Investec Super Rugby set for Super start

Posted on Feb 22, 2012 in NZ, SANZAR, Super Rugby

Forty Super matches on New Zealand soil, 20 Super derbies, new venues, new coaches, new faces, and old faces in new jerseys – Investec Super Rugby 2012 kicks off on Friday with a monster grudge match between the Blues and Crusaders.

With an expected crowd of 25,000, it will be the 20th time the two sides have faced each other with the Crusaders only just having the historic advantage with 10 wins to the Blues’ nine.  In the other vengeance match of the opening round, the Chiefs under new Coach Dave Rennie will host the Highlanders at Waikato Stadium and they’ll be looking to settle the score after going down to the Chiefs 20 – 7 the last time the two sides met. 

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Chief Executive Steve Tew said that while the teams have been working hard on their season campaigns, the franchises behind the teams have been developing new initiatives aimed at luring fans to their home games.

Cheaper tickets, $5 children’s tickets, new general admission categories, dedicated fan zones for teenagers and families, student and super annuitant concessions, new fan groups and other initiatives are geared at reconnecting with fans.

“We always knew that the Rugby World Cup would provide a great platform for re-invigorating interest in rugby in New Zealand, and franchises have been working hard to get the 2012 Investec Super Rugby season off to a great start.

“The signs have been encouraging so far, with franchises reporting a positive response to initiatives they have introduced to lure people back to the stadium,” Tew said.

“We have the finest rugby players in the world playing in our backyard so our message to fans is that, as we saw with the Rugby World Cup, being in the stands cheering on your team with your mates is a fantastic way to enjoy rugby.”

Special ticket offers and packages helped to boost the Blues season membership by 50 percent, the Chiefs season membership is up about 20 percent, the Highlanders have had a 10 percent increase and a month out from their first home games in their respective towns, season memberships for the Crusaders and the Hurricanes are encouraging.

New Initiatives:

BLUES:

Close to 3000 True Blue fans have snapped up a new multi-game offer – four games for $59 (kids $20) or eight games for $109 (kids $40).  The Blues have also introduced $5 children’s tickets for virtually anywhere in the ground, reduced prices on covered seating and cheaper tickets for tertiary students and pensioners.  The Blue Army will launch their campaign, and four ‘Best Blues fans’ will win the chance to go to the team changing room post-match and meet the team.

CHIEFS:

The Chiefs have revamped their kids zone, and have introduced $5 children’s packs which include a game ticket, snack pack, bouncy castle entry, free face painting and other giveaways as well as adult tickets starting at $12 (excluding service fees).

HURRICANES:

The Flying Squadron has been created by die-hard Hurricanes fans.  Westpac Stadium’s aisle 33 will be renamed The Hangar for Squadron members.  The Hurricanes team was presented with their own Squadron T-shirts before they flew out for South Africa this week (www.flyingsquadron.co.nz).  The Hurricanes are offering reduced pricing on covered silver and bronze seating as well as Hurricanes/Wellington Lions season packages that effectively mean members are paying as little as $17 a game for adults and $4 a game for children.

CRUSADERS:

Ticket prices for Crusaders home games have all been cut by 10 percent – and the franchise is expecting to sell out all games at the new 17,000 capacity Christchurch Stadium currently under development.  The Crusaders will run out onto the new Christchurch paddock for the first time against the Cheetahs on 24 March, but they’ll mark their Napier “home” game against the Chiefs two weeks before, by taking the Crusaders horses to McLean Park.

HIGHLANDERS:

This season the Highlanders also targeting young fans, offering 2,000 seats that come with a “take a kid to the footy” package, including child’s ticket, fan flags and free face-painting.  University students (18 years plus) will be herded into the Zoo – a new dedicated area at the 22,000 capacity Forsyth Barr Stadium – where they will be treated to free entertainment in the West Stand.  General admission tickets have also been reduced starting at $12.50. 

Investec Super Rugby:

The Hurricanes kick off their 2012 season against the Stormers in Cape Town early on Sunday (NZT).  Investec Super Rugby runs for 18 weeks including a three-week break for the in-bound Steinlager Series against Ireland in June.  The three week Finals Series starts on 20 July with the Final scheduled for 4 August.

