By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_M_Williams]Paul M Williams
There was more Ashes controversy on 21st November 1959 when Great Britain beat Australia 11-10 at Leeds
In 1959, the Kangaroos again thought they had won the elusive Ashes Trophy when Barry Muir scored a try under the posts but referee Gelder, to everybody's amazement, ruled forward pass. They felt particularly aggrieved because they also hit a post and also questioned the validity of a Great Britain try. After the match, Kangaroos centre Harry Wells angrily confronted Gelder, and said:
"You're a thief and you cheated us"
Gelder replied,
"I've got to live here lad"
Great Britain went on to win the third and deciding test 18-12 to win the series
The Lions thought they were "robbed" on 14th July 1962. The result was Australia 18 v Great Britain 17 in Sydney and Great Britain captain Eric Ashton described what happened.
"1962 was a great side. Even the Australians said it was the best side for years. We wrapped up the Ashes in the second test at Brisbane with a 17-10 win despite losing Alex Murphy early on which was a blow but Poynton came on and did very well. In the third, we were robbed. We were 17-11 up and had Mick Sullivan and Derek Turner sent off. We were penalised under the posts for 17-13 then they went in at the corner and converted to win by a point and the game didn't even kick off again. We would have been the only ever side to win a series 3-0 in Australia. However, that tour was the highlight of my career. To captain an Ashes winning side down under was fantastic."
Australia won the Ashes in 1973 and have retained them ever since
GB came close on November 10th 1990 with a score line of Great Britain 10 Australia 14 in Manchester
The Lions won the first test 19-12 at Wembley to end Australia's unbroken run of consecutive victories stretching back two tours. With injuries to key Australian players Bradley Clyde and Brad Fittler the Lions entered the second test with their best chance in twenty years to regain the Ashes.
The Kangaroos led 4-2 at half time following a Dale Shearer try with Paul Eastwood replying for the Lions with a penalty. Dixon scored for GB shortly after the break and they held onto this 6-4 lead until Cliff Lyon scored a great try with twelve minutes to go. The Kanagaroos led 10-6 and were controlling the game until a Ricky Stuart pass to Dale Shearer was intercepted by substitute Paul Loughlin who raced the length of the field to score. It was 10-10 with a kick to come and for a few moments the Ashes were on their way home. Unfortunately Eastwood missed the kick but the Lions took control of the game and were continually pressing the Australian line but in the last minute of injury time Ricky Stuart dummied Lee Jackson and broke downfield. Mal Meninga barged his way into position before taking a pass close to the line and crashing over for a dubious but match winning try.
Australia won the third test to retain the Ashes they had held since 1973 and have held them ever since. This was closest the Lions ever came On July 1992 in Mebourne a score line of Australia 10 v Great Britain 33 sent GB supporters delirious
After losing the first test 22-6 in Sydney and with injuries to key players Ellery Hanley and Andy Gregory The Lions were not given much chance. They chose an all Wigan pack and Shaun Edwards came in at half back for his first against Australia Despite their injuries and the poor weather, The Lions raced into a 22-0 lead with tries from Clark, Newlove and Schofield. The expected Kangaroo comeback saw tries from Lindner and Johns but the Lions pack held firm giving Graham Steadman and Martin Offiah the opportunity to score great tries.
They lost the decider 16-10 but the glorious night in Melbourne represented the best performance by Great Britain during their long Ashes drought
The "Great Escape" began on 7th November 2003 with a Great Britain 18 v Australia 22 result at Wigan
Adrian Morley had a reputation as the best forward in the world and he had played a big part for the Sydney Roosters in their drive to consecutive NRL Grand Finals. He was expected to continue in this vein for the GB Lions but to home supporter's dismay he was sent off by referee Steve Ganson after only twelve seconds of the first match at Wigan. The performance that followed from the twelve remaining players was top class. Phil Bailey and Trent Waterhouse scored tries for the Kangaroos and Brian Carney replied for the Lions to give them an 8-4 half time score line. A Keith Senior try and two Sean Long goals gave GB a 12-8 lead before a Craig Gower try and a brilliant conversion by Craig Fitzgibbon from the touchline gave Australia the lead but another Brian Carney try put the twelve man Lions 18-14 in front with less than ten minutes to go. Australia escaped when Darren Lockyear created and scored a match winning try and Fitzgibbon landed a last minute penalty.
Two other close and exciting matches followed with The Lions surrendering a good lead in the Second Test at Hull to see Australia win 23-20. Inspired by their captain Darren Lockyear The Kangaroos scored twelve unanswered points in the last four minutes at Huddersfield to win 18-12. Despite the 3-0 series victory for the Kangaroos the thirteen point difference in the aggregate score line tells the true story
Although the Kangaroos have been dominant in recent years, they are only slightly ahead in terms of series and Test matches won
Ashes Series won Australia 20 GB 19
Test Matches won Australia 59 GB 55
Apart from 1911/12, the Kangaroos were beaten in every Ashes series in Great Britain from 1908 until 1963. Even in Australia, the GB Lions triumphed in fourteen Ashes series between 1910 and 1970 The Kangaroos won just four times in 1920, 1950, 1954 and 1966
The GB Lions held the ashes for thirty years from 1920 - 1950
The Australian Kangaroos currently hold the Ashes although they have not been contested since 2003 and not on Australian soil since 1992.
Station Road, Swinton is a now a housing estate. In 1992, the then directors of the Swinton club sold the ground without consulting the Swinton supporters, the local commiunity or the RFL. It was an act of treachery and a terrible tragedy.
For more information about International Rugby League visit the [http://rugbyleaguethoughts.blogspot.com]International RL Blog
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Australia-Dominate-the-Rugby-League-Ashes&id=6141436] Australia Dominate the Rugby League Ashes
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
The GB Lions Dominate the Rugby League Ashes
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_M_Williams]Paul M Williams
The Ashes is the name given to the trophy awarded to the winner of a Rugby League test series between Great Britain and Australia. The format used is usually that three matches are played, with the winning team being decided on the basis of most matches won.
The team representing Great Britain were originally known as the Northern Union after the sport's govorning body and the team representing Australia were and still are known as the Kangaroos
The first ever Ashes Test Match took place on December 12 1908 when the Northern Union and Australia drew 22-22 in London. The English dominated the match early on and led by 14-5 at half-time. They seemed assured of victory when leading 17-5 early in the second half but Australia fought back with tries from Devereaux and O'Malley to bring the score to 17-15 to the Northern Union. The home side scored another try to lead 20-15 with time fast running out but with five minutes to go the great Dally Messenger intercepted near his own try line. He evaded the chasing defenders to within sight of the try line where he passed to Devereaux who crashed over under the posts. Messenger kicked the goal and the Kangaroos took the lead for the first time at 22-20. Unfortunately for them, the Northern Union were awarded a last minute penalty for obstruction and when they kicked the goal the match ended as draw. Australia won the Ashes for the first time on 1st January 1912 when they beat the Northern Union 33-8 in Birmingham. The 1911-12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain was the second ever Kangaroo tour and was actually a tour by an Australasian team (it included four New Zealand players) rather than the Australian team alone. They became the first tourists to win the Ashes and the last to do so on British soil for over half a century. After 1922 the Great Britain RL team became known as the Lions which was many years before the RU team followed suit. In the same year they side beat Australia 6-0 at Salford to win back the Ashes. They would not be lost again until 1950.
In 1928, the City Tattersalls Club in Sydney, Australia donated The Ashes trophy
There was much controversy caused by a rare scoreless Test on January 4th 1930 when The Lions and Australia drew 0-0 at Swinton near Manchester. In the third and deciding Test, Australia's half-back Joe "Chimpy" Busch picked the ball up at the scrum base and ran 20 m for what seemed like a match winning and Ashes winning score. Busch and his team were ecstatic but referee Bob Robinson over-turned his original decision to award the try after consulting the touch judge. Things didn't improve for the Kangaroos when they were beaten 3-0 in 1933
Station Road, Swinton justified it's reputation as "The Aussie Graveyard" on 6th November 1948 when Great Britain beat Australia 17-6. Despite the baffling omission of their captain Len Smith, the Kangaroo tourists played their part in a great First Test matches as Great Britain won 23-21. Their form deserted them and they lost four games in a row before the Second Test at Station Road, Swinton. Before the game, the players paid homage at the corner of the ground where Joe "Chimpy" Busch had been famously been denied in 1930 but they lost the match and The Ashes 17-6. Station Road, once again proved to be the graveyard of the Aussies as it hosted another British Ashes triumph. A 23-9 win for Great Britain at Bradford resulted in only the second ever whitewash in Ashes history
Remarkable courage was showed by Lions captain Alan Prescott on 5th July 1958 when Great Britain beat Australia 25-18 in Brisbane
GB player Eric Ashton said:
"We'd lost the first test and, whether the tour was a success or not depended on the second game. We got off to a shocking start losing Dave Bolton and Jim Challinor and Alan broke his arm. We didn't know for certain it was broken but we guessed it was. He was asked to go to hospital at half time but refused because he reckoned he could still provide an obstacle for the Australians if he threw himself in front of them and he did just that. I don't know how he did it but he did. It was a double break from what I could gather afterwards and it finished his career really. Whether it was bravery or bloody madness, I couldn't make my mind up at the time! The third game was a question of doing it for Alan in his absence. We owed him something and came up with a big win."
For more information about International Rugby League [http://rugbyleaguethoughts.blogspot.com]CLICK HERE
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-GB-Lions-Dominate-the-Rugby-League-Ashes&id=6141399] The GB Lions Dominate the Rugby League Ashes
The Ashes is the name given to the trophy awarded to the winner of a Rugby League test series between Great Britain and Australia. The format used is usually that three matches are played, with the winning team being decided on the basis of most matches won.
The team representing Great Britain were originally known as the Northern Union after the sport's govorning body and the team representing Australia were and still are known as the Kangaroos
The first ever Ashes Test Match took place on December 12 1908 when the Northern Union and Australia drew 22-22 in London. The English dominated the match early on and led by 14-5 at half-time. They seemed assured of victory when leading 17-5 early in the second half but Australia fought back with tries from Devereaux and O'Malley to bring the score to 17-15 to the Northern Union. The home side scored another try to lead 20-15 with time fast running out but with five minutes to go the great Dally Messenger intercepted near his own try line. He evaded the chasing defenders to within sight of the try line where he passed to Devereaux who crashed over under the posts. Messenger kicked the goal and the Kangaroos took the lead for the first time at 22-20. Unfortunately for them, the Northern Union were awarded a last minute penalty for obstruction and when they kicked the goal the match ended as draw. Australia won the Ashes for the first time on 1st January 1912 when they beat the Northern Union 33-8 in Birmingham. The 1911-12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain was the second ever Kangaroo tour and was actually a tour by an Australasian team (it included four New Zealand players) rather than the Australian team alone. They became the first tourists to win the Ashes and the last to do so on British soil for over half a century. After 1922 the Great Britain RL team became known as the Lions which was many years before the RU team followed suit. In the same year they side beat Australia 6-0 at Salford to win back the Ashes. They would not be lost again until 1950.
In 1928, the City Tattersalls Club in Sydney, Australia donated The Ashes trophy
There was much controversy caused by a rare scoreless Test on January 4th 1930 when The Lions and Australia drew 0-0 at Swinton near Manchester. In the third and deciding Test, Australia's half-back Joe "Chimpy" Busch picked the ball up at the scrum base and ran 20 m for what seemed like a match winning and Ashes winning score. Busch and his team were ecstatic but referee Bob Robinson over-turned his original decision to award the try after consulting the touch judge. Things didn't improve for the Kangaroos when they were beaten 3-0 in 1933
Station Road, Swinton justified it's reputation as "The Aussie Graveyard" on 6th November 1948 when Great Britain beat Australia 17-6. Despite the baffling omission of their captain Len Smith, the Kangaroo tourists played their part in a great First Test matches as Great Britain won 23-21. Their form deserted them and they lost four games in a row before the Second Test at Station Road, Swinton. Before the game, the players paid homage at the corner of the ground where Joe "Chimpy" Busch had been famously been denied in 1930 but they lost the match and The Ashes 17-6. Station Road, once again proved to be the graveyard of the Aussies as it hosted another British Ashes triumph. A 23-9 win for Great Britain at Bradford resulted in only the second ever whitewash in Ashes history
Remarkable courage was showed by Lions captain Alan Prescott on 5th July 1958 when Great Britain beat Australia 25-18 in Brisbane
GB player Eric Ashton said:
"We'd lost the first test and, whether the tour was a success or not depended on the second game. We got off to a shocking start losing Dave Bolton and Jim Challinor and Alan broke his arm. We didn't know for certain it was broken but we guessed it was. He was asked to go to hospital at half time but refused because he reckoned he could still provide an obstacle for the Australians if he threw himself in front of them and he did just that. I don't know how he did it but he did. It was a double break from what I could gather afterwards and it finished his career really. Whether it was bravery or bloody madness, I couldn't make my mind up at the time! The third game was a question of doing it for Alan in his absence. We owed him something and came up with a big win."
For more information about International Rugby League [http://rugbyleaguethoughts.blogspot.com]CLICK HERE
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-GB-Lions-Dominate-the-Rugby-League-Ashes&id=6141399] The GB Lions Dominate the Rugby League Ashes
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Future of the Scrum, Is It Ruining Rugby?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=William_W_Ellis_]William W Ellis
Rugby Union is a complex physical sport, which continually has talking points on how the game is played from a safety and entertainment point of view. The scrum is currently at the forefront and has raised many questions.
The scrum is regarded as a restart after an infringement but is a crucial part of the game and a dominant scrum can determine the winner of a game. This has made scrummaging more important and more competitive. Due to this tactics, players and laws have changed over the years with the large majority thinking at the detriment of the game of rugby.
The professionalism of rugby changed the game in many ways mainly training and the size of players. Props have shifted from short fat players to athletes such as Andrew Sheridan who is 6" 4 and nearly 19 stone. This has put more power and pressure on the scrum and the players involved.
The scrum has always been a controversial part of the game. Though a very low percentage, there have been serious injuries and deaths caused by scrummaging.
"The proportion of scrum injuries is tiny compared to those caused by the tackle." The "catastrophic" injury rate is 0.8 per 100,000 players, compared with 8.2 per 100,000 in gymnastics."
The rugby authorities are very aware of the dangers and have commissioned research and introduced new laws to hopefully reduce the risk of injury or worse.
In recent years the introduction of "Crouch, touch, pause, engage" has been implemented to control the engagement and stop charging in scrums. As a front row player myself, the touch aspect does control the distance between the two teams but the sequence as a whole doesn't work. If you have crouched and touched you are already pausing in a crouched position. The introduction of this law is to make the engage safer but in some aspects it has made it more dangerous. The front row has to hold the impending drive of the other 5 players behind until the exact time of the referees engage. This can cause early engagements as teams try to preempt the referees timing or struggle to hover in the crouch position with 5 players driving on them.
Rugby is played at many different levels and the scrum can raise different questions at the varied degrees of the game. At the professional level reffing is the main concern. As rugby players at the peak of the game compete in the scrum, many collapse and referees have the job to establish who the offender was. TV pundits and fans alike are confused by most decisions. These continued collapsed scrums are not just the referees fault but if they fail to control them a game can be spoilt. The scrum is an art form that unless you've played in the front row, you probably have no idea of what is going on. This makes referees ill equipped to adjudicate them. Do rugby boards need to consult ex props to discover how best to control and preserve the art of scrummaging?
At a junior level the main concern is safety, which is understandable. Some campaigners want scrums to be outlawed at age group level to avoid any injuries. Although this would be true until 16 or 18, I feel it would cause more in the long run. Only players with front row experience can play prop or hooker. How are players meant to gain this experience if not at junior level?
Through the age groups scrummaging is introduced slowly, firstly with only six players, then 10, then onto the full 16. This allows young players to learn how to scrummage under less pressure and by the time they are old enough they have the experience and strength to play open age. If a player who is classed as a prop at junior level then steps up to senior rugby, he would have to then learn how to scrummage or risk being seriously hurt.
Also another massive impact would be the players who prop. Rugby is known as a game for all shapes and sizes, abolishing scrums at junior level would leave the players of 'prop mould' on the sideline as their weight and size would no longer be an advantageous attribute. These players maybe lost from rugby altogether and thus we loose the games future props.
Scrummaging is an important part of rugby and to loose it at junior level would risk future injury and risk the future of the scrum its self.
At what ever level the scrum is an important part of the game and for safety and the spectacle of the game it does need addressing. There is no obvious answer as this would have been implemented long ago. The result will have to keep the competitive art of scrummaging alive but at the same time ensure the safety of players and keep the game flowing for paying spectators. The suggestion of eradicating the 'hit' has been suggested, this may have long term benefits to the bodies of players and reduce the amount of collapsing engages that hinder the game at the moment. The 'hit' is one of the scrums oldest factors and is a skill in it's self. If it was to disappear it may be the start of the end of scrums and no one wants to see a rugby league scrum in union, do they?
For more Articles and Rugby news go to http://www.KooGa-Rugby.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Future-of-the-Scrum,-Is-It-Ruining-Rugby?&id=6151153] The Future of the Scrum, Is It Ruining Rugby?
Rugby Union is a complex physical sport, which continually has talking points on how the game is played from a safety and entertainment point of view. The scrum is currently at the forefront and has raised many questions.
The scrum is regarded as a restart after an infringement but is a crucial part of the game and a dominant scrum can determine the winner of a game. This has made scrummaging more important and more competitive. Due to this tactics, players and laws have changed over the years with the large majority thinking at the detriment of the game of rugby.
The professionalism of rugby changed the game in many ways mainly training and the size of players. Props have shifted from short fat players to athletes such as Andrew Sheridan who is 6" 4 and nearly 19 stone. This has put more power and pressure on the scrum and the players involved.
The scrum has always been a controversial part of the game. Though a very low percentage, there have been serious injuries and deaths caused by scrummaging.
"The proportion of scrum injuries is tiny compared to those caused by the tackle." The "catastrophic" injury rate is 0.8 per 100,000 players, compared with 8.2 per 100,000 in gymnastics."
The rugby authorities are very aware of the dangers and have commissioned research and introduced new laws to hopefully reduce the risk of injury or worse.
In recent years the introduction of "Crouch, touch, pause, engage" has been implemented to control the engagement and stop charging in scrums. As a front row player myself, the touch aspect does control the distance between the two teams but the sequence as a whole doesn't work. If you have crouched and touched you are already pausing in a crouched position. The introduction of this law is to make the engage safer but in some aspects it has made it more dangerous. The front row has to hold the impending drive of the other 5 players behind until the exact time of the referees engage. This can cause early engagements as teams try to preempt the referees timing or struggle to hover in the crouch position with 5 players driving on them.
Rugby is played at many different levels and the scrum can raise different questions at the varied degrees of the game. At the professional level reffing is the main concern. As rugby players at the peak of the game compete in the scrum, many collapse and referees have the job to establish who the offender was. TV pundits and fans alike are confused by most decisions. These continued collapsed scrums are not just the referees fault but if they fail to control them a game can be spoilt. The scrum is an art form that unless you've played in the front row, you probably have no idea of what is going on. This makes referees ill equipped to adjudicate them. Do rugby boards need to consult ex props to discover how best to control and preserve the art of scrummaging?
