Tomasi Cama named IRB Sevens Player of the Year

Posted on May 14, 2012 in NZ, Sevens

On the same night that New Zealand were crowned HSBC Sevens World Series champions for 2011/12, their playmaker Tomasi Cama has been named IRB Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC.

Fijian-born Cama was up for the award for the second year running, having lost out to South Africa’s Cecil Afrika last season.

Once again he has been a key factor behind New Zealand’s excellence and the creative spark behind their 10th World Series success.

"It feels awesome. It’s just a reward for all the hard work from the boys. Without them it would have been impossible to receive this award. I want to thank them as well," Cama said.

"I concentrate on my game and I control what I can control, but to get this is an awesome feeling. Once you have been there for a while you know and understand what’s going on and that’s where the experience comes in.

"For me I just like going out there and enjoying the game, enjoy myself and do what I do best."

Cama fought off stiff competition from compatriot Frank Halai and England’s Mat Turner to win the coveted individual accolade.

As well as finishing the season with 34 tries, Cama’s impeccable drop-kicking helped him to 390 points for the season, the leading mark.

He also ends the season second in the all time point-scoring charts with 1,627, behind only England’s Ben Gollings.

Cama becomes the fourth New Zealand player to win the prize, following Orene Ai’i, Afeleke Pelenise and his captain DJ Forbes.

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James Haskell Suspended for Three Weeks

Posted on May 1, 2012 in SANZAR

James Haskell was cited for punching in the Highlanders v Cheetahs match on 28 April 2012 in Bloemfontein. He was given a yellow card on the field, and the incident was referred to the citing commissioner (white card).

Mike Heron the Duty JO said: “After reviewing the relevant material (including the match footage, footage on the SANZAR intranet, citing report, match officials report and a medical report), I followed the Duty JO process via telephone calls with the player, his lawyer and other Highlanders personnel. At the end of that process, I gave an indication of penalty of 3 weeks’ suspension. After having time to consider that, the player accepted that suspension. Accordingly, James Haskell is suspended from all forms of the game for the 3 weeks to and including Saturday 19 May 2012 (that includes three scheduled Super Rugby matches). My reasons are as follows: The citing alleged that James Haskell punched the Cheetahs number 7 (Justin Downey) twice, the first with his right hand to Downey’s head (after being held and retaliating) and the second with a left jab in the face. The citing alleged that the second resulted in Downey going down on his haunches holding his face. The footage confirmed that, and Haskell accepted that he had punched the Cheetahs player twice. The citing report also stated that Downey received stitches for a gash on his eyebrow. That was confirmed by the medical report. “

The SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Mike Heron has accepted a guilty plea from James Haskell of the Highlanders for contravening Law 10.4 (a) Punching or Striking after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend. Haskell struck Cheetahs player Justin Downey twice as he left a scrum that was being completed, with a scuffle breaking out between several players following the incident.

Haskell has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks to and including Saturday 19 May 2012.

The incident occurred in the 33rd minute of the match between the Cheetahs and Highlanders at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on the 28th April.

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Otago update: “agreement gives local creditors best chance of some payment”

Posted on Mar 20, 2012 in NZ, SANZAR

With the confirmation of the recovery package for the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU), efforts are now focused on implementing the various parts of the agreement which aims to put the union on a sustainable long term footing.

ORFU Change Manager Jeremy Curragh today said a priority was finalising the amount of money available to pay creditors.

“All parties last week made it absolutely clear that the many local small and medium sized businesses that have supported the union in recent years must be looked after in some way.”

Last Wednesday the New Zealand Rugby Union, Dunedin City Council, Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association and the Bank of New Zealand signed a Heads of Agreement to safeguard the future of the union.

”This agreement certainly gives local creditors the best chance of receiving some payment,” said Curragh. 

180 creditors are owed $690,000.

“Right now we are in the middle of a complex process of verifying the exact amount of money owed to these creditors. Coupled with that, we are also confirming the pool of money available to pay them. That is made up from a number of sources including contributions by individuals and businesses.

“This process should take another two weeks or three weeks and by that stage we will be able to work out what we can pay each creditor. We will then be in touch with each of them to work out an agreement. We expect all creditors to at least receive a part payment.

“In addition, a number of independent initiatives are underway to top up the pool of funds available to pay creditors so that should help as well.”

TV3’s Campbell Live will tonight broadcast live from Dunedin’s Octagon with a special funding raising sausage sizzle for local creditors coupled with a telephone txt campaign.

Jeremy Curragh said work in coming weeks will also focus on:

• Reviewing the union’s operating structure to ensure resources are used where they are needed most;
• Finalising contracts to execute the various parts of the Heads of Agreement including the venue hire and commercial agreement with Dunedin Venues Management Ltd;
• Adopting a new constitution and putting in place a candidate selection process to allow fresh board elections to be held.

“We have made good progress, but much work still needs to be done. The important thing is that we now have certainty and the union will be able to ensure rugby at all levels across the region continues as usual.”

NZ Rugby mourns the passing of Jock Hobbs

Posted on Mar 13, 2012 in NZ, SANZAR

Mike Eagle, New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Chairman has issued a statement:

“It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of an incredible New Zealander. 

“Our hearts and love go out to Jock’s wife Nicky, his children Emily, Michael, Penny and Isabelle, as well as his wider family.

