Owen Franks dropped, Jimmy Cowan back
When All Black coach Graham Henry unveiled his team for this Saturday’s historic test against the Springboks in Soweto, Owen Franks was a surprise omission.
John Afoa will provide cover on the bench. The match 22 was missed by the Crusaders altogether, being replaced at tighthead by his older brother Ben.
Henry said, “Owen has done superbly, he’s played seven tests on the trot and, for a young man of 22, we just felt he needed some space. He’s been outstanding for a 22-year-old tighthead and we believe it’s time for him to refresh both mentally and physically, that will be the best thing for him.
Henry added, “The fact that Ben is starting shows how far he has advanced. He’s in a similar mould to Owen, which is understandable. They are both very dedicated and totally focused on personal development and the good of the team.”
From the team, which beat Australia 20-10 in Christchurch two weeks ago, it was one of two changes. Jimmy Cowan also replaces Piri Weepu at halfback. Cowan has recovered from a rib injury.
In the opening rounds of the Tri Nations, Henry said the All Blacks were expecting to face a “very different” Springboks side from the one that lost two matches in New Zealand.
He said, “They will be hugely motivated to turn around those results and we are expecting a hugely physical encounter. Playing the Springboks in Soweto in front of 90-thousand plus fans – it doesn’t get much bigger than this. It’s going to be a marvelous occasion, a massive challenge and one which the team is really looking forward to.”
After four seasons in the Rugby Super League, the Boston Irish Wolfhounds (BIWRFC) have officially confirmed that they will not be competing in the RSL in 2011. The move comes following the Wolfhounds’ decision that they do not currently have the finances, personnel, or player depth to compete at the elite level. The decision was made with the goal of establishing a more secure financial foundation for the team.
The Wolfhounds will instead reallocate the resources formerly spend in the RSL on their Division I and Division II squads, youth programs, and in player recruiting. The move should prove effective for the team, which has a history of success in the lower divisions.
The Wolfhounds won seven Division I championships from 2000 to 2005, along with many tournament championships during that same period. The team also has established youth and recruitment programs.
The Wolfhounds have established relationships with local high school and college programs that have become a continual source of new recruits for the BIWRFC organization. This established success will be further bolstered by the newly reallocated resources and will ensure the future security and stability of the organization.
Once the Wolfhounds has established stability in finances, personnel, and player depth, they fully intend to rejoin the RSL and once again pursue their goal of becoming the top rugby club in the United States. The RSL thanks the Boston Irish Wolfhounds for their support over the past four seasons and wishes the organization every success at the national level.
Rugby – South African team loses sponsor
South Africa’s national rugby team, known as the Springboks, has lost its major sponsor.
Sasol Ltd., which makes motor fuel from coal, announced Tuesday it is ending its sponsorship of South Africa’s World Cup winning rugby team at the end of 2010 after it could not come to terms on a new deal with the sport’s governing body.
The loss is a huge blow for the bet on sports favorites, Springboks, which, under Sasol’s sponsorship, won the 2006 Rugby World Cup, as well as the 2009 Tri-Nations against Australia and New Zealand and also beat the British & Irish Lions 2-1 during last year’s test series.
Sasol’s six-year deal, which replaced previous sponsor SABMiller Plc in November 2004, was valued at 150 million rand ($20 million). The loss of sponsorship will also affect South Africa’s sevens rugby team and its ‘A’ and under-20 sides.
“We’re very proud of our association with the Springboks and had certainly hoped our significantly increased offer would have found traction with the union,” Sasol’s Senior Group Executive, Lean Strauss, said in the statement.
“We didn’t meet on the valuation so that’s essentially where it broke down,” South African Rugby Union spokesman Andy Colquhoun said by mobile phone.
SARU, as the governing body is known, will now start looking for a new sponsor for the 2011 season and will make an announcement “in due course,” it said in a separate statement.
