By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nico_B_Rama]Nico B Rama
Rugby trophies that are the most prestigious in the world are won through the Rugby League (RL) competitions organized by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), the highest governing body of the sport. These games include the Rugby League World Cup, which is the sport's premier event; various international tournaments for both men and women and for all ages, and even some domestic competitions in Europe and Australasia.
The RL World Cup is held nearly every 4 years, with the next one to be staged in the UK in 2013. The current titleholder is New Zealand, who won the Cup for the first time in 2008. The original World Cup, which was priced at 8 million francs when it was commissioned by the French rugby federation president Paul Barriere in 1954, is still the same trophy that is being used. It is, perhaps, the most coveted of all rugby trophies.
Since 2000, the Women's RL World Cup has been held together with the RL World Cup for men. Only one team has won all 3 competitions that have been held so far - New Zealand. They took home the Cup in 2000, 2005 and 2008 and are looking forward to defend their title in 2013.
The Rugby League Four Nations is a tournament created with the top three nations in the rugby world - Australia, England and New Zealand. The fourth nation in its inaugural run in 2009 was France, who participated by invitation. Papua New Guinea, the champions of the Pacific Cup in 2009 played in this Four Nations series in 2010. Its 2011 run saw the 2009 European Cup champion, Wales, in action.
The European Cup is an annual tournament for the nations in the continent. Since it started in 1935, only England, Wales and France have won rugby trophies through this competition. On the other side of the globe, the Pacific Cup is the tournament for nations who would like to be known in the international rugby scene. As already mentioned, Papua New Guinea is the winner of the latest series. PNG bested the teams from Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Cook Islands.
Lastly, another competition to determine the champion of champions in the sport is the World Club Challenge. Formerly known as the World Club Championship, it is a rugby match held every year between the champions of the National Rugby League of Australasia and the European Super League series. The team that brings home the trophy in this match is recognized as the world's best rugby league club. This year's winning team is St. George Illawarra Dragons of Australia. [http://www.awardsandtrophies.com.au/Select/s27/Rugby-Touch.aspx]Rugby trophies and other award tokens for various sports are available online at Awards and Trophies. Visit their site to view their full catalog of trophies, plaques and giveaways. Check out details about their fast delivery service and 100% money-back guarantee.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-Trophies-and-Rugby-League-Competitions&id=6458450] Rugby Trophies and Rugby League Competitions
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Aaron Sandilands
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Loren_Addis]Loren Addis
Introduction and Early Life
Aaron Sandilands is a professional Australian Rules footballer that plays for the Fremantle Football Club. He was born on December 6, 1982 and he is reputed to be the tallest player in the history of the Australian Football League (AFL). He is approximately 2.11 metres tall and weighs 122kg. He is from a town in West Australia known as Mount Baker and plays for Fremantle as a ruckman in the jersey number 31. He was drafted in the 2002 rookie draft selection as pick number 33. Prior to this selection he was playing in the East Fremantle team in the West Australia Football League. Aaron made his debut appearance in the AFL in the first round of the 2003 season in the encounter against Adelaide Football club at the football park grounds.
Aaron Sandilands Professional Career
Aaron Sandilands was elevated to the senior team in 2003 after he was picked at the rookie draft of 2002. He had a good debut season that year, playing a total of nineteen games and earning a nomination for the AFL Rising Star Award. He also received a Brownlow vote for his exceptional performance against the Brisbane Lions in the fourteenth round of the season. Aaron had an outstanding performance in the match that happened to be Fremantle Dockers first ever appearance in the league finals against Essendon Bombers. He was able to secure a total of 41 hit outs in that game.
From his first season in the AFL, Aaron continued to improve his performances on a consistent basis for the next three seasons. His rankings improved considerably with each passing season and he progressed from being ranked sixth in total hit outs for his first three seasons to second in the entire AFL in the 2006 season. In spite of these outstanding performances that he exhibited, it did not always translate to victories for his club. Sandilands had a very bad experience in the sixth round of 2006 when he had a serious injury to his jaw. He had a broken jaw in the match against West Coast Eagles where he clashed with Mark Seaby. The incident triggered an AFL investigation after which no charges were laid to any of them.
AFL Career Achievements
Aaron Sandilands has won several awards and has been named in the All Australian Team about three times in 2008 where he was on the interchange bench, also in 2009 where he was the only ruckman in the team and in 2010 as the key ruckman. He has also won the Fremantle football club awards about three times. He won the club's best and fairest award in 2009, and came second in the best and fairest awards in 2008 and also won it in 2010. He has been experiencing what most people are referring to as career high achievements in this current season of 2011 until he sustained a toe injury recently. During the first eight games of 2011 season, he was averaging about 38.3 hit outs per game which is the highest in his career so far. He has also recorded about 18.5 disposals this year which is considered to be his career high.
Sandilands has also had his own fair share of injuries in this current 2011 season. He was earlier poked in the eye which led to him having limited vision from that eye. It was ascertained not to be a serious injury after he consulted an eye specialist. He also injured his toe recently but the good thing is that he does not have to go through surgery. He is meant to be out of play for four weeks to allow for proper healing. [http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/players/playerprofile/aaronsandilands/tabid/8469/playerid/14195/category/senior/season/2011/selected/bio/default.aspx]Aaron Sandilands Professional Career [http://www.fremantlefc.com.au]Fremantle Dockers
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Aaron-Sandilands&id=6464621] Aaron Sandilands
Introduction and Early Life
Aaron Sandilands is a professional Australian Rules footballer that plays for the Fremantle Football Club. He was born on December 6, 1982 and he is reputed to be the tallest player in the history of the Australian Football League (AFL). He is approximately 2.11 metres tall and weighs 122kg. He is from a town in West Australia known as Mount Baker and plays for Fremantle as a ruckman in the jersey number 31. He was drafted in the 2002 rookie draft selection as pick number 33. Prior to this selection he was playing in the East Fremantle team in the West Australia Football League. Aaron made his debut appearance in the AFL in the first round of the 2003 season in the encounter against Adelaide Football club at the football park grounds.
Aaron Sandilands Professional Career
Aaron Sandilands was elevated to the senior team in 2003 after he was picked at the rookie draft of 2002. He had a good debut season that year, playing a total of nineteen games and earning a nomination for the AFL Rising Star Award. He also received a Brownlow vote for his exceptional performance against the Brisbane Lions in the fourteenth round of the season. Aaron had an outstanding performance in the match that happened to be Fremantle Dockers first ever appearance in the league finals against Essendon Bombers. He was able to secure a total of 41 hit outs in that game.
From his first season in the AFL, Aaron continued to improve his performances on a consistent basis for the next three seasons. His rankings improved considerably with each passing season and he progressed from being ranked sixth in total hit outs for his first three seasons to second in the entire AFL in the 2006 season. In spite of these outstanding performances that he exhibited, it did not always translate to victories for his club. Sandilands had a very bad experience in the sixth round of 2006 when he had a serious injury to his jaw. He had a broken jaw in the match against West Coast Eagles where he clashed with Mark Seaby. The incident triggered an AFL investigation after which no charges were laid to any of them.
AFL Career Achievements
Aaron Sandilands has won several awards and has been named in the All Australian Team about three times in 2008 where he was on the interchange bench, also in 2009 where he was the only ruckman in the team and in 2010 as the key ruckman. He has also won the Fremantle football club awards about three times. He won the club's best and fairest award in 2009, and came second in the best and fairest awards in 2008 and also won it in 2010. He has been experiencing what most people are referring to as career high achievements in this current season of 2011 until he sustained a toe injury recently. During the first eight games of 2011 season, he was averaging about 38.3 hit outs per game which is the highest in his career so far. He has also recorded about 18.5 disposals this year which is considered to be his career high.
Sandilands has also had his own fair share of injuries in this current 2011 season. He was earlier poked in the eye which led to him having limited vision from that eye. It was ascertained not to be a serious injury after he consulted an eye specialist. He also injured his toe recently but the good thing is that he does not have to go through surgery. He is meant to be out of play for four weeks to allow for proper healing. [http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/players/playerprofile/aaronsandilands/tabid/8469/playerid/14195/category/senior/season/2011/selected/bio/default.aspx]Aaron Sandilands Professional Career [http://www.fremantlefc.com.au]Fremantle Dockers
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Aaron-Sandilands&id=6464621] Aaron Sandilands
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Rugby Kit Suppliers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Eastaugh]Natalie Eastaugh
Regardless of the sport you play it's nice when you go as a team and look like a team. Most times when joining a team you are given a uniform to wear. Quite often groups will provide you with a kit and this will have all you need to participate on the team. Rugby is the same, they provide rugby kits to their players. This usually comes as part of the registration that each player pays to be on the team.
Rugby kits, as with others, aren't always affordable and may require the player to do some fund raising to pay for theirs. This is dependent on the team and the budget that they have. Your rugby kit is usually provided to you so you can start playing with the team. The fund raising if needed is then organized during the season so everyone can participate. These kits can contain just about anything and are usually organized by the coach of the team.
The coach usually contacts the place that the rugby kits come from and tells them what he wants in the kits. These will include all the items that the coach feels every player needs to play on the team. They will usually be specialized in ways to suit the team as well. They will incorporate the team's colours where possible. When a jersey is included in the rugby kits it's catered to the teams colors and is specially made. There is always the opportunity to get more equipment aside from what's in the kit. This kit is just the coach's idea of what the basics that are needed to start for each player.
There are many local sporting stores that will be able to put these rugby kits together for you. It's a good idea to check a few of the local ones out first and see what they offer. Make sure they are able to provide you with the equipment as well as being able to specially do the jerseys for you. If this fails there are also places online that will provide this equipment to you. It's a great idea to check all places out and do a comparison. Make sure to check what it is you are getting and what the prices are. Make sure to check about shipping as well as time limits on providing you with the kits. Make sure you are getting the best deal you can.