At a junior level the main concern is safety, which is understandable. Some campaigners want scrums to be outlawed at age group level to avoid any injuries. Although this would be true until 16 or 18, I feel it would cause more in the long run. Only players with front row experience can play prop or hooker. How are players meant to gain this experience if not at junior level?
Through the age groups scrummaging is introduced slowly, firstly with only six players, then 10, then onto the full 16. This allows young players to learn how to scrummage under less pressure and by the time they are old enough they have the experience and strength to play open age. If a player who is classed as a prop at junior level then steps up to senior rugby, he would have to then learn how to scrummage or risk being seriously hurt.
Also another massive impact would be the players who prop. Rugby is known as a game for all shapes and sizes, abolishing scrums at junior level would leave the players of 'prop mould' on the sideline as their weight and size would no longer be an advantageous attribute. These players maybe lost from rugby altogether and thus we loose the games future props.
Scrummaging is an important part of rugby and to loose it at junior level would risk future injury and risk the future of the scrum its self.
At what ever level the scrum is an important part of the game and for safety and the spectacle of the game it does need addressing. There is no obvious answer as this would have been implemented long ago. The result will have to keep the competitive art of scrummaging alive but at the same time ensure the safety of players and keep the game flowing for paying spectators. The suggestion of eradicating the 'hit' has been suggested, this may have long term benefits to the bodies of players and reduce the amount of collapsing engages that hinder the game at the moment. The 'hit' is one of the scrums oldest factors and is a skill in it's self. If it was to disappear it may be the start of the end of scrums and no one wants to see a rugby league scrum in union, do they?
For more Articles and Rugby news go to http://www.KooGa-Rugby.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Future-of-the-Scrum,-Is-It-Ruining-Rugby?&id=6151153] The Future of the Scrum, Is It Ruining Rugby?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Rugby World Cup 2011 - Pool A Teams
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Hesketh]Paul Hesketh
Rugby World Cup Teams Profiles - Pool A
The Rugby World Cup 2011 starts on the 9 September until the 23 October 2011. The following article is an outline of the teams that will be featuring from pool A.
Canada - Maple leafs
Canada have competed at every World Cup since the tournament was first staged in 1987, the only North American team to do so. Canada achieved their best result at the World Cup in 1991; they achieved a quarter-final match. They are the dominant power of North American rugby and considered second only to Argentina in the Americas. The strong group Canada is in will make progressing to the next round very tough, don't under-estimate though how far an excellent team spirit may get them. Star player is James Pritchard.
France - Les Tricolores
France has competed at every World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987, though they have never won the competition. France have played in the quarter-final stages of every tournament, and have twice reached the final but never triumphed. Les Tricolores are the third highest World Cup point's scorers of all time, and hold the reputation as great rugby entertainers. A crunch earlier tournament game against New Zealand is one game not to miss! The French always step up a gear against the All Blacks and the game's are classics, with their quality and style France are always considered as possible champions. Currently coached by Marc Li�vremont, Star player to watch is Morgan Parra.
Japan - Brave Blossoms
Japan has participated in every World Cup since its start back in 1987. Despite appearing in every tournament so far, they have experienced little success, with just one solitary victory over Zimbabwe in 1991, and one draw with Canada in 2007. Pool A is tough for the brave blossoms but what they traditionally lack in pack size is offset with agile and quick play a feature of their style. Just like Canada and Tonga they will struggle to get out of pool A, games against these two teams will be key. Star player - Takashi Kikutani(c).
New Zealand - All Blacks
The All Blacks have won a record 75 percent of all rugby matches they have ever played since 1903 and they were named the International Rugby Board (IRB) team of the Year in 2005, 2006, 2008 and a record fourth time in 2010. The 2011 tournament is in their back yard and with a home crowd behind them lifting the World Cup for only the 2nd time since its inception is a strong possibility for the players in the All Black shirts. New Zealand has for the past decade always been tournament favorites but they have never produced the big performance required to go on to win the World Cup; a huge expectation 2011 will change that. In a team full of super stars fly half Daniel Carter stands out as there Star Player with the golden boot amassing 1,188 points from 79 Tests so far.
Tonga - Sea Eagles
Tonga's World Cup performances always seem to improve and in the 2007 World Cup Tonga won two of their pool matches and nearly defeated the eventual champions South Africa; it was one of the most memorable and exciting games of the tournament; Tonga eventually going down 30-25. The Sea Eagles eventually finished third in their pool but failed to advance to the Quarter Finals due to losing another hard-fought pool match against players wearing the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/england-rugby-shirt-long-sleeve-classic/invt/ae00810/]England rugby shirt. Games against Japan and Canada are must wins and anything against the French or New Zealand will be a massive plus. Star Player - Finau Maka (c).
The first match of pool is the 9 September 2011 20:30
New Zealand v Tonga Eden Park, Auckland Eden Park
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/page/rugby-shop]Rugby Shirts.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-2011---Pool-A-Teams&id=6126016] Rugby World Cup 2011 - Pool A Teams
Rugby World Cup Teams Profiles - Pool A
The Rugby World Cup 2011 starts on the 9 September until the 23 October 2011. The following article is an outline of the teams that will be featuring from pool A.
Canada - Maple leafs
Canada have competed at every World Cup since the tournament was first staged in 1987, the only North American team to do so. Canada achieved their best result at the World Cup in 1991; they achieved a quarter-final match. They are the dominant power of North American rugby and considered second only to Argentina in the Americas. The strong group Canada is in will make progressing to the next round very tough, don't under-estimate though how far an excellent team spirit may get them. Star player is James Pritchard.
France - Les Tricolores
France has competed at every World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987, though they have never won the competition. France have played in the quarter-final stages of every tournament, and have twice reached the final but never triumphed. Les Tricolores are the third highest World Cup point's scorers of all time, and hold the reputation as great rugby entertainers. A crunch earlier tournament game against New Zealand is one game not to miss! The French always step up a gear against the All Blacks and the game's are classics, with their quality and style France are always considered as possible champions. Currently coached by Marc Li�vremont, Star player to watch is Morgan Parra.
Japan - Brave Blossoms
Japan has participated in every World Cup since its start back in 1987. Despite appearing in every tournament so far, they have experienced little success, with just one solitary victory over Zimbabwe in 1991, and one draw with Canada in 2007. Pool A is tough for the brave blossoms but what they traditionally lack in pack size is offset with agile and quick play a feature of their style. Just like Canada and Tonga they will struggle to get out of pool A, games against these two teams will be key. Star player - Takashi Kikutani(c).
New Zealand - All Blacks
The All Blacks have won a record 75 percent of all rugby matches they have ever played since 1903 and they were named the International Rugby Board (IRB) team of the Year in 2005, 2006, 2008 and a record fourth time in 2010. The 2011 tournament is in their back yard and with a home crowd behind them lifting the World Cup for only the 2nd time since its inception is a strong possibility for the players in the All Black shirts. New Zealand has for the past decade always been tournament favorites but they have never produced the big performance required to go on to win the World Cup; a huge expectation 2011 will change that. In a team full of super stars fly half Daniel Carter stands out as there Star Player with the golden boot amassing 1,188 points from 79 Tests so far.
Tonga - Sea Eagles
Tonga's World Cup performances always seem to improve and in the 2007 World Cup Tonga won two of their pool matches and nearly defeated the eventual champions South Africa; it was one of the most memorable and exciting games of the tournament; Tonga eventually going down 30-25. The Sea Eagles eventually finished third in their pool but failed to advance to the Quarter Finals due to losing another hard-fought pool match against players wearing the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/england-rugby-shirt-long-sleeve-classic/invt/ae00810/]England rugby shirt. Games against Japan and Canada are must wins and anything against the French or New Zealand will be a massive plus. Star Player - Finau Maka (c).
The first match of pool is the 9 September 2011 20:30
New Zealand v Tonga Eden Park, Auckland Eden Park
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/page/rugby-shop]Rugby Shirts.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-2011---Pool-A-Teams&id=6126016] Rugby World Cup 2011 - Pool A Teams
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Rugby World Cup Team Profiles - Pool B
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Hesketh]Paul Hesketh
Argentina- Los Pumas
Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British Isles team, as of March 2011 they rank 8th in the world by the IRB. They have competed at every Rugby World Cup staged since the inaugural tournament of 1987, and while football is still dominant the interest in rugby grows impressively year on year. At the last World Cup held in 2007 Los Pumas finished the competition 3rd beating the hosts France and remaining unbeaten in their group before losing to eventually winners South Africa. Since the turn of the millennium Argentina's impressive form have now merited them inclusion into an expanded tri nations from 2012. With a ferocious hard tackling pack and star players like Felipe Contepomi keeping the game flowing with their kicking, Argentina should again prove to powerful for teams like Romania and Georgia. England and Scotland will go looking for a result against the Los Pumas but they have a game on. Both will have this down as their toughest pool game. Head Coach: Santiago Phelan
England- Red Roses
England has contested at every Rugby World Cup since it began in 1987, reaching the final three times and winning it once. England are current holders of the six nation's tournament recently winning this for the first time since 2003, also the year they last won the World Cup. Despite not being considered potential winners back in 2007 England managed to get to the final losing against South Africa 15-6. There is wide spread belief that England performances start to peak around the World Cup and current form suggests this is the case. Young players like Chris Ashton have set the rugby world light with scintillating recent performances, and England's big name players have started to deliver. It's expected that if the red roses continue their positive momentum going into the tournament they will up there as favorites once the first tackle hits. Star Player: Toby Flood. Head Coach: Martin Johnson
Georgia- The Lelos
Rugby union is one of the most popular sports in Georgia yet the IRB class Georgia as a third tier rugby country. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Georgia performed strongly, holding Argentina 6-3 at half time and in the next match did even better, just losing to Ireland 14-10, a controversial disallowed try, three missed drop goals; Georgia spent the last 5 minutes just metres from the Irish line pushing for the win. In 2007 Georgia secured its first World Cup win with a convincing 30-0 victory over Namibia. Georgia are going to this World Cup as current European Nations Cup champions, buoyed by a clean sweep of results seeing them fail to loss a tournament game. Pool B will be tough for the Lelos to even register a win out of; but if they take heart from the last World Cup performance than a result is not unlikely against Romania even on a very good day running the Scottish very close. Star player: Iraki Abuseridze (c). Head Coach: Richard Dixon
Romania - The Oaks
The Oaks of Romania have qualified for every world cup since 1987; failure to get out of the group stages though has been the underlying theme throughout. Romania generally win the solitary game in their group and expect the 'derby' against Georgia the one they realistically look to win. Romania like Georgia is the dominant team in European rugby outside those who compete in the six nations often trading winning the European Nations Cup with each other. Romania have a long rugby heritage and while their current team is not quite up there with that of 1980's one, expect a tough test for the other teams in pool B with Scotland and Argentina wary of the Oaks. Star Player: Sorin Socol (c). Head Coach: Steve McDowell
Scotland - The Thistle
Scotland has competed in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987. Their best finish was fourth in 1991, since then they have qualified from the group stage of every tournament but have never gone further than the quarter finals. Scotland are a team that have been in transition for the past few years, recently though they have started to show glimpses of past performances recently recording there first win against Australia for 27 years. The recent close games against the old enemy England in the Six Nations are further evidence to back this up but despite some strong performance Scotland failed to challenge again. Under Andy Robinson the structure of the team is more balanced and fluid so if we are to see the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/scotland-rugby-shirt-long-sleeve-classic/invt/ae90000/]Scotland rugby shirt in the quarter finals a result against Argentina or England will be vital. Star Player: Dan Parks. Head Coach: Andy Robinson
The first match of pool B is on the 10 September 2011 13:00
Scotland v Romania Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/page/rugby-shop]Rugby Shirts.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-Team-Profiles---Pool-B&id=6179063] Rugby World Cup Team Profiles - Pool B
Argentina- Los Pumas
Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British Isles team, as of March 2011 they rank 8th in the world by the IRB. They have competed at every Rugby World Cup staged since the inaugural tournament of 1987, and while football is still dominant the interest in rugby grows impressively year on year. At the last World Cup held in 2007 Los Pumas finished the competition 3rd beating the hosts France and remaining unbeaten in their group before losing to eventually winners South Africa. Since the turn of the millennium Argentina's impressive form have now merited them inclusion into an expanded tri nations from 2012. With a ferocious hard tackling pack and star players like Felipe Contepomi keeping the game flowing with their kicking, Argentina should again prove to powerful for teams like Romania and Georgia. England and Scotland will go looking for a result against the Los Pumas but they have a game on. Both will have this down as their toughest pool game. Head Coach: Santiago Phelan
England- Red Roses
England has contested at every Rugby World Cup since it began in 1987, reaching the final three times and winning it once. England are current holders of the six nation's tournament recently winning this for the first time since 2003, also the year they last won the World Cup. Despite not being considered potential winners back in 2007 England managed to get to the final losing against South Africa 15-6. There is wide spread belief that England performances start to peak around the World Cup and current form suggests this is the case. Young players like Chris Ashton have set the rugby world light with scintillating recent performances, and England's big name players have started to deliver. It's expected that if the red roses continue their positive momentum going into the tournament they will up there as favorites once the first tackle hits. Star Player: Toby Flood. Head Coach: Martin Johnson
Georgia- The Lelos
Rugby union is one of the most popular sports in Georgia yet the IRB class Georgia as a third tier rugby country. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Georgia performed strongly, holding Argentina 6-3 at half time and in the next match did even better, just losing to Ireland 14-10, a controversial disallowed try, three missed drop goals; Georgia spent the last 5 minutes just metres from the Irish line pushing for the win. In 2007 Georgia secured its first World Cup win with a convincing 30-0 victory over Namibia. Georgia are going to this World Cup as current European Nations Cup champions, buoyed by a clean sweep of results seeing them fail to loss a tournament game. Pool B will be tough for the Lelos to even register a win out of; but if they take heart from the last World Cup performance than a result is not unlikely against Romania even on a very good day running the Scottish very close. Star player: Iraki Abuseridze (c). Head Coach: Richard Dixon
Romania - The Oaks
The Oaks of Romania have qualified for every world cup since 1987; failure to get out of the group stages though has been the underlying theme throughout. Romania generally win the solitary game in their group and expect the 'derby' against Georgia the one they realistically look to win. Romania like Georgia is the dominant team in European rugby outside those who compete in the six nations often trading winning the European Nations Cup with each other. Romania have a long rugby heritage and while their current team is not quite up there with that of 1980's one, expect a tough test for the other teams in pool B with Scotland and Argentina wary of the Oaks. Star Player: Sorin Socol (c). Head Coach: Steve McDowell
Scotland - The Thistle
Scotland has competed in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987. Their best finish was fourth in 1991, since then they have qualified from the group stage of every tournament but have never gone further than the quarter finals. Scotland are a team that have been in transition for the past few years, recently though they have started to show glimpses of past performances recently recording there first win against Australia for 27 years. The recent close games against the old enemy England in the Six Nations are further evidence to back this up but despite some strong performance Scotland failed to challenge again. Under Andy Robinson the structure of the team is more balanced and fluid so if we are to see the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/scotland-rugby-shirt-long-sleeve-classic/invt/ae90000/]Scotland rugby shirt in the quarter finals a result against Argentina or England will be vital. Star Player: Dan Parks. Head Coach: Andy Robinson
The first match of pool B is on the 10 September 2011 13:00
Scotland v Romania Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/page/rugby-shop]Rugby Shirts.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-Team-Profiles---Pool-B&id=6179063] Rugby World Cup Team Profiles - Pool B
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Great Rugby Clothing Including Cheap Rugby Shirts
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=William_Pelletier_Jones]William Pelletier Jones
A good sports clothing outfit requires many different elements. Firstly you have to think about what specific sport you are playing as quality sports clothing is designed with a specific sport in mind. Designing a sports clothing item for one specific sport means that the clothing can boost your performance in that sport as all the features the clothing will possess will be engineerd with that sport in mind.
We are going to take a close look at Rugby and what makes a good rugby outfit. A good rugby outfit includes the four essentials: shirt, shorts, socks and boots however there are other things to think about with under armour, head guards, under shorts, gum shields and sweatbands being very popular in the professional game.
The shirt is the most eye catching of the outfit and of course you want a good style and design for your shirt but the main area to focus on is what materials is it made with. If you are a rugby player your shirt needs to be durable and also contain quick drying materials. Synthetic materials are usually used for rughby shirts as they grab the sweat from the body and allow it to evaporate quickly leaving the shirt light and comfy. One of the most popular rugby shirts out is the official rel=nofollow [http://www.sportsclothingstore.co.uk/product-18357-126547088_enland-rugby-home-jersey-shirt.html]England rugby shirt because of its classy design. Cheap rugby shirts are in demand but can be difficult to find, the internet is the best way to go as there are so many options.
Shorts have to fit well and wearing shorts from leading rugby brands like Canterbury, Asics, Optimum, Nike and Adidas are a good way to go as they fit well and also contain high quality materials that are tough but can also stretch which allows a player his full range of movement and means the shorts can withstand the tackles, scrums and trys.
Socks are a simpler one as there is plenty of choice in shops and on the net and as long as they fit well you can't go to far wrong.
Rugby boots are being designed to be more unique and to stand out more. When watching a professional game you will see players boots stand out more then they used to as image has become increasingly important in all sports. Once you have found a design you prefer you need to think about what pitches you will be playing on. Hard pitches require firm ground moulds or blades where as soft, boggy pitches require long studs usually each boot contains six to eight.
A terrific place to look for an ideal rugby outfit is SportsClothingStore.co.uk as they have a great range in their rugby section including rugby shirts for men and women.
Cheap rugby shirts for men and women including the England rugby shirt at http://www.sportsclothingstore.co.uk
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Rugby-Clothing-Including-Cheap-Rugby-Shirts&id=6197548] Great Rugby Clothing Including Cheap Rugby Shirts
A good sports clothing outfit requires many different elements. Firstly you have to think about what specific sport you are playing as quality sports clothing is designed with a specific sport in mind. Designing a sports clothing item for one specific sport means that the clothing can boost your performance in that sport as all the features the clothing will possess will be engineerd with that sport in mind.
We are going to take a close look at Rugby and what makes a good rugby outfit. A good rugby outfit includes the four essentials: shirt, shorts, socks and boots however there are other things to think about with under armour, head guards, under shorts, gum shields and sweatbands being very popular in the professional game.
The shirt is the most eye catching of the outfit and of course you want a good style and design for your shirt but the main area to focus on is what materials is it made with. If you are a rugby player your shirt needs to be durable and also contain quick drying materials. Synthetic materials are usually used for rughby shirts as they grab the sweat from the body and allow it to evaporate quickly leaving the shirt light and comfy. One of the most popular rugby shirts out is the official rel=nofollow [http://www.sportsclothingstore.co.uk/product-18357-126547088_enland-rugby-home-jersey-shirt.html]England rugby shirt because of its classy design. Cheap rugby shirts are in demand but can be difficult to find, the internet is the best way to go as there are so many options.
