Rugby must return to the painful days of jolly ruckers
04 Feb 2010
Original Article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk Sunday 10 January 2010
WELCOME to what you may feel is a vision of hell. Dare rugby lift the ban on contact between studded boots and prone bodies? It was once called old-fashioned rucking, before nanny-state attitudes banished it. Admittedly, there was sometimes a thin line between rucking and deliberate trampling. It hardly seems a palatable prospect, does it?
Except that the real question is this. Can rugby afford not to bring back boots on bodies? The pain might be the only way to save the game.
Some readers may be unable to believe that the ruck was once the most dynamic part of the game, the most urgent, the fount of all quick ball. Brendan Venter’s courageous outburst on the state of rugby and refereeing last weekend had several targets but at the heart of his argument was the death of the ruck and the rude health of static, crabbing, infringing play. And here is an incredible thing. At ruck-time after the tackle, players are supposed to get back to their feet immediately or else roll well away. So why, in the Saracens v Leicester game last Saturday and in every game you see nowadays, are there at least six beached whales lying around the contact area? Unpenalised.
The classic ruck was a surge over the ball and over the prone players, leaving the ball lying there, begging to be used. But referees have been told to penalise unmercifully any rucker whose boots make contact with the prone players. If there are six prone players, there is nowhere safe for the ruckers to put their feet, so they have to stand lamely and emasculated, and find other illegal ways to win the ball. A further disaster has been the dispensation this season that allows the first defender at a ruck to keep his hands on the ball — creating an even bigger pile-up. As Venter says, the death of the ruck has seen the birth of blatant cheating.
To read the complete media release, kindly click on the link below:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/stephen_jones/
article6982305.ece
Smith dropped and new back three for Wallabies
29 Oct 2009
Former stand-in skipper George Smith has been dropped and there are three other personnel changes and one positional alteration in the Wallabies starting side for Saturday's historic Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Japan.
Wingers Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes, centre Ryan Cross and No.8 Wycliff Palu are the new faces from the run on combination which lost the closing Tri-Nations match in New Zealand last month.
Adam Ashley-Cooper has reverted from centre to fullback in the place of James O'Connor.
Matt Giteau has retained his No.10 amid recent speculation that Berrick Barnes could move in from inside centre, although the two playmakers will likely rotate roles during the game.
Meanwhile, Rob Horne has returned to Australia because of a hamstring injury. He has been replaced in the touring squad by Tyrone Smith.
O'Connor is listed among the run on reserves, alongside Smith. Matt Dunning also makes his return from injury among the substitutes. He and Ioane, who have both been sidelined by injury this year, have not featured for Australia since last year's Spring Tour of Europe.
Ashley-Cooper has started 13 Tests for Australia in the number 15 jersey over the past two seasons; the most recent of which was against South Africa at Cape Town in the second match of the Tri-Nations. His last four Test appearances have all come in the midfield, three at outside centre, and one at inside centre.
"Returning Adam to fullback helps with the balance of the side," Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said. "It is not a slight on the performance of James O'Connor at all. He's already had a big year, which it must be remembered has been his first at this level. We're wary of over exposing James and will be looking to manage his involvements through this tour."
Ashley-Cooper's relocation, plus the absence of former captain Stirling Mortlock due to a torn calf, has opened the way for Cross to return at centre, where he played during the Test win over the All Blacks in Sydney last year.
Saturday will be his 16th Test, and his third start of the year, after Cross previously featured in the run on XV against Italy at Melbourne and South Africa at Perth. "Ryan has worked hard on the training paddock to gain this opportunity," Deans said.
Likewise Hynes and Palu gain their third starts of the campaign, with Hynes having featured in the run on XV against Italy (Melbourne) and South Africa (Perth) while Palu started in the first two Tri-Nations matches in Auckland and Cape Town.
The addition of Cross and Palu provide the Wallabies with added size in the midfield and amongst the loose trio, where Palu has swapped duties with Smith from the Wellington Test.
He will combine with openside David Pocock and the new Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom, who becomes Australia's 76th Test captain.
While the match will be a big occasion personally for Australia's new skipper, he said it is a massive event for the entire touring party.
"None of us were happy with our most recent performance," Elsom said. "This is the first Bledisloe Cup Test to have been played in Japan and our final opportunity against the All Blacks for the year, so it's vital for us to produce a complete performance."
Elsom added it was important for the confidence of his touring group that it maximised its opportunities this weekend. "That's not something we have done of late, and we know more than anyone that it is critical," Elsom said.
Deans echoed his skipper's sentiments, saying there was still plenty for the Wallabies to play for even though the Bledisloe Cup could no longer be won by Australia this year.
"The significance of the occasion - with it being the first Bledisloe Cup game to be played in front of a Japanese audience - demands a spectacle, and I'm sure that you will see that," Deans said.
"These are two proud nations, and the players are proud to be putting on their national jumpers. I'm sure that will reflect in their performance."
