IRB Sevens 2007/2008
RWC Sevens places at stake in Punta del Este

(IRB.COM) Thursday 17 January 2008
The first Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 regional qualifier gets underway in Uruguay on Friday with eight nations contesting the men's and women's events.


Total Rugby Radio

Future of Pumas kicks off IRB Debate Series
(IRB.COM) Thursday 17 January 2008

Gus Pichot is on the panel as the first in a new series of IRB Debates tackles the way forward for Argentina, plus the second part of our Dallaglio exclusive.


Women's Rugby
Lady luck shining on Brazil

(IRB.COM) Thursday 17 January 2008
Brazil's women are closing in on their dream of RWC Sevens 2009 qualification, an achievement which could really boost rugby's popularity in the country.


Features

Dallaglio: The early years
(IRB.COM) Wednesday 16 January 2008

From early school days on the wing to Lions honours and the England captaincy, Lawrence Dallaglio's rugby story has never been dull.


IRB Sevens - New Zealand
Record Sevens star returns for England

(IRB.COM) Tuesday 15 January 2008
IRB Sevens all-time leading point scorer Ben Gollings returns for England alongside other exciting game-breakers in Ayoola Erinle and Danny Care.


IRB Sevens - Hong Kong

Zimbabwe return to Hong Kong Sevens stage
(IRB.COM) Tuesday 15 January 2008

Zimbabwe will end a 10-year absence from the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens after being named in the 24-team field for the 28-30 March showpiece.


Features
Gatland looks to the future for Wales

(IRB.COM) Tuesday 15 January 2008
Warren Gatland reveals that Wales hosting the IRB Junior World Championship 2008 will help him shape his plans for the next four years.


IRB Sevens 2007/2008

RWC Sevens qualifier process set for kick off
(IRB.COM) Tuesday 15 January 2008

The first of seven regional qualifiers for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 will take place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, this weekend.


IRB Sevens - New Zealand
Pelenise and Ioasa named in trial squad

(IRB.COM) Monday 14 January 2008
Afeleke Pelenise and Tafai Ioasa are among 27 players selected by New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens to attend a four-day trial camp in Mt Maunganui.


IRB Sevens - New Zealand

Amor facing new Sevens challenge
(IRB.COM) Sunday 13 January 2008

Simon Amor rules himself out of this season's IRB Sevens World Series, but commits to England's women as they begin their push for next year's World Cup.


IRB Sevens - New Zealand
Familiar faces return for South Africa

(IRB.COM) Saturday 12 January 2008
Jonathan Mokuena and Tobela Mdaka return to South Africa's 12-man squad for the IRB Sevens World Series events in New Zealand and USA.

By special request - a collection of Dan Carter videos - I particularly like the one with his dad.

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New Zealander Robbie Deans launched a passionate defence of his credentials to coach the Australian rugby team after being interviewed for the job on Tuesday.


Deans has emerged as the favourite to succeed John Connolly as the next Wallaby coach after he missed out on the New Zealand position.


The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has been criticised by some former players and coaches for considering a New Zealander ahead of an Australian but Deans said a coach's nationality was irrelevant.


In this file photo New Zealand team The Crusaders coach Robbie Deans (L) and captain Reuben Thorne watch the trophy presentation after the Super 12 final against the ACT Brumbies at Canberra Stadium in Canberra May 22, 2004. Deans launched a passionate defence of his credentials to coach the Australian rugby team after being interviewed for the job on Tuesday.

"I've got a passion for the game, I love this game. I love a challenge," he told reporters after his two-hour interview in Brisbane.
"I really enjoy the people in the game. I probably have as many connections here as I do at home - I've been in SANZAR rugby for 11 years now."

Deans, 48, has never coached a national side before although he was assistant coach to the All Blacks from 2001-2003 and has enjoyed unprecedented success in the Super 12 and Super 14 competitions, guiding the Canterbury Crusaders to the title in 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2006 and the final in 2003 and 2004.

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New Zealand maintained their perfect start to the IRB Sevens World Series with a 34-7 defeat of Fiji in the final of the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens at Outeniqua Park in George.


The defending champions raced into a 29-0 lead with tries from Lote Raikabula, Victor Vito (two), captain DJ Forbes and James Kamana before Neumi Nanuku scored Fiji’s only try of the match.

Fiji, just as in the Dubai final last weekend, had two players sin-binned in a match which the Kiwis controlled with Israel Dagg completing the scoring with his first touch after coming on as a replacement.


The title is New Zealand’s fourth consecutive in the IRB Sevens World Series after victories in London, Edinburgh and Dubai and gives them a maximum 40 points from the opening two tournaments of the 2007-08 campaign, eight more Fiji.


South Africa, semi-finalists in both Dubai and George, are third with 24 points, four more than Argentina, who followed up their plate victory in Dubai with a cup semi-final in George. England and Kenya are next, both with 12 points.


Tries from Richie Pugh and James Lewis saw Wales recover from 19-7 down to beat England 21-19 in the bowl final.


Source: Western Mail