The Argentina captain and Rugby World Cup 2007 bronze medal winner is one of seven leading athletes, past or present, representing seven different sports to sit on the influential Committee that represents the views and rights of athletes worldwide.

A qualified Doctor, Contepomi is joined by Matt Dunn (swimming), Annelies Vandenberghe (korfball), Nina Kemppel (cross-country skiing), Frankie Fredericks (athletics), Katarzyna Rogowiec (Paralympic nordic skiing) and chairman Vyacheslav Fetisov (ice hockey) on the Committee, which will serve between January 2012 and December 2014.

For the first time three observers, who are all current athletes, have been appointed and will give additional support during the Code review process. The observers are sailor Tania Calles, boxer Ken Egan and rower Andréanne Morin.

Rugby has been at the forefront in the fight against doping in sport and Contepomi will perform a key role in helping WADA review the Anti-Doping Code and develop more effective detection, education and awareness programmes as well as how better to understand the challenges faced by athletes.

“I am honoured to be representing Rugby on the WADA Athlete Committee and representing the interests of Rugby players and athletes all around the world in the critical area of Anti-Doping,” said Contepomi.

“As role models we have a big role to play in educating and informing. The ethos of fair play is essential to the spirit of sport and athletes should have the peace of mind that they are competing on a level playing field.” 

With Rugby participation expanding by 18 per cent since Rugby World Cup 2007, Rugby’s governing body increased its testing programme to record levels in 2010, undertaking 1,288 tests across men’s and women’s Fifteens and Sevens competitions in every continent with Member Unions undertaking more than 4,000 controls. The extensive regime was supported by the IRB’s Outreach and Keep Rugby Clean education programmes which are run in partnership with WADA.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "Felipe’s appointment to the WADA Athlete Committee further reflects Rugby’s commitment in the fight against drugs cheats in sport and ensuring a level playing field for all athletes at all levels.”

“The IRB and its Member Unions operate extensive annual testing and education programmes and as a respected role model, a qualified doctor and an IRB Keep Rugby Clean Ambassador, Felipe has played a central role in educating the global Rugby community about the importance of maintaining a level playing field and the pitfalls of doping.”

“While Rugby has been at the forefront in the fight against doping in sport, it is important that we continue to develop policies that put the player first and ensure that our players have access to the best possible educational framework in the area of Anti-Doping. This includes education around the dangers of using nutritional supplements, performance enhancing and recreational drugs.”

For more information on the IRB’s Anti-Doping testing and education programmes and Anti-Doping rule violations, visit www.keeprugbyclean.com.

Kaino, 28, pipped two of his All Blacks team mates ­– captain Richie McCaw and second five-eighth Ma’a Nonu – to win the award, which was presented by Pam Tremain to Jerome’s brother Kaino Kaino on his behalf.  The award was one of 13 presented at the New Zealand Rugby Union’s annual premier awards event at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.

Kaino’s relentless work rate and ball skills made him almost irreplaceable and he played all but 55 seconds of Rugby World Cup 2011.  Kaino was also nominated for the IRB Player of the Year.

The 2011 Investec Super Rugby Player of the Year award went to Crusaders and All Blacks loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett.

The World Champion All Blacks emerged as the 2011 adidas Team of the Year, edging out the ITM Cup-winning Canterbury team, Investec Super Rugby Finalists, the Crusaders; and the World Series-winning New Zealand Sevens team.

Auckland and Black Ferns forward Fiao’o Fa’amausili took out the Women’s Player of the Year award reflecting her status as one of the leading hookers in the women’s game on the international stage.

All Blacks Head Coach Graham Henry won the 2011 New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year.  Henry retired from the job as one of the most successful coaches of all time, guiding the All Blacks to an 85 per cent winning record – a remarkable 88 victories from 103 Tests, during his eight years.

