England sevens into semis

Posted on Feb 7, 2011 in Rugby News

England booked their place in the semi finals with a tight 14-7 win against Argentina on the second day of the NZI Sevens in Wellington.

Isoa Damudamu (British Army) scored his first try of the tournament and Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby) struck before the break with captain Ben Gollings’s two conversions taking him to 2489 series points and England into a 14-0 interval lead.

But a Ramiro Moyano try and Joaquin Todeschini made the last two minutes tense before HSBC Sevens World Series leaders England closed out the game.

Head coach Ben Ryan’s men go forward to take on reigning series champions Samoa – 12-5 winners against Fiji – in the semi finals.

Japan to Host IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011

Posted on Dec 16, 2010 in Rugby News

Japan’s preparations to host Rugby World Cup 2019 have been given a further boost after the International Rugby Board announced that the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) will host the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011.

The sixth IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament, now an established event on the annual Rugby calendar with its exciting brand of local rivalry and competitive action, will have an extra dimension as Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga look to gain advantage ahead of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Samoa will defend the title they won for the first time on home soil last year as the single-host format continues. All six IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011 matches will be played at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo between July 2-13, providing fans with three double-header match days and the ability to see some of the world’s most exciting players in action before they head to New Zealand.

“Rugby in Asia is continuing to go from strength to strength and the IRB is delighted to award this major international tournament to Japan and a Union that has been at the very heart of this growth,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“Japan staged an exceptional IRB Junior World Championship and is preparing to host the first ever Rugby World Cup in Asia. The single-hosting format of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup has proved extremely popular, allowing a greater platform for broadcast and media coverage, attendances, training and legacy programmes. I have no doubt that the 2011 tournament will be a resounding success.”

Tonga will play Fiji on the opening day while hosts Japan take on champions Samoa. Both corresponding fixtures in last year’s tournament produced thrilling matches as Fiji defeated Tonga by just three points – one of half the tournament matches to be decided by a margin of three points or less – and the Brave Blossoms secured a 31-23 victory over the eventual winners.

For the JRFU, the announcement adds to the expanding portfolio of international Rugby tournaments awarded to Japan after they played host to a record-breaking IRB Junior World Championship in 2009.

Hosting the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011 will give a further boost to the exposure of the Game across Asia as Japan looks ahead to Rugby World Cup 2019 and a tournament aimed at bringing together the Asian Rugby family for a unique celebration of world-class Rugby across the continent.

“It is an honour to solo host the very important and prestigious IRB Pacific Nations Cup and we are grateful to the IRB for deciding to hold it next July in Tokyo. We look forward to welcoming the other participating Unions, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga and we would also love to see Rugby fans from all the corners of the globe,” said Vice President and Chairman of the Japan Rugby Football Union Nobby Mashimo.

“We are very confident that it will be a great success and that the players, teams, management and spectators will thoroughly enjoy their stay in Tokyo where tradition and modernism so vividly co-exist.”

“The sixth IRB Pacific Nations Cup is an ideal occasion to showcase the potential of the Rugby market in Japan, the enthusiasm of Japanese rugby fans and the ability of the Brave Blossoms. The Tournament will give the world Rugby family a glimpse of what lies ahead for Rugby World Cup 2019. See you next July here in Tokyo!” added Mashimo.

IRB Regional General Manager for Oceania Will Glenwright added: “The IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011 is set to be the most exciting and competitive to date, with the tournament providing vital international matches for the Pacific Islands and Japan as they prepare for Rugby World Cup 2011 and also for their longer term development towards Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019.”

“The tournament has become of vital importance to both the Oceania and Asia region and offers a wonderful opportunity to develop players, match officials and structures for all the Unions involved. It was hugely encouraging to see the much-improved performance of these nations during the recent November Test window.”

The tournament will also throw up two tasters for Rugby World Cup 2011 where Tonga will meet Pool A rivals Japan on Wednesday, September 21 in Whangarei before Fiji take on Samoa in their Pool D clash on September 25 in Auckland.

Ground-breaking Work To Begin on Samoa High Performance Centre

Posted on Dec 13, 2010 in Rugby News

The construction of the Samoa Rugby Union’s (SRU) ground-breaking High Performance Facility will start today at Faleata with a special ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of Samoa and SRU Chairman, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.

