Showing posts with label Official_RFU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Official_RFU. Show all posts

Saturday, 16 November 2013

All Blacks Maintain Record

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New Zealand avenged last year's defeat at Twickenham but were given a mighty fright by England before emerging from a titanic struggle with a 30-22 victory, their 13th in an unbeaten 2013.

England trailed 17-3 early in the game, battled back to lead 22-20 after a hour but succumbed to a ferocious finish from the All Blacks.

New Zealand went ahead early through tries from the outstanding Kieran Read and Julian Savea, but England kept in touch through a scrappy try from Joe Launchbury and the relentlessly accurate boot of Owen Farrell.

It was Farrell's sixth kick from six which edged England ahead briefly but Savea's second try and a conversion and penalty from Aaron Cruden - on as a replacement for the injured Dan Carter - kept New Zealand's unbeaten year intact.

Carter joined the ranks of rugby's Test centurions, but his afternoon lasted just 26 minutes until injury ended his involvement.

The fifth All Black to reach 100 caps contributed a penalty and two conversions before making way for Cruden.

England started brightly but the home fans were stunned into silence when their line was breached after just 105 seconds.

New Zealand broke down the left wing through Read and some naive defending saw the number eight suck in Chris Ashton, Tom Wood and Billy Vunipola.

Somehow Read slipped a pass out to the lurking Savea and the wing had the simplest of run-ins, with Carter converting.

A penalty from Farrell got England on the board and Ben Foden thought he had scored a try after intercepting and running two thirds of the pitch, but referee Craig Joubert had spotted offside. To rub salt into Foden's wound, Carter kicked the penalty.

By the 18th minute New Zealand had surged 17-3 ahead with their second try started when lock Brodie Retallick sent prop Owen Franks racing through a gap.

The ball was recycled quickly and fed right where Foden was outnumbered and Read easily loped over. Carter added the conversion.

Finally England exerted some pressure, declining a shot at goal and kicking for touch to enable their forwards to pound away at the All Blacks' line.

They appeared to have mauled their way over, but video referee Gareth Simmonds controversially refused to award the try.

The score arrived moments later, however, when the ball squirted out of a five-metre scrum, touched the boots of Chris Robshaw and Wood before falling to Launchbury who gathered it up and fell over the line.

Farrell converted and then exchanged penalties with Cruden, reducing the deficit to 20-13 and with the added benefit of Read being sent to the sin-bin for entering a breakdown from the side.

The pendulum had swung in the final 10 minutes of the first half, England's resurgence founded on their dominant pack and Joubert's willingness to penalise the All Blacks at the breakdown.

And the shift in power continued after the interval as England produced their best passage of play with their backs also involved, only for Ashton to kick the ball away.

The action was captivating as New Zealand counter-attacked, missed a penalty and then allowed increasingly influential Billy Twelvetrees to burst through their ranks.

When Ashton was illegally blocked by Wyatt Crockett as he chased his own kick, England won a penalty landed by Farrell.

Rattled New Zealand continued to be penalised at the breakdown when they conceded again, they slipped behind for the first time in the match as Farrell hit the target.

The lead lasted just four minutes, however, as the All Blacks produced a stunning response in the face of some tiring home defence.

Desperate scrambling defence kept New Zealand out in the left corner, but a brilliant offload from Ma'a Nonu gave Savea a sniff of the line and he pounced, with Cruden converting.

A penalty from Cruden put the All Blacks eight points ahead and finally England's resistance had been broken.


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Friday, 1 November 2013

Mowen leads England Wallabies

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Ben Mowen replaces James Horwill as captain of Australia for Saturday's meeting with England at Twickenham.

The back-row forward, 28, made his Test debut against the British and Irish Lions in June and will lead the Wallabies for the second time.

Australia coach Ewen McKenzie said 28-year-old Horwill's recent displays had led to him losing the captaincy.

"By his own lofty standards, James would admit he hasn't been at peak form," said McKenzie.

"We've made the decision to remove the added pressures and responsibilities of being a captain this week so that he can focus entirely on bringing his 'A' game.

"There's no doubting James is a world-class leader but it's important he is putting his own personal performance first and playing to the level we know he is capable of on a weekly basis."

Mowen, who led Australia previously during their 14-13 home win over Argentina in the recent Rugby Championship, moves to number eight for Saturday's Test.

Scott Fardy returns at blind-side flanker while Sitaleki Timani partners Horwill in the second row with fellow lock Rob Simmons a late withdrawal after re-injuring medial ligaments in training this week.

Nick Cummins, a try-scorer in Australia's 20-14 victory at Twickenham last year,returns on the wing after recovering from a fractured hand.

Matt Toomua retains the number 12 jersey ahead of ACT Brumbies team-mate Christian Leali'ifano, who has to settle for a place on the bench on his return from an ankle injury.

