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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.
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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
David Pocock plan comes together as Michael Cheika gets selection right
The Wallabies made a solid start to the Rugby World Cup four years ago and Michael Cheika and his fellow selectors' decisions have ensured they are best placed to repeat that performance against Fiji on Saturday.
Rugby
Mo'unga keeps All Blacks flyhalf jersey for Springboks opener
Beauden Barrett will start at fullback for New Zealand in their World Cup Pool B opener against South Africa in Yokohama on Saturday after coach Steve Hansen retained Richie Mo'unga at flyhalf.
Rugby
Wallabies name Pocock, Hooper for World Cup opener
David Pocock and Michael Hooper will team up alongside one another for the first time this year after Michael Cheika opted for their twin breakdown threat for Australia's World Cup opener 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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