Innholdsfortegnelse for Jul-2018 i Rugby World

“What happened to all the A team fixtures?” AS WE pick our way through the fallout of teams fielding ineligible players on a quest to qualify for the World Cup, questions keep arising about which sides tie you to a nation. It gets hammered home yet again that you can be captured if you play for a designated second senior 15-a-side rep team, like an A team. Which brings the next question: what happened to all the A fixtures? Not so long ago, the summer meant a trip to the New World for the Churchill Cup, with the Saxons and Scotland A facing Canada and the NZ Maori. These games allowed players further down the pecking order to get a taste of representing their country, without the full pressure and…

WEEKEND 25-27 MAY Sevens Event Bournemouth Sevens (Bournemouth Sports Club, Parley) FRI 25 MAY Top 14 Semi-final (7.45pm, Lyon) TV Live on Sky Sports Super Rugby Crusaders v Hurricanes (8.35am) TV Live on Sky Sports Rebels v Sunwolves (10.45am) TV Live on Sky Sports Jaguares v Sharks (8.40pm) TV Live on Sky Sports SAT 26 MAY Asia Championship Top 3 Hong Kong v Malaysia (Hong Kong) Aviva Premiership Final (3pm, Twickenham) TV Live on BT Sport Guinness Pro14 Final (6pm, Aviva Stadium) TV Live on Sky Sports Top 14 Semi-final (3.30pm, Lyon) TV Live on Sky Sports Super Rugby Chiefs v Waratahs (8.35am) TV Live on Sky Sports Reds v Highlanders (10.45am) TV Live on Sky Sports Bulls v Brumbies (2.05pm) TV Live on Sky Sports Stormers v Lions (4.15pm)…

1 Lebanon Victories against Jordan (62-3) and Iran (29-17) saw Lebanon (below) win the Asia Championship Division Three West title and earn promotion to Division Two in 2019. The women’s sevens teams of Lebanon, Qatar and Syria also played in their first international sevens tournament, the West Asia Women’s Sevens, in Beirut. Qatar beat Lebanon Red to win the Cup final while Syria won the Plate, defeating Lebanon Green. 2 England The Highfields Sports Complex at Nottingham University will host the European Touch Championships in July. England, who won the men’s and women’s open titles in 2016, will have ten senior teams competing in the various categories. In all there will 64 teams from 17 countries competing for European titles from 18-21 July, with men’s, women’s and mixed competitions as…

THE CONTROVERSY involving the Rugby World Cup qualifying process has continued, with yet more countries found guilty of breaching eligibility rules. Back in March, Tahiti were kicked out of the Japan 2019 qualifying process for fielding two ineligible players against the Cook Islands, who took their place in a play-off against the winners of the Asia Rugby Championship. The victor on aggregate of that home-and-away qualifier will go into the four-team repêchage tournament later in the year. Then came the fallout from the Rugby Europe Championship (REC), which doubles as a RWC qualifying tournament. The appointment of Romanian officials for Spain’s loss to Belgium, which initially handed Romania a spot at the World Cup, became something of a side note as accusations of teams fielding ineligible players were bandied around.…

IN ALL his years as a multiple Super Rugby-winning tighthead with the Crusaders, Greg Feek thought he had seen pretty much everything in the game until he came to Ireland and got a load of Cian Healy. We’re talking 2010. Feek had retired as a player and was now a scrum coach under his fellow Kiwi, Joe Schmidt. The pair of them fetched up at Leinster and went on to win two European Cups and one Challenge Cup. They moved on to Ireland and won two Six Nations titles back-to-back and then, this year, a Grand Slam. “You might say I timed my arrival in Ireland to perfection,” he says. Feek thought his respect for what Healy brought to the party couldn’t rise any higher. Only it did. In the…

SOME PEOPLE flippantly say that they would give their right arm to be a Test rugby player. No one really means it, and thankfully few will ever have to find out the reality of such a choice. This summer England will face a rejuvenated Handré Pollard and a new-look South Africa team that is on a mission to erase the memories of the past two years, which saw the Boks stumble from one humiliation to the next. And leading the line, barring injury before then, will be 24-year-old fly-half Pollard, who is back to his best after missing 20 of the past 29 months to a series of injuries and a freak illness that nearly resulted in the amputation of his right arm. In a reversal of the throwaway remark,…

