Wales Sevens not resting on laurels

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Sevens, Wales

A ‘buoyant’ Wales Sevens side landed in Tokyo this morning braced for a tough draw in round seven of the HSBC Sevens World Series, the Tokyo Sevens at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground.

Paul John’s men put up a heroic performance in the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens in the weekend, losing a nail-biting final against defending champions Fiji in front of a packed Hong Kong Stadium.

It was the first time Wales had ever reached a Cup final in the IRB Sevens series. Leading 19-0 at halftime, Wales were just 10 minutes away from glory but super-sub Osea Kolinisau entered the fray and scored a second half hat-trick to deny Wales glory.

NowRugby tipped Wales to reach the final of the Hong Kong Sevens and we found the best bet at our friends FREEbets.

“It was an amazing atmosphere as there was a lot of Welsh support there,” said Wales Sevens head coach Paul John. “I’m really proud of the effort the boys put in.

“The boys played some cracking rugby and entered the competition with a great attitude. They really accounted themselves well throughout the tournament. To go 19-0 up against a very good Fiji side in the first half of the final was an exceptional effort. Unfortunately we couldn’t get our hands on the ball in the second half and Fiji came away with the title.

“There is no time rest on our laurels though as we’ve got Kenya, USA and Scotland this week in the Japan Sevens. Some might say it is an easy group but as last weekend proved, there are no longer any easy groups on the circuit.

“We’re carrying a few bumps and bruises but just have to re-charge our batteries and maintain the momentum into this weekend.

“Kenya will be looking for revenge after we beat them in Hong Kong in the semi-finals and are looking for a top three finish while USA and Scotland will be desperate to get away from the bottom of the series standings as they won’t want to be relegated.”

Wales’ haul of 19 points for reaching the final has seen them jump to sixth place in the overall standings with 63 points with New Zealand leading the way with 113 with three rounds to play.

Papua New Guinea To Kick Off Rugby World Cup 2015 Qualifying in Oceania

Posted on Dec 13, 2012 in 2015

The road to Rugby World Cup 2015 for Oceania teams will begin in Papua New Guinea in June 2013 after the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU) announced that the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU) will host the 2013 Oceania Cup in Port Moresby.

Eight Unions will compete in the IRB-funded Oceania Cup for the right to meet Fiji in a play-off that will determine who will join Pool A for Rugby’s showcase event alongside Australia, hosts England, Wales and the Repechage winner.

The Oceania Cup competing Unions are American Samoa, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Wallis & Futuna and the competition dates will be confirmed in due course.

With Samoa the second seed in Pool B and Tonga the third seed in Pool C, the 2015 event will see the three Pacific Island nations drawn in separate pools for the first time since RWC 2003, an exciting prospect for Pacific Island Rugby.

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "These are exciting times for Oceania and Pacific Island Rugby. With Samoa and Tonga recording excellent victories over top tier opposition in November, the Pacific Island nations are building well for Rugby World Cup 2015 in England."

"The IRB is committed to ongoing support of Pacific Island Rugby through investment in tournaments such as the Oceania Cup, administration and high performance support. The Oceania Cup is always fiercely competitive and it will be fascinating to see who can claim the silverware and keep their Rugby World Cup 2015 dream alive."

"The Pacific Islands have such a strong affiliation with Rugby World Cup, delivering some of the most memorable performances in the history of the competition with Tonga defeating France in 2011, Fiji making the quarter-finals in 2007 and Samoa defeating Wales in 1991 and 1999. With both Samoa and Tonga having enjoyed strong November campaigns and Fiji building towards 2015, it will be fascinating to see their progress as we near England 2015."

"The road to England 2015 has already delivered excitement and drama in equal measure and as we approach the 1,000 days to go milestone, we look forward to an event that is on track to capture the imagination of people the length and breadth of the country and around the world for a six-week celebration of Rugby and England’s rich culture and heritage."

The announcement is a major boost for Papua New Guinea, who are the defending Oceania Cup champions, and PNGRFU President Richard Sapias said: “The PNGRFU are extremely excited at the opportunity to host the Oceania Cups in 2013 and 2015."

"Our region boasts a rich Rugby tradition, and the Oceania Cup will provide a great opportunity for the players of the region’s Development Unions to gauge themselves against their Island Rugby cousins. We also look forward to contributing towards promoting and expanding the Oceania Cup brand in the region as the stepping stone for all Oceania Development Unions to aspire to the next level of high performance Rugby.”

Oceania, the region that has delivered four Rugby World Cup winners, will be the final region to enter the qualification process and the announcement comes at the end of a landmark year for Rugby World Cup 2015 qualifying, which kicked off in Mexico City in March and by its completion in 2014 will have seen 80 nations competing across 184 matches for the right to play in the eighth Rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup 2015 Pools

Pool A

Australia
England
Wales
Oceania 1
Repechage winner

Pool B

South Africa
Samoa
Scotland
Asia 1
Americas 2

Pool C

New Zealand
Argentina
Tonga
Europe 1
Africa 1

Pool D

France
Ireland
Italy
Americas 1
Europe 2

At the draw it was also confirmed that the knockout phase structure will be the same as previous Rugby World Cups:

QF1: Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A
QF2: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D
QF3: Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B
QF4: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C

SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
SF2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4

Bronze Final: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2

Final: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

Akapusi Qera called up to Fiji squad

Posted on Nov 5, 2012 in Gloucester

Following a request from the Fijian management on Monday, Gloucester Rugby have confirmed that flanker Akapusi Qera has linked up with the Fijian national squad ahead of Saturday’s international against England.

