Alain Baxter, Britain’s most successful alpine skier has today (2 April) announced his retirement from international ski racing.
The 35 year-old Scot, known simply as ‘The Highlander’ to legions of devoted fans, has raced with Snowsport GB’s British Alpine Ski Team since 1992 and made the announcement at the British Land National Ski Championships in Meribel, France.
Baxter is due to make his final fling down the slalom today at 3.00pm (UK time). Dressed in a kilt, he will stop mid-way down the course to share a dram of malt whisky with Mark Tilston, British Alpine Ski Team head coach.
On return to the UK, Alain will focus his attention on his new business venture Alain Baxter Sports Limited (ABS) – media work, undertaking personal appearances and general sports consultancy.
Commenting on his decision to hang up his competitive ski boots, Alain said: “It has been a privilege to represent Scotland and Great Britain at the top level of international ski racing for more than 20 years.
“I had always planned to make it to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics but this is the first year I have felt that my injuries could have prevented me from performing to the best of my ability.
“Competing at the top level is physically tough but it has been hugely rewarding - it is definitely a period of my life I will always cherish.
“I am most proud of securing four top ten World Cup finishes for Great Britain and becoming the first British skier in almost fifty years to qualify for a World Cup slalom. Naturally, winning then losing an Olympic bronze medal in 2002 was one of the happiest and lowest points of my career.
“Hopefully, my achievements in skiing have shown the many younger, talented British skiers coming through the system that they too can dream of achieving major results at the highest level of this fantastic sport.
“I am very grateful to Snowsport GB and all of my previous and most recent sponsors including Head skis and Dare2Be for their support over the years. In addition to my new venture, I look forward to spending more time with my beautiful wife Sheila and young children – Kerr and Brooke – both of which will be skiing in the future!”
Supported by Dare2Be, Baxter has been a full-time member of the Snowsport GB alpine team since the age of 18. Since joining the team he has achieved 11 top 15 World Cup finishes and four top 10 results. The super-fit athlete also memorably won the BBC Superstars series in 2004 and the team event in 2008, making him the only athlete to win both.
In the 2000-2001 season the Edinburgh-born racer achieved the highest ranking ever yet achieved by a British alpine skier when he finished 11th overall in the FIS World Cup rankings. In the same season, he missed getting Britain’s first World Cup win by less than five tenths of a second, finishing 4th in Are, Sweden.
Referring to Baxter’s decision to retire, Mark Simmers, Chief Executive of Snowsport GB, commented: “All athletes have to face retirement at some stage. For almost two decades, Alain Baxter, Britain’s greatest ski racer has been pushing his mind and body to the limit.
“Though in recent seasons Alain’s performances have been affected by injury, he remains a hugely respected figure in international ski racing. His fourth place in a World Cup in Sweden, an overall world ranking of 11th and claiming Britain’s first Olympic alpine ski medal, speak volumes of Alain’s mercurial skiing talent. ‘The Highlander’ will be missed.”
Mark Tilston, British Alpine Ski Team head coach added: “Alain Baxter will always be one of the greats of British ski racing. He has shown that skiers from these shores can compete and beat traditional alpine nations.
“The professionalism, commitment and dedication that Alain has shown over the last 20 years brought him a great career and he will now leave ski racing with not only incredible memories, skills and experiences, he will be able to attack his future with the same qualities of character. The trail that Alain has beaten has inspired a new generation of young ski racers who now follow in his tracks.”
However, it was at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City when the Scottish racer, named after the French 1970’s ski star Alain Penz, was thrust into the media spotlight. Baxter won an Olympic bronze medal in the men’s slalom - Great Britain’s first Olympic alpine medal in history.
Subsequently, a sample test for the drug methamphetamine, an ingredient in US manufactured Vicks inhalers, led to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) requesting the Scot hand back his medal. Significantly, he was later cleared of the alleged offence and received support for the return of his medal from the British Olympic Association and Sebastian Coe.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Crusaders injury update
A Crusaders injury update following last night's 16-13 win over the Bulls at AMI Stadium.
Casey Laulala has fractured the radius in his left arm, the same arm that he broke last year, and will miss the rest of the season.
Leon MacDonald hurt his shoulder and left the field but is likely to recover quickly.
Colin Slade suffered a cut under his left eye which required stitches.
Casey Laulala has fractured the radius in his left arm, the same arm that he broke last year, and will miss the rest of the season.
Leon MacDonald hurt his shoulder and left the field but is likely to recover quickly.
Colin Slade suffered a cut under his left eye which required stitches.
CARRICK: FANS PLAY A HUGE PART
Michael Carrick says United are determined to put things right against Aston Villa after opening the title-race door for rivals Liverpool with two straight defeats.
But while it’s down to the players to get the job done on the pitch, the 27-year-old midfielder has called on the Old Trafford faithful to play their part.
“The fans can play a huge part in every game and can pull you through when things aren’t going quite so well. It would be easy for supporters to get a bit frustrated when that's the case, but our fans are always behind us. It gives us a big lift.”
Sir Alex Ferguson's men are still in control at the Barclays Premier League summit, one point clear with a game in hand. But with no points gained in the last two matches, Carrick insists it's vital United get back to winning ways on Sunday.
"We’d gone so long without a league defeat that when it happened it was a bit of a shock to the system, especially when you consider the run we’d been on and how we’d been playing," Michael told United Review.
"But you’re going to lose games through the season, it’s very rare that you don’t. We’ve just got to bounce back; we’ve done it before and we’ll do it again. It’s not a case of changing everything because we’ve lost a couple of matches – we’ve got to focus on doing what we do best and hopefully go on another winning run."
But while it’s down to the players to get the job done on the pitch, the 27-year-old midfielder has called on the Old Trafford faithful to play their part.
“The fans can play a huge part in every game and can pull you through when things aren’t going quite so well. It would be easy for supporters to get a bit frustrated when that's the case, but our fans are always behind us. It gives us a big lift.”