SO HERE we are again, Fiji and South Africa scrapping it out for the HSBC World Sevens Series title, with New Zealand lurking behind, another Commonwealth Games gold in their pocket. And the home nations? England are currently heading for their worst placing since the inaugural series in 1999-2000, Scotland are in a development phase and Wales have been embroiled in a relegation fight. And yet the stock of British sevens coaches has never been higher. Mike Friday, Clark Laidlaw and Damian McGrath are doing good things with other countries and those flamboyant Fijians are under the charge of a Welsh emigrant lured from Hong Kong in 2016. In a sick hoax, Gareth Baber was reported to have died in a car crash last year but he’s alive and well…

ENGLAND GREENE KING IPA CHAMPIONSHIP BRISTOL Captain Jordan Crane Coaches Pat Lam (head), Conor McPhillips (assistant), Jonathan Thomas (forwards), Bruce Reihana (skills) According to Lam, the biggest issue going into the season was dealing with the pressure of being favourites. They did just that, winning all bar one of their matches – a four-point loss to Jersey. They finished the season with 103 league points, cultivating an enormous 532 points difference and securing 18 try bonus points on the way. They got the bounce of the ball too, particularly in squeaking tight wins against second-placed Ealing. Dan Thomas in the back row was a revelation alongside former All Black Steven Luatua, while winger Luke Morahan proved lethal. Fly-half Ian Madigan was adventurous and broke the club record for conversions in…

MIDLANDS PREMIER BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL Captain Jack Jolly Coaches Pete Glackin (head), Stewart Pearl (forwards), Richard Taylor (S&C) The buzzing Bees will return to the National Leagues next season. Fitness was key as they sustained a high-tempo game and averaged six tries a match. No 8 Umraan Jadwat and lock Matt Spink were the top individual try-scorers, while half-backs Jolly and Max Rodman shared goalkicking duties. Runners-up Peterborough Lions will join them in Two North after a 31-22 play-off win at Hull. MIDLANDS ONE EAST BEDFORD ATHLETIC Captain Rob Watkin Coaches Oli Joisce (head), Andy Phillips (forwards) Multiple records embellished a season that marked their 110th anniversary. Unbeaten at home, they scored 235 tries, the most in their history, with wings Stephen Woodhead (47) and Josh Cassell (42) to the…

Who are the jokers with Glasgow and Scotland? Ryan Wilson likes a good laugh; he’s quite funny. He’s probably the biggest joker. He gives the big boys a hard time. What about practical jokes? John Barclay is good at getting Stuart Hogg. He gets scared pretty quickly. Do you have any nicknames? Zander. Or Z. My name is actually Alexander but everyone calls me Zander. What annoys you? People being rude; manners don’t cost anything. And cheap shots, especially when the ref doesn’t pick them up. There are a lot of things, probably too many. Do you have any phobias? I’m pretty good, I don’t spook easily. I hate horror films; ones with demons like Insidious freak me out. I’ll watch them but I don’t enjoy it – I prefer…

PSALM WOOCHING is explaining the tradition of Samoan tattoos and how the designs are never finished but simply added to over time to recognise significant events in a person’s life. “It’s a book being written constantly,” he says. “An ongoing story of your life.” Recently he’s added to the tattoo on his right forearm to illustrate his journey to ‘international rugby player’. Eighteen months ago, however, his life was set for a very different path. In December 2016 he captained Washington Huskies against Alabama Crimson Tide in the Peach Bowl – an American Football game between colleges in which the winner progressed to the national final. The Huskies lost 24-7 but Wooching’s performances as a linebacker over his five years at college meant he was in a strong position for…

THERE IS a myth about Australia that many have clung to for years: that water swirls the other way when you flush a toilet Down Under. Featured in an episode of The Simpsons and even seen in some textbooks, it is suggested that the ‘Coriolis effect’ sends fluids sloshing anti-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the south. Alas, modern toilet design and the small quantities of water used mean that this is merely a nice tale. Disappointed? Well, there are those who believe there is another myth about Australia that needs to be redressed right now. Namely, the idea that the Wallabies’ scrum is a busted flush. “I saw what happened in 2007 – the struggles in the World Cup quarter-final against England – which is something people…

