The Rugby Forum - International Rugby http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/ en Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:46:06 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/images/BP-White/misc/rss.png The Rugby Forum - International Rugby http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/ Welsh Rugby Union reveal £58.5m record turnover http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19625-Welsh-Rugby-Union-reveal-£58.5m-record-turnover&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:07:51 GMT Image: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/46303000/jpg/_46303400_wru_club_crisis3_226x170.jpg ---Quote--- The Welsh Rugby Union Group have...


Quote:
The Welsh Rugby Union Group have revealed increased pre-tax profits of £27.6m last year after registering a record £58.5m turnover.

The 2010 annual report shows the WRU's profits rose from £24.5m, their total income up 18%, helped by eight Millennium Stadium internationals.

The WRU also report that their bank debt has been reduced to £26.7m.

"There are exciting and challenging times ahead," said WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...sh/8986504.stm
]]> International Rugby Cymro http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19625-Welsh-Rugby-Union-reveal-£58.5m-record-turnover What have Wales done ... http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19604-What-have-Wales-done-...&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:42:55 GMT Image: http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/products/7779.jpg Image: http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/products/7765.jpg ...

http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/Rugby-...ca-Rugby-Shirt

Bloody Bollocks! ]]> International Rugby Cymro http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19604-What-have-Wales-done-... Steele: The performance in 2011 is a building block for 2015 http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19601-Steele-The-performance-in-2011-is-a-building-block-for-2015&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:29:34 GMT New Rugby Football Union's Chief Exective John Steele has vowed that no expense would be spared in propelling England back to the top of the world.
Steele, the former Northampton fly-half and coach, was appointed from UK Sport as Francis Baron's replacement charged with putting rugby back at the heart of the RFU's agenda.
Baron was the first Twickenham chief executive and he retired this summer having guided the once cash-strapped union into a position of financial strength.
RFU chairman Martyn Thomas admitted rugby priorities had been sacrificed in the drive for commercial success. With England sixth in the world, that will now change.
But Steele tempered expectations by suggesting England's best chance of World Cup success could be on home soil in 2015 rather than in New Zealand next year.
"To be blunt, everyone connected with the game would like to see England's ranking higher than it is now," said Steele, who took office on Monday.
"We are the richest union in the world and that is something that is of massive credit to my predecessor - but that is a means to an end.
"We are not a FTSE 100 company, we are an organisation that is here to serve and lead rugby. Profit is fantastic but it is a means of investing in the game.
"Your top team is your showcase, it is hugely important. You cannot buy high-performance success but you do need a minimum amount of resources.
"I don't believe a union with the resources we have should see money around the high performance area as being restrictive."
Steele is not planning a review of the elite department, headed by Rob Andrew, and he has not yet had a chance to meet with England team manager Martin Johnson.
But from his high-performance experience at UK Sport, Steele suggested it may already be too late for next year's World Cup in New Zealand.
"One thing I learned from the Olympic environment is that from talent identification to the podium takes an athlete eight years," he said.
"Next year's World Cup is hugely important. If I can use the Olympic environment as an example, there is clear factual evidenec that you are much more likely to win a medal at your second Olympics rather than your first.
"There is similar evidence in rugby. England won't go into any tournament without wanting to win it - but the performance in 2011 is a building block for 2015 and a home World Cup."
But Thomas believes Steele's high-performance experience can help turn England into world-beaters once again.
Steele coached at Northampton before moving into sports administration and at UK Sport he played a key role in Britain's most successful Olympics in 100 years at Beijing 2008.
"We all want Fortress Twickenham back and to go to games knowing we should win. That has changed. We are not as confident as we once were and that underlines John's appointment," said Thomas.
"He has the skills for the development of these elite athletes and that is the focus we will go on. Rugby has to be the be-all and end-all."
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...363792,00.html

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Nice to see some honesty instead of Baron. ]]> International Rugby Bullitt http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19601-Steele-The-performance-in-2011-is-a-building-block-for-2015 RWC2011 Infomation http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19594-RWC2011-Infomation&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:55:56 GMT RWC always begins with an antique whistle and coins – I never knew that! (http://havingaball2011.com/?p=793) Apparently every Rugby World Cup has... RWC always begins with an antique whistle and coins – I never knew that!