Shorts have to fit well and wearing shorts from leading rugby brands like Canterbury, Asics, Optimum, Nike and Adidas are a good way to go as they fit well and also contain high quality materials that are tough but can also stretch which allows a player his full range of movement and means the shorts can withstand the tackles, scrums and trys.
Socks are a simpler one as there is plenty of choice in shops and on the net and as long as they fit well you can't go to far wrong.
Rugby boots are being designed to be more unique and to stand out more. When watching a professional game you will see players boots stand out more then they used to as image has become increasingly important in all sports. Once you have found a design you prefer you need to think about what pitches you will be playing on. Hard pitches require firm ground moulds or blades where as soft, boggy pitches require long studs usually each boot contains six to eight.
A terrific place to look for an ideal rugby outfit is SportsClothingStore.co.uk as they have a great range in their rugby section including rugby shirts for men and women.
Cheap rugby shirts for men and women including the England rugby shirt at http://www.sportsclothingstore.co.uk
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Rugby-Clothing-Including-Cheap-Rugby-Shirts&id=6197548] Great Rugby Clothing Including Cheap Rugby Shirts
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Wales Rugby Shirts
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joe_King]Joe King
The new Wales Rugby Shirt is out in the stores which marks the start of another great season of rugby. A true global sport, Rugby is followed by people from all over the globe. Before the popularity of rugby spread around the world it was seen as a rough sport confined to Europe but it wasn't long before it spread to South Africa and other remote parts of the globe. Fans of rugby and sports in general soon began wearing the shirts and shorts of the team they supported and as the game got more popular this activity became even more common.
Rugby merchandise was soon easily available everywhere, waiting for the fans to pick them up and show their support for their favourite team. These team shirts have become popular all over the world for all sports and are worn by fans to show their support for their favourite teams in every sport possible. The shirts look and feel exactly like those worn by the team players and they give you the feel of being part of the team even when you're just sitting at home and watching them on television.
The new Wales Rugby Shirts are made in the same way as those worn by the professional players who line up for their country. The Wales Rugby Replica Short Sleeved Home Shirt 2010/11 is the newest shirt out on the stands and streets. With a red and white appearance, this rugby shirt features the Heatgear technology from Under Armour that makes sure that the body stays at the perfect temperature at all times, making sure players can perform at their best everytime they pull the shirt on. The shirt has a dragon-scale pattern across the front as well as the back of the shirt, making it look exactly like the shirt worn this season by Captain Ryan Jones and his team.
The Wales Rugby shirt comes with the Large Admiral Sponsor Logo right in the middle of the shirt as well as the Under Armour logo which is located on the right chest side. The team crest is placed to the left of the shirt. This makes it identical to the shirts that are worn by your favourite players during all their home games.
Using the traditional red colouring these rel=nofollow [http://walesrugbyshirt.org.uk]Wales Rugby shirts are totally authentic and true to the spirit of the team. You can get sizes up to X/Large and XX/Large, allowing you to choose a shirt that will fit you perfectly and make you feel comfortable. What more could you ask for in a rugby shirt? If you want to show your support for your team this season pick up the Wales Rugby Shirt today!
If you want to know more about the all new shirt head to the [http://walesrugbyshirt.org.uk]Wales Rugby Shirt website right now.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Wales-Rugby-Shirts&id=6242055] Wales Rugby Shirts
The new Wales Rugby Shirt is out in the stores which marks the start of another great season of rugby. A true global sport, Rugby is followed by people from all over the globe. Before the popularity of rugby spread around the world it was seen as a rough sport confined to Europe but it wasn't long before it spread to South Africa and other remote parts of the globe. Fans of rugby and sports in general soon began wearing the shirts and shorts of the team they supported and as the game got more popular this activity became even more common.
Rugby merchandise was soon easily available everywhere, waiting for the fans to pick them up and show their support for their favourite team. These team shirts have become popular all over the world for all sports and are worn by fans to show their support for their favourite teams in every sport possible. The shirts look and feel exactly like those worn by the team players and they give you the feel of being part of the team even when you're just sitting at home and watching them on television.
The new Wales Rugby Shirts are made in the same way as those worn by the professional players who line up for their country. The Wales Rugby Replica Short Sleeved Home Shirt 2010/11 is the newest shirt out on the stands and streets. With a red and white appearance, this rugby shirt features the Heatgear technology from Under Armour that makes sure that the body stays at the perfect temperature at all times, making sure players can perform at their best everytime they pull the shirt on. The shirt has a dragon-scale pattern across the front as well as the back of the shirt, making it look exactly like the shirt worn this season by Captain Ryan Jones and his team.
The Wales Rugby shirt comes with the Large Admiral Sponsor Logo right in the middle of the shirt as well as the Under Armour logo which is located on the right chest side. The team crest is placed to the left of the shirt. This makes it identical to the shirts that are worn by your favourite players during all their home games.
Using the traditional red colouring these rel=nofollow [http://walesrugbyshirt.org.uk]Wales Rugby shirts are totally authentic and true to the spirit of the team. You can get sizes up to X/Large and XX/Large, allowing you to choose a shirt that will fit you perfectly and make you feel comfortable. What more could you ask for in a rugby shirt? If you want to show your support for your team this season pick up the Wales Rugby Shirt today!
If you want to know more about the all new shirt head to the [http://walesrugbyshirt.org.uk]Wales Rugby Shirt website right now.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Wales-Rugby-Shirts&id=6242055] Wales Rugby Shirts
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Station Road, Swinton
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_M_Williams]Paul M Williams
I was born in Salford and worked for many years within the City but after a long absence I returned there recently for a brief visit. In reality, I visited Swinton which is a separate location within the City of Salford and is home to a small but busy shopping centre and the administrative offices of Salford council.
Famous Salford resident LS Lowry, who painted famous pictures of "match stalk men and match stalk cats and dogs" was actually a life long resident of Swinton and lived on Station Road nearby.
Swinton, and particularly Station road, are also famous for a Rugby League team who were once one of the biggest names in the game and in 1927/28 were one of only three clubs to win all four cups played for in one season. Their successful team of the 1960's won the Championship twice with stars such as Alan Buckley, John Stopford and Ken Gowers.
Station Road was the venue for numerous international matches between Great Britain and other nations in particular Australia for the Rugby League Ashes. It was once called the "Aussie graveyard" because for many years Australia were unable to win there.
In 1930 at Swinton, in the third and deciding Test with the score standing at a very unusual 0-0 and time running out, Australia's half-back Joe "Chimpy" Busch picked the scored what seemed like a match winning and Ashes winning try. Busch and his team were jubilant but the referee consulted the touch judge and over-turned his original decision.
In 1948, the Second Test match was played at Station Road and before the game, the Australian players paid homage in the corner where "Chimpy" Busch had been denied but they lost the match 17-6 and The Ashes with it. Station Road, once again proved to be the graveyard of the Aussies.
In 1950, Australia won the Ashes for the first time since 1920 when they won a series 2-1 on home soil but Great Britain regained them in 1952 at Station Road.
rel=nofollow [http://youtu.be/_MBiIHxJ7IU]CLICK HERE to see some footage
In 1963, the Australians finally won at Station Road and became the first Australian team to win an Ashes series way from home. The result was a 50-12 massacre which was a record score at the time. Station Road was no longer an "Aussie graveyard".
In 1992, the famous Swinton club had fallen upon hard times and the then directors decided to sell the ground to a housing company to clear debts. No consultation process was carried out with the supporters, the local council or the Rugby League authorities. It was an act of treachery and betrayal.
The Rugby League team are still called Swinton but have since played their matches at various locations including Bury FC and Sedgeley Park RU and have struggled ever since. They are currently enjoying their best season for many years and stand top of Championship 2. They play their games at The Willows which is the home of fierce rivals Salford but at least it is close to their traditional home. There is talk of them moving to a new purpose built stadium nearby. Let's hope so
Station Road is a now a nondescript housing estate and when I visited I saw no mention made of it's significance in Rugby League history. There was no signpost, no commemorative plaque or even roads named after famous Swinton, Great Britain or Australian players. It really is a great shame. [http://rugbyleaguethoughts.blogspot.com]CLICK HERE for more information about International Rugby League.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Station-Road,-Swinton&id=6249875] Station Road, Swinton
I was born in Salford and worked for many years within the City but after a long absence I returned there recently for a brief visit. In reality, I visited Swinton which is a separate location within the City of Salford and is home to a small but busy shopping centre and the administrative offices of Salford council.
Famous Salford resident LS Lowry, who painted famous pictures of "match stalk men and match stalk cats and dogs" was actually a life long resident of Swinton and lived on Station Road nearby.
Swinton, and particularly Station road, are also famous for a Rugby League team who were once one of the biggest names in the game and in 1927/28 were one of only three clubs to win all four cups played for in one season. Their successful team of the 1960's won the Championship twice with stars such as Alan Buckley, John Stopford and Ken Gowers.
Station Road was the venue for numerous international matches between Great Britain and other nations in particular Australia for the Rugby League Ashes. It was once called the "Aussie graveyard" because for many years Australia were unable to win there.
In 1930 at Swinton, in the third and deciding Test with the score standing at a very unusual 0-0 and time running out, Australia's half-back Joe "Chimpy" Busch picked the scored what seemed like a match winning and Ashes winning try. Busch and his team were jubilant but the referee consulted the touch judge and over-turned his original decision.
In 1948, the Second Test match was played at Station Road and before the game, the Australian players paid homage in the corner where "Chimpy" Busch had been denied but they lost the match 17-6 and The Ashes with it. Station Road, once again proved to be the graveyard of the Aussies.
In 1950, Australia won the Ashes for the first time since 1920 when they won a series 2-1 on home soil but Great Britain regained them in 1952 at Station Road.
rel=nofollow [http://youtu.be/_MBiIHxJ7IU]CLICK HERE to see some footage
In 1963, the Australians finally won at Station Road and became the first Australian team to win an Ashes series way from home. The result was a 50-12 massacre which was a record score at the time. Station Road was no longer an "Aussie graveyard".
In 1992, the famous Swinton club had fallen upon hard times and the then directors decided to sell the ground to a housing company to clear debts. No consultation process was carried out with the supporters, the local council or the Rugby League authorities. It was an act of treachery and betrayal.
The Rugby League team are still called Swinton but have since played their matches at various locations including Bury FC and Sedgeley Park RU and have struggled ever since. They are currently enjoying their best season for many years and stand top of Championship 2. They play their games at The Willows which is the home of fierce rivals Salford but at least it is close to their traditional home. There is talk of them moving to a new purpose built stadium nearby. Let's hope so
Station Road is a now a nondescript housing estate and when I visited I saw no mention made of it's significance in Rugby League history. There was no signpost, no commemorative plaque or even roads named after famous Swinton, Great Britain or Australian players. It really is a great shame. [http://rugbyleaguethoughts.blogspot.com]CLICK HERE for more information about International Rugby League.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Station-Road,-Swinton&id=6249875] Station Road, Swinton
Friday, February 3, 2012
Rugby League: A General Overview
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Fernandez]Kevin Fernandez
Rugby league is very popular especially in Australia, England and New Zealand. It is played in other nations as well. The sport was created in the nineteenth century-officially came into vogue on August, 1985. Rugby basically developed from football but moved away from it, with different sets of rules. News about the sport was flashing in the news channels a few years back due to the Rugby league betting scandal. It gained media attention for quite some time especially after some men were found guilty in some betting scandals a few months ago.
The rules of Rugby
Rugby differs from football mainly due to the ways in which the ball is used in both the games. Football is played with a round ball that has to be kicked while Rugby uses an oval shaped ball that can be carried as well as kicked Two points are given for a goal in Rugby and the players have the scope of converting a goal if they score a try. A game is eighty minutes long and each team has six downs or tackles for aiming a try.
The tournaments
The Rugby League World Cup is the most awaited tournament of the sport. But the Four Nations Cup also attracts a large number of sport-lovers. The betting fever rises during the season of the Four Nations. Another big occasion for the Rugby is the Challenge Cup. It is difficult to choose the best among the four teams in the Rugby league and many a time it has happened that the Challenge cup has gone to none of the teams. In the final match, the man of the match is usually chosen by the league reporters and the prestigious Lance Todd Trophy is handed over to the show stealer. The Super league is another big game. It is basically a European Tournament, but the majority of the teams are from United Kingdom.
Betting
Rugby betting is much easier than betting on football games as a tie is very rare in case of Rugby. The bookies mostly set the handicaps reflecting the difference in points in Rugby betting. Online betting is also becoming increasingly popular especially after the Tri Nations and the Championship of Six Nations in Europe. Online betting was never popular before. With the increase of the popularity of the game, the Rugby league betting is also enhancing.
Rugby is a dangerous game that makes it exciting to watch. It has a huge fan base including the ones who enjoy Rugby league.
Visit us for more information on [http://www.rugbyleaguebetting.net/]rugby league betting and [http://www.rugbyleaguebetting.net/rugby-league-news/]rugby league news.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-League:-A-General-Overview&id=6271300] Rugby League: A General Overview
Rugby league is very popular especially in Australia, England and New Zealand. It is played in other nations as well. The sport was created in the nineteenth century-officially came into vogue on August, 1985. Rugby basically developed from football but moved away from it, with different sets of rules. News about the sport was flashing in the news channels a few years back due to the Rugby league betting scandal. It gained media attention for quite some time especially after some men were found guilty in some betting scandals a few months ago.
The rules of Rugby
Rugby differs from football mainly due to the ways in which the ball is used in both the games. Football is played with a round ball that has to be kicked while Rugby uses an oval shaped ball that can be carried as well as kicked Two points are given for a goal in Rugby and the players have the scope of converting a goal if they score a try. A game is eighty minutes long and each team has six downs or tackles for aiming a try.
The tournaments
The Rugby League World Cup is the most awaited tournament of the sport. But the Four Nations Cup also attracts a large number of sport-lovers. The betting fever rises during the season of the Four Nations. Another big occasion for the Rugby is the Challenge Cup. It is difficult to choose the best among the four teams in the Rugby league and many a time it has happened that the Challenge cup has gone to none of the teams. In the final match, the man of the match is usually chosen by the league reporters and the prestigious Lance Todd Trophy is handed over to the show stealer. The Super league is another big game. It is basically a European Tournament, but the majority of the teams are from United Kingdom.
Betting
Rugby betting is much easier than betting on football games as a tie is very rare in case of Rugby. The bookies mostly set the handicaps reflecting the difference in points in Rugby betting. Online betting is also becoming increasingly popular especially after the Tri Nations and the Championship of Six Nations in Europe. Online betting was never popular before. With the increase of the popularity of the game, the Rugby league betting is also enhancing.
Rugby is a dangerous game that makes it exciting to watch. It has a huge fan base including the ones who enjoy Rugby league.
Visit us for more information on [http://www.rugbyleaguebetting.net/]rugby league betting and [http://www.rugbyleaguebetting.net/rugby-league-news/]rugby league news.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-League:-A-General-Overview&id=6271300] Rugby League: A General Overview
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Rugby School Tours: New Zealand is the Only Option in 2011
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Saunders]Ryan Saunders
With the rugby season in the southern hemisphere well under way, rugby clubs throughout New Zealand and Australia are battling for supremacy in their specific grades. Many school and interschool competitions are giving birth to a new breed of future All Blacks and Wallabies, displaying a level of skill that is only seen in the worlds best up and coming players. With many schools, universities and junior rugby clubs expanding their seasons and training regimes, the end of year tours and school rugby tours are becoming a popular medium for ongoing training, experience and team building.
With the Rugby World Cup being hosted in New Zealand in 2011, all international attention is being focussed on New Zealand. This is being correlated with an increased demand from schools and universities within Australia and the wider South Pacific region to use New Zealand as a base for their school rugby tours. With school rugby teams having the ability to play and train on the same grounds that their countries team will be competing on for Rugby World Cup glory in 2011, there is no other country that can offer such an experience. Combined with the high level of rugby being played at all grades and age groups in New Zealand, organising a rugby school tour in New Zealand provides rugby teams to play against some of the best in the world. This enables teams from Australia to not only hone their skills and playing ability, but to battle in the long standing grudge history of competition that stands between New Zealand and Australia. There is no doubt that we invented the Pavlova, but it is up to your school or university rugby team to prove that wrong on your rugby school tour of New Zealand.
Building individual skill levels, team cohesion and developing game plans and strategies is the ultimate goal for all school rugby tours. Leading tour companies in New Zealand that specialise in sports and rugby tours have access to some of the best training facilities and coaches available. One such facility is based at Massey University, in Palmerston North; termed the International Rugby Academy. Close relationships foster between leading New Zealand educational and sports tours companies provides access to the same facilities as utilised by the All Blacks and Super 15 teams for their training, recovery and strategy needs. There are numerous specialist facilities accessible here including the indoor training room which has nylon-stranded Field Turf has recycled rubber chip and sand 'combed' through it to absorb the impact of a fall while giving the 'feel' of real grass underfoot. Unlike other synthetic surfaces there are no 'burns' associated with this installation. The scrum room features a hydraulic scrum machine which provides an undercover alternative to scrum training, which can 'push' against the team using it and has adjustable levels to suit. It can 'wheel' left and right as well as move 'up and down' to simulate real scrummaging actions. This is only the beginning!
Furthermore, leading rugby and sports school tour companies have close relationships with current and ex-All Blacks. Upon request, their presence can be arranged for a simple meet and greet, formal evening or a specific training session. For your next rugby school tour, don't leave anything to chance: choose a leading New Zealand sports and rugby tour company that can ensure an end of season tour or training tour produces tangible benefits for your rugby team.
Haka School Tours is an award winning educational tour company based in New Zealand. Specialising in school group travel, school sports tours as well as educational and cultural trips, Haka School Tours guarantees the best in experiential learning, adventure and sporting experiences available to schools throughout the world. To find out more, [http://www.newzealandschooltours.com]www.newzealandschooltours.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-School-Tours:-New-Zealand-is-the-Only-Option-in-2011&id=6279097] Rugby School Tours: New Zealand is the Only Option in 2011
With the rugby season in the southern hemisphere well under way, rugby clubs throughout New Zealand and Australia are battling for supremacy in their specific grades. Many school and interschool competitions are giving birth to a new breed of future All Blacks and Wallabies, displaying a level of skill that is only seen in the worlds best up and coming players. With many schools, universities and junior rugby clubs expanding their seasons and training regimes, the end of year tours and school rugby tours are becoming a popular medium for ongoing training, experience and team building.
With the Rugby World Cup being hosted in New Zealand in 2011, all international attention is being focussed on New Zealand. This is being correlated with an increased demand from schools and universities within Australia and the wider South Pacific region to use New Zealand as a base for their school rugby tours. With school rugby teams having the ability to play and train on the same grounds that their countries team will be competing on for Rugby World Cup glory in 2011, there is no other country that can offer such an experience. Combined with the high level of rugby being played at all grades and age groups in New Zealand, organising a rugby school tour in New Zealand provides rugby teams to play against some of the best in the world. This enables teams from Australia to not only hone their skills and playing ability, but to battle in the long standing grudge history of competition that stands between New Zealand and Australia. There is no doubt that we invented the Pavlova, but it is up to your school or university rugby team to prove that wrong on your rugby school tour of New Zealand.