ENGLAND TYRRELLS PREMIER 15s SARACENS Captain Lotte Clapp Coach Rob Cain The introduction of a new league system, including an important cash injection from the RFU, has transformed England’s top flight, bringing more competitive games, increased media attention and improved standards. Saracens have been at the heart of all of this change, finishing the season top of the table with 15 wins from 18 games and then seeing off Gloucester-Hartpury comfortably over the two semi-final legs. Wing Clapp led brilliantly and chipped in with a superb try in an exciting final against Harlequins, while Zoe Harrison is showing she has what it takes to take over the England No 10 jersey one day. Twins Poppy and Bryony Cleall had outstanding seasons in the back row alongside England veteran Marlie Packer,…

LONDON PREMIER BARNES Captain Jamie Collins Coaches Jamie Russell (DoR), Paul Spencer (asst), Pat Crossley (fwds), Joel Burgess (S&C), Chris Bell, Tommy Bell Having started the 1990s at the foot of the Surrey Leagues, Barnes are now climbing to National Two South for the fourth time in the past 11 years. Their goal is to become a regular top-six side. Chairman Michael Whitfield said: “We reckon the standard of the top five clubs in London Premier is about the same as those in the bottom five of Two South.” Barnes had 19 first-teamers injured last December but they won 22 of their 26 games to pip Guernsey, who were also promoted after a 38-23 play-off win over Bournemouth. Top scorers were wing Robbie Martley (20 tries) and fly-half Charlie Wicks…

AFTER A wrangle on the status of his Super Rugby contract, Brad Shields is on England’s summer tour to South Africa. England, and Wasps, the club he joins next season, are getting a seasoned professional with undoubted leadership qualities. Some may feel that the form of the 27-year-old – who qualifies for England via his parents – doesn’t warrant such attention, but when he burst onto the Super Rugby scene he certainly caught the eye of the All Blacks selectors. Shields is a No 6 and a very consistent player. The Hurricanes are one of the world’s top provinces, so to captain them this year speaks volumes about what the coaching team there feel about him. I’m not overwhelmed by what I’ve seen from Shields this year. But I do…

You may be interested in the success of the joint venture of the Manchester and Stockport clubs at colts rugby. Colts rugby suffers a high dropout rate and our Raging Bull league lost three teams early in the season. The aims of the collaboration were to keep the boys playing rugby and provide both clubs with a stream of players that will feed into their senior teams. We had a jointly designed shirt but with home club socks and shorts, and training and games alternated at the two clubs. The team finished second in its league, reached the cup semi-final, and has set up training and ‘friendlies’ with the next upcoming age group. A social curry was well attended and some of the U18s have had games with senior teams,…

If you ease the workload for clubs, you gain more volunteers SOME LEVEL Seven clubs in Lancashire have been travelling upwards of three hours and 130 miles to get to matches for four or five seasons. That’s a long way to go for a Saturday afternoon rugby match at that level. It’s not necessarily the costs of travelling that are the issue because the RFU cover those, but it does have an impact on player enjoyment. Rugby at the moment is having a real issue retaining younger players because they’re not taking the same things from the game that we used to do. Teams often don’t take full-strength sides on these trips because players are unavailable due to family commitments. So younger lads are drafted in and don’t enjoy the…

“It’s whatever the team needs. When we talked about him going into the forwards, he didn’t blink” WHAT DO you do when injuries and Six Nations call-ups have left you short of back-rowers ahead of a batch of Guinness Pro14 fixtures? Well, Benetton Treviso coach Kieran Crowley turned to an Italy centre with 29 caps to solve the crisis: Alberto Sgarbi. The midfield rock was first pressed into emergency service at blindside against the Scarlets in early February and responded by making 13 tackles – more than any of his team-mates – in a 22-12 win. He also wore the No 6 shirt against the Dragons and Connacht, and came off the bench to play on the flank at Cardiff Blues. That willingness to step into an unfamiliar position is…

