IRB Chairman Hails Another Record-Breaking Season for Rugby Sevens

Posted on May 16, 2012 in IRB, Sevens

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset has hailed the global success of another record-breaking HSBC Sevens World Series.

Once again the Series as a whole set a new attendance record with just over 547,500 fans supporting the nine events played across five continents, outstripping the previous best of 500,100.

As well as expanding to nine events with the addition of Japan, there were four new venues in total on the 2011/12 Series, all of which proved an instant hit with supporters.

Australia’s move to the Gold Coast was well supported at the start of the season; Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium provided a cauldron of atmosphere in South Africa; Scotland’s switch from Edinburgh to Glasgow attracted new fans to the game and a return to Tokyo was significant for Asian Rugby as Japan prepares to host Rugby World Cup 2019.

At three of the nine venues spectators were also treated to top women’s action, with the IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup underscoring the global and competitive nature of the Women’s Game, acting as a pre-cursor to a new IRB Women’s Sevens Series, to be announced in due course.

"This has been a magnificent season of achievement for Rugby Sevens both on and off the field," said IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset.

"The action has been more competitive than ever before in the HSBC Sevens World Series, with five different Cup winners and no fewer than thirteen teams reaching the Cup quarter finals, including the likes of Spain, Canada, Tonga and Kenya, while our Women’s and Regional events are going from strength to strength."

"In the stands and around the venues the carnival atmosphere of a Sevens tournament continues to provide a unique appeal to Rugby fans all around the world. Together these factors combine to make the sport an incredibly enticing prospect as we move ever closer to Sevens’ Olympic Games debut in 2016."

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Japan to Host IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 in IRB, Japan

Preparations for Japan’s staging of Rugby World Cup 2019 have been further boosted after the International Rugby Board announced that the 2012 IRB Pacific Nations Cup will be hosted by the Japan Rugby Football Union.

The awarding of the marquee international tournament demonstrates the JRFU’s commitment to successfully delivering major Rugby events in the run up to Rugby World Cup 2019. It also underscores the massive growth potential within Asia – a Region that has experienced an 18 per cent uplift in participation since 2007.

The announcement comes off the back of the JRFU’s successful hosting of the Tokyo leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series – the first international Sevens event to be hosted in the country in 11 years. It is also a strong endorsement of the Union’s operational and organisational skills as Rugby World Cup 2019 planning and preparation continues to advance on track.

It also provides a welcome and timely boost for Rugby across Japan after the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup was reluctantly moved from the country to allow the Union to concentrate on assisting the Rugby community affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March last year.

Five of the six matches will be played in Japan with double-headers featuring in the first two rounds of matches giving fans the opportunity to see the stars from all four teams. The opening matchday on June 5 will see Samoa v Tonga (17:10 local time) and Fiji v Japan (19:10) in Nagoya while the second matchday will take place on June 10 in Tokyo with Fiji v Samoa (12:10) and Japan v Tonga (14:10). The final round will be split over two weeks to accommodate Scotland’s tour to the Pacific Islands with Samoa v Japan in Tokyo on June 17 (14:10) and Fiji v Tonga rounding off the action in Lautoka, Fiji on June 23 (15:40).

“We are delighted that Japan is to host this major international championship. The awarding of this event not only underscores the great appetite for showcase Rugby events in Japan, but also demonstrates the JRFU’s intentions to reach out to new Rugby fans across Japan and wider Asia as we look towards Rugby World Cup 2019," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“These are exciting times for Rugby in Asia and the Pacific Islands. The IRB Pacific Nations Cup was introduced in 2006 to provide an expanded high-level competition calendar for Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga and therefore increase the competitiveness of Rugby World Cup. In that regard it has been a success story for the IRB and Participating Unions, demonstrating that our strategic investment programme is working. The IRB Pacific Nations Cup is now a hugely anticipated event in the Rugby calendar in its own right.”

“Scotland will tour Samoa and Fiji as the 10-year IRB tours and test schedule kicks off which highlights the IRB’s commitment to providing the likes of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Japan with more tests than ever before in a calendar year. In total we have invested more than GBP 15 million in Rugby in Oceania between 2009-2012."

Growing the Game in Asia is a key priority for the IRB ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019 and the JRFU continues to make significant progress towards hosting Rugby’s showcase event. The IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012 follows successful hosting of a record-breaking IRB Junior World Championship in 2009 and Tokyo’s debut as a HSBC Sevens World Series venue.

Japan Rugby Football Union Chairman Tatsuzo Yabe said: "These are exciting times for Rugby in Japan and throughout Asia and I am delighted that the Japan Rugby Football Union will host this year’s IRB Pacific Nations Cup, one year after the difficult decision was taken to relocate the tournament following the Tohoku earthquake. This will be a tournament for the people of Japan in memory of all who tragically lost their lives and were affected."