Building individual skill levels, team cohesion and developing game plans and strategies is the ultimate goal for all school rugby tours. Leading tour companies in New Zealand that specialise in sports and rugby tours have access to some of the best training facilities and coaches available. One such facility is based at Massey University, in Palmerston North; termed the International Rugby Academy. Close relationships foster between leading New Zealand educational and sports tours companies provides access to the same facilities as utilised by the All Blacks and Super 15 teams for their training, recovery and strategy needs. There are numerous specialist facilities accessible here including the indoor training room which has nylon-stranded Field Turf has recycled rubber chip and sand 'combed' through it to absorb the impact of a fall while giving the 'feel' of real grass underfoot. Unlike other synthetic surfaces there are no 'burns' associated with this installation. The scrum room features a hydraulic scrum machine which provides an undercover alternative to scrum training, which can 'push' against the team using it and has adjustable levels to suit. It can 'wheel' left and right as well as move 'up and down' to simulate real scrummaging actions. This is only the beginning!
Furthermore, leading rugby and sports school tour companies have close relationships with current and ex-All Blacks. Upon request, their presence can be arranged for a simple meet and greet, formal evening or a specific training session. For your next rugby school tour, don't leave anything to chance: choose a leading New Zealand sports and rugby tour company that can ensure an end of season tour or training tour produces tangible benefits for your rugby team.
Haka School Tours is an award winning educational tour company based in New Zealand. Specialising in school group travel, school sports tours as well as educational and cultural trips, Haka School Tours guarantees the best in experiential learning, adventure and sporting experiences available to schools throughout the world. To find out more, [http://www.newzealandschooltours.com]www.newzealandschooltours.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-School-Tours:-New-Zealand-is-the-Only-Option-in-2011&id=6279097] Rugby School Tours: New Zealand is the Only Option in 2011
Monday, January 30, 2012
Rugby World Cup Teams - Pool C
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Hesketh]Paul Hesketh
The Rugby World Cup 2011 starts on the 9 September until the 23 October 2011. The following article is an outline of the teams that will be featuring from pool C.
Australia - The Wallabies
Australia are currently ranked second in the IRB World Rankings, they are commonly known as the Wallabies, without question they are a team steeped in history and success. Australia have competed in all six Rugby World Cups, having appeared in the final three times, winning the World Cup on two occasions, in 1991 against England, and in 1999 against France; only South Africa have won the World Cup twice since the inaugural tournament. At the 2007 World Cup Australia crashed out of the competition at the quarter-final stage, this significant early round exit has led many to describe it as Australia's worst ever World Cup performance. The years since have seen the team rebuild with youth at its core; when the 2011 World Cup begins Australia will be ready with a squad that is youthful and experienced. Australia too many will be potential winners, being a southern hemisphere team the conditions are favourable, the squad strong and crowd support will be plenty, all factors that the wallabies will feed off. Star player: Matthew Giteau, Head Coach: Robbie Deans
Italy- Azzurri
Italy has competed at every Rugby World Cup except one since the tournament was first held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987; the furthest progress to date is only to the quarter finals. In an heartland of football fandom, rugby very much holds its own in this sports mad nation; strong recent performances in the six nations including Italy's first competitive win against France have given the Azzurri hope of a very good tournament. In the 2011 six nations winger Andrea Masi was named player of the tournament, the first time an Italian has won such an award. Italy's hope of getting out of the group stages relay heavily on getting a result against Ireland or Australia, both on paper stronger teams who should qualify ahead of them. That said the Italian side is going in the right direction, the win against France could ultimately prove a watershed moment for the Azzurri and there supporters. Star Player: Andrea Masi,Head Coach: Nick Mallett
Russia - The Bears
Russia will compete in their first Rugby World Cup in New Zealand 2011, a long wait for a team that has played the sport since 1936 predominantly under the USSR flag. Since March 2010, however, Russia's form has improved greatly, being placed 18th in the world rankings, above Romania and coming behind the USA. Group C is a very tough group for Russia to progress from, realistically Russia will be aiming to beat the United States and not pick up the group wooden spoon. Like all under dogs the Bears will be an unknown quantity that other teams will do well to not underestimate, something they will hope to exploit come kick off. Star Player: Andrei Ostriko, Head Coach: Nikolay Nerush
United States - The Eagles
The United States has competed at every Rugby World Cup except one since the tournament was first held; this record is only marked with two World cup victories so far. The United States has a fantastic history of rugby heritage in a land of great sporting diversity but with little international success to date. While the United States like Russia is a super power, the United States rugby team is not, group C will prove exceptionally tough for the Eagles to progress from. However the United States does now boast players from some of the top leagues in the world, a sign of progression and growing belief that the Eagles have what it takes to move up a level and start to compete against some of the more established teams. Star player Chris Wyles, Head coach Eddie O'Sullivan
Ireland - Men in Green
Ireland have competed at every Rugby World Cup since the tournament was first held, only progressing to the quarter-final stages to date. The 2007 World Cup was one to forget for the Irish, a tough group of death meant Ireland didn't progress out of this stage, the first time this had happened to the team. Ireland has since won the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam, having achieved this feat for the first time since 1948; it's a massive boost for this rugby mad nation and gives hope of a great World Cup ahead. In current captain Brian O'Driscoll, Ireland's all-time leader in both tries and appearances, the men in green boast a player considered one of the best in the world. If the players in the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/ireland-rugby-shirt-long-sleeve-classic/invt/ae90004/]Ireland Rugby shirt click and O'Driscoll stays fit, the Irish should comfortably make it out of the group stage; a favorable quarter-final draw may even see them make the semi finals for the first time in their history. Star player Brian O'Driscoll, Head coach Declan Kidney.
The first match of pool C is on the 11 September 2011 15:30
Australia v Italy- North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-Teams---Pool-C&id=6280099] Rugby World Cup Teams - Pool C
The Rugby World Cup 2011 starts on the 9 September until the 23 October 2011. The following article is an outline of the teams that will be featuring from pool C.
Australia - The Wallabies
Australia are currently ranked second in the IRB World Rankings, they are commonly known as the Wallabies, without question they are a team steeped in history and success. Australia have competed in all six Rugby World Cups, having appeared in the final three times, winning the World Cup on two occasions, in 1991 against England, and in 1999 against France; only South Africa have won the World Cup twice since the inaugural tournament. At the 2007 World Cup Australia crashed out of the competition at the quarter-final stage, this significant early round exit has led many to describe it as Australia's worst ever World Cup performance. The years since have seen the team rebuild with youth at its core; when the 2011 World Cup begins Australia will be ready with a squad that is youthful and experienced. Australia too many will be potential winners, being a southern hemisphere team the conditions are favourable, the squad strong and crowd support will be plenty, all factors that the wallabies will feed off. Star player: Matthew Giteau, Head Coach: Robbie Deans
Italy- Azzurri
Italy has competed at every Rugby World Cup except one since the tournament was first held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987; the furthest progress to date is only to the quarter finals. In an heartland of football fandom, rugby very much holds its own in this sports mad nation; strong recent performances in the six nations including Italy's first competitive win against France have given the Azzurri hope of a very good tournament. In the 2011 six nations winger Andrea Masi was named player of the tournament, the first time an Italian has won such an award. Italy's hope of getting out of the group stages relay heavily on getting a result against Ireland or Australia, both on paper stronger teams who should qualify ahead of them. That said the Italian side is going in the right direction, the win against France could ultimately prove a watershed moment for the Azzurri and there supporters. Star Player: Andrea Masi,Head Coach: Nick Mallett
Russia - The Bears
Russia will compete in their first Rugby World Cup in New Zealand 2011, a long wait for a team that has played the sport since 1936 predominantly under the USSR flag. Since March 2010, however, Russia's form has improved greatly, being placed 18th in the world rankings, above Romania and coming behind the USA. Group C is a very tough group for Russia to progress from, realistically Russia will be aiming to beat the United States and not pick up the group wooden spoon. Like all under dogs the Bears will be an unknown quantity that other teams will do well to not underestimate, something they will hope to exploit come kick off. Star Player: Andrei Ostriko, Head Coach: Nikolay Nerush
United States - The Eagles
The United States has competed at every Rugby World Cup except one since the tournament was first held; this record is only marked with two World cup victories so far. The United States has a fantastic history of rugby heritage in a land of great sporting diversity but with little international success to date. While the United States like Russia is a super power, the United States rugby team is not, group C will prove exceptionally tough for the Eagles to progress from. However the United States does now boast players from some of the top leagues in the world, a sign of progression and growing belief that the Eagles have what it takes to move up a level and start to compete against some of the more established teams. Star player Chris Wyles, Head coach Eddie O'Sullivan
Ireland - Men in Green
Ireland have competed at every Rugby World Cup since the tournament was first held, only progressing to the quarter-final stages to date. The 2007 World Cup was one to forget for the Irish, a tough group of death meant Ireland didn't progress out of this stage, the first time this had happened to the team. Ireland has since won the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam, having achieved this feat for the first time since 1948; it's a massive boost for this rugby mad nation and gives hope of a great World Cup ahead. In current captain Brian O'Driscoll, Ireland's all-time leader in both tries and appearances, the men in green boast a player considered one of the best in the world. If the players in the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/ireland-rugby-shirt-long-sleeve-classic/invt/ae90004/]Ireland Rugby shirt click and O'Driscoll stays fit, the Irish should comfortably make it out of the group stage; a favorable quarter-final draw may even see them make the semi finals for the first time in their history. Star player Brian O'Driscoll, Head coach Declan Kidney.
The first match of pool C is on the 11 September 2011 15:30
Australia v Italy- North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/page/rugby-shop]Rugby Shirts.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-Teams---Pool-C&id=6280099] Rugby World Cup Teams - Pool C
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Rugby World Cup Teams - Pool D
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Hesketh]Paul Hesketh
The Rugby World Cup 2011 starts on the 9 September until the 23 October 2011. The following article is an outline of the teams that will be featuring from pool D.
South Africa- Springboks
The South African rugby team is the current holder of the Rugby World Cup, beating England 15 -6 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record equaling second time in 2007. Since the last World Cup the Springboks results range from all time highs to some indifferent results, they are however still one of the best teams on the planet. The South African team is renowned for scrummaging aggressively with a high level of technical excellence, a ball-in-hand style that often works very well against opponents. Expect a traditional high-pressure, attritional game plan at the 2011 World Cup; this approach is likely to see the Springboks get to the later stages of the competition and if like 2007 could see a successful defense of the Web Ellis. The Springboks possess quality in-depth and are renowned for being extremely difficult to break down over 80 minutes, they have also been drawn in a favorable group consisting of teams that shouldn't prove too much of a problem; complacency will be South Africa's biggest problem but once out of the group stage expect a charge towards the final in Auckland. Star Player: Bryan Habana, Head coach: Peter de Villiers
Fiji - The Palms
Fiji is one of the few countries where rugby union is the national sport, as a team they are very strong and definitely the strongest from the Oceania region. The 2007 World Cup was a great success for the Fijians who got knocked out at the quarter-final stage by future winners South Africa, prior to this they overcame Wales in the second round 38-31; this put Fiji in the top 8 teams in world rugby, no small feat for this pacific island. The Fijian style is very off the cuff and proves to be highly entertaining, their ball handling is generally excellent and is more akin to basketball at times. The Fijian free-flowing style does however expose a defensive fragility that the better teams capitalise on but on their day the Palms are a handful for any team. Group D throws up the mouth-watering repeat of the 2007 game against Wales, described by some as one of the best matches ever. The winner of this match will very likely progress to the next round behind South Africa but the game against neighbours Samoa will be tough and definitely one to watch. Star Player: Sisaro Koyamaibole, Head Coach: Sam Domoni
Samoa- Manu Samoa
Rugby was introduced to Samoa in the early 1920s; the first international was played as Western Samoa against Fiji in August 1924. Samoa did not compete at the first World Cup but have qualified for every tournament since. Samoa in the early years of the World Cup were an unknown, this worked exceptional well for the team and help them to progress to the quarter-final stages in the first three tournaments that they participated in; since these early highs Samoa have failed to get out of the group stages. There are strong links between Samoa and New Zealand even sharing a pre match challenge similar to the Haka called the Siva Tau. Many players switch nationalities between the two nations, often Samoan player's trying to realise a dream of playing for the All Blacks. Manu Samoa is a naturally strong, physical side, who will go toe to toe with any opponent. Group D represents a great opportunity for the side to get out of the group, the games against Wales and Fiji are vital to this - expect a great encounter when these teams meet each other. Star Player: Alesana Tuilagi, Head Coach: Fuimaono Tafua
Namibia- Welwitschias
Namibia has been playing international rugby since the early 1900s; they are the second best team from Africa and the most likely first team candidate to join the second tier of world rugby. Namibia have competed at every World Cup since 1999 but are yet to win a match, with a small player base, and lacking frequent or strong competition, the team has deteriorated in recent years. The Likelihood for Namibia in the 2011 World Cup is that they will again struggle. A potential result if possible will come against Samoa or Fiji but on paper the group D wooden spoon beckons for the Welwitschias. There have been a few excellent internationals out of Namibia; however these players often opt to play for South Africa, a country with strong ties to Namibia as past rulers. The shining hope for Namibia was surprisingly winning the IRB Nations Cup in 2010, proving their progress at international level is on the rise. Star Player: Jacques Burger, Head Coach: Johan Diergaardt
Wales- Dragons
Wales have contested at every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987; the first one is still the best one. At the 1987 World Cup Wales finished third in the tournament, beating Australia 22-21 in a classic match, since this high the Welsh have seesawed between the quarter-finals and not progressing out of the group stages at all. To put on the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/wales-rugby-shirt-long-sleeve-classic/invt/ae90002/]Wales rugby shirt is every Welshman's dream; engrained in the very fabric of the people of the valleys. Wales will look at group D with optimism, on their day Wales play a fluid, entertaining and often spectacular blend of rugby that creates fans around the world. South Africa will be very tough for Wales, having played each other 25 times and only winning once against the Springboks, the odds are firmly stacked against them. Samoa, Fiji and Namibia should prove more of a contest; maximum points from these three games will see the Welshman into the next round, expect a spectacular game when the opponents are the Palms of Fiji. Since the last World Cup Wales secured a grand slam victory in the Six nations back in 2008 but the years since have seen a decline in performances and results, it will interesting to see what Welsh side shows up in New Zealand 2011. Star Player: Stephen Jones, Head Coach: Warren Gatland
The first match of pool D is on the 10th September 2011 15:30
Fiji v Namibia - Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/page/rugby-shop]Rugby Shirts.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-Teams---Pool-D&id=6299143] Rugby World Cup Teams - Pool D
The Rugby World Cup 2011 starts on the 9 September until the 23 October 2011. The following article is an outline of the teams that will be featuring from pool D.
South Africa- Springboks
The South African rugby team is the current holder of the Rugby World Cup, beating England 15 -6 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record equaling second time in 2007. Since the last World Cup the Springboks results range from all time highs to some indifferent results, they are however still one of the best teams on the planet. The South African team is renowned for scrummaging aggressively with a high level of technical excellence, a ball-in-hand style that often works very well against opponents. Expect a traditional high-pressure, attritional game plan at the 2011 World Cup; this approach is likely to see the Springboks get to the later stages of the competition and if like 2007 could see a successful defense of the Web Ellis. The Springboks possess quality in-depth and are renowned for being extremely difficult to break down over 80 minutes, they have also been drawn in a favorable group consisting of teams that shouldn't prove too much of a problem; complacency will be South Africa's biggest problem but once out of the group stage expect a charge towards the final in Auckland. Star Player: Bryan Habana, Head coach: Peter de Villiers
Fiji - The Palms
Fiji is one of the few countries where rugby union is the national sport, as a team they are very strong and definitely the strongest from the Oceania region. The 2007 World Cup was a great success for the Fijians who got knocked out at the quarter-final stage by future winners South Africa, prior to this they overcame Wales in the second round 38-31; this put Fiji in the top 8 teams in world rugby, no small feat for this pacific island. The Fijian style is very off the cuff and proves to be highly entertaining, their ball handling is generally excellent and is more akin to basketball at times. The Fijian free-flowing style does however expose a defensive fragility that the better teams capitalise on but on their day the Palms are a handful for any team. Group D throws up the mouth-watering repeat of the 2007 game against Wales, described by some as one of the best matches ever. The winner of this match will very likely progress to the next round behind South Africa but the game against neighbours Samoa will be tough and definitely one to watch. Star Player: Sisaro Koyamaibole, Head Coach: Sam Domoni
Samoa- Manu Samoa
Rugby was introduced to Samoa in the early 1920s; the first international was played as Western Samoa against Fiji in August 1924. Samoa did not compete at the first World Cup but have qualified for every tournament since. Samoa in the early years of the World Cup were an unknown, this worked exceptional well for the team and help them to progress to the quarter-final stages in the first three tournaments that they participated in; since these early highs Samoa have failed to get out of the group stages. There are strong links between Samoa and New Zealand even sharing a pre match challenge similar to the Haka called the Siva Tau. Many players switch nationalities between the two nations, often Samoan player's trying to realise a dream of playing for the All Blacks. Manu Samoa is a naturally strong, physical side, who will go toe to toe with any opponent. Group D represents a great opportunity for the side to get out of the group, the games against Wales and Fiji are vital to this - expect a great encounter when these teams meet each other. Star Player: Alesana Tuilagi, Head Coach: Fuimaono Tafua
Namibia- Welwitschias
Namibia has been playing international rugby since the early 1900s; they are the second best team from Africa and the most likely first team candidate to join the second tier of world rugby. Namibia have competed at every World Cup since 1999 but are yet to win a match, with a small player base, and lacking frequent or strong competition, the team has deteriorated in recent years. The Likelihood for Namibia in the 2011 World Cup is that they will again struggle. A potential result if possible will come against Samoa or Fiji but on paper the group D wooden spoon beckons for the Welwitschias. There have been a few excellent internationals out of Namibia; however these players often opt to play for South Africa, a country with strong ties to Namibia as past rulers. The shining hope for Namibia was surprisingly winning the IRB Nations Cup in 2010, proving their progress at international level is on the rise. Star Player: Jacques Burger, Head Coach: Johan Diergaardt
Wales- Dragons
Wales have contested at every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987; the first one is still the best one. At the 1987 World Cup Wales finished third in the tournament, beating Australia 22-21 in a classic match, since this high the Welsh have seesawed between the quarter-finals and not progressing out of the group stages at all. To put on the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/wales-rugby-shirt-long-sleeve-classic/invt/ae90002/]Wales rugby shirt is every Welshman's dream; engrained in the very fabric of the people of the valleys. Wales will look at group D with optimism, on their day Wales play a fluid, entertaining and often spectacular blend of rugby that creates fans around the world. South Africa will be very tough for Wales, having played each other 25 times and only winning once against the Springboks, the odds are firmly stacked against them. Samoa, Fiji and Namibia should prove more of a contest; maximum points from these three games will see the Welshman into the next round, expect a spectacular game when the opponents are the Palms of Fiji. Since the last World Cup Wales secured a grand slam victory in the Six nations back in 2008 but the years since have seen a decline in performances and results, it will interesting to see what Welsh side shows up in New Zealand 2011. Star Player: Stephen Jones, Head Coach: Warren Gatland
The first match of pool D is on the 10th September 2011 15:30
Fiji v Namibia - Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/page/rugby-shop]Rugby Shirts.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-Teams---Pool-D&id=6299143] Rugby World Cup Teams - Pool D
Thursday, January 26, 2012
2010/2011 Premiership Rugby Final - Leicester Tigers Vs Saracens
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Hesketh]Paul Hesketh
The Leicester tigers going into this match had back to back titles, and the incredible fact that this was their seventh straight final appearance, but the Tigers simply didn't have an answer to the more disciplined, more resolute even more dogged performance Saracens produced. At the end the air around Twickenham buzzed with talk of who was the outstanding performer, in fairness every player in black stood up, the likes of Schalk Brits, Richard Wiggleworth and Jacques Burger all excelled. The word on most lips was about the ice-cold performance of young Owen Farrell. The nineteen year who went head to head with Toby Flood, England's number one choice fly half and came out the victor, converting five excellent penalties, steadying his teammate's nerves and pushing the Saracens over the line. It was somewhat fitting that after the mammoth number of phases Saracens endured at the end it was Owen Farrell who hoofed the ball into touch to win the game. Owen Farrell's father Andrew a legendary rugby league player for the Wigan Warriors was full of praise for his young son describing his performance as so good it would have been a travesty if he was on the losing side.
