Archive for the Team News Category
Fourie finds contract loophole
Jaque Fourie could be on his way out of the Lions to join Western Province after an independent arbitrator ruled that a contract with his current employers is not binding, his lawyer has confirmed.
The South Africa centre has been trying to leave Johannesburg in recent months, but his franchise insisted that they had a deal [...]
Richie McCaw happy with shuffle
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is backing the change in coaching duties for Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith.
Hansen is now working on attack with Wayne Smith taking over defensive duties from Henry, who has a more hands-on role with the forwards.
McCaw is adamant the onus is not just on the coaches to improve [...]
Rokocoko and Gear vow to bounce back
Discarded New Zealand wingers Joe Rokocoko and Hosea Gear have vowed to fight their way back into the black jersey.
This was after both of them were dropped for the end-of-season tour to Japan and Europe.
The pair were overlooked for newcomers Zac Guildford and Ben Smith in the squad named on Sunday for Tests against Australia, [...]
Phillips adds to Gatland woes
Wales’ autumn Test plans have been dealt a huge blow with the loss of their British and Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips.
Phillips, a star performer during the Lions’ gripping Test series against world champions South Africa this summer, faces at least 12 weeks out because of ligament damage.
He limped off before half-time in the Ospreys’ 25-24 [...]
New Zealand expecting big losses
Losses from the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand are expected to increase to almost NZ$40 million, tournament organisers say.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 Limited (RNZ 2011) chief executive Martin Snedden told the Weekend Herald that the forecast loss has grown $9.3m from an original $30m largely due to a downgraded expectation of ticket sales.
Ticket sales [...]
Gatland laments Phillips injury
Wales coach Warren Gatland may be dealt another major injury blow ahead of his team’s autumn Test series opener against New Zealand.
With less than three weeks to go before Wales face the All Blacks, Gatland is now sweating on British and Irish Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips’ fitness.
Gatland has already lost Phillips’ fellow Lions Lee Byrne [...]
Mortlock sets eyes on Ireland
Former Australia captain Stirling Mortlock has been ruled out of the first two internationals of his team’s spring tour.
But he is targeting next month’s clash with Ireland for a return.
The 32-year-old will remain in Australia to treat the injury as the Wallabies take on New Zealand in Tokyo on October 31.
He will also miss the [...]
Rugby third test: Pride is restored for super Lions
SOUTH AFRICA 9 THE LIONS 28
Shane Williams finally showed why he is World Player of the Year as the Lions came back from the dead to thrash the world champions.
The series was already lost, their best players absent through injury, yet Ian McGeechan’s men rallied to post a record-equalling win over South Africa.
It was magical [...]
Cape Fear Sevens Rugby Tournament underway at Ogden Park
The Cape Fear Sevens Rugby Tournament has become a traditional event held the first weekend of July.
Teams from all over the country, and one from as far away as Africa, are in Wilmington to compete in what may be the event’s finest field yet.
Of the 50 teams in the tournament, five are sponsored by the [...]
TV3 Convicted of Rugby World Cup Advertising Breach
TV3 has escaped any serious financial penalty for breaking the Sunday advertising law during the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
The network faced up to $300,000 in fines, but the Auckland District Court today ordered it should only pay legal costs of $5000 and court costs of $390.
A prosecution was brought by the Ministry of Culture and [...]