Springboks Sweep Fiji, Yaras Rebound, Wallaroos Head Coach Appointed & WRU Still Under Fire | WRR 259

We are still celebrating 20 years, and the giveaways continue! Next up on our journey is chasing the 9k follower mark after smashing past 8k. To be eligible for the next individual drawing, make sure you are following both @YSCRugby and @BooshiePromo on Instagram AND have commented on the pinned Anniversary post.

Want to hook your team up, too? You can enter yourself into the individual milestone drawings and register your team for the massive Grand Prize giveaway at the end of the celebration by commenting your club’s name on our pinned Anniversary post. It has been an incredible 20 year journey so far and we are not slowing down!

Women’s Rugby 7s News

Domestic

• Kabeberi 7s – Kenya
  • Mwamba successfully retained their Kabeberi 7s title, defeating the Kenya Harlequin Queens 12-7 in the women’s final at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi. Building on their recent victory at the Dala 7s in Kisumu, the host team held off a tough push from Harlequin to preserve their lead and claim another crucial win in the third round of the National Sevens Circuit. The victory keeps Mwamba atop the competition and applies added pressure to the rest of the field as the circuit moves to Driftwood 7s on August 22. [link]
• Ukraine 7s Cup
  • In Eastern Europe, four determined squads gathered for the Ukrainian Women’s Rugby-7s Cup, hosted secretly in Kyiv due to persistent security threats. Lviv’s RC Levytsi emerged victorious, powering past Metalist Kharkiv 24-5 to claim their fourth Cup of Ukraine title. Pausing to pay tribute to more than 40 members of the rugby community lost in the war, the tournament stood as both a celebration of athletic excellence and an inspiring testament to the country’s unbreakable spirit. [link]
• Look Ahead [link]
  • Driftwood 7s (August 22): The Kenya National 7s Circuit rolls straight into its next leg in Mombasa, where teams will push for crucial standings points following the Kabeberi 7s.