Australia:
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies) Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds) Ryan Cross (Western Force) Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds) Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds) Matt Giteau (Western Force) Will Genia (Queensland Reds) Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs) David Pocock (Western Force) Rocky Elsom (Brumbies, captain) Mark Chisholm (Brumbies) James Horwill (Queensland Reds) Ben Alexander (Brumbies) Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs) Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Replacements:
Stephen Moore (Brumbies) Matt Dunning (Western Force) Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs) George Smith (Brumbies) Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs) Drew Mitchell (Western Force) James O'Connor (Western Force)
Original Article:
http://www.scrum.com/newzealand/rugby/story/104580.html
So'oialo returns for All Blacks
29 Oct 2009
Veteran All Black No.8 Rodney So'oialo has been restored to their starting XV for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Tokyo. So'oialo will start only his fourth Test of the season after some mixed form and replaces young Canterbury back-row Kieran Read.
So'oialo joins skipper Richie McCaw and in-form Otago flanker Adam Thomson in the back-row, with no place in the 22 for Jerome Kaino. Read's exclusion is based in part on the fact that injury has ruled him out of Canterbury's recent run to the Air New Zealand Cup semi-finals. Tom Donnelly will win his second cap in the second-row, alongside Brad Thorn, as Jason Eaton provides lock and back-row cover on the bench.
Neemia Tialata keeps out Owen Franks in the front-row and starts alongside Andrew Hore and Tony Woodcock. Canterbury hooker Corey Flynn returns on the bench for the first time since breaking his arm in the All Blacks' midweek game against Munster last November.
Two further changes take place in the backs, where Sitiveni Sivivatu comes in for the axed Joe Rokocoko and Conrad Smith returns to partner Ma'a Nonu in the centre.
Coach Graham Henry has no reservations about including So'oialo, who he believes will go all out to prove that he can still cut it at elite level.
"He's played well for Wellington between the Tri-Nations and this tour, but really there's a big step between Air New Zealand Cup and international standard," Henry said. "He's led from the front for the All Blacks for a long time. He brings a unique physicality at the tackle and the breakdown.
"He plays fully for 80 minutes so his work ethic is huge. He hasn't played a lot of Test match rugby in recent times, starting games, so I'm sure he'll be on edge and show that he's the man."
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitivenu Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Tamati Ellison
Original article: www.scrum.com/newzealand/rugby/story/104602.html
USA Sevens confirms move to Las Vegas
16 Oct 2009
The USA Sevens, the fourth event on the IRB Sevens World Series, has confirmed that it is moving to Las Vegas in a multi-year commitment, beginning with its next tournament on 13-14 February 2010.
Over the past five years, the USA leg of the World Series has been held in Los Angeles and San Diego, but organisers have now opted to take it to Las Vegas. "Vegas is about attracting people with their fun, their parties, their concerts and events and they saw rugby as a group of people globally who tour, a band of camaraderie, brotherhood and sisterhood, a group of people that comes together in celebration," said USA Sevens Tournament Director, Dan Lyle. "We had a great time in San Diego, we had a great location and a great facility but I would say that we've had a five-fold increase in interest both domestically and internationally as we've moved to Vegas," he added.
For the International Rugby Board, the support of one of the world's foremost event capitals is another glowing endorsement for Sevens, just days after it was voted by an overwhelming 81 to 8 IOC majority onto the sporting programme for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
"Sevens and Las Vegas are a perfect fit - Sevens is great sport but also a great party and Vegas is obviously a great party town, so I see the two complimenting each other perfectly," said Mike Miller, Chief Executive of Rugby's world governing body, the International Rugby Board. "This just shows that Rugby Sevens is continuing to grow in the USA, and that the major resort cities like Las Vegas now understand the worth of Sevens Rugby," he added.
Miller was a leading voice in Rugby's Olympic lobbying, and in the bid team at the IOC Session in Copenhagen. "It was a great day last Friday, it's brilliant for the game of Rugby that Sevens will be in the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 and 2020," Miller said.
"It gives rugby legitimacy in the USA. Everyone wants the opportunity to win an Olympic medal. Governments put their weight behind Olympic sports; individuals dream about winning a medal, there will be more money, more facilities, more coaching, awareness in general for rugby in the USA. Hopefully the game will continue its growth in the States and this will help accelerate it."
Text courtesy: IRB
Pools and match schedule set for South Africa Sevens
16 Oct 2009
The pools and match schedule have been announced for the second leg of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series, the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens, in George.
The news comes at a time of huge excitement for the sport, just three days after being voted into the sporting programme of the 2016 Olympic Games by an overwhelming majority of 81 to eight at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen.
The draw for the event, to be played at George's Outeniqua Park Stadium on 11-12 December 2009, features 16 national sides from across five continents, including the 12 'core' teams that play in all eight events.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE >>
Reigning IRB Sevens World Series champions South Africa will be defending their home title for the first time and face two other African sides - Kenya and Zimbabwe - in Pool A.
The Springbok squad lines up against France, as well last year's sixth-ranked Kenyans and the rapidly improving Zimbabweans, whom they recently overcame to win the inaugural Namibia Sevens in Windhoek.