“New Zealand has lost an inspirational leader with an incredible passion for the game of rugby and the part it plays in our lives.

“I know many New Zealanders will join us in expressing their sorrow at his passing.”

NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew added:

“Rugby has lost a great friend.  We will all miss his integrity, dogged determination and incredible sense of justice.”

The NZRU also issued a statement from Jock’s family:

“Our family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support we have received over the last week and in particular, express our gratitude to all the staff at Wellington Hospital that were involved in Jock’s care.”

The IRB has also issued a statement:

“The International Rugby Board is extremely saddened to learn that Jock Hobbs has passed away aged 52.

A great ambassador for the Game as a player and administrator, Hobbs played 21 times for his country – four as captain – between 1983 and 1986, scoring four tries. He later became Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union and, in that role, he played a major role in securing the hosting rights for last year’s Rugby World Cup.

He served on the IRB Council as a New Zealand Rugby Union representative from 2002-2007. During his time on Council he was a member of the IRB Executive Committee and Chairman of the IRB Regulations Committee.

In all, he was Chairman of the NZRU from 2002 to 2010, as well as being Chairman of Rugby New Zealand 2011. He stood down from both roles in May 2010 due to illness.

Hobbs was present at the Rugby World Cup Final in Eden Park to witness Richie McCaw lifting the Webb Ellis Cup and, the following day, he won the prestigious Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service at the 2012 IRB Awards ceremony in Auckland.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Jock’s contribution to New Zealand Rugby as a player and Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union and to world Rugby as an IRB Council Member has been exceptional.”

“Among numerous highlights, he provided the vision, passion and leadership that secured New Zealand the right to host RWC 2011 and as Chairman of RNZ 2011 those qualities laid the foundations for a hugely successful tournament of which New Zealanders and the global Rugby family can be proud.”

“On behalf of the IRB and the global Rugby family, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to Jock’s wife Nicky, his family and friends at this sad time.”

Michael James "Jock" Bowie Hobbs, CNZM (15 February 1960 – 13 March 2012) was a New Zealand rugby union player who was an All Blacks flanker who played in 21 tests between 1983 and 1986, with four tests as captain. In recent years he has been prominent in rugby administration. Between 2002 and 2010 he was chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union before standing down due to illness.

Jock Hobbs was born in Christchurch. He played in the first XV at Christ’s College in Christchurch, and was a regular first choice for Canterbury during from the 1981 season onwards, playing in the failed Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato. His test debut came in 1983 against the British and Irish Lions, where he was successor to Graham Mourie. Others that were possible replacements were Bruce Middleton, and Auckland captain at the time, Alwyn Harvey, but Hobbs played so well against the Lions that he was an automatic selection as All Blacks number seven for the next few seasons.

Hobbs was All Black captain on the short tour of Fiji late in 1984 when Andy Dalton was unavailable, and in the tour of Argentina in 1985 when Dalton was again unavailable. He took part in the 1986 Cavaliers tour to South Africa, before retiring in 1987 after a succession of concussions.

In 2005 Hobbs led New Zealand’s successful bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup and in the same year was named the Herald’s New Zealander of the year. Jock is the longest serving Chairman in NZRU history and his service to the game was recognized at the 2011 IRB and Steinlager Rugby awards where he received the Vernon Pugh award for Distinguished service and the Steinlager Salver award respectively.

Pacific Rugby Cup comes to New Zealand

Posted on Mar 9, 2012 in NZ

The best of New Zealand’s emerging rugby talent goes on show against the best of Pacific-based talent as the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup competition enters its second leg in New Zealand today.

The first series was held in Australia last week and the final series of the competition will see the Island nations compete in the Pacific Series later this year to compete for overall championship status. 

The Pacific Rugby Cup is a key feature of the IRB’s strategy to develop Pacific rugby with a $1 million investment in the delivery of the competition.

Tonga A, Fiji Warriors and Samoa A pit themselves against New Zealand’s Super Rugby development squads with the first match today seeing the Crusader Knights host Fiji at Rugby Park in Christchurch.

The Series finishes with the Hurricanes development team playing Samoa A at Porirua Park, in 10 days’ time.

Rugby fans of either the Island nations or the Super Rugby emerging talent will get to watch these matches at smaller venues including Bayer Growers’ Stadium in Pukekohe, Logan Park in Dunedin, Rugby Park in both Te Kuiti and Christchurch, Porirua Park in Wellington and Pakuranga Rugby Club in Auckland.

 

Otago liquidation delayed further

Posted on Mar 9, 2012 in NZ

The Board of the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) has decided to delay until Friday March 16 the filing of an application to liquidate the union to allow more time for discussions on a possible recovery package.

This follows a one week delay agreed by the Board last week.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), Dunedin City Council, Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association and the Bank of New Zealand have spent the past week working through the details of the recovery package.

NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew said discussions this week had been fruitful.

“We are certainly more hopeful than two weeks ago so that is good progress. 

“As we said last week the options we are looking at are very complicated, there are many moving parts and all have to come together to ensure we have a viable plan. The extra week will give all parties the time they need to make final decisions.

“While it is not appropriate to discuss the shape of any plan, what we have said all along is that any deal must be very clear on a number of counts. It must put the union on a sustainable long term financial footing and must put in place appropriate governance arrangements to ensure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.”