Rugby

After a somewhat laboured 26-14 win over the ninth-ranked United States in its first outing of the year, No. 2 Canada faces a stiffer test Friday against No. 3 New Zealand in Pacific Four Series women's rugby play in Christchurch.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Cornal Hendricks, a South African rugby player who made 12 appearances for the Springboks and was a star for his country at sevens, has died. He was 37.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Flyhalf Kyohei Yamasawa has become the first home grown player to top the regular season scoring list in Japan Rugby League One in his first full season for the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.

DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland and Leinster captain Caelan Doris is out for up to six months after shoulder surgery.

LEICESTER, England (AP) — Former England international Geoff Parling will leave his role as assistant coach of Australia's national team to take over at English club Leicester Tigers next season.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Chiefs’ 35-19 win over the Crusaders in the 13th round of Super Rugby on Saturday broke the deadlock atop the table and clearly established the Hamilton, New Zealand-based Chiefs as the best team in the tournament t

DUBLIN — The Canadian under-20 women's rugby team ran in four tries en route to a 26-15 win over Ireland on Saturday.

Maro Itoje will captain a British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia that contains 15 Irish players, just two Welshmen and an Englishman with barely 30 minutes of international rugby to his name.

CASTRES, France (AP) — Josaia Raisuqe, a Paris Olympics medalist, was killed in a road crash on Thursday, his Castres rugby club said. He was 30. Raisuqe was reportedly on his way to training when his vehicle was hit by a train.

Canada will take the first step towards the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup with a game against the U.S. on Aug. 22 in Calgary to open the Pacific Nations Cup. The Canadian men are currently ranked 24th in the world, compared to No. 15 for the U.S.