If you are interested in finding out more about rugby kit suppliers, or want to know more about Tru Sportswear, visit http://trusportswear.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-Kit-Suppliers&id=6480821] Rugby Kit Suppliers
Regardless of the sport you play it's nice when you go as a team and look like a team. Most times when joining a team you are given a uniform to wear. Quite often groups will provide you with a kit and this will have all you need to participate on the team. Rugby is the same, they provide rugby kits to their players. This usually comes as part of the registration that each player pays to be on the team.
Rugby kits, as with others, aren't always affordable and may require the player to do some fund raising to pay for theirs. This is dependent on the team and the budget that they have. Your rugby kit is usually provided to you so you can start playing with the team. The fund raising if needed is then organized during the season so everyone can participate. These kits can contain just about anything and are usually organized by the coach of the team.
The coach usually contacts the place that the rugby kits come from and tells them what he wants in the kits. These will include all the items that the coach feels every player needs to play on the team. They will usually be specialized in ways to suit the team as well. They will incorporate the team's colours where possible. When a jersey is included in the rugby kits it's catered to the teams colors and is specially made. There is always the opportunity to get more equipment aside from what's in the kit. This kit is just the coach's idea of what the basics that are needed to start for each player.
There are many local sporting stores that will be able to put these rugby kits together for you. It's a good idea to check a few of the local ones out first and see what they offer. Make sure they are able to provide you with the equipment as well as being able to specially do the jerseys for you. If this fails there are also places online that will provide this equipment to you. It's a great idea to check all places out and do a comparison. Make sure to check what it is you are getting and what the prices are. Make sure to check about shipping as well as time limits on providing you with the kits. Make sure you are getting the best deal you can.
If you are interested in finding out more about rugby kit suppliers, or want to know more about Tru Sportswear, visit http://trusportswear.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-Kit-Suppliers&id=6480821] Rugby Kit Suppliers
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Karmicheal Hunt
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Loren_Addis]Loren Addis
Introduction and Early Life
Karmicheal Hunt is a professional Australian Rules football player. He has been known to exhibit a rare kind of versatility having played and done very well in Rugby League, Rugby Union and now Australian Rules football. He was born on November 17, 1986 in Auckland, New Zealand. He is an Australian but has a heritage from Cook Island and Samoa. He is 1.86 meters tall and weighs about 93kg. He plays as a defender and usually wears jersey number 7. He currently plays for the Gold Coast Suns Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He started playing at a tender age of thirteen and has a lot of achievements even at that young age. He has only played a few games in the AFL having spent most of his early life playing in the Rugby League.
Early Career
As a school boy, Karmicheal was very good in sports and he performed exceptionally well in many of the sports at that time. Basketball was his favourite game then, but he played virtually all sports. His performance was very exceptional to the extent that he was awarded the Bronco Scholarship by Cyril O'Connor in 2001. He was able to make it into the Australian Schoolboys Merit Side that same year. He also played for a number of local sides in both Basketball and Rugby League. All of these formed the foundation of his career in Rugby League.
He started playing club level Rugby League in 2002 at the age of fifteen where he was offered an official contract. He played in several categories including under eighteen (U-18) Rugby League championships and also had several awards, honours and achievements in Rugby at the junior level. At the senior level, he made his National Rugby League (NRL) debut in 2004 with the Broncos. His first game was the match against Warriors and he made history as the youngest Bronco player ever to play at this grade. He was seventeen years old at this time. He was also named in the Australian Junior Kangaroos team but did not play a game with the team. He ended up winning the NRL/Bronco/Footy Show Rookie of the Year Award at the end of that season.
Professional Career
He continued with his great performance into the 2005 season as a very consistent Brisbane Bronco's player. In the 2006 season, he became a very consistent member of the Brisbane Broncos team. Hunt also had quite a number of achievements this season, including his debut with the Australian Kangaroos, featuring in the Australian Tri-Nations side and also winning the grand final in a game where they defeated the Melbourne Storm. He also won the Beach Footy Award this year.
Karmichael Hunt was able to maintain his form and improve his performance consistently as the years went by. In 2007, he won the Best Back Award in his club, Brisbane Broncos, and was part of the Queensland State of Origin Series winning team for the second straight year. In 2008, he consolidated most of the achievements he was able to attain the previous year and also attained new heights that same year. He again won the Best Back Award, and also the Queensland State of Origin Series for the third time. He made it into the World Cup team selection and also made history as the youngest player to reach 100 games at the age of 21 years. He continued with his achievements and played consistently in his club. He was part of the Queensland team that won the State of Origin Series again for the fourth time in 2009.
He left Brisbane Broncos for France to play in the Rugby Union, from there he moved to Gold Coast Suns after a short stint in France where he has been playing well in the defence. [http://goldcoastfc.com.au/the-team/player-profiles/karmichael-hunt/]Karmichael Hunt is a professional Australian Rules football player. He currently plays for the [http://goldcoastfc.com.au]Gold Coast Suns Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He started playing club level Rugby League in 2002 at the age of fifteen where he was offered an official contract.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Karmicheal-Hunt&id=6470279] Karmicheal Hunt
Introduction and Early Life
Karmicheal Hunt is a professional Australian Rules football player. He has been known to exhibit a rare kind of versatility having played and done very well in Rugby League, Rugby Union and now Australian Rules football. He was born on November 17, 1986 in Auckland, New Zealand. He is an Australian but has a heritage from Cook Island and Samoa. He is 1.86 meters tall and weighs about 93kg. He plays as a defender and usually wears jersey number 7. He currently plays for the Gold Coast Suns Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He started playing at a tender age of thirteen and has a lot of achievements even at that young age. He has only played a few games in the AFL having spent most of his early life playing in the Rugby League.
Early Career
As a school boy, Karmicheal was very good in sports and he performed exceptionally well in many of the sports at that time. Basketball was his favourite game then, but he played virtually all sports. His performance was very exceptional to the extent that he was awarded the Bronco Scholarship by Cyril O'Connor in 2001. He was able to make it into the Australian Schoolboys Merit Side that same year. He also played for a number of local sides in both Basketball and Rugby League. All of these formed the foundation of his career in Rugby League.
He started playing club level Rugby League in 2002 at the age of fifteen where he was offered an official contract. He played in several categories including under eighteen (U-18) Rugby League championships and also had several awards, honours and achievements in Rugby at the junior level. At the senior level, he made his National Rugby League (NRL) debut in 2004 with the Broncos. His first game was the match against Warriors and he made history as the youngest Bronco player ever to play at this grade. He was seventeen years old at this time. He was also named in the Australian Junior Kangaroos team but did not play a game with the team. He ended up winning the NRL/Bronco/Footy Show Rookie of the Year Award at the end of that season.
Professional Career
He continued with his great performance into the 2005 season as a very consistent Brisbane Bronco's player. In the 2006 season, he became a very consistent member of the Brisbane Broncos team. Hunt also had quite a number of achievements this season, including his debut with the Australian Kangaroos, featuring in the Australian Tri-Nations side and also winning the grand final in a game where they defeated the Melbourne Storm. He also won the Beach Footy Award this year.
Karmichael Hunt was able to maintain his form and improve his performance consistently as the years went by. In 2007, he won the Best Back Award in his club, Brisbane Broncos, and was part of the Queensland State of Origin Series winning team for the second straight year. In 2008, he consolidated most of the achievements he was able to attain the previous year and also attained new heights that same year. He again won the Best Back Award, and also the Queensland State of Origin Series for the third time. He made it into the World Cup team selection and also made history as the youngest player to reach 100 games at the age of 21 years. He continued with his achievements and played consistently in his club. He was part of the Queensland team that won the State of Origin Series again for the fourth time in 2009.
He left Brisbane Broncos for France to play in the Rugby Union, from there he moved to Gold Coast Suns after a short stint in France where he has been playing well in the defence. [http://goldcoastfc.com.au/the-team/player-profiles/karmichael-hunt/]Karmichael Hunt is a professional Australian Rules football player. He currently plays for the [http://goldcoastfc.com.au]Gold Coast Suns Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He started playing club level Rugby League in 2002 at the age of fifteen where he was offered an official contract.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Karmicheal-Hunt&id=6470279] Karmicheal Hunt
Friday, December 23, 2011
Auckland City Accommodation for Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Larry_Louie_Lagasca_Maraggay]Larry Louie Lagasca Maraggay
As New Zealand continues its preparations for the Rugby World Cup by this year, tourists have already started to make their Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation planning. The country will soon be filled by rugby followers from all over the world as they congregate around the cities where the World Cup matches will be held, especially around Auckland. Auckland is the country's biggest city (its population stands at around 1.4 million people), and apart from this, it is home of the country's greatest sporting venue, Eden Park.
This imposing stadium hosted the 1987event; back then, the All Blacks swept France in the final, winning with a final score of 29 to 9. In just under two months, Eden Park will be host of its second in the Final, and this has generated an air of emotion and expectation in the hearts and minds of rugby fans all over the world. And this is perfectly understandable if only we were to consider that New Zealand has gone 24 years without a World Cup title, a title which coincidentally the All Blacks won at Eden Park, a venue in which they have not lost one single match since 1994.
Given all of this, Auckland does seem like the place to be when the World Cup kicks off seven weeks from today. Followers surely know this, but what they fail to realize is that they do not get their event booked rapidly; they will probably lose any chance of staying in Auckland when the event comes to its end. Sure, Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, and it is without a doubt, one of the country's main touring sites. Should this mean anything to you rugby fans? Well, it should actually, because this means that people love to visit Auckland even when it is not being host of the world cup final. Finding suitable accommodation for any budget is definitely a possible thing to do in Auckland, but can you imagine how hard it will be to book Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation in the city just days before the World Cup kicks off?