After a 30 phase final siege on their own line Saracens finally got its significant mark in the clubs 135 year old history, a first Premiership final victory against the Leicester Tigers the revered kings of rugby in recent years. The general punter and rugby purist will say this game lacked the flair and slickness of last year's repeat final but for edge of your seat excitement and anxiety this game will take some rivaling. Maybe Saracen's had a point to prove after last year's cruel last gasp defeat to Leicester, maybe this was the added determination shown in the ferocious tackling of the final minutes, whatever it was it proved enough to seize the title from Leicester.
After trading penalties for most of the match the defining moment came in the twenty-ninth minute when a quick line out ball allowed Saracens the freedom to attack. The roaming Schalke Brits cut free and delivered a scoring pass to James Short, a neat cut inside was all it needed to get round Agulla; Saracens had broken the Leicester line for the only try of the match. rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/rugby-store/leicester-tigers/icat/leicester-tigers/]Leicester Tigers Toby Flood had his chance to gain the advantage but missed two crucial conversions that would on won the game; stirring in its defiance this was Saracens day. The future looks very bright for rugby in Watford, the talent now coming out of the Saracens can only give supporters belief this is the start of a very special time at Vicarage Road. The style of rugby some may say is conservative but on this performance it was nothing other than pure entertainment. Saracens with their first ever English title are only the fifth club to win the Premiership since its existence back in 1997, joining the likes of Newcastle Falcons, London Wasps, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?2010/2011-Premiership-Rugby-Final---Leicester-Tigers-Vs-Saracens&id=6329801] 2010/2011 Premiership Rugby Final - Leicester Tigers Vs Saracens
The Leicester tigers going into this match had back to back titles, and the incredible fact that this was their seventh straight final appearance, but the Tigers simply didn't have an answer to the more disciplined, more resolute even more dogged performance Saracens produced. At the end the air around Twickenham buzzed with talk of who was the outstanding performer, in fairness every player in black stood up, the likes of Schalk Brits, Richard Wiggleworth and Jacques Burger all excelled. The word on most lips was about the ice-cold performance of young Owen Farrell. The nineteen year who went head to head with Toby Flood, England's number one choice fly half and came out the victor, converting five excellent penalties, steadying his teammate's nerves and pushing the Saracens over the line. It was somewhat fitting that after the mammoth number of phases Saracens endured at the end it was Owen Farrell who hoofed the ball into touch to win the game. Owen Farrell's father Andrew a legendary rugby league player for the Wigan Warriors was full of praise for his young son describing his performance as so good it would have been a travesty if he was on the losing side.
After a 30 phase final siege on their own line Saracens finally got its significant mark in the clubs 135 year old history, a first Premiership final victory against the Leicester Tigers the revered kings of rugby in recent years. The general punter and rugby purist will say this game lacked the flair and slickness of last year's repeat final but for edge of your seat excitement and anxiety this game will take some rivaling. Maybe Saracen's had a point to prove after last year's cruel last gasp defeat to Leicester, maybe this was the added determination shown in the ferocious tackling of the final minutes, whatever it was it proved enough to seize the title from Leicester.
After trading penalties for most of the match the defining moment came in the twenty-ninth minute when a quick line out ball allowed Saracens the freedom to attack. The roaming Schalke Brits cut free and delivered a scoring pass to James Short, a neat cut inside was all it needed to get round Agulla; Saracens had broken the Leicester line for the only try of the match. rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/rugby-store/leicester-tigers/icat/leicester-tigers/]Leicester Tigers Toby Flood had his chance to gain the advantage but missed two crucial conversions that would on won the game; stirring in its defiance this was Saracens day. The future looks very bright for rugby in Watford, the talent now coming out of the Saracens can only give supporters belief this is the start of a very special time at Vicarage Road. The style of rugby some may say is conservative but on this performance it was nothing other than pure entertainment. Saracens with their first ever English title are only the fifth club to win the Premiership since its existence back in 1997, joining the likes of Newcastle Falcons, London Wasps, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks.
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of clothing from our [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/page/rugby-shop]rugby shop
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?2010/2011-Premiership-Rugby-Final---Leicester-Tigers-Vs-Saracens&id=6329801] 2010/2011 Premiership Rugby Final - Leicester Tigers Vs Saracens
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Get Adequate Information About Rugby World Cup 2011
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ali_Raza]Ali Raza
Throughout the world, the rugby world cup is ranked as the 3rd largest event. It is due to this fact that it is known to attract a large following and the 2011 rugby world cup is not any different. It is expected to attract more than sixty thousand international visitors and it will be covered by more than two thousand international media houses. For this reason, it is also expected to attract a large TV audience amounting to more than 4 billion people. The world cup is expected to deliver over $ 267 million to the region through direct economical benefits. There are a couple of highlights that make the event more appealing to fans and they include the following.
� Betting
It is due to all these facts it is important to know more about the game and what it has to offer. As people talk endlessly about the game, you should find a way of capitalizing on it in order to make money. There are several online sites designed to make this possible and this is through the following betting. Thanks to such sites, you can place your bet for the 2011 game and enjoy some cash benefits. There are several online sites that give fans the opportunity to bet on their favorite teams. While this is the case, it is advisable to find a reputable site before doing this. In this regard, you should also be on the lookout for free bets.
� Fixtures
The fixtures are comprised of 6 crazy weeks which begin on 9th September 2011 and they end on 23rd October 2011. In order to understand the fixtures it is advisable to find a website that offers the same. This especially comes in handy for people interested in betting. They will receive a clear outline of the games as they are expected to be played as well as the different pools participating in the game. The best thing about getting fixtures ahead of the game is the fact that it keeps sports lovers well informed about what they should expect before the curtain closes down. Additionally, it also offers reliable information about the playoffs and the teams expected to participate in the same.
� Important Facts
The following are some of the 2011 rugby world cup facts that you have to keep in mind in order to enjoy the season.
� For starters, New Zealand got the hosting rights on 17th November 2011.
� At least 20 countries are going to participate in the tournament by playing forty eight games.
� The organization responsibilities are going to be shared by the international Rugby Board, local authorities, major sporting stadiums and the rugby New Zealand among others
As a fan, if you want to get more about rugby world cup, use some of the reputable resources found online. By becoming an informed fan, it becomes increasingly easy to make wise decisions whether placing you want to place your bet or simply ensuring you don't miss any of the games. [http://onlinerugbysportsbetting.com/featured/rugby-world-cup-2011-sports-betting/]Rugby world cup 2011 is what you need to be on the lookout for and through [http://onlinerugbysportsbetting.com/featured/rugby-world-cup-2011-sports-betting/]rugby world cup, you get the opportunity to enjoy a variety of benefits such as the opportunity to bet.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-Adequate-Information-About-Rugby-World-Cup-2011&id=6339871] Get Adequate Information About Rugby World Cup 2011
Throughout the world, the rugby world cup is ranked as the 3rd largest event. It is due to this fact that it is known to attract a large following and the 2011 rugby world cup is not any different. It is expected to attract more than sixty thousand international visitors and it will be covered by more than two thousand international media houses. For this reason, it is also expected to attract a large TV audience amounting to more than 4 billion people. The world cup is expected to deliver over $ 267 million to the region through direct economical benefits. There are a couple of highlights that make the event more appealing to fans and they include the following.
� Betting
It is due to all these facts it is important to know more about the game and what it has to offer. As people talk endlessly about the game, you should find a way of capitalizing on it in order to make money. There are several online sites designed to make this possible and this is through the following betting. Thanks to such sites, you can place your bet for the 2011 game and enjoy some cash benefits. There are several online sites that give fans the opportunity to bet on their favorite teams. While this is the case, it is advisable to find a reputable site before doing this. In this regard, you should also be on the lookout for free bets.
� Fixtures
The fixtures are comprised of 6 crazy weeks which begin on 9th September 2011 and they end on 23rd October 2011. In order to understand the fixtures it is advisable to find a website that offers the same. This especially comes in handy for people interested in betting. They will receive a clear outline of the games as they are expected to be played as well as the different pools participating in the game. The best thing about getting fixtures ahead of the game is the fact that it keeps sports lovers well informed about what they should expect before the curtain closes down. Additionally, it also offers reliable information about the playoffs and the teams expected to participate in the same.
� Important Facts
The following are some of the 2011 rugby world cup facts that you have to keep in mind in order to enjoy the season.
� For starters, New Zealand got the hosting rights on 17th November 2011.
� At least 20 countries are going to participate in the tournament by playing forty eight games.
� The organization responsibilities are going to be shared by the international Rugby Board, local authorities, major sporting stadiums and the rugby New Zealand among others
As a fan, if you want to get more about rugby world cup, use some of the reputable resources found online. By becoming an informed fan, it becomes increasingly easy to make wise decisions whether placing you want to place your bet or simply ensuring you don't miss any of the games. [http://onlinerugbysportsbetting.com/featured/rugby-world-cup-2011-sports-betting/]Rugby world cup 2011 is what you need to be on the lookout for and through [http://onlinerugbysportsbetting.com/featured/rugby-world-cup-2011-sports-betting/]rugby world cup, you get the opportunity to enjoy a variety of benefits such as the opportunity to bet.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-Adequate-Information-About-Rugby-World-Cup-2011&id=6339871] Get Adequate Information About Rugby World Cup 2011
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Huddersfield Giants
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mohammed_Sarwar]Mohammed Sarwar
Huddersfield is steeped in Rugby League history having been one of the original 22 clubs who formed what was known as the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. In those days, and up until 1992 the club played at the Fartown ground and are often referred to by that name, particularly by the more senior of their following. From 1994 onwards they have been ground sharing with their soccer counterparts Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium. This partnership has been a great financial boost to both clubs and gives the rugby league and soccer fans of Huddersfield their very own mecca.
The Galpharm Stadium, originally known as the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, was opened in 1994 and has a capacity of 24,995. The stadium, which cost an estimated �40 million pounds to build, has hosted many high profile games including the World Cup semi finals in 1995 and 2000 where the Huddersfield faithful witnessed the awesome power of the Australian Rugby League national team.
The club is now known as Huddersfield Giants and they play in the European Super League, a competitive league which attracts some serious attention from the media in particular Sky Sports who feature many of the games live on TV. This generates a lot of revenue for the participating clubs. Being the home of rugby league, the north of England proudly boasts several of the European Super League teams. Household names such as Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Warrington Wolves number amongst these. Games between any of these northern sides attract a lot of attention and the rivalry between the sets of supporters almost guarantees cup tie like tension.
In recent years Huddersfield Giants have built a very rewarding partnership with Co-operative Championship side Batley Bulldogs, This union has all the makings of being successful and the supporters of both sides have warmed to this partnership. Batley is also one of the original twenty-two rugby league football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. Many Huddersfield players have gone on to represent their countries, England, Wales, Scotland and even Great Britain.
Huddersfield Giants play in Claret and Gold and have an impressive record in competition over the years. They have won the Championship seven times, the last time being in 1962. They have also won the Challenge Cup on six occasions. They have had their highs and lows having been down as far as the third division, which they were champions of in 1992. The do hold on auspicious record for the most points score in a season amassing a massive one thousand one hundred and fifty six points in the 2001 - 2002 season.
2006 will remain in many supporters memories as one of the finest years in the clubs history. Having signed a host of new players, including the legendary New Zealander Robbie Paul, to strengthen the side the battled through to the Challenge Cup final, having a notable victory in the semi final against the strong favourites Bradford Bulls. Whilst they did not lift the trophy on this occasion it was a season which laid the groundwork for future success.
If you are a Rugby League fan Huddersfield is definitely worth a visit. There are some great, good value hotels in Huddersfield to accommodate you.
Mohammed Sarwar runs one of the best hotels in Huddersfield the [http://www.cambridge-lodge-hotel.co.uk]http://www.cambridge-lodge-hotel.co.uk. It is ideally situated for access to the football stadium and the city attractions.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Huddersfield-Giants&id=6342533] Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield is steeped in Rugby League history having been one of the original 22 clubs who formed what was known as the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. In those days, and up until 1992 the club played at the Fartown ground and are often referred to by that name, particularly by the more senior of their following. From 1994 onwards they have been ground sharing with their soccer counterparts Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium. This partnership has been a great financial boost to both clubs and gives the rugby league and soccer fans of Huddersfield their very own mecca.
The Galpharm Stadium, originally known as the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, was opened in 1994 and has a capacity of 24,995. The stadium, which cost an estimated �40 million pounds to build, has hosted many high profile games including the World Cup semi finals in 1995 and 2000 where the Huddersfield faithful witnessed the awesome power of the Australian Rugby League national team.
The club is now known as Huddersfield Giants and they play in the European Super League, a competitive league which attracts some serious attention from the media in particular Sky Sports who feature many of the games live on TV. This generates a lot of revenue for the participating clubs. Being the home of rugby league, the north of England proudly boasts several of the European Super League teams. Household names such as Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Warrington Wolves number amongst these. Games between any of these northern sides attract a lot of attention and the rivalry between the sets of supporters almost guarantees cup tie like tension.
In recent years Huddersfield Giants have built a very rewarding partnership with Co-operative Championship side Batley Bulldogs, This union has all the makings of being successful and the supporters of both sides have warmed to this partnership. Batley is also one of the original twenty-two rugby league football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. Many Huddersfield players have gone on to represent their countries, England, Wales, Scotland and even Great Britain.
Huddersfield Giants play in Claret and Gold and have an impressive record in competition over the years. They have won the Championship seven times, the last time being in 1962. They have also won the Challenge Cup on six occasions. They have had their highs and lows having been down as far as the third division, which they were champions of in 1992. The do hold on auspicious record for the most points score in a season amassing a massive one thousand one hundred and fifty six points in the 2001 - 2002 season.
2006 will remain in many supporters memories as one of the finest years in the clubs history. Having signed a host of new players, including the legendary New Zealander Robbie Paul, to strengthen the side the battled through to the Challenge Cup final, having a notable victory in the semi final against the strong favourites Bradford Bulls. Whilst they did not lift the trophy on this occasion it was a season which laid the groundwork for future success.
If you are a Rugby League fan Huddersfield is definitely worth a visit. There are some great, good value hotels in Huddersfield to accommodate you.
Mohammed Sarwar runs one of the best hotels in Huddersfield the [http://www.cambridge-lodge-hotel.co.uk]http://www.cambridge-lodge-hotel.co.uk. It is ideally situated for access to the football stadium and the city attractions.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Huddersfield-Giants&id=6342533] Huddersfield Giants
Friday, January 20, 2012
The Law Is Not Fair - It Is Just
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Dolan]Paul Dolan
The title for this post comes from a lecturer that I had in college, she was a retired solicitor and was teaching us a module on law. After she would tell us about some old case we would always bemoan that the judgement wasn't fair and her reply was always "The law is not fair; it is just".
All sports have rules or so players and coaches would say. Referees on the other hand refer to these guidelines as the laws of the game. Tag rugby is no different. There are quite a few laws associated with tag rugby. Now, don't worry I don't intend on listing off every single last one. If you are looking for a definitive run down on the laws of the game. I have placed links to the relevant sites where you can brush up on the laws of the game at the end of this article.
Aside from the actual laws of the game, the game itself has a simple philosophy surrounding it. This is quite simply enjoyment, everyone should enjoy themselves and play for the fun and social aspects to the game. The simplest way that this will happen is when everyone comes to the game in the spirit of participation. That's all well and good you might say, but what if you are a competitive person or the team you play on is of a high skill level and expectation? If this is the case that is fine too, because you will find that the players and teams you will be playing against are of the same mindset. But for 80% of players and teams, it is all about getting out for a few hours during the week and having a few drinks after the game with your friends.
The venues are run in such a way that a carnival atmosphere is created and everyone takes a more relaxed approach to the whole event, even the referee's, believe it or not! Ah yes, the referee, the men and quite often the women in the middle. Tag rugby referee's can come from a few different backgrounds. Some are 15-a-side rugby union referee's, some are former players and only referee tag rugby and others have no previous rugby knowledge but want to start refereeing rugby.
I referee tag rugby and have done so now for the past three seasons, I was a player in my youth and do love watching rugby, so for me it is an enjoyable experience. I have only refereed IRFU tag rugby matches and therefore I can only speak about the IRFU's approach to the sport. The main message that is given by the IRFU to tag rugby referee's is to let the game flow and try to make sure that both teams enjoy the game.
Basically, I and other tag rugby referee's take a holistic approach to refereeing the games. Having said that, the game has laws and those laws have to be enforced as well as adhered to. So, without further ado, here is the shorthand version of five laws that are most commonly seen. I will be explaining the reason for the law, not the actual law itself, for this please go to the websites listed further up this post.
Offside - This law applies to both attackers and defenders. The purpose of the law is to primarily allow the attacking team space. It also reduces the chances of contact occurring and keeps the game fluid. The referee enforces this law by asking the defending team to stay seven meters back from the attacking team.
Contact - Contact between players is strictly prohibited. The reason for this is simple, to reduce the chances of injury to players, especially if there are female players on the field. To avoid contact just remember that the defender must mark the space he/she thinks an attacker will run into and the attacker must attack the space between defenders. This law is strictly enforced by referee's. That is not to say that injuries can occur. For example,in a game I refereed recently one of the players had to leave the field because he pulled his hamstring. This happens so warming up correctly is always advisable.