Investec Super Rugby Week One:

• Crusaders v Blues         Eden Park, Auckland                             Fri 24 Feb                     7.35pm
• Chiefs v Highlanders      Waikato Stadium, Hamilton                    Sat 25 Feb                    7.35pm
• Stormers v Hurricanes   DHL Newlands Stadium, Capetown,       Sun 26 Feb (NZT)          4.05am

Leinster to face Super 15 side

Posted on Jun 16, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Leinster Rugby will face Super 15 franchise the Melbourne Rebels and fellow Heineken Cup finalists, Northampton Saints in Donnybrook ahead of the start of the RaboDirect PRO12 campaign.

The visit of the Australian side who boast a string of Wallaby internationals on their roster including the likes of Sam Cordingley, Stirling Mortlock, England’s Danny Cipriani as well as former Leinster second row Adam Byrnes will provide Leinster with a strong test before welcoming the Saints to Donnybrook a week later in what will be a replay of this year’s memorable Heineken Cup final.

Commenting on the province’s pre-season plans, Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said: “These two high-profile games, against top class opposition, will be very challenging which is ideal leading into the PRO12 campaign.

“Melbourne are a new franchise with high ambitions who boast a strong array of young and experienced talent.

“We know all about Northampton’s many qualities from their performances both in their domestic league and in Europe last year and both sides will provide us with a real test as we look to integrate some of our new signings into the panel ahead of the start of the PRO12.”

Leinster have also announced that news of record Season Ticket sales for the coming season (covering 17 matches in the RaboDirect PRO12 league, Heineken Cup and British & Irish Cup, but not the two pre-season friendlies) have already passed the 13,000 mark and tickets are still on sale from www.leinsterrugby.ie

Fetu’u Vainikolo joins Connacht

Posted on Apr 6, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Connacht Rugby have completed the signing of winger Fetu’u Vainikolo from Super 15 franchise The Highlanders.

The 26 year old Tongan born winger moved to New Zealand when he was 12. He joined Northland in 2007 and over his 22 caps scored 10 tries for the New Zealand Province. In 2009 he moved to Otago where he earned a further 15 caps before making his Super Rugby debut for The Highlanders in 2008 against The Reds.

Fetu’u scored an impressive 13 tries for the Highlanders between 2008 and 2010 and is known for his explosive ball-carrying and solid defensive ability. Vainikolo stands 182cm tall and weighs 98kg and will join Connacht at the start of next season on a 2 year contract.

Vainikolo stared for the 2010 New Zealand Barbarians against the New Zealand Maori playing alongside recent Ulster signings Jared Payne and John Afoa, putting in an impressive display against the likes of current All Black’s Hosea Gear and Luke McAllister.

Speaking about the move Fetu’u said:

“I am excited about furthering my career with Connacht. I have watched their progress with interest this season and been impressed with their style of play. I am looking forward to hopefully scoring many tries in the green jersey”

Connacht’s Head Coach Eric Elwood looks forward to bringing Vainikolo to The Sportsground:

“We’re really looking forward to Fetu’u joining us, he has shown he can score tries from anywhere on the pitch and we are excited to have a player of his skill and expertise joining the team. Having a player of his pace and physicality in the backs will add an extra dimension to our game.”

Leinster announce hat-trick of signings…

Posted on Mar 28, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Leinster Rugby have signed Natal Sharks second row Steven Sykes on a three-year-deal and he will link up with the province this summer.

Meanwhile, Connacht tight-head prop Jamie Hagan has also signed a three-year deal and the Balbriggan man will return to the province of his birth this summer alongside Canterbury Crusaders out-half Matt Berquist who has agreed a one-year deal with a further option to extend.

Interestingly, both Sykes and Berquist (who chipped in with a late conversion) came up against each other in Sunday’s Super 15 clash in Twickenham which the Crusaders won 44-28.

Sykes, 26, has established himself as one of South Africa’s premier second row forwards in recent years but being uncapped by the Springboks means it is possible that he could qualify to play for Ireland at the end of his three year contract.