Henry headed off a field which included Canterbury Coach Rob Penny who guided his team to a fourth successive national provincial title in this year’s ITM Cup and Gordon Tietjens who steered the New Zealand Sevens team to their ninth HSBC Sevens World Series win.

Henry was the sole nominee and recipient of the 2011 IRB Coach of the Year award – the fifth time he has won the accolade.

Nominated for the IRB’s Junior Player of the Year after showing outstanding form at the Junior World Championship, New Zealand Under 20 and Bay of Plenty flanker Sam Cane picked up the NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year; Waikato’s Tim Mikkelson won the Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year; and All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu capped off a remarkable comeback to be named the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year.

Test referee Bryce Lawrence won the NZRU Referee of the Year award for a fourth time; and Canterbury Rugby’s Andy MacDonald was named the Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year Award for his services to community rugby, which include administration and groundsman duties, and coaching the Parklands Rugby Under 13s, Shirley Boys’ High School Under 16 and Canterbury Under 13 representative teams.

The hero of the Manawatu Turbos and All Blacks first five-eighth Aaron Cruden was named the ITM Cup Player of the Year.

The Heartland Championship Player of the Year Award went to Wanganui’s Jon Smyth. A member of the 2011 Heartland XV and the Meads Cup-winning Wanganui team, the lock has played 50 consecutive first-class matches for his Provincial Union.

Special Presentations

The Steinlager Salver, a special presentation to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand rugby, was presented to former All Blacks captain and recent NZRU Chairman Jock Hobbs.

Acclaimed for his leadership in New Zealand’s 2005 winning bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup, illness forced Hobbs’ early retirement from his roles as Chairman of the NZRU and the RWC tournament body, Rugby New Zealand 2011.

A Canterbury flanker in his playing days, Hobbs debuted for the All Blacks in 1983 and after captaining 16 matches including four Tests, he continued to utilise his leadership skills as an influential administrator. The successful bid to host the Rugby World Cup and the resounding success of the tournament, are testament to Hobbs’ personal integrity and the mana he commands on the international stage.

The IRB this year also honoured Hobbs with the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service.

In another special presentation, pounamu mere were presented to Graham Henry, Assistant Coach Steve Hansen, Team Manager Darren Shand and in his absence, Assistant Coach Wayne Smith, in recognition of reaching the milestone of 100 Tests with the All Blacks.

NZRU Chairman Mike Eagle congratulated all the winners from tonight’s awards and reflected on the year that saw rugby touch millions of people.

“In hosting Rugby World Cup 2011 we took major steps toward rugby’s vision to inspire and unify New Zealanders.  There were many challenges this year, but I am proud to say that we met every one of them head on, and the high standard of nominations and excellence of our winners tonight are evidence of the wonderful success rugby has enjoyed,” he said.

Judging Panel

The judges for the 2011 Steinlager Rugby Awards were former All Blacks captain and former NZRU President Andy Leslie, another former All Blacks captain and current NZRU Board member 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 full list of winners at the 2011 Steinlager Rugby Awards is as follows:

NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year

• · Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Under 20)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year

• · Tim Mikkelson (Waikato, New Zealand Sevens)

NZRU Referee of the Year

• · Bryce Lawrence

NZRU Women’s Player of the Year

• · Fiao’o Fa’amausili (Auckland, Black Ferns)

Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year

• · Andy MacDonald (Canterbury)

Investec Super Rugby Player of the Year

• · Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury, Crusaders, All Blacks)

Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year

• · Piri Weepu – Whakatohea (Wellington, Hurricanes, All Blacks)

Heartland Championship Player of the Year

• · Jon Smyth (Wanganui, Heartland XV)

ITM Cup Player of the Year

• · Aaron Cruden (Manawatu)

adidas Team of the Year

• · All Blacks

NZRU Coach of the Year

• · Graham Henry (All Blacks)

Steinlager Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby

• · Jock Hobbs

Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year

• · Jerome Kaino (Auckland, Blues, All Blacks)

Martin Johnson yesterday informed the RFU that he is resigning as national coach, following England’s poor showing in recent months and in particular the car crash performance of the team on and off the field at the Rugby World Cup.