It is hard as it is already, and the tournament is still seven weeks away, so what you have to do (unless you want to miss out on what surely will be a World Cup filled with drama and excitement) is simple: book a room... NOW. Time waits for no one, and it will certainly not wait for any last-minute planners. If you want to stay in a hotel, a bed & breakfast, a hostel, a lodge, a home stay, the city offers a wide variety of each. As well, if you would like to see your Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation be an actual house (in case you might be thinking of travelling with friends or family), this is definitely a possibility as well. Notwithstanding these facts, there is a pressing factor that you must never let slip your mind, and it is time. You do not have time to waste, so if you want to travel to New Zealand and be a part of the Rugby Cup, do not drag it out, pick up your phone, go online, get on a plane, do whatever it is you want to do, but make sure you have the event by September 9.
larry louie maraggay
https://www.odesk.com/users/~~5963d494a188d9f3
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Auckland-City-Accommodation-for-Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Accommodation&id=6479403] Auckland City Accommodation for Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation
As New Zealand continues its preparations for the Rugby World Cup by this year, tourists have already started to make their Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation planning. The country will soon be filled by rugby followers from all over the world as they congregate around the cities where the World Cup matches will be held, especially around Auckland. Auckland is the country's biggest city (its population stands at around 1.4 million people), and apart from this, it is home of the country's greatest sporting venue, Eden Park.
This imposing stadium hosted the 1987event; back then, the All Blacks swept France in the final, winning with a final score of 29 to 9. In just under two months, Eden Park will be host of its second in the Final, and this has generated an air of emotion and expectation in the hearts and minds of rugby fans all over the world. And this is perfectly understandable if only we were to consider that New Zealand has gone 24 years without a World Cup title, a title which coincidentally the All Blacks won at Eden Park, a venue in which they have not lost one single match since 1994.
Given all of this, Auckland does seem like the place to be when the World Cup kicks off seven weeks from today. Followers surely know this, but what they fail to realize is that they do not get their event booked rapidly; they will probably lose any chance of staying in Auckland when the event comes to its end. Sure, Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, and it is without a doubt, one of the country's main touring sites. Should this mean anything to you rugby fans? Well, it should actually, because this means that people love to visit Auckland even when it is not being host of the world cup final. Finding suitable accommodation for any budget is definitely a possible thing to do in Auckland, but can you imagine how hard it will be to book Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation in the city just days before the World Cup kicks off?
It is hard as it is already, and the tournament is still seven weeks away, so what you have to do (unless you want to miss out on what surely will be a World Cup filled with drama and excitement) is simple: book a room... NOW. Time waits for no one, and it will certainly not wait for any last-minute planners. If you want to stay in a hotel, a bed & breakfast, a hostel, a lodge, a home stay, the city offers a wide variety of each. As well, if you would like to see your Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation be an actual house (in case you might be thinking of travelling with friends or family), this is definitely a possibility as well. Notwithstanding these facts, there is a pressing factor that you must never let slip your mind, and it is time. You do not have time to waste, so if you want to travel to New Zealand and be a part of the Rugby Cup, do not drag it out, pick up your phone, go online, get on a plane, do whatever it is you want to do, but make sure you have the event by September 9.
larry louie maraggay
https://www.odesk.com/users/~~5963d494a188d9f3
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Auckland-City-Accommodation-for-Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Accommodation&id=6479403] Auckland City Accommodation for Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Main New Zealand Cities the 2011 Rugby World Cup Matches Will Be Held
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Larry_Louie_Lagasca_Maraggay]Larry Louie Lagasca Maraggay
In case you have not yet noticed, the 2011 Rugby World Cup is only seven weeks away. Due to this, and to the fact that most do not know much about the host cities, here we will cover some basic information about each of them. This in the hopes that you will get some ideas about Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation plans:
Whangarei is the country's principal commerce center, and it is also the biggest city in the northern region of the country; it is a historical landmark where some ancient tribes still live.
Auckland is the country's biggest city; it is a center of commerce and tourism, and it will be host of the World Cup final match, as it is home of Eden Park, the country's largest sporting venue. Auckland is definitely the place to be during the World Cup, so you might want to secure Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation in the city.
Hamilton is a fast-growing city where tradition and history coexist with modernity, technology, and innovation. It has managed to become a major tourist destination given the multiple events that it hosts.
Rotorua is a major city located in the center of the country; it is south of Lake Rotorua. Like Hamilton, Rotorua is recognized for its beautiful golden beaches. It is also known for its lake network, which over the years has attracted increased tourism.
New Plymouth lies on the country's western coast; its beaches and has made it a fan-favorite in the eyes of surfers and skiers alike. Like most cities in New Zealand, New Plymouth was originally occupied by indigenous tribes.
Napier, the 'art deco city' is another city you might want to book your Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation in. The city lies in the country's eastern coast, and this too is a city where history meets modernity, as following the 1931 earthquake it was rebuilt in a style allusive of European architecture.
Palmerston North is home to the Rugby Museum, so it can be said that it is the cradle of New Zealand rugby. During the upcoming World Cup, all roads will lead to Palmerston North.
Wellington is the country's capital, it is the center of government, and it is definitely a place where you would like to reserve your Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation. Why? Simple, because it is cosmopolite city where you can relax, enjoy, and most importantly, watch rugby.
Nelson is the country's sunshine capital; it is sunny, fresh, and fun. It is home to three national parks, and given its geography, it is also bi on water sports and hiking. If you want to chill while watching the cup, Nelson is the place for you.
Dunedin is the country's former center of commerce and culture; it maintains its status as center of culture (being regarded as the country's architectural heritage capital). If you like the idea of being introduced to the country's history, its culture, and most importantly, its architecture, book your Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation here.
Invercargill is one of the country's most important port cities; its fishing industry is its main economic activity. As to what you stand to gain from visiting the city? Well, they say that the view from Bluff Hill is to die for, so you will probably not be disappointed.
Larry Louie Maraggay
https://www.odesk.com/users/~~5963d494a188d9f3
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Main-New-Zealand-Cities-the-2011-Rugby-World-Cup-Matches-Will-Be-Held&id=6479418] Main New Zealand Cities the 2011 Rugby World Cup Matches Will Be Held
In case you have not yet noticed, the 2011 Rugby World Cup is only seven weeks away. Due to this, and to the fact that most do not know much about the host cities, here we will cover some basic information about each of them. This in the hopes that you will get some ideas about Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation plans:
Whangarei is the country's principal commerce center, and it is also the biggest city in the northern region of the country; it is a historical landmark where some ancient tribes still live.
Auckland is the country's biggest city; it is a center of commerce and tourism, and it will be host of the World Cup final match, as it is home of Eden Park, the country's largest sporting venue. Auckland is definitely the place to be during the World Cup, so you might want to secure Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation in the city.
Hamilton is a fast-growing city where tradition and history coexist with modernity, technology, and innovation. It has managed to become a major tourist destination given the multiple events that it hosts.
Rotorua is a major city located in the center of the country; it is south of Lake Rotorua. Like Hamilton, Rotorua is recognized for its beautiful golden beaches. It is also known for its lake network, which over the years has attracted increased tourism.
New Plymouth lies on the country's western coast; its beaches and has made it a fan-favorite in the eyes of surfers and skiers alike. Like most cities in New Zealand, New Plymouth was originally occupied by indigenous tribes.
Napier, the 'art deco city' is another city you might want to book your Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation in. The city lies in the country's eastern coast, and this too is a city where history meets modernity, as following the 1931 earthquake it was rebuilt in a style allusive of European architecture.
Palmerston North is home to the Rugby Museum, so it can be said that it is the cradle of New Zealand rugby. During the upcoming World Cup, all roads will lead to Palmerston North.
Wellington is the country's capital, it is the center of government, and it is definitely a place where you would like to reserve your Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation. Why? Simple, because it is cosmopolite city where you can relax, enjoy, and most importantly, watch rugby.
Nelson is the country's sunshine capital; it is sunny, fresh, and fun. It is home to three national parks, and given its geography, it is also bi on water sports and hiking. If you want to chill while watching the cup, Nelson is the place for you.
Dunedin is the country's former center of commerce and culture; it maintains its status as center of culture (being regarded as the country's architectural heritage capital). If you like the idea of being introduced to the country's history, its culture, and most importantly, its architecture, book your Rugby World Cup 2011 Accommodation here.
Invercargill is one of the country's most important port cities; its fishing industry is its main economic activity. As to what you stand to gain from visiting the city? Well, they say that the view from Bluff Hill is to die for, so you will probably not be disappointed.
Larry Louie Maraggay
https://www.odesk.com/users/~~5963d494a188d9f3
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Main-New-Zealand-Cities-the-2011-Rugby-World-Cup-Matches-Will-Be-Held&id=6479418] Main New Zealand Cities the 2011 Rugby World Cup Matches Will Be Held
Monday, December 19, 2011
Who Will Win the 2011 Rugby World Cup?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alexis_M_Zamboglou]Alexis M Zamboglou
The 2011 Rugby World Cup will take place in New Zealand on the 9th of September and will see the top rugby nations in the world compete for this prestigious prize! The question everyone is asking at the moment is who will win the Rugby World Cup?
Hosts New Zealand face the tournament as short favourites with most betting companies seemingly giving them a huge bonus due to home advantage. I'm not so sure if it's going to be that clean cut, as with most Rugby World Cups, the Kiwis usually begin the tournament as favourites and end up as nearly men.
Reigning champions South Africa have been enduring a bad spell of form in the build-up to the World Cup and things don't seem to be getting any better for the Springboks, having failed to impress in their Tri-Nations games against Australia and New Zealand.
Australia were the winners of that pre-World Cup test and Rocky Elsom's men will be hoping that they can steal this trophy from right under the nose of their arch-rivals New Zealand. The Aussies have competed in all six Rugby World Cups and have won the tournament on two occasions. However, the men from down under haven't been without their hiccups on their road to the tournament, after suffering a humiliating 32-23 defeat to minnows Samoa recently. They will need much more consistency than that, if they are to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy this year.
The European countries taking part in the tournament will hope to break the grasp of dominance held by the southern hemisphere. Ireland and England have especially shown that they could knock these kingpins of their perch. Irish sides have been a dominant force in European club rugby over the past 8 years with Munster and Leinster showing the world that a title is well within their ability. England, have also flexed their rugby union muscles this year, having picked up the Six Nations title in 2011 with some epic performances on the journey to glory.
