The News Review:
- Weekend of magic rugby
- … hose down Dragons – New Zealand’s source for sport…
- Japan: Asian rugby heavyweights
- Planet-Rugby
- A new era for Rugby: EVL’s
Weekend of magic rugby
News Wales – Jan 5, 2008
There will be three matches each day on Saturday and Sunday. Last year the RFL staged the event for the first time and it attracted almost 60000 fans for the two-day event with an emphasis on being a family sporting experience with a carnival atmosphere. Thousands of Welsh schoolchildren have been reached by the RFL?s RESPECT campaign. Community Development personnel from engage Super League clubs have been visiting schools throughout South and West Wales to stage a series of assemblies and special sessions.
… hose down Dragons – New Zealand’s source for sport…
stuff.co.nz – Jan 5, 2008
Seven Townsville players reached double figures with Corey Williams top scoring with 19 supported by John Rillie with 18 and Michael Cedar with 16. South Dragon's Baraki Hendrix notched the most points of the game adding 21 while teammate Joe Ingles put on 17 to minimise the damage for Melbourne. The home side took a 31-17 lead into the first break. The Dragons couldn't stop Townsville's scoring onslaught with the lead blowing out to 95-71 at the final break thanks to John Rillie and rookie Michael Cedar firing from beyond the arc.
Japan: Asian rugby heavyweights
news24.com – Jan 5, 2008
Early pacesetters Japan scored seven tries in a 39-17 win over South Korea Asia's second-ranked team in last weekend's opening round of the inaugural tournament. Hong Kong who beat the Arabian Gulf 20-12 in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates play Kazakhstan at home on Saturday. Japan coach former All Black legend John Kirwan went into the tournament urging his side to win convincingly to make the world sit up and take notice of Japanese rugby. Ranked 16 in the world Japan dominated the first half against the Koreans 29-0 but Kirwan was not satisfied saying his players had failed to keep their discipline in the second period.
Planet-Rugby
Planet Rugby – Jan 5, 2008
Romania chief quits in anger Saturday 5th January 2008 Romania manager Tudor Constantin has quit after just two months in the job after claiming that members of the Romanian Rugby Federation (FRR) were not up to the task. “I quit because there are a lot of incompetent people over there [at the FRR] with whom I never want to work with again” said Constantin. Despite rumours to the contrary Constantin stressed that his departure had nothing to do with the recent appointment of Ellis Meachen of New Zealand as Romania’s director of rugby adding that the arrival of the former Tonga assistant coach was “the best thing that could have happened to the national team”. Constantin who played for the aks between 1992 and 2002 and captained the side during their 1999 World Cup campaign was appointed a few days after the aks were eliminated from the 2007 World Cup in France. Marin Mot who replaced Daniel Santamans as head coach at the same time remains at the helm.
A new era for Rugby: EVL’s
Digital Spy – Jan 5, 2008
Quote: ELVs to be trialled worldwideAssistant Referees Assistant Referees can assist referees in any manner required when appointed by a match organiserPosts and flags around the field The corner posts are no longer considered to be in touch in-goal except when a ball is grounded against the postLineout and throw If a team puts the ball back into their own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch there is no gain of ground A quick throw may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team’s own goal line There is no restriction on the number of players who can participate in the lineout from either side (minimum of two) The receiver in a lineout must stand 2 metres back from the lineout The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball may stand in the area between the 5 metre line and touch line but must be 2 metres away from the lineout Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in The lifting of lineout jumpers is permittedMaul Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down Remove reference in Law to heads and shoulders not to be lower than hipsScrum Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum Scrum half offside lines (must be in close proximity to the scrum as present Law or must retreat five metres)ELVs to be trialled in an elite Northern Hemisphere competition. Global approved ELVs plus the following:Sanctions For all offences other than offside not entering through the gate and Law 10 – Foul Play the sanction is a Free KickTackle and ruck If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a Free KickMaul If a maul becomes unplayable the team not in possession at the start of the maul receives a Free KickELVs to be referred back to LPG for further analysis and possible experimentation (any future trials yet to be determined)Lineout and throw Incorrect throw (not straight) the sanction is a Free KickTackle and ruck ffside line occurs immediately at the tackle Players who are on their feet can play the ball with their hands There are two Penalty Kicks warded at the tackle and ruck offside and foul play Reference to unfair play added to Law 15 (tackle: ball carrier brought to ground)ffside Players are only put onside after a tackle when they retreat past the tackle or the ball has moved five metres away from the tackleKick-off and restart kicks Incorrect kick-offs and restart kicks result in a Free Kick for the opposition k next year I will be playing and watching a new game as Rugby union has decided to bring into force some new laws. n the whole I think they are quite good I was concerned about them trying to move the game to much towards a Rugby league format which would have taken away some of the fundimental aspects of the game. I am not happy about the abillity to pull a maul down as a well formed maul is an artform in my opinion. Many of the others will make for some interesting moments in the coming season should see some more attacking play off scrums with the new 5 meter rule. Thankfully the hands in the ruck has been abandoned or we would have a slower game I think.