Jarrad Hoeata to make Test debut in Canterbury fundraiser

Posted on Jul 20, 2011 in NZ

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named their team for the For Canterbury Test against Fiji at Carisbrook, Dunedin, on Friday 22 July, with Taranaki and Highlanders lock Jarrad Hoeata to make his Test debut and Colin Slade his first Test start.

 

Starting XV:

• Wyatt Crockett (3)
  
• Andrew Hore (50)
  
• Ben Franks (7)
  
• Jarrad Hoeata*
  
• Ali Williams (61)
  
• Adam Thomson (17)
  
• Richie McCaw – captain (94)
  
• Liam Messam (6)
  
• Jimmy Cowan (44)
  
• Colin Slade (1)
  
• Sitiveni Sivivatu (43)
  
• Ma’a Nonu (56)
  
• Conrad Smith (45)
  
• Zac Guildford (10)
  
• Mils Muliaina (94)
  

 

Reserves:

• 16.  Corey Flynn (12)
  
• 17.  John Afoa (30)
  
• 18.  Samuel Whitelock (13)
  
• 19.  Jerome Kaino (37)
  
• 20.  Piri Weepu (44)
  
• 21.  Daniel Carter (79)
  
• 22.  Ben Smith (1)
  

 

* Test debut

Number of Test caps in brackets

The key features of the squad are the naming of 27-year-old Hoeata in the second row, alongside 61-Test All Blacks veteran Ali Williams, who returns to the All Blacks Test side for the first time since November 2008. Williams will play his 62nd Test, becoming the joint third most capped All Blacks lock, alongside Robin Brooke.

 

It’s also a return to the All Blacks for Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett and Highlanders wing Ben Smith who last played for the All Blacks on the 2009 Northern Hemisphere tour. Crockett is alongside 50–Test hooker Andrew Hore and tighthead prop Ben Franks in what will be an All Blacks debut for the front row combination.

 

The team will be captained by Richie McCaw who, together with fullback teammate Mils Muliaina, will extend their records as the most capped All Blacks.  Joining McCaw in the loose forward trio are Liam Messam at number eight and Adam Thomson at blindside flanker.

 

In the backs, Jimmy Cowan will start at halfback while Slade makes his first run–on start at first five–eighth in his second Test. All Blacks midfielders Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith will play their 27th Test together, just one Test behind the record held by the famous midfield partnership of Walter Little and Frank Bunce. The starting wings are Sitiveni Sivivatu and Zac Guildford.

 

Cory Jane, who dislocated a finger in Wellington’s ITM Cup match against Taranaki on the weekend, was ruled out of contention, while other injured players not considered include Richard Kahui (hamstring), Tony Woodcock (foot), Isaia Toeava (hip), Hosea Gear (hamstring) and Israel Dagg (thigh muscle).

 

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said:  “This is an important Test for us as we kick off this year’s Test season.  We have got some real competition for places and it’s exciting for those players picked and they will keen to put their best foot forward.”

 

While there are several new combinations in the All Blacks team, Henry said they would not be taking the Fijians lightly.

 

“They were competitive in the recent Pacific Nations Cup and will bring their unique style so we will have to be clinical in the way we play.  You just need to look at how Fiji’s Pacific neighbours Samoa played against Australia on the weekend to know that if we underestimate Fiji, we do so at our peril, “Henry said.

 

The All Blacks squad has been out and about meeting fans ahead of Friday’s Test, which is a fund-raising Test for Christchurch, with the squad taking Under 14 Otago club players for a coaching clinic on Monday and signing autographs for an estimated two thousand fans at a public training at Carisbrook yesterday.

 

“It’s always fantastic to come to Dunedin for Test rugby and the All Blacks always get a great reception here so we hope that we get a good crowd along on Friday night to support the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal,” Henry added.

 

The All Blacks have played Fiji four times since 1987.  The last Test was at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland in 2005.

Counting down to ITM Cup 2011

Posted on Jul 4, 2011 in NZ

With 14 teams playing 72 matches in 13 rounds over eight weeks, the Ranfurly Shield, and a new competition format with promotion and relegation at stake – this year’s ITM Cup is set for an action-packed season when it kicks off in 10 days’ time.

The ITM Cup 2011 season was officially launched by NZRU CEO Steve Tew and ITM CEO Gordon Buswell at a launch event featuring captains and senior players from all 14 ITM Cup teams at Pukekohe’s Bayer Growers Stadium today.