The IRB (International Rugby Board) Junior World Rugby Trophy is a second tier international rugby competition that is underway in Russia. This is the third year that the event has taken place. In the past two years Chile and Romania have been big performers in the tournament, finishing in the top 4 each year.
Chile is not involved in this year’s play, but Romania is back and playing very strong. In their first 3 matches Romania has managed to win 2 of 3 and is currently in the second place position of Pool A with 9 points.
Italy has been the story of the competition so far. They have managed to win all of their games to this point, securing a 3-0 record atop Pool A. In their three games they have managed to score a whopping 120 points. This average of 40 points a game is higher than the total points scored by Papua New Guinea in the entire 3 days played. Italy has also surrendered just 19 total points. They have 14 points in the standings overall, the highest of all teams.
Japan is leading the way in Pool B. Japan has won 2 and tied 1 match out of their three total matches. They have played solid defense, surrendering the lowest point total of all teams in Pool B. They have also managed to score more points than any team with the exception of Italy. Japan looks to be a formidable foe for Italy as time moves on if they can hold off Russia, who is on their tail.
Russia has won 2 of 3 matches, but has struggled to score points. Despite their positive record, they have actually surrendered more points than they have scored themselves. This is a disturbing fact for a team that is hoping to compete in the competition.
The Rugby League in England receives funding from Sport England as an “English Priority” sport. The sport is extremely popular in England and is often called “football” to the native English people.
The game was widely popular to the working class people and in the early years Rugby was not a paid sport. In 1906 the Northern Union football became a sport in its own right rather than a form of rugby union.
The sport continued to spread throughout England and the first international match was played in 1904 as England was beaten 9-3 at Wagan by the “Other Nationalities.” The NRFU became the Rugby Football League in 1922.
After World War 2 the league took a season hit record in 1949 to 1950 when over 69.8 mission paying customers attended all matches. In 1980, it was announced that the formation of a rugby league called the Harlequins Rugby League. In 1982 the Australian rugby team won all of their tour games which opened a gap between the English and Australian rugby leagues which has never been closed.
In 1995 the Super League was formed and the sport switched from a winter to summer season. The rugby League Conference was founded in 1998. It began with fourteen teams, but after nine years of being around, they have now grown to 88 clubs spread throughout England and the rest of Britain.
Rugby is one of the number one sports in the heartland and the interest rivals that of regular soccer. The regions of England where rugby is played the most is in West Crumbria and the Ruby League is considered by most people to be a regional sport. The rugby league is extremely popular and is here to stay for years to come to try and close the English and Australian rugby gap to be on the same playing level once again.
The Voice of Rugby is Quiet
Bill McLaren, affectionately called “The Voice of Rugby”, died this year in a Scotland hospital at the age of 86. Bill brought interest and excitement to millions of Rugby fans around the world in his BBC TV and radio broadcasts. He was known for the descriptive and unbiased pictures he presented of Scotland’s much loved sport and lots of internet sportsbook sites have come up, with an ability to describe the action in terms everyone could understand. His enthusiasm and love of the sport inspired players, fans and other journalists to appreciate Rugby football as much as he did.
Early in his life, as an outstanding flanker, Bill dreamed of playing the sport for his country. Called to service with the Royal Artillery during World War II, before his dreams could be fulfilled, he became ill with tuberculosis and almost died. He replaced his passion for playing with a passion for broadcasting and brought worldwide attention to the sport.
As a journalist, Bill received recognition as the best-known rugby commentator during his almost 50 years with the BBC. In addition to the British Empire’s highest journalism awards, in 2001, Bill was inducted into International Rugby Board’s (IRB) Hall of Fame. Since 1953, his voice was recognizable in Scotland and beyond.
A renowned journalist, Bill McLaren was also a World War II veteran, PE coach, and devoted family man. Thousands attended a tribute dedicated to his life, held in Rugby’s Murrayfield Stadium. Friends and family spoke lovingly of the story-telling, fun-loving, husband, father, and grandfather.