Tagging - Specifically early or late tagging. This is when a defender tags his/her opponent either before they receive the ball or after the ball has left their hands. The reason this law is enforced is because by doing either of the above the defender is being cynical. The attacker, if tagged early or late will have an advantage but they will have to retrieve their tag and it can also lead to confusion whereby they may stop running momentarily giving the defending team a slight advantage. Referee's will use their discretion when it comes to tagging, if the ball and tag occur together, the referee will usually call "play on", "ball away". Otherwise advantage will be called and a penalty may arise or a yellow card if the offense is repeated.
Roll ball - When a roll ball occurs there are three people involved; the person who was tagged, the defender (marker) and the scrum-half. There are a few laws happening here. First the marker must not encroach upon the scrum-half until they have played the ball, either passed it or picked it up and run with it. The reasons for this are many. For starters it can lead to an accidental collision and possible injury, secondly it can cause irritation to the team with the ball which could manifest itself in tempers becoming frayed and thirdly the mechanics of such an action means that the marker is offside. From the defenders point of view, they are not allowed to block the marker from moving in on the scrum-half, once the scrum-half has played the ball. This is again two fold, potential collision scenario and frustrating the opposition (gamesmanship). Finally, the scrum-half (the person playing the ball), they must play the ball within 3-5 seconds of the ball being placed back to them. Not doing so will result in a penalty mainly because it is seen as time wasting and could also be used as a form of gamesmanship. So, marker stay until the scrum-half either passes, runs or is standing upright with ball in hand. Defender, don't impede the marker and scrum-half play the ball quickly after the rolling back of the ball has occurred.
Kicking - Kicking the ball is allowed, but only out of hand and once the ball doesn't go above shoulder height (mixed games). If the ball is loose on the ground, no player is allowed to put their foot to the ball and kick it. The reason again is down to safety and avoiding collisions or contact. If the ball is kicked too high, then players are watching the ball and not each other, this is where a collision can occur. If the ball is on the ground, the following may occur; a player may be in the act of picking the ball up while another player is in the act of striking the ball with their foot. This could end up in one player being kicked in the face, arm, hand or body and may end up in an injury.
Like I said, for the full outline of all the laws, go to the sites mentioned above. Most of the time, all players and referee's need to apply is some common sense. But as a friend of mine used to say, "Common sense ain't that common!".�
Thanks for reading this post. Next time I might go into some tactics and strategies that can be applied by tag rugby teams during a game.
rel=nofollow http://www.irishrugby.ie/tagrugby/usefulinfo/index.php for IRFU tag laws and here rel=nofollow http://www.tagrugby.ie/Basic-Rules-of-Tag-Rugby.html for ITRA tag rugby laws
There are a few small differences between the IRFU laws and the ITRA laws but small enough that it would be easy to adapt to playing both codes without much adjustment being required.
Paul Dolan aka Tagger
Learn more about tag rugby at http://tagrugbyireland.blogspot.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Law-Is-Not-Fair---It-Is-Just&id=6351693] The Law Is Not Fair - It Is Just
The title for this post comes from a lecturer that I had in college, she was a retired solicitor and was teaching us a module on law. After she would tell us about some old case we would always bemoan that the judgement wasn't fair and her reply was always "The law is not fair; it is just".
All sports have rules or so players and coaches would say. Referees on the other hand refer to these guidelines as the laws of the game. Tag rugby is no different. There are quite a few laws associated with tag rugby. Now, don't worry I don't intend on listing off every single last one. If you are looking for a definitive run down on the laws of the game. I have placed links to the relevant sites where you can brush up on the laws of the game at the end of this article.
Aside from the actual laws of the game, the game itself has a simple philosophy surrounding it. This is quite simply enjoyment, everyone should enjoy themselves and play for the fun and social aspects to the game. The simplest way that this will happen is when everyone comes to the game in the spirit of participation. That's all well and good you might say, but what if you are a competitive person or the team you play on is of a high skill level and expectation? If this is the case that is fine too, because you will find that the players and teams you will be playing against are of the same mindset. But for 80% of players and teams, it is all about getting out for a few hours during the week and having a few drinks after the game with your friends.
The venues are run in such a way that a carnival atmosphere is created and everyone takes a more relaxed approach to the whole event, even the referee's, believe it or not! Ah yes, the referee, the men and quite often the women in the middle. Tag rugby referee's can come from a few different backgrounds. Some are 15-a-side rugby union referee's, some are former players and only referee tag rugby and others have no previous rugby knowledge but want to start refereeing rugby.
I referee tag rugby and have done so now for the past three seasons, I was a player in my youth and do love watching rugby, so for me it is an enjoyable experience. I have only refereed IRFU tag rugby matches and therefore I can only speak about the IRFU's approach to the sport. The main message that is given by the IRFU to tag rugby referee's is to let the game flow and try to make sure that both teams enjoy the game.
Basically, I and other tag rugby referee's take a holistic approach to refereeing the games. Having said that, the game has laws and those laws have to be enforced as well as adhered to. So, without further ado, here is the shorthand version of five laws that are most commonly seen. I will be explaining the reason for the law, not the actual law itself, for this please go to the websites listed further up this post.
Offside - This law applies to both attackers and defenders. The purpose of the law is to primarily allow the attacking team space. It also reduces the chances of contact occurring and keeps the game fluid. The referee enforces this law by asking the defending team to stay seven meters back from the attacking team.
Contact - Contact between players is strictly prohibited. The reason for this is simple, to reduce the chances of injury to players, especially if there are female players on the field. To avoid contact just remember that the defender must mark the space he/she thinks an attacker will run into and the attacker must attack the space between defenders. This law is strictly enforced by referee's. That is not to say that injuries can occur. For example,in a game I refereed recently one of the players had to leave the field because he pulled his hamstring. This happens so warming up correctly is always advisable.
Tagging - Specifically early or late tagging. This is when a defender tags his/her opponent either before they receive the ball or after the ball has left their hands. The reason this law is enforced is because by doing either of the above the defender is being cynical. The attacker, if tagged early or late will have an advantage but they will have to retrieve their tag and it can also lead to confusion whereby they may stop running momentarily giving the defending team a slight advantage. Referee's will use their discretion when it comes to tagging, if the ball and tag occur together, the referee will usually call "play on", "ball away". Otherwise advantage will be called and a penalty may arise or a yellow card if the offense is repeated.
Roll ball - When a roll ball occurs there are three people involved; the person who was tagged, the defender (marker) and the scrum-half. There are a few laws happening here. First the marker must not encroach upon the scrum-half until they have played the ball, either passed it or picked it up and run with it. The reasons for this are many. For starters it can lead to an accidental collision and possible injury, secondly it can cause irritation to the team with the ball which could manifest itself in tempers becoming frayed and thirdly the mechanics of such an action means that the marker is offside. From the defenders point of view, they are not allowed to block the marker from moving in on the scrum-half, once the scrum-half has played the ball. This is again two fold, potential collision scenario and frustrating the opposition (gamesmanship). Finally, the scrum-half (the person playing the ball), they must play the ball within 3-5 seconds of the ball being placed back to them. Not doing so will result in a penalty mainly because it is seen as time wasting and could also be used as a form of gamesmanship. So, marker stay until the scrum-half either passes, runs or is standing upright with ball in hand. Defender, don't impede the marker and scrum-half play the ball quickly after the rolling back of the ball has occurred.
Kicking - Kicking the ball is allowed, but only out of hand and once the ball doesn't go above shoulder height (mixed games). If the ball is loose on the ground, no player is allowed to put their foot to the ball and kick it. The reason again is down to safety and avoiding collisions or contact. If the ball is kicked too high, then players are watching the ball and not each other, this is where a collision can occur. If the ball is on the ground, the following may occur; a player may be in the act of picking the ball up while another player is in the act of striking the ball with their foot. This could end up in one player being kicked in the face, arm, hand or body and may end up in an injury.
Like I said, for the full outline of all the laws, go to the sites mentioned above. Most of the time, all players and referee's need to apply is some common sense. But as a friend of mine used to say, "Common sense ain't that common!".�
Thanks for reading this post. Next time I might go into some tactics and strategies that can be applied by tag rugby teams during a game.
rel=nofollow http://www.irishrugby.ie/tagrugby/usefulinfo/index.php for IRFU tag laws and here rel=nofollow http://www.tagrugby.ie/Basic-Rules-of-Tag-Rugby.html for ITRA tag rugby laws
There are a few small differences between the IRFU laws and the ITRA laws but small enough that it would be easy to adapt to playing both codes without much adjustment being required.
Paul Dolan aka Tagger
Learn more about tag rugby at http://tagrugbyireland.blogspot.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Law-Is-Not-Fair---It-Is-Just&id=6351693] The Law Is Not Fair - It Is Just
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Barbarians Rugby Team - Now and Then
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Hesketh]Paul Hesketh
The Barbarians or the BaaBaas as they are often called are a unique invitational team with its origins in the United Kingdom. To play for the Barbarians rugby team is a great sporting honour, if selected the standard of rugby you play requires a high enough free-flowing quality to prove justifiable wearing the famous black and white jersey. The BaaBaas squad choice is not purely based on players from the United Kingdom, it is an all-star team assembled from around the globe with the colours of their parent club still on show through the players match socks, another tradition unique to the Barbarians heritage.
The Barbarian Rugby Club formed by William Percy Carpmael back in the 19th century; his idea of creating a touring team from all rugby sources to take on club and national sides was an instant hit. This philosophy of using players from all sources was recently proven with the surprise inclusion of Willie Mason. The ex Australian rugby league forward who recently converted to rugby union made a cameo appearance in the latter stages of the game against Wales, even producing a match winning moment of brilliance; a choice like this is why the Barbarians allure and longevity in the game has stood the test of time, even in the modern financially driven rugby arena.
Famous players to wear the black and white shirt range from Bill Beaumont to Zinzan Brooke, David Campese to Gareth Edwards to name just few. In the recent 2011 matches (heavily dominated by French and Italian club players) against the English and Welsh, the Barbarians line up proved it remains a truly competitive challenge for any opposition. While both matches were close hard-fought contests, against England the BaaBaas wrestled back a 17 point deficit, managing to convert this into a 6 point lead, with the final score 38-32 in favour of the BaaBaas, even with a slight underlying air of end of season finality it was a stirring match performance.
Two back to back wins against very well established national teams proves there is still a lot of room in the game for an association like the Barbarians, on average the team plays six games a year and they should very much remain part of the rugby calendar for years to come, its tradition of always selecting one uncapped player is something to commend. To pull on the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/barbarians-rugby-shirt-short-sleeve/invt/ae10426/]Barbarians rugby shirt is part of every professional players bucket list before they hang up their rugby boots.
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/rugby-store/barbarians/icat/barbarians-rugby/]Barbarians rugby clothing
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Barbarians-Rugby-Team---Now-and-Then&id=6368071] The Barbarians Rugby Team - Now and Then
The Barbarians or the BaaBaas as they are often called are a unique invitational team with its origins in the United Kingdom. To play for the Barbarians rugby team is a great sporting honour, if selected the standard of rugby you play requires a high enough free-flowing quality to prove justifiable wearing the famous black and white jersey. The BaaBaas squad choice is not purely based on players from the United Kingdom, it is an all-star team assembled from around the globe with the colours of their parent club still on show through the players match socks, another tradition unique to the Barbarians heritage.
The Barbarian Rugby Club formed by William Percy Carpmael back in the 19th century; his idea of creating a touring team from all rugby sources to take on club and national sides was an instant hit. This philosophy of using players from all sources was recently proven with the surprise inclusion of Willie Mason. The ex Australian rugby league forward who recently converted to rugby union made a cameo appearance in the latter stages of the game against Wales, even producing a match winning moment of brilliance; a choice like this is why the Barbarians allure and longevity in the game has stood the test of time, even in the modern financially driven rugby arena.
Famous players to wear the black and white shirt range from Bill Beaumont to Zinzan Brooke, David Campese to Gareth Edwards to name just few. In the recent 2011 matches (heavily dominated by French and Italian club players) against the English and Welsh, the Barbarians line up proved it remains a truly competitive challenge for any opposition. While both matches were close hard-fought contests, against England the BaaBaas wrestled back a 17 point deficit, managing to convert this into a 6 point lead, with the final score 38-32 in favour of the BaaBaas, even with a slight underlying air of end of season finality it was a stirring match performance.
Two back to back wins against very well established national teams proves there is still a lot of room in the game for an association like the Barbarians, on average the team plays six games a year and they should very much remain part of the rugby calendar for years to come, its tradition of always selecting one uncapped player is something to commend. To pull on the rel=nofollow [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/barbarians-rugby-shirt-short-sleeve/invt/ae10426/]Barbarians rugby shirt is part of every professional players bucket list before they hang up their rugby boots.
Visit Cotton Traders for a great selection of [http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/rugby-store/barbarians/icat/barbarians-rugby/]Barbarians rugby clothing
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Barbarians-Rugby-Team---Now-and-Then&id=6368071] The Barbarians Rugby Team - Now and Then
Monday, January 16, 2012
Super Rugby 2011 Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=M_A_Williams]M A Williams
The 2011 Super Rugby competition was the first time Super Rugby was played with 15 teams. Super Rugby has always been played between teams from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. The Melbourne Rebels from Australia joined in 2011, marking the first time an equal amount of teams come from each country. 2011 was also the first time Super Rugby used a conference format. The five teams from each country formed a conference where each team played each other twice. Each team also played four teams from each of the other two conferences.
One of the criticisms of the new Super Rugby format is the fact that not all of the teams play each other. Two of Australia's teams in particular, the Western Force and the Melbourne Rebels are considered to be two of the weaker teams in the competition. The injustice is that all of the Australian teams get to play those two weaker opponents twice and likely get maximum points. However, some of the teams in the other two conferences will not get to pay those weaker teams at all. The Crusaders, for example, did not get to play the Rebels, who lost to all the other New Zealand teams. That disadvantage, not to mention being disrupted by earthquakes that condemned their home ground, was not enough to stop the Crusaders, who still topped the New Zealand conference.
In the final wash-up of the 2011 Super Rugby tournament there were two teams from each conference who made the finals. The Reds from Queensland came top of the ladder, lead by star halves pairing Quade Cooper and Will Genia. The Stormers from South Africa came second with the strong defense orientated game. Both teams earned a bye in the first week of the finals and a guaranteed home semi final. While no New Zealand teams made the top two of the table after the round robin, New Zealand arguably had the most successful tournament. Their lowest ranked team, the Chiefs came eleventh. This means all of their teams were ranked eleven and up and the lowest four places were occupied by Australia and South African teams. New Zealand also got to host both quarter finals. However, if wins go the wat of table rankings then these could be the last Super Rugby games in New Zealand this year. Not that this will mean much to their fans as the Blues stadium, Eden Park, was only a quarter fill for their first finals match since 2003. Perhaps New Zealand rugby union fans are saving themselves for the World Cup later this year.
Filling out the final six of the Super Rugby tournament was the Waratahs and the Sharks. The Waratahs limped into the finals being completely decimated by injury. One of the stars of the tournament, Kurtley Beale was forced to move to fly half for the quarter final and their tireless leader, retirement-bound Phil Waugh looked like he played most of the tournament on one leg. The Sharks had a rematch of their Twickenham match against the Crusaders. However, they will have to overcome even more travel issues to overturn the thrashing they got in Europe.
For more information about rugby union, such as [http://rugbyfix.com/rugby-jerseys-and-the-positions-they-play-in-rugby-positions-explained/]rugby union positions and [http://rugbyfix.com/rugby-supplements-and-training-for-amateur-players/]rugby supplements, check out my rugby blog.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Super-Rugby-2011-Review&id=6377223] Super Rugby 2011 Review
The 2011 Super Rugby competition was the first time Super Rugby was played with 15 teams. Super Rugby has always been played between teams from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. The Melbourne Rebels from Australia joined in 2011, marking the first time an equal amount of teams come from each country. 2011 was also the first time Super Rugby used a conference format. The five teams from each country formed a conference where each team played each other twice. Each team also played four teams from each of the other two conferences.
One of the criticisms of the new Super Rugby format is the fact that not all of the teams play each other. Two of Australia's teams in particular, the Western Force and the Melbourne Rebels are considered to be two of the weaker teams in the competition. The injustice is that all of the Australian teams get to play those two weaker opponents twice and likely get maximum points. However, some of the teams in the other two conferences will not get to pay those weaker teams at all. The Crusaders, for example, did not get to play the Rebels, who lost to all the other New Zealand teams. That disadvantage, not to mention being disrupted by earthquakes that condemned their home ground, was not enough to stop the Crusaders, who still topped the New Zealand conference.
In the final wash-up of the 2011 Super Rugby tournament there were two teams from each conference who made the finals. The Reds from Queensland came top of the ladder, lead by star halves pairing Quade Cooper and Will Genia. The Stormers from South Africa came second with the strong defense orientated game. Both teams earned a bye in the first week of the finals and a guaranteed home semi final. While no New Zealand teams made the top two of the table after the round robin, New Zealand arguably had the most successful tournament. Their lowest ranked team, the Chiefs came eleventh. This means all of their teams were ranked eleven and up and the lowest four places were occupied by Australia and South African teams. New Zealand also got to host both quarter finals. However, if wins go the wat of table rankings then these could be the last Super Rugby games in New Zealand this year. Not that this will mean much to their fans as the Blues stadium, Eden Park, was only a quarter fill for their first finals match since 2003. Perhaps New Zealand rugby union fans are saving themselves for the World Cup later this year.
Filling out the final six of the Super Rugby tournament was the Waratahs and the Sharks. The Waratahs limped into the finals being completely decimated by injury. One of the stars of the tournament, Kurtley Beale was forced to move to fly half for the quarter final and their tireless leader, retirement-bound Phil Waugh looked like he played most of the tournament on one leg. The Sharks had a rematch of their Twickenham match against the Crusaders. However, they will have to overcome even more travel issues to overturn the thrashing they got in Europe.
For more information about rugby union, such as [http://rugbyfix.com/rugby-jerseys-and-the-positions-they-play-in-rugby-positions-explained/]rugby union positions and [http://rugbyfix.com/rugby-supplements-and-training-for-amateur-players/]rugby supplements, check out my rugby blog.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Super-Rugby-2011-Review&id=6377223] Super Rugby 2011 Review
Saturday, January 14, 2012
All About Joe Simpson - From the England Rugby Kits And Players Series
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jackie_A_De_Burca]Jackie A De Burca
Any idea which rugby player has a reputation of being passionate about penguins and has been nicknamed Dingo? This rugby player went to school in Ealing and he celebrates his birthday on 5th July; which means he is born under the star sign Cancer. As a boy, this rugby player grew up on rugby, as both of his parents were rugby fanatics and has worn some different rugby kits and has given his time voluntarily at London Zoo. The answer is Joe Simpson.
Currently Joe is on the Rugby World Cup training squad of 45 players. In the lead up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup one of the best birthday gifts (5th July) that Joe could get is to make it through from the 45 men down to the final 30 for the England Rugby's World Cup Team.
He was on the England squad against Australian Barbarians, but was not capped and remained on the bench for the match. Let's see if he is chosen for the Rugby World Cup and if he is if he can do us proud!
