New Zealand rugby is acknowledging one of New Zealand and Wellington rugby’s favourite sons Rodney So’oialo who will mark his 100th Super Rugby game in front of his home crowd in Wellington tomorrow night.
The experienced and popular loose forward will make his 100th appearance in his 10th season for the Hurricanes against the Reds tomorrow night as they chase a semifinals spot in the Rebel Sport Super 14.
Fans are encouraged to stay behind at the conclusion of the match at Westpac Stadium for a special presentation for So’oialo.
So’oialo, 30, will become only the second to reach his 100th Super Rugby cap for the franchise, behind former Hurricanes and All Blacks Captain Tana Umaga who reached the milestone in 2005.
Coincidentally, So’oialo made his Super Rugby debut against the Reds in 2001, a year before he made his All Blacks debut. He has scored ten tries in his Super Rugby career which also includes 49 matches as Hurricanes captain. So’oialo has been a key figure in the Hurricanes’ campaigns which include a Final in 2006, and semifinals in 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2009.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Chief Executive Steve Tew congratulated So’oialo.
“One hundred matches in this competition is a significant achievement for any player. This is a very special occasion as Rodney becomes the 12th New Zealand centurion joining Tana Umaga, Justin Marshall, Anton Oliver, Caleb Ralph, Greg Somerville, Reuben Thorne, Doug Howlett, Leon MacDonald, Justin Collins, Keven Mealamu and, most recently, Richie McCaw.
“Rodney’s commitment to the game, to New Zealand, and to the Hurricanes is admirable and I congratulate him on this fantastic new mark in his rugby career,” Mr Tew said.
Hurricanes Chief Executive Greg Peters said So’oialo’s strength and loyalty was a great asset to the franchise.
“Rodney shows his strength as a leader every time he pulls on the Hurricanes jersey. He has been an inspiration to his team-mates and a whole generation of young players who look up to him and what he has achieved. We congratulate him on his century and look forward to celebrating with a win tonight,” Mr Peters said.
Showing posts with label Rugby Super 14 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rugby Super 14 2010. Show all posts
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
CANES NAME SIDE TO FACE REDS
Victor Vito has suffered a calf injury in training and will miss Friday’s game against the Reds. Michael Paterson moves from lock to six, Jeremy Thrush starts at lock and Nick Crosswell comes on to the bench. The updated team list is as follows:
1. Jacob Ellison
2. Andrew Hore (captain)
3. Neemia Tialata
4. Bryn Evans
5. Jeremy Thrush
6. Michael Paterson
7. Karl Lowe
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Piri Weepu
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Tamati Ellison
15. Cory Jane
Reserves
16. Dane Coles
17. John Schwalger
18. Nick Crosswell
19. Scott Waldrom
20. Tyson Keats
21. Jason Kawau / Willie Ripia
22. David Smith
1. Jacob Ellison
2. Andrew Hore (captain)
3. Neemia Tialata
4. Bryn Evans
5. Jeremy Thrush
6. Michael Paterson
7. Karl Lowe
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Piri Weepu
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Tamati Ellison
15. Cory Jane
Reserves
16. Dane Coles
17. John Schwalger
18. Nick Crosswell
19. Scott Waldrom
20. Tyson Keats
21. Jason Kawau / Willie Ripia
22. David Smith
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
REDS RUGBY
Experienced QR Reds lock Van Humphries has pinpointed the challenge of countering the lineout mastery of Bulls captain Victor Matfield as crucial to the Reds chances of celebrating their return to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night (kickoff 7:30pm) with a win.
The Reds lineout functioned reasonably well for most of their recent three game tour of South Africa , where they grabbed 11 competition points and two wins to sit in fifth place on the Investec Bank Super 14 ladder, but they face a daunting challenge in Matfield, the 92 test-cap Springboks lineout general.
“He has been (the best lock) going round for some time. He has seen pretty much everything there’s to see,” Humphries said.
“From what I gather he is very analytical. He studies the opposition lineout and looks for keys. That’s something we are going to try to turn around on him this weekend.
“But we’ve been running pretty well in regard to lineouts so far and we won’t be looking to change too much. We will just concentrate on our own game and try to throw a few things at him he hasn’t seen.