So who will win the 2011 Rugby World Cup? It seems that the Southern Hemisphere sides such as New Zealand, South Africa and Australia all have the best chance of winning the tournament with the rel=nofollow [http://rugby-world-cup.boylesports.com]Rugby World Cup odds market placing those three at the top of the pecking order.
Home advantage and depth/quality of the New Zealand squad suggests that it should be the Kiwis title but Ireland could be the dark horses for the title come the end of October.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Who-Will-Win-the-2011-Rugby-World-Cup?&id=6497239] Who Will Win the 2011 Rugby World Cup?
The 2011 Rugby World Cup will take place in New Zealand on the 9th of September and will see the top rugby nations in the world compete for this prestigious prize! The question everyone is asking at the moment is who will win the Rugby World Cup?
Hosts New Zealand face the tournament as short favourites with most betting companies seemingly giving them a huge bonus due to home advantage. I'm not so sure if it's going to be that clean cut, as with most Rugby World Cups, the Kiwis usually begin the tournament as favourites and end up as nearly men.
Reigning champions South Africa have been enduring a bad spell of form in the build-up to the World Cup and things don't seem to be getting any better for the Springboks, having failed to impress in their Tri-Nations games against Australia and New Zealand.
Australia were the winners of that pre-World Cup test and Rocky Elsom's men will be hoping that they can steal this trophy from right under the nose of their arch-rivals New Zealand. The Aussies have competed in all six Rugby World Cups and have won the tournament on two occasions. However, the men from down under haven't been without their hiccups on their road to the tournament, after suffering a humiliating 32-23 defeat to minnows Samoa recently. They will need much more consistency than that, if they are to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy this year.
The European countries taking part in the tournament will hope to break the grasp of dominance held by the southern hemisphere. Ireland and England have especially shown that they could knock these kingpins of their perch. Irish sides have been a dominant force in European club rugby over the past 8 years with Munster and Leinster showing the world that a title is well within their ability. England, have also flexed their rugby union muscles this year, having picked up the Six Nations title in 2011 with some epic performances on the journey to glory.
So who will win the 2011 Rugby World Cup? It seems that the Southern Hemisphere sides such as New Zealand, South Africa and Australia all have the best chance of winning the tournament with the rel=nofollow [http://rugby-world-cup.boylesports.com]Rugby World Cup odds market placing those three at the top of the pecking order.
Home advantage and depth/quality of the New Zealand squad suggests that it should be the Kiwis title but Ireland could be the dark horses for the title come the end of October.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Who-Will-Win-the-2011-Rugby-World-Cup?&id=6497239] Who Will Win the 2011 Rugby World Cup?
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Game of Rugby
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Bradshaw]Anthony Bradshaw
Rugby is a team game with the objective of scoring more points than the other team. Points can be scored in two ways, either by getting a try, or kicking the ball over the crossbar for a penalty. If you score a try your team gets 5 points, and the option to get a further 2 by kicking the ball over the crossbar between the posts, this is called a conversion, so there is a maximum of 7 points that can be scored from a try. A try is when the ball is touched on the ground over the opposite teams goal line.
Each team in rugby has 15 players on the field, and up to 7 players on the bench who can be substituted onto the field during the game. The game has two 40 minute halves.
There are two basic positions in the game, the forwards and the backs. Generally the forwards are bigger and stronger while the backs are smaller but faster as their role is to run the ball when the forwards get it back to them.
The forwards are subdivided into the front row (3 players), the second row (2 players) and the back row (3 players). These groups relate to the players position in the scrum which is made up of three rows of players. The backs are referred to as the halves (2 players) the three-quarters (4 players) and the fullback.
There are many rules in the game of rugby, but the basics are fairly easy to grasp. The ball must be passed backwards at all times, but can be kicked forwards. Anyone can run with the ball, however, when you are tackled to the ground you must release the ball to allow the other team the opportunity to pick it up. You must be on your feet to play the ball, so you cannot touch the ball if you are on the ground.
When the ball goes of the pitch to either side, there is a lineout which is similar to a throw-in in soccer. One player from the other team will throw the ball back into play, a number of the remaining players (the exact number can vary and is up to the throwing team) will line up to receive the ball. If the ball goes out of play at either end of the pitch it is kicked back into play from the "22" which is the line 22 metres from the goal line.
I hope this has helped you understand a little bit about the game of rugby, don't forget that the rugby world cup is on this year, so make sure you get your [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com]rugby shirts for men, and the shirt of your country such as the [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/england-rugby-shirt/]England rugby shirt.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Game-of-Rugby&id=6509101] The Game of Rugby
Rugby is a team game with the objective of scoring more points than the other team. Points can be scored in two ways, either by getting a try, or kicking the ball over the crossbar for a penalty. If you score a try your team gets 5 points, and the option to get a further 2 by kicking the ball over the crossbar between the posts, this is called a conversion, so there is a maximum of 7 points that can be scored from a try. A try is when the ball is touched on the ground over the opposite teams goal line.
Each team in rugby has 15 players on the field, and up to 7 players on the bench who can be substituted onto the field during the game. The game has two 40 minute halves.
There are two basic positions in the game, the forwards and the backs. Generally the forwards are bigger and stronger while the backs are smaller but faster as their role is to run the ball when the forwards get it back to them.
The forwards are subdivided into the front row (3 players), the second row (2 players) and the back row (3 players). These groups relate to the players position in the scrum which is made up of three rows of players. The backs are referred to as the halves (2 players) the three-quarters (4 players) and the fullback.
There are many rules in the game of rugby, but the basics are fairly easy to grasp. The ball must be passed backwards at all times, but can be kicked forwards. Anyone can run with the ball, however, when you are tackled to the ground you must release the ball to allow the other team the opportunity to pick it up. You must be on your feet to play the ball, so you cannot touch the ball if you are on the ground.
When the ball goes of the pitch to either side, there is a lineout which is similar to a throw-in in soccer. One player from the other team will throw the ball back into play, a number of the remaining players (the exact number can vary and is up to the throwing team) will line up to receive the ball. If the ball goes out of play at either end of the pitch it is kicked back into play from the "22" which is the line 22 metres from the goal line.
I hope this has helped you understand a little bit about the game of rugby, don't forget that the rugby world cup is on this year, so make sure you get your [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com]rugby shirts for men, and the shirt of your country such as the [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/england-rugby-shirt/]England rugby shirt.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Game-of-Rugby&id=6509101] The Game of Rugby
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Show Team Spirit by Attending the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jack_M_Patterson]Jack M Patterson
When it comes to major sporting events like Rugby's 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, the experience can be vastly different depending on how you watch it. Compared to staying home and watching it on TV, seeing it live creates a more exhilarating and memorable experience for avid rugby fans.
Not even the latest wide-screen LED TV can replicate the experience of being in a stadium filled with thousands of rugby fans showing support for their favorite teams. From chanting cheers to using all sorts of paraphernalia, taking part in all the revelry will really pump you up and make you feel the team spirit.
This is especially important if you have never seen a rugby game live. What better time to experience a game first-hand than a major event like the 2011 World Cup? You will feel the electrifying energy that you can only get from seeing breakdowns, grubbers, and more significantly, your favorite player scoring a try - live. As a result, you can develop a deeper appreciation for the sport, and more importantly, for your team.
Finding the Right New Zealand World Cup Travel Package
One important thing you have to note when choosing a travel agent is its legitimacy. You should always take extra care when giving personal information. This is why it is wise to transact only with companies recognized by the 2011 World Cup. In addition, you should look for the best international travel packages to make sure your trip is worth every penny.
Choose packages based on their affordability, inclusions, and schedule flexibility. Prices should be reasonable, and the various inclusions, such as accommodations and transportation, should ensure your comfort when traveling to and from, and while in New Zealand. In terms of schedule, you should find packages with itineraries for the day of the match and even before or after it. Including an extra day or two lets you immerse in the Kiwi culture and see various sights and attractions. Find an official travel agency that can work closely with you in order to be in full control of your schedule in New Zealand.
So, why settle for the TV when you can catch the game live? Get yourself packed and on a plane to the New Zealand World Cup and find yourself right in the middle of all the excitement. With help from an official World Cup travel agency, you can have a once in a lifetime trip that you will never forget.
Resource Box:
Great Atlantic Travel and Tour Inc. provides sports fans with various travel packages for their favorite sporting events, including the [http://www.greatatlantictravel.com/sports/rugby/rugby-world-cup-2011.aspx]2011 World Cup that will be held in New Zealand. As the official travel agent for the [http://www.greatatlantictravel.com]New Zealand World Cup, the company makes sure to offer a variety of options for avid rugby fans. For more information on the packages and rates, call 1-800-888-8233 or visit GreatAtlanticTravel.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Show-Team-Spirit-by-Attending-the-2011-World-Cup-in-New-Zealand&id=6512620] Show Team Spirit by Attending the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand
When it comes to major sporting events like Rugby's 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, the experience can be vastly different depending on how you watch it. Compared to staying home and watching it on TV, seeing it live creates a more exhilarating and memorable experience for avid rugby fans.
Not even the latest wide-screen LED TV can replicate the experience of being in a stadium filled with thousands of rugby fans showing support for their favorite teams. From chanting cheers to using all sorts of paraphernalia, taking part in all the revelry will really pump you up and make you feel the team spirit.
This is especially important if you have never seen a rugby game live. What better time to experience a game first-hand than a major event like the 2011 World Cup? You will feel the electrifying energy that you can only get from seeing breakdowns, grubbers, and more significantly, your favorite player scoring a try - live. As a result, you can develop a deeper appreciation for the sport, and more importantly, for your team.
Finding the Right New Zealand World Cup Travel Package
One important thing you have to note when choosing a travel agent is its legitimacy. You should always take extra care when giving personal information. This is why it is wise to transact only with companies recognized by the 2011 World Cup. In addition, you should look for the best international travel packages to make sure your trip is worth every penny.