The Twickenham Rugby Experience
Twickenham Stadium is the home of English Rugby Union. The stadium is the biggest Rugby Union stadium in the UK and the second largest stadium in the UK. It is only smaller than Wembley Stadium. Although the stadium is primarily used for Rugby Union fixtures it does also house a number of other events.
It has a long history as a venue for music concerts and has held a wide variety of bands such as Genesis, U2, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Iron Maiden and the Eagles. It has also played host to The Rugby League Challenge Cup Final, the Guinness Premiership final and the Middlesex sevens. The stadium is probably most notable for holding the England international rugby union test matches.
Twickenham Stadium is owned and run by the Rugby Football Union. As a result the stadium plays host to a large number of rugby fixtures each year and arguably the largest and most prestigious of these games are the visits of the English Rugby union team. The English team play all of their home fixtures at Twickenham. This is unique amongst the home nation rugby teams.
The other teams have a national stadium but they also use a variety of other stadiums to play their fixtures throughout a season and as a result the Twickenham stadium is particularly prestigious. The stadium is also home to England’s six nation matches and it invites teams that visit England to tour from the southern hemisphere. This typically happens every year and it usually takes place in November.
The Twickenham stadium also holds a number of high profile domestic rugby matches. It hosts the Guinness Premiership final and the Anglo-welsh cup. It has also been the venue for the 2006-2007 Heineken Cup final and also the domestic Middlesex sevens competition. Horse Betting It also plays host to a number of high profile amateur matches. It holds the annual rugby match between Oxford University and Cambridge University, the culmination of the inter-services competition the Army versus Navy match and it also becomes home to the English School’s Daily Mail Cup final. As a result it is seen as the home of all types of rugby and the many different tournaments that take place there really add to its prestigious reputation.
The stadium solidifies its reputation as the quintessential rugby venue in that alongside the incredible arena it provides for rugby matches it also provides a museum that is solely devoted to rugby. The museum covers the history of the game. It is not solely focussed on the domestic game or how it developed in the UK; it also tells how the game has developed. It covers the whole of the global game and not just the development of English Rugby. The museum has a static historical section of the museum but it also has a rolling programme of special exhibitions. These special exhibitions cover topical issues and they often display some of the most obscure and bizarre rugby artefacts that have been sourced from all over the globe.
It is possible to tour the stadium when games are not being played. These tours take place on a number of days per week. Usually these take place four times a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On match days people that want to take the tour will also have to have a match entry ticket. This can be a wonderful option for corporate hospitality.
Welsh Rugby! – Sidestep Wizards!
My Tribute to some of the best Welsh rugby tries from the best sidestepping wizards of Welsh rugby, past and present. Wales Rugby at it’s best! Shane Williams, Ieuan evans, Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, JJ Williams, Jonathan Davies, Gerald Davies and more more more. Song – You’re the Best Around, Artist: Joe Esposito -plus- The World in Union, by the Fron Male Voice Choir of Wales. Grand slam champions 2008! hell yeah!
Netball and Rugby – two different games. One of them is known for adrenaline pumping, heart-stopping, knee scraping roughness while the other for jumping fun. Rugby is almost purely a domain of the males, while Netball isn’t any less popular among girls. So when a great event of these two sports is held together you can expect fun for everybody. That’s right, the Bournemouth Rugby festival will be held in May alongside Bournemouth Netball tournament.
Bournemouth is the latest hotspot on the Rugby circuit. With nice coastal weather, good beaches and pleasant but sporty people, the place is the host one of the most popular Rugby sevens events of the world – the Bournemouth Rugby festival. And if you’re planning to leave your wives behind, don’t be so quick, the Bournemouth Netball tournament is a great place to hang out for those who’re not excited by Rugby.
These days people don’t have as much time on hand as they used to. If you’re a working professional you can’t hope to devote a complete week to Rugby. Luckily, the Bournemouth Rugby Festival is scheduled at a weekend.