“For myself, it will be a bit of a test this weekend but it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
The Bulls have been the benchmark team this season and Humphries puts that down to their ability to adjust better than most to the new law interpretations at the breakdown, their experienced forward pack, and the ability for flyhalf Morne Steyn to punish any opposition ill-discipline with his goal kicking boot.
“I think they are a different team to the one two years ago. They are a complete side and it’s very hard to shut down what they do,” Humphries said.
“We have to deprive them of the ball because with ball in hand they are a very dominant team. With the rules the way they are with penalties going with the attacking team, they can kick goals from 50 metres out.
“I think we will stick to the plan we have used the past couple of weeks and muscle up through the forwards and let our backs do the rest.”
Flanker Scott Higginbotham also singled out the Bulls’ tight-five as their biggest obstacle.
“We just need to match them up-front, which we didn’t do against the Sharks,” said Higginbotham, referring to the Reds’ inability to match the Sharks’ physicality at the breakdown a fortnight ago in their 30-28 loss.
“They (Bulls) have a giant pack: scrums, lineouts and rucks are going to be tough. They are a lot more gelled than the Lions or Cheetahs.”
After a month long tour in South Africa , Humphries said he hoped fans would turn out in force to support the Reds as they head into the final third of the competition.
“When we are showing glimpses of form recently fans have responded and we really hope they do so this weekend. You don’t get a much better spectacle than playing the Bulls at home in Brisbane ,” Humphries said.
Tickets for the Bulls match are on sale through Ticketek.
Meanwhile, the Reds are looking to recruit the loudest and proudest fans they can muster to get behind the team this Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.
The first 200 fans to sign up for the official QR Reds cheer squad at Ballymore from 4pm today (Wednesday) will receive a free ticket, shirt and bandana for the Bulls game.
The Reds lineout functioned reasonably well for most of their recent three game tour of South Africa , where they grabbed 11 competition points and two wins to sit in fifth place on the Investec Bank Super 14 ladder, but they face a daunting challenge in Matfield, the 92 test-cap Springboks lineout general.
“He has been (the best lock) going round for some time. He has seen pretty much everything there’s to see,” Humphries said.
“From what I gather he is very analytical. He studies the opposition lineout and looks for keys. That’s something we are going to try to turn around on him this weekend.
“But we’ve been running pretty well in regard to lineouts so far and we won’t be looking to change too much. We will just concentrate on our own game and try to throw a few things at him he hasn’t seen.
“For myself, it will be a bit of a test this weekend but it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
The Bulls have been the benchmark team this season and Humphries puts that down to their ability to adjust better than most to the new law interpretations at the breakdown, their experienced forward pack, and the ability for flyhalf Morne Steyn to punish any opposition ill-discipline with his goal kicking boot.
“I think they are a different team to the one two years ago. They are a complete side and it’s very hard to shut down what they do,” Humphries said.
“We have to deprive them of the ball because with ball in hand they are a very dominant team. With the rules the way they are with penalties going with the attacking team, they can kick goals from 50 metres out.
“I think we will stick to the plan we have used the past couple of weeks and muscle up through the forwards and let our backs do the rest.”
Flanker Scott Higginbotham also singled out the Bulls’ tight-five as their biggest obstacle.
“We just need to match them up-front, which we didn’t do against the Sharks,” said Higginbotham, referring to the Reds’ inability to match the Sharks’ physicality at the breakdown a fortnight ago in their 30-28 loss.
“They (Bulls) have a giant pack: scrums, lineouts and rucks are going to be tough. They are a lot more gelled than the Lions or Cheetahs.”
After a month long tour in South Africa , Humphries said he hoped fans would turn out in force to support the Reds as they head into the final third of the competition.
“When we are showing glimpses of form recently fans have responded and we really hope they do so this weekend. You don’t get a much better spectacle than playing the Bulls at home in Brisbane ,” Humphries said.
Tickets for the Bulls match are on sale through Ticketek.
Meanwhile, the Reds are looking to recruit the loudest and proudest fans they can muster to get behind the team this Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.
The first 200 fans to sign up for the official QR Reds cheer squad at Ballymore from 4pm today (Wednesday) will receive a free ticket, shirt and bandana for the Bulls game.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Huxley return headlines CA Brumbies changes
CA Brumbies fullback Julian Huxley is set to make a remarkable return to the Investec Bank Super 14 at Canberra Stadium against the Chiefs on Friday night.
