The following from SARU: The Springbok medical team and its regional counterparts have met to plan the way ahead for the country’s leading rugby players in the lead up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The meeting of medical and conditioning teams from Springboks and the five Vodacom Super 14 regions – including doctors, physiotherapists and fitness conditioners, was hosted by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) at the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town.

The main purpose of the gathering was to discuss the management of players in both International and National competition over the coming months with the ultimate goal of having a fit and full strength squad at the 2011 World Cup.

The key outcomes of the meeting were:

• Enhanced  two-way communication between the Springbok medical team and its regional and provincial counterparts
• Establishment of a collaborative approach in the interests of player welfare in the build up to Rugby World Cup 2011
• Agreement on two-way sharing of information on conditioning, performance, recovery, and injury management and prevention; and ensuring regular updates between the Springbok medical team and the regions during the Vodacom Tri-Nations, Absa Currie Cup and the Super 15
• Confirmation of the application of injury prevention protocols developed by Springbok physiotherapist Rene Naylor, based on the latest scientific research.
• Establishment of areas of collaborative research on new trends, technologies and related developments

Springbok Coach Peter de Villiers addressed the meeting where he explained his objectives and how he believed the national and regional medical teams could play a key role in ensuring a full strength and fully fit squad for 2011 World Cup.

“It is gratifying to see these talented and knowledgeable people working for the common good of Springbok rugby. I am now reassured that our players are in safe hands, both nationally and within their regions,” de Villiers said.

Springbok team doctor, Craig Roberts said: “The meeting was a significant step in that it will ensure for the sharing of information from both sides and enhance collaboration between us for the common good of South African rugby. The regions fully support the concept of injury risk assessments and will provide the necessary support on the ground to make sure that the required injury prevention measures are implemented”.

SARU Medical Manager, Clint Readhead added: “The meeting has ushered in a new era in collaboration between the Springbok and Regional medical and conditioning teams. There is a clear understanding that the continued high performance of South African rugby’s leading players can only be achieved if the experts work together towards a common objective”.

The following from SANZAR: SANZAR have today welcomed the decision of the IRB Council to change the player availability regulation marking a major step towards Argentina’s national team, Los Pumas, participating in a new SANZAR Four Nations competition from 2012.

The decision by the IRB Council today to alter IRB Regulation 9 which governs the release of players for international duty, greatly assists in meeting the condition set by SANZAR that Argentina was required to secure the availability of its best players to participate in the Four Nations tournament.

The change will ensure that the release period for the new Four Nations (currently Tri Nations) aligns with the new dates for the competition from late August through until early October.

In September 2009, SANZAR issued an invitation to the Pumas to join the SANZAR competition from 2012 subject to several conditions which have now been resolved. Negotiation of a participation agreement with the UAR remains the last hurdle for inauguration of the new competition.

“This is an exciting step for SANZAR and for world rugby, as it confirms Argentina’s participation in a top-flight rugby competition, which they thoroughly deserve, and will add a dynamic new element to the current Tri Nations, which is already regarded as one of the world’s toughest tournaments.

We now need to finalise a participation agreement with the UAR so we can move to full planning for the introduction of Argentina in 2012,” said SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew.

The IRB confirmed in March that it would match SANZAR and provide a significant investment of US$2.5m per annum from 2012 to 2015.

SANZAR has also confirmed today that the three SANZAR Unions and their Super Rugby teams will work with the UAR to look at providing greater opportunities for Argentinean players to play in Super Rugby teams as part of the lead-up to the new Four Nations.

In my opinion, this is great for the growth of rugby. Bring on Los Pumas and click below to get a pair of Pumas.

Judging from this weeks nuclear refereeing fallout, it would seem as if it’s about time the IRB seek new sponsorship with one of the major cotton wool manufacturers, because at the rate that they keep wrapping their referees in a cotton wool protective cocoon, it might become expensive.