"We are fully committed to delivering a very successful tournament that will showcase international Rugby as we continue to build towards Rugby World Cup 2019. Working in partnership with the IRB and RWCL, the JRFU has a long term plan to grow Rugby and host major international Rugby events that will continue to lay the operational and management foundations for a successful Rugby World Cup 2019 that will be the gateway to Rugby’s boom across Asia."

"The IRB Pacific Nations Cup will also provide valuable opportunities for the Japan national team, led by newly appointed head coach Eddie Jones, to compete with top level Rugby nations," added Yabe.

Eddie Jones commented: "This is a new era for Japan Rugby and the Japan national team as we build towards Rugby World Cup 2019. The hosting of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup on home soil represents a great opportunity for us to move forward – to develop a truly Japanese style of Rugby with a young squad full of talent.

"We are looking forward to competing in the competition and bringing top class international Rugby to the Japanese people. Samoa and Tonga are ahead of us in the IRB World Rankings and we respect Fiji greatly. It will be very competitive."

The IRB Pacific Nations Cup dovetails with the sister IRB Pacific Rugby Cup to deliver a local player and coach development pathway for the Pacific Island Nations. This year A sides from each of the three nations have played against Super Rugby development team opposition in Australia and New Zealand. The competition resumes in October with the final round robin matches between the Island teams.

England Women’s squad announced for Hong Kong IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup

Posted on Mar 13, 2012 in England Women, Sevens

The England Women’s Sevens squad to compete in the second IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup this season, in Hong Kong from March 23-24, has been announced.

Eight players who helped England reach the final of the inaugural Dubai Sevens Challenge Cup in December have been recalled while the likes of 2009 World Cup Sevens players, Heather Fisher and Alice Richardson, return from injury.

Wasps’ Michaela Staniford (pictured) will captain England and she’ll be joined by Rachael Burford, Isabelle Noel Smith and Georgina Roberts, who have all been crucial in England’s RBS 6 Nations campaign this season, which sees England going into the final round this Saturday against Ireland on course for the Grand Slam.

England Sevens Head Coach Barry Maddocks said: “Selection for Hong Kong has been very difficult with so many players in contention. We have retained a core group of players to ensure we have consistency within our game whilst it’s also nice to welcome back players with so much experience, like Rachel Burford, Alice Richardson and Heather Fisher.”

12 teams will compete for glory in the Hong Kong Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup with Canada, England, Australia and the USA the top four seeds respectively. Olympic Games 2016 hosts Brazil, Asian Women’s Sevens champions China, the Netherlands and Dubai Plate winners Spain are seeded five to eight. Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 hosts Russia, Japan, Hong Kong and Tunisia complete the invitational line-up. England have been drawn in Pool B and will face Japan and China in the initial stages.

Maddocks added: “We played China in Dubai and they ran us close in the first game. They are a very organised team and they are not afraid to use their pace. Japan, meanwhile, look like a very organised side with some very quick and agile players. 

“In Dubai we exceeded expectations by getting to the final. This time, we’ll be looking to first focus on our group and from there, if we are successful, to again be challengers in the main competition. We have not had much game time, unlike a lot of the other nations we’ll be up against, but we have prepared well and we head to Hong Kong in good shape.”

England Sevens Squad for Hong Kong

Rachael         Burford (Richmond)

Abigail            Chamberlain(Richmond)

Heather          Fisher (Worcester)

Sonia Green (VC)    (Saracens)

Sarah Guest(Worcester)

Isabelle          Noel-Smith    (Bristol)

Alice   Richardson   (Richmond)

Leanne          Riley   (Saracens)

Georgina       Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Michaela        Staniford (C)(Wasps)

Lydia  Thompson     (Worcester)

Joanne          Watmore        (Worcester)

Hong Kong IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup Schedule

Friday, 23rd March 2012, Hong Kong Football Club, Happy Valley

910am local time: England v China

1150am local time: England v Japan

14:00  Bowl SF         3rd Pool A v 3rd Pool B     

14:40  Plate SF         2nd Pool A v 2nd Pool B  

15:00  Plate SF         2nd Pool C v 2nd Pool D  

16.40 Bowl FINAL

Hong Kong Football Club – HK Stadium  

18:12 PLATE Final, Hong Kong Football Club – HK Stadium 

Saturday, 24th March 2012, Hong Kong Football Club – HK Stadium  

11:42  Cup SF          1st Pool A                  v          1st Pool B    

16:50  CUP Final

Championship: Arlidge and Kalamafoni Back to Bolster Nottingham Squad

Posted on Oct 14, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Nottingham welcome back James Arlidge and Sione Kalamafoni from World Cup duty Friday night after they represented Japan and Tonga respectively in the competition.

