Rugby World Cup

Team talk: Australia

worldcup — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:13:41 +0000

The Aussies have come into a timely run of form this year, shooting up the IRB World Rankings to move into second place behind the Kiwis.

Beating the All Blacks in this year’s Tri Nations has been their high point of recent times and sends a stern warning to the likes of France and Ireland that they are not the only challengers for the RWC crown.

This makes a change from a poor run of form in the previous couple of years. And there is strong belief in Australia that they could lift the Rugby World Cup for a third time.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: A. Ashley-Cooper, B. Barnes, A. Baxter, M. Chisholm, S. Cordingley, M. Dunning, R. Elsom, A. Freier, M. Gerrard, M. Giteau, G. Gregan, S. Hardman, S. Hoiles, G. Holmes, J. Huxley, S. Larkham, C. Latham, D. Lyons, H. McMeniman, D. Mitchell, S. Moore, S. Mortlock, W. Palu, N. Sharpe, G. Shepherdson, G. Smith, S. Staniforth,L. Tuqiri, D. Vickerman, P. Waugh.

Team talk: New Zealand

worldcup — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:42:13 +0000

There are just 10 days to go so we’re going to use that time wisely and profile the top 10 teams competing for rugby’s ultimate prize. And who better to start with than tournament favourites New Zealand.

The world’s top-ranked team have been out on their own in recent years and it takes a leap of the imagination to picture anyone beating them in the Rugby World Cup.

Although Australia, France and South Africa have been growing in strength in the build-up to the big event, they will have to play well above themselves if they are to overcome the Kiwis.

The Kiwis will also be helped by a relatively easy Pool. Their opener against Italy on September 8 is followed by matches against new boys Portugal (September 15), Scotland (September 23), and Romania (September 29).

Of course, New Zealand were clear favourites last time out as well and it didn’t happen for them. But whatever happens, they are not going to be beaten easily.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD: D. Carter, J. Collins, A. Ellis, N. Evans, C. Hayman, A. Hore, D. Howlett, C. Jack, B. Kelleher, S. Lauaki, B. Leonard, L. MacDonald, C. Masoe, A. Mauger, L. McAlister, R. McCaw, K. Mealamu, M. Muliaina, A. Oliver, K. Robinson, J. Rokocoko, C. Smith, R. So’oialo, G. Somerville, R. Thorne, N. Tialata, I. Toeava, S. Sivivatu, A. Williams, T. Woodcock.

Rugby powers signal intent in final Tests

worldcup — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:41:52 +0000

Ten days and counting! With only a week and a half to go to the Rugby World Cup’s opener between hosts France and Argentina the excitement is truly building now.

Although the weekend’s pre-tournament friendlies might not be a true reflection of the various teams’ strengths and weaknesses, they threw up some interesting results with the bigger names securing easy wins.

France underpinned their position as possible winners with a facile 34-7 win against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, their third win in as many weeks.

Ireland, who will face a tough test to qualify from a Pool that also includes France and Argentina, were run close by Italy at Ravenhill and it took a late Ronan O’Gara try to secure victory.

South Africa easily brushed aside Scotland 27-3 at Murrayfield. Scotland took the early lead with a Chris Paterson penalty but failed to score for the remainder of the game.

Meanwhile, Japan scraped past Portugal on a 15-13 scoreline, while Argentina eased past a Belgium XV 36-8, while fielding a weakened team.

In another friendly, Canada scored a comfortable 40-10 victory over Newfoundland Rock.

Elsewhere, the Pacific island nations were in action against European club sides. Tonga beat Edinburgh 26-14, Samoa beat Sale Sharks 26-7, while Fiji beat Albi 47-24.

Another European club side, Munster scored a memorable 10-6 victory over USA Eagles, having trailed 6-0.

The teams are now back with their camps to make the final preparations ahead of the big kick-off at Stade de France on September 7.

New Rugby Ball

Rugby — Wed, 23 May 2007 12:30:30 +0000

Im not 100 percent sure if this is for the coming rugby world cup in france but the past maligned rugby ball and the makers have kept trying and now they and the countries best boots believe they have got the best rugby ball and this time go it right.

Today All Blacks Dan Carter, Luke McCalister and Nick Evans unveiled the new ball that will debut in the Queen’s Birthday weekend test against France.

Looking forward to that for sure

News Flash ! Rugby Heads Take Over !

Rugby — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 04:46:57 +0000

Keep an eye on this blog for more updates ! The talk rugby is on its way , its that time time to start !

Thanks for your patience. Its been a wild ride ..

Enjoy this for a while

Rugby World Cup Coming But Now Its Rugby 7’s

Rugby — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 01:57:56 +0000

Tommorow night in Wellington New Zealand the Rugby 7’s will kick off with NZ favorite to take out the competition with Fiji as normal a close second favorite .With slight rain today the grounds will be great for rugby and should make for an excellent torny. Wellington as always is in top gear and the buzz is building by the hour and the bottle stores are taking a pounding .Not to mention the 1000’s of people getting ready for whats becoming the biggest fancy dress party in New Zealand , and most certainly the drunkest . Well good luck to all the teams in the rugby 7’s 2007 and keep safe.

Utube Rugby Haka Video

Rugby — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 04:42:32 +0000

Have you every heard of utube ? Im sure you have and well if you havent it wouldnt have been long before you did Utube has become an overnight craze and people from all over the world are posting videos about everything from how there day is going to the all backs doing the haka, to the new utube video site . With new videos being posted every day on utube people are finding it easy to advertise and even make money from the new form of internet video marketing. Something that is sure to take the interent by storm and all those that are video swavy will be in for one heck of a ride. So if you have half a chance be sure to check out utube today and watch a few videos while you are there . For more information visit Utube

Henry Speaks Out On Resting Players

Rugby — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 17:57:10 +0000

All Blacks coach Graham Henry talks with Radio Sport’s Tony Veitch about the ongoing dispute between the NZRU and News Limited over resting players for the Super 14.

Ivory Coast hold Morocco
Ivory Coast hold Morocco to a surpise 9-9 draw in Abidjan to open up the northern pool of Africa’s second round of World Cup qualfying.

Italy plot qualifying course

Rugby — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 07:57:14 +0000

Frenchman Pierre Berbizier will soon lead Italy into a bout of crucial World Cup qualifying matches that, if successful, would result in him coaching the Azzuri to a World Cup in France.

Messam Gets The Nod Over Lauaki
ANZC teams: Waikato rugby coach Warren Gatland has sprung a major surprise by opting for the silky skills of Liam Messam ahead of the brute power of Sione Lauaki for Saturday night’s trip to Eden Park.

Donald Banned For One Week

Rugby — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 19:57:09 +0000

Waikato first five Stephen Donald will miss Saturday night’s Air New Zealand Cup clash against Auckland on Eden Park after being handed a one-match ban for his head-high double act in last weekend’s win over Northland.
Source: xtramsn.co.nz