Johnson has always set himself high standards and failing to meet those self-imposed standards left him with no option but to walk away. He has called a coaching team meeting for today to explain his decision and he will appear at a press conference today at 4pm alongside Rob Andrew, presumably to officially announce his departure.

The RFU says: Martin Johnson today stepped down as England Team Manager.

After three-and-a-half years Johnson has decided not to seek a new contract.

He said: “I’ve obviously thought long and hard about this and it’s the right decision for me and the England team. We have come a long way in the last three-and-a-half years and a lot of credit should go to the coaches, back-room staff and players.

“We have developed some exciting young players in the last 18 months or so and I believe English rugby has a bright future. I’ve had great support from everyone involved in the England squad, the Elite Rugby Department and the whole of the RFU and I wish them all the best for the future.”

RFU Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew added: “Martin has worked tirelessly to develop this England team, from a position where the team needed a great deal of rebuilding following the 2007 World Cup.

“A whole new group of players has been introduced to the demands of Test match rugby, including: Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole, Courtney Lawes, Tom Croft, Tom Wood, Ben Youngs, Danny Care, Manu Tuilagi, Chris Ashton and Ben Foden. They have experienced winning in the southern hemisphere against Australia and winning the Six Nations title for the first time since 2003. They have also suffered the huge disappointment of the World Cup in New Zealand and how many of these players respond to this disappointment will define their careers.

“We have always insisted that Martin would take the team to the World Cup and we would then assess what steps would be taken. Martin has made this decision and we fully respect that.

“He has handled himself with great dignity and integrity throughout his time as England Team Manager, as he did when he was England captain. He is a hugely respected figure in the English game and, although we were all disappointed with the way the World Cup turned out, we need to ensure that moving forward we learn the lessons that came out of the campaign.

“The Professional Game Board will meet to review England’s Rugby World Cup performance and Martin has obviously contributed fully to that. All aspects of the management and coaching structure will be reviewed and until then it would not be appropriate to talk about a replacement for Martin.”

RFU Acting Chief Executive Martyn Thomas said:  “I would like to thank Martin for all he has done for English rugby, both as a player and a manager. It is disappointing that he has decided to step down but we fully respect his decision. We now have to look forward and the RFU will ensure that the structure and appointments made are in the best interests of English rugby as we move towards our home Rugby World Cup in 2015.”

OPINION: The blame game is a fruitless quest, because it has no merit in a team sport like rugby union. On the field of play, the team is either more, less or equal to the sum of its parts. The big question about individuals is: do they contribute to the sum in such a way as to enhance the prospects of the team, or not?

Unquestionably, James Hook is huge talent. No doubt he will, in some teams, contribute enormously to the overall sum, giving them a dash of the unknown in a game that is all too often certain. Regrettably, that team is not Wales when he is playing at standoff half.

In all fairness, his contribution to the game against France in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup was hampered by the loss of his captain, the main fetcher and the heartbeat of the team, together with injury to Adam Jones, the rock around which the Welsh scrum is built.

Similarly, against Australia, without the solid foundation of Adam Jones anchoring the scrum and the harrying, ball winning skills of Warburton, Hook was dealt a bad hand. Throughout the game, Wales’s scrums were being turned by Australia and Paul James, a skilled scrummaging loosehead, was exposed at tighthead, against a team not noted for its ability to turn out game winning front rows.

Nevertheless, Wales had chances to win both the games, and the wayward kicking of the erstwhile boy genius was mostly at fault. Losing to France with fourteen men would normally be something to be expected, but Wales left a fist full of points on the park. They only need one of those penalties to go over and it would Wales who walked out onto the park on Sunday, not France. That one of those was a relatively easy chance that Halfpenny, Jones or Priestland would have slotted over without a second though is particularly dissatisfying.