Sir Alex Ferguson's men are still in control at the Barclays Premier League summit, one point clear with a game in hand. But with no points gained in the last two matches, Carrick insists it's vital United get back to winning ways on Sunday.
"We’d gone so long without a league defeat that when it happened it was a bit of a shock to the system, especially when you consider the run we’d been on and how we’d been playing," Michael told United Review.
"But you’re going to lose games through the season, it’s very rare that you don’t. We’ve just got to bounce back; we’ve done it before and we’ll do it again. It’s not a case of changing everything because we’ve lost a couple of matches – we’ve got to focus on doing what we do best and hopefully go on another winning run."
A1GP Hits New Venue in Portugal
A1GP World Cup of Motorsport heads to Portugal for the second time in its history this weekend, but with a brand new circuit in the Algarve providing the backdrop for what is set to be one of the most memorable events of the season on 10 – 12 April.
The last A1GP meeting held in Portugal took place at the Circuito do Estoril, near Lisbon in 2005 but with a new purpose-built facility completed earlier this year, the 4.69-kilometre Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is a truly unique undulating circuit.
Home nation A1 Team Portugal will have the familiar face ofFilipe Albuquerque in the cockpit hoping to close in on two other series regulars, Switzerland’s Neel Jani and Ireland’s Adam Carroll, who sit ahead of him in the championship standings. With only nine points separating the top three the battle is heating up as the series nears its conclusion. The 23-year-old is keen to reach the top step of the podium in front of his home crowd after getting a taste for victory back in Chengdu, China at the end of 2008 and finishing on the podium in the last four events.
“I have been very busy with interviews and demonstration runs including taking the A1GP car on the Super Special Stage at Rally Portugal which was really nice, said Albuquerque. “It will be very special racing here in front of my home crowd and I have lots of friends and family coming along too.”
Commenting on the new Autódromo Internacional do Algarve he continued: “It looks nice. I have been to have a look around the track and driven some demonstrations in a road car, but it will be very different in an A1GP car.
The last corner you can go so much faster with the downforce on the A1GP car. It will be tricky because you have so many up and downhill sections and many blind corners so you really need to know where you are going. It is very wide so will be good for overtaking so I think we will give a good spectacle for the crowds.”
On his chances for the weekend he said: “I think I can win. It’s always my goal. We have been very strong since New Zealand and consistently been at the top at every event so there is no reason why we shouldn’t be up there again here. With the pace we have a win is our aim.
“I am definitely still in the title fight and the championship is now even more open with the confirmation of A1GP Mexico City. We still cannot predict it just being the current top three. We need to be careful .as there are still lots of points to win and if something goes wrong the Netherlands could also be fighting for the championship in Mexico. At the moment Ireland, Switzerland and Portugal are very consistent so it’s going to be tight but I will aim for the victory and we will see.”
Ireland’s Adam Carroll is looking to reclaim his championship lead after a first lap incident with Malaysia last race left him in the gravel, losing the top spot to Switzerland.
Another driver who has had a taste of success is 17-year-old Felipe Guimarães who finished second in South Africa last time out. He will be looking for a repeat performance to help move A1 Team Brazil further up the standings.
“I think the last race was very good and I have confidence right now,” said Guimarães. “In the last race, I saw that I could drive with guys at the front like Neel Jani and Adam Carroll, so I could get a lot of inner belief from that. I have finished in second position in a race, I now want to finish in first position in races and then the championship.
“For the next race in Portugal, I hope I can race with the front runners again. In a sense, racing in the Algarve next week will be the same as Kyalami. It’ll be a new track for everyone and I’ll look forward to it.
“We’re going to work very hard to win, and I cannot predict what will happen. But I’ll do my best.”
Nicolas Prost is also expected to remain as lead driver for A1 Team France while Marco Andretti continues for A1 Team USA.
A1 Team Netherlands will continue its policy of rotating its lead man for the next two meetings, having alternated between Jeroen Bleekemolen and Robert Doornbos all season. Doornbos will be back behind the wheel for A1GP Algarve, Portugal while the team also confirmed that Bleekemolen will return to race at A1GP Brands Hatch on 3 May.
A1GP’s Official Watch & Timing Partner, TW Steel, also continued to showcase its involvement with the series in the build up to the next event with the presence of an A1GP race car on the TW Steel display stand at BASELWORLD 2009 this week – the world’s biggest and most important event for the watch and jewellery industry.
Having started last Thursday, BASELWORLD continued through to Thursday 2 April with the TW Steel-branded A1GP race car attracting considerable interest at the Swiss event, the first time TW Steel has exhibited there.
In addition to the resplendent, A1GP Powered by Ferrari car, the ‘World Cup of Motorsport’ theme carries over into TW Steel’s display windows with several race-related items loaned, fittingly enough from current World Champion A1 Team Switzerland, including a set of Neel Jani’s race overalls, his first place Feature race trophy from Round 4 in New Zealand this season and last year’s World Championship A1GP gold medal. All these items were situated beside TW Steel’s popular A1GP watch collection, launched at the start of the 2008-09 season to celebrate the company’s partnership with A1GP.
“I’m extremely proud that we have such a strong looking stand for our first exhibit at BASELWORLD,” reflected TW Steel CEO, Jordy Cobelens. “Our partnership with A1GP has proved to be extremely important in terms of positioning the TW Steel brand worldwide so it seemed only fitting that we utilise that relationship when promoting ourselves before the industry here in Switzerland.
“The A1GP car has been much admired by all our visitors and it has given us a tremendous opportunity to engage potential distributors and retailers, along with exposing our product to the many people who have stopped at the stand having first noticed the race car. We have enjoyed tremendous traffic at BASELWORLD and having had the opportunity to showcase our partnership with A1GP here in Switzerland we’re looking forward to the next race weekend in Portugal next month.”
