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Love, rugby and a sport's crucial battle with concussion
On the eve of the Rugby World Cup, Tom Hamilton assesses how far the game has come and how far it still has to go in its understanding of the most prevalent -- and damaging -- injury in rugby.
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What is a concussion protocol? Sport by sport, there's no single solution
Reporters from across ESPN give their insights on how sport has been impacted by the increasing awareness of concussion.
Wales' World Cup woe
Wales head coach Gatland 'shocked' over Howley investigation
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has expressed his shock after his assistant coach Rob Howley was sent home from the World Cup amid allegations of betting infringements.
Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Wales coach Howley sent home from World Cup amid betting allegations
Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has been sent home from Japan amid allegations of betting infringements.
Rugby
What leading the haka means to TJ Perenara
The All Blacks' haka is world-famous but for the man who will lead Ka Mate and Kapo O Pango in Japan, it's the connection with the land, his ancestors and teammates that's important rather than putting on a show for the crowd.
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Understanding the All Blacks' supreme success
The All Blacks are a global sporting powerhouse with a winning record that sits just under 80% over the past 100 years. But how has that success been achieved, and what sets this team apart in not just rugby but world sport in its entirety?
Rugby
Tonga rugby team sing on flight to Rugby World Cup
0:31
Tattooed Samoans don skin suits to avoid offending Japanese hosts
Samoan players will keep traditional Pacific islander tattoos under wraps with skin suits during the World Cup in Japan to avoid offending their hosts.
Australia preparations
Coleman: There's something special with this group
1:23
Rugby World Cup
Springboks name unchanged side for World Cup opener
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus made just one change from the starting side that drew with New Zealand in July when he named his team for Saturday's crunch Rugby World Cup clash with the world champions in Yokohama.
Rugby
Michael Hooper, David Pocock set to start against Fiji
A two-year revolution within the Wallabies will be highlighted when Michael Cheika names his side for their opening Rugby World Cup Test against Fiji.
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Rugby Championship: All Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks, Pumas resume play
How do the Wallabies pick up the pieces? What do the All Blacks actually need to work on? And what have been the key learnings from two Springboks-Pumas clashes? The Rugby Championship restarts this week.
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