This whole debacle with the state of refereeing in this year’s competition is reaching boiling point after the latest incident involving Steve Walsh’s refereeing display during round 11 of the 2010 Super 14, in the game between the Waratahs and the Brumbies.

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past few days, the whole issue revolves around the Brumbies being extremely dissatisfied with the way in which Steve Walsh refereed the match between the two Australian franchises, in which the Brumbies lost.

The Brumbies were particularly unhappy about Steve Walsh not awarding a try  to Adam Ashley-Cooper, in which Walsh ruled there was a double movement.

Referees make these types of calls on a game to game basis, sometimes they are questionable, sometimes spot on. In the case of the questionable decisions, sometimes they will be for you, sometimes against. The law of averages might suggest that these for/against calls will balance out in the end and that should be the end of it.

But in a competition as closely contested as this year’s Super 14, where about 10 of the 14 teams still have at least an outside chance of making the playoffs, one questionable decision could mean the end of the season for you.

Adam Ashley-Cooper’s disalowed try: [s14twentyten]

I thought it was clear as daylight, but you be the judge?

One could also take into consideration the substantial financial implications Read More >>

This in from the Wallaby camp: Qantas Wallabies flanker David Pocock has today, re-signed with Australian Rugby until the end of the 2012 season, further bolstering the national playing stocks ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Pocock, who turned 22 earlier this week, has played 15 Tests since his introduction to the Qantas Wallabies against New Zealand in Hong Kong in November 2008.

He made his debut for the Western Force in the Investec Bank Super 14 two years earlier, after receiving a dispensation to play senior Rugby while under the age of 18.

Pocock will also head into the 2010 international season as the undisputed frontrunner for the Test No.7 jumper following the international retirement of long-standing Qantas Wallabies flanker George Smith.

The Western Force backrower played 13 Tests in 2009, including six in the starting side.

“I’m happy to have confirmed my future in Australia,” Pocock said.

“I’m really enjoying my Rugby, both at the Western Force, but also within the Wallabies set-up.

The last two years, since I’ve been involved with the Wallabies, have been a great experience. Hopefully I will be able to play even more of a part going forward.

Although last year was a steep learning curve for a lot of us, and we had a few inconsistent results on the Spring Tour, we finished the year well as a group in Wales.

The challenge ahead of us now, both individually and as a group, is to kick on from that. It’s an exciting time to be involved in Australian Rugby and with the Wallabies.”

Fourie Du Preez fancies a run in Japan

Arguably the best player in the World, Du Preez (who many consider was robbed of the 2009 IRB Player of the year , which was awarded to All Black, Richie  McCaw), has extended his contract with the Bulls until the conclusion of the Super 15 competition in 2011.

We can also look forward to seeing him take on another Rugby World Cup as he signed his Springbok contract that will keep him in Green and Gold till the end of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011. After that, well it’s off to the land famous for karaoke, origami and sushi as he is set to join a club side in Japan.

Du Preez, who made his debut for the Vodacom Blue Bulls in 2001 and for the Vodacom Bulls in 2003, wants to end his successful relationship with the Bulls on a high.

What does Du Preez have to say?

“These were the best rugby years of my life and I could never have played for another union. By revealing my plans for the future now, it will give the Bulls sufficient time to plan for the future and possible successors. There is already some excellent players like Francois Hougaard knocking on the door, so it is time to move on,” Du Preez said.

Read More >>

The search is on! SANZAR are on the look out for a permanent CEO to manage and develop the Super Rugby and Tri Nations tournaments.

SANZAR search for CEO

The international search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer to lead SANZAR, the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions joint venture, will commence this weekend with the role being advertised in all three countries.

The creation of the new role to head up a Sydney-based SANZAR organisation to manage and develop the Super Rugby and Tri Nations tournaments follows a review of SANZAR’s existing management structures in 2009.

The CEO will report to SANZAR’s Executive Committee and will be charged with driving a strategic growth plan across multiple countries and improving SANZAR’s operational effectiveness.

