Oceania Qualification Process Set for Rugby World Cup 2015

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Rugby World Cup

The Oceania region qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2015 will kick off with the Oceania Cup in 2013, the International Rugby Board and Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU) announced today at the FORU AGM in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

The announcement was made in the presence of the Webb Ellis Cup, won by FORU Member Union New Zealand at RWC 2011. It is the first time that the Game’s ultimate prize has visited the Cook Islands.

All Full Member Unions of the IRB in the Oceania region will have an opportunity to compete for a direct qualification place at Rugby’s showcase event, which will take place in England and provides the financial platform for the development of the Game across the IRB’s 117 Member Unions.

The popular Oceania Cup, FORU’s regional championship for Development and Targeted Unions, will again be the first step on the road to England 2015. American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu will battle it out at the 2013 Oceania Cup with the winner progressing to the next stage of qualification.

The Oceania Cup champion will then take on Fiji in a one-off match in 2014 with the winner gaining direct qualification to RWC 2015 as Oceania 1. Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga have already qualified automatically for RWC 2015 after finishing in the top three of their respective pools at RWC 2011 in New Zealand.

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RWC 2012 inspires enthusiasm for the game amongst young

Posted on Mar 6, 2012 in Age Grade Rugby, NZ, Rugby News, SANZAR

Schools and rugby clubs throughout New Zealand are reporting increased interest in playing rugby in 2012 with the success of Rugby World Cup 2011 cited as a factor in stimulating renewed enthusiasm for the NZ national game.

Initial feedback from Provincial Unions currently inviting player registrations suggests player numbers are set for a strong year.

Counties Manukau Rugby Chief Executive Andrew Maddock said many clubs and schools in the region were already reporting significant interest from volunteers and players at all levels.

“Clubs and schools are registering very strong numbers and many schools and clubs are expected to field a number of additional teams this year.

“Throughout our region there is a huge level of excitement in rugby and it’s great to see it flow onto increased participation. Undoubtedly the enthusiasm we saw for RWC 2011 matches, no matter who was playing and the All Blacks win are big reasons,” Maddock said.

The annual window for player registrations traditionally runs from February to April. Last year 145,689 players signed up to play rugby. Over the past five years player numbers increased three per cent.

Sonny Bill Williams new Teen Rugby Ambassador

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) General Manager Community and Provincial Union Rugby Brent Anderson said they were focused on supporting Provincial Unions to retain players in 2012, and to grow participation at all levels, particularly among teenagers.

“Encouraging teenagers to stay in the game is one of our key challenges this year.  That’s why it’s great having Sonny Bill Williams on board as our Teen Rugby Ambassador.”

Teenagers will soon receive a text from Sonny Bill Williams reminding them to register. Other initiatives include Random Rugby Facebook and competitions with prizes including Barkers outfitting and adidas clothing.

“We’re busy with lots of other activities as well such as The Great Rugby Road Trip. All these initiatives coupled with a fantastic start to the Investec Super Rugby season gives us confidence that rugby will remain the sport of choice for New Zealanders,” Anderson said.

Small Blacks TV back on air

For young rugby fans, Small Blacks TV, a finalist for the Aotearoa Film & Television Awards best kids’ TV programme, returns to TV2 this Sunday (11 March at 7.30am) for another bigger, brighter and better season.  Regular Small Blacks TV stars Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith and Dan Carter are back and they’re joined this year by Israel Dagg who will present a new segment call Kura Commentary.

Hosted by Nua Finau the half hour children’s lifestyle show features All Blacks like they’ve never been seen before.

Kahui challenges kids to a race through an obstacle course every week in Kaks vs Kids, Conrad “Snakey” Smith is a reporter on the spot on Small Blacks News presented by New Zealand actor Robbie Magasiva, and Carter teaches rugby skills in DC Skills.

Young players who have previously registered to play rugby can also look forward to receiving a postcard and text message from Richie McCaw.

Kahui and Williams were also at Manurewa High School this afternoon playing Rippa Rugby and encouraging young people to register.

Registrations close in March and April.  To find out more, those interested in playing rugby or volunteering should contact their school, Provincial Union or local club at http://allblacks.com/clubfinder.

Jenkins to captain Wales against Australia in RWC playoff

Posted on Oct 18, 2011 in Rugby News, Rugby World Cup, Wales, Welsh Rugby

Gethin Jenkins will captain a Wales side which shows three changes, plus one positional, to the starting line-up for the Rugby World Cup 3rd place play-off clash with Australia at Eden Park on Friday night (8.30pm).

Ospreys prop Paul James comes into the front row in place of his regional colleague Adam Jones, who has a calf injury.
Cardiff Blues lock Bradley Davies starts in place of another Osprey, lock Alun Wyn Jones, with Jones moving to the bench.

Ryan Jones joins the back row in place of squad captain Sam Warburton, who is suspended, with Toby Faletau shifting from No8 to open-side flanker to accommodate the Ospreys flanker and fill the berth vacated by Warburton.

On the bench prop Ryan Bevington (Ospreys) provides front row cover in place of James and Sales Sharks back row Andy Powell is also added due to the promotion of Jones.