Both players saved their best performances for their countries matches against France in the pool stage and each received the man of the match award for their efforts.

Arlidge scored 21 points in Japan’s heroic performance in the opening round of matches while Sione went one better as Tonga pulled off the result of the tournament so far to beat the French.

Their return to the starting line up tonight will give the Green and Whites a lift as they look to get back to winning ways.

Glenn Delaney is very pleased to have them back and said: "These two players have represented themselves, the club and their countries with distinction and we are very proud of them. I am looking forward to them playing at Meadow Lane again and I am sure the supporters will show their appreciation!"

The match against Cornish Pirates is bound to be a cracker and Nottingham will be hoping for a big crowd to welcome back the World Cup heroes and shout them on to victory.

Carter replaced by Colin Slade for Japan test match

Posted on Sep 14, 2011 in NZ, Rugby News, Rugby World Cup

McCaw reaches 100 tests

All Blacks first –five eighth Daniel Carter has been replaced for the Rugby World Cup Test against Japan on Friday 16 September after failing to overcome a sore back.

Carter has been replaced by Colin Slade in the starting XV for the match at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, with halfback Jimmy Cowan coming onto the bench, and Piri Weepu now to provide first–five cover.

Carter suffered a stiff back in the All Blacks Rugby World Cup– opening match against Tonga.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said:  “The key thing is that Daniel had been recovering well from a stiff lower back.  However, he pulled up sore at an indoor training session this morning so we have made the decision not to risk him for the Japan match and we will aim to have him back fully training next week in preparation for the France Test.”

The revised All Blacks team to play Japan is now as follows:

Starting XV:

1.         Tony Woodcock (77)

2.         Keven Mealamu (86)

3.         Owen Franks (25)

4.         Brad Thorn (53)

5.         Sam Whitelock (19)

6.         Jerome Kaino (42)

7.         Richie McCaw – captain (99)

8.         Adam Thomson (22)

9.         Andy Ellis (21)

10.       Colin Slade (6)

11.       Richard Kahui (13)

12.       Ma’a Nonu (61)

13.       Conrad Smith (49)

14.       Cory Jane (27)

15.       Mils Muliaina (98)

Reserves:

16.       Andrew Hore (56)

17.       John Afoa (34)

18.       Ali Williams (67)

19.       Victor Vito (9)

20.       Jimmy Cowan (48)

21.       Piri Weepu (50)

22.       Sonny Bill Williams (8)

 

The team will again be captained by Richie McCaw, with the iconic player becoming the first All Black to play 100 Tests – a special and historic milestone for the All Blacks skipper.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry has today saluted McCaw’s contribution to New Zealand rugby.

“Richie is a very special man.  He provides inspiration to New Zealanders because of his total commitment to enhancing the reputation of New Zealand through the success of the All Blacks team.

“He is incredibly brave, skilful and a hugely intelligent player who has the total respect of his team through the many deeds and successes he has achieved on the rugby field, and his ability to lead from the front.

“On behalf of the All Blacks coaches, management and fellow players, I would like to congratulate him on being the first player in All Blacks history to achieve 100 Tests – a truly remarkable milestone.”

The changes from the All Blacks team that beat Tonga 41–10 in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup include the return of 98–Test fullback Mils Muliaina, while the other changes in the backs are at halfback, with Andy Ellis getting his first start of the Rugby World Cup, and Cory Jane has been named on the right wing.

In the forwards, flanker Adam Thomson has recovered from his elbow injury to take his place at number eight; hooker Keven Mealamu returns to the run–on XV; and Sam Whitelock replaces Ali Williams at lock.  .

Henry said the All Blacks were under no illusions about how much of a challenge Japan would be, after watching their effort against France in their opening match.

“There is no doubt that they are a very good team and well coached by John Kirwan and Mick Byrne.  They are physical at the breakdown, play the game at speed and will be a real threat if we let them play like that so we will have to be on top of our game.”

Meanwhile, it will also be a special milestone this weekend for one of the team’s other leaders, Conrad Smith, with the centre playing in his 50th Test.  As well, Daniel Carter and England’s Jonny Wilkinson will resume their on-going duel to be the world’s leading Test point scorer. Carter scored nine points against Tonga, increasing his lead over Wilkinson, who managed eight points against Argentina. Carter is now on 1238 points with Wilkinson 12 points back on 1226.

The All Blacks have played Japan just once in a Test, at the Rugby World Cup in 1995, with two non–Test matches also played in 1987.