Choose packages based on their affordability, inclusions, and schedule flexibility. Prices should be reasonable, and the various inclusions, such as accommodations and transportation, should ensure your comfort when traveling to and from, and while in New Zealand. In terms of schedule, you should find packages with itineraries for the day of the match and even before or after it. Including an extra day or two lets you immerse in the Kiwi culture and see various sights and attractions. Find an official travel agency that can work closely with you in order to be in full control of your schedule in New Zealand.
So, why settle for the TV when you can catch the game live? Get yourself packed and on a plane to the New Zealand World Cup and find yourself right in the middle of all the excitement. With help from an official World Cup travel agency, you can have a once in a lifetime trip that you will never forget.
Resource Box:
Great Atlantic Travel and Tour Inc. provides sports fans with various travel packages for their favorite sporting events, including the [http://www.greatatlantictravel.com/sports/rugby/rugby-world-cup-2011.aspx]2011 World Cup that will be held in New Zealand. As the official travel agent for the [http://www.greatatlantictravel.com]New Zealand World Cup, the company makes sure to offer a variety of options for avid rugby fans. For more information on the packages and rates, call 1-800-888-8233 or visit GreatAtlanticTravel.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Show-Team-Spirit-by-Attending-the-2011-World-Cup-in-New-Zealand&id=6512620] Show Team Spirit by Attending the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Positions in Rugby
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Bradshaw]Anthony Bradshaw
The position in a rugby team tells the players where they should stand on the field, what their duties are for the team, and how they fit into the bigger team picture. The names that are given to the 15 different positions in a rugby team have changed over the years, and even differ from country to country, which can make this a confusing topic.
For example, in New Zealand and Australia the positions of the backs are named according to their distance from the scrum; halves, five-eights, centres, three-quarters, and full back. In other parts of the world (particularly the Northern Hemisphere) the half back is often called the scrum half, the first five eight is known as the fly half, and the centres are divided into inside and outside centre.
As for the forwards, the first two rows of the scrum are called the tight five and they do most of the hard work, winning the ball in close situations, such as scrums, rucks, and line outs. The third row in the scrum includes the two flankers which are on each side, and the number eight in between them. These three players are also referred to as the loose forwards, or the 'loosies'.
The two players on the outside of the front row are called the props, this because it is their job to prop up the hooker in between them who is trying to hook the ball back to his teammates when it is played into the scrum. These are normally very strong players, as they not only support the hooker but also lift other players at the line out to help them reach the ball. Traditionally the two props would be numbered 1 and 3 and would stand at these positions in the lineout to support the main jumpers. There are always at least two jumpers to try to confuse the opposition. Apart from trying to hook the ball in the scrum, the hooker is also the player who throws the ball in for the line outs.
The second row of the scrum has the two tallest players in the team. They are the locks, and it is their job to hold the scrum together and provide the main forward thrust to push the opposition off the ball. They are also the main jumpers in the lineout due to their height, although these days more and more other players are involved in the line outs.
To show your support for your favorite rugby team, you have to get [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/]rugby shirts for men. If you are going to be supporting your country in the world cup then you should have your country's shirt. I already have my [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/welsh-rugby-shirt/]Welsh rugby shirt -do you?
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Positions-in-Rugby&id=6513750] Positions in Rugby
The position in a rugby team tells the players where they should stand on the field, what their duties are for the team, and how they fit into the bigger team picture. The names that are given to the 15 different positions in a rugby team have changed over the years, and even differ from country to country, which can make this a confusing topic.
For example, in New Zealand and Australia the positions of the backs are named according to their distance from the scrum; halves, five-eights, centres, three-quarters, and full back. In other parts of the world (particularly the Northern Hemisphere) the half back is often called the scrum half, the first five eight is known as the fly half, and the centres are divided into inside and outside centre.
As for the forwards, the first two rows of the scrum are called the tight five and they do most of the hard work, winning the ball in close situations, such as scrums, rucks, and line outs. The third row in the scrum includes the two flankers which are on each side, and the number eight in between them. These three players are also referred to as the loose forwards, or the 'loosies'.
The two players on the outside of the front row are called the props, this because it is their job to prop up the hooker in between them who is trying to hook the ball back to his teammates when it is played into the scrum. These are normally very strong players, as they not only support the hooker but also lift other players at the line out to help them reach the ball. Traditionally the two props would be numbered 1 and 3 and would stand at these positions in the lineout to support the main jumpers. There are always at least two jumpers to try to confuse the opposition. Apart from trying to hook the ball in the scrum, the hooker is also the player who throws the ball in for the line outs.
The second row of the scrum has the two tallest players in the team. They are the locks, and it is their job to hold the scrum together and provide the main forward thrust to push the opposition off the ball. They are also the main jumpers in the lineout due to their height, although these days more and more other players are involved in the line outs.
To show your support for your favorite rugby team, you have to get [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/]rugby shirts for men. If you are going to be supporting your country in the world cup then you should have your country's shirt. I already have my [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/welsh-rugby-shirt/]Welsh rugby shirt -do you?
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Positions-in-Rugby&id=6513750] Positions in Rugby
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Rugby World Cup '11 - Simple Guide
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dan_T_Whitehouse]Dan T Whitehouse
One of the things I love the most is Rugby. The Rugby World Cup is coming up in less than a month away and I'm a little excited to say the least.
This year the Rugby World Cup is being held in New Zealand, which could make it a little bit of a white wash for the home team as they have been unstoppable this year and maintained themselves as the best team in the world for the last couple of years.
My team is England and coming of a win in 2003 and runners up in 2007, we've got a good chance of getting to the final again this year. Either way I'll be watching all of the matches of Sky+ as they are being played during the night.
A lot of people don't like Rugby, they think it is too complicated. I disagree, there are a few fundamental things that anyone can learn about the game to make it more enjoyable. There are a few of these things that I have picked up over the years, and here they are.
Offside
Offside is not the same as offside in football. Offside in rugby is all about being behind or parallel with the ball.
Example:
Team A are attacking and team B are defending.
If there has been some intense play in the middle of the field and players from either side as strewn all over that area of the pitch the ball suddenly gets picked up by team A and kicked all the way up field to a player who is by himself by his own posts. This player catches the ball. At this point he is stoof by himself with his back to his own posts and the majority of players in front of him. If he decides to kick the ball up field he is the only player that can then touch the ball from his team, before the opposition touches it. Why? Because all of the players are in front of him and the ball, becoming off side.
Off side is simply be in front of the ball when the ball is played. It is important for players who are part of the game and on the offensive to continue attacking from behind the ball.
If you imagine the ball creating a long line to each side of the pitch (width) wherever the ball may be, this would be the offside line. If the ball moves so does the offside line.
Scoring
Points be scored in three ways on the Rugby field. They are as follows:
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is worth three points as is simply a kick that successfully sends the bal through the posts at any point during the game. A kick is awarded when a foul occurs. The Penalty kick is worth three points and is not the same as a conversion.
Tip - Keeping possession.
Some of the time tactics come into play. When one of teams has conceded a penalty the other team gets the opportunity to kick the bal through the posts gaining them three valuable points. There is an alternative, which can gain the attacking team more points but is more of a gamble.
Instead if kicking the ball through the posts, the team can opt to kick the ball into 'touch' or across the outside line of the pitch putting the ball out of play.
The great thing about this for the attacking team is that the other team conceded a foul, giving them the penalty, which means when the ball is thrown back in, it is thrown in again by the attacking team because they gained no advantage by kicking the ball out. If the attacking team gets the chance to throw the ball in to their team mates and if they are lucky enough to be near the opposition's line, there is a good chance they will score a try, which is worth five points rather than a conversion which is worth three. They then get the chance to kick for a conversion which could be worth an additional two points, making a total of seven. Sounds better than a crummy three points right??
Try
A try is when the attacking team get the ball over the line which run next to the posts. This is the hardest thing to get in Rugby and is worth five points. A penalty try can be awarded, which is worth the same amount of points.
Conversion
A conversion is similar to a penalty but is a kick which is taken after a try is scored as is worth two points for the attacking team rather than three which is awarded for a penalty kick.
Tip - Getting under the posts.
It is really important for the attacking team to try and score the try as close to the posts as possible. After the try is scored there comes the penalty kick, in short, the further left or right from the posts the try is scored (into each corner) the further away the conversion kick is kicked from. So if the try is scored right in the corner of the pitch near the flag the poor kicker has a far more acute angle to kick the ball through and it's further away so it can be a lot harder.
Drop Goal
A drop goal is awarded three points and is a kick that successfully goes through the posts from open play. The ball must touch the ground first and be made at any point.
Kit number
Similarly to football each team member has an assigned number. Here are the top three most important kit numbers I think you need to know.
No.9 - Scrum Half
Have you ever noticed that it's the same guy who always picks up the ball and throws it after a tackle? This player is called the scrum half. Every time there is a big tackle, or a player on his own team goes to ground, that player on the floor has to release it to the scrum half who offloads the ball and passes it to another member of his team. He can also challenge for the ball after a ball comes out of a scrum called the pocket.
Tip - The 'pocket'
Have you ever seen the ball resting at the feet of a couple of players when they are locked in a scrum? This area of the ground is called the 'pocket'. It's a small area which is neither inside the scrum, nor out of it. It's like a protected area that the defending team can not reach and will be penalised if they do so. As the scrum moves forward (or backwards), if the ball is kept in this area then the ball is protected until it goes outside of the pocket and into open play again. It's more of a judgement call whether the ball is inside the pocket or not, and decisions can go either way.
N0.10 - Fly Half
Jonny Wilkinson. The best fly half the world has ever seen. Biased? No. Just look at the points table and the number of rugby world cups he has competed in before.
The job of the fly half is primarily the kicker. Each time a penalty is conceded by the opposition, this player will kick the ball through the posts. He can also perform a drop goal, which is a kick in open play with the ball bouncing on the floor first before going through the posts.
This player is an integral part to the team and more often than not the one who gets the most points for the team due to the amount of kicks they produce winning points for the team.
The End!