The competition gets under way on Thursday 14 July with the Otago Razorbacks hosting North Harbour in Dunedin, the Stags and the Mooloos going head to head in Invercargill on Friday 15 July, while on Saturday the Manawatu Turbos take on their neighbours, the Magpies at Palmerston North, Northland’s Taniwha will try to spook the Makos in Whangarei, and the Lions head to New Plymouth for their opening clash against the ‘Naki.  Round one closes out with Auckland hosting Canterbury at Eden Park and the Counties Manukau Steelers hosting the Bay of the Plenty Steamers.

Steve Tew said he was looking forward to the start of the 2011 ITM Cup season.  “ITM Cup is a great part of our national identity and provincial pride.  It’s the launchpad for a lot of New Zealand’s rugby talent which is why it’s so exciting – you never know who might star, and which teams might pull off the unthinkable.

“This year’s revamped ITM Cup in particular, sets the scene for some fantastic provincial rugby rivalry and good old fashioned grudge matches.  Canterbury’s first Shield defence in round three will be the ultimate grudge match for the Stags who will want to reclaim the Log o’ Wood they held for most of last season,” Tew said.

Last year’s results determined whether teams were playing in the ITM Cup Premiership or the ITM Cup Championship in this year’s ITM Cup.

“Although the teams in the ITM Cup Premiership will be playing for the competition title, and the Championship teams will be playing for promotion next year, the unique format sees every team playing all other teams within their Premiership or Championship, as well as four crossover matches from the other group.  That ensures we will get to see plenty of the traditional inter-provincial tribalism and rivalry,” Tew said.

Some rules have been amended to help teams cope with the demands of playing mid-week and weekend rounds to run the competition in a compacted calendar, with the Final to be played a week before the start of Rugby World Cup 2011.

Features of the ITM Cup in 2011:

• All teams will name a 23-man squad (regulations amended to allow an extra front rower on the reserves bench)
• Some teams will stay on the road between some mid-week and weekend fixtures with short turn-around times
• Rugby Park will be Canterbury’s ITM Cup base in 2011 with afternoon kick off times for all five of their home games
• Otago play their last home game at Carisbrook in Round 7 and their first at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Round 10
• The Southland Stags get the first Ranfurly Shield Challenge in a South Island derby and grudge match against Canterbury in Round 3

The ITM Cup Championship Final will be played on Friday 2 September and the ITM Cup and Premiership Final will be played on Saturday 3 September. The return of the Women’s National Provincial Championship this year will see the NPC Final being played as a curtain-raiser to the ITM Cup Final, regardless of venue.

New Scotland Rugby jersey unveiled

Posted on Jun 29, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Scottish Rugby and its kit supplier, Canterbury of New Zealand, are have launched the revolutionary new jersey that will be worn by Andy Robinson’s Scotland team at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand this autumn.

The shirt, which incorporates iconic gold detailing for the first time in the nation’s history, features the new Loop 21 collar design and latest LYCRA® SPORT fabric technology, providing Scotland with the best possible on-field support from the strongest jersey that Canterbury have ever produced in more than 100 years of kit manufacture.

Throughout months of research and development – in which Scotland players and coaches played a significant role – the Loop 21 neckline was tested to destruction by Progressive Sports Technologies (one of the leading sports technology institutes) based at Loughborough University, to ensure maximum strength and durability.

Advances in Temex fabric and the use of LYCRA® SPORT fabric provide improved sweat evaporation, enhanced freedom of movement and superior shape retention.

The revolutionary construction of the jersey improves players’ ability to evade tackles and provides bespoke position-specific support to enhance movement.

Whilst all player jerseys have extra grip built-in to the chest area to increase friction with the ball, the front five have additional panels on shoulders and lower torso to aid secure binding in a scrum.

To improve tackle evasion, low friction panels make up the arms and torsos of the backs’ jerseys, whereas for forwards this fabric is centred around the lower torso. 

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: “We have been delighted to welcome some of Canterbury’s senior product development staff to our training camps in order that we could play our part in assisting in the development of this innovative new kit.

“In international sport we are all searching for something that will give us a legitimate edge and we look forward to wearing our new Canterbury kit at the Rugby World Cup."

Chris Stephenson, Canterbury CEO, said: “The new kit is our most sophisticated to date and, as always, we have relished the challenge to release a tougher yet lighter jersey that will be showcased at this year’s Rugby World Cup.

“We are proud to be associated with Scotland throughout and beyond the Rugby World Cup and it is our privilege to support them in the best way we can, with the best jersey a player can wear.  We look forward to seeing them in action in New Zealand later this year.”