Apparently every Rugby World Cup has had the first match started using these antiques, and they are kept right here in NZ at the Manawatu Rugby Museum.

http://bit.ly/coNVhf

Why…

The referee’s role is critical, it’s a great opportunity for them to be part of history and tradition.
The whistle and coin help authenticate the RWC tournament.
The mana and importance of these items grows year by year.

It’s great publicity for the museum too!

One downside of the whistle and coin is they don’t have “names”.They are called “The Whistle” and “The Coin”. ]]> International Rugby havingaball2011 http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19594-RWC2011-Infomation The Young-Blood Springbok team for the Grand Slam http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19573-The-Young-Blood-Springbok-team-for-the-Grand-Slam&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:46:09 GMT So, i think all of our senior players need to be rested, and we need to take all of our 'potential' World Cup youngsters to see what they are made of against the best of Europe. Lets pick a team, leaving out the 'fatigued' guys, concentrating on upcoming stars. My starting XV would be:

1. Beast Mtawarira
2. Chilliboy Rallapele ©
3. Brock Harris
4. Flip van der Merwe
5. Allistair Hargreaves
6. Deon Steggman
7. Dewald Potgieter
8. Duane Vermeulen

9. Francois Hougaard

10. Patrick Lambie
11. Gio Aplon
12. Robert Ebehrson
13. Juan de Jongh
14. JP Peterson
15. Francois Steyn


What do you guys reckon? I think they would get smashed, but we need to see who can handle the international stage, and put themselves in contention for the World Cup next year. ]]> International Rugby Jer1cho http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19573-The-Young-Blood-Springbok-team-for-the-Grand-Slam <![CDATA[Scotland's World Cup Chances]]> http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19542-Scotland-s-World-Cup-Chances&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:17:36 GMT With the Rugby World Cup just over a year away, I am starting to evaluate Scotland's chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Us being third placed in our pool started way back in the Autumn tests in 2008, where we narrowly lost to South Africa. This was because Chris Patterson went off injured due to a head knock with Juan Smith, leaving the kicking duties to Phil Godman, who subsequently missed 12 points worth of penalties and a drop goal. This would have won us the match, moved us up to 8th in the world ranking, thus putting us in the second tier and having a much better chance in the forthcoming World Cup.

In our pool in 2011 are England, Argentina, Georgia and the to be decided play off winner (either Romania or Uruguay). We start with a match against the play off winner followed by Georgia, two matches I am confident we will win. Next come Argentina, and my confidence has been boosted by the two wins there in the summer tests and the general rise in quality of Scottish Rugby under Andy Robinson. My confidence has risen enough so that I believe we will win this match, but only be a small margin. Finally come England, who, as the Scots, are on the up. They improved their performances towards the end of the Six Nations, as did Scotland, and have enjoyed some success in Australia in the summer. Again, I think it will be a close match, but I think England will just have the edge and win it.

This would leave us 2nd in pool C, through to the quarter finals to face the winner of pool A which is likely to be New Zealand, and this is where I believe our journey will stop.

So will Scotland retain their record of reaching the knockout stages in every World Cup (which only 5 teams have done), or will they fall short once again. ]]> International Rugby Finerz http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19542-Scotland-s-World-Cup-Chances Canadian Rugby Championship 2010 http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19529-Canadian-Rugby-Championship-2010&goto=newpost Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:13:41 GMT Hi there ... as i'm new to Canada, and a mad rugby supporter, I decided i'd make an effort to find out a little bit about the competition, and maybe post some results ... anyway, it turns out that there are four teams in the Competition, that we are already had two rounds, and that two off the teams have win both there games and have acquired a bonus point, qualifying them for the final on the 18th September

The points table is as follows:

The Rock (Atlantic Seaboard ... based in Newfoundland I think) - 9 points
Prairie Wolf Pack (Plains region of Canada, based in Calgary, Alberta, and therefore my local team) - 9 points
Ontario Blues (from Ontario ... go figure) - 1 point
B.C.Bears (British Columbia, based in Vancouver ) - 0 points

This is apparently an upset because BC are the defending champions, and rugby strength has traditionally come from that province.

