another on the day.
“We have won our last four matches against them dating back to 2023, which marked only the second time in history that we defeated them four times in a row, and there is no doubt that will motivate both teams,” he added. “We need to ensure that we build on what we’ve been working on this year in the Incoming Series and Rugby Championship and take another step up.”
South Africa – Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Damian de Allende, André Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse