The News Review:
- Pieter de Villiers is appointed first black South African rugby coach
- Africa: Senior Rugby Side Set to Have Busy Schedule for 2008
- Sodexho Sales Rise 6% on Rugby Trips Food Service (Update4)
- Former NZ player Vainikolo gets shock England rugby call
- Wales rugby role beckons for Edwards
Pieter de Villiers is appointed first black South African rugby coach
International Herald Tribune – Jan 9, 2008
“South African rugby is on top of the world at the moment and SARU is confident that Peter will build on this great momentum and move us into a new era. ” The last major color barrier in South African rugby has fallen. n Wednesday Peter de Villiers became the first black coach since South Africa began playing internationals in 1891. De Villiers surprisingly beat Heyneke Meyer the only white candidate – and favorite – of the four shortlisted.
Africa: Senior Rugby Side Set to Have Busy Schedule for 2008
AllAfrica.com – Jan 9, 2008
Zimbabwe unlike most of the teams will play one home game and two away games in the Africa Cup which also serves as the World Cup qualifier. GA_googleFillSlot( “AllAfrica_Story_Inset” );Bruce Hobson president and acting chief executive of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union knows it will not be a stroll in the park. "From what I understand we will play three Tests in the CAR tournament which will also serve as the first step for RWC 2011 qualifiers. "In addition we plan to play five friendly Tests against three South African provincial sides and also Botswana and Zambia" Hobson told a South African website.
Sodexho Sales Rise 6% on Rugby Trips Food Service (Update4)
Bloomberg – Jan 9, 2008
9 (Bloomberg) — Sodexho Alliance SA the world'ssecond-largest catering company said first-quarter sales rose 6percent after it arranged trips for rugby fans traveling to thesport's World Cup and sold food at the competition. Revenue climbed to 3. 76 billion euros ($5. 5 billion) in thethree months through November from 3. 55 billion euros a yearearlier the Montigny-Le-Bretonneux France-based company saidtoday.
Former NZ player Vainikolo gets shock England rugby call
Turkish Press – Jan 9, 2008
Tongan-born Vainikolo whose parents are from New Zealand qualifies for England on residency grounds following several years with the Bradford Bulls rugby league club. But the former New Zealand rugby league international only switched to rugby union this season joining Gloucester although the wing is the top try-scorer so far in the English Premiership this season with nine tries. “There’s a bit of a wow-factor there. He’s got a bit of an X-factor and you don’t see many England wings at 6ft 2 and 18 stone” Ashton said of Vainikolo at a Twickenham news conference.
Wales rugby role beckons for Edwards
Turkish Press – Jan 9, 2008
Wasps coach Edwards has been strongly linked to a part-time role with Wales ever since New Zealander Warren Gatland his old boss at the London club became the new Wales head coach after Gareth Jenkins was sacked following the country’s failure to reach the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup. The question of which of the two international rugby union set-ups if any Edwards will join has been given added spice by the fact England and Wales face each other in their Six Nations opener at Twickenham on February 2. Gatland and Edwards guided Wasps to three English Premiership titles and the European Cup. But whether Edwards who wants to remain with the European Cup holders rejoins Gatland will depend on whether the club and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) can reach some sort of compensation agreement.