Sykes started his career with the Sharks in 2003, playing for the Under-20 side. Standing 1.98m tall and weighing in the region of 115kgs, the big lock forward quickly made a name for himself in Durban and earned his Currie Cup and Super Rugby debuts in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

The former South Africa Under-19 and Emerging Springbok player is determined to play top level rugby and he believes that moving abroad is the right decision for him, both in the short and long-term. 

“For me I believe it is a good career and personal move – I want to play international rugby and it would be a fantastic honour to play for Ireland as well if it came about. Before any of that though I am really excited to play for Leinster. I really do believe it is the right move for me.”

Sykes has been an ever-present in the Sharks’ line-up in recent seasons. Deciding to leave King’s Park has certainly not been an easy decision for him. Speaking about his move he said he did not want to leave Sharks supporters with any doubts about his passion for the 2010 Currie Cup Champions.

“Of course it was not an easy decision to make, I don’t for one second want anyone to think I am unhappy here or unhappy at the Sharks; I love the Sharks! I have played over 130 games for the Union and loved every minute of it. However I believe that it will be very good for my rugby to make the move and I am looking forward to the experience of playing in European conditions week-in and week-out, learning about their way of playing – which I think will suit me.

“I remember sitting down after I signed the Leinster contract and reflecting on it – it is obviously a massive decision to make. I do believe 100% it is the right choice for me. I am really looking forward to the challenge!

“Leinster is a leading European club, regularly challenging for top honours, and I can’t wait to be involved. I think it will be great for me and my wife to get the experience of living there as well.”

Former Leinster and Ireland Youths prop Hagan, 23, has played 23 times for Connacht in all competitions so far this season and 46 (including 13 in the Amlin Challenge Cup) games in total since his move from Leinster in 2009. A former Leinster Academy graduate who was educated in Gormanston College, he weighs in at 125kg and stands tall at 1.90m.

Jamie Hagan said: “I am delighted to be heading back home to Leinster and I am looking forward to the new challenges that I will face. Everyone in Connacht (particularly Eric Elwood and Dan McFarland) has been very good to me over the last few years and I’m looking forward to pushing on from my experience in Galway to make an impact when I return to Leinster in the summer.”

Waipukurau born Matt Berquist, 27, joined the Canterbury Crusaders in 2010 having also played for Hawke’s Bay, Otago and Auckland. An accurate goal-kicker, he made his provincial debut in 2003 and has since gone on to play 67 times at provincial level, with a further 21 caps to date at Super 14/15 level.

Matt Berquist said:“I have always been keen to test myself in Europe and the Magners League and Heineken Cup competitions will certainly provide a real challenge. I am delighted to join an ambitious club who are on the up. Leinster have a strong reputation in New Zealand and I am excited by the opportunity to test myself in a new environment.”

Commenting on the moves, Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt added: “We are pleased to secure Steven’s signature, and this is a further welcome boost coming off the back of retaining some of our senior and up-and-coming players in recent weeks.

“Steven has gained a wealth of experience at Super 15 level in recent years and, at 26, we believe that his best years are still to come. He is an ambitious and talented player who is excited about joining the province.

“Jamie’s desire to return to the province of his birth after an impressive spell with Connacht over the last few years is another important acquisition for the panel. Our coaching team have been impressed by the level of his performances again this year and we believe that he has the potential to improve even further.

“Matt has been understudy to Dan Carter at the Crusaders this year, which limits any player’s game time a little, but he has proven quality and experience in the NPC and Super 15 and he will provide further competition for our established and up-and-coming out-halves.

“We are pleased to have secured all three players and I am sure that they will prove to be strong additions to the side over the coming seasons.”

The waiting is nearly over…

Posted on Feb 4, 2011 in Rugby News

The waiting is nearly over for Tom Wood as he prepares to win his first cap for England when the RBS 6 Nations kicks off in Cardiff tomorrow.

The Northampton Saints flanker was told he’d won his starting spot while England were training in Portugal and he can’t wait to get going.

"It was in a gym session in Portugal and Martin Johnson came over and gave me the nod," he told the RFU Podcast.

"I’ve struggled to wipe the smile off my face ever since and I think it was my best gym session ever. I feel prepared, I feel confident so I’m sure everything will go well on the day."

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