Sereli has the X factor says Baxter

Posted on Sep 21, 2010 in Rugby News

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter believes new signing Sereli Naqelevuki will help bring a touch of the ‘X-Factor’ to the Chiefs back division as they look to build on their impressive start to life in the Aviva Premiership.

After weeks of speculation regarding the Fijian international joining the Chiefs, the 29-year-old back was officially paraded on Monday at the club’s Sandy Park base.

An imposing figure, who stands at 6’4 and tips the scales at almost 18 stone, Naqelevuki is someone Baxter believes can flourish in English rugby’s top flight.

“We’re very pleased to have Sireli on board,” said Baxter. “We’ve been hoping to have him for some time, but with international players it can sometimes be a bit of a drawn out process. That said, he’s here now and we’re looking to get him up to speed as quickly as possible.”

Having previously featured for Western Province in the Currie Cup, as well as Super 14 side Stormers, Naqelevuki arrives in Devon with a wealth of big game experience.

“We’ve watched a lot of him on tape playing in the Super 14 and at international level and you can see he has real quality, both in attack and defence, ” added Baxter. “He has a high work rate; he gets himself on the ball a lot in the game; and he’s also a bit of an X-Factor player, who can make things happen out of nothing. I suppose he is something a bit different to what we are normally used to.”

With pace to burn and a destructive presence, Suva-born Naqelevuki – who can operate either on the wing or in the centre – could yet prove a key addition to the Exeter squad over the coming months.

“I’ve already told him what we expect of him,” said Baxter, who in November will welcome New Zealander Jason Shoemark to the club following the end of the ITM Cup campaign. “Early doors we just want Sereli to work hard; get his head down and just get on with things. From talking to him already I’m pretty confident that will happen very quickly.”

As for the player himself, he cannot wait to sample his first taste of English rugby. Having jetted in from South Africa at the weekend, Naqelevuki watched his new team-mates in action during Saturday’s win over Newcastle Falcons and was suitably impressed.

“I’m very happy to be here,” he said. “The set up at the club seems very good and I think it will be a very exciting season for me and the club.”

With fellow Fijian international Josh Matavesi already at the club, Naqelevuki admits the settling in process has been relatively easy.

“Obviously I know Josh, but all the guys seem really nice. Before coming here I didn’t know too much about the club, but already I can see it is very professional and I think it is going to be a good stay for me.”

Naqelevuki’s proven record means he will add yet more quality to Baxter’s squad, but he knows breaking into the first XV will not be easy, especially given the start made by the Premiership newcomers.

“It’s going to be a big challenge for me, but my aim is to train hard for a few weeks and, if I get my chance, give it my best shot. I have watched a lot of the Premiership on TV before coming here, so I know it will be a different type of game to what I am used to. I think, though, it will be good for me and my game to experience something different like this.”

FACTFILE
NAME: Sireli Naqelevuki
POSITION: Centre/Wing
DOB: 30/09/80
BIRTHPLACE: Suva, Fiji
HEIGHT: 1.92m (6ft 4in)
WEIGHT: 113kg (17st 11 lbs)
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Suva Highlanders, Western Province, Stormers
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: Fiji, Fiji Sevens

Joe re-signs for Auckland

Posted on Sep 17, 2010 in NZ, SANZAR

The European club rugby superpowers will be disappointed to hear the All Blacks most–capped Test winger, Josevata Rokocoko, has extended his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union, signing through until the end of 2011.

The 27–year–old, 66–Test speedster has also re–signed with Auckland Rugby and will again star for the Blues in next year’s Investec Super Rugby competition.

“I am really enjoying my rugby here at home and keen to continue playing throughout the rest of the year and into 2011,” Rokocoko said.  “It’s obviously going to be a massive year for New Zealand rugby next year and I want to be part of it.”

Rokocoko, who started in six Tests this year, made his All Blacks debut as a 19–year–old in 2003 and became the most capped All Blacks wing earlier this year when he ran out for his 64th Test against Australia in Melbourne in August.  He also scored his 46th Test try in the All Blacks’ 49 – 28 victory that night becoming second–equal on the All Blacks Test try–scoring list.  Rokocoko also made his debut for the Blues in 2003 and has earned 78 caps and scored 37 tries so far in his Super Rugby career.  The flying winger first played for Auckland a year later and now has 180 first-class caps (Test, Super Rugby and provincial) to his name.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said: “Joe is the ultimate professional, a favourite with the fans and in his eighth year of professional rugby continues to be an outstanding rugby player.  We are delighted that he has extended his contract through until next year.”

Auckland Rugby and Blues CEO Andy Dalton said: “Joe is one of rugby’s finest ambassadors.  The way he conducts himself on and off the field is exemplary and he is deservedly one of the most popular players in the Blues and the Auckland Rugby Union. We are extremely proud to have him in our squads and are delighted he will be with us in 2011.”

SANZAR launches new era of Super Rugby

Posted on Sep 13, 2010 in SANZAR

SANZAR today unveiled a new look, details of the new competition format and the 2011 draw for Super Rugby, the southern hemisphere’s premiere inter-provincial rugby competition.