Fly-half Quade Cooper, back in favour under McKenzie after being left out by his predecessor Robbie Deans, is made vice-captain.

"We're recognising Quade for the ongoing decision-making role he plays on the field and the positive involvements he continues to make in contributing to the culture of the team off the field," McKenzie added.

Australia team: Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs); Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs), Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies), Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies), Nick Cummins (Western Force); Quade Cooper (vice-captain, Queensland Reds), Will Genia (Queensland Reds); James Slipper (Queensland Reds), Stephen Moore (ACT Brumbies), Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies), Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs), James Horwill (Queensland Reds), Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies), Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs), Ben Mowen (captain, ACT Brumbies)

Replacements: Saia Fainga'a (Queensland Reds), Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs), Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Nic White (ACT Brumbies), Christian Leali'ifano (ACT Brumbies), Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)


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Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Five Positive Premiership Players


Five players at Premiership clubs tested positive for recreational drugs last season.

In its annual anti-doping report, the Rugby Football Union said the cases would be treated confidentially and punished with a "first-strike fine".

The tests came under the RFU's Illicit Drugs Programme, a series of out-of competition tests for illicit drugs.

In 617 tests for performance-enhancing drugs, none were failed by Premiership players.

Testing for illicit drugs - cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy - was introduced in 2009 after four Bath players were suspended for substance use.

The players who returned positive samples will be offered counselling and will remain anonymous unless they transgress again.

Senior players who fail tests are fined £5,000, with a £1,000 fine given to academy players.

"The RFU, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players' Association are focused on protecting the health and welfare of the players and reputation of the game, which is why this was set up in 2010," said an RFU statement.

"We believe our strategy based on education, testing, deterrent and treatment will keep the number of test violations consistently low."

Five players of National League One level or below failed in-competition tests aimed at performance-enhancing substances.


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Sunday, 20 October 2013

All Blacks on Tour

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New Zealand coach Steve Hansen insists his side will remain grounded as they prepare for a tour that could see them stay unbeaten for an entire season.

The All Blacks could become the first nation in the professional era to go through a year without losing.

The world champions have won all 10 Tests so far in 2013, winning the Rugby Championship title in the process.

"I don't think we've got any right to go around thumping our chests saying that we're unbeatable," Hansen said.

"We'll get our feet back on the ground and stay humble and keep working hard.

"We realise that if we don't, then others will come past us. That's not what we want."

New Zealand have only lost one of their 24 Tests since winning the 2011 World Cup,against England at Twickenham last November.

Hansen has included five uncapped players in a 36-man squad for the All Blacks' forthcoming four-Test tour, starting in Japan on 2 November before heading to Europe to face France, England and Ireland.

The Crusaders trio of prop Joe Moody, lock Dominic Bird and back-rower Luke Whitelock, Hurricanes scrum-half TJ Perenara and Blues wing Frank Halai are all included.

The versatile Whitelock, who will provide number eight cover for Kieran Read, could emulate older brothers Sam and George by becoming an All Black.

Bird and Perenara have both previously been named in All Blacks squads but injuries prevented them making Test debuts.

Moody, a Junior Commonwealth Games wrestling bronze medallist, is a relative novice, having only played Super Rugby for the first time this season.

With centre Conrad Smith unavailable while he takes a six-month sabbatical, Ryan Crotty - with only one Test under his belt - is included among the midfield options.

Wellington loose forward Ardie Savea, the younger brother of wing Julian, has been included as an 'apprentice' player for the tour to get a taste of the All Blacks environment.

The squad will be led by 120-Test veteran Richie McCaw, who along with eight other senior players will skip the Japan leg of the tour and head straight to Paris, where the All Blacks play France on 9 November.

New Zealand warmed up for their tour by beating Australia 41-33 in Dunedin on Saturday to wrap up a 3-0 whitewash in this year's Bledisloe Cup series.

New Zealand squad:

Forwards: Hookers: Dane Coles, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu;Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Tony Woodcock; Locks: Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Jeremy Thrush, Samuel Whitelock; Back-rows: Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock.

Backs: Back three: Israel Dagg, Frank Halai, Cory Jane, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea, Ben Smith; Centres: Ryan Crotty, Ma'a Nonu, Francis Saili;Fly-halves: Beauden Barrett, Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden, Tom Taylor;Scrum-halves: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith.

NZ's November Test schedule
2 Nov - Japan, Tokyo
9 Nov - France, Paris
16 Nov - England, Twickenham
24 Nov - Ireland, Dublin


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Thursday, 17 October 2013

Gatland Warns of Failure

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Warren Gatland has warned that English and French clubs' attempts to set up a breakaway tournament from the Heineken Cup will fail.