Likewise, the penalties we missed against Australia would have won us the game. Indeed when Wales went into the lead, it would have not be far from expectation for them to have kicked on and closed out the game. Instead, a missed conversion and several missed penalties left the Aussies in with a chance. A chance they took and Wales were never able to catch up.

Rugby is a game of clichés and there is none bigger than talk about momentum, but as much as it is cliché, it is also a basic truth. Once a team gains momentum it is very difficult to claw it back. At the point of Shane Williams scoring his try, Wales looked like they had gained momentum. Australia were looking distinctly taken aback, and it would have only taken another two scores to rob them of heart. The missed conversion must have put a glint back in their eye, a glint that turned into a sparkle when they succeeded in nailing two penalties in a matter of minutes to open up a gap. Which is when Wales lost momentum and started to flag.

To give the team credit, they fought back and came within a whisker of the Australians, but this game of ours is all about fine margins. The difference between an also-ran and a winner is a few penalty kicks. Despite coming fourth in the tournament overall, it is fair to say that Wales ended up in the also-rans enclosure come the final whistle.

All this said those who blame Hook for the defeats are wrong. He is not the right person for the role in which he was employed, but to lay the blame squarely at his door is no more adequate a response than those who blame the gods for Wales’s failings.

He lacks the composure of Jones or Priestland, but with the former looking distinctly suspect in terms of fitness, Hook was thrust into a role he has had little or no chance of gracing on a regular basis. Hopefully his time in France will allow him to familiarise himself more closely with the role. Until such a time, I would caution Mister Gatland not to utilise him in such a way.

I realise this condemns him to the role of utility player, but THAT IS WHAT HE’S GOOD AT. Bringing Hook off the bench and slotting him into 12 or 15 changes the game’s dynamic and gives the opposition something else to think about. Just like Gavin Henson, who at thirty in February is probably too old for the next World Cup. Such a shame…

Other solutions need to be created, so if we lose players, we aren’t left grasping at straws. Our options at tighthead prop are extremely limited and Paul James is no more than a stop-gap. As good as he is as a scrummager, he is not a tighthead. It’s a shame John Yapp has never shown the promise his frame surely offers, by being a pretty substandard scrummager, but nevertheless, Scott Andrews, his Cardiff team mate looks like he is capable of stepping up to the plate. He has the bulk, (6’ 2” and 18 stone 8lbs) and at 22 years of age, he has plenty of time to develop from the perspective of his own career, but from a Wales perspective, he needs to be ready sooner rather than later.

There’s no doubt, Andrews does not have the power at scrum time to compete against the very best in the way Adam Jones does, which is why Wales should be working with the young man now to build him into the long term replacement and current understudy of the imperious Jones. This is something I am sure has occurred to the Welsh management and they have no doubt put measures in place to bring him on.

What I’m arguing for is special treatment though. Clearly Andrews has been earmarked as a future Wales tighthead in the event of Adam not being available, or his inevitable retirement, Scott needs to be ready. We start building for the 2015 Rugby World Cup today and Scott Andrews needs to be taken to one side and given special treatment to build him into a scrummaging machine, so that in the next two years he is challenging Jones for his place.

Similarly, we need a decent backup to Captain Warburton. Again, there is a stand out candidate in the form of Justin Tuperic, the Ospreys flanker, who needs to be integrated into the squad and developed into a player who can slot into the role immediately. He is a fantastically talented player, who will in the next few years be challenging Warburton for his place, if he is handled correctly. So, once again, the WRU need to take him to one side and give him special treatment.

Every other top side does this. They have programs in place to develop special players for special circumstances. We should be identifying an entire shadow squad and giving them special treatment and we should be doing it now.

