The News Review:
- Aussies back ELVs in rugby’s Tri nations
- Editorial: Rugby’s crisis self-inflicted
- Gold on rugby and just rugby
- Guinness Premiership: rugby round-up
- Kenya: Rugby – Bamburi Ups Super Series Kitty
Aussies back ELVs in rugby’s Tri nations
stuff.co.nz – Feb 28, 2008
Australian Rugby Union chief executive and SANZAR director John 'Neill said last night he had been enthused at how the variations had made an impact in the first two rounds of the Super 14 not just by speeding up the game and providing more playing space for both teams but also by promoting physical play. 'Neill will attend an International Rugby Board meeting in Hong Kong this week where SANZAR delegates will also discuss the experimental laws variations (ELVs) and the future of the Tri Nations. Although there has been some opposition from South African players about the ELVs the embracing response of the Australian and New Zealand Super 14 teams makes it highly likely they will be used in the Tri Nations. "We're very pleased with the results and where we are after two rounds is really encouraging" 'Neill said. "It is continuing the pattern we saw in the Shute Shield and Australian Rugby Championship that the spectacle is a lot better… Australian Rugby Union chief executive and SANZAR director John 'Neill said last night he had been enthused at how the variations had made an impact in the first two rounds of the Super 14 not just by speeding up the game and providing more playing space for both teams but also by promoting physical play. 'Neill will attend an International Rugby Board meeting in Hong Kong this week where SANZAR delegates will also discuss the experimental laws variations (ELVs) and the future of the Tri Nations. Although there has been some opposition from South African players about the ELVs the embracing response of the Australian and New Zealand Super 14 teams makes it highly likely they will be used in the Tri Nations. "We're very pleased with the results and where we are after two rounds is really encouraging" 'Neill said. "It is continuing the pattern we saw in the Shute Shield and Australian Rugby Championship that the spectacle is a lot better. The teams that are adapting to the new laws are using them to their advantage.
Editorial: Rugby’s crisis self-inflicted
stuff.co.nz – Feb 29, 2008
5 million and $428000 Bay of Plenty $759000 in the red and Counties Auckland Taranaki Manawatu and Hawke's Bay barely scraping by; and crowds dwindling at the stadiums and in front of their tellies. And it's on the streets blaring out from talkback radio and banging angrily against the walls of pubs around the country. Clearly in New Zealand at least professional rugby is not working. And the reason? Well it's what our mothers always told us loudly and frequently so many years ago. No not the one about stopping or you'll go blind – it's that too much of a good thing can be bad for you. And we all know it. Despite the fact we love the game and would give a limb to hold aloft the Webb Ellis trophy we're all tapped out on rugby… They've dreamt up meaningless competitions like the Tri-Nations and when it has become obvious that the punters have started tuning out and are no longer interested they've simply given us more of it. Which brings us bone- jarringly to our next point: Arrogance. That's the kind of arrogance that makes rugby executives believe we want more of the same games against the same opponents at the same time of the year. It's the kind of arrogance that allows Wellington to host every home game of the Super 14 season even though the city's supporters are walking away in droves; even though a significant number of Hurricanes come from outside the capital. And it's the kind of arrogance that allows other unions including Taranaki to let Wellington get away with it just so they can grab a few extra dollars that fall off the bench. It's the kind of arrogance that completely ignores the punters. The rugby unions are supposedly holding a crisis meeting next month but will they talk to the frustrated long-suffering supporters?Don't count on it.
Gold on rugby and just rugby
Independent nline – Feb 29, 2008
A coach who likes to listen; not only talk. A coach who says thank you after the interview and doesn’t ask what the reason is for the interview. A coach lacking in paranoia!Discussions with Western Province coach Stormers assistant coach and probable Springbok forwards coach Gary Gold are always good value. There is no pretence. There is no lecture to the mere mortals who write about the game and there is no illusion that his opinion is scripture.
Guinness Premiership: rugby round-up
Telegraph.co.uk – Feb 28, 2008
The promising full-back who scored two tries on his Premiership debut last autumn was due to make his first start since then on Sunday against Bristol. That was until he did a hamstring in training on Thursday morning. He followed Nick Abendanon onto the treatment table who sustained a similar injury last week. Joe Maddock now moves from wing to full-back to fill the spot at Ashton Gate.
Kenya: Rugby – Bamburi Ups Super Series Kitty
AllAfrica.com – Feb 28, 2008
GA_googleFillSlot( “AllAfrica_Story_Inset” );Robert Nyang’aya Bamburi Cement’s marketing director said on Wednesday the package will cater for the extra expenses of the expanded version of this year’s competition. It has two additional franchises Tanzania Twigas and Sharks the latter is made up of Nairobi-based universities. Uganda were to send two teams but pulled out last week. The inclusion of Tanzania Twigas is part of a big dream to make the Super Series a regional tournament.