The VodafoneA1GP Algarve, Portugal event runs from 10 – 12 April, with the series’ first track action being the rookie driver and developing nations’ sessions on Friday. Final practice and qualifying for the Sprint and Feature races will take place on Saturday with the two races scheduled to run on Sunday at 11.00 and 15.00 respectively.
Thursday PR activity:
A1GP drivers will be given a unique opportunity to get up close and personal swimming with the dolphins at the Zoomarine theme park at Gui, in Albufeira. Based on the theme ‘The life of the oceans’, Zoomarine’s philosophy is to support active conservation projects, through rehabilitating and reintroducing a wide range of marine species into their natural habitat.
The drivers will get to know and interact with trained bottlenose dolphins, under the supervision of specialised professionals. The activity will commence with a short educational talk to give the drivers some awareness of the protection of the species and some facts about the dolphins and their ecology. Drivers from the following nations will be taking part in the morning event: Portugal, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Malaysia, Monaco, and Switzerland.
About the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve:
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is located near the city of Portimão; in Sítio do Escapadinho, in the parish of Mexilhoeira Grande, about 4.5 kilometres north of the Algarve Motorway [A22], with a direct link exit at Mexilhoeira Grande.
The philosophy behind the conception of the Algarve Motor Park project was to create a group of facilities, which by being located close to each other, would be mutually
beneficial. The 4.69-kilometre Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is part of a purpose built facility, including a karting track, technology park, five-star hotel, sports complex and apartments, that will be completed during this year.
The natural relief of its terrain has allowed the creation of a truly unique undulating circuit. It has been built with the aim of providing a challenging but fun track to drive on, and all the comments received so far from the drivers confirm this has been more than achieved. The positions of the various grandstands were carefully chosen to guarantee close proximity to the circuit and all the action. This allows the fans to choose between ones offering views of the faster, challenging sections or slower, more technical areas.
Track length: 4.69km (2.91 miles)
2008/09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport points standings
Pos A1 Team Points
1 Switzerland 73
2 Ireland 70
3 Portugal 64
4 Netherlands 56
5 France 41
6 New Zealand 36
7 Malaysia 32
8 Australia 30
9 Monaco 23
10 Great Britain 20
11 USA 19
12 South Africa 19
13 Brazil 16
14 Italy 10
15 India 8
16 Lebanon 8
17 Korea 4
18 China 4
19 Indonesia 2
20 Germany 0
21 Mexico 0
The last A1GP meeting held in Portugal took place at the Circuito do Estoril, near Lisbon in 2005 but with a new purpose-built facility completed earlier this year, the 4.69-kilometre Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is a truly unique undulating circuit.
Home nation A1 Team Portugal will have the familiar face ofFilipe Albuquerque in the cockpit hoping to close in on two other series regulars, Switzerland’s Neel Jani and Ireland’s Adam Carroll, who sit ahead of him in the championship standings. With only nine points separating the top three the battle is heating up as the series nears its conclusion. The 23-year-old is keen to reach the top step of the podium in front of his home crowd after getting a taste for victory back in Chengdu, China at the end of 2008 and finishing on the podium in the last four events.
“I have been very busy with interviews and demonstration runs including taking the A1GP car on the Super Special Stage at Rally Portugal which was really nice, said Albuquerque. “It will be very special racing here in front of my home crowd and I have lots of friends and family coming along too.”
Commenting on the new Autódromo Internacional do Algarve he continued: “It looks nice. I have been to have a look around the track and driven some demonstrations in a road car, but it will be very different in an A1GP car.
The last corner you can go so much faster with the downforce on the A1GP car. It will be tricky because you have so many up and downhill sections and many blind corners so you really need to know where you are going. It is very wide so will be good for overtaking so I think we will give a good spectacle for the crowds.”
On his chances for the weekend he said: “I think I can win. It’s always my goal. We have been very strong since New Zealand and consistently been at the top at every event so there is no reason why we shouldn’t be up there again here. With the pace we have a win is our aim.
“I am definitely still in the title fight and the championship is now even more open with the confirmation of A1GP Mexico City. We still cannot predict it just being the current top three. We need to be careful .as there are still lots of points to win and if something goes wrong the Netherlands could also be fighting for the championship in Mexico. At the moment Ireland, Switzerland and Portugal are very consistent so it’s going to be tight but I will aim for the victory and we will see.”
Ireland’s Adam Carroll is looking to reclaim his championship lead after a first lap incident with Malaysia last race left him in the gravel, losing the top spot to Switzerland.
Another driver who has had a taste of success is 17-year-old Felipe Guimarães who finished second in South Africa last time out. He will be looking for a repeat performance to help move A1 Team Brazil further up the standings.
“I think the last race was very good and I have confidence right now,” said Guimarães. “In the last race, I saw that I could drive with guys at the front like Neel Jani and Adam Carroll, so I could get a lot of inner belief from that. I have finished in second position in a race, I now want to finish in first position in races and then the championship.
“For the next race in Portugal, I hope I can race with the front runners again. In a sense, racing in the Algarve next week will be the same as Kyalami. It’ll be a new track for everyone and I’ll look forward to it.
“We’re going to work very hard to win, and I cannot predict what will happen. But I’ll do my best.”
Nicolas Prost is also expected to remain as lead driver for A1 Team France while Marco Andretti continues for A1 Team USA.
A1 Team Netherlands will continue its policy of rotating its lead man for the next two meetings, having alternated between Jeroen Bleekemolen and Robert Doornbos all season. Doornbos will be back behind the wheel for A1GP Algarve, Portugal while the team also confirmed that Bleekemolen will return to race at A1GP Brands Hatch on 3 May.
A1GP’s Official Watch & Timing Partner, TW Steel, also continued to showcase its involvement with the series in the build up to the next event with the presence of an A1GP race car on the TW Steel display stand at BASELWORLD 2009 this week – the world’s biggest and most important event for the watch and jewellery industry.
Having started last Thursday, BASELWORLD continued through to Thursday 2 April with the TW Steel-branded A1GP race car attracting considerable interest at the Swiss event, the first time TW Steel has exhibited there.