The final round takes place on 4th September with the The Wolf Pack taking on The Rock to see who qualifies in first place, and the BC Bears hosting the Ontario Blues in a fight for third place.

I'm predicting that the winners in this round will be the Prairie Wolf Pack (because i'm biased :p ), and the Ontario Blues, because they seem to have been more competitive against the undefeated teams

If you want to follow the good guys (the Wolf pack ... and they play in Black! :D ), heres a link to an article on their two previous games

http://www.americasrugbychampionship...921&page=46199

If you are interested in all of the teams, here's another link

http://www.americasrugbychampionship...22629&link=ARC

If you follow a country that doesn't have threads up to show how well the teams are going, I encourage you put something up ... I freely admit that i'm not as globally aware as what I should be/would like to be ... and i'm sure i'm not the only one :D ]]> International Rugby Shaggy http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19529-Canadian-Rugby-Championship-2010 Relaxed Cooper in no hurry to decide his future http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19527-Relaxed-Cooper-in-no-hurry-to-decide-his-future&goto=newpost Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:29:00 GMT Greg Growden August 27, 2010 CAPE TOWN: Quade Cooper has broken his silence to reveal he is a long way off deciding whether to stay with the... Greg Growden
August 27, 2010

CAPE TOWN: Quade Cooper has broken his silence to reveal he is a long way off deciding whether to stay with the Wallabies next season or take up a lucrative offer with the Parramatta NRL club.

But the Wallabies pivot is adamant he is ''in the right head-space'' for Saturday night's Test against the Springboks and will not be distracted by the uncertainty and public attention about his future.

The media scrutiny over Cooper's impending decision had Wallabies officials concerned he would lose his way in South Africa and that he would not be properly focused on the Pretoria and Bloemfontein Tests.

But Cooper appeared relaxed and motivated when explaining his side of the story on Thursday; the first time he has publicly discussed his playing future since Parramatta's lucrative offer became public a fortnight ago. While Wallabies officials believe he will be part of next year's World Cup campaign, Cooper admits he is seriously weighing up his options.

''I am still undecided,'' Cooper said. ''My future is still uncertain, and all I'm trying to do in the meantime is play some footy. I've been out of the team for a few weeks, so all I can do now is go out there on Saturday to play my best for the Wallabies.''

The decision was difficult because of his passion for both codes.

''Both Aussies and Kiwis love rugby and league. I've played both from a young age and always enjoyed both of them. When you play rugby on Saturday and league on Sundays, it is sort of hard to pick one or the other.''

The Wallabies' chief playmaker has talked to several players about his situation, including James O'Connor and David Pocock, whom he describes as his best mates.

''The advice I'm getting from the boys is to do what's best for yourself. In terms of speaking to my best mates, like James and David, I definitely value their opinions. I know it is not just about yourself. Your family and friends are also involved in it. And when I finally come to a decision, I will let everyone know.''

Cooper said that although upset he missed out on the All Blacks Tests in Melbourne and Christchurch because of a two-match suspension for a dangerous tackle, it enabled him to again feel ''physically refreshed.''

''It was in some ways a good thing for the body. Head-space wise, I'm sweet at the moment,'' he said.

Cooper said one of his main strengths was an ability to forget about his external concerns when he was preparing for a big game.

''When you're out on the pitch, it's rugby, and that's what it is all about. You have a job to do. For me, it revolves around the enjoyment factor, and when you get out on the field, nothing else can really bother you or get to you. Some people like to read a book or chill out. I just like to get out there and play footy.''

But that doesn't mean he was ready for the media onslaught when he arrived at the Wallabies training camp in Sydney recently.

''That was quite a shock,'' he said. ''But at the same time I think it's good for the game to see so many people interested in something like that. Still, I didn't expect anything like it. I was told there would be a few media people floating around at Brisbane Airport. James [O'Connor] and I were coming up the elevator, and he was pointing to himself on a billboard saying: 'That's me up there.' Then suddenly there was a microphone in my face. That gave me a shock, and I laughed that off. When I arrived in Sydney it was an experience I hadn't been through before and I think I will be better for it.''

