Economic downturn hits rugby
The News Review:
- Economic downturn hits rugby
- Australia to open 2009 rugby season with Test against Barbarians
- Rugby: Thomson third Highlander to face charges this year
- Rugby’s Challenge Cup to follow Uefa Cup
- Dooley makes rugby comeback
Economic downturn hits rugby
Stuff.co.nz New Zealand
A renewed contract announced by Ford New Zealand this month meant All Blacks and Super 14 players would be guaranteed a Ford vehicle only until the end of 2009 The New Zealand Herald said today. A decision would be made then on whether the sponsorship will continue. Ford New Zealand has sponsored the national team and the Super 14 rugby franchises for 15 years. Sponsorship manager Suzanne Van Pels said various circumstances had led to the year-long contract.
Australia to open 2009 rugby season with Test against Barbarians
The Canadian Press Australia
The Australian Rugby Union promised a star-studded Barbarians lineup featuring “some of the biggest names in the game” for the June 6 match at Sydney Football Stadium. The Australians will play the Barbarians an international XV selection a week before their first Test against Italy in Canberra. The Wallabies have won seven of their 10 matches against the Barbarians since 1948 but the teams have never met on Australian soil. Australia edged the Barbarians 18-11 in London earlier this month to finish off a five-match European tour. “The success of that match hardened our resolve to finalize discussions with the Barbarians about them coming to Australia for the first time” ARU chief executive John ‘Neill said in a statement.
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Rugby: Thomson third Highlander to face charges this year
tago Daily Times New Zealand
He was convicted of two disorderly behaviour charges and a third was dropped. tago and Highlanders winger Lucky Mulipola was convicted of assault in Dunedin in April and he was also convicted on two driving charges. Both Cowan and Mulipola were given alcohol bans by the New Zealand Rugby Union their primary employer. It is not known whether the Thomson incident was alcohol-related nor are there any details of the alleged assault. Thomson is on holiday having returned from the All Blacks’ Grand Slam tour and is believed to have been visiting friends in Hawkes Bay. Both the tago Rugby Football Union and the NZRU are declining to elaborate on the Thomson incident or talk of disciplinary action until the court case is settled. RFU chief executive Richard Reid said he would not comment as the matter was before the court.
Rugby’s Challenge Cup to follow Uefa Cup
Telegraph.co.uk United Kingdom
By Mick Cleary Last Updated: 7:56PM GMT 22 Dec 2008 Rugby has adopted football’s Uefa Cup approach in proposing that the three runners-up in the Heineken Cup pool stages behind the two best second-placed teams who have gone through to the knockout stages will go into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals. In effect this means that the teams ranked ninth 10th and 11th after the Heineken Cup pool stages will still see European action. The Heineken Cup quarter-finals are made up of the six pool winners plus the two best-placed runners-up. That format will still stand. However the Challenge Cup which has become increasingly an Anglo-Saxon affair ought now to contain some European heavyweights as it goes to its knockout phase.
Dooley makes rugby comeback
Rugby Football Union UK
The trio will watch matches including the Guinness Premiership and the new Championship (currently National Division ne) for foul play as part of the RFU’s respected disciplinary process. At 6ft 8ins Dooley was a towering presence on the field and the streets of Blackpool as a police officer and he is looking forward to his new role. “I suppose it’s an extension of what I have been doing for the past 30 years – in effect it’s policing rugby” said Dooley who retired from police work last year. “As a player I never minded the rough and tumble of the game but it needs to be a clean contest. Now with all the camera angles players are going to be spotted if they commit any foul play; there is no hiding place. Former Bristol flanker and current Gloucestershire coach Rafter who won 17 caps between 1977 and 1981 said: “I have been involved on the disciplinary side for a few years now and I have enjoyed it. I am looking forward to bringing a former international player’s view to another part of the process.
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