Blues bid farewell to 9 players

Posted on Jun 16, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

As Bedford Blues prepare for the 2011/12 season, director of rugby Mike Rayer has taken time out from his pre-season schedule to thank those players who will not be at Goldington Road next term.

Blues fans are already aware that Myles Dorrian, Will Chudley and Duncan Taylor will all be plying their trade in the Premiership next season with Exeter Chiefs, Newcastle Falcons and Saracens respectively, but six other players will also be moving on.

Esher have already announced the capture of Number Eight Chris Goodman, while Dan Richmond, Robin Boot, Laurence Ovens, Joe Clark and Edd Thrower will all be moving on to pastures new.

Speaking about the departing players, Rayer said: “It is always a difficult period when the season draws to an end and you have to make some very tough decisions about taking the team forward.

“We’ve already passed on our congratulations to the lads moving into the Premiership, but it is important that we as a club give thanks to the players who will not be with us next year. Many of the players have played a very important role during their time with us, particularly Dan Richmond who was club captain up until last season, and everyone leaves with our very best wishes.

“Ultimately though, we must look to the future, continue all of the good work that went into last season and try to take the next step. There is a lot of impressive recruiting going on in this league and I am delighted with the new signings that we already have in place who will have a massive impact on the season ahead.”

Blues, Crusaders in tight race for Investec Super Rugby conference title

Posted on Jun 16, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Blues and Crusaders will be fighting it out to the final whistle this weekend as they battle to win New Zealand’s Investec Super Rugby Conference.

The Investec Super Rugby Conference trophy, unveiled today by SANZAR, will be presented to the top New Zealand team at the end of this weekend’s final round of regular competition.

The Reds have already been confirmed as the Australian Conference winners, whilst the New Zealand and South African Conference winners will be determined during this weekend’s last round.

The Blues play first on Friday night against eighth-placed Highlanders in Auckland, and the Crusaders play a ‘home’ game against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

The expansion of the Super Rugby tournament from 2011 will see the introduction of a ‘family’ of silverware including a brand new Super Rugby champions trophy, to be presented on 9 July, as well as the three Conference winners’ trophies.

The new Super Rugby champions’ trophy will be unveiled in the next few weeks.

“With the introduction of a Conference system it was pertinent that the respective winners be presented with a trophy for their achievements,” said SANZAR CEO Greg Peters.

“It also creates a further opportunity for the title sponsors in each country to leverage their association with the tournament.

“The new Finals format, with six teams involved, also means that a non-Conference winner could claim overall honours and the Super Rugby champions’ trophy.”

The trophies were designed by leading Sydney-based consultancy, Blue Sky, and manufactured by Box & Dice, a specialised prototype and production company, also based in Sydney.

The two companies have worked on a number of multi-award winning design projects, amongst them the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch.

Design agencies in each of the three SANZAR countries submitted proposals.

“The chosen trophy design reflects the core elements of Rugby – tradition, physical toughness, camaraderie, and skill,” said Peters.

The shape of the trophy is cantered around three curved legs, representing the three Conferences.

The Conference trophies contain panels inside the legs that correspond to the respective country; gold for Australia, black for New Zealand, and green for South Africa.

The legs of the trophy reach upward referencing the arms of players in a lineout, and the legs also create the shape of a rugby ball in the centre of the trophy. The top of each trophy has cup to allow for the tradition of a celebratory drink.

The trophies were made using the latest materials and manufacturing processes to create the refined detail and precise forms of the design.

Issued by SANZAR

*****

New Zealand teams in Investec Super Rugby Week 18:

Fri 17 June    Blues v Highlanders                       7.35pm           Eden Park, Auckland

Sat 18 June  Chiefs v Reds                       5.30pm           Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Sat 18 June  Crusaders v Hurricanes     7.35pm           Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Roko leaves for France

Posted on May 25, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

New Zealand rugby has today paid tribute to Auckland, Blues and All Blacks winger Josevata Rokocoko who has confirmed he is leaving to play rugby in France.

27-year-old Rokocoko has signed a two-year deal with French club Bayonne and will join them at the end of the year.

Rokocoko said: “This is the one of the biggest decisions I’ve had to make in my life. I first played for the Blues and then the All Blacks as a teenager eight years ago and along with Auckland, they have been my rugby family ever since. To move away from that and my life in New Zealand is such a major step but the time has come, and my wife and I are excited to be facing a new chapter in our lives with our young son.”

“I want to thank Auckland Rugby, the Blues and NZRU for all the opportunities and support they have given me and I am truly blessed to have had such an amazing rugby career in New Zealand,” he added.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen has paid tribute to Rokocoko.

“Joe has been an outstanding professional player for New Zealand both on and off the field and he has been hugely popular with the fans. He has already achieved incredible things in the black jersey and has given so much to New Zealand rugby. We wish him and his family all the best for next year when they head to France and look forward to having him back in New Zealand sometime in the future.”

