All Blacks for Canterbury Auction launching

Posted on Jul 22, 2011 in NZ

All Blacks supporters around the world will get the chance to grab a unique experience or a rare piece of sporting history by joining an online auction that will  help residents rebuild earthquake-hit Christchurch.

The auction is one of the number of rugby led initiatives aimed at raising funds and showing support for the people of Canterbury and will go live the same day as the All Blacks v Fiji For Canterbury Test.

The NZRU’s principal partner adidas has donated a range of limited issue international memorabilia from some of the world’s leading sporting teams and stars such as Liverpool and Chelsea football jerseys signed by the respective teams.

All Blacks commercial partners have gifted everything from the latest technology in mobile phones to exclusive clothing with proceeds going towards the Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said items such as a football signed by the 2010 World Cup winning Spanish Football team or a one-off signed “For Canterbury” All Blacks Jersey are expected to attract strong international interest.

“While Friday’s All Blacks v Fiji Test brings together thousands of supporters giving back to Christchurch, thanks to the generosity of our partners we are pleased to provide an opportunity for others to show their support,” he added.

“Sports fans all over the world will have the chance to bid for some truly memorable events and exciting gear,” he said. 

New Zealand online auction site www.sella.co.nz/allblacks
has generously agreed to host the auction and allow bids from overseas. Sella.co.nz and DPS, the payment gateway provider, have both waived their commission to ensure the maximum amount goes to help rebuild Canterbury. 

The auction went live today at 12 noon Friday 22 July. Bidding on individual items will close throughout the day starting from 10am on Saturday 6 August.

Christchurch City Mayor Bob Parker said he’s extremely grateful for the kindness being shown to the city following the recent earthquakes.

“I’m continually moved by the wonderful, heartfelt support this city has received from all around the country, and internationally. The fundraising effort by the New Zealand Rugby Union is another example of people’s generosity and desire to support our beautiful city in its time of great need. ”

Tickets for the Dunedin for Canterbury Test Match are still on sale.

Ticket sale details:

All Blacks v Fiji, Carisbrook, Dunedin, 22 July, 7:35 pm

Children: from $25, Adults: $50-$115       

Ticket Direct       Phone : 0800 224 224

Online:  www.ticketdirect.co.nz 

France to host 2013 JWC

Posted on Jun 30, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The International Rugby Board has announced that France has been awarded the right to host the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013.

The announcement is a further boost to Rugby’s premier age grade event and comes just five days after New Zealand defeated England in a pulsating final of a record-breaking 2011 Championship in Italy.

The Championship captured the hearts and minds of the Italian public with capacity crowds turning out to watch 30 matches that pitted the world’s best players at Under 20 level against international opposition in a competition that is a proven springboard to the Test arena.

With the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 taking place in South Africa, the awarding of the 2013 event to France underlines the IRB’s commitment to a long-term hosting strategy which enables the Host Union to maximise event and legacy benefits geared towards delivering a world class Championship and boosting participation.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset made the announcement at a special media launch at Versailles attended by stars of the Game past, present and future.

“The International Rugby Board is delighted to be awarding France the right to host the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013,” said Lapasset.

“The Fédération Française de Rugby, with its considerable major event hosting experience, is perfectly positioned to not only deliver an outstanding showcase for the future stars of world Rugby, but also a platform for Rugby to continue to reach out to new audiences and participants across France.”

“With France also having been awarded Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014, this announcement underlines the appetite for hosting major international Rugby events following the tremendous success of Rugby World Cup 2007. I am sure that both events will be tremendously successful.”

FFR President Pierre Camou added: “The Fédération Française de Rugby is proud to have been selected to host the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013. We have two years to deliver an outstanding event that will provide magnificent competition and a base from which to attract more young participants to Rugby in France. We are also proud that the IRB has shown confidence in our capacity to take up the challenge of hosting major international events.”

Since the IRB Junior World Championship began in 2008 almost 100 players have progressed to win full Test caps for their countries, underscoring its significant development role. Many of the players on show in Italy look set to follow the likes of Mathieu Bastareaud, Benjamin Fall and Wencelas Lauret for France, and other graduates including David Pocock, Patrick Lambie, Courtney Lawes and Zac Guildford to Test stardom.

Captain Katy McLean relishing WRWC 2014 in France

Posted on Jun 30, 2011 in Women's Rugby

The International Rugby Board has announced that France will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014.  The showcase international tournament for Women’s Rugby will be staged in Paris and will build on the record-breaking 2010 tournament in England.

