Joe re-signs for Auckland

Posted on Sep 17, 2010 in NZ, SANZAR

The European club rugby superpowers will be disappointed to hear the All Blacks most–capped Test winger, Josevata Rokocoko, has extended his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union, signing through until the end of 2011.

The 27–year–old, 66–Test speedster has also re–signed with Auckland Rugby and will again star for the Blues in next year’s Investec Super Rugby competition.

“I am really enjoying my rugby here at home and keen to continue playing throughout the rest of the year and into 2011,” Rokocoko said.  “It’s obviously going to be a massive year for New Zealand rugby next year and I want to be part of it.”

Rokocoko, who started in six Tests this year, made his All Blacks debut as a 19–year–old in 2003 and became the most capped All Blacks wing earlier this year when he ran out for his 64th Test against Australia in Melbourne in August.  He also scored his 46th Test try in the All Blacks’ 49 – 28 victory that night becoming second–equal on the All Blacks Test try–scoring list.  Rokocoko also made his debut for the Blues in 2003 and has earned 78 caps and scored 37 tries so far in his Super Rugby career.  The flying winger first played for Auckland a year later and now has 180 first-class caps (Test, Super Rugby and provincial) to his name.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said: “Joe is the ultimate professional, a favourite with the fans and in his eighth year of professional rugby continues to be an outstanding rugby player.  We are delighted that he has extended his contract through until next year.”

Auckland Rugby and Blues CEO Andy Dalton said: “Joe is one of rugby’s finest ambassadors.  The way he conducts himself on and off the field is exemplary and he is deservedly one of the most popular players in the Blues and the Auckland Rugby Union. We are extremely proud to have him in our squads and are delighted he will be with us in 2011.”

All Blacks released for ITM Cup matches prior to end of year tour

Posted on Sep 15, 2010 in NZ, SANZAR

The bulk of the All Blacks squad have been made available to play ITM Cup matches over the coming weeks, before the All Blacks end of year tour to Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The All Blacks returned to New Zealand on Sunday following their 23–22 victory over Australia in the final match of the Investec Tri Nations, with players spending the next few weeks at home before the 30–strong All Blacks squad for the end of year tour is announced on Sunday 17 October.

The All Blacks will play Tests on consecutive weekends against Australia (Saturday 30 October), England (Saturday 6 November), Scotland (Saturday 13 November), Ireland (Saturday 20 November) and Wales (Saturday 27 November).

Seventeen players from the All Blacks squad will be available to play ITM Cup, if required by their provincial coaches, at various stages over the next few rounds.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “Many of the players, especially those in the All Blacks starting XV, have had a big year with Rebel Sport Super 14 rugby and the Test season, while others haven’t played as much rugby. So we are taking a sensible approach in managing their workload as we prepare for the end of year tour as well as the new Investec Super Rugby competition in 2011.”

The upcoming ITM Cup rounds and matches (with players available for selection if required in brackets) are as follows:

Week 8

• Waikato (Liam Messam) v Southland, Hamilton, Thurs 16 Sept.
• Manawatu v Auckland (Benson Stanley), Palmerston North, Fri 17 Sept.
• Taranaki v Canterbury (Colin Slade), New Plymouth, Sat 18 Sept.
• Tasman v North Harbour (Anthony Boric), Nelson, Sat 18 Sept.
• Otago v Northland (Rene Ranger), Dunedin, Sun 19 Sept.

Week 9

• Southland v Auckland (John Afoa, Benson Stanley), Invercargill, Thurs 23 Sept.
• Canterbury (Corey Flynn, Colin Slade) v Wellington, Christchurch, Sat 25 Sept.
• Waikato (Liam Messam) v Tasman, Hamilton, Sat 25 Sept.
• North Harbour (Anthony Boric) v Manawatu, North Shore City, Sun 26 Sept.
• Counties Manukau v Northland (Rene Ranger), Pukekohe, Sun 26 Sept.

Week 10

• Auckland (John Afoa, Benson Stanley) v Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, Fri 1 Oct.
• Northland (Rene Ranger) v Waikato (Liam Messam), Whangarei, Sat 2 Oct.
• Otago v Canterbury (Corey Flynn, Colin Slade), Dunedin, Sat 2 Oct.
• Manawatu (Aaron Cruden) v Tasman, Palmerston North, Sun 3 Oct.
• Counties Manukau v North Harbour (Anthony Boric), Pukekohe, Sun 3 Oct.