In addition to the resplendent, A1GP Powered by Ferrari car, the ‘World Cup of Motorsport’ theme carries over into TW Steel’s display windows with several race-related items loaned, fittingly enough from current World Champion A1 Team Switzerland, including a set of Neel Jani’s race overalls, his first place Feature race trophy from Round 4 in New Zealand this season and last year’s World Championship A1GP gold medal. All these items were situated beside TW Steel’s popular A1GP watch collection, launched at the start of the 2008-09 season to celebrate the company’s partnership with A1GP.
“I’m extremely proud that we have such a strong looking stand for our first exhibit at BASELWORLD,” reflected TW Steel CEO, Jordy Cobelens. “Our partnership with A1GP has proved to be extremely important in terms of positioning the TW Steel brand worldwide so it seemed only fitting that we utilise that relationship when promoting ourselves before the industry here in Switzerland.
“The A1GP car has been much admired by all our visitors and it has given us a tremendous opportunity to engage potential distributors and retailers, along with exposing our product to the many people who have stopped at the stand having first noticed the race car. We have enjoyed tremendous traffic at BASELWORLD and having had the opportunity to showcase our partnership with A1GP here in Switzerland we’re looking forward to the next race weekend in Portugal next month.”
The VodafoneA1GP Algarve, Portugal event runs from 10 – 12 April, with the series’ first track action being the rookie driver and developing nations’ sessions on Friday. Final practice and qualifying for the Sprint and Feature races will take place on Saturday with the two races scheduled to run on Sunday at 11.00 and 15.00 respectively.
Thursday PR activity:
A1GP drivers will be given a unique opportunity to get up close and personal swimming with the dolphins at the Zoomarine theme park at Gui, in Albufeira. Based on the theme ‘The life of the oceans’, Zoomarine’s philosophy is to support active conservation projects, through rehabilitating and reintroducing a wide range of marine species into their natural habitat.
The drivers will get to know and interact with trained bottlenose dolphins, under the supervision of specialised professionals. The activity will commence with a short educational talk to give the drivers some awareness of the protection of the species and some facts about the dolphins and their ecology. Drivers from the following nations will be taking part in the morning event: Portugal, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Malaysia, Monaco, and Switzerland.
About the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve:
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is located near the city of Portimão; in Sítio do Escapadinho, in the parish of Mexilhoeira Grande, about 4.5 kilometres north of the Algarve Motorway [A22], with a direct link exit at Mexilhoeira Grande.
The philosophy behind the conception of the Algarve Motor Park project was to create a group of facilities, which by being located close to each other, would be mutually
beneficial. The 4.69-kilometre Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is part of a purpose built facility, including a karting track, technology park, five-star hotel, sports complex and apartments, that will be completed during this year.
The natural relief of its terrain has allowed the creation of a truly unique undulating circuit. It has been built with the aim of providing a challenging but fun track to drive on, and all the comments received so far from the drivers confirm this has been more than achieved. The positions of the various grandstands were carefully chosen to guarantee close proximity to the circuit and all the action. This allows the fans to choose between ones offering views of the faster, challenging sections or slower, more technical areas.
Track length: 4.69km (2.91 miles)
2008/09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport points standings
Pos A1 Team Points
1 Switzerland 73
2 Ireland 70
3 Portugal 64
4 Netherlands 56
5 France 41
6 New Zealand 36
7 Malaysia 32
8 Australia 30
9 Monaco 23
10 Great Britain 20
11 USA 19
12 South Africa 19
13 Brazil 16
14 Italy 10
15 India 8
16 Lebanon 8
17 Korea 4
18 China 4
19 Indonesia 2
20 Germany 0
21 Mexico 0
State Championship Final: umpires and match details
Bowden confirmed as umpire for State Championship Final
New Zealand Cricket confirmed today that Emirates Elite Panel umpire Billy Bowden will umpire in the State Championship Final next week, alongside Chris Gaffaney.
The conclusion of the 2008-09 State Championship competition will see the State Auckland Aces face the State Central Stags in a five-day match from Monday 6 April to Friday 10 April, at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln (near Christchurch).
Auckland finished top of the State Championship table after the eight competition rounds, and only require a draw to lift the 2008-09 Trophy.
Play is scheduled to start daily at 10.30am. Live scoring, ball-by-ball radio commentary and video highlights will be available on the New Zealand Cricket website.
For details and links, visit:
http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/domestic/state-championship-f/default.aspx
New Zealand Cricket confirmed today that Emirates Elite Panel umpire Billy Bowden will umpire in the State Championship Final next week, alongside Chris Gaffaney.
The conclusion of the 2008-09 State Championship competition will see the State Auckland Aces face the State Central Stags in a five-day match from Monday 6 April to Friday 10 April, at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln (near Christchurch).
Auckland finished top of the State Championship table after the eight competition rounds, and only require a draw to lift the 2008-09 Trophy.
Play is scheduled to start daily at 10.30am. Live scoring, ball-by-ball radio commentary and video highlights will be available on the New Zealand Cricket website.
For details and links, visit:
http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/domestic/state-championship-f/default.aspx
BULLDOGS POINTS
The National Rugby League, after reviewing submissions from the Bulldogs club, has confirmed that the Bulldogs will be stripped of two competition points from today as a result of the club’s breach of the Replacements (Interchange) rules against Penrith in Round 2.
The NRL received the Bulldogs’ submission to the initial breach notice yesterday.
Those submissions could not negate the fact that the player who had entered the field in breach of the replacement rules had taken a place in the attacking line at the time the match result was decided.
The club was informed late this afternoon that the penalty of two competition points would stand and they will receive written notification on Monday.
All competition tables should now reflect that the club enters Round 4 of the Telstra Premiership on two competition points.
The club has the option of seeking leave to appeal before the NRL Appeals Committee.
Any such application would be reviewed by the Chairman of the Appeals Committee, Sir Laurence Street to see if leave should be granted.