The IRB Council selected the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) as the Host Union following a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Board to approve a tender that clearly demonstrated a commitment to delivering a world class environment for teams and fans and a platform to grow Women’s Rugby in France and throughout the world.

England captain Katy McLean, whose side finished second in the 2010 tournament after a narrow defeat to New Zealand, said: “I think that this is a very exciting opportunity for France and European rugby as a whole and a great opportunity to build on the success on the 2010 World Cup that was staged here in England. France are an extremely competitive nation and I have always had great experiences when playing in France. They always manage to get great crowds at their international games, which creates a wonderful atmosphere and I’m sure that this won’t be any different in 2014.

“The world cup in 2010 was a major success for the women’s game, helping to raise the profile of the game to new levels. As a player it was a great event and an amazing experience. It certainly set the standard for future events and really I just can’t wait for it all to begin again.

“I hope that in three years time I will still be captaining England – there is no greater honour than captaining your country at a world cup. And of course after finishing second at the last two world cups we want to go one better. Any team entering a world cup wants to win and we are no different. We need to keep building on our performances and ensure that we are fully prepared. It’s a long time off yet and we have other important challenges ahead first but at the end of the day we are all looking towards 2014.”

Details regarding the global qualification process for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 will be announced later this year with qualifying expected to kick-off in 2012.

NZ claim world sevens series

Posted on May 23, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens has commended his team after they claimed the HSBC Sevens World Series at the London tournament overnight.

New Zealand’s World Series win was confirmed after they beat Argentina in the quarter final.  New Zealand lost the subsequent semifinal against a strong Fijian side and South Africa defeated Fiji 24 – 14 in the Final at Twickenham.

Tietjens said the team was delighted to have secured their ninth Sevens World Series title.

“We didn’t play as well as we had previously and that might be due to the massive break between tournaments, so we were probably feeling a little rusty.  But the guys have put in a lot of hard work, and they can hold their heads high.  We’re really pleased to come away with the Series, and I’m very proud of the team,” he said.

The team now focusses on the last leg of the Series in Edinburgh on 28 and 29 May.

“It really is a great feeling going into the next tournament knowing we have secured the Series, but we will be very determined to come back and finish the year on a high,” Tietjens said.

On the injury front, Bryce Heem from Auckland has been ruled out of the Edinburgh tournament and he will be replaced by Rory Grice from Waikato.

RWC to be broadcast in 3D

Posted on Apr 14, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Rugby World Cup will be broadcast in 3D technology for the first time after Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) appointed 3DLive as Official 3D Broadcaster of RWC 2011 in New Zealand.

One of the pioneers of 3D production in New Zealand, 3DLive will deliver a 3D feed of the Rugby World Cup 2011 semi-finals, Bronze Final and Final, taking advantage of the latest next generation technology to give viewers around the world a unique experience of Rugby’s showcase Tournament.

The groundbreaking deal means that viewers watching the matches will experience the sheer immediacy and visual clarity of the action as if they were on the pitch themselves.

3DLive will produce a theatrical feed for cinema and big screen venues in New Zealand and Australia and this feed will also be available to global partners. A broadcast feed will be available to all RWC 2011 Rights Holding Broadcasters.

RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “This announcement represents a significant development for Rugby World Cup and underlines our commitment to ensuring that Rugby fans around the world are able to enjoy the latest broadcast technology."

“Over four billion television viewers enjoyed the last Rugby World Cup. In a sport where innovation and tradition go hand in hand we will give Rugby fans a new viewing dimension that will enhance their experience of a tournament that continues to reach out to more men, women and children through all media platforms.”

“We are proud that Rugby World Cup can serve as a platform for advancing technology and the viewing experience and we are delighted to be partnering with a company that has a wealth of experience in 3D production and technology.”

3DLive Director Ronel Schodt said: “3D technology offers a stunning new perspective to traditional 2D Rugby coverage. You really do feel as if you’re in the front row of the stadium. It’s an experience that’s as close as you’ll get to being at the live match.”

SKY NZ Chief Executive John Fellet said that the Host Broadcaster intends to be the first broadcaster in New Zealand to deliver 3D programming.

“We are pleased and honoured to be part of the first 3D sporting event ever generated in New Zealand. While we are still working through the technical and operational requirements it is our intention to offer these 3D matches to SKY subscribers and our hospitality industry partners.”

In addition to making the broadcast feed available to Rights Holding Broadcasters, 3DLive will also provide a solution for offsite 3D viewing areas with venues in New Zealand and Australia set to be announced shortly and global providers later this year.