A professional rugby player, Joe plays the scrum half position for both the London Wasps and the England Saxons national rugby union team. Born in Australia, the son of two big rugby fans; which is not altogether surprising, as his mother hails from New Zealand and his father is English. His parents also have a younger son called Michael.
During this school going years, Joe attended the St. Benedict School, located in the London Borough of Ealing. There Simpson played for his school as both a cricket player and a rugby player. Right throughout the three different levels of schooling, Joe won the Victor Ludorum; an award for athletics on three different occasions.
Away from school, Simpson was a cricket player at Ealing Cricket Club and a rugby player with the Richmond Rugby Club Team, where he played with Dominic Waldouck.
As well as rugby and cricket, Joe hung out with some interesting characters, playing golf in the summertime. These characters are Joe's friends but they have funny names like Nathan "knockout" Nye!
Apart from his friends, other important influences in his life are those who have coached him at Wasps and Richmond and of course his parents. These people have been inspirational to him.
In the animal world, penguins are what do it for Joe! He frequently comments on his fondness of penguins, and he has worked for free because of this at the London Zoo.
During his rugby career, he was wearing the rugby kits of the London Wasps from summertime 2006 as a full timer at the Academy, but in the following couple of years was out on loan to Blackheath Rugby Club.
Internationally, during the 2007 to 2008 season Simpson won a position on the England Sevens Side, appearing in the World Seven Series, and was named to the England Under 20's team. He finished the season with a nomination for the Young Player of the Year Award, from the IRB.
During the season of 2008/9, he was promoted to the Wasps first team, initially for a substitution and gaining a more frequent position on the starting fifteen in the second half of the season. In 2009 Joe signed a contract with London Wasps, which he extended by three years in December of 2010. For the Guinness award "Try of the Season" he was in fourth place.
By June 2009, Joe was in the England Saxons squad playing and being declared as the man of the match, in the Churchill Cup in Colorado. May of 2010 saw Simpson as one of the nine players called to the English team, who were all uncapped at that time. In Joe's case, just nine minutes before the end of a Barbarians England match, he was substituted for David Strettle. However as luck would have it he injured his left hamstring and had to be pulled out of the tour.
Sydney born Simpson was named on the 2011 Six Nations England team. He has not had a lot of luck when it comes to injuries however he hasn't lost what makes him a potentially dangerous opponent - let's see how 2011 onwards go for Joe and if he'll appear in the Rugby World Cup sporting his national rugby kit or not!
Jackie writes about Joe Simpson, in a series of players' bios featured on the Team Colours blog. Team Colours is an excellent resource for all sports. Your team can buy quality customised rugby kits, which you can design online if you wish. Buy rugby kit at Team Colours, for the ultimate in kit quality and experience. http://www.team-colours.co.uk/rugby/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?All-About-Joe-Simpson---From-the-England-Rugby-Kits-And-Players-Series&id=6379765] All About Joe Simpson - From the England Rugby Kits And Players Series
Any idea which rugby player has a reputation of being passionate about penguins and has been nicknamed Dingo? This rugby player went to school in Ealing and he celebrates his birthday on 5th July; which means he is born under the star sign Cancer. As a boy, this rugby player grew up on rugby, as both of his parents were rugby fanatics and has worn some different rugby kits and has given his time voluntarily at London Zoo. The answer is Joe Simpson.
Currently Joe is on the Rugby World Cup training squad of 45 players. In the lead up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup one of the best birthday gifts (5th July) that Joe could get is to make it through from the 45 men down to the final 30 for the England Rugby's World Cup Team.
He was on the England squad against Australian Barbarians, but was not capped and remained on the bench for the match. Let's see if he is chosen for the Rugby World Cup and if he is if he can do us proud!
A professional rugby player, Joe plays the scrum half position for both the London Wasps and the England Saxons national rugby union team. Born in Australia, the son of two big rugby fans; which is not altogether surprising, as his mother hails from New Zealand and his father is English. His parents also have a younger son called Michael.
During this school going years, Joe attended the St. Benedict School, located in the London Borough of Ealing. There Simpson played for his school as both a cricket player and a rugby player. Right throughout the three different levels of schooling, Joe won the Victor Ludorum; an award for athletics on three different occasions.
Away from school, Simpson was a cricket player at Ealing Cricket Club and a rugby player with the Richmond Rugby Club Team, where he played with Dominic Waldouck.
As well as rugby and cricket, Joe hung out with some interesting characters, playing golf in the summertime. These characters are Joe's friends but they have funny names like Nathan "knockout" Nye!
Apart from his friends, other important influences in his life are those who have coached him at Wasps and Richmond and of course his parents. These people have been inspirational to him.
In the animal world, penguins are what do it for Joe! He frequently comments on his fondness of penguins, and he has worked for free because of this at the London Zoo.
During his rugby career, he was wearing the rugby kits of the London Wasps from summertime 2006 as a full timer at the Academy, but in the following couple of years was out on loan to Blackheath Rugby Club.
Internationally, during the 2007 to 2008 season Simpson won a position on the England Sevens Side, appearing in the World Seven Series, and was named to the England Under 20's team. He finished the season with a nomination for the Young Player of the Year Award, from the IRB.
During the season of 2008/9, he was promoted to the Wasps first team, initially for a substitution and gaining a more frequent position on the starting fifteen in the second half of the season. In 2009 Joe signed a contract with London Wasps, which he extended by three years in December of 2010. For the Guinness award "Try of the Season" he was in fourth place.
By June 2009, Joe was in the England Saxons squad playing and being declared as the man of the match, in the Churchill Cup in Colorado. May of 2010 saw Simpson as one of the nine players called to the English team, who were all uncapped at that time. In Joe's case, just nine minutes before the end of a Barbarians England match, he was substituted for David Strettle. However as luck would have it he injured his left hamstring and had to be pulled out of the tour.
Sydney born Simpson was named on the 2011 Six Nations England team. He has not had a lot of luck when it comes to injuries however he hasn't lost what makes him a potentially dangerous opponent - let's see how 2011 onwards go for Joe and if he'll appear in the Rugby World Cup sporting his national rugby kit or not!
Jackie writes about Joe Simpson, in a series of players' bios featured on the Team Colours blog. Team Colours is an excellent resource for all sports. Your team can buy quality customised rugby kits, which you can design online if you wish. Buy rugby kit at Team Colours, for the ultimate in kit quality and experience. http://www.team-colours.co.uk/rugby/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?All-About-Joe-Simpson---From-the-England-Rugby-Kits-And-Players-Series&id=6379765] All About Joe Simpson - From the England Rugby Kits And Players Series
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Rugby League and Rugby Union - Knowing the Trophies and Trophy Winners
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nico_B_Rama]Nico B Rama
Rugby League and Rugby Union originated from a single sport called Rugby Football Union, which saw its beginnings in England. Sometime in the 19th century, several teams broke away, because of some disagreements in payments to its players. This breakaway group led to the rise of Rugby League, which now has simpler rules than Rugby Union. The two sports are now considered separate and distinct from one another, although both are equal in popularity in countries like Australia.
The latter, at present, is being governed across the globe by the International Rugby Board (IRB). Among the most prestigious Rugby Union trophies is the one awarded in its World Cup which takes place every four years. It is called the Webb Ellis Cup, which is named after William Webb Ellis. He was an English schoolboy who is believed to be the inventor of the sport. It was first awarded in 1987 and commissioned by the sport's governing board.
Its other celebrated competitions include the Six Nations Tournament and the Tri Nations, both separately crown their champions. The top-ranking international teams in this sport are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, and France. In the middle of all the worldwide competitions there are different test matches and series, usually part of the tours by national teams that normally happen from September to December and from June to August.
On the other hand, Rugby League is governed by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF). The most coveted Rugby League trophy is the one awarded to the champion of its own World Cup, which prominently features the top 12 teams in the world and 2 qualifiers. It is also played every four years. Its other distinguished tournaments include the Women's RL World Cup, and the RL Four Nations. A separate crown is given in each competition, including regional ones, such as the RL European Cup, the Pacific Cup, and the Atlantic Cup.
The top nations of this sport are Australia, New Zealand, England, Fiji, France, and Papua New Guinea, where it is considered the national sport. These countries vie for several Rugby League trophies worldwide.
The Rugby League World Cup trophy was commissioned by Paul Barri�re, who was the president of the league's French Federation, for the first RL World Cup in 1954, which was held in France. Their most celebrated trophy cost 8,000,000 francs at the time it was made and had a very colorful history, including its disappearance in 1970. [http://www.awardsandtrophies.com.au/Select/s27/Rugby-Touch.aspx]Rugby League trophies can be purchased online complete with free engraving. Also available are touch football trophies and medals and an extensive range of other awards.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-League-and-Rugby-Union---Knowing-the-Trophies-and-Trophy-Winners&id=6399365] Rugby League and Rugby Union - Knowing the Trophies and Trophy Winners
Rugby League and Rugby Union originated from a single sport called Rugby Football Union, which saw its beginnings in England. Sometime in the 19th century, several teams broke away, because of some disagreements in payments to its players. This breakaway group led to the rise of Rugby League, which now has simpler rules than Rugby Union. The two sports are now considered separate and distinct from one another, although both are equal in popularity in countries like Australia.
The latter, at present, is being governed across the globe by the International Rugby Board (IRB). Among the most prestigious Rugby Union trophies is the one awarded in its World Cup which takes place every four years. It is called the Webb Ellis Cup, which is named after William Webb Ellis. He was an English schoolboy who is believed to be the inventor of the sport. It was first awarded in 1987 and commissioned by the sport's governing board.
Its other celebrated competitions include the Six Nations Tournament and the Tri Nations, both separately crown their champions. The top-ranking international teams in this sport are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, and France. In the middle of all the worldwide competitions there are different test matches and series, usually part of the tours by national teams that normally happen from September to December and from June to August.
On the other hand, Rugby League is governed by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF). The most coveted Rugby League trophy is the one awarded to the champion of its own World Cup, which prominently features the top 12 teams in the world and 2 qualifiers. It is also played every four years. Its other distinguished tournaments include the Women's RL World Cup, and the RL Four Nations. A separate crown is given in each competition, including regional ones, such as the RL European Cup, the Pacific Cup, and the Atlantic Cup.
The top nations of this sport are Australia, New Zealand, England, Fiji, France, and Papua New Guinea, where it is considered the national sport. These countries vie for several Rugby League trophies worldwide.
The Rugby League World Cup trophy was commissioned by Paul Barri�re, who was the president of the league's French Federation, for the first RL World Cup in 1954, which was held in France. Their most celebrated trophy cost 8,000,000 francs at the time it was made and had a very colorful history, including its disappearance in 1970. [http://www.awardsandtrophies.com.au/Select/s27/Rugby-Touch.aspx]Rugby League trophies can be purchased online complete with free engraving. Also available are touch football trophies and medals and an extensive range of other awards.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-League-and-Rugby-Union---Knowing-the-Trophies-and-Trophy-Winners&id=6399365] Rugby League and Rugby Union - Knowing the Trophies and Trophy Winners
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
History of the Webb Ellis Cup
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Fredrickson]Sarah Fredrickson
Every rugby player dreams of winning the famous Rugby World Cup trophy one day, but few players, and even fewer fans, know the story of how the trophy got its name, the William Webb Ellis Cup.
Legend has it that in 1823, William Webb Ellis was attending Rugby in England and playing for the school team when he picked up a football and ran with it. With that simple act, William unintentionally created the game of rugby and changed world sports forever. While William certainly did attend Rugby, the truth of the legend about rugby's invention remains unverified. Nevertheless, history credits him with accidentally creating the much-loved game.
Rugby is an elite and expensive private school in Britain's system that is strangely called public. William's widowed mother had very little money with which to educate her son, but Rugby granted scholarships to young men who lived within a ten-mile area surrounding the school. Since William and his mother lived in that area, he was able to attend the privileged school.
William would probably be surprised to know that his name is so famous today and still more surprised at its connection to the game of rugby. He was more serious about playing cricket at the school and continued to be a cricketer while attending Oxford University as well. After graduation from Oxford, he became an evangelical clergyman.
The William Webb Ellis Cup, the Rugby World Cup, was fashioned by Garrard's of London, the crown jeweller famous throughout the world. The jeweller's inspiration for the trophy came from the ornate but classic design of a cup that was crafted in 1740. The gold-plated solid silver trophy features two striking scroll handles. One handle has a satyr head on it, and the other has a nymph head. The renowned jeweller created the trophy for the International Rugby Football Board, which is now the IRB, over 100 years ago, many years before the first RWC competition. However, it sat out of sight in a vault for many years.
While the first Rugby World Cup was in the planning stages in 1987, the exquisite trophy was rescued from its dark vault and revealed to the organisers of the event. They ultimately chose it to be the trophy for the tournament, and Kiwis Dick Littlejohn and Bob Stuart, Aussies Ross Turnbull and Nick Shehadie, Irishman Ronnie Dawson and Welshman Keith Rowlands approved the selection. The glistening trophy is now one of the most coveted prizes in the sports world.
Sarah is a freelance travel writer from New Zealand. With the Rugby World Cup just around the corner and being played in her backyard she'll be covering a lot more rugby related topics in the near future. You can find more info on the [http://www.skysport.co.nz/rugby-webb-ellis-cup/]Webb Ellis Cup at skysport.co.nz
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?History-of-the-Webb-Ellis-Cup&id=6422710] History of the Webb Ellis Cup
Every rugby player dreams of winning the famous Rugby World Cup trophy one day, but few players, and even fewer fans, know the story of how the trophy got its name, the William Webb Ellis Cup.
Legend has it that in 1823, William Webb Ellis was attending Rugby in England and playing for the school team when he picked up a football and ran with it. With that simple act, William unintentionally created the game of rugby and changed world sports forever. While William certainly did attend Rugby, the truth of the legend about rugby's invention remains unverified. Nevertheless, history credits him with accidentally creating the much-loved game.
Rugby is an elite and expensive private school in Britain's system that is strangely called public. William's widowed mother had very little money with which to educate her son, but Rugby granted scholarships to young men who lived within a ten-mile area surrounding the school. Since William and his mother lived in that area, he was able to attend the privileged school.
William would probably be surprised to know that his name is so famous today and still more surprised at its connection to the game of rugby. He was more serious about playing cricket at the school and continued to be a cricketer while attending Oxford University as well. After graduation from Oxford, he became an evangelical clergyman.
The William Webb Ellis Cup, the Rugby World Cup, was fashioned by Garrard's of London, the crown jeweller famous throughout the world. The jeweller's inspiration for the trophy came from the ornate but classic design of a cup that was crafted in 1740. The gold-plated solid silver trophy features two striking scroll handles. One handle has a satyr head on it, and the other has a nymph head. The renowned jeweller created the trophy for the International Rugby Football Board, which is now the IRB, over 100 years ago, many years before the first RWC competition. However, it sat out of sight in a vault for many years.
While the first Rugby World Cup was in the planning stages in 1987, the exquisite trophy was rescued from its dark vault and revealed to the organisers of the event. They ultimately chose it to be the trophy for the tournament, and Kiwis Dick Littlejohn and Bob Stuart, Aussies Ross Turnbull and Nick Shehadie, Irishman Ronnie Dawson and Welshman Keith Rowlands approved the selection. The glistening trophy is now one of the most coveted prizes in the sports world.
Sarah is a freelance travel writer from New Zealand. With the Rugby World Cup just around the corner and being played in her backyard she'll be covering a lot more rugby related topics in the near future. You can find more info on the [http://www.skysport.co.nz/rugby-webb-ellis-cup/]Webb Ellis Cup at skysport.co.nz
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?History-of-the-Webb-Ellis-Cup&id=6422710] History of the Webb Ellis Cup
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Periodization of Training for Amateur Rugby Coaches
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steve_P_Carter]Steve P Carter
I am writing this article for the benefit of the Amateur Rugby Coach who may be well versed in tactics and skill training of their Rugby Team but are not so up to speed on the Conditioning Element of training. This will give a simple insight into how a team coach should put together a pre-season programme and how to maintain any gains that are made throughout the playing season.
Rugby is a complicated sport as far as conditioning is concerned. It is neither an Endurance Sport nor an out and out power sport. If you were to draw a straight line and place Sprinting at one end of the line and a marathon at the other end of the line and call it a continuum, then Rugby would fit somewhere in the middle, maybe edging toward the power end.
Before you can put any training programme into use, it is important to carry out what is known as a needs analysis. This means looking at the physical demands on the player and the team that the sport makes. A short list would look something like this.
Skill
Speed
Power
Strength
Endurance
Suppleness and Mobility
Each of the above subheadings show what the demands of the sport are, however, some positions will require more of one aspect than another. That is to say, an outside back would need to concentrate more on Speed work than a Prop forward, this is because, the Prop forward requires great strength and good stamina as opposed to the Outside back who needs great Speed and Power and not so much Stamina as his continuous involvement in the game is less than the prop forwards.
At a professional level where the team has conditioning coaches, each playing position can be conditioned individually, however, this is not usually possible for the amateur coach as there is a lack of knowledgeable coaches to deliver position based programmes, not only that, but the amount of time the amateur coach is exposed to the team is far less than in the professional game. So the Amateur coach has to adopt a plan that will get the most from his team with the time, tools and coaches available, to do this, using Periodisation of training will be the most effective way.
Periodisation of training is a fancy name for time management. It was first used in the Eastern Block back in the 60's. It means that each stage of training is allocated a particular time frame.
Pre-season training will normally be around 12 weeks long with the playing season taking into account the weather and postponements of games being around 30 -36 weeks long. This means that the coach has to prepare the team in 12 weeks and then keep them at a good level of conditioning for a further 30-36 weeks, no easy task.
First things first.
Before starting out and making any plan, the coach must do some form of basic testing, to find out the current conditioning level of the team. From the results of these tests, he will be able to decide where he/she must direct the main effort of conditioning training.
I am going to assume that these days; most Amateur clubs have access to a gym that has free weights and also a field that they can train on.
Common tests that can be used and are simple to administer are the following
Speed. 10 and 30 meter speed tests
Agility. The Agility T test or the 5-10-5 Pro Agility Test
Power. The Vertical Jump Test & The 5 standing Broad Jump Test
Strength. The 1 Rep Maximum Bench Press. The 1 Rep Maximum Squat Test. The 1 Rep Maximum Pull Up Test
Endurance. The 5 minute Run Test
After the testing phase and the coach has decided what needs training the most he/she can sit down and make out his/ her basic Periodisation plan.
I have set out a Hypothetical pre-season training programme below. I have decided that the team needed to concentrate on all aspects of their training equally after seeing the testing results. During the pre-season and your competition phase, some weeks should be lighter in volume than others; I would suggest every fourth week is good for this.
We have established that 12 weeks are available for Pre-season Training. Now we have to split these 12 weeks up into smaller training phases. Each Training phase will last 4 weeks (These we will call Mesocycles) and each week in each training phase is called a Micro cycle. The whole season will be called a Macro Cycle. So Periodisation has Macro cycles (the whole training period), Meso Cycles (Phases of the training period) and Micro cycles (weeks within the training phases).
Now to split the Pre-season up, you can have Macro cycle 1 = 4 weeks. Macro cycle 2= 4 weeks. Macro Cycle 3 = 4 weeks. The competition period (when you have your games) is split up similarly.