If it were to be granted, an Appeals Committee hearing would comprise Sir Laurence, a nominee of the Rugby League Players Association and a Nominee of the Chairman of the NRL Club Council.
The NRL received the Bulldogs’ submission to the initial breach notice yesterday.
Those submissions could not negate the fact that the player who had entered the field in breach of the replacement rules had taken a place in the attacking line at the time the match result was decided.
The club was informed late this afternoon that the penalty of two competition points would stand and they will receive written notification on Monday.
All competition tables should now reflect that the club enters Round 4 of the Telstra Premiership on two competition points.
The club has the option of seeking leave to appeal before the NRL Appeals Committee.
Any such application would be reviewed by the Chairman of the Appeals Committee, Sir Laurence Street to see if leave should be granted.
If it were to be granted, an Appeals Committee hearing would comprise Sir Laurence, a nominee of the Rugby League Players Association and a Nominee of the Chairman of the NRL Club Council.
Campbell comfortable in Prince's shoes: Cartwright
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright has backed pint-sized dynamo Preston Campbell to step-up another level in his second stint at halfback in tomorrow night’s clash against Melbourne at Olympic Park.
With co-captain Scott Prince given another week off to overcome a hamstring injury, Campbell will again act as the Jetstar Titans’ chief playmaker in a veteran scrumbase combination with dual-international Mat Rogers.
The pair were pivotal for the Titans in last Friday night’s 20-12 win over the Bulldogs, with Campbell scoring one of his side’s four tries and also laying on another.
And Cartwright said he expected Campbell to feel even more comfortable in the role tomorrow given there was no long-term pressure on him with Prince likely to be back for the club’s round five clash against North Queensland in Townsville next weekend.
“He was good for us last week and I’m pretty sure he’ll be even more comfortable in that role (tomorrow),’’ said Cartwright of Campbell.
“It’s good for him because he knows Princey is not far away so he can concentrate on that No.7 jumper and always know that he’s going to go back to fullback sooner rather than later.’’
The Storm have also been tampering with their halves combination in the early rounds, with talk that hooker Cameron Smith will switch to five-eighth for tomorrow night’s clash after he played at pivot in stages for Melbourne in their last-start victory over North Queensland.
Cartwright though said he was not phased by who would play at five-eighth for the Storm and was more focused on his side’s own preparation.
“I’m not real concerned because I’m sure at some stage Smith will be playing hooker and at No.6 so we’re not real fussed,’’ he said.
“It’s more been a week about getting us ready, we know at some stage we’re going to face Inglis at five-eighth and Smith.
The Titans have lost both clashes against the Storm in Melbourne, losing 50-6 in 2007 and 44-4 last year.
However, both of those losses came at the back end of the season when the Titans were missing troops and out of finals contention.
Cartwright said it was a clean slate for his side this time around against a team he rates as the toughest side to beat at home in the NRL.
“They’ve only lost three games over the last three years,’’ he said.
“So consistently they are the best side at their home track. It’s a huge challenge but I’m happy with the way we’ve been going to go and confront them.
“It (the past record against the Storm) hasn’t even been spoken about.
“It’s a new year, they’ve changed a lot of players, we’ve changed a lot of players, we’re only three games in and we’re equal on the competition ladder.’’
Cartwright said it was difficult to pinpoint any weaknesses in the Storm line-up and said his side’s best chance of knocking them off in front of their home crowd would be to focus on what they can control.
“I don’t think they have a weakness. It’s tough to pinpoint any weakness in their side - the main thing is that you’re at you’re best.
“You’ve got to reach levels of attitude and completing everything that you set out to do so there’s no one weakness, you’ve just got to make sure you’re 100 per cent prepared and you go down there and you play to pretty well 95 per cent of your ability.’’
The Titans arrived in Melbourne today with an 18-man squad. Cartwright will make a final decision on the make-up of his interchange bench tomorrow.
With co-captain Scott Prince given another week off to overcome a hamstring injury, Campbell will again act as the Jetstar Titans’ chief playmaker in a veteran scrumbase combination with dual-international Mat Rogers.
The pair were pivotal for the Titans in last Friday night’s 20-12 win over the Bulldogs, with Campbell scoring one of his side’s four tries and also laying on another.
And Cartwright said he expected Campbell to feel even more comfortable in the role tomorrow given there was no long-term pressure on him with Prince likely to be back for the club’s round five clash against North Queensland in Townsville next weekend.
“He was good for us last week and I’m pretty sure he’ll be even more comfortable in that role (tomorrow),’’ said Cartwright of Campbell.
“It’s good for him because he knows Princey is not far away so he can concentrate on that No.7 jumper and always know that he’s going to go back to fullback sooner rather than later.’’
The Storm have also been tampering with their halves combination in the early rounds, with talk that hooker Cameron Smith will switch to five-eighth for tomorrow night’s clash after he played at pivot in stages for Melbourne in their last-start victory over North Queensland.
Cartwright though said he was not phased by who would play at five-eighth for the Storm and was more focused on his side’s own preparation.
“I’m not real concerned because I’m sure at some stage Smith will be playing hooker and at No.6 so we’re not real fussed,’’ he said.
“It’s more been a week about getting us ready, we know at some stage we’re going to face Inglis at five-eighth and Smith.
The Titans have lost both clashes against the Storm in Melbourne, losing 50-6 in 2007 and 44-4 last year.
However, both of those losses came at the back end of the season when the Titans were missing troops and out of finals contention.
Cartwright said it was a clean slate for his side this time around against a team he rates as the toughest side to beat at home in the NRL.
“They’ve only lost three games over the last three years,’’ he said.
“So consistently they are the best side at their home track. It’s a huge challenge but I’m happy with the way we’ve been going to go and confront them.
“It (the past record against the Storm) hasn’t even been spoken about.
“It’s a new year, they’ve changed a lot of players, we’ve changed a lot of players, we’re only three games in and we’re equal on the competition ladder.’’