Women’s Rugby XVs News

International

• Brazil Yaras vs USA Falcons Series
  • The Brazilian Yaras bounced back from their earlier loss by securing a 14-12 victory over the USA Falcons at Estádio do Nacional in São Paulo. Dominating the first half behind strong forward play, Brazil built a 14-0 lead with tries from Larissa Carvalho and Júlia Leni along with two conversions by Lohana Valente. Although a late second-half yellow card gave the Americans an extra player advantage to notch two late tries, a missed conversion preserved the Yaras’ narrow win as they continue preparing for the WXV world league in Hong Kong this September. The team will wrap up their friendly warm-ups with upcoming fixtures against South Africa in late August before kicking off tournament play against Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and Spain. [link]
• Black Ferns vs Black Ferns XV
  • As part of their preparations for an upcoming international campaign, the Black Ferns squared off against the Black Ferns XV in a preparation match at Maidstone Sports Hub in Upper Hutt. Featuring rolling substitutions to help build combinations and gain match minutes, the hit-out served as key prep work ahead of their next test against Australia for the Laurie O’Reilly Cup at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart on Saturday, August 22. Following that fixture, the squad will head to South Africa for a one-off Test as part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour. [link]
• Fiji vs South Africa Series
  • The Springboks claimed the inaugural Ubuntu–Bula Trophy with a hard-fought 29-22 victory over Fijiana in Lautoka, securing a two-match series sweep. After trailing 10-5 at halftime against a physical, fired-up Fijian side, South Africa adjusted its strategy and rallied in the second half behind a debut hat-trick from winger Maria Tshiremba. Assistant coach Franzel September praised the squad’s grit, tactical adaptability, and execution under pressure, noting that testing new combinations yielded valuable lessons. Following their return home, the team will turn their focus toward an upcoming test against New Zealand’s Black Ferns in Johannesburg early next month. [link]
• Off the Field
  • Wallaroos Head Coach
    • Rugby Australia has appointed former Wallaroos assistant and USA/Scotland head coach Sione Fukofuka as the Wallaroos’ next Head Coach through the home 2029 Rugby World Cup. Granted an early release from Scottish Rugby to relocate to Sydney for family reasons, Fukofuka will officially assume the reins in 2027 as the national program transitions to full-time status. In the interim, Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh, alongside a transition staff including Mike Ruthven, Duncan Chubb, Ben Mowen, and Reg Tayler, will lead Australia through the remainder of their 2026 test campaign, which features the O’Reilly Cup and the inaugural WXV Global Series.  [link]
      • However, the abrupt transition raises serious questions about the ethics, timeline, and strategy behind Rugby Australia’s hiring process. Given that Fukofuka secured an immediate release from Scottish Rugby on compassionate grounds to return to Australia for family reasons just eight days before this announcement, critics and supporters alike are left asking how long these negotiations were actually taking place behind the scenes. Did Rugby Australia capitalize on a sudden personal crisis, or was this deal quietly coordinated while he was still under contract with another national union? Furthermore, with the Wallaroos transitioning to a full-time professional program, fans are right to question whether appointing a coach who oversaw a dismal Six Nations campaign with Scotland, alongside leaving two international head coaching roles in rapid succession, truly represents the world-class vision required for a home World Cup cycle. [link]
  • WXV Squads
    • Spain’s Las Leonas will assemble 36 players in Soustons, France, under head coach Régis Sonnes to prepare for the upcoming WXV Global Series Challenger in Hong Kong. Following their recent European Championship title, the squad will refine their game plan ahead of fixture dates against Fiji, Samoa, and Brazil in late September, launching a crucial competitive cycle as they build toward qualification for the 2029 Rugby World Cup in Australia.  [link]
  • Ireland Central Contracts
    • The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has confirmed its centrally contracted women’s player list for the 2026/27 season, advancing its long-term strategy to expand depth and develop emerging talent. Headlined by newly contracted forwards Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Aoibheann McGrath, and Eilís Cahill alongside the returning Linda Djougang, the 31-player squad reflects the national program’s continued evolution following last season’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations. Head of Performance Gillian McDarby noted that performance in the ongoing Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship could earn additional players contracts before Ireland kicks off its fall campaign, which includes home fixtures against the USA and Japan before a two-match series against South Africa in Cape Town this October. [link]
  • Wales Governance
    • The Welsh Rugby Union board faces an escalating civil war and coordinated calls for its immediate resignation after pushing forward with controversial plans to reduce Wales’ four professional men’s teams to three by 2028. High-profile figures, including GoCompare founder Hayley Parsons, Wales legend Jonathan “Jiffy” Davies, former international Tom Shanklin, and former Principality COO Rob Regan, publicly accused the 11-member board of arrogance and commercial failure, with Regan mobilizing support to form an alternative interim leadership team. In response, the entire WRU board released a defiant statement defending its business expertise, condemning personal attacks against staff, and insisting that available finances and player pools cannot competitively sustain four regions beyond 2028. While both the Ospreys and Scarlets have publicly rejected the proposed cuts and demanded evidence for the decision, replacing the board ultimately rests with member clubs, which would need an Extraordinary General Meeting triggered by ten percent of the union’s 282 grassroots clubs to force a vote. [link 1] [link 2]
  • Women’s Rugby Record Attendance Archive
    • Women’s rugby test match attendances are reaching historic heights, and now you can track every landmark crowd in one place! The official Women’s Rugby Record Attendance Archive is live at YSCRugby.com! From the record-shattering 81,885 fans at Allianz Stadium Twickenham for the 2025 Rugby World Cup final to marquee Six Nations fixtures drawing 77,000+ supporters, this archive tracks the game’s exponential global growth. Explore full historical data across major venues in France, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, and beyond as the sport builds toward WXV and Australia 2029! [link]
• Look Ahead [link]
  • Bingham & Amanda Mark Cup (August 19–23): Hosted in Brisbane, Australia, International Gay Rugby’s landmark biennial World Cup kicks off its off-field program on August 19 before matchplay runs August 20–23 across Norths Rugby Club, Bulimba Playing Fields, and Ballymore Stadium.
  • New Zealand vs. Australia (August 21): The #2 ranked Black Ferns host the #9 Wallaroos for the Laurie O’Reilly Cup in New Zealand, looking to build momentum before heading to South Africa while Australia seeks a statement victory.
  • South Africa U20 vs. USA U20 (August 21): A key international developmental test giving top young talent from both nations valuable match time.
  • USA Club 15s Competition Begins (August 21): Domestic 15s action returns across the United States as some regions kickoff their new season.

