2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 squads named

Posted on Nov 11, 2009 in Rugby News

The five New Zealand squads in the 2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 were announced at a special event in Auckland today.

Coaching teams for the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders and New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) officials spent the last two days finalising their squads for the new season.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said there was great strength across all five squads with an injection of new blood, and the retention of experienced players.

“The abundance of quality talent has made this a very challenging process. However, it is great that the franchises have worked solidly through this process in a deliberate and professional manner,” Mr Sorensen said.

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Scottish top guns enter quarter final stage

Posted on Nov 10, 2009 in Rugby News

Scotland’s top young guns are just two games away from a place in the National Youth Cup final at Murrayfield (Sunday 21 February).

The quarter-final draw of the under-15 and under-16 National Youth Cup was announced today with young club players from across Scotland challenging for a place in the semi-final on Sunday 23 November.

Age groups offer in both cups offer a good geographic spread going into the latter stages though the west of Scotland can boast the most teams thanks to GHA, Ayr and West of Scotland who, commendably, have teams in both quarter-finals.

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Air NZ Cup Final: Canterbury tame Lions

Posted on Nov 9, 2009 in Rugby News

Canterbury celebrated their first back-to-back successes in the Air New Zealand cup in Christchurch on Saturday night, beating Wellington by three tries to two in a 28-20 victory.

Canterbury, led 25-10 after 60 minutes, but found themselves only five points ahead in a tense final six minutes, and down to fourteen men with fullback Colin Slade in the sinbin. They secured their win when with a late penalty leaving Wellington wondering what they have to do to. They have reached six of the last seven finals and lost them all, and Canterbury are their main tormentors, winning on three occasions, the first two in Wellington itself.

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Leinster announce HETAC graduates

Posted on Nov 4, 2009 in Rugby News

Leinster Rugby have announced this year’s graduates from the HETAC (Higher Education and Training Awards Council) programme for 2009.

Conor McInerney and James Power picked up their diplomas at a function in the RDS on Wednesday afternoon and the duo follow in the footsteps of the likes of Fionn Carr, Matthew D’Arcy, Ross McCarron, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O’Brien, Jonathan Sexton, Devin Toner and Cillian Willis who each graduated last year.

Overseen by Academy Manager Colin McEntee in conjunction with Caroline Keane (Academy Administrator) and Daniel Tobin (Academy Fitness Coach), the programme encompasses a three year supplementary course in modules such as Rugby technical, Tactical, Generic, Fitness, Lifestyle and Psychological skills.

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IRFU confirm coaches for representative teams

Posted on Oct 22, 2009 in Rugby News

The Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed the coaching and management positions for representative teams for the coming international season.

Connacht Coach Michael Bradley will again take charge of the Ireland A side for the season, with their first fixtures coming against the full Tonga side in Belfast (November 13) and Argentina Jaguars in Tallaght Stadium (November 27). The A team will also play fixtures against the England Saxons and Scotland A next year and will be managed by the experienced Joey Miles.

The Ireland Women’s team will be managed by Rachael Reid and have a new Head Coach this season in Kevin West as they begin to build upon last season’s ground breaking RBS Six Nations Championship. The team qualified outright for the Women’s World Cup courtesy of their performances and third place finish in the championship and will be looking to maintain their progress.

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