Cartwright said it was difficult to pinpoint any weaknesses in the Storm line-up and said his side’s best chance of knocking them off in front of their home crowd would be to focus on what they can control.
“I don’t think they have a weakness. It’s tough to pinpoint any weakness in their side - the main thing is that you’re at you’re best.
“You’ve got to reach levels of attitude and completing everything that you set out to do so there’s no one weakness, you’ve just got to make sure you’re 100 per cent prepared and you go down there and you play to pretty well 95 per cent of your ability.’’
The Titans arrived in Melbourne today with an 18-man squad. Cartwright will make a final decision on the make-up of his interchange bench tomorrow.
New Zealand Under 20 squad named
New Zealand’s Under 20 squad for the IRB Junior World Championship in Japan in June has been named today.
The New Zealand Under 20 squad is: Trent Boswell-Wakefield (Hawke’s Bay), Hamish Cochrane (Tasman), Aaron Cruden (Manawatu), Elliot Dixon (Canterbury), Shahn Eru (Wellington), Daniel Faleafa (Auckland), Ma’afu Fia (Manawatu), Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay), Bernie Hall (Canterbury), Willie Ioane (Manawatu), Brayden Mitchell (Southland), Brendon O’Connor (Canterbury), Ken Pisi (North Harbour), Buxton Popoali’i (Wellington), Leighton Price (Hawke’s Bay), Robbie Robinson (Southland), Alex Ryan (Southland), Teddy Stanaway (Auckland), Winston Stanley (Auckland), Latu Talakai (Waikato), Shae Tamati (Hawke’s Bay), Tom Taylor (Canterbury), Shaun Treeby (Wellington), Gauefa Tuigamala (North Harbour), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Frae Wilson (Wellington).
The 26-man squad includes current players from the Rebel Sport Super 14 and the Air New Zealand Cup, including Hurricanes player Zac Guildford and Blues player Winston Stanley. Air New Zealand Cup players include Southland’s Robbie Robinson Manawatu team-mates Aaron Cruden and Ma’afu Fia, North Harbour’s Nafi Tuitavake and Ken Pisi and Wellington’s Buxton Popoali’i.
Several of the players have rugby pedigree: Stanley is the nephew of former All Black Joe Stanley, Tuitavake is a current member of the New Zealand Sevens squad and younger brother of current All Blacks and Blues player Anthony Tuitavake, while Ken Pisi’s brother George and Tusi have played in the Rebel Sport Super 14.
New Zealand Under 20 Coach Dave Rennie said the squad had a huge amount of talent and he was excited to begin the road to the World Championship.
“I would like to congratulate all the players who have been selected in the squad for the Junior World Championships. It’s a thrilling time for these young men and their families and for many of them it will be the first time they pull on the black jersey so will be incredibly special.”
Rennie said he and assistant coach Mark Anscombe were “extremely happy” with the team.
“This is an exciting group of players who are keen to make an impression on the world stage.”
New Zealand’s age group teams have long been a springboard for many players into higher honours. All Blacks who have played age grade rugby in recent years include Jamie Mackintosh, Hikawera Elliot, Kieran Read and Alby Mathewson.
John Beckett, Marketing Manager of adidas New Zealand, says that a key component of adidas’ sponsorship is their support of the NZRU’s national teams.
“It is always exciting to see young new talent coming through. At adidas we are delighted to provide them with the same range of product technology as the All Blacks have developed and worn ahead of them,” said Beckett.
New Zealand were crowned inaugural champions at the first Junior World Championships held in Wales last year. The Junior World Championships replaced the previous IRB Under 19 and Under 21 World Championship tournaments.
The naming of the squad follows a trial game in Palmerston North yesterday. The squad will stay in camp till Monday and re-assemble twice before their departure to Japan.
New Zealand pool games at IRB Junior World Championship:
v Uruguay June 5
v Ireland June 9
v Argentina June 13
Key dates:
· Squad camp: Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April, Palmerston North
· Squad camp: Saturday 25 April – Wednesday 29 April, Palmerston North
· Pre-tournament camp: Tuesday 26 May – Friday 29 May, Auckland
· Squad departs: Auckland for Tokyo on Saturday 30 May
· IRB World Junior Championship: Friday 5 June – Sunday 21 June, Japan
Note to media: Under 20s Coach Dave Rennie will be available for interview at 5.00pm today. Please contact Kate Hutchison to arrange a time.
The New Zealand Under 20 squad is: Trent Boswell-Wakefield (Hawke’s Bay), Hamish Cochrane (Tasman), Aaron Cruden (Manawatu), Elliot Dixon (Canterbury), Shahn Eru (Wellington), Daniel Faleafa (Auckland), Ma’afu Fia (Manawatu), Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay), Bernie Hall (Canterbury), Willie Ioane (Manawatu), Brayden Mitchell (Southland), Brendon O’Connor (Canterbury), Ken Pisi (North Harbour), Buxton Popoali’i (Wellington), Leighton Price (Hawke’s Bay), Robbie Robinson (Southland), Alex Ryan (Southland), Teddy Stanaway (Auckland), Winston Stanley (Auckland), Latu Talakai (Waikato), Shae Tamati (Hawke’s Bay), Tom Taylor (Canterbury), Shaun Treeby (Wellington), Gauefa Tuigamala (North Harbour), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Frae Wilson (Wellington).
The 26-man squad includes current players from the Rebel Sport Super 14 and the Air New Zealand Cup, including Hurricanes player Zac Guildford and Blues player Winston Stanley. Air New Zealand Cup players include Southland’s Robbie Robinson Manawatu team-mates Aaron Cruden and Ma’afu Fia, North Harbour’s Nafi Tuitavake and Ken Pisi and Wellington’s Buxton Popoali’i.
Several of the players have rugby pedigree: Stanley is the nephew of former All Black Joe Stanley, Tuitavake is a current member of the New Zealand Sevens squad and younger brother of current All Blacks and Blues player Anthony Tuitavake, while Ken Pisi’s brother George and Tusi have played in the Rebel Sport Super 14.