At a televised launch event in Sydney, new SANZAR CEO-designate, Greg Peters, unveiled the new name, logo and colours that will underpin the rollout of Super Rugby across all three SANZAR territories and around the world via SANZAR’s broadcast partners.

“For the first time since its inception in 1996, Super Rugby will take on a whole new look in 2011,” said Mr Peters.

“The fifteen teams will take part in a three-conference format which will see all of the teams in each conference tackle each other home and away; supplemented with inter-conference games and culminating in a new, six-team finals series.

“We believe this competition will deliver even more of what our fans in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are telling us that they love about Super Rugby including more local derbies, intense cross-conference competition and the expanded final series with the guarantee of a home final for each of the conference winners.”

Mr Peters was joined for the launch by players from some of the Australian franchises including the new Melbourne Rebels franchise.

And the new-look competition format and the draw for 2011 were revealed underlining the depth and intensity of competition that will take place within the conferences, and across all 15 teams in the new competition window which will reach its peak with the Final in July 2011.

“These changes promise to take Super Rugby to a whole new level. For all of our fans and especially our younger fans who look forward seeing all of their heroes taking the field in their local colours, 2011 will be a big year in prospect.”

New Competition Format

The Super Rugby competition will not only expand to 15 teams in 2011, it will also undergo a significant format revamp.

A new three-Conference system will be in place where the five teams within each country will make up nationally-based Conferences and play their four “local” rivals on a home and away basis (eight games in total).

They will also play four of the other five teams in each of the other two Conferences on a home or away basis (another eight games).

This leads to an overall program of 16 games per team in the regular season, as opposed to the current 13 – and separate Australian Conference, South African Conference and New Zealand Conference tables will chart the fortunes of teams in each country.

A three-week finals series involving six teams – as opposed to the current two-week playoffs for four teams – will further increase the length of the season.

At the end of the regular season matches, the top team in each Conference will qualify for the finals.

The other three teams to qualify will be the sides with the most number of competition points – regardless in which Conference they are based.

The Conference winners are also ensured of a home finals match. Therefore, at least one finals match will be played in each country each year.

Super Rugby Snapshot

An increase in overall matches from 94 to 125 (an increase of 33%)

A 50% increase in the length of the season in non-World Cup years – from 16 weeks to 24 weeks

A 31% increase in the length of the season in World Cup years – from 16 weeks to 21 weeks

40 Super Rugby regular season matches played in each country each season as opposed to 26 in Australia under the Super 14 structure and 32 or 33 in South Africa and New Zealand

There will be 20 regular season local derbies in each country as opposed to six in Australia, 10 in South Africa and10 in New Zealand under the Super 14 format

Half of all regular season matches will be local derbies

Each team will play 12 of its 16 regular-season games within its own country – with only four matches overseas

Finals Series

The top team in each Conference will automatically advance to the finals in positions 1, 2 or 3 (depending on their individual competition points totals)

The other three teams to advance will be those with the highest number of competition points outside of the Conference winners

The teams qualifying in 4th, 5th and 6th can come from any Conference – they could all come from one Conference

Adam Thomson re-commits to Highlanders for 2011

Posted on Sep 10, 2010 in NZ, SANZAR

Otago flanker Adam Thomson has today confirmed his commitment to the Highlanders for the 2011 Investec Super Rugby season.

Highlanders Coach Jamie Joseph today welcomed Thomson’s re-signing with the Southern franchise as important retention of a locally-produced rugby talent and core part of the Highlanders’ team.

“I’m very excited that Adam has decided he wants to remain with the Highlanders next year.   I’m really pleased to have someone of his experience and skill back with us for the 2011 campaign.

“We have talked about our goals for next year – and I am fully supportive of Adam’s desire to work on getting back into a black jersey.  Adam now just needs to get on and start playing the type of rugby that got him selected in the All Blacks, having made the call will now allow him to concentrate on playing,” Joseph said.

New Zealand Rugby Union General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen also welcomed Thomson’s re-signing.

“This is great news not just for the Highlanders but also for New Zealand rugby.  It’s important that we are able to keep someone of Adam’s calibre in the New Zealand mix,” Sorensen said.

Adam Thomson said he was delighted he will be back in a Highlanders jersey next year.

“This was one of the most significant decisions of my career and one that was not taken lightly, it was important for me to consider all of my options and I am happy to recommit to the Highlanders again next year.  I am excited about the direction Jamie is taking the team, and I am very happy I will be able to remain loyal to the region,” he said.

Christchurch-born Adam Thomson debuted for the Highlanders against the Sharks in 2004.  He has 39 Super Rugby caps.  A 17-Test cap All Black, Thomson first debuted in the black jersey against Ireland in 2008.

Colin Slade signs with Highlanders for 2011

Posted on Aug 25, 2010 in NZ, SANZAR

Highlanders Coach Jamie Joseph today announced that Canterbury first five-eighth Colin Slade will play for the Highlanders franchise in the 2011 Investec Super Rugby competition.

After two seasons with the Crusaders, 22-year-old Slade, will be moving further South to cement his place as a specialist in the No 10 jersey, after signing a contract with the Highlanders for the 2011 Super Rugby season.

(more…)