Matthew Rees to Captain Wales against Oz

Posted on Oct 26, 2010 in Rugby News

Matthew Rees has today (Tuesday) been appointed as the Wales captain for the Invesco Perpetual Series 2010 opener against Australia at the Millennium Stadium a week on Saturday.
Rees, the current Scarlets captain who has 39 caps to his name and was the starting hooker for the British & Irish Lions in the 2nd and 3rd Tests in South Africa in 2009, will take over  the captains’ arm band from the injury hit Ryan Jones. He will become the 128th player to captain Wales.
Jones sustained a grade-two tear to his calf muscle whilst on duty for the Ospreys in Glasgow last weekend and has been ruled out of the game against the Wallabies on Saturday, 6 November. He will be re-assessed after the match to determine when he may be able to return.
“It’s obviously a huge honour to captain your country and it’s something that probably won’t really sink in until we get to match-day. To lead the side out at the Millennium Stadium against a side of the strength and stature of Australia is just an amazing thought,” said Rees
“I hope to be able to take it all in my stride and as a squad we are certainly looking to perform against the Wallabies and come away with the right result to kick-off our Autumn campaign, and this Rugby World Cup season, in the right way.”
Meanwhile, a scan has revealed that Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny has damaged a ligament in his ankle, which will see him in recovery for three to four weeks. This means he will leave the squad and be replaced by Dragons wing Aled Brew.
Brew was already in camp with Wales, providing injury cover for recovering Scarlets wing George North, who himself will be back in training next week after a leg fracture.

Matthew Rees (born 9 December 1980 in Tonyrefail, Wales) is a Welsh international rugby union footballer who currently plays for the Scarlets in the Celtic League. His usual position is at hooker. He previously played for the now defunct Celtic Warriors and Pontypridd.

In June 2009 Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones and Matthew Rees were selected as the British and Irish Lions front row for the 2nd Test against South Africa. This was the first time an all-Welsh front row was selected for a Lions test match since Billy Williams, Bryn Meredith and Courtney Meredith on the 1955 Lions tour.

On 18 January 2010 he was named in the 35 man Wales national Squad for the 2010 Six Nations tournament.

Matthew Rees
DOB: 9 December, 1980
Birthplace: Tonyrefail
Position: Hooker
Ht: 1.83 m (6′ 0")
Wt: 109 kg (17 st 2 lb)
Honours: Wales (39 caps), B&I Lions (3 caps)
Debut: 4 June, 2005 v USA

Aled Brew
DOB: 9 August, 1986
Birthplace: Cardiff
Position: Wing
Ht: 1.85 m (6′ 1")
Wt: 101 kg (15 st 12 lb)
Honours: Wales (3 caps)
Debut: 4 February, 2007 v Ireland

Under Armour introduces Welsh youngsters to pro training

Posted on Oct 3, 2010 in Under Armour, Welsh Rugby

Sports performance brand, Under Armour, together with the WRU has given young athletes the opportunity to participate in high level training and testing with American Athletes. Known as a “Combine”, the first ever UK Rugby events took place in Wales when the Under Armour WRU Combine Tour travelled to Cardiff, Ebbw Vale, Swansea, Carmarthen and Colwyn Bay to offer young rugby players a 360 degree approach to training and development.

The programme was developed by Under Armour in partnership with IMG Academies and this is the first time this exciting and revolutionary concept has been used in the field of rugby training.

Each athlete receives elite training performance evaluations from professional Under Armour and WRU personnel, designed to help them reach their full athletic potential. This is measure through a series of rigorous tests, which gauge the aptitude of each participant.

Split into groups of 50 or more, the youngsters were coached by professional representatives from Under Armour, WRU and IMG Academies. Several professional rugby players were also present to lend a hand and provide some tips and insight learned from their own careers. Wales centre, Jamie Roberts; Richie Rees, Cardiff Blues and Wales scrum half; and Will Harries of Newport Gwent Dragons – a recent addition to the Wales International squad – attended to show youngsters their encouragement and support.

Under Armour

Under Armour is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. Born on the American football field, Under Armour is expanding its mission to “make all athletes better” on a global scale through grassroots training and performance initiatives. Under Armour is the official kit supplier of the WRU and recognizes the intense physical demands of rugby.

Under Armour’s commitment to excellence in sport extends to helping athletes from all disciplines achieve their optimum potential. The Combine partnership presents a unique opportunity for the brand to become more involved with world class youth athletes and consolidate its commitment to the sport of rugby.

Tom Rees to miss Saxon tour

Posted on May 20, 2010 in Rugby News

Following a lengthy recovery from a shoulder injury which saw TOM REES return to play at the close of the season, London Wasps captain Tom Rees has been assessed by both the London Wasps and England medical teams ahead of next month’s England Saxons Churchill Cup. A decision has been made by both parties, along with Tom, that it would be more beneficial for him to undergo further rehabilitation to the shoulder over the summer which would ultimately give him longer term benefit. Tom will therefore not travel with the Saxons this summer.

Speaking on the announcement, Wasps Director of Rugby Tony Hanks said, “Tom had a very difficult season coming through two shoulder operations and working extremely hard to return to play before the close of the season. Whilst he enjoyed some strong form on his return, injuries of this nature need continual monitoring and a summer spent strengthening the shoulder will be hugely beneficial and ensure prevention of further damage. We all know Tom is a player who gives 100% to everything that he does, and whilst he is disappointed not to tour, he will continue the hard work demonstrated this season to ensure he can lead the team through the pre-season period in preparation for 2010/11.”

In the Rugby Rebels forum

Posted on Feb 18, 2010 in Rugby News

The vexed question of which team should Warren Gatland pick to play Italy is a talking point in the Welsh Message Board (WMB). RR poster “Hook”, poses this question and offers Gatland the following advice:  “I think its important we don’t make the same mistake as Gats did last year but I would make a couple of changes and give some players a chance.” His team for Italy is: Byrne, Halfpenny, Shanklin, Roberts, James, Biggar, Phillips, Jones, Williams, Warbuton, Davies, J Thomas, Jones, Rees, Gill.

HorridM takes issue and says: “I hope we put out a good team for two reasons: 1) We need to build some confidence, 2) I’m going to that game. I can’t see us putting out too weak a team, because if we win our next two games we’ll be playing for the championship, if we don’t win them we’ll need to regain some pride.

Over in the England forum, Sharks fan Tiggers says: Back to proper rugby! Dafydd James makes his home debut and Gavin Kerr starts against his former club. Jones said, “Leeds will be hard to beat. They’ve got a good set piece and they’re desperate for a win. It’s a game that a lot of things hinge on so we really need to improve our discipline in our game. Leeds showed us back in November that they are a good side, but we have trained well this week and my players are ready and prepared for the challenge.”

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Williams, Rees & Jenkins out of Wales squad to face France

Posted on Feb 18, 2010 in Rugby News

Wales physio Mark Davies today confirmed Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins and Gareth Williams will not be available for selection for the RBS 6 Nations clash with France at the Millennium Stadium a week tomorrow (kick-off 8.00pm)

Scarlets hooker Rees has failed to recover from a groin problem, Blues prop Gethin Jenkins has a calf injury and fellow Blues player, hooker Gareth Williams, has damaged knee ligaments.

“Matthew (Rees) is progressing well and will continue his rehab in camp with Wales,” said Davies.

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