Huxley’s career was put on hold in 2008 after routine scans following a head knock detected a brain tumour. Having received clearance to resume playing three weeks ago, Huxley has strung together two commanding performances for the Brumby Runners and has now been selected on the bench for the CA Brumbies to tackle the sixth-placed Waikato side.
The 30-year-old’s return is one of three new faces in this week’s CA Brumbies’ squad.
Eighteen-year-old Michael Hooper will make his Investec Bank Super 14 debut as part of the starting XV at openside flanker. The former Australia A Schoolboys back-rower replaces George Smith, who will miss his first match for the CA Brumbies since their Week 11 encounter against the Chiefs in 2005.
Fellow 18-year-old back-rower Colby Faingaa is also in line to make his Investec Bank Super 14 debut off the bench. Faingaa is another current Brumbies Academy member and younger brother of former CA Brumbies twins and current Reds frontliners, Anthony and Saia.
Prop Guy Shepherdson will start alongside Faingaa on the reserves list, replacing Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
The CA Brumbies’ starting line-up has undertaken several changes following a bruising 39-34 loss to the Blues in Auckland last Friday. Lock/back-rower Mitchell Chapman earns his second start of the season packing down next to Ben Hand in the second row. Mark Chisholm will start off the bench.
The backline has also been reshuffled after Christian Leallifano was ruled out with a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament. In Lealiifano’s absence, Matt Toomua comes into the starting XV at flyhalf while Matt Giteau shifts to inside centre. Veteran midfielder Stirling Mortlock returns from his one-week lay-off due to shoulder/neck soreness to resume his role at outside centre.
The CA Brumbies need 19 points to reach 5,000 points in their Super Rugby history.
CA Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend says Huxley’s return is one part of a big night for CA Brumbies supporters at Canberra Stadium.
“This is a great occasion for Julian, his family and friends and the Brumbies and rugby community,” he said.
“For those out at Canberra Stadium on Friday night, they’ll witness a great spectacle in more ways than one. You’ll get to see Hux’s return after a courageous fight back while the Chiefs are one of the most attacking sides in the competition. They will attack you from anywhere on the park. We got a taste of what to expect against the Blues last weekend and we need to lift that intensity again and realise that if we turn off for five or 10 minutes we will get punished.
“Our work with the ball has improved with each match and while our defensive systems have been strong all year, they were tested last week and we came up short. We’ll obviously be looking to improve that area on Friday and look for it to culminate in a good win in front of our home crowd.”
CA Brumbies v Chiefs
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Friday, 26 March, 2010
Kick-off: 7.40pm
Ben Alexander
Stephen Moore
Salesi Ma’afu
Ben Hand
Mitchell Chapman
Rocky Elsom
Michael Hooper
Stephen Hoiles (c)
Josh Valentine
Matt Toomua
Francis Fainifo
Matt Giteau
Stirling Mortlock
Pat McCabe
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Reserves
Huia Edmonds
Guy Shepherdson
Mark Chisholm
Colby Faingaa
Patrick Phibbs
Tyrone Smith
Julian Huxley
Huxley’s career was put on hold in 2008 after routine scans following a head knock detected a brain tumour. Having received clearance to resume playing three weeks ago, Huxley has strung together two commanding performances for the Brumby Runners and has now been selected on the bench for the CA Brumbies to tackle the sixth-placed Waikato side.
The 30-year-old’s return is one of three new faces in this week’s CA Brumbies’ squad.
Eighteen-year-old Michael Hooper will make his Investec Bank Super 14 debut as part of the starting XV at openside flanker. The former Australia A Schoolboys back-rower replaces George Smith, who will miss his first match for the CA Brumbies since their Week 11 encounter against the Chiefs in 2005.
Fellow 18-year-old back-rower Colby Faingaa is also in line to make his Investec Bank Super 14 debut off the bench. Faingaa is another current Brumbies Academy member and younger brother of former CA Brumbies twins and current Reds frontliners, Anthony and Saia.
Prop Guy Shepherdson will start alongside Faingaa on the reserves list, replacing Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
The CA Brumbies’ starting line-up has undertaken several changes following a bruising 39-34 loss to the Blues in Auckland last Friday. Lock/back-rower Mitchell Chapman earns his second start of the season packing down next to Ben Hand in the second row. Mark Chisholm will start off the bench.