Domestic

• North America
  • Canada – BC Rugby
    • BC Rugby has drawn intense backlash across the rugby community after appointing an interim CEO who was previously named in mistreatment allegations raised by 37 women. Community members and players voiced widespread exhaustion and anger, taking to social media to criticize the union’s leadership choices and call out systemic issues of silence and misogyny. Commenters emphasized that prioritizing male team success over athlete safety remains an ongoing problem at both the local club and provincial levels, with many calling for stricter accountability and permanent bans from sports leadership for anyone exhibiting such behavior. [link]
      • The fallout from his 2021 departure from Rugby Canada remains a central point of frustration for the rugby community. That year, 37 national team players filed a collective SafeSport complaint detailing psychological distress, public humiliation, and an environment of intimidation. While an independent investigation concluded his conduct did not meet the technical definition of bullying under Rugby Canada’s outdated 2013 policy framework, leading to no formal sanction, the report explicitly validated that the athletes’ experiences of real harm and psychological distress were genuine. Following the review, Tait resigned from his national post, prompting athletes like Caroline Crossley to speak out publicly about the systemic failures of sports governance and the gap between policy definitions and athlete well-being. The case exposed major institutional blind spots, driving Rugby Canada to update and reform its SafeSport and high-performance policies multiple times since the investigation. For many, his appointment by BC Rugby reopens those unaddressed governance concerns, highlighting ongoing friction over leadership accountability and athlete safety standards in Canadian rugby. [Rugby Canada Statement April 4, 2021 | Globe & Mail/CBC John Tait Resigns Apr 2021 | Caroline Crossley Public Athlete Statement (many athletes also shared)
  • WER Allegations of Non-consensual Contact
    • Serious allegations of non-consensual contact involving a player have surfaced following the Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) finals, sparking intense debate and calls for accountability across the rugby community. Players have confirmed that official SafeSport reports have been filed and sources close to WER confirm the league is are participating in the SafeSport process. While online discussions remain divided between calls for swift justice and warnings against public condemnation before formal investigations conclude, the core principle remains absolute: player safety and consent are non-negotiable, and behavior of this nature should never happen in the sport.
• South America
• Europe
  • Muslimah & Black Girls Ruck
    • Muslimah Rugby and Black Girls Ruck joined forces for a landmark community match on July 19, 2026 in Richmond, bringing two historically underrepresented groups together on the pitch to celebrate inclusion and a shared passion for the sport. The friendly fixture highlighted high-energy play, solid fundamentals, and powerful camaraderie, serving as an inspiring display of representation for diverse women and young girls in grassroots rugby. Founded by former Premiership player Zainab Alema, Muslimah Rugby fielded a full squad for the very first time, proving that there is space for everyone in the game. By stepping onto the field together, both organizations took a meaningful step toward breaking down cultural barriers and strengthening inclusive rugby networks across the community. [link]
• Oceania
• Africa
• Asia

Women’s Rugby Features

• Upcoming Rugby World Cups to boost Australia and Pacific [link]
• USA Youth & High School and USA Rugby Launch T1 as the Official Non-Contact adaptation of Rugby [link]
• Black Ferns: Growth in matches shows how far women’s rugby has come [link]
• Scottish rugby’s power list: the game’s 25 most influential figures [link]
• Australia Sevens trio help Nagato Blue Angels secure four-peat [link]
• Kansas City is bidding to bring more World Cup matches to the area in a few years [link]
• Linda Djougang among IRFU’s 31-player central contract squad [link]
• Sisilia Tuipulotu named for Wales as WXV squad announced [link]
• Kabeberi Sevens to Mark Milestone in Women’s Rugby Officiating [link]
• ‘It’s about maximising our talent’: How the Wallaroos are approaching success at a home World Cup [link]
• MVP Cunningham Relishes Legacy Cup Season [link]
• New beginnings for Sevens supersar Levi as she steps into Wallaroos squad [link]
• Mitchell urges England to use new WXV series as World Cup audition [link]
• Maddison Levi ‘excited’ to bring sevens skillset and winning mindset to Wallaroos [link]
• ‘Say ‘yes’ and figure it out afterwards’: How one decision changed Jane Clohessy’s life [link]
• Fukofuka has questions to answer after mirky Aussie deal [link]
• Smaller balls for more passing in women’s rugby, but will they increase kicking too? [link]
• ‘I shouldn’t be wasting it’: Why Nomsa Mokwai balances rugby with full-time nursing [link]
• John Mitchell questions smaller ball rugby trial [link]
• Latsha captains Bok Women as Tshiremba makes Test debut [link]
• In College Sports, a Looming Collision Between Equity and Market Value [link]
• Gratitude as KwaDwesi’s Hele makes successful return to Test rugby [link]
• ‘Whole and meaningful’: Red Roses coach John Mitchell becomes British citizen [link]
• Vodafone Ireland Named Main Sponsor of Ireland Women’s Rugby Team [link]
• Sevens Summer Camp kicked off in California for Women’s USA U18s [link]
• Holly Wood – the elite official empowering others to pick the whistle back up after childbirth [link]
• Opinion: Rugby Is Missing Out on a College Sports Revolution Due to Infighting and a Fractured Landscape [link]
• Pools revealed for rugby sevens at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games [link]
• ‘They’ve got two nights to put the hand up’: Munster women’s fly-half role up for grabs [link]
• Shock waves as Wallaroos confirm new head coach [link]
• Aupiki: Black Ferns coach Whitney Hansen hails ‘best rugby we’ve seen’ [link]
• ‘90% mental, 10% physical’: Hele reflects on return against Fiji [link]
• Guilherme Coghetto establishes main Yaras goal: Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 qualification [link]
• ‘I’m always chasing better’ – Dual Rebecca Clough medallist Wood [link]
• Dalgliesh appointed Edinburgh Rugby Women Head Coach [link]
• Five ACT Brumbies Among Australia’s Top Emerging Female Rugby Talents [link]

Women’s Rugby Media

• Rugby Wrapup: NCR CEO Jeremy Treece, WER Star Aly Cunningham, Club 7s Championships
• The Rugby Rant: Run, Pass or Kick with Carrie Cowdrey
• Her Side of the Ruck: WXV Global Series explained 💡🏉