“We are sticking with the majority of the side which has put together a string of performances for us so far in this tournament, the one change which wasn’t forced, in the second row, is based on the fact that Alun Wyn ran himself into the ground when we faced 14 men against France last week,”  said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“We face Australia back home at the Millennium Stadium in just over a month’s time and we are single-minded in our assertion that we want that home-coming to be a celebration of us achieving the status of one of the top three teams in the world.

“We have come a long way and put together a string of performances that the nation can be proud of so far in New Zealand and we need to ensure that the history books reflect what we know we are capable of – and it is only by beating the Wallabies on Friday night that we feel this will be achieved.”
WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, James Hook, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins (c), Huw Bennett, Paul James, Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate, Toby Faletau, Ryan Jones,
Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Alun Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Scott Williams.

Championship: Plymouth welcome back RWC stars for Scottish game

Posted on Oct 14, 2011 in English Rugby, London Scottish, Plymouth Albion

Plymouth Albion are able to welcome back three experienced players for Saturday’s big home match against London Scottish at Brickfields (kick-off 3pm).

Canadian forwards Aaron Carpenter and Tyler Hotson have arrived back from the World Cup, while utility back Paul Bailey has recovered from an ankle injury that has kept him out for two league games.

The return of Carpenter and Hotson is a big boost for Albion, who have been struggling with a number of forward injuries.

Number eight Carpenter was one of the stars of Canada’s team in New Zealand, playing every single minute of their World Cup campaign.

"Aaron and Tyler arrived back in the country on Wednesday and after a couple of training sessions they are raring to go," said chairman of rugby Graham Dawe.

Albion, who made 14 changes to their team for their cup match in midweek, are looking to return to winning ways after three narrow league defeats.

Their home form has been good this season. Their only league defeat at Brickfields was when the Cornish Pirates sneaked a late 20-16 win a fortnight ago.

London Scottish, who like Albion have won two matches this season, will be making their first visit to Brickfields.

The last time the teams met in a league game in Plymouth was in the 1991/1992 season when Albion were still playing at Beacon Park.

Ruairi Cushion and James Love have recovered from knocks they picked up at Doncaster last week, but youngsters Addison Lockley and Dan and Mark Lee are ruled out with injuries they have picked up over the past week.

Lockley and Dan Lee will be disappointed not to get the chance to possibly face their former Ivybridge Community College team-mate Dan Mugford, who is Scottish’s top points scorer this season.

Albion: 15 James Love, 14 Mick McGrath, 13 Paul Bailey, 12 Keni Fisilau, 11 Tyson Lewis, 10 Henry Slade, 9 Ruairi Cushion, 1 David Morton, 2 Gareth Evans, 3 Rob Dugard, 4 Dan Collier, 5 Tyler Hotson, 6 Sam Hocking, 7 Wayne Sprangle, 8 Aaron Carpenter.
Reps: Dale Farnham, Steve Johns, Bevon Armitage, Ryan Hopkins, Davy McGregor, James Tyas, Charlie Grace

Sheridan talks about his exit from the RWC

Posted on Sep 14, 2011 in England, English Rugby, Rugby News, Rugby World Cup

Andrew Sheridan this afternoon reflected on his Rugby World Cup exit and wished his England team-mates well for the rest of the tournament.

Sheridan injured his left shoulder in the game against Argentina and, subject to final approval from the RWC Tournament Medical Director, he will return home.

“It’s a big blow to leave the World Cup through injury, but it’s a significant injury to the shoulder, so I have to deal with that and get on with it now,” said Sheridan.

“I didn’t know the exact incident that had caused it during the game; initially it just felt a bit sore, but a couple of days post-match it was still pretty painful and that’s when I had the scan on it.

“I think everyone knows shoulders are quite complicated structures. It takes a lot of work and a lot of work from the physios and the conditioners as well to get players back from shoulder injuries. But we are where we are and you just have to get on with it and see what the results are after I’ve seen the specialist.

“I have to wait till I get back home and see the surgeon – I am quite well acquainted with him now. He will give me some good advice and see if I need an operation and what the next stage is.

“Like everyone in England (I think) it would be great if we could win it, but it’s about looking to the next game – the old cliché. We’ve got a good team, but we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves at this moment in time. I just want to wish the boys all the best.”

ANDREW SHERIDAN injured his left shoulder in Saturday’s game against Argentina.

The England medical team have been liaising with their Sale Sharks counterparts and following a scan and assessment it has been decided that the injury is significant enough for him, subject to the approval of the Rugby World Cup Tournament Medical Director, to return home for further medical investigation. Under the RWC 2011 Terms of Participation he will be unable to rejoin the England squad during the tournament.

England Team Manager Martin Johnson said: “It’s really sad for Sheri. He has been unlucky with injuries and we wish him all the best for his recovery. We brought five props so we have options there and we can bring another player out but we will decide what to do about that in due course.”

Sheridan injured his left shoulder in Saturday’s game against Argentina.
The England medical team have been liaising with their Sale Sharks counterparts and following a scan and assessment it has been decided that the injury is significant enough for him, subject to the approval of the Rugby World Cup Tournament Medical Director, to return home for further medical investigation. Under the RWC 2011 Terms of Participation he will be unable to rejoin the England squad during the tournament.
England Team Manager Martin Johnson said: “It’s really sad for Sheri. He has been unlucky with injuries and we wish him all the best for his recovery. We brought five props so we have options there and we can bring another player out but we will decide what to do about that in due course.”