The state-of-the-art facility will feature a High Performance gym, recovery and rehabilitation centre, four new training pitches, accommodation for up to 90 athletes and a dedicated administration centre for SRU staff. Construction is expected to be completed well ahead of Samoa’s Rugby World Cup preparation camp in August 2011.

The start of construction represents an important milestone for the SRU High Performance Programme, which is underwritten by International Rugby Board funding through strategic investments aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the global Game.

The IRB has contributed over GBP £1million to the project, which has been made possible through the donation of 36 hectares of land at the Faleata Sports Complex by the Samoan Government.

“The construction of the High Performance Facility in Samoa continues an impressive 12 months for Samoan Rugby,” said IRB Head of Development and Performance Mark Egan.

“Samoa’s high performance progress has been significant over the past year with IRB Sevens World Series and ANZ Pacific Nations Cup titles achieved and an impressive set of results during the recent November Tests.”

“In that regard, it is fitting that the facility will be ready for the Manu Samoa’s Rugby World Cup 2011 preparation camp next August and we are delighted to be partnering with the Samoa Rugby Union on this important project which we hope will elevate the SRU High Performance Programme to a new level.”

“Of course, this project would not have been possible without the significant support of the Samoan Government, and on behalf of the IRB I would like to extend our gratitude to the Prime Minister and his Government for the donation of land on which this impressive facility is being constructed,” added Egan.

Rugby is the national sport in Samoa and as excitement builds with the start of the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series this month and Rugby World Cup 2011 less than nine months away, the SRU High Performance Facility is central to the Union’s Sevens and Rugby World Cup 2011 aspirations.

Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, the Hon. Tuilaepa is excited about the potential of the new facilities to enhance the capacity of Samoa’s Rugby performance at the regional and international level.

“The contribution and support accorded by IRB towards the elite development of Rugby in Samoa is acknowledged with deep gratitude,” said Tuilaepa ahead of the ceremony on Monday.

The special ceremony will commence at 17:00 (local time) on Monday, December 13 on the site at the Faleata Sports Complex.

England 7s reaction from the squad

Posted on Dec 6, 2010 in Rugby News

England produced a series of stunning performances to lift the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens trophy after coming from behind three times to beat Australia (24-21), New Zealand (19-14) and Samoa (29-21) in the knock-out stages and start the HSBC Sevens World Series in style.

They did so after losing on the opening day to Portugal and only rescuing a place in the last eight by beating Fiji with a try from the last play of the game.

England Sevens head coach Ben Ryan:

“We dug ourselves out of a great hole against Fiji and we played really well in the last three games. We all sat down last night and said it wasn’t the case of giving ourselves a pat on the back for beating Fiji. It was a reminder that we had to make the most of our chances and learn from what happened which we did. We can fight with the best of them and the boys proved that. We were relaxed and we were ruthless and it’s a good combination and they managed to hang on to that.

“Ollie Lindsay-Hague was brilliant, wasn’t he? He made a big difference as did Chris Cracknell. He was a rock and made some really good decisions. We’ve got some talented youngsters back home and Ollie played with the real exuberance of youth

“We’ve got to remain pretty humble. We’ve won one tournament at the beginning of the year but everyone will regroup and try and have a crack at us next weekend. The proof will be in how we run out in George next weekend.”

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England win Dubai Sevens

Posted on Dec 4, 2010 in English Rugby, Sevens

England came from behind to beat reigning World Series champions Samoa in the final of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens and take an early lead in the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series.

Ben Ryan’s side trailed 14-12 at half time, and 21-12 with three minutes remaining, but scored three tries by Simon Hunt, Dan Norton and Mat Turner to seal victory 29-21 in front of an expectant ex-pat crowd.

South Africa beat Australia 19-12 to claim the Plate, Argentina defeated Zimbabwe 21-0 to take home the Bowl after Kenya had beaten France 26-0 to win the Shield.

England lead the early Series standings with 24 points, ahead of Samoa (20) and Cup semi finalists New Zealand and Fiji (16).