At standoff, Wales clearly missed the direction, cool head and game control of the young man from Llanelli. Priestland has been Stephen Jones’s pupil for a long time now, but he stepped out of his shadow and become his own man, to such an extent as I cannot see any time when Jones will be preferred to the younger man. He plays the game like Jones, only with greater pace and perhaps without the slide rule accuracy of Jones’s place kicking. Without him, against Australia, Roberts was being caught behind the gain line every time and without Roberts tying up the loose forwards and the midfield, Australia were able to take the game to Wales, with inevitable consequences.

Stephen Jones will probably not be around for the next World Cup, so he should only be used as a stop gap. He’s earned his wings a long time ago and as such should be put out to stud. Preferably with the best fillies Wales has to offer.

So, with all that in mind, here is my Wales squad and their shadows.

Wales for the six nations:

• Loosehead: Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Ryan Bevington
• Hooker: Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ken Owens
• Tight Head: Adam Jones, Scott Andrews
• Locks: Luke Charteris, Alun-Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies – and fingers crossed – Ian Evans
• Open side flanker: Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric
• Blind side flanker: Dan Lydiate, Ryan Jones
• Number 8: Toby Faletau and if he throws in his lot with us – Ben Morgan
• Scrum half: Mike Phillips, Lloyd Williams, Tavis Knoyle
• Standoff half: Rhys Priestland, Jason Tovey, Mathew Morgan, Dan Biggar
• Inside centre: Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams
• Outside centre: Jon Davies, and reluctantly Andrew Bishop
• Wings: George North, Morgan Stoddart, Tom James, Tom Prydie
• Full back: Leigh Halfpenny, Lee Byrne (fingers crossed for a return to form)
• Utility backs: James Hook, Gavin Henson

Obviously there will be a lot of trading places in that lot – particularly in the back three. But it highlights areas that we need to address pretty soon:

We’re thin at tighthead, both flankers, outside centre and full back, although I understand that Tom Prydie is being groomed for that role at the Ospreys. So, the regions and academies need to focus their attentions on these areas and everything will go swimmingly.

As for Wales, we flattered to deceive in one sense, losing to Australia, South Africa and France has left something of a sour taste on our campaign. Next time will be better if Gatland stays, but the lure of NZ might be too much, the only question is, can the Kiwis afford Wales’s asking price. Given they can’t, the future looks relatively bright for Wales, if we can fill the gaps I have highlighted.

Gatland is not the only coach who might depart either. Edwards is keeping his cards close to his chest and I have a gut feeling he really, really wants the England job. Obviously, that is dependent on the RFU getting rid of the incumbent, Martin Johnson. Johnson has not got the best out of his team, except in patches, but whether the RFU will see Edwards as a suitable replacement is another matter. I could see Jim Mallinder getting offered the job though.

Whatever happens, we can always find a new defence coach, but whether we want to is another matter. Gatland’s prescription seems to be working, despite the medicine tasting bloody awful for the last couple of years. With luck, as few injuries as possible and a development plan that will bring adequate replacements into the picture, the future for Wales looks bright.

I’m looking forward to it.

Starting XV:

1.         Tony Woodcock (82)

2.         Keven Mealamu (91)

3.         Owen Franks (30)

4.         Brad Thorn (58)

5.         Samuel Whitelock (24)

6.         Jerome Kaino (47)

7.         Richie McCaw – captain (102)

8.         Kieran Read (35)

9.         Piri Weepu (55)

10.       Aaron Cruden (8)

11.       Richard Kahui (16)

12.       Ma’a Nonu (65)

13.       Conrad Smith (54)

14.       Cory Jane (30)

15.       Israel Dagg (11)

Reserves:

16.       Andrew Hore (61)

17.       Ben Franks (15)

18.       Ali Williams (72)

19.       Adam Thomson (24)

20.       Andy Ellis (25)

21.       Stephen Donald (22)

22.       Sonny Bill Williams (13)

Number of Test caps in brackets

The All Blacks will again field a hugely experienced team, with 708 caps in the starting XV, with the side again captained by flanker Richie McCaw in his 103rd Test.  The only change on the bench sees Adam Thomson, who has recovered from his high ankle strain, replace Victor Vito.

