Results tagged “new zealand”

England might have thumped Australia in last weekend's rugby international but flanker Tom Croft insists they are not getting carried away.

The 35-18 victory over the Wallabies saw England play some scintillating rugby at Twickenham, capped by a superb solo try by winger Chris Ashton. But Croft said there is still plenty of hard work to be done.

England prop forward Andrew Sheridan is anticipating another physical encounter when he lines up against Australia this Saturday.

The Sale Sharks player is aiming to erase the memory of last weekend's defeat by New Zealand in the first of the Investec autumn internationals, but he knows it won't be easy.

England's Rugby World Cup build-up begins in earnest tomorrow when they tackle New Zealand in the first of the Investec autumn internationals.

Australia, Samoa and South Africa all follow in quick succession - the last chance for Martin Johnson's men to prove themselves against the southern hemisphere giants before the World Cup in New Zealand next September.

As debuts go Winston Reid's Premier League baptism was pretty tough.

The New Zealand international made his West Ham bow at right back against Aston Villa last Saturday, and found himself up against England players Stewart Downing and Ashley Young, though there was little Reid could do to stop Villa easily winning 3-0.

West Ham have signed New Zealand international defender Winston Reid for an undisclosed sum.

The 22-year-old joined the Hammers last night from Danish side Midtjylland on a three-year contract to bolster manager Avram Grant's defensive options.

A stranger by the side of the road flags you down. The light is fading and there is not another vehicle in sight. A deserted beach lies to your left and rolling fields of sheep to the right.

You could be forgiven for fearing he might be a car-jacker. But this is New Zealand and there is a good chance he has just seen something quite special and wants to share it.

England cricket captain Andrew Strauss is preparing for a tough tour in South Africa but he's confident his team are up there with the world's best.

Strauss led England to victory in this summer's Ashes series against Australia and he is determined to build on that success this winter.

By Bernard Wilkes

Despite appearances, there’s more to New Zealand wine than just Sauvignon Blanc.

Aromatic white varieties do well in particular – think France’s Alsace, but more exuberant, more fruity.

FORMER England scrum-half Kyran Bracken believes Martin Johnson couldn’t have been handed a harder start to his time as England manager – a trip to New Zealand.

Johnson announced his squad on Tuesday to face an All Black side still smarting from their shock exit from last year’s World Cup. Bracken, who made his debut against them in 1993, thinks it’s a big ask for an inexperienced England team.

“It’s the toughest place to go on the planet,� he said. “What a place to start. There’s some new blood going out there and he [Johnson] must be nervous having to pick his squad, with a few injuries and big games coming up. But he’s a tremendous leader and I’m confident he’ll make a success of it.