Wednesday, March 31, 2010

All Blacks end of year England Test date confirmed


The All Blacks will play England at Twickenham on Saturday 6 November, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) have confirmed today.

The Hillary Shield Test at Twickenham had been scheduled to take place on Saturday December 4 but NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew said the RFU had agreed to change the date.

“We indicated to the RFU that, if possible, we would have preferred to play the match earlier in November to allow our players the chance to get home earlier. The RFU agreed to the change, so that’s great news,” Mr Tew said.

The announcement of the date for the England Test also confirms that the All Blacks will again attempt the Grand Slam for the ninth time in their history, with Test matches already scheduled against Scotland (Edinburgh, 13 November), Ireland (Dublin, 20 November) and Wales (Cardiff, 27 November).

The All Blacks first won the Grand Slam in 1978 and repeated the feat in 2005 and 2008.

Mr Tew said he also wanted to acknowledge the efforts made by the RFU and Premier Rugby, the umbrella body for England’s Premiership clubs, in making the date change.

“Now the date for the England Test has been finalised we can look forward to what is going to be another exciting Grand Slam challenge for the All Blacks,” he said.

Mr Tew said the date change also gave the NZRU and the Australian Rugby Union the opportunity to look at the possibility of playing a Bledisloe Cup match in Asia on October 30 when both teams are heading to the UK. The venue and other details will be confirmed in due course.


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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

DANIEL BOWDEN TO LEAVE CRUSADERS.

Crusaders first five-eighth Daniel Bowden is to join London Irish after this year's Super 14 rugby competition.

Selected by the Crusaders on the draft to be Dan Carter's understudy this season, Bowden has signed a two-year contract with London Irish, the English premiership club said today.
The 23-year-old Aucklander made his Super 14 debut for the Highlanders in 2008.

A New Zealand age group representative, Bowden said he expected he would need to change his playing style in Britain when he joined fellow New Zealanders Clarke Dermody and Seilala Mapusua at London Irish.

"Playing in the premiership and Heineken Cup will be a new challenge and I expect that I will have some adjustments to make to my playing style," he told the club's website.
"I've watched Irish play over recent seasons and I feel it is a team and style of rugby that I'm looking forward to being a part of."

London Irish head coach Toby Booth rated Bowden highly.
"We are confident that he will have an instant impact at the club, his positional versatility is attractive and being a renowned goalkicker is an additional bonus."

CHANGES MADE FOR CRUSADERS SIDE

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has made several changes to his team to face the Hurricanes at
Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Friday night.
Wyatt Crockett comes in at loosehead prop for Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock replaces Isaac Ross at lock,
George Whitelock starts in the number seven jersey instead of Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read is at No8
instead of Thomas Waldrom, Andy Ellis replaces Kahn Fotuali’I at halfback and Dan Carter starts at firstfive.
Colin Slade, the starting first-five against the Lions two weeks ago, moves to fullback ahead of Jared
Payne. Robbie Fruean starts at centre ahead of Adam Whitelock.
Blackadder said: “There were some tough decisions to be made but we believe we have selected a very
strong team to play the Hurricanes in what will be a torrid match.”
Dan Perrin, who played five matches for the Crusaders last season, comes on to the bench as cover for
hooker in the absence of the injured Corey Flynn.
It is the first time in 2010 that Perrin has been named in the Crusaders match day squad.
It will also be the first time that former Hurricanes Zac Guildford and Robbie Fruean have played against
their old franchise.
Blackadder added: “The Hurricanes will be desperate for a win over us. They beat us at home last year and
we are preparing for a very tough battle.”
Carter is on the brink of 1000 points for the Crusaders – he is currently on 996 points and stands second on
the all time Super rugby list behind current Brumbies player Stirling Mortlock.
Flynn is the only player ruled out with injury.

New Zealand Cricket Squad for the T20 World Cup

BLACKCAPS SquadICC Twenty20 World CupWest Indies – April May 2010The following players have been selected to contest ICC Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies in April-May.ICC T20 World Cup squad:1) Daniel Vettori2) Shane Bond 3) Ian Butler4) Martin Guptill 5) Gareth Hopkins 6) Brendon McCullum7) Nathan McCullum8) Kyle Mills9) Rob Nicol10) Jacob Oram11) Aaron Redmond12) Jesse Ryder13) Tim Southee14) Scott Styris15) Ross Taylor.
The squad includes one new cap in Rob Nicol from Canterbury.“We are excited about the side and believe that they will go well in the tournament,” said selectors’ spokesman, Mark Greatbatch. “We have a mix of players who are competitive on the world stage in the Twenty20 format. Obviously we will need to be consistent with our performances and build momentum through pool-play.
“We think we have some very dynamic batters, who can be lethal in this form of the game. Our bowlers are also very effective Twenty20 performers,” he said.“All the players have a programme for the next 18 days prior to leaving for our training camp in Brisbane on the 18th April. The training programme requires the players to undergo rigourous fitness and skill sessions. A number of our players, Mills, Oram, Redmond and Butler are coming back from injury, so the training schedule will put all of our players through their paces to ensure that they are fully fit before we depart.
“Ian Butler and Aaron Redmond will also play several matches in the National Club Championship in Auckland during 6-11 April. Other squad members, Hopkins and Styris, will also play in these matches to give them some game time.“Rob Nicol comes in to the side on the back of some very good domestic form, particularly in the shorter form of the game. Daryl Tuffey and Neil Broom were not considered because of injury.”
The ICC T20 World Cup runs from 27 April until 16 May. New Zealand are based in Georgetown, Guyana during pool matches and play Ireland, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The BLACKCAPS then travel to Barbados where they play either South Africa or Afghanistan then either Pakistan or Australia. The team then moves to Saint Lucia where they play either England or Ireland, before the competition moves to the semi-final stage on May 13.