Current SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew said this was a major milestone for SANZAR as it evolves not only its competitions but also its organisational structures to a new level during 2010.

“The SANZAR joint venture has been incredibly successful through the cooperation of the three Unions which have rotated the secretariat responsibilities up until this year. With the expansion of the competitions from 2011, it is timely to move to an independent, permanent executive that can focus exclusively on driving Super Rugby and the Tri Nations competitions.”

We will have to wait and see, what and if any, noticeable improvements or changes take place.

Who do you think should grab the title of SANZAR CEO? On that note, I wonder what Jake White’s future plans are looking like..?

Legend amongst legends

So last week our mates over at Green and Gold Rugby posted this video of Stephen Larkham’s career highlights and I enjoyed it so much, I thought I would post it here for all of you to enjoy too.

After starting his professional career as a fullback, Larkham developed into one of the greatest flyhalves in the history of Australian and world rugby, in 2005, being named  at #10 in Australia’s team of the decade.

In my opinion, Larkham was one of the best flyhalves the world has ever seen. With a reputation as an elusive runner and the linchpin of a (then much more) potent backline. I think G&GR hit the nail on the head when they described him as often “ghosting” through the opposition backline.

Larkham’s famous 48m-drop goal to seal victory over South Africa in extra time of the 1999 Rugby World Cup Semi-Final has gone down in rugby folklore as the defining moment in the Wallabies victorious Rugby World Cup campaign. Until then, neither Larkham, nor any other member of the Wallabies team had ever scored a drop goal in an international test match.

A video montage of Larkham’s glorious career: [SARUGBY11]

Don't give me lip #4, I'll snot klap you...!

Jonathan Kaplan is the most experienced international test referee of all time, this year becoming the first referee ever to take control of over 50 test matches (53 to date). He began refereeing in 1984 and took charge of his 1st international test between Namibia and Zimbabwe, in Harare, in 1996.  Kaplan doesn’t take kak on the field, once telling Bob Skinstad, “You talk on the radio, I’ll ref the game…”. At 174cm and 79kg, he isn’t scared to take charge, putting the often towering players around him in their place.

Who better to chat to in a year which has highlighted so many law changes and clear problems at the scrum and breakdown areas. BlogSpotRugby caught up with Jonathan Kaplan and asked him a few quick questions.

Here Goes:

• Dooley: Read More >>

We recorded our 1st episode of BlogSpotRugby TV this weekend. Adrian and I have been discussing the possibility of posting a video blog for a while now, but just haven’t got around to finding out the ins and outs of how to set it up. We ended up recording it directly from Adrian’s 15″ MacBook Pro, and I think it turned out great.

We received a few tips on how to set it up from a good mate of ours, Jason Bagley, who was recently voted as one of 300 young South African’s you should take to lunch. Check out his site, www.jasonbagley.com, and his football blog.

The video is basically a roundup of the Springbok’s victorious Tri Nations campaign. With neither of us ever really having much time in front of the camera before, it was quite nerve racking to begin with, but I think we relaxed towards the end.

We would love to hear your comments and any crits on how we can improve future episodes of BlogSpotRugby TV, so leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

BlogSpotRugby TV S01-Ep01 – “The Pilot” Read More >>

What's up with the fern?

SANZAR has extended a conditional invitation to Argentina to join the Tri Nations from 2012 to create a new “Four Nations” Championship.

Andy Marinos, Acting Managing Director of SA Rugby and CEO of SANZAR said:

“To have the Pumas, third at Rugby World Cup 2007 and currently ranked sixth in the world, join with the three top ranked international teams in world rugby will be exciting for fans, players, sponsors and broadcasters across our four countries and beyond.  They play a different style to the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies and their inclusion will see the Tri Nations evolve to be a truly Southern Hemisphere Championship”

SANZAR has however attached conditions to the invitation of the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) to join the Four Nations in 2012: Read More >>