This concludes my little whirl wind tour of rugby and a few pointers and things to look out for, which will hopefully make the game more enjoyable for your to watch. I'll be cheering on England in the Rugby World Cup '11, I hope you gather a bit of national pride and support your team as well. We're less than a month away to the Rugby World cup '11 so keep your ear to the ground and most of all enjoy!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-11---Simple-Guide&id=6509268] Rugby World Cup '11 - Simple Guide
One of the things I love the most is Rugby. The Rugby World Cup is coming up in less than a month away and I'm a little excited to say the least.
This year the Rugby World Cup is being held in New Zealand, which could make it a little bit of a white wash for the home team as they have been unstoppable this year and maintained themselves as the best team in the world for the last couple of years.
My team is England and coming of a win in 2003 and runners up in 2007, we've got a good chance of getting to the final again this year. Either way I'll be watching all of the matches of Sky+ as they are being played during the night.
A lot of people don't like Rugby, they think it is too complicated. I disagree, there are a few fundamental things that anyone can learn about the game to make it more enjoyable. There are a few of these things that I have picked up over the years, and here they are.
Offside
Offside is not the same as offside in football. Offside in rugby is all about being behind or parallel with the ball.
Example:
Team A are attacking and team B are defending.
If there has been some intense play in the middle of the field and players from either side as strewn all over that area of the pitch the ball suddenly gets picked up by team A and kicked all the way up field to a player who is by himself by his own posts. This player catches the ball. At this point he is stoof by himself with his back to his own posts and the majority of players in front of him. If he decides to kick the ball up field he is the only player that can then touch the ball from his team, before the opposition touches it. Why? Because all of the players are in front of him and the ball, becoming off side.
Off side is simply be in front of the ball when the ball is played. It is important for players who are part of the game and on the offensive to continue attacking from behind the ball.
If you imagine the ball creating a long line to each side of the pitch (width) wherever the ball may be, this would be the offside line. If the ball moves so does the offside line.
Scoring
Points be scored in three ways on the Rugby field. They are as follows:
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is worth three points as is simply a kick that successfully sends the bal through the posts at any point during the game. A kick is awarded when a foul occurs. The Penalty kick is worth three points and is not the same as a conversion.
Tip - Keeping possession.
Some of the time tactics come into play. When one of teams has conceded a penalty the other team gets the opportunity to kick the bal through the posts gaining them three valuable points. There is an alternative, which can gain the attacking team more points but is more of a gamble.
Instead if kicking the ball through the posts, the team can opt to kick the ball into 'touch' or across the outside line of the pitch putting the ball out of play.
The great thing about this for the attacking team is that the other team conceded a foul, giving them the penalty, which means when the ball is thrown back in, it is thrown in again by the attacking team because they gained no advantage by kicking the ball out. If the attacking team gets the chance to throw the ball in to their team mates and if they are lucky enough to be near the opposition's line, there is a good chance they will score a try, which is worth five points rather than a conversion which is worth three. They then get the chance to kick for a conversion which could be worth an additional two points, making a total of seven. Sounds better than a crummy three points right??
Try
A try is when the attacking team get the ball over the line which run next to the posts. This is the hardest thing to get in Rugby and is worth five points. A penalty try can be awarded, which is worth the same amount of points.
Conversion
A conversion is similar to a penalty but is a kick which is taken after a try is scored as is worth two points for the attacking team rather than three which is awarded for a penalty kick.
Tip - Getting under the posts.
It is really important for the attacking team to try and score the try as close to the posts as possible. After the try is scored there comes the penalty kick, in short, the further left or right from the posts the try is scored (into each corner) the further away the conversion kick is kicked from. So if the try is scored right in the corner of the pitch near the flag the poor kicker has a far more acute angle to kick the ball through and it's further away so it can be a lot harder.
Drop Goal
A drop goal is awarded three points and is a kick that successfully goes through the posts from open play. The ball must touch the ground first and be made at any point.
Kit number
Similarly to football each team member has an assigned number. Here are the top three most important kit numbers I think you need to know.
No.9 - Scrum Half
Have you ever noticed that it's the same guy who always picks up the ball and throws it after a tackle? This player is called the scrum half. Every time there is a big tackle, or a player on his own team goes to ground, that player on the floor has to release it to the scrum half who offloads the ball and passes it to another member of his team. He can also challenge for the ball after a ball comes out of a scrum called the pocket.
Tip - The 'pocket'
Have you ever seen the ball resting at the feet of a couple of players when they are locked in a scrum? This area of the ground is called the 'pocket'. It's a small area which is neither inside the scrum, nor out of it. It's like a protected area that the defending team can not reach and will be penalised if they do so. As the scrum moves forward (or backwards), if the ball is kept in this area then the ball is protected until it goes outside of the pocket and into open play again. It's more of a judgement call whether the ball is inside the pocket or not, and decisions can go either way.
N0.10 - Fly Half
Jonny Wilkinson. The best fly half the world has ever seen. Biased? No. Just look at the points table and the number of rugby world cups he has competed in before.
The job of the fly half is primarily the kicker. Each time a penalty is conceded by the opposition, this player will kick the ball through the posts. He can also perform a drop goal, which is a kick in open play with the ball bouncing on the floor first before going through the posts.
This player is an integral part to the team and more often than not the one who gets the most points for the team due to the amount of kicks they produce winning points for the team.
The End!
This concludes my little whirl wind tour of rugby and a few pointers and things to look out for, which will hopefully make the game more enjoyable for your to watch. I'll be cheering on England in the Rugby World Cup '11, I hope you gather a bit of national pride and support your team as well. We're less than a month away to the Rugby World cup '11 so keep your ear to the ground and most of all enjoy!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-11---Simple-Guide&id=6509268] Rugby World Cup '11 - Simple Guide
Friday, December 9, 2011
A Guide to Purchasing Rugby Equipment
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lyanne_K_Watson]Lyanne K Watson
As any other sport played today, rugby too requires a number of specialized equipment to aid players to carry out a fair and successful encounter between two teams. A grisly and entirely physical game, players have to expect a few tugs and blows. But with many performances wear and equipment manufacturers offering a wide range of items to choose from players have the possibility to reduce injuries and enjoy a good game of rugby.
With the approval of the International Rugby Board (IRB) which is the governing body for the game of rugby, headgear which is used for protection is manufactured using a light synthetic substance which has the capability to alleviate serious impact. Another piece of equipment that a rugby player should own is gum shield which not only offers protection to a player's gums and teeth but also acts as an aid in reducing the damage which can grow around the jaw line. Gum shields are usually individually moulded to fit each player.
The rugby kit which usually consists of rugby shorts, rugby shirts and rugby boots are the main three components that is usually given priority to. Shorts which are mainly found in cotton have reinforced side seams and pockets with elastic waistbands and tie cords. Fusion shorts which do not include pockets are also available which are produced to match fusion shirts. Shirts which are more commonly known as rugby jerseys are generally knitted to perfection to resist the tugging and pulling that is always encountered in the field of rugby. They also require being comfortable yet strong and also light weight which in turn will not affect the players' speed. Shirts are mainly woven using a mix of polyester and cotton fabric and also acrylic fabric. The rugby boots consists of soles with studs which may be either plastic or metal without sharp edges. These in turn allows players to have a proper grip on the field. It is always a must to understand the size and shape of your feet as well as your style of running before purchasing your boots.
Another point to consider is upper body protection. Again comfort, strength and light weight are important factors to consider while a perfect fit also should not be forgotten. The areas that will be exposed to injury are the shoulders and the chest area.
Finally, a good quality rugby ball is always a must have. The hand stitched leather ball has come a long way with the latest technology making it water proof and easy to handle in slippery conditions. When purchasing all the rugby equipment mentioned above it is always a necessity to consider the quality of the product.
Lyanne Watson has more than 5 year's experiences in copywriting. Presently she is writing articles about [http://www.peveril.com]Rugby kit, [http://www.peveril.com]Rugby shirts and Rugby jerseys.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Guide-to-Purchasing-Rugby-Equipment&id=6516396] A Guide to Purchasing Rugby Equipment
As any other sport played today, rugby too requires a number of specialized equipment to aid players to carry out a fair and successful encounter between two teams. A grisly and entirely physical game, players have to expect a few tugs and blows. But with many performances wear and equipment manufacturers offering a wide range of items to choose from players have the possibility to reduce injuries and enjoy a good game of rugby.
With the approval of the International Rugby Board (IRB) which is the governing body for the game of rugby, headgear which is used for protection is manufactured using a light synthetic substance which has the capability to alleviate serious impact. Another piece of equipment that a rugby player should own is gum shield which not only offers protection to a player's gums and teeth but also acts as an aid in reducing the damage which can grow around the jaw line. Gum shields are usually individually moulded to fit each player.
The rugby kit which usually consists of rugby shorts, rugby shirts and rugby boots are the main three components that is usually given priority to. Shorts which are mainly found in cotton have reinforced side seams and pockets with elastic waistbands and tie cords. Fusion shorts which do not include pockets are also available which are produced to match fusion shirts. Shirts which are more commonly known as rugby jerseys are generally knitted to perfection to resist the tugging and pulling that is always encountered in the field of rugby. They also require being comfortable yet strong and also light weight which in turn will not affect the players' speed. Shirts are mainly woven using a mix of polyester and cotton fabric and also acrylic fabric. The rugby boots consists of soles with studs which may be either plastic or metal without sharp edges. These in turn allows players to have a proper grip on the field. It is always a must to understand the size and shape of your feet as well as your style of running before purchasing your boots.
Another point to consider is upper body protection. Again comfort, strength and light weight are important factors to consider while a perfect fit also should not be forgotten. The areas that will be exposed to injury are the shoulders and the chest area.
Finally, a good quality rugby ball is always a must have. The hand stitched leather ball has come a long way with the latest technology making it water proof and easy to handle in slippery conditions. When purchasing all the rugby equipment mentioned above it is always a necessity to consider the quality of the product.