Graham Henry said: “This is the biggest game of the players’ lives and there is obvious excitement and anticipation at what lies ahead. To be playing in the Final of the Rugby World Cup in front of our home crowd is going to be massive and a very special occasion for the team as well as our fans. The support the team has received from New Zealanders throughout the Tournament has been incredibly humbling and we know the country will be right behind us on Sunday night.”

Meanwhile, a number of milestones will be achieved by various All Blacks this weekend.

McCaw and fellow loose forwards Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read will become the most-capped loose forward trio in All Blacks history, playing their 21st Test together, one more than the trio of McCaw, Rodney So’oialo and Jerry Collins.

Keven Mealamu will play in his 92nd Test joining All Blacks great Sean Fitzpatrick as the most capped All Blacks hooker of all time and the joint third most capped All Black behind McCaw and Mils Muliaina.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale, Aaron Cruden will be playing in his ninth Test for the All Blacks compared, interestingly, with Grant Fox who was playing in just his seventh Test match in the 1987 Rugby World Cup Final, while it was Andrew Mehrtens’ sixth Test match in the 1995 Final.

The All Blacks have played France 50 times since 1906, with 37 wins to the All Blacks, 12 to France and the one draw. The teams have played five times at the Rugby World Cup, with the 37- 17 Pool Play win to the All Blacks in this year’s Tournament the last match. The All Blacks beat France in the 1987 Final and in the 3rd /4th playoff match in 2003 with France scoring significant victories over the All Blacks in the 1999 Semi-final and 2007 Quarterfinal.

Starting XV:

1.         Tony Woodcock (79)

2.         Andrew Hore (58)

3.         Owen Franks (26)

4.         Samuel Whitelock (21)

5.         Ali Williams (69)

6.         Jerome Kaino (44)

7.         Richie McCaw – captain (100)

8.         Kieran Read (32)

9.         Jimmy Cowan (49)

10.       Daniel Carter (84)

11.       Zac Guildford (7)

12.       Sonny Bill Williams (10)

13.       Conrad Smith (51)

14.       Israel Dagg (9)

15.       Mils Muliaina (99)

Reserves:

16.       Keven Mealamu (88)

17.       Ben Franks (13)

18.       Brad Thorn (55)

19.      Anthony Boric (23)

20.       Piri Weepu (52)

21.       Colin Slade (8)

22.       Isaia Toeava (34)

Number of Test caps in brackets

The starting XV features the return of Mils Muliaina at fullback in his 99th Test, Israel Dagg moves to the right wing, Sonny Bill Williams comes into second five–eighth for his fifth Test start, while halfback Jimmy Cowan gets the starting halfback jersey in what will be his 50th Test match.

In the forwards, Kieran Read returns to the starting XV for his first start in the Rugby World Cup after recovering from his ankle sprain; Andrew Hore has been named at hooker with Ali Williams at lock.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “We are looking to improve each week during the Rugby World Cup, with an increase in intensity and execution, and we will be looking to do that again this week.  Having said that, the Canadians have shown in this Rugby World Cup just what they are capable of, including a good win over Tonga and the hard–fought draw against Japan, so we are expecting a passionate contest.”

As well as the 50–Test milestone for Cowan, Henry, Hansen and Smith will celebrate their 100th All Blacks Test together as a coaching trio.  Meanwhile, Daniel Carter will play his 85th Test, Tony Woodcock his 80th and Ali Williams his 70th.

The All Blacks have played Canada four times, including twice at Rugby World Cup: in 1991 in the Quarterfinal and in 2003 in Pool Play.

The All Blacks fly into Christchurch tomorrow afternoon, following tonight’s Test against Japan at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium, arriving at Christchurch Airport at 4.15PM, and will be attending a number of public events in Christchurch.  The team will then fly to Auckland on Wednesday to prepare for the Rugby World Cup Test against France on Saturday 24 September.

