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.

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."

(more…)

England vs. Wales: Part 1

Posted on Feb 2, 2011 in Rugby News

England v Wales (Part One) kicks off on Friday morning on the opposite side of the world from the Millennium Stadium.

Ben Ryan’s England Sevens side lead the HSBC Sevens World Series after the first two legs and tackle the Welsh on the opening day of the NZI Sevens in Wellington – 11 hours before the RBS 6 Nations clash between the countries gets under way in Cardiff.

England, chasing a first ever sevens world title, top the table after December’s tournament win in Dubai and second place in George. They are out to emulate a dramatic 2009 triumph in Wellington, when Isoa Damudamu clinched victory with the last play in the final against the hosts.

To reach the knock out stages this time, they need to find a way past Friday’s Pool A opponents the USA (01.28 GMT) and the Cook Islands (04.24) before taking on Wales (08.34).

“Whatever happens in the future that 2009 win remains one of our top moments,” said Ryan. “It’s very easy to discard what’s happened in the past sometimes, but the guys in 2009 set the ball rolling for us.

“This year we’re fitter, we’ve had more contact time together and we’ve gelled more as a team. We’re in good shape as series leaders but we want to improve on two good peformances so far here in Wellington and the following week in Las Vegas.

“We’re all still annoyed at losing to New Zealand in the final at George. It’s something that rankles with us and this is our first chance to rectify that.”

England have made only one change for Wellington and Las Vegas with Nick Royle coming into the 12-man squad in place of the injured Ollie Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins).

But despite their status as series leaders, the opening day in Wellington throws up three tricky games – no more so than the potentially decisive clash with Wales.

“Wales are last up on the day and while we haven’t lost to them for three years they’ll be desperate to beat us here,” said Ryan. “They’ve got a consistent group of players and a settled group of management now and are much better for it.

“The Cook Islands have beaten all three of the sides in the group in the past and this is their Olympic Games. They’re dangerous and play a very off-the-cuff unstructured game.

“The other side, the USA, are very structured and professional and if they get their tails up they are very good and played well enough to hit one of the cup finals last year.”

England squad for Wellington and Las Vegas
Greg Barden (Royal Navy)
John Brake (England Sevens)
Dan Caprice (England Sevens)
Chris Cracknell(England Sevens)
Isoa Damudamu (British Army)
Ben Gollings (England Sevens, captain)
Simon Hunt (Birmingham & Solihull)
Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby)
Tom Powell (England Sevens)
James Rodwell (England Sevens)
Nick Royle (Fylde)
Mathew Turner (England Sevens)

Wales sevens squad for Wellington and Las Vegas

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 in Rugby News

The Wales Sevens squad has arrived in New Zealand ahead of the next two legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series – Wellington on Friday and Saturday and Las Vegas on February 12 and 13.

There are three new caps in the squad – Dragons scrum half Nicky Griffiths, Pontypridd’s Adam Thomas and Aberavon’s Ricky Thomas.

Head coach Paul John said: “We are pleased with our return from the first two tournaments of the season in Dubai and George. We got to the Cup quarter-finals both times which is something we haven’t done before and were competitive in both. That has to be our primary aim in these two tournaments – to get out of our Pool.”

There are four changes in the squad – other than three new caps, Alex Cuthbert returns to the squad after injury.

John added, “It will be tough because we have some new players and it will take them a while to get up to speed in an international Sevens competition. We haven’t had much preparation time as a 12 man squad but I know the players will all be 100% committed. The selection is a great reward for Ricky and Adam and their Principality Premiership clubs, while Nicky Griffiths has been training with us since before the Commonwealth Games but has missed out through injury so he gets a chance to show what he can do. 

“It’s pleasing to see some of our squad players from last season doing so well for their Regions this season – Ashley Beck was with us for the first two tournaments last season and Justin Tipuric, who spent all of last season with us, is pushing Marty Holah for the Ospreys No 7 shirt which is great to see.”

Wales Sevens squad for New Zealand and USA Sevens:
Lee  Rees (Scarlets), Rhys Jones (Newport), Gareth Davies (Cardiff), Rhodri Gomer-Davies (Dragons), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Richie Pugh (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Blues), Jevon Groves (capt, Dragons), Nicky Griffiths (Dragons), Adam Thomas (Pontypridd), Ricky Thomas (Aberavon)

New Zealand Sevens team named for NZI Sevens

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 in Rugby News

New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has named his tournament team for the NZI Sevens in Wellington this weekend.

The team boasts a lot of experience with five members of the gold-medal winning 2010 Commonwealth Games side in the team, which will again be captained by DJ Forbes.

The side also features one new debutant, with Counties Manukau’s David Raikuna gaining a spot in the team. However, another newcomer, Waikato’s Rory Grice, has been bracketed with his provincial union team-mate Declan O’Donnell who has an ankle injury and will make his Sevens debut if O’Donnell doesn’t recover from his injury.  A decision will be made following Wednesday’s training game.

Tietjens said selecting the side was very difficult this year.

“The guys have trained very well over the last few days and we have been lucky enough to get in a couple of training games against Canada and a Wellington side which have helped with our preparations immensely,” he said.

“Understandably there is extra pressure on us this week but the players are well aware of this and are remaining focused on the tournament,” he added.

New Zealand Sevens team for NZI Sevens:

Toby Arnold                                      Bay of Plenty

Tomasi Cama                                   Manawatu

Scott Curry                                        Bay of Plenty

DJ Forbes, captain                          Counties Manukau

Frank Halai                                       Waikato

Bryce Heem                                      Auckland

Solomon King                                  Bay of Plenty

Tim Mikkelson                                  Waikato

Declan O’Donnell / Rory Grice      Waikato

Buxton Popoalii                               Otago

Lote Raikubula                                 Manawatu

David Raikuna                                 Counties Manukau