Qera has been in sparkling form for Gloucester Rugby in recent weeks and was named Man of the Match in the recent win over the Leicester Tigers.

The 28 year old, who has won 26 caps for his country and featured in the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups, had initially committed himself to Gloucester throughout the autumn period.

However, the Fijian squad has been affected by injuries as they prepare for their forthcoming tour matches, which includes a game against Gloucester at Kingsholm next Tuesday evening (kick off 7:45pm).

As a result, they have formally requested that Qera be released to join up with the rest of the Fiji squad.

Director of Rugby Nigel Davies confirmed today:

“We received a request on Monday morning from the Fijian management requesting Akapusi’s services as they have been hit by withdrawals in their build up.

“Under the current IRB regulations in these circumstances, we can’t actually prevent a player’s release and we’ll obviously miss him because he’s been in great form for us.

“However, we are of the understanding that this is just for the one match. So, we look forward to him returning to the club very shortly and wish him well in the meantime.”

Tickets are still available for Gloucester’s game against Fiji on Tuesday November 13th (kick off 7:45pm).

England squad for autumn internationals

Posted on Oct 26, 2012 in England

England have announced the squad to prepare for the first QBE International against Fiji at Twickenham Stadium on November 10.

Thirty-two players will meet at St George’s Park, Burton on Sunday, including James Haskell (London Wasps), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens) and Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers) – all promoted from the England Saxons Elite Player Squad as injury replacements for Tom Croft, Ben Foden, Alex Corbisiero and Rob Webber respectively.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “As a coaching team we can’t wait to go into camp and get the guys focused on what will be a massive challenge in the QBE Internationals – Fiji and then the three major Southern Hemisphere teams in successive weeks.

“We have been impressed with some of the rugby we have seen in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup and are looking forward to the players bringing that form to Twickenham.

“It’s great to be able to give Mako a chance in the squad. He has come through our age grade sides and made a real impact at Saracens. Likewise Tom Youngs,  who was with us on tour in South Africa, and we know what James Haskell and Ugo Monye are capable of if they get their opportunity.”

England will be at the Football Association’s new sports training and development centre from Sunday, October 28 to Thursday, November 1 before returning to their usual training base of Pennyhill Park, Bagshot on Sunday, November 4 ahead of the Test against Fiji.

Meanwhile, the England Saxons coaching team has been finalised, with John Fletcher joining as backs coach for the internationals against the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds and Scotland A in the New Year.

The former Newcastle Falcons boss returns to Kingston Park on Friday, February 1 for the match against the Scots, a week after the Saxons face the Wolfhounds in Ireland.

Fletcher, the England Under 18 Head Coach and RFU’s Professional Player Development Manager, will join Head Coach Jon Callard, with Simon Hardy responsible for the forwards.

Callard said: "We are delighted to have John on board as we focus on winning two demanding games. His expertise working with a wide group of players makes him a perfect fit for England Saxons and he’ll bring tremendous passion to the role."

ENGLAND SQUAD FOR QBE INTERNATIONALS

FORWARDS (17)

Mouritz Botha (Saracens)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

James Haskell (London Wasps)

Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)

Tom Palmer (London Wasps)

Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)

Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

David Wilson (Bath Rugby)

Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

BACKS (15)

Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers)

Chris Ashton (Saracens)

Brad Barritt (Saracens)

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)

Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)

Alex Goode (Saracens)

Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)

Ugo Monye (Harlequins)

Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)

Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)

Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Review of Round 1 of the 2012/13 HSBC Sevens World Series

Posted on Oct 16, 2012 in Sevens

Review of the 1st round of the 2012/2013 HSBC Sevens World Series on Australia’s Gold Coast. We hear from England’s Rob Vickerman and Scotland’s Colin Gregor as well as tournament champions Fiji.

Fiji defeated New Zealand 32-14 in the final of the 2012 Gold Coast Sevens to successfully defend the title they won last year and take an early lead in the HSBC Sevens World Series 2012/13.

Two of Fiji’s seven debutants stole the show in the Cup final at Skilled Park, Ratu Raitini scoring an impressive hat-trick and Player of the Tournament Joji Raqamate crossing twice.

The victory means Fiji collect 22 Series points to sit top of the standings, ahead of New Zealand (19) and South Africa (17), who beat impressive Kenya (15) in the third place play-off.

Earlier, Argentina beat France 14-7 to win the Plate, new core team Spain edged England to lift the Bowl and hat-tricks from Michael Fedo and James Fleming helped Scotland to the Shield.