General
The most controversial kick in World Cup for a very long time was not over.
Backline a real eyebrow-raiser
The All Blacks have sprung several major selection surprises for Friday night’s Rugby World Cup opener against Tonga in Auckland, with test regulars Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu missing from the 22.
RWC 2011 Judicial Process Background Information
The on-field disciplinary process for Rugby World Cup 2011 deals with Illegal and/or Foul Play and Misconduct. It reflects the citing, hearing and sanctioning process which applies across international Rugby as set out in IRB Regulation 17, but under expedited timeframes for the seven week tournament. Rugby World Cup 2011 will benefit from the most experienced Citing Commissioners and Judicial Officers selected on merit from the elite international Game to act in such roles at the Tournament.
The appointment of Citing Commissioners, Judicial Officers and Appeal Committees during the Tournament is based upon neutrality considerations.
“In one week’s time, the world will be watching us as the seventh Rugby World Cup gets underway,” said Martin Snedden, CEO for Tournament Organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011.
“We promise all fans, at Eden Park, and those watching from afar, a night to remember.
Supersport’s Television coverage starts at 09:00
Claims on the eve of the World Cup that the All Blacks are blatant cheats have gone down like a cup of cold soup with rugby icon Colin Meads.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have today announced the squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Toulouse flanker Thierry Dusautoir will skipper France’s 30-strong World Cup squad to travel to New Zealand for the September 9-October 23 tournament.
Prop Deacon Manu has been named as Fiji captain for next month’s Rugby World Cup.
Manu, who has played more than 100 matches for Llanelli since moving to Wales from New Zealand in 2006, will lead the 30-man squad named on Saturday, which includes 21 overseas-based players.
James Horwill has replaced Rocky Elsom as Australia’s captain in a shock move before next month’s Rugby World Cup.
Queensland Reds skipper Horwill was surprised when coach Robbie Deans today named him to lead the 30-man Wallabies squad to the tournament, kicking off in New Zealand on September 9.
Flank Jacques Burger from English Premiership club Saracens will captain rank outsiders Namibia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next month.
The south-west Africa nation make their Group D debut on September 10 against Fiji in Rotorua and then tackle Samoa at the same venue four days later, title holders South Africa in North Shore on September 22 and Wales in New Plymouth after a three-day break.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has signed a two year extension with the Australian Rugby Union which will keep him in Australia until 2013 at least.
Toby Flood has slammed England’s inability to score tries in their 19-9 defeat against Wales as “embarrassing” and “shameful”.
Wales (6) 19 / England (6) 9 (Final Score)
Wales hosted England at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff at 15:30 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
The Crusaders home ground of AMI Stadium in Christchurch will remain closed during the 2012 Super Rugby season forcing the Crusaders to play their matches on the road again.
AMI Stadium suffered heavy damage in the February earthquakes which hit Christchurch and killed 181 people.
Ireland’s loss to Scotland has seen them drop from fourth place in the world rankings to sixth place and also helped France move to fifth place.
England’s victory over Wales sees them take the fourth place in the world rankings but Wales maintain their seventh placed ranking.
Similar to the Jane Austen classic, South African Rugby is a mixture of misplaced pride, shady characters with delusions of grandeur and the inability to focus on the obvious, all of which leads to the degradation and ultimate destruction of that which really matters. Continue reading
All Blacks (32) 60 / Fiji (0) 14 (Final Score)
The All Blacks hosted Fiji at Carisbrook, Dunedin on Friday 22 July 2011 at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time). This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
As expected, the All Blacks were far too strong for a gutsy Fiji side, with their forwards doing most of the damage.
The All Blacks are set to unleash a new game plan as they start their Rugby World Cup preparations with a one-off TriNations warm up Test against Fiji on Friday.
All Black Cory Jane’s run of bad luck took another twist as he suffered a compound dislocation of his finger at the weekend, which has put a cloud of uncertainty over his All Black prospects.
Samoa beat Australia for the first time in rugby history when they pulled off a shock 23-32 victory in Sydney on Sunday.
London – New Zealand rugby coach Graham Henry plans to rest several members of his squad ahead of September’s World Cup to guard against the possibility of burnout.
Henry told the BBC in an interview Thursday that several All Blacks stars were “overdone” as the New Zealanders head into an international season which will culminate with the World Cup on home soil.
Samoa have named their rugby team to face Australia which includes five players who have played under Wallabies coach Robbie Deans whilst he was coaching the Crusaders.
The New Zealand Rugby Union and All Black Luke McAlister are at loggerheads over a $60,000 payment for his release so that he can move to France to play in the Top14.
The biggest gift we can give our kids or the next generation of sports men and women, is to remove the fear of failure from their minds.
The Aviva Premiership Rugby fixtures for the 2011/12 season have been announced with reigning Aviva Premiership Rugby champions Saracens kicking off their season by playing London Wasps in the London Double Header at Twickenham.
New Zealand were crowned IRB Junior World Championship 2011 winners after a thrilling final with Beauden Barrett’s late try sealing a 33-22 victory at the Stadio Plebiscito in Padova, Italy, on Sunday.
There will be no let-up for Super Rugby’s newest team, as the Rebels confirmed the details of their off-season European tour in August.
The Rebels – who finished last in their debut season in Super Rugby – will play three matches in a week-long tour of England and Ireland that will kick-start the club’s preparations for the 2012 Super Rugby season.
England U20 booked their place in the IRB Junior World Championships Final on Wednesday with a 31-18 win over France in Treviso, Italy.
The All Blacks could face a tricky juggling act with Richie McCaw in the lead up to the World Cup.
With Richie Mccaw still struggling with the screw in the metatarsal bone in his right foot there could be a tug of war over who his
backup is.
All Black and Blues midfield back Luke McAlister has confirmed that he has signed a three-year deal with French rugby club, Toulouse.
SA Under-20 coach Dawie Theron has made nine changes to his team to take on Ireland in their second Pool C match at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship in Treviso on Tuesday at 20:10 .
Baby Bokkies (21) 33 / Scotties (0) 0 (Final Score)
South Africa took on Scotland in their first clash of 2011 in the Junior World Championships at the Stadio del Plebiscito, Padova, Italy at 20:00 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
There was always only going to be one winner, but errors hampered the Baby Bokkies and many chances went a-begging. They still scored their 4 tries though and kept the sheet against them blemish free.
Isa Nacewa scored a try in the final minute of the match to hand the Barbarians a 28-31 victory over Wales.
Toulouse scrapped their way to an 18th French league crown on Saturday, justifying by a whisker their favourites’ tag to edge underdogs Montpellier 15-10 at the Stade de France in the Top 14 final.
Whilst South Africans might admire the fact that New Zealand Rugby has successfully retained Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and soon to be confirmed, Sonny Bill Williams – post Rugby World Cup 2011, there are some who believe the All Blacks have ‘sold their soul’.