Blues Coach Pat Lam added: “I believe Joe Rokocoko to be one of rugby’s finest men. It is not just his natural ability, but also his substance. Joe’s work ethic, his manner and respect for the jerseys he has worn, the people he works amongst and the fans who love the game, is admirable. We wish him all the best in France and thank him for the outstanding service he has given to Auckland Rugby and the Blues.”

First selected for the All Blacks in 2003, Rokocoko had a sensational debut season, scoring 17 tries in 12 Tests, a world record for a calendar year. He has now played 68 Tests and has scored 46 tries, three behind All Blacks record-holder Doug Howlett.  He has played 90 games for the Blues since 2003 and has scored 40 tries.

Scarlets team for crunch Cardiff game

Posted on May 5, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Scarlets entertain their derby rivals from the Capital on Friday night for an exciting finale to the Magners League before teams secure their places in the semi-final top four play-off zone.

The hosts’ last home fixture of the season at Parc Y Scarlets (Friday 6th May, kick off 7.05pm) is expected to attract a five-figure crowd as the nail-biting finish to the league concludes with the Scarlets, Blues and Ospreys all still able to secure a play-off place. This will be the first time all the final sixth round matches are played at the same time.

Having kicked off strongly in the league, the Scarlets spent 12 consecutive weeks in the play-off zone. The now 6th placed Scarlets are reliant on other fixtures going their way but will want to finish on a high after a strong performance away in Glasgow with five tries, a bonus point win and qualification for Europe as one of the top placed three Welsh regions.

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Shanks retires

Posted on Apr 21, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that Blues, Wales and Lions centre Tom Shanklin will retire due to a knee injury

Speaking at the Cardiff City Stadium, Tom said,

"My knee isn’t too bad, it’s ok to walk and cycle and to do everyday things, but with regards to playing rugby: accelerating, changing direction, weight lifting, it’s not too good."

"I had an operation in January to see if we could fix the problem and it hasn’t worked."

"It’s bone on bone on my knee which has restricted me from doing a lot of things and I’m going to have to retire from the game."

"The advice from Rhys Williams the surgeon was to retire. Rhys knows the inside of my knee pretty well having done three or four operations on it."

"It was down to me to decide if I can continue or not, but I can’t go on, as it’s too sore and it’s a pretty black and white situation. I can’t fully function with it and I need to start taking account of my body and start listening to it."

"I’d like to thank not only Rhys for all his work, but all the Blues medical team who have been excellent in all they have done to keep me on the field for this long."

"I’ve had a history with a bad knee, but since 2005 it hasn’t really troubled me. I’ve managed to carry on and continue until I injured it again January. I was aware at the time that it could end my career."

"A lot of the decision on whether I would retire was down to how my knee would recover and how I felt."

"I’ve now had time to take it on board, so it isn’t a shock, and I’ve come to terms that I’ll never play again."

Reflecting on life after rugby, Tom, added,

"This summer I will be definitely spending more time at home with the family and enjoying my weekends."

"I’ll still be watching the Blues and Wales but I’ll be able to relax and maybe have a beer or two and watch some games with my mates."

"After that I’ll be looking to get a job in the real world, which is a little bit daunting, but happens to all rugby players after they finish."

"Rugby doesn’t pay like football so you need a job after, so I’ve been looking into that and will be starting to do some work for M.I.B. Construction."

Shanklin had a glittering career playing 114 times for the Blues scoring 28 tries and winning 70 Wales caps scoring 20 tries. Speaking of his career Shanklin said,

"I’ve been fortunate to have played with some great players and in successful teams, so any trophy that you win stands out in the memory."

"The Grand Slams and EDF Energy Final were great days but I was gutted I couldn’t play in the Amlin Final but maybe I played a part in the early stages."

"For me one of the games that really sticks in the memory is the Heineken Cup semi final against Leicester in the Millennium Stadium, just in the way the game had to come to an end."

"I still look back and think that was a crazy ending."

"Winning my 50th cap against Italy in the 2008 Grand Slam year is also one of my favourite moments."

"It was a great achievement for me and I remember the day very well. I scored a try as well so it makes it even more memorable. It was a great occasion."

Shanklin joined Cardiff Blues in the summer of 2003 having started his career with Saracens. Speaking of his time with the region, Shanklin concluded,

"Bob Norster, David Young and Peter Thomas have been massive influences in my career and I have to say that I’ve 100% enjoyed my time here otherwise I wouldn’t have stayed so long."

"I’ve been very lucky to have the support of my wife and family who have been great, but also had support from some of my good mates."

"I’ve made some great friends through rugby that I will have for life and I’ve been lucky that it’s given me so much."

"The whole team has made the Blues a great place and a great environment and I’ll definitely be down watching the games."

"I still want to be part of the Cardiff Blues community."