Lyanne Watson has more than 5 year's experiences in copywriting. Presently she is writing articles about [http://www.peveril.com]Rugby kit, [http://www.peveril.com]Rugby shirts and Rugby jerseys.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Guide-to-Purchasing-Rugby-Equipment&id=6516396] A Guide to Purchasing Rugby Equipment
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Important Rugby Skills
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Bradshaw]Anthony Bradshaw
There are many different skills that player needs to be able to play rugby, they are running, passing, catching and tackling. However, every team should have at least two people who have the special skill of kicking the ball.
A rugby ball is oval and so it will bounce in a much different way than a round soccer ball. For this reason a good kicker has to know exactly where to place the ball so that the bounce will go in his favour. There are three different types of kicks that you will see in a rugby game, and I will go over each of them now.
The punt is a kick that is used in general play. To carry out this kick the player holds the ball in front of themselves about a legs distance from their body to maximise the swing of the kicking leg. The non-kicking foot is planted firmly on the ground, and the kicking leg is swung in a way that it will make contact with the ball on the instep of the foot. This is the top part of the foot between the toes and the ankle. Keep your eye on the ball as you are kicking it and try to ignore the 15 other players that will be trying to tackle you at the same time.
The drop kick is a specialised type of kick that is used to restart play and to kick at goal during normal play. A restart is taken at the 22 metre line for a dropout, or the halfway line when a try or penalty has been scored. To make a drop kick, the ball is held vertically in the kickers hands about waist high. The ball is dropped to the ground and the kicker makes contact with his instep again a split second after the ball has bounced. Ideally the ball will be leaning slightly backwards, and the kicker will also lean back to get more height in the kick.
The place kick is used when a penalty has been awarded or when a conversion is to be attempted after a try has been scored. Most players these days use a kicking tee or small amount of sand to hold the ball in a set position while they make their run up. Although every kicker has their own kicking style, almost all will begin by walking backwards from the ball a set distance and then move out to one side or the other. The kicker will then pause to clear his head and relax.
No matter what type of kick is employed the key to a good kick is accuracy. The ball must land exactly where the kicker wants it to, and either score points or put the team into a better attacking position than they were previously. A good kick is a fantastic attacking weapon, and on the flip side a bad kick can be disastrous.
Kicking should always be done for a reason. Generally, a team will kick more often when they are in their own half as a defensive measure to get out of trouble, and continue play in the other teams half. This type of kick is called a defensive kick, or sometimes a territorial kick, which means that the kicking team is trying to get into the oppositions territory.
Kicking in rugby is a difficult skill to master due to the shape of the ball. However, with consistent practise it is possible to read how a ball will bounce depending on how you kick it. You can make the ball bounce end over end in a straight line which will cause it to 'pop' up slightly higher on about the third bounce, which makes it easy for chasing players to pick up as they run at it. It is also possible to make the ball spin off to the side so it will bounce out of play near the oppositions try line.
The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, and so it is time to get [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/]Rugby Shirts for men before its too late. However, there will always be good international games to watch, so if you are from Ireland you can get great deals on an [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/irish-rugby-shirt/]Irish Rugby shirt right now.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Important-Rugby-Skills&id=6526195] Important Rugby Skills
There are many different skills that player needs to be able to play rugby, they are running, passing, catching and tackling. However, every team should have at least two people who have the special skill of kicking the ball.
A rugby ball is oval and so it will bounce in a much different way than a round soccer ball. For this reason a good kicker has to know exactly where to place the ball so that the bounce will go in his favour. There are three different types of kicks that you will see in a rugby game, and I will go over each of them now.
The punt is a kick that is used in general play. To carry out this kick the player holds the ball in front of themselves about a legs distance from their body to maximise the swing of the kicking leg. The non-kicking foot is planted firmly on the ground, and the kicking leg is swung in a way that it will make contact with the ball on the instep of the foot. This is the top part of the foot between the toes and the ankle. Keep your eye on the ball as you are kicking it and try to ignore the 15 other players that will be trying to tackle you at the same time.
The drop kick is a specialised type of kick that is used to restart play and to kick at goal during normal play. A restart is taken at the 22 metre line for a dropout, or the halfway line when a try or penalty has been scored. To make a drop kick, the ball is held vertically in the kickers hands about waist high. The ball is dropped to the ground and the kicker makes contact with his instep again a split second after the ball has bounced. Ideally the ball will be leaning slightly backwards, and the kicker will also lean back to get more height in the kick.
The place kick is used when a penalty has been awarded or when a conversion is to be attempted after a try has been scored. Most players these days use a kicking tee or small amount of sand to hold the ball in a set position while they make their run up. Although every kicker has their own kicking style, almost all will begin by walking backwards from the ball a set distance and then move out to one side or the other. The kicker will then pause to clear his head and relax.
No matter what type of kick is employed the key to a good kick is accuracy. The ball must land exactly where the kicker wants it to, and either score points or put the team into a better attacking position than they were previously. A good kick is a fantastic attacking weapon, and on the flip side a bad kick can be disastrous.
Kicking should always be done for a reason. Generally, a team will kick more often when they are in their own half as a defensive measure to get out of trouble, and continue play in the other teams half. This type of kick is called a defensive kick, or sometimes a territorial kick, which means that the kicking team is trying to get into the oppositions territory.
Kicking in rugby is a difficult skill to master due to the shape of the ball. However, with consistent practise it is possible to read how a ball will bounce depending on how you kick it. You can make the ball bounce end over end in a straight line which will cause it to 'pop' up slightly higher on about the third bounce, which makes it easy for chasing players to pick up as they run at it. It is also possible to make the ball spin off to the side so it will bounce out of play near the oppositions try line.
The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, and so it is time to get [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/]Rugby Shirts for men before its too late. However, there will always be good international games to watch, so if you are from Ireland you can get great deals on an [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/irish-rugby-shirt/]Irish Rugby shirt right now.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Important-Rugby-Skills&id=6526195] Important Rugby Skills
Monday, December 5, 2011
Matt Orford - Short But Powerful, The Ox
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sam_Chalmers]Sam Chalmers
Matthew Orford, or popularly known as Matt Orford or "Ox", was born on April 22, 1978 in Gosford, Australia. Matt the "Ox" is presently one of the most famous National Rugby League players. This five foot nine player is currently signed with the Canberra Raiders as the halfback.
Rugby League is really Matt's thing. Even before he finished high school, he was already playing rugby league. He gained his skills when he was still with the North Sydney Bears back in junior high. He showed great enthusiasm for the sport that was why after high school, the Northern Eagles immediately signed him to play for them.
He switched to different teams when his career was still starting. He was signed to play for the Melbourne Storm, and after that, he was again signed to another team, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
In the 2006 season, he became captain of the Sea Eagles. Signing for the team became a big opportunity for Orford. He being the captain was unfortunate for the team though, because in the 2007 season they had a tragic loss against his previous team, the Melbourne Storm.
In the 2008 National Rugby League grand finale though, he had an excellent comeback. Being the team captain once again, he then leaded their victory to the Melbourne Storm. During this season, he showed real perseverance and determination. Everyone noticed his improvement game after game.
In that same year, Matt Orford won the Dally M Medal Award. The 2008 season was a lucky season for Ox, as he was also voted as the best player of the season and he gained a premiership award. His extreme determination really paid off. Having gained the premiership award and the Dally M Medal in one same year, he was put to the National Rugby League hall of fame, because only he and Peter Sterling got those two awards in a year. 2008 was a fruitful and lucky season for Matt Orford.
He continued to being the best player when he was considered one of the most promising players in the Manly's World Club Challenge in 2009. Their team won in the challenge against the Rhinos.
In 2010, because of his excellent skills and prominent playing abilities, he was exclusively signed for the Bradford Bulls for a three-year contract. His career was continuing to rise up and he was becoming more and more popular in the world of Rugby League. Unfortunately, his prime season did not go as planned. He was forced to end the contract because he suffered a shoulder injury that required a major surgery. After the incident, he was released by the Bulls for him to return to his home country, Australia.
In January 2011, Matt Orford was officially released by the Bradford Bulls. His career never ended there, because after his official contract release, he immediately signed on the same day with the Canberra Raiders.
For more information on Matt Orford you should check out his profile on Footysocial at http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/mattorford
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Matt-Orford---Short-But-Powerful,-The-Ox&id=6563454] Matt Orford - Short But Powerful, The Ox
Matthew Orford, or popularly known as Matt Orford or "Ox", was born on April 22, 1978 in Gosford, Australia. Matt the "Ox" is presently one of the most famous National Rugby League players. This five foot nine player is currently signed with the Canberra Raiders as the halfback.
Rugby League is really Matt's thing. Even before he finished high school, he was already playing rugby league. He gained his skills when he was still with the North Sydney Bears back in junior high. He showed great enthusiasm for the sport that was why after high school, the Northern Eagles immediately signed him to play for them.
He switched to different teams when his career was still starting. He was signed to play for the Melbourne Storm, and after that, he was again signed to another team, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
In the 2006 season, he became captain of the Sea Eagles. Signing for the team became a big opportunity for Orford. He being the captain was unfortunate for the team though, because in the 2007 season they had a tragic loss against his previous team, the Melbourne Storm.
In the 2008 National Rugby League grand finale though, he had an excellent comeback. Being the team captain once again, he then leaded their victory to the Melbourne Storm. During this season, he showed real perseverance and determination. Everyone noticed his improvement game after game.
In that same year, Matt Orford won the Dally M Medal Award. The 2008 season was a lucky season for Ox, as he was also voted as the best player of the season and he gained a premiership award. His extreme determination really paid off. Having gained the premiership award and the Dally M Medal in one same year, he was put to the National Rugby League hall of fame, because only he and Peter Sterling got those two awards in a year. 2008 was a fruitful and lucky season for Matt Orford.
He continued to being the best player when he was considered one of the most promising players in the Manly's World Club Challenge in 2009. Their team won in the challenge against the Rhinos.