FOR MONTHS the great debate was whether or not Eddie Jones should rest his British & Irish Lions. Some have looked tired, others downright disappointing. This has never been the case with Elliot Daly. In a season where England struggled to slip into the higher gears, the Wasps threequarter was the rare exception. A couple of tries in a 24-15 loss to Ireland at the end of the Six Nations epitomised his sharp form. When he has been fit. That has been too much of a rarity this season. But as I say, at least the issue of exhaustion has been taken out of the equation. Daly was halfway to a Man of the Match performance the last time I was in Coventry. He was taunting La Rochelle, creating, scoring,…

GARETH DAVIES is renowned for being fleet of foot, a sniper around the fringes and a sparky presence in the heat of battle. If the old adage tells us dogs share the same characteristics as their owners, it misses quite dramatically after spending time in the company of Pete, the 27-year-old’s pedigree bulldog. While Pete is a lovable soul – with his heavy breathing, you hear him before you see him – a honed athlete he is not. The look of fear when Davies fetches his lead is palpable because this 27kg ball of muscle would far prefer some grub and a kip – a bulldog’s default setting – to a long walk. Sensing his favourite canine friend’s reluctance, Davies smiles. “It’s a good job Desmond isn’t here, then Pete…

SUCCESS IS more satisfying when it’s achieved from within and that’s why the 2017-18 season will be remembered with special affection by Drybrook, a village club in the Forest of Dean. The Squirrels, as they are nicknamed, may have still been waking from hibernation when they lost their South-West One West opener at home to Newent, but thereafter they greedily harvested points in a thrilling title pursuit. Spring wins at Exeter University (31-28) and Launceston (31-27) proved decisive, enabling them to hit the top in April and clinch promotion to South-West Premier – the old National Three division. With a local populace of 3,000, they’ll be the smallest club at that level, vying with the likes of Bracknell, Newbury and Newton Abbot. Remarkably, 12 of the squad have played at…

SOUTH-WEST PREMIER DINGS CRUSADERS Captain Steve Plummer Coaches Stean Williams (DoR), Luke Arscott (player-head), James Hall (asst) Winning this title brings back fond memories for Dings, who did so in 2003 before spending the next 12 years at Level Four. Much credit goes to Williams, who started as a mini at the club, left to pursue a semi-pro career as a flanker and has since completed three seasons as DoR. He headed a strong back-room team that guided the side to a 17-point margin at the top. Scrum-half Plummer and full-back Arscott were inspirational while centre Matt Smith, utility forward Jake Holcombe and prop Ashley Challenger were among the tries. Fly-half Ben Bolster scored most points. SOUTH-WEST ONE EAST OLD PATESIANS Captain Christopher Dean Coaches Craig Jones (head), Mark Peacey…

NORTH PREMIER PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS Captain Paul Millea Coaches Gareth Dyer (head of rugby), Paul Arnold (player-head), Donny Sutherland (forwards), James Fitzpatrick (backs), Iestyn Harris (skills-attack) An immediate return to National Two North following last year’s relegation has energised Hoppers. They plundered 144 tries while winning 23 and drawing one of their 26 matches. No 8 Matthew Lamphrey set a club league record with 33, six more than the previous best, and No 9 Jake Squirrel pouched 121 points. It was also a triumph for hooker Millea, who led Hoppers to their first title for 13 years in his initial season in charge. The starting front row of Oga Mabaya, Millea and Peter Altham were superb. NORTH ONE EAST ALNWICK Captain Peter Moralee Coaches Andrew Bell (DoR), James Hamilton (player-head), Moralee…

“Being in an enclosed space with coaches can be dangerous” I DON’T travel much with my rugby these days. A two-hour coach trip is about as glamorous as it gets for me. I certainly don’t tour – my representative days are long gone and the invitations for charity jollies have dried up. Possibly my habit of spending spare time sat sullenly smoking by the pool gained me a rep as a bad tourist. Fine by me, as most of the renowned top lads on tour I’ve met soon reveal themselves to be irredeemably irritating gits, offering – behind all the desperate bonhomie – glimpses into a dark chasm where their soul should be. But I digress… What we’re addressing here is the actual dull practicalities of the travel itself. Occasionally,…