The Rugby Champions Cup, due to start next season, is a result of Anglo-French frustrations with Heineken Cup qualification and revenue sharing.

"I don't see an Anglo-French competition being successful or lasting that long," Gatland told BBC Jersey.

"I think all parties want full representation from all the countries."

The new tournament could yet include teams from Scotland, Wales and Ireland, but the Pro12 sides need their unions' approval to take part. The Welsh, Irish and Scottish unions are, in turn, waiting on the International Rugby Board's (IRB) endorsement.

New Zealander Gatland, who was appointed to the Wales post in 2008 after spells with London Wasps and Connacht as well as Ireland, believes a tournament that includes only English and French clubs will damage the international game in the northern hemisphere.

"There needs to be some sort of protection for a Scottish or Italian team potentially," he added. "Without their involvement we could see an impact going into the Six Nations."

The 50-year-old also believes that plans for the Rugby Champions Cup may have overlooked difficulties in securing officials for matches.

The English Rugby Football Union (RFU) are still uncommitted to the new tournament and their French counterparts actively oppose it.

"The referees are controlled by the unions and France have said they would not support a new competition, while the RFU have sort of stood on the fence," Gatland added.

Quentin Smith, the chairman of England's top-level Premiership, andTim Lopez, agent to the likes of Wales and Cardiff full-back Leigh Halfpenny, have warned that the uncertainty over top-level European rugby is affecting players' decisions over contracts at Welsh regions.



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Friday, 27 September 2013

Heineken Rugby Faces Breakaway


Top-flight English and French clubs say they are to set up a new tournament to replace the Heineken Cup from next season.

The clubs gave notice last year of their intention to pull out of the two existing European competitions at the end of 2013-14.

They are unhappy with the differing ways teams qualify for the Heineken Cup and how proceeds are shared.

The new format would include English and French teams and be open to others.

The Heineken Cup, which began in the 1995-96 season, features teams from England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.

But English and French clubs argue their counterparts in the other four nations have an unfair advantage in Europe.

With the Pro12 having no relegation, teams can rest players for league matches to keep them fresh for Europe, while the two Scottish and two Italian clubs are guaranteed a Heineken Cup place.

Premiership Rugby, which represents the 12 top-flight English clubs, said in a statement it had proposed the formation of two 20-team competitions to replace the Heineken Cup and second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup.

But it said "discussions have been unsuccessful and the clubs can only conclude that negotiations on any new European agreement have now ended".

It added: "Given the importance and urgency of the current position, and the reconfirmation that the French clubs will not participate in any competition unless it includes the English clubs, the clubs have now asked Premiership Rugby to take immediate action to put in place a competition for 2014-15 to include the French and English clubs but which will also be open to teams from other countries."

European Rugby Cup, which runs both European club competitions, said all parties involved in the consultation process would be represented at a scheduled meeting of its board in Dublin on Wednesday.

It added in a statement: "While there is a shared sense of frustration among ERC's stakeholders at the lack of progress towards a new accord, the meeting will provide an opportunity for the parties to review the consultation process to date."


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Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Saving Heineken is Key - Dallaglio

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Saving the Heineken Cup is key to northern hemisphere countries' chances of winning the 2015 World Cup, says ex-England captain Lawrence Dallaglio.

Top-flight English and French clubs want to set up a replacement competition from next season.

Heineken Cup organisers European Rugby Cup (ERC) will hold further talks on 23 October as they seek an agreement.

"There's a responsibility to ensure the best players are playing each other on the biggest stage," Dallaglio said.

"That is especially the case in the build-up to a World Cup, as all but one have been won by the southern hemisphere."

English and French clubs said last week discussions with the ERC had "been unsuccessful" and they could "only conclude that negotiations on any new European agreement have now ended".

They are unhappy with the differing ways teams qualify for the Heineken Cup and how proceeds are shared.

The owners and chairmen of the 12 English Premiership clubs meet on Wednesday as they continue to plan a new European competition, confident their Anglo-French initiative can get off the ground.

But Dallaglio, who won the Heineken Cup with Wasps in 2004 and 2007,is still hoping for a resolution involving all the Six Nations countries.

"We've had a hard job wrestling the World Cup from the southern hemisphere, so we need to have the best competitions in this part of the world for the players to play in," the 41-year-old added.

"That's what the various unions and umbrella organisations have the obligation to do - and privately not publicly.

"I believe the Heineken Cup is a wonderful competition that gives every country in Europe an edge that would be foolish to under-estimate."

Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie feels urgent talks are necessary.

He said: "It's important for a game as a whole that we get these negotiations settled.

"Our view as well is that we would seek to achieve a European competition that would involve clubs from Scotland, Wales, France - wherever."

Meanwhile, England Rugby 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans has confirmed ticket pricing and kick-off times for the World Cup will be announced in November.


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