Spencer steps down as England captain

Posted on Jan 10, 2011 in Women's Rugby

Catherine Spencer, who most recently led England to the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, has decided to step down as England Captain ahead of the new international season.

Spencer was England’s captain for three seasons, taking over the captaincy armband in 2007 from Susan Day. Since then the Bristol No.8 has led England to three successive RBS 6 Nations titles, two Nations Cup crowns and last year’s Rugby World Cup final which England narrowly lost 13-10 to reigning world champions New Zealand.

Spencer, who remains in the England Elite squad and plans to be involved in next month’s RBS 6 Nations championship, said: “My decision to stand down as England Captain has, without doubt, been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I have become very attached to the captaincy over the last three years so it is extremely hard to let go of something that I care very deeply about.
"There are many reasons why I would dearly love to continue being England Captain but the time is right for me to step down. I am very determined to keep playing for England and to perform to the best of my abilities. I believe that I still have the potential to improve as a player and will be working very hard to make new gains. 
"There have been many highs during my time as England Captain both on and off the pitch. From attending various dinners and functions to leading England to victory over New Zealand at Twickenham in November 2009. I have felt extremely proud of captaining this England team; their hard work and determination and the manner in which they have represented their sport to an ever increasing audience is truly inspiring.”

Spencer added: "I wish my successor all of my support; only when they become England Captain will they fully understand what an incredible honour it is and only then will they experience the amazing emotions that come with leading an England team out on to a pitch.”

England Head Coach Gary Street added: “I would personally like to thank Catherine for the excellent way she has conducted herself on and off the pitch – she has been a fantastic role model for any aspiring player.  This season gives Catherine the opportunity to concentrate purely on her rugby and I am sure she will support the new captain and continue to be an inspiring influence in the squad.”

England’s RBS 6 Nations Fixtures

Feb 6^th            Wales v England                  TBC                Bridgend RFC

Feb 12^th         England v Italy                     430pm            Esher RFC

Feb 27^th         England v France                105pm            Worcester RFC

* March 13^th   England v Scotland                         515pm            Twickenham Stadium

March 18^th     Ireland v England                730pm            Ashbourne RFC

* Free entry to Twickenham Stadium following conclusion of men’s Calcutta Cup clash

Hammond sure Notts are set for a golden 2011

Posted on Jan 5, 2011 in Rugby News

Nottingham skipper Craig Hammond knows his side can achieve a golden start to 2011, after starting the year with a solid five point victory.

The kiwi captain is looking forward to a month which will see a number of key home fixtures, the addition of All Black Ali Williams, as well as the good levels of fitness across the squad.

Speaking from the training ground yesterday the captain said: "The win on Saturday just showed exactly how we want to perform for the rest of the campaign, there’s no doubt we can replicate that in the upcoming games.

"When your confidence is high after a series of good wins you just want to get straight back on to the field. We’re in good attacking form at the moment and obviously having Ali with us for the month gives us great strength in another area of the pitch.

"We’re not suffering from too many injuries in the squad at the moment, which means competition is fierce and our levels of intensity will be increased even further.

"After not playing at Meadow Lane since the beginning of November we’re all totally geared up to put on a display for the fans this month and make sure we send out a signal of intent to the rest of the league."

Vernon to start for Scotland

Posted on Nov 24, 2010 in Rugby News

Jacobsen and Lamont reach landmark

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has challenged his team to step up their performance in Saturday’s final EMC Autumn Test against Samoa at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen.

Robinson has made one change in personnel from the team that started last week’s victory over world champions South Africa at Murrayfield.  Richie Vernon, the 23-year-old Glasgow Warrior, who enjoyed a considerable impact off the bench, will make his second start for Scotland at No 8, with Nathan Hines switching to his optimum berth of lock and Kelly Brown reverting to blindside flanker.

On the bench, scrum-half Mike Blair has recovered from the head knock he sustained against New Zealand and is preferred to Greig Laidlaw and Max Evans returns after his shoulder injury from the same game instead of Chris Paterson.

Robinson said today: “Our supporters were understandably delighted by our win against South Africa but that game is now history and we have to start afresh against quality international opposition in Samoa.

“They will bring their own very physical, hard-running dimension to Saturday’s game and we need to be absolutely focused on upping our performance this weekend.”

Robinson went on: “I thought Richie Vernon showed his mettle as an international rugby player when he came on for Scott MacLeod last Saturday and he has a chance to demonstrate those traits from the start on Saturday.

“I also want to congratulate Chunk (Allan Jacobsen) and Sean Lamont as this weekend will mark their 50th caps.  Both have had periods of injury adversity in their careers but they have shown the sort of determination we will need on Saturday to return from such experiences to be better players for it.”

