Keep Rugby Clean, keep rugby fair
The last round of pool matches at Rugby World Cup 2025 was also World Rugby’s Keep Rugby Clean weekend. From the pink T-shirts to the powerful words behind them, the message has been clear: protecting the integrity of the sport is more important than winning or losing.
YORK, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 06: A detailed view of the ‘keep rugby clean’ worn during the warm ups by the players of Samoa during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool A match between USA and Samoa at York Community Stadium on September 06, 2025 in York, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Australia’s Emily Chancellor said: “We’re not looking for the edge in that space – we’re looking for the edge through hard work on the field.”
USA’s Kristin Bitter agrees: “There’s nothing better than achieving a goal fair and square.”
And the first quarter-finalists are…
Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium becomes the latest venue to host Rugby World Cup 2025 matches with two mouth-watering last-eight clashes next weekend.
First on Saturday, 13 September, Pool B winners Canada will take on Pool A runners-up Australia, who defended heroically in their defeat to England. “We know what to expect from Canada,” said Australia head coach Jo Yapp.
Then, on Sunday 14 September, the hosts will play northern neighbours Scotland, whose captain Rachel Malcolm said she “could not be more determined” to make it to the semi-finals. Game on.
Farewell but not goodbye
Dead rubber? Wales and Fiji proved there’s no such thing as they bowed out of RWC 2025 with one of the matches of the tournament so far.
“This is an awesome platform the team to build upon, and who knows, the next four years they could do something really special,” Fiji head coach Ioan Cunningham said after their 28-25 victory. Wales head coach Sean Lynn, meanwhile, said his team would be “moving forward. I can promise you that.”
Also leaving the competition with their heads held high are USA, whose 60-0 victory against Samoa wasn’t enough to to put the women’s Eagles through ahead of Australia.
“At the end of the day we’ve put our whole hearts on the line and that’s all I can ask for,” captain USA captain, Kate Zackary.
After the match in York, the two teams exchanged an American football and tao (traditional wooden Polynesian speer) as well as the now-customary dance moves.
Rugby royalty… and the Prince of Wales
He may be heir apparent to the British throne and Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, but William, Prince of Wales was overshadowed by the man sitting next to him in Exeter on Saturday.
And Waisele Serevi, the king of Fijian rugby, had more to celebrate as Fijiani, including his daughter Asinate – who announced her retirement after the game – prevailed 28-25 in the final match in Pool B.
Bowing up for Georgia
Also feeling the love at Sandy Park was Georgia Evans, who recently faced online abuse for wearing a pink box in her hair.
To prove there is, in World Rugby’s words, “no place in rugby or society for abuse, hate speech or discrimination”, the stands were awash with pink bows in support of the Wales star.
From the front line to the front row
The emergency services were out in force on Saturday – but performing heroics is nothing new to Olivia DeMerchant (CAN), Utumalama Atonio (SAM) and Carys Cox (WAL).
Canada prop DeMerchant, who scored a try in her team’s victory over Scotland, is a professional firefighter when she’s not scrumming down for her country.
Wales centre Cox, who took just two minutes to touch down for Wales against Fiji, only recently took a break from her job as a nurse for the NHS (National Health Service) to concentrate on rugby full-time.
A police officer by trade, Samoa flanker Atonio was taking no prisoners on the rugby field, carrying 22 times in the defeat to the USA.