Last year's Series runners-up, Fiji, start as second seed and top Pool B. The reigning Hong Kong and Edinburgh champions will play Australia, Portugal and Russia on day one.
Pools C and D are topped by New Zealand and Scotland respectively, after both enjoyed strong finishes to last season.
In Pool C, New Zealand face three tough matches against World Cup Sevens winners Wales as well as Samoa and the USA.
Scotland head Pool D and face matches against USA Sevens champions Argentina, Tunisia and Wellington and London champions, England.
"The Olympic decision has blessed us with the perfect start to the new season, and now all the teams will be keen to show the world just how great the game of Rugby Sevens is," said IRB Sevens Manager, Beth Coalter.
"The first two tournaments showcase perfectly the appeal of the Series, from the heat and desert of Dubai, we head straight down to South Africa's stunning Garden Route. In rugby terms, it's a unique product.
"It is challenging for the players but also hugely rewarding for them, the coaches and administrators, and with Sevens offering literally every competing nation a genuine chance of success, there is so much there for all the fans, both at the grounds and tuning in around the world."
Asian rivals to lock horns
09 Oct 2009
By Alison Donnelly.
 |
Hong Kong will play Singapore this weekend as part of the final build-up towards the Asian World Cup Qualifiers in November. The Asian rivals will be looking to fine tune their games just weeks out from the qualifiers which will determine who gets the last spot at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2010.
Singapore (pictured in action right) will come into the game on the back of a test match last weekend against Malaysia which they won comfortably and they’ll be hoping for a stern test against Hong Kong before they face Japan in the qualifiers.
Hong Kong meanwhile are to play Kazakhstan in their qualifying game in a match that they can expect to be tough and physical. Against Singapore they will field some young new talent though they are expecting the game to be very tight. The two sides last met at 15 aside level last December when Hong Kong won a tough match 5-0.
“If last December is anything to go by when we played Singapore on their own turf, then I would say we are going to have a very close physical game and it will be a great challenge for us. We have a lot of new young exciting players who will be playing for the first time in our national squad,” said Ruth Mitchell, a development manager at the Hong Kong Rugby Union who also works with the national women’s squads.
Mitchell says that there has been plenty of hard work in the buildup to the game with the national squad training twice a week and having maintained fitness programmes over the summer.
“This year we have had a very busy calendar overall. After the World Cup Qualifiers, in December our 7s squad will be playing in the East Asian Games which is being held in Hong Kong so we are planning for this also,” Mitchell added.
Despite women’s rugby being a developing sport in Hong Kong there is plenty of action to go around for the country’s top players. Every year there are the Asian Championships for both 7s and 15s teams and the Hong Kong 7s team plays annually in the well regarded Hong Kong International 7s Tournament every March.
The domestic game there is growing as well. “ We’ve now got a great structure starting from mini through to Colts, U20, a development 10s league, and a senior women's 15s division,” Mitchell said, “so we have covered all age groups, with good pathways for any potential players to make our national squads.”
Support from the Hong Kong Rugby Union, she adds, has been a major help. “I can look back over the last 17 years when women's rugby first started in Hong Kong. We where given 100% support in everything we did then and we still get that help today. We want to do well at the qualifiers and we would like to win a medal at the East Asian Games.”
Original article: http://www.scrumqueens.com/news/93-asian-rivals-to-lock-horns.html
Rugby reaches out for the Olympic Games
08 Oct 2009
The President of the International Rugby Board (IRB), Bernard Lapasset, is leading the team presenting Rugby Sevens’ case for inclusion in the Olympic Games at the 121st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Copenhagen this week.
Rugby Sevens was recommended for inclusion by the IOC Executive Board in Berlin on 13 August 2009. The team in Copenhagen will present this Friday 9 October to IOC Members and guests ahead of a vote by the full IOC membership with a straight majority required for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“Our team is very excited to be presenting to the full IOC membership on Friday and has been rehearsing and preparing very thoroughly. We were honoured to be recommended by the IOC Executive Board and now we are looking forward to sharing our vision for Olympic Games inclusion with the broader membership. We firmly believe that Rugby would be good for the Games and the Games good for Rugby" said Lapasset.
“We offer the Olympic Games young, passionate fans that will travel to the Games and fill the stadiums to cheer on Rugby as well as the other Olympic sports. The IRB is also committed to working with every National Olympic Committee to develop their men’s and women’s Sevens teams and to promote the growth of the sport around the world. Rugby is reaching out.”
President Lapasset will be joined by IRB Secretary General Mike Miller, former Argentina captain Agustín Pichot, Cheryl Soon, captain of the Australia team that won the Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2009, Kenya Sevens captain Humphrey Kayange, Anastassiya Khamova, one of Kazakhstan’s top female players and also an international referee, and New Zealand Rugby legend Jonah Lomu.
“The Olympic Games is the pinnacle for every athlete around the world. Rugby Sevens is a global sport played by the sport’s most skilful athletes. Our top players want to be a part of the Olympic Family and experience playing on the world’s greatest sporting stage. They would be proud Olympians," said Lomu, who won Rugby Sevens gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Text courtesy: International Rugby Board