New Zealand Under 20 Coach Dave Rennie said the squad had a huge amount of talent and he was excited to begin the road to the World Championship.
“I would like to congratulate all the players who have been selected in the squad for the Junior World Championships. It’s a thrilling time for these young men and their families and for many of them it will be the first time they pull on the black jersey so will be incredibly special.”
Rennie said he and assistant coach Mark Anscombe were “extremely happy” with the team.
“This is an exciting group of players who are keen to make an impression on the world stage.”
New Zealand’s age group teams have long been a springboard for many players into higher honours. All Blacks who have played age grade rugby in recent years include Jamie Mackintosh, Hikawera Elliot, Kieran Read and Alby Mathewson.
John Beckett, Marketing Manager of adidas New Zealand, says that a key component of adidas’ sponsorship is their support of the NZRU’s national teams.
“It is always exciting to see young new talent coming through. At adidas we are delighted to provide them with the same range of product technology as the All Blacks have developed and worn ahead of them,” said Beckett.
New Zealand were crowned inaugural champions at the first Junior World Championships held in Wales last year. The Junior World Championships replaced the previous IRB Under 19 and Under 21 World Championship tournaments.
The naming of the squad follows a trial game in Palmerston North yesterday. The squad will stay in camp till Monday and re-assemble twice before their departure to Japan.
New Zealand pool games at IRB Junior World Championship:
v Uruguay June 5
v Ireland June 9
v Argentina June 13
Key dates:
· Squad camp: Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April, Palmerston North
· Squad camp: Saturday 25 April – Wednesday 29 April, Palmerston North
· Pre-tournament camp: Tuesday 26 May – Friday 29 May, Auckland
· Squad departs: Auckland for Tokyo on Saturday 30 May
· IRB World Junior Championship: Friday 5 June – Sunday 21 June, Japan
Note to media: Under 20s Coach Dave Rennie will be available for interview at 5.00pm today. Please contact Kate Hutchison to arrange a time.
CHESLEY “SULLY” SULLENBERGER TO THROW OUT CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH
The New York Yankees today announced that Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot of Flight 1549 who successfully landed the impaired plane safely on New York’s Hudson River in January, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the Yankees’ 1:05 p.m. exhibition game vs. the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, April 4.
The Yankees will honor “Sully” (a Yankees fan since boyhood) as well as Flight 1549 co-pilot Jeff Skiles and flight-crew member Doreen Welsh in a pregame ceremony.
In addition, the Yankees will welcome Challenger, the renowned American Bald Eagle, who will fly across Yankee Stadium from the top of the Bleachers Café to the pitcher’s mound at the conclusion of the national anthem.
The Yankees will honor “Sully” (a Yankees fan since boyhood) as well as Flight 1549 co-pilot Jeff Skiles and flight-crew member Doreen Welsh in a pregame ceremony.
In addition, the Yankees will welcome Challenger, the renowned American Bald Eagle, who will fly across Yankee Stadium from the top of the Bleachers Café to the pitcher’s mound at the conclusion of the national anthem.
A1GP and Filipe Albuquerque Get Among the Action at Rally Portugal
A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and A1 Team Portugal’s Filipe Albuquerque made a guest appearance at the opening special stage of the Vodafone Rally of Portugal today, the fourth round of the 2009 World Rally Championship. This is the first of several spectacular events involving Albuquerque and the A1GP Powered by Ferrari car he will race in next week’s Vodafone A1GP Algarve, Portugal on the 10 – 12 April.
Fans had their first taste of the A1GP car in action at the Estadio Algarve this afternoon when the 23-year-old drove around the Super Special Stage at Rally Portugal in front of his home fans.
As well as giving fans the chance to get up close to the A1GP car in the exhibition area, A1 Team Portugal’s star driver took time out to meet and greet the fans for autographs and photos ahead of his home event next weekend.
“The crowd seemed to enjoy it, said Albuquerque. “They loved the A1GP car – especially as it’s the Portuguese car.I have been to watch the rally here before with friends but this time it was different as I was out on the circuit myself.
“All crowds like to see some burnouts with smoke coming off the tyres and hear the engine noise so it was nice to give them that. I always like to do donuts in the car but it’s not as easy as it seems as you need to control the throttle to keep the car in the tight space, but when you do it’s a good show. I felt much closer to the people in the stadium so I could interact with them more; the people next to me where signalling for more spins. I couldn’t hear them, but I could see on their faces that they were going crazy. I really enjoyed being so close to the fans.”
The Vodafone Rally of Portugal, round four of the World Rally Championship, is taking place from 2-5 April 2009.
A new-look Rally Portugal returned to the calendar in 2007, moving from Portugal’s west coast to a new host town, Vilamoura, in the Algarve. After taking a year off in 2008, the event has returned to the calendar and will be the first pure gravel rally of the WRC 2009 season
The bulk of the stages are based in the Serra do Caldeirao hills, north of Faro, with drivers tackling a total of 18 stages and a competitive distance of 361.36km over the four-day event. The rally is again based at Estadio Algarve, which houses a Super Special Stage that opened the event this evening and will close it on Sunday afternoon.
Albuquerque will drive the A1GP Powered by Ferrari car on the Super Special Stage for a final time on Sunday 5 April at 12:45.
Vodafone A1GP Algarve, Portugal takes place from 10-12 April at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. Tickets for the event can be acquired at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve and nationwide at FNAC, Media Markt, El Corte Inglês, Pavilhão Atlântico, Arena de Portimão and at www.autodromodoalgarve.com. Further information about the event can be found at www.A1GP.com
Fans had their first taste of the A1GP car in action at the Estadio Algarve this afternoon when the 23-year-old drove around the Super Special Stage at Rally Portugal in front of his home fans.
As well as giving fans the chance to get up close to the A1GP car in the exhibition area, A1 Team Portugal’s star driver took time out to meet and greet the fans for autographs and photos ahead of his home event next weekend.
