RWC 2025 Daily - Thursday, 28 August

1. Cross code challenge

Australian cricketer Phoebe Litchfield went on social media to challenge her compatriots in the Rugby World Cup squad to go 'around the world' with a cricket bat and ball.

That means bouncing the ball on the front and back of the bat, as well as each edge, the bottom and the top of the handle - all in one go without allowing the ball to hit the floor.

How do you think the Wallaroos got on? Watch the video below!

2. 'Before warm-up I brush my teeth'

Silvia Turani spoke to the media on Wednesday, where she waxed lyrical about her gameday superstitions and routines - some of which are fairly niche!

"I have many rituals," she said.

"The whole day my main source of carbs will be rice. I will eat rice cakes, rice, it's all about rice. Then before the game I have to go outside wearing something which is not Italian kit. I have to go for coffee or have my hair done, whatever it is, but dressing up.

"I have to wear mascara, always the same underwear and once in the changing room I need to spray perfume in specific places, my wrists, my neck and the back of my head. Before warm-up I brush my teeth and then when we come inside again, I have to brush my teeth again and put perfume on again."

She'll be going through all that in York this weekend where Italy face South Africa on Sunday, 31 August. You can buy tickets to the game here.

3. 'Moments to make us feel cherished

Those who were in York over this past weekend would have seen Spain put in a spirited display in their loss to New Zealand.

The Spanish players were well supported by their own fans as well as the neutrals, which caused prop Laura Delgado so much happiness it even caused a little pain.

"I was smiling so hard on Sunday that I felt my cheekbones hurting," she wrote in her RugbyPass column which you can read here.

"But how could I not smile when there were thousands of people supporting Spain in our opening game? And that was the culmination of eight brilliant days, so let me tell you what other moments happened that made us feel cherished."

4. 'There's rugby and there's us'

Australia's Lori Cramer could play against her partner, Charli Jacoby when the Wallaroos take on USA in York this Saturday.

It wouldn't be the first time they have played on opposition teams, so Cramer is taking it in her stride.

"We've played against each other so many times so we totally keep it separate," Cramer said.

"There's rugby and then there's us and they're two totally different things.

"Obviously you want to ask what's the game plan? But I think we're a bit more professional than that so it hasn't been a problem in the past."

You can read the whole story here.

5. Black Ferns legend on latest official podcast

New Zealand legend Kendra Cocksedge appears in the latest episode of the Rugby World Cup 2025 official podcast, where she discusses her decision to play on until the delayed Rugby World Cup 2021, and reveals what really shredded her nerves recently.

She also spoke about the biggest threats to the Red Roses' hopes of winning a home Rugby World Cup.

You can watch the full episode here:

6. 'Happy tears' after mum's surprise visit

There was a lovely moment after Samoa's game against Australia where Fa'asua Makisi realised her mother had flown over to surprise her.

The Samoan addressed the media on Wednesday where she revealed the lengths her mother went to in order to be on the sidelines for such a big moment in her career and life.

"I thought I had no family here for the game and I mentally prepared for that but I didn’t actually see her until the end of the game," Makisi said.

"She had flown in at 8am from New Zealand and probably had zero sleep and came straight to the stadium. When I saw her at the end of the game - one of my friends made up some lie to get me to go over to the stand and when I saw her, she was holding up a flag behind her and I screamed. It was a natural response.

"I couldn’t believe she was here in England and I fully had an emotional breakdown in front of the crowd.

"My mum has been my rock and she’s been one of the main reasons I’ve been able to come here and to see her here was really overwhelming, but happy tears for sure!"

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