Andy Robinson added: "We will also be wearing new kit under our new sponsorship with RBS.”

That sponsorship gets underway at the EMC Tests against Ireland (August 6) and Italy (August 20) with tickets for both these matches on sale now from £5 for children and students and £10 for adults from the Scottish Rugby website, www.scottishrugby.org.

Supporters get their opportunity to purchase the Rugby World Cup 2011 jersey exclusively from the official Scottish Rugby retailer, Greaves Sports, from today until Friday 1 July, at their store at Murrayfield and their stores in Gordon Street and Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.  Thereafter the jersey will be available through all usual retail outlets.

The first time the RBS sponsored jersey will be available for purchase will be Friday 5 August – the day before the EMC Test against Ireland.

The RBS jerseys will retail for the same amount as the previous kit: £69.99 for the Test jersey and £49.99 for the Pro jersey.  Children’s jerseys will be £40. The Rugby World Cup Test jersey will retail at £74.99, with the RWC Pro jersey retailing at £54.99. 

Our picture shows John Barclay in the Scotland Rugby World Cup kit and Ross Ford in the RBS branded change jersey

The Russians are coming

Posted on Dec 20, 2010 in Rugby News

The Russian national rugby team will be heading to New Zealand shores early in the New Year for a taste of New Zealand provincial rugby as part of their build-up to Rugby World Cup 2011.

The Russian side will enjoy the best of a New Zealand summer when they arrive on 7 January ahead of their first match against a Taranaki XV on Saturday 15 January at New Plymouth’s Tikorangi Park. Russia then heads south to play South Canterbury at Timaru’s Alpine Energy Stadium on Friday 21 January.

The provincial contests will help Russia prepare for what will be the nation’s first appearance at a Rugby World Cup tournament. 

Taranaki Rugby Chief Executive Mark Robinson said Taranaki residents are gearing up to welcome the visitors from Russia offering them opportunities to experience some of the local highlights including farm visits, fishing trips and surfing adventures around the Taranaki coastline.

“We are excited to be able to assemble a team in our off-season to play the Russians and I know the Taranaki region will be great hosts to them while they are here enjoying part of our Taranaki summer,” he added.

South Canterbury Rugby Manager Cam Kilgour said: “It is very exciting for a Heartland team to get the opportunity to play a national side and we jumped at the chance when asked. We are looking forward to hosting the Russian side and treating them to some good old southern hospitality.”

The match details are:

• Taranaki XV v Russia, Saturday 15 January, Tikorangi Park, 5.00pm (Entry by gold coin donation)
• South Canterbury v Russia, Friday 21 January, Alpine Energy Stadium, 7.00pm (Adults $10 and children free)

2010 Steinlager nominees announced

Posted on Nov 22, 2010 in Rugby News

A stunning year of success on the international stage will be recognised when New Zealand rugby honours its best at the 2010 Steinlager Rugby Awards.

A logjam of winning national teams and outstanding individual performances on and off the field make for an exciting list of nominees and add extra interest to the final judging decisions which will be revealed at The Langham Hotel, Auckland, on Thursday 16 December and broadcast on SKY Sport and The Rugby Channel.

In addition to the top players, referees and volunteers recognised on the night, there will be keen interest in the selection of the adidas Team of the Year from an extended field of five teams, all of which won international championships or Series in 2010.

The New Zealand Under 20 team (Junior World Champions), Black Ferns (IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup Champions), New Zealand Sevens (Delhi Commonwealth Games gold medallists), New Zealand Māori (unbeaten in Sealord New Zealand Māori Centenary Series) and All Blacks (unbeaten Steinlager Series and Investec Tri Nations Champions) could all be considered worthy of the award which will be presented by the Hon Murray McCully, Minister for Sport and Recreation.

Similarly, the New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year will try and separate a field that includes New Zealand Māori Coach Jamie Joseph, Under 20 Coach Dave Rennie, Black Ferns Coach Brian Evans, New Zealand Sevens maestro Gordon Tietjens and All Blacks Coach Graham Henry.

The success of New Zealand’s national teams will also make the task of identifying the best Age Grade, Sevens and Women’s Players of the Year a tough assignment.

Under 20 captain Tyler Bleyendaal will be up against teammate and lock Liaki Moli, and New Zealand Schools captain and halfback TJ Perenara.

Kurt Baker, who sealed New Zealand’s come-from-behind win in the Sevens final in Delhi, will be up against fellow speedster Sherwin Stowers and Sevens veteran Lote Raikabula for the Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year Award.