Week 11

• Hawke’s Bay (Israel Dagg) v Northland (Rene Ranger), Napier, Thurs 7 Oct.
• Waikato (Liam Messam) v Otago, Hamilton, Fri 8 Oct.
• Taranaki v Manawatu (Aaron Cruden), New Plymouth, Sat 9 Oct.
• Counties Manukau v Auckland (John Afoa, Joe Rokocoko, Benson Stanley), Pukekohe, Sat 9 Oct.
• Southland v Canterbury (Corey Flynn, Colin Slade), Invercargill, Sat 9 Oct.
• North Harbour (Anthony Boric) v Wellington (Victor Vito), North Shore City, Sun 10 Oct.

Week 12

• Manawatu (Aaron Cruden) v Waikato (Liam Messam), Palmerston North, Thurs 14 Oct.
• Tasman (Ben Franks) v Northland (Rene Ranger), Nelson, Fri 15 Oct.
• Bay of Plenty v Southland (Jimmy Cowan), Mt Maunganui, Sat 16 Oct.
• Canterbury (Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Colin Slade, Brad Thorn) v Counties Manukau, Christchurch, Sat 16 Oct.
• Wellington (Victor Vito) v Taranaki, Wellington, Sat 16 Oct.
• Auckland (John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Joe Rokocoko, Benson Stanley) v Otago (Tom Donnelly), Auckland, Sun 17 Oct.
• Hawke’s Bay (Israel Dagg) v North Harbour (Anthony Boric, Tony Woodcock), Napier, Sun 17 Oct.

Meanwhile, All Blacks and Waikato midfielder Richard Kahui will undergo an arthroscopy on his injured right shoulder today.

Kahui re–injured his shoulder in his return to rugby ten days ago playing for Waikato against North Harbour. He had been out of rugby since suffering a small fracture of his right shoulder socket in the All Blacks’ opening Investec Tri Nations Test against the Springboks at Auckland on July 10.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said the arthroscopic procedure would examine how much damage there was to the interior of the joint and, if required, Kahui would have surgery.  Alternatively, if surgery is not required, he will continue his rest and rehabilitation.

Additionally, Dr Robinson said hooker Keven Mealamu and first five–eighth Aaron Cruden are recovering from their respective injuries suffered in the weekend’s Test win over Australia.

Mealamu suffered a slight calf tear in his right leg and will be out of rugby for several weeks while Cruden sprained his left ankle early in the Test.

Leeds sign hooker Titterell

Posted on Dec 1, 2009 in Rugby News

Leeds Carnegie have received a boost with the signing of former England hooker Andy Titterrell on a three month loan ahead of next Friday’s clash with Harlequins at Headingley Carnegie.

Titterrell, 28, has been without a club since leaving Gloucester during the summer but has joined up with Leeds Carnegie.

Originally from Dartford, Titterrell first rose to prominence during his seven years at Sale Sharks. He made his debut for the Sharks in 2001 and in 2004 gained his first cap for England against the All Blacks in Auckland. In total, he has five caps for England and was also selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions in 2005. The highlight of his time at Sale was in helping the Sharks to win the Guinness Premiership for the first time in their history in 2006.

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Namibia claim Africa 1 qualification for RWC 2011

Posted on Nov 30, 2009 in Rugby News

Namibia has won the battle for the Africa 1 qualification spot for Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) after defeating Tunisia over a two-match series with an aggregate score of 40-23.

The sides met two weeks ago in Tunis, where Namibia claimed a narrow victory, defeating the home side 18-13. The second leg of their challenge took place yesterday on Namibian homesoil in Windhoek where they defeated the visitors 22-10.

Namibia’s qualification now completes Pool D which includes Fiji, Samoa, South Africa and Wales.

“Our warmest congratulations go to Namibia on their qualification for RWC 2011. The completed line up for Pool D is very strong and will provide some exciting matches in 2011. In particular, I am looking forward to Namibia’s match against their African neighbours, South Africa,” said Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) CEO Martin Snedden.

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NZ announce sevens squad for IRB World Series

Posted on Nov 26, 2009 in Rugby News

New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens has named the squad for the opening two rounds of the 2009/2010 IRB World Sevens Series, which kicks off in Dubai on December 4-5. The second round takes place in George, South Africa on December 11-12.

The 12-man squad includes two Sevens debutants. They are Bay of Plenty’s Toby Arnold and Wellington’s Buxton Popoalii. The team will again be captained by Counties Manukau’s DJ Forbes.

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