Jacobsen becomes the 29th Scot, Lamont the 30th, to reach the milestone, while Dan Parks equalled John Rutherford’s drop-goal record for Scotland when he landed his 12th such score last Saturday.

Scotland’s players will be undertaking a number of visits to primary and secondary schools in and around Aberdeen tomorrow (Thursday) and there is much excitement in the Granite City ahead of Saturday.

Tickets for the big game are selling fast and a capacity attendance of 20,500 is being targeted. Tickets cost £15, £20 and £30 for adults and £7.50, £10 and £15 for under-18s and students.  You can buy in four ways: online at www.scottishrugby.org; via the 24 hour hotline number 0844 335 3933 until 12 midnight on Friday; or in person from 9am-5pm from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, Gate A, Roseburn Street, Edinburgh.

Locals can also buy in person from the Aberdeen FC Ticket Centre at Pittodrie or by telephone on  01224 631903. Please note: there are no ticket sales on match day.

Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play Samoa in the EMC Autumn Test at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen on Saturday 27 November (kick-off 2.30pm)

15 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) 56 caps, 8 tries, 40 points

14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys) 17 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
13 Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints) 1 cap
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors) 27 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
11 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 49 caps, 7 tries, 35 points

10 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) 55 caps, 4 tries, 10 conversions, 40 penalties, 12 drop goals, 196 points
9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 21 caps CAPTAIN

1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 49 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 42 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints) 34 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 66 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
5 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
6 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 39 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
8 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps, 2 tries, 10 points

Substitutes

16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors) 32 caps
17 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 9 caps
18 Jim Hamilton (Gloucester) 30 caps, 1 try, 5 points
19 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh) 3 caps
20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) 65 caps, 5 tries, 25 points
21 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap
22 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 14 caps, 2 tries, 10 points

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia RU).  Assistant referees: Marius Jonker and Cobus Wessels (both South Africa).  TMO: Tony Redmond (Ireland).

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)

Uruguay and Romania Battle for Final Rugby World Cup 2011 Place

Posted on Nov 12, 2010 in Rugby World Cup

The qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand will near its conclusion on Saturday, November 13 as Uruguay and Romania go head to head in the first leg of the decisive play-off final at the Charrua Stadium in Montevideo (kick off 15:30 local time).

The winners on aggregate over the two legs will become the 20th and final qualifier for New Zealand 2011 and will book a place in Pool B alongside Argentina, England, Scotland and Georgia.

Neither team is a stranger to Rugby’s showcase tournament with Romania having competed in every edition since its inception in 1987, while Uruguay have previously qualified for the 1999 and 2003 tournaments. Both teams have secured their place at the last chance play-off final the hard way, via an extremely competitive qualification path.

Romania rallied to finish third in the European Nations Cup and then defeated Ukraine 94-10 over two legs in the European play-off before progressing to defeat Tunisia 56-13 in the Europe/Africa play-off to keep their Rugby World Cup 2011 dream alive.

Uruguay progressed to the Americas play-off via the South American Championship, losing to USA 54-28 over two legs. A 44-7 victory over Kazakhstan in the Americas/Asia play-off kept them in the hunt for the final qualification place.

Top referee Mark Lawrence will take charge of the match in Montevideo which is set to attract a capacity crowd and with home advantage very much a factor, Uruguay know that they have to lay down a decent marker if they are to qualify for their third Rugby World Cup.

“We need a win here for sure and we are hoping to get a lot of support from the crowd. It is crucial we get a good performance at home. Our primary objective is to win,” said Uruguay captain Carlos Arboleya.

Romania have won both previous encounters between the two teams, but with the largest winning margin just six points and both wins coming on home soil in Bucharest, they are expecting a tough encounter on Saturday.

“I don’t want to be in the team that does not qualify for a Rugby World Cup. I’ve been telling the younger players that participating at Rugby’s showcase event is the best memory they will ever have,” said Romania captain Sorin Socol.

“We have worked very hard. We made many sacrifices and we want to qualify.”

With the start of Rugby World Cup 2011 just 10 months away, the matches herald the end of a thrilling global qualification process which began in the Cayman Islands in April 2008, and has seen 182 matches played so far involving 80 teams, across the six IRB Regions.

The process has seen Russia qualify for their first ever Rugby World Cup, with Georgia, Canada, Samoa, Namibia, USA and Japan sealing the other qualification places.

The second leg will be played at the stadionul National Arcul de Triumf on Saturday, November 27 at 18:00 local time.