Pirates name side for final

Posted on May 11, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Cornish Pirates have named their team for this evening’s first leg final match in the RFU Championship against Worcester Warriors. Kick-off at what will be a packed Mennaye Field is at 7.45pm., and the line-ups are as follows:-

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, R. McAtee, M. Hopper, T. Luke, W. Davies, J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt), L. McGlone, P. Burgess, C. Morgan, M. Myerscough, I. Nimmo, A. Paver, D. Ward, P. Andrew.
Replacements: R. Storer, R. Elloway, C. Rimmer, T. Holmes, K. Marriott, J. Doherty, D. Locke.

Worcester Warriors: C. Pennell (capt), M. Garvey, A. Crockett, D. Rasmussen, M. Benjamin, A. Goode, J. Arr, K. Horstmann, J. Abbott, N. Best, C. Gillies, G. Rawlinson, T. Taumoepeau, C. Fortey, A. Black.
Replacements: A. Lutui, B. Douglas, G. Kitchener, A. Balding, O. Frost, J. Carlisle, A. Grove.

Referee: Martin Fox (RFU) Assistants: Gareth Copsey & Chris Sharp

Reserve Referee: Paul Knowles TMO: Steve Leyshon

Prop legend Taumoepeau signs new deal with Worcester

Posted on Mar 29, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Front row rock Tevita Taumoepeau will keep on packing down for Worcester Warriors after he pledged his future by signing a new contract at Sixways Stadium.

Taumoepeau – a huge cult hero for Worcester fans – has been a cornerstone of the Warriors pack since arriving at the club in the summer of 2005 from French outfit Bourgoin.

The tighthead juggernaut has also impressed in playing spells at the Chiefs and Blues.

The Tongan international, who has played 29 times for his country, is regarded as one of the best signings at Warriors in recent times as he has gone on to dominant front row battles in both the Premiership and RFU Championship.

Taumoepeau – named Players’ Player of the Year in 2007/08 – played his 150^th game for the club in the play-off against Nottingham Rugby last Friday night.

Forwards Coach Phil Davies praised the performance’s of the durable 36-year-old this season and believes Taumoepeau can continue to make a big impact for the Warriors next season.

“Tevita is one of the best tightheads I have worked with, particularly in terms of his scrummaging, and he brings real solidity to the pack.

“He has worked very hard this season on his game and his improved conditioning means he now gets around the field and makes an even bigger contribution.

“I am very confident he will continue to do a fantastic job for the Warriors and alongside Bruce Douglas and Oliver Tomaszczyk we have a really nice balance in terms of experience and talent in our tighthead division.”

Taumoepeau said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Sixways and Worcester Warriors has become my home over the last six years where I have great team-mates and wonderful fans who support me.

“This season I have been happy with how I have played and feel I am in some of the best shape of my career. I feel different and I am now more involved with games.

“We are taking each game at a time in the physical league play-offs, but I am confident we can win promotion and go back to the Premiership if we play our best.”

Taumoepeau clocks up 150 games for Worcester

Posted on Mar 24, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Powerhouse prop Tevita Taumoepeau will play his 150^th game for Worcester Warriors as the team looks to maintain their perfect start to the RFU Championship play-offs with an away trip to Nottingham Rugby on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Taumoepeau, who has become a huge fan’s favourite during his six year stay at Sixways, will hit the memorable milestone as Head Coach Richard Hill makes three changes to the starting line-up that defeated London Welsh last weekend.

Hill calls-up prop loosehead prop Adam Black and vastly experienced hooker Chris Fortey to join Taumoepeau in the front row for the game at Meadow Lane.

Scotland international Alex Grove will also start his first game in the play-offs as he partners Alex Crockett in midfield. Crockett moves to inside centre while Dale Rasmussen will provide firepower from the replacements bench.

Hill praised the contribution of Taumoepeau during his Worcester career and admitting the Tongan giant was now making even more impact for the Warriors.

“Tevita is an extremely strong man who very rarely budges in the scrum – everyone in world rugby knows that is his main asset,” he said.

“However, what we have seen this season is him develop his all-round game. He has worked exceptionally hard and been very disciplined with his diet, as a result he has lost any excess body fat and really honed down.

“Tevita is in very good shape and his mobility around the pitch is better and he is having the ball far more. There is still much more to come from him.

“I have been delighted with his efforts at this stage of his career and we all wish him the best as he reaches another milestone in his time at Warriors.”

Warriors vs. Nottingham Rugby

15 Chris Pennell (c)
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Alex Grove
12 Alex Crockett
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Andy Goode
9 Jonny Arr

1 Adam Black
2 Chris Fortey
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 Graham Kitchener
5 Craig Gillies
6 Neil Best
7 James Collins
8 Kai Horstmann

Replacements
16 Aleki Lutui
17 Bruce Douglas
18 Greg Rawlinson
19 Adam Balding
20 Ollie Frost
21 Joe Carlisle
22 Dale Rasmussen

“Dave” Taumoepeau signs new Warriors contract

Posted on Feb 16, 2010 in Rugby News

Powerhouse prop Tevita Taumoepeau has committed his future to Worcester Warriors by signing a new one-year deal at Sixways Stadium.

Former Tongan international Taumoepeau, a cult hero with fans at Warriors, has become a rock in the Worcester scrum since joining the club in the summer of 2005 from French outfit Bourgoin.

The powerful front row made his debut in Worcester colours against former club Northampton Saints in the Powergen Cup in 2005 and has since gone on to make 121 appearance for Warriors, scoring one try in the league in 2006/07.

Taumoepeau has become a key figure in the Sixways dressing room and that was underlined when he was named Players’ Player of the Year in 2007/08.

“We have received some good news in the shape of Tevita Taumoepeau re-signing for the Warriors on a one-year deal,” said Ruddock.

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