He has also grown used to Wallabies teammates ribbing him about becoming the centre of attention. ''There's always going to be a bit of banter, especially from Drew [Mitchell] and those type of characters. It's all in good fun, and that's what team sport is all about. If there was no banter, it wouldn't be much of a team. So being comfortable enough as a team about those sort of things is something I really enjoy about this Wallaby set-up. Sure, the boys are ripping in, but no more than they do about James O'Connor looking like Justin Bieber. It's all fair in love and war.''

The players have also made certain that every time Cooper scores a try at training, one of them yells out to him to perform the ''Quade Plane''.

+ + +

www.quadecooper.com ]]> International Rugby Wally http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19527-Relaxed-Cooper-in-no-hurry-to-decide-his-future RWC2011 ticket sales going well http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19526-RWC2011-ticket-sales-going-well&goto=newpost Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:39:59 GMT From an RWC2011 update sent to me by email.. ---Quote--- RNZ 2011 confirmed that overall sales targets were on track after 503,000 tickets... From an RWC2011 update sent to me by email..

Quote:
RNZ 2011 confirmed that overall sales targets were on track after 503,000 tickets worth $76m (exc GST) were snapped up during the first phase which featured Team and Venue Pool Packs as well as tickets to quarter-finals and the Bronze Final.

“The initial demand for tickets has been very strong, both from fans in New Zealand and around the world, and bodes well for capacity crowds in 2011.”

Approximately 100,000 or one fifth of tickets were purchased overseas, with fans from United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia and South Africa leading the way. Some 20,000 fans from 85 different countries were successful in their applications.

Rugby Travel & Hospitality, which manages the Official Travel and Hospitality programme, said tickets were in high demand.

"Our global network of Official Travel Agents responsible for selling a wide variety of travel packages to Rugby fans from around the world are on track to sell more than 100,000 tickets through the travel programme to just over 30,000 overseas visitors,” said David White, Director of Operations at Rugby Travel & Hospitality.

“Current sales indicate we’ll also bring a further 13,500 visitors to New Zealand through the official hospitality programme.”

RNZ 2011 expects that orders through subsequent ticket phases, further purchase of Official Travel and Hospitality packages as well as expected arrivals of media, sponsors and officials will see these visitor numbers continue to rise over the next 12 months.
Any Kiwis here bought tickets? (I have bought tickets to Italy's two matches in Nelson). Any members of TRF among those who have bought tickets from overseas. I know that Melhor TIme has tickets to the same match I am going to. Anyone else? ]]> International Rugby smartcooky http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19526-RWC2011-ticket-sales-going-well Well Australian Rugby, are you ready to have your eyes picked out http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19519-Well-Australian-Rugby-are-you-ready-to-have-your-eyes-picked-out&goto=newpost Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:00:38 GMT I saw this article on The Australian website and was intrigued by it's title

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225907488177

My thoughts were that it's a bit rich them saying that union had been poaching the league players for years when prior to the professional rugby era, it was them doing all the poaching.

This is especially rich coming from Ray Price, who himself was a rugby union international, before he went to league

Anyway, maybe the ARU are in for a tough time

WHat are your thoughts? ]]> International Rugby Shaggy http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19519-Well-Australian-Rugby-are-you-ready-to-have-your-eyes-picked-out Who are reagrded as the ABS greatest rivals ? http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19514-Who-are-reagrded-as-the-ABS-greatest-rivals&goto=newpost Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:21:26 GMT Always thought it was the Boks but according some its not , just wanted to what the general feel out there is , I can safely say that for the Boks it... Always thought it was the Boks but according some its not , just wanted to what the general feel out there is , I can safely say that for the Boks it is the All Blacks , we take the greatest pride when we beat them (Lions Series apart) ]]> International Rugby Sparty http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19514-Who-are-reagrded-as-the-ABS-greatest-rivals John Smit http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19506-John-Smit&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:59:39 GMT After last weekends Tri Nations game, people on the board suggested the big man should think about his international career as a Springbok. so far he... After last weekends Tri Nations game, people on the board suggested the big man should think about his international career as a Springbok. so far he has played 100 tests and will normally add two more games to the list the coming weekends. Matfield is one game behind and will have his 100th test this weekend against the Wallabies.