The backline has also been reshuffled after Christian Leallifano was ruled out with a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament. In Lealiifano’s absence, Matt Toomua comes into the starting XV at flyhalf while Matt Giteau shifts to inside centre. Veteran midfielder Stirling Mortlock returns from his one-week lay-off due to shoulder/neck soreness to resume his role at outside centre.
The CA Brumbies need 19 points to reach 5,000 points in their Super Rugby history.
CA Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend says Huxley’s return is one part of a big night for CA Brumbies supporters at Canberra Stadium.
“This is a great occasion for Julian, his family and friends and the Brumbies and rugby community,” he said.
“For those out at Canberra Stadium on Friday night, they’ll witness a great spectacle in more ways than one. You’ll get to see Hux’s return after a courageous fight back while the Chiefs are one of the most attacking sides in the competition. They will attack you from anywhere on the park. We got a taste of what to expect against the Blues last weekend and we need to lift that intensity again and realise that if we turn off for five or 10 minutes we will get punished.
“Our work with the ball has improved with each match and while our defensive systems have been strong all year, they were tested last week and we came up short. We’ll obviously be looking to improve that area on Friday and look for it to culminate in a good win in front of our home crowd.”
CA Brumbies v Chiefs
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Friday, 26 March, 2010
Kick-off: 7.40pm
Ben Alexander
Stephen Moore
Salesi Ma’afu
Ben Hand
Mitchell Chapman
Rocky Elsom
Michael Hooper
Stephen Hoiles (c)
Josh Valentine
Matt Toomua
Francis Fainifo
Matt Giteau
Stirling Mortlock
Pat McCabe
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Reserves
Huia Edmonds
Guy Shepherdson
Mark Chisholm
Colby Faingaa
Patrick Phibbs
Tyrone Smith
Julian Huxley
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Super 14 major happings
Milestones: Congratulations to Ma’a Nonu for playing in his 200th first class match last weekend.
Closing in: At the start of the Rebel Sport Super 14 season, Dan Carter was 71 points behind Stirling Mortlock. After four
weeks of Super Rugby, he’s narrowed the gap to 39 points: Mortlock is on 1019 and the Crusader is on 980 with Andrew
Mehrtens in between them on 990. Come on DC …
The matter of stats: It’s dead even with six games each for the Stormers and the Hurricanes. The Cape Town side has a
slight advantage on total Super Rugby points for and against: 294 to 278. It’s also pretty close between the Bulls and the
Highlanders, with the Highlanders on seven, the Bulls on six and a draw. However, it’s one-way traffic between the
Crusaders and the Chiefs with the seven-time champions ahead 10 victories to four, scoring on average, 10 points a
game more against their Waikato-based opponents than the Chiefs have managed against them.
Did you know: None of the New Zealand sides playing this weekend have played their opponent in a playoff match?
Sweet nothings: When the Highlanders didn’t score a point against the Stormers, it was the first time in Super Rugby that
a South African side has kept a New Zealand side scoreless - in answer to the three times our teams have done it to
them - and it was only the ninth time ever in Super Rugby that a side has scored no points. By comparison, at least 10
sides in the Heineken Cup have failed to score since 2006-2007.
)
Closing in: At the start of the Rebel Sport Super 14 season, Dan Carter was 71 points behind Stirling Mortlock. After four
weeks of Super Rugby, he’s narrowed the gap to 39 points: Mortlock is on 1019 and the Crusader is on 980 with Andrew
Mehrtens in between them on 990. Come on DC …
The matter of stats: It’s dead even with six games each for the Stormers and the Hurricanes. The Cape Town side has a
slight advantage on total Super Rugby points for and against: 294 to 278. It’s also pretty close between the Bulls and the
Highlanders, with the Highlanders on seven, the Bulls on six and a draw. However, it’s one-way traffic between the
Crusaders and the Chiefs with the seven-time champions ahead 10 victories to four, scoring on average, 10 points a
game more against their Waikato-based opponents than the Chiefs have managed against them.
Did you know: None of the New Zealand sides playing this weekend have played their opponent in a playoff match?
Sweet nothings: When the Highlanders didn’t score a point against the Stormers, it was the first time in Super Rugby that
a South African side has kept a New Zealand side scoreless - in answer to the three times our teams have done it to
them - and it was only the ninth time ever in Super Rugby that a side has scored no points. By comparison, at least 10
sides in the Heineken Cup have failed to score since 2006-2007.
)
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