And the Black Ferns’ hard-fought win over England to seal the team’s fourth IRB Women’s RWC title elevated the claims of try-scoring sensation Carla Hohepa, loose forward Justine Lavea and captain Melissa Ruscoe to the final three for the NZRU Women’s Player of the Year award.

The Centenary Year of Māori rugby and the team’s thrilling victories in the Centenary Series will be further recognised with loose forward and Māori captain Liam Messam, wing Hosea Gear, and All Blacks and Hurricanes playmaker Piri Weepu in contention for the treasured Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year Award.

The re-named Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year trophy will again honour the contribution volunteers make to community rugby.  The 2010 nominees are North Harbour’s Don Berry, Counties Manukau’s Ron Howard and Hilton Williams from Horowhenua-Kapiti.

The Heartland Championship Player of the Year nominees are Wanganui loose forward and Heartland XV captain Peter Rowe, North Otago back rower Josh Collier and Mid Canterbury’s rising star Tim Perry.

The nominees for the NZRU Referee of the Year Award are Bay of Plenty’s Nick Briant, Test referee Bryce Lawrence and New Zealand’s top female referee Nicky Inwood.

A compelling year of ITM Cup rugby sees Southland’s popular captain and prop Jamie Mackintosh nominated for ITM Cup Player of the Year together with Hawke’s Bay hooker Hikawera Elliot and Canterbury’s champion centre Robbie Fruean.

The Rebel Sport Super 14 Player of the Year will be decided amongst the Crusaders’ prop Owen Franks, Blues’ halfback Alby Mathewson and Crusaders’ loose forward and early-season captain Kieran Read.

A stunning year at the back of the Crusaders and All Blacks scrum also sees Read in the mix for the supreme award, the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year, alongside his All Blacks and Crusaders skipper, Richie McCaw, and their Super Rugby and All Blacks teammate, lock Brad Thorn.

Pam Tremain will be joined on the stage for the awarding of New Zealand’s top rugby award by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon John Key.

The Steinlager Salver, a special presentation to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand rugby, will also be announced and presented at the Awards function.

The judges for the 2010 Steinlager Rugby Awards are former All Blacks captain and former NZRU President Andy Leslie, NZRU Board member and former All Blacks captain Graham Mourie, SKY Sport rugby commentator Grant Nisbett and former All Black and current NZRU General Manager Community and Provincial Union Rugby Brent Anderson.

**********

The 2010 Steinlager Rugby Awards nominees

NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year

· Tyler Bleyendaal (Canterbury & New Zealand Under 20)

· Liaki Moli  (Auckland & New Zealand Under 20)

· TJ Perenara (Wellington & New Zealand Schools)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year

· Kurt Baker (Taranaki)

· Lote Raikabula (Manawatu)

· Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau)

NZRU Referee of the Year

· Nick Briant

· Nicky Inwood

· Bryce Lawrence

NZRU Women’s Player of the Year

· Carla Hohepa (Otago)

· Justine Lavea (Auckland)

· Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury)

Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year

· Don Berry  (North Harbour)

· Ron Howard (Counties Manukau)

· Hilton Williams (Horowhenua-Kapiti)

Rebel Sport Super 14 Player of the Year

· Owen Franks (Crusaders)

· Alby Mathewson (Blues)

· Kieran Read (Crusaders)

Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year

· Liam Messam, Ngai Tuhoe (Waikato, Chiefs, New Zealand Māori, All Blacks)

· Hosea Gear, Ngati Porou (Wellington, Hurricanes, New Zealand Māori, All Blacks)

· Piri Weepu, Whakatohea (Wellington, Hurricanes, All Blacks)

Heartland Championship Player of the Year

· Josh Collier (North Otago)

· Tim Perry (Mid Canterbury)

· Peter Rowe (Wanganui)

ITM Cup Player of the Year

· Hikawera Elliot (Hawke’s Bay)

· Robbie Fruean (Canterbury)

· Jamie Mackintosh (Southland)

adidas Team of the Year

· All Blacks

· Black Ferns

· New Zealand Māori

· New Zealand Sevens

· New Zealand Under 20

New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year

· Graham Henry (All Blacks)

· Jamie Joseph (New Zealand Māori)

· Dave Rennie (New Zealand Under 20 Team)

· Gordon Tietjens (New Zealand Sevens)

· Brian Evans  (Black Ferns)

Steinlager Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby

Recipient announced on the night

Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year

· Kieran Read (Canterbury, Crusaders, All Blacks)

· Richie McCaw (Canterbury,  Crusaders, All Blacks)

· Brad Thorn (Canterbury,  Crusaders, All Blacks)