Kudos for both guys, they have won everything they could win in rugby and it's awesome they still keep on playing.

In my opinion it wouldn't be a good idea to leave Smit out of the squad, he and Matfield have been very good captains, have lots of experience and when they are in shape they really are an added value to the squad.

With one year before the RWC and the end of year tour coming soon ( most likely including both gents) I think SA will not have enough time to start working with a new skipper ( Schalk maybe?) and find a vice captain. The best thing would be to keep both in the guys and let some new guys play and give them game time.

What do you think about it? ]]> International Rugby bates http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19506-John-Smit Womens World Cup http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19502-Womens-World-Cup&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:04:14 GMT Live on the IRB website http://www.rwcwomens.com/video/index.html Live on the IRB website
http://www.rwcwomens.com/video/index.html ]]> International Rugby Bullitt http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19502-Womens-World-Cup <![CDATA["The NH isn't up to scratch" says PdV]]> http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19500-quot-The-NH-isn-t-up-to-scratch-quot-says-PdV&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:43:16 GMT But he still wants all the players based here available... ---Quote--- *Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has said he will travel to Europe... But he still wants all the players based here available...

Quote:
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has said he will travel to Europe after the Tri-Nations to iron out player-release problems with his players' clubs.

Racing Metro back Frans Steyn has rejoined the Springbok squad and took full part in Monday's practice session ahead of the Tri-Nations clash with Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Steyn was called up to a Springbok training camp two weeks ago but was not released by his club Racing Metro after being injured in a warm-up game. On-going liaison between SARU and Racing Metro as well as the French Rugby Federation has now enabled Steyn to be released for International duty.

De Villiers said he was glad to have Steyn back in the squad and added that the perceived "saga" around the player was "all a matter of miscommunication".

De Villiers has made it clear that he wants to take action to avoid problems in future with the release of overseas-based players.

"After the Tri-Nations, myself and Andy (Marinos) will travel to Europe to sit down with Racing Metro and Frans and discuss the way forward," he said at a press conference on Monday.

"We also plan to meet with Butch James' club (Bath) and BJ Botha's club (Ulster) to make sure that all parties are on the same page when it comes to the release of players for international duty.

"We have to get our ducks in a row to avoid causing disruptions to both the team and the players".

Steyn turned out for his club last Friday and showed no effects of injury during the Pretoria session on Monday morning. De Villiers would not speculate on what Steyn's role might be in the match against the Wallabies.

"It is great to have Frans here and he is a great addition to our squad but we have a player in the position who did not do badly last weekend," said the coach.

"We will sit and look at what will be best for the team this weekend and make it known when we confirm our team on Tuesday".

Steyn, meanwhile, slotted in well with his team-mates and looked in good shape. He struck the ball well during the kicking session too.

"It's great to be back in the squad," he said.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...331710,00.html
Hypocrite. ]]> International Rugby Bullitt http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19500-quot-The-NH-isn-t-up-to-scratch-quot-says-PdV Who would pick in the All Blacks to build depth in the squad http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19497-Who-would-pick-in-the-All-Blacks-to-build-depth-in-the-squad&goto=newpost Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:45:02 GMT I know that there has been some discussion about this already on other threads, but given the injury/surgery for Carter, the lack of a specialist... I know that there has been some discussion about this already on other threads, but given the injury/surgery for Carter, the lack of a specialist open side to backup McCaw, who captains if he is absent.

I would like to see Colin Slade picked as a backup for Aaron Cruden (in Carter's absence), Robbie Fruen given a go at outside centre at some stage, Sonny Bill Williams a go at inside centre at some stage, and Karl Lowe given a run at open side flanker.

Not sure who the form No 8 is, but who ever it is probably needs a run as well.

What are your thoughts? ]]> International Rugby Shaggy http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?19497-Who-would-pick-in-the-All-Blacks-to-build-depth-in-the-squad