The events will bring the top teams of the region together, competing with each other in a fun-filled weekend. Starting on Friday, the last game will be held on Sunday and by Monday you’ll be ready to get back to work, all charged up. So make your plans for the Bournemouth Rugby festival today, and enjoy the Bournemouth Netball tournament as a bonus.
The Bournemouth Rugby festival is held in the Rugby sevens format, which adds to the excitement and reduces the duration of the match. With the result coming up in just 7-10 minutes, and only a short break between matches, there’s never a dull moment. The Bournemouth Netball Tournament too is not any less exciting. With the best Netball players from the region, you can expect some superb Netball action.
Another attraction of the Bournemouth Rugby festival is the music festival that will be held alongside. The music festival will bring great musicians and bands who will perform to the crowds. So if you love music that’s another reason to visit the Bournemouth Netball tournament.
While you are at Bournemouth, you can also enjoy some of the Bournemouth hospitality and the great beaches. Bask in warm sunlight or go for a swim in the clear waters while you relax in the evening after a sport filled day. That’s why visiting the Bournemouth Rugby festival and the Bournemouth Netball tournament present a complete holiday. Bring along your entire family and you’ll have the time of your life.
Bournemouth is already quite a popular tourist destination. That’s why it’s well-connected through roads, train and airplanes. You’ll find good quality accommodation and great food. So participating in the Bournemouth Rugby festival is not hard work at all. Plan early-on and schedule Rugby matches along with Netball so that the fun is complete.
And if you’re wondering what to do in the night after a fun-filled day, Bournemouth has great pubs and clubs. So are you coming to the Bournemouth Rugby festival and the Bournemouth Netball tournament?
For more resources about Bournemouth Rugby Festival or even about Bournemouth Netball Tournament please review this page http://www.bournemouthsevens.com
Rugby is one of the favorite sports of the sport lovers. This sport is very popular and is watched by a large number of audiences. Every year this annual series of Tri Nations International is held between the national teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, who are known as the Wallabies, the All Blacks and the Springboks respectively. This tournament is one of the most sought after tournaments of rugby. A large number of spectators come and watch the matches of this tournament every year.
This year, just like the past years the Tri Nations Series has been successful in grabbing the attention of rugby lovers. The fans of these three teams are really looking forward to all the matches. This competition is organized by a consortium formed by these three countries’ rugby union bodies called SANZAR. This tournament is on the go from 18th July. Last year, in 2008 series, the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies and won the series. This year every one is really hoping for the same level of enthusiasm and excitement of the matches.
The teams of South Africa (the Springboks) and New Zealand (the All Blacks) will face each other on the field on Saturday 25th July. The match will start at 13:00 according to the local time. This match will be played at the Vodacom Park. The match between these teams will be very interesting. According to the International Rugby Board (IRB) the team of New Zealand, this year stands at first position, South Africa at second and the team of Australia at third. The results show that the teams of New Zealand and South Africa will be giving tough competition to each other on the ground. This tournament as always has been committed to display good quality matches and has always been successful in arranging this colorful event for the rugby lovers, living across the globe. This tournament is full on and on the swing to please the rugby lovers.
The management of the Tri Nation Series has always been committed and this year is also very vigilant in order to make this event as successful as it has always been. It is expected that a large number of spectators will be facing towards the field on the day of this match and will be encouraging their favorite team. The rugby match results will keep the rugby lovers updated online. The All blacks and the Springboks are really looking forward to give tough time to their opponents on the field on 25th July. The team spirit and their practice have made these teams very competitive. They are going to enter the field with flying colors and will play the game with positive spirits. All the rugby lovers should hurry up and get their tickets for this match. This match is really going to be a tough game and will delight the spectators for sure. The live rugby scores can be seen online. These rugby live scores will keep all the rugby lovers updated on the developments of this match.