THE HURRICANES SIDE TO PLAY CRUSADERS

The Hurricanes team to play the Crusaders in round eight of the 2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 at Westpac Stadium on Friday 2 April, kick-off 7.35pm, is as follows:

1. John Schwalger
2. Andrew Hore (captain)
3. Neemia Tialata
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Michael Paterson
6. Victor Vito
7. Karl Lowe
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Piri Weepu
10. Willie Ripia
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Tamati Ellison
15. Cory Jane

Reserves
16. Dane Coles
17. Anthony Perenise
18. Bryn Evans
19. Scott Waldrom
20. Tyson Keats
21. Aaron Cruden
22. Jason Kawau

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

Monday, March 22, 2010

White Ferns squad named for Women’s ICC World Twenty20

The selectors today announced a 14-player squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies starting in May 2010.

Aimee Watkins (Captain) - Central Hinds
Amy Satterthwaite (Vice captain) - Canterbury Magicians
Suzie Bates - Otago Sparks
Erin Bermingham - Canterbury Magicians
Kate Broadmore - Central Hinds
Nicola Browne - Northern Spirit
Sophie Devine - Wellington Blaze
Natalie Dodd - Northern Spirit
Lucy Doolan - Wellington Blaze
Maria Fahey - Canterbury Magicians
Sara McGlashan - Central Hinds
Liz Perry - Wellington Blaze
Rachel Priest - Central Hinds
Sian Ruck - Wellington Blaze

The core of the squad is from the White Ferns team that performed so well in the five Twenty20 wins over the Australia in the recent Rose Bowl series, with final selections made after the North/South series that was played last weekend at Lincoln .

All rounder Lucy Doolan returns after successful rehabilitation from knee surgery.

White Ferns coach Gary Stead said, “We have an exciting blend of youth and experience in this squad with plenty of versatility to cover the different options that are required in the variable West Indian conditions.”

“With the exception of Wellington Blaze middle order batsmen Liz Perry, who was in excellent from during the North/South series, each member of the team has international experience.

“There are a number of power hitters in the team and that could be a key on the small Warner Park ground,” he added.

Only one specialist wicketkeeper, Rachel Priest, has been included in the squad with cover provided by Maria Fahey and Lucy Doolan.

The White Ferns are in Group B alongside India , Sri Lanka and Pakistan with their first match against India on the May 6. All women’s Twenty20 matches are based in St Kitts.

Preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 include a training camp at Lincoln on 10-11 April.

The Canterbury Tactix got there ANZ season off to a winning start last night in front of a small crowd at the Westpac Entertainment centre. The 54-48 was well received by captain Maree Bowden and her young side. Their 19 year old shooter Ellen Halpenneywas putting the ball through hoop well, she is a calm and relaxed shooter who will go well as the season goes on. The fact that she was playing a Silver Fern only showed her potential.
The third quarter was the Tactix best. This new squad does not want to make up the numbers.

They played a short sharp game and there shooting was spot on. They went to sleep a little in the last quarter it was good to see that they play could come through a hard quarter.Maree Boweden said " We want to make this place as one people fear." Coach Helen Mahon-Stroud said "We turned over a little to much ball the third quarter showed how we could play"
The Tactix got that important winning feeling from the get go. They now need to take this forward into the season.

Australia took out the first test at The Basin Reserve by 10 wickets. They have form and injury worries going into the next test. Phil Hughes was the second hero of the second innings for the Aussies with 86 from 75 balls. Micheal Clark was man of the match.

The Australian side dominated from the start of the days play. The bowlers have came through this test tired after long days in this test. Ryan Harris bowled well on his debut with six wickets. Doug Bollinger was the other stand out bowler for Australia. Australia will now look to Hamilton to clean sweep their third test series for the summer before a break till the T20 world cup.
Man of the match Clark said he still has a lot of improvement in in all facets of the game. In spite of him making a hundred and averaging over 50. He will be chasing a hat trick of tons in Hamilton.
Coming up to View from the Stand-; EPL; Man United v Bolton Wanders, Chelsea v Villa, Birmingham v Arsenal, Liverpool v Sunderland. NETBALL- Tactix v Fever, Steel v Magic. MOTOR RACEING - Australian GP, GOLF - Arnold Palmer Invitational. League-Tigers v Parra, Dragons v Cowboys, Broncos v Warriors. AFL- Lions v West Coast, Bulldogs v Collingwood, Saints v Swans, Geelong v Essadon.

Tips, Man United, Villa, Arsenal, Sunderland, Tactix, Steel, Mark Webber, Parra, Cowboys, Warriors, Lions, Bulldogs, Saints, Geelong.

Till next time enjoy the View From the Stand.