Rugby

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Hamilton-based Chiefs are keenly aware there are no more second chances as they head in Saturday’s Super Rugby semifinal against the last Australian hope, the ACT Brumbies.

Billy Boston, who blazed a trail for Black sportspeople in Britain during the 1950s and '60s, became the first rugby league player to receive a knighthood in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

DUBLIN (AP) — Scotland prop Zander Fagerson was ruled out of the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia because of injury on Monday, with Ireland international Finlay Bealham called up as a replacement.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson will step down at the end of the year, creating a vacancy in one of the most powerful jobs in New Zealand sport.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Stu Wilson , an elusive All Blacks winger whose playing style reflected his ebullient personality, has died. He was 70. Wilson's death was confirmed by New Zealand Rugby, which did not specify a cause.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The ACT Brumbies will become the latest Australian team to take on the New Zealand playoff hoodoo in Super Rugby after beating the Wellington-based Hurricanes in Canberra.

NADI — Liam James scored two of Canada's nine tries in a 57-27 win over Tonga at the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge on Saturday.

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — The National Rugby League's newest team will have one of its oldest coaches when it begins play in 2027.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Chiefs head into the first round of Super Rugby playoffs as top seeds and favorites, poised to win their first title since 2013 after finishing runners-up in the last two seasons.

The number of former rugby players taking legal action against sports governing bodies on claims they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to more than 1,000, a British law firm said on Monday.