Rugby
All Blacks make 5 changes, Ireland make 9 for Nations Championship test in Auckland Fiji scrumhalf Kuruvoli banned 4 weeks for physical abuse Italy's Cannone suspended for 4 weeks for head-butting Erasmus defends risky Springboks shakeup after a tense win over Scotland England rebounds from South Africa loss by crushing 14-man Fiji 73-8
Springboks withstand Scotland 42-28 in Nations Championship thriller
Ireland grinds out a 36-20 win over Japan in Nations Championship
New Zealand beats Italy 47-17 in the Nations Championship
France storm back with 30 straight points to beat Australia 42-26
Ireland makes 9 changes for Nations Championship match against Japan
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) – Ireland coach Andy Farrell has made nine changes to his starting side to face Japan in a Nations Championship match on Saturday, with Tadhg Beirne set to captain the team for the first time.