In 2010, because of his excellent skills and prominent playing abilities, he was exclusively signed for the Bradford Bulls for a three-year contract. His career was continuing to rise up and he was becoming more and more popular in the world of Rugby League. Unfortunately, his prime season did not go as planned. He was forced to end the contract because he suffered a shoulder injury that required a major surgery. After the incident, he was released by the Bulls for him to return to his home country, Australia.
In January 2011, Matt Orford was officially released by the Bradford Bulls. His career never ended there, because after his official contract release, he immediately signed on the same day with the Canberra Raiders.
For more information on Matt Orford you should check out his profile on Footysocial at http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/mattorford
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Matt-Orford---Short-But-Powerful,-The-Ox&id=6563454] Matt Orford - Short But Powerful, The Ox
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Josh Dugan - Rugby's Rookie of the Year
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sam_Chalmers]Sam Chalmers
Josh Dugan is one of the most popular young Australian professional rugby league football players. He was born and raised in Canberra, on May 10, 1990. He now plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. He is a Country New South Wales representative as well as a National Rugby League All Stars backline player. He has played with the Canberra Raiders from the start of his career until today.
Josh Dugan achieved his position in the National Rugby League Premiership during the 2009 season. His first game was in the 2009 season where he finished first in the National Rugby League having an average running meters per game (191.5) and 7th in total running meters (3,064). He as well came first in the National Rugby League in average kick return meters per game (82.5) and had finished 3rd overall (1321). The first was Billy Slater and the second was Jarryd Hayne. He achieved third overall with the fact that he started the season in the Toyota Cup and played only sixteen games. He as well finished eighth in tackle breaks (110) and was short-listed for the Dally M "Rookie of the Year" Award which he lost in favor of Jamal Idris. He had a very impressive debut season. He was also known as Canberra Raider's Rookie of the Year and won the Mal Meninga Medal for the Raiders player of the year for 2009 together with Josh Miller. Josh Dugan achieved his maiden representative selection playing fullback for Country Origin in the 2010 City versus Country clash. Josh Dugan was the star of the game; he scored a try and being named Man of the Match. He already became a successful Rugby player at a very young age.
On June 7, 2010, Josh Dugan was named in the 21 man squad for New South Wales Blues team for the third game of the State of Origin series. Unfortunately, he was not selected to play in the actual match.
On July 13, 2010, he re-signed with the Canberra Raiders for another two seasons, which gave the issue that he was signing with the Sydney Roosters an end.
On February 12, 2011, Josh Dugan was chosen to play fullback for the National Rugby League All Stars in the yearly All Stars Match. He was voted as the Preston Campbell Medal for player of the match.
On May 15, 2011, Josh Dugan was chosen to play for the New South Wale Blues in game one of the 2011 State of Origin series.
Today, he continues to show the world what he is capable of.
For more information on Josh Dugan you should check out his profile on Footysocial at http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/joshdugan
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Josh-Dugan---Rugbys-Rookie-of-the-Year&id=6563419] Josh Dugan - Rugby's Rookie of the Year
Josh Dugan is one of the most popular young Australian professional rugby league football players. He was born and raised in Canberra, on May 10, 1990. He now plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. He is a Country New South Wales representative as well as a National Rugby League All Stars backline player. He has played with the Canberra Raiders from the start of his career until today.
Josh Dugan achieved his position in the National Rugby League Premiership during the 2009 season. His first game was in the 2009 season where he finished first in the National Rugby League having an average running meters per game (191.5) and 7th in total running meters (3,064). He as well came first in the National Rugby League in average kick return meters per game (82.5) and had finished 3rd overall (1321). The first was Billy Slater and the second was Jarryd Hayne. He achieved third overall with the fact that he started the season in the Toyota Cup and played only sixteen games. He as well finished eighth in tackle breaks (110) and was short-listed for the Dally M "Rookie of the Year" Award which he lost in favor of Jamal Idris. He had a very impressive debut season. He was also known as Canberra Raider's Rookie of the Year and won the Mal Meninga Medal for the Raiders player of the year for 2009 together with Josh Miller. Josh Dugan achieved his maiden representative selection playing fullback for Country Origin in the 2010 City versus Country clash. Josh Dugan was the star of the game; he scored a try and being named Man of the Match. He already became a successful Rugby player at a very young age.
On June 7, 2010, Josh Dugan was named in the 21 man squad for New South Wales Blues team for the third game of the State of Origin series. Unfortunately, he was not selected to play in the actual match.
On July 13, 2010, he re-signed with the Canberra Raiders for another two seasons, which gave the issue that he was signing with the Sydney Roosters an end.
On February 12, 2011, Josh Dugan was chosen to play fullback for the National Rugby League All Stars in the yearly All Stars Match. He was voted as the Preston Campbell Medal for player of the match.
On May 15, 2011, Josh Dugan was chosen to play for the New South Wale Blues in game one of the 2011 State of Origin series.
Today, he continues to show the world what he is capable of.
For more information on Josh Dugan you should check out his profile on Footysocial at http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/joshdugan
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Josh-Dugan---Rugbys-Rookie-of-the-Year&id=6563419] Josh Dugan - Rugby's Rookie of the Year
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Brett Stewart - The Comeback Kid
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sam_Chalmers]Sam Chalmers
Brett Stewart is the league's comeback kid of the 2011 season. After back-to-back season-terminating knee problems and a year mired by a sexual assault trial and subsequent acquittal, the controversial fullback's stint in the league was suspended in the first round of last season and waited in the wings until the club put him back in circulation and let him compete against the Warriors.
The Australia international and the New South Wales Manly-Warringah club call Stewart one of their own and made the Sea Eagles proud by winning the premiership in 2008. Although he was forced to take a break for the rest of the 2009 season due to drunken behaviour, league pundits still considered the troubled athlete promising when it comes to propelling try-scoring records. The sexual assault scandal in 2009 put his career on hold but he was handed a not guilty verdict in September 2010.
Sydney's Downing Centre District Court dispensed their verdict on an incident that transpired after the Manly Sea Eagle's season launch in 2009 involving a 17-year-old and the Manly fullback. Court documents revealed charges involving the 25-year-old who allegedly digitally penetrated the 17-year-old without the girl's consent and the incident was said to have taken place at North Manly on the northern beaches of Sydney on the evening of March 6, 2009. Presiding Judge Jonathan Williams heard the case which lasted a couple of weeks and handed the not guilty verdict, clearing Stewart of other charges such as assault with an act of indecency (the fullback having allegedly forced his tongue into the victim's mouth).
After a rollercoaster year, supporters and level-headed league commentators believed that the redemption of Stewart was far from complete unless he fully regained his bearings in the game and his role in the club. This challenge to Steward turned didn't turn out as an insurmountable feat, given the resilient player's record of delivering at championship events and neck-and-neck competitions in spite of football injuries that have complemented the player's journey towards rugby league excellence. Although Des Hasler, the Sea Eagle's top-notch coach, was at first emphatic in saying that Stewart would need to satisfy more tests to prove to the coaching staff that he was ready to go back into action and take on the Warriors, Stewart impressed the Manly staff by passing with flying colours and the fans with a stellar comeback.
With medical and fitness tests-and a scandalous incident-behind him, Stewart's return has proven to be a big boost to the Sea Eagles who was found missing of an outstanding fullback when Stewart busted his knee during the previous season. With his confidence and energy he garnered 100th First Grade Try in the 9th round in a face-off against the Raiders by scoring a hat-trick that moved his career trying score from 98 to 101.
For more information on [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]Brett Stewart you should check out his profile on Footysocial at [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Brett-Stewart---The-Comeback-Kid&id=6563205] Brett Stewart - The Comeback Kid
Brett Stewart is the league's comeback kid of the 2011 season. After back-to-back season-terminating knee problems and a year mired by a sexual assault trial and subsequent acquittal, the controversial fullback's stint in the league was suspended in the first round of last season and waited in the wings until the club put him back in circulation and let him compete against the Warriors.
The Australia international and the New South Wales Manly-Warringah club call Stewart one of their own and made the Sea Eagles proud by winning the premiership in 2008. Although he was forced to take a break for the rest of the 2009 season due to drunken behaviour, league pundits still considered the troubled athlete promising when it comes to propelling try-scoring records. The sexual assault scandal in 2009 put his career on hold but he was handed a not guilty verdict in September 2010.
Sydney's Downing Centre District Court dispensed their verdict on an incident that transpired after the Manly Sea Eagle's season launch in 2009 involving a 17-year-old and the Manly fullback. Court documents revealed charges involving the 25-year-old who allegedly digitally penetrated the 17-year-old without the girl's consent and the incident was said to have taken place at North Manly on the northern beaches of Sydney on the evening of March 6, 2009. Presiding Judge Jonathan Williams heard the case which lasted a couple of weeks and handed the not guilty verdict, clearing Stewart of other charges such as assault with an act of indecency (the fullback having allegedly forced his tongue into the victim's mouth).
After a rollercoaster year, supporters and level-headed league commentators believed that the redemption of Stewart was far from complete unless he fully regained his bearings in the game and his role in the club. This challenge to Steward turned didn't turn out as an insurmountable feat, given the resilient player's record of delivering at championship events and neck-and-neck competitions in spite of football injuries that have complemented the player's journey towards rugby league excellence. Although Des Hasler, the Sea Eagle's top-notch coach, was at first emphatic in saying that Stewart would need to satisfy more tests to prove to the coaching staff that he was ready to go back into action and take on the Warriors, Stewart impressed the Manly staff by passing with flying colours and the fans with a stellar comeback.
With medical and fitness tests-and a scandalous incident-behind him, Stewart's return has proven to be a big boost to the Sea Eagles who was found missing of an outstanding fullback when Stewart busted his knee during the previous season. With his confidence and energy he garnered 100th First Grade Try in the 9th round in a face-off against the Raiders by scoring a hat-trick that moved his career trying score from 98 to 101.
For more information on [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]Brett Stewart you should check out his profile on Footysocial at [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Brett-Stewart---The-Comeback-Kid&id=6563205] Brett Stewart - The Comeback Kid
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