All Blacks Manager Darren Shand, who is from Christchurch, said:  “The squad is really excited about coming to Christchurch.  We know that the city is still recovering and the residents are still very much in our thoughts so it will give us the chance to stand together and also help everyone join in the Rugby World Cup celebrations.”

“It’s a big week for us with the team training for the Test against France and while we will be in Test preparation mode, we also want to make our Canterbury fans part of the Rugby World Cup.”

The All Blacks squad will join fans at a ‘Stand in Black’ event at Christchurch’s Centennial Park next to the Pioneer Recreation Centre on Sunday afternoon.  The event starts at 3.30PM with the squad due to arrive at 5.00PM.  Listen to More FM for more details.

Fans will also get the chance to see players at two store events on Monday afternoon at Riccarton Mall.

Fans will get to ‘Stand in Black’ alongside the full All Blacks squad at a free event at Auckland’s Pakuranga Rugby Club.

The public will be able to spend Father’s Day in a carnival type atmosphere with fun activities for all ages.

There will be a chance to show off your rugby skills, get photos and signatures from your favourite players, play video games and go wild on bouncy castles.

On Saturday the All Blacks will receive their official Rugby World Cup 2011 welcome in Auckland’s Aotea Square at 3.30pm. This follows today’s visit to 11 towns across New Zealand from Kaeo to Winton.

On Sunday 18 September the All Blacks will have another Fan Day at Christchurch’s Pioneer Stadium, followed by an event in Wellington on Tuesday 27 September (details still to be confirmed).

This Sunday’s event opens at 3.30pm with players in attendance from 5pm. The Pakuranga Rugby Club is on Bells Road in Pakuranga.

The 2003 World Cup winner Steve Thompson is at the top of his game after a hard road back into the national team while Delon Armitage is running nicely into form after a spell on the sidelines.

"It was a big goal of mine to get in the World Cup squad," Thompson told the RFU Podcast. "Going to a World Cup has got that little bit of extra edge to it and you’ve just got to make the most of it."

England’s age group sides are thriving and the Under 18 team coached by John Fletcher have just touched down back home after beating their Australia counterparts 46-19 in Sydney.

Fletcher explains the secrets of success behind a side that has won 24 out of 27 internationals over the last four years.

The first round of Aviva Premiership games kick off this weekend and we talk to all the clubs involved, starting with Worcester Warriors captain Chris Pennell, whose side are back in the top flight and preparing to face Sale Sharks.

We also hear from Saracens skipper Steve Borthwick and Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill.

The initial card programme is aimed at travellers to New Zealand for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2011 with the launch of Sterling Everywhere card.   Following shortly will be the launch of a Euro and Dollar version of the card aimed at supporters’ tours, club tours, family holidays and business travel which will offer highly competitive rates to customers.

The England Rugby Travel Card is a safe alternative to carrying cash when abroad.  It offers customers the ability to load it online for ease and security.  It is also widely accepted and requires no credit checks.

Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial Officer, said:  “We want to provide commercial products which enable our fans to enjoy the game even more; this card has the capability to do that.  We are delighted to be working with GCEN on the partnership.”

Lord Vincent Constantine representing GCEN, said: “What a wonderful opportunity this is to work with the RFU and its supporters over the next five years. GCEN believes that these cards will not only save money for its supporters but will also greatly benefitthe RFU.”

The launch of the card programme has been managed and delivered in record time by Payment Card Technologies (PCT) who have worked with tight deadlines to deliver this offer in time for the Rugby World Cup.

PCT Managing Director, Ian Clowes said: “PCT is very pleased and honoured  to  launch the first Rugby World Cup card with England Rugby through its partnership  with GCEN, which has been done in record time: it has been a great team effort and the card will give supporters great benefits throughout this global tournament and beyond “

The card is available to purchase at http://rfu.gcencurrencycards.com/