You will now have to allocate the type of training you want to be the main effort to each of the Macro cycles. At the start of the pre season, fitness training is very important and so is strength training. These two elements are called General Preparation. So Macro Cycle 1 will be called; The General Preparation Period (GPP)
During this period it is suggested that you work on Basic Strength work, mainly Muscular Growth (Hypertrophy) which means that your strength training should revolve around 8 - 12 repetitions at 65-80% of 1 rep maximum Lifts.
Running should be based around longer distance Interval Training. For example 2 x 5 x 400 mtr runs at 80% effort, with 120 seconds recovery between runs and 5 minutes recovery between sets.
You would build the training volume up over the GPP.
Next is Macro cycle 2. That will be known as the Sport Specific Preparation Period. At this stage you would start to put your main effort toward Skill and Team development, physically you would now have a shift toward Basic Strength training, this means your lifting would be 3 - 6 repetitions at 75-90% of 1 repetition Maximum weight. Your Conditioning work would still be running based, but now is the time to bring the distances down. Now you should be looking at more intense interval work Distances should be 100 - 200 meter sprints. Up to 5 x 200 and 6 - 8 100. Rest times should be around 2 to 3 minutes between repetitions. And they should be run at 85-90% of maximum speed. You should also start to bring in some type of Agility training at the start of your conditioning sessions; these can be skill based and could last 10 - 20 minutes. This phase is abbreviated to SSPP
The final phase of the Pre-season training programme is referred to as the Pre-competition Phase (PCP) as a coach you should now be concentrating much more on Team Drills and getting all your set piece sorted. Physically it is now all about the team peaking for optimum performance for the first game; the majority of fitness work should be Power related, High intensity sprint drills with longer rest periods and a lot more skill bases agility work. Just keeping your fitness gains topped up. In the last week prior to the first game of the season, training should be intense but probably only a third of the volume that you have been doing over the pre-season.
Now that you are into the competition phase of the season, you should split the season up into further Meso cycles where you can concentrate on topping up your fitness, power, speed and agility etc, throughout the season, these Meso cycles can be from 4 -6 weeks long.
Please bear in mind that the above explanation and examples are exactly that, examples! The model has been written purely so that you as a coach have a basic understanding of a Basic Periodisation Model. I hope you have found the article informative. For further information on Periodisation please visit my website listed in the resource box below.
Steve would like to invite you to get further quality information in the form of Free e:books, PDF Downloads, Articles and Exercise videos at http://www.ultimateperformancecentre.com all you have to do is register, and all the information is yours with our compliments.
I hope you enjoy it.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Periodization-of-Training-for-Amateur-Rugby-Coaches&id=6412700] Periodization of Training for Amateur Rugby Coaches
I am writing this article for the benefit of the Amateur Rugby Coach who may be well versed in tactics and skill training of their Rugby Team but are not so up to speed on the Conditioning Element of training. This will give a simple insight into how a team coach should put together a pre-season programme and how to maintain any gains that are made throughout the playing season.
Rugby is a complicated sport as far as conditioning is concerned. It is neither an Endurance Sport nor an out and out power sport. If you were to draw a straight line and place Sprinting at one end of the line and a marathon at the other end of the line and call it a continuum, then Rugby would fit somewhere in the middle, maybe edging toward the power end.
Before you can put any training programme into use, it is important to carry out what is known as a needs analysis. This means looking at the physical demands on the player and the team that the sport makes. A short list would look something like this.
Skill
Speed
Power
Strength
Endurance
Suppleness and Mobility
Each of the above subheadings show what the demands of the sport are, however, some positions will require more of one aspect than another. That is to say, an outside back would need to concentrate more on Speed work than a Prop forward, this is because, the Prop forward requires great strength and good stamina as opposed to the Outside back who needs great Speed and Power and not so much Stamina as his continuous involvement in the game is less than the prop forwards.
At a professional level where the team has conditioning coaches, each playing position can be conditioned individually, however, this is not usually possible for the amateur coach as there is a lack of knowledgeable coaches to deliver position based programmes, not only that, but the amount of time the amateur coach is exposed to the team is far less than in the professional game. So the Amateur coach has to adopt a plan that will get the most from his team with the time, tools and coaches available, to do this, using Periodisation of training will be the most effective way.
Periodisation of training is a fancy name for time management. It was first used in the Eastern Block back in the 60's. It means that each stage of training is allocated a particular time frame.
Pre-season training will normally be around 12 weeks long with the playing season taking into account the weather and postponements of games being around 30 -36 weeks long. This means that the coach has to prepare the team in 12 weeks and then keep them at a good level of conditioning for a further 30-36 weeks, no easy task.
First things first.
Before starting out and making any plan, the coach must do some form of basic testing, to find out the current conditioning level of the team. From the results of these tests, he will be able to decide where he/she must direct the main effort of conditioning training.
I am going to assume that these days; most Amateur clubs have access to a gym that has free weights and also a field that they can train on.
Common tests that can be used and are simple to administer are the following
Speed. 10 and 30 meter speed tests
Agility. The Agility T test or the 5-10-5 Pro Agility Test
Power. The Vertical Jump Test & The 5 standing Broad Jump Test
Strength. The 1 Rep Maximum Bench Press. The 1 Rep Maximum Squat Test. The 1 Rep Maximum Pull Up Test
Endurance. The 5 minute Run Test
After the testing phase and the coach has decided what needs training the most he/she can sit down and make out his/ her basic Periodisation plan.
I have set out a Hypothetical pre-season training programme below. I have decided that the team needed to concentrate on all aspects of their training equally after seeing the testing results. During the pre-season and your competition phase, some weeks should be lighter in volume than others; I would suggest every fourth week is good for this.
We have established that 12 weeks are available for Pre-season Training. Now we have to split these 12 weeks up into smaller training phases. Each Training phase will last 4 weeks (These we will call Mesocycles) and each week in each training phase is called a Micro cycle. The whole season will be called a Macro Cycle. So Periodisation has Macro cycles (the whole training period), Meso Cycles (Phases of the training period) and Micro cycles (weeks within the training phases).
Now to split the Pre-season up, you can have Macro cycle 1 = 4 weeks. Macro cycle 2= 4 weeks. Macro Cycle 3 = 4 weeks. The competition period (when you have your games) is split up similarly.
You will now have to allocate the type of training you want to be the main effort to each of the Macro cycles. At the start of the pre season, fitness training is very important and so is strength training. These two elements are called General Preparation. So Macro Cycle 1 will be called; The General Preparation Period (GPP)
During this period it is suggested that you work on Basic Strength work, mainly Muscular Growth (Hypertrophy) which means that your strength training should revolve around 8 - 12 repetitions at 65-80% of 1 rep maximum Lifts.
Running should be based around longer distance Interval Training. For example 2 x 5 x 400 mtr runs at 80% effort, with 120 seconds recovery between runs and 5 minutes recovery between sets.
You would build the training volume up over the GPP.
Next is Macro cycle 2. That will be known as the Sport Specific Preparation Period. At this stage you would start to put your main effort toward Skill and Team development, physically you would now have a shift toward Basic Strength training, this means your lifting would be 3 - 6 repetitions at 75-90% of 1 repetition Maximum weight. Your Conditioning work would still be running based, but now is the time to bring the distances down. Now you should be looking at more intense interval work Distances should be 100 - 200 meter sprints. Up to 5 x 200 and 6 - 8 100. Rest times should be around 2 to 3 minutes between repetitions. And they should be run at 85-90% of maximum speed. You should also start to bring in some type of Agility training at the start of your conditioning sessions; these can be skill based and could last 10 - 20 minutes. This phase is abbreviated to SSPP
The final phase of the Pre-season training programme is referred to as the Pre-competition Phase (PCP) as a coach you should now be concentrating much more on Team Drills and getting all your set piece sorted. Physically it is now all about the team peaking for optimum performance for the first game; the majority of fitness work should be Power related, High intensity sprint drills with longer rest periods and a lot more skill bases agility work. Just keeping your fitness gains topped up. In the last week prior to the first game of the season, training should be intense but probably only a third of the volume that you have been doing over the pre-season.
Now that you are into the competition phase of the season, you should split the season up into further Meso cycles where you can concentrate on topping up your fitness, power, speed and agility etc, throughout the season, these Meso cycles can be from 4 -6 weeks long.
Please bear in mind that the above explanation and examples are exactly that, examples! The model has been written purely so that you as a coach have a basic understanding of a Basic Periodisation Model. I hope you have found the article informative. For further information on Periodisation please visit my website listed in the resource box below.
Steve would like to invite you to get further quality information in the form of Free e:books, PDF Downloads, Articles and Exercise videos at http://www.ultimateperformancecentre.com all you have to do is register, and all the information is yours with our compliments.
I hope you enjoy it.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Periodization-of-Training-for-Amateur-Rugby-Coaches&id=6412700] Periodization of Training for Amateur Rugby Coaches
Friday, January 6, 2012
The Anglo All Black
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_Watt]Mike Watt
On the 22nd May 1987, an English fullback walked out onto the pitch of Eden Park in Auckland for the first match of the inaugural Rugby World Cup. His kit was all black. John Gallagher would go on to win the tournament with New Zealand, etching himself into the list of All Black greats and beginning a journey that would see him crowned 'International Player of the Year' in 1990. He never lost a match wearing that jersey.
Now a head teacher in Southeast London, the man once known as Kipper is remembered as one of the finest players of his generation, and will doubtless be watching with fond memories as the Rugby World Cup returns to New Zealand this year for the first time since its inception. We recently caught up with him to talk about the 1987 World Cup, this year's tournament, and his reflections on New Zealand...
The Rugby World Cup returns to New Zealand this year, twenty-four years after its birth. What are your memories of playing in the 1987 World Cup?
I have many happy memories. My All Black Test debut in the inaugural match of the RWC, a game which we won 70-6, was obviously special, as were the four tries I scored against Fiji a few days later, which set a Test match record. The quarter-final against Scotland was significant for me, as my father had just flown in from London and was there to see me score a try from the stands. Otherwise, beating France in the RWC final and being crowned world champions was, of course, pretty memorable!
Who was the best player you played with, and against?
There are quite a few contenders, but it was always good to be in the same team as John Kirwan and Buck Shelford. In opposition, Serge Blanco of France was always a special challenge, together with David Campese of Australia.
What is your fondest memory from your playing career?
I am fortunate enough to have many fond memories; making my All Black debut on my mother's birthday in October 1986 against a French Selection in Strasbourg; winning the first RWC in 1987; being undefeated in my All Black career from 1986-89; being awarded NZ player of the Year in 1989 and International Player of the year in 1990.
My favourite try was against Ireland in 1989 in Dublin, it was special because both my parents were watching as well as all my Irish cousins.
Did you have to learn the Haka when you joined the New Zealand squad? Can you still do it now?
Yes - after the team was named for the Strasbourg match, Buck Shelford (Haka leader) took me to one side and asked me if I had performed the Haka before. I confessed that I hadn't and so he then gave me a crash course in its history and meaning, together with the words and actions.
After about half an hour I wasn't exactly well prepared, and he then said 'Just stand behind me and do what I do!' I still get a number of requests from the pupils in my school; I tend to teach them rather than doing it myself.
What did your New Zealand team do in between the matches of the 1987 World Cup?
Most memorably, a burger eating competition in a well-known fast food chain just outside Napier in the North Island. I was the surprise winner, destroying the reputations of Zinzan Brooke, Andy Earl and Michael Jones in the process.
We were also billeted with families in the Wairarapa; our Coach, Brian Lochore, was from that area and he got all of his farmer mates to put us up for a few days. It was complete escapism for me (completely different to Southeast London), but it also gave all the players a real insight into what the All Blacks meant to the rural communities of NZ.
What five words would you use to sum New Zealand up?
Friendly, beautiful, peaceful, fresh and creative.
What's your favourite thing about New Zealand; what do you miss most?
The fresh air.
Where is your favourite place in New Zealand?
Wellington - when the wind isn't blowing!
What should be on visitors' 'To Do List' when they make their trip to this year's World Cup?
Queenstown - Milford Track; Martinborough Vineyards in the Wairarapa (the Alana Estate Pinot Noir is especially good there); Bluff Oysters (South Island); visit a Marae to experience some traditional Maori culture. There's also plenty of choice on the east coast of the North Island, as well as Lake Taupo (NI) and Fox Glacier (SI).
How much do you value specialist local knowledge about a destination that you are travelling to?
It can be the difference between a good trip and a great trip.
How do you think this year's World Cup will differ from that in 1987? What should fans expect?
It will be much more commercial, many more spectators making the journey from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. With the recent earthquake in Christchurch, I feel the international rugby community will embrace the efforts that the host nation have made, and there will be a very strong bond of fellowship.
Rugby has changed drastically over the past twenty-four years; how is it different now?
In 1987, the game was amateur and the All Blacks were definitely an unknown quantity. They had lost their hold on the Bledisloe Cup as well as being well beaten by France in Nantes in '86. The team had also been split by the rebel tour to South Africa, which also divided public opinion. What's more, the average age of the team was 24!
Now the game is professional. South Africa and Australia are frequent visitors to NZ and know how to win there. Events such as the Autumn Test schedule in the Northern Hemisphere means there is a wealth of knowledge about all of the leading squads.
The All Blacks have had great opportunities to claim their second World Cup victory, especially in 1995 and 2007. There will be very high expectations on all of the young men who don the All Black jersey, but they wouldn't want it any other way!
Who's your pick to win this year's World Cup? And your outside bet?
Well it's New Zealand again - although I've said that every time since '87! I have it on good authority that Japan could be worth a bet, but not until 2019. After Ireland's display against England in March, they demonstrated that they have everything required - except consistency - but if they can get through their group and put three top quality performances together, they could be worth a shout!
For more information on the 2011 Rugby World Cup, along with a comprehensive guide to everything New Zealand has to offer, please visit [http://www.MyDestination.com/NewZealand]http://www.MyDestination.com/NewZealand.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Anglo-All-Black&id=6423277] The Anglo All Black
On the 22nd May 1987, an English fullback walked out onto the pitch of Eden Park in Auckland for the first match of the inaugural Rugby World Cup. His kit was all black. John Gallagher would go on to win the tournament with New Zealand, etching himself into the list of All Black greats and beginning a journey that would see him crowned 'International Player of the Year' in 1990. He never lost a match wearing that jersey.
Now a head teacher in Southeast London, the man once known as Kipper is remembered as one of the finest players of his generation, and will doubtless be watching with fond memories as the Rugby World Cup returns to New Zealand this year for the first time since its inception. We recently caught up with him to talk about the 1987 World Cup, this year's tournament, and his reflections on New Zealand...
The Rugby World Cup returns to New Zealand this year, twenty-four years after its birth. What are your memories of playing in the 1987 World Cup?
I have many happy memories. My All Black Test debut in the inaugural match of the RWC, a game which we won 70-6, was obviously special, as were the four tries I scored against Fiji a few days later, which set a Test match record. The quarter-final against Scotland was significant for me, as my father had just flown in from London and was there to see me score a try from the stands. Otherwise, beating France in the RWC final and being crowned world champions was, of course, pretty memorable!
Who was the best player you played with, and against?
There are quite a few contenders, but it was always good to be in the same team as John Kirwan and Buck Shelford. In opposition, Serge Blanco of France was always a special challenge, together with David Campese of Australia.
What is your fondest memory from your playing career?
I am fortunate enough to have many fond memories; making my All Black debut on my mother's birthday in October 1986 against a French Selection in Strasbourg; winning the first RWC in 1987; being undefeated in my All Black career from 1986-89; being awarded NZ player of the Year in 1989 and International Player of the year in 1990.
My favourite try was against Ireland in 1989 in Dublin, it was special because both my parents were watching as well as all my Irish cousins.
Did you have to learn the Haka when you joined the New Zealand squad? Can you still do it now?
Yes - after the team was named for the Strasbourg match, Buck Shelford (Haka leader) took me to one side and asked me if I had performed the Haka before. I confessed that I hadn't and so he then gave me a crash course in its history and meaning, together with the words and actions.
After about half an hour I wasn't exactly well prepared, and he then said 'Just stand behind me and do what I do!' I still get a number of requests from the pupils in my school; I tend to teach them rather than doing it myself.
What did your New Zealand team do in between the matches of the 1987 World Cup?
Most memorably, a burger eating competition in a well-known fast food chain just outside Napier in the North Island. I was the surprise winner, destroying the reputations of Zinzan Brooke, Andy Earl and Michael Jones in the process.
We were also billeted with families in the Wairarapa; our Coach, Brian Lochore, was from that area and he got all of his farmer mates to put us up for a few days. It was complete escapism for me (completely different to Southeast London), but it also gave all the players a real insight into what the All Blacks meant to the rural communities of NZ.
What five words would you use to sum New Zealand up?
Friendly, beautiful, peaceful, fresh and creative.
What's your favourite thing about New Zealand; what do you miss most?
The fresh air.
Where is your favourite place in New Zealand?
Wellington - when the wind isn't blowing!
What should be on visitors' 'To Do List' when they make their trip to this year's World Cup?
Queenstown - Milford Track; Martinborough Vineyards in the Wairarapa (the Alana Estate Pinot Noir is especially good there); Bluff Oysters (South Island); visit a Marae to experience some traditional Maori culture. There's also plenty of choice on the east coast of the North Island, as well as Lake Taupo (NI) and Fox Glacier (SI).
How much do you value specialist local knowledge about a destination that you are travelling to?
It can be the difference between a good trip and a great trip.
How do you think this year's World Cup will differ from that in 1987? What should fans expect?
It will be much more commercial, many more spectators making the journey from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. With the recent earthquake in Christchurch, I feel the international rugby community will embrace the efforts that the host nation have made, and there will be a very strong bond of fellowship.
Rugby has changed drastically over the past twenty-four years; how is it different now?
In 1987, the game was amateur and the All Blacks were definitely an unknown quantity. They had lost their hold on the Bledisloe Cup as well as being well beaten by France in Nantes in '86. The team had also been split by the rebel tour to South Africa, which also divided public opinion. What's more, the average age of the team was 24!
Now the game is professional. South Africa and Australia are frequent visitors to NZ and know how to win there. Events such as the Autumn Test schedule in the Northern Hemisphere means there is a wealth of knowledge about all of the leading squads.
The All Blacks have had great opportunities to claim their second World Cup victory, especially in 1995 and 2007. There will be very high expectations on all of the young men who don the All Black jersey, but they wouldn't want it any other way!
Who's your pick to win this year's World Cup? And your outside bet?
Well it's New Zealand again - although I've said that every time since '87! I have it on good authority that Japan could be worth a bet, but not until 2019. After Ireland's display against England in March, they demonstrated that they have everything required - except consistency - but if they can get through their group and put three top quality performances together, they could be worth a shout!
For more information on the 2011 Rugby World Cup, along with a comprehensive guide to everything New Zealand has to offer, please visit [http://www.MyDestination.com/NewZealand]http://www.MyDestination.com/NewZealand.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Anglo-All-Black&id=6423277] The Anglo All Black
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