“The crowd seemed to enjoy it, said Albuquerque. “They loved the A1GP car – especially as it’s the Portuguese car.I have been to watch the rally here before with friends but this time it was different as I was out on the circuit myself.
“All crowds like to see some burnouts with smoke coming off the tyres and hear the engine noise so it was nice to give them that. I always like to do donuts in the car but it’s not as easy as it seems as you need to control the throttle to keep the car in the tight space, but when you do it’s a good show. I felt much closer to the people in the stadium so I could interact with them more; the people next to me where signalling for more spins. I couldn’t hear them, but I could see on their faces that they were going crazy. I really enjoyed being so close to the fans.”
The Vodafone Rally of Portugal, round four of the World Rally Championship, is taking place from 2-5 April 2009.
A new-look Rally Portugal returned to the calendar in 2007, moving from Portugal’s west coast to a new host town, Vilamoura, in the Algarve. After taking a year off in 2008, the event has returned to the calendar and will be the first pure gravel rally of the WRC 2009 season
The bulk of the stages are based in the Serra do Caldeirao hills, north of Faro, with drivers tackling a total of 18 stages and a competitive distance of 361.36km over the four-day event. The rally is again based at Estadio Algarve, which houses a Super Special Stage that opened the event this evening and will close it on Sunday afternoon.
Albuquerque will drive the A1GP Powered by Ferrari car on the Super Special Stage for a final time on Sunday 5 April at 12:45.
Vodafone A1GP Algarve, Portugal takes place from 10-12 April at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. Tickets for the event can be acquired at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve and nationwide at FNAC, Media Markt, El Corte Inglês, Pavilhão Atlântico, Arena de Portimão and at www.autodromodoalgarve.com. Further information about the event can be found at www.A1GP.com
Friday, April 3, 2009
ICC President and Chief Executive meet New Zealand Cricket's board
Third catch-up with a Member board for David Morgan and Haroon Lorgat following meetings with Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa in February
ICC President David Morgan: “The meeting provided the opportunity for both sides, the ICC and NZC, to get a better understanding of the workings of the other and the challenges we face in ensuring cricket is a great sport with a great spirit”
NZC Chairman Alan Isaac: “Their openness and frankness about the issues that the cricket world is facing was very good and informative for our board”
Broadcast-quality audio of David Morgan and Alan Isaac available for free download and use at http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/audio/audio.html
ICC President David Morgan and Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat on Thursday met the board of New Zealand Cricket as part of their ongoing process of information sharing with Members.
The two-hour meeting in Wellington was the third of its kind for the pair, in the country as part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations, having caught up with the boards of Cricket Australia in Melbourne and Cricket South Africa in Johannesburg in February.
Reflecting on the gathering, Mr Morgan said: “I believe the meeting went very well. The board of New Zealand Cricket (NZC) includes directors independent of the state associations and thinking from outside the game as well as from within is always a valuable tool in assessing the progress we are making.
“The purpose of these presentations is to outline the ICC’s objectives and the challenges facing the global body and, by extension, our Members. Equally importantly, it gives us a chance to hear from those Members, in this case NZC, about their goals and challenges and also how they see their relationship with the ICC.
“It is important that our stakeholders understand the challenges cricket and the ICC is facing at a global level so that we can work together to find the right way forward and collectively take the sport to the next level.
“Unless we interact in this way, we will never be able to achieve our common objectives, to make sure we have a great sport with a great spirit that continues to grow stronger.
“It was a thoroughly enjoyable meeting and I believe both groups parted with a better understanding of the workings of the other, the challenges each and the sport as a whole is facing and with an enhanced knowledge about each other’s issues.
“I believe these presentations and the feedback we receive from them is good for the ICC and more importantly it is good for the game of cricket. I’m extremely grateful to NZC Chairman Alan Isaac for allowing us the time to come together.”
NZC Chairman Alan Isaac said: “It was a real pleasure having David and Haroon here. Their openness and frankness about the issues that the cricket world is facing was very good and informative for our board.
“It was an excellent exercise from our perspective to ask questions, get their understanding of those issues and know how they are being addressed.
“It is essential that the cricket world stays united in facing some of the challenges that we have, from security to the opportunities around the development of the game, different formats of the game, and the excitement and the opportunities cricket provides to bring the world together in many ways.
“The ICC has a challenge because it is effectively a collection of Members. Those Members have different issues and they are trying to achieve different things. But that is not much different from any other representative body at the end of the day.”
Broadcast-quality audio of David Morgan and Alan Isaac is available for free download and use at http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/audio/audio.html
Details of future visits to Member boards by ICC officials will be confirmed, announced and detailed in due course.
ICC President David Morgan: “The meeting provided the opportunity for both sides, the ICC and NZC, to get a better understanding of the workings of the other and the challenges we face in ensuring cricket is a great sport with a great spirit”
NZC Chairman Alan Isaac: “Their openness and frankness about the issues that the cricket world is facing was very good and informative for our board”
Broadcast-quality audio of David Morgan and Alan Isaac available for free download and use at http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/audio/audio.html
ICC President David Morgan and Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat on Thursday met the board of New Zealand Cricket as part of their ongoing process of information sharing with Members.
The two-hour meeting in Wellington was the third of its kind for the pair, in the country as part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations, having caught up with the boards of Cricket Australia in Melbourne and Cricket South Africa in Johannesburg in February.
Reflecting on the gathering, Mr Morgan said: “I believe the meeting went very well. The board of New Zealand Cricket (NZC) includes directors independent of the state associations and thinking from outside the game as well as from within is always a valuable tool in assessing the progress we are making.
“The purpose of these presentations is to outline the ICC’s objectives and the challenges facing the global body and, by extension, our Members. Equally importantly, it gives us a chance to hear from those Members, in this case NZC, about their goals and challenges and also how they see their relationship with the ICC.
“It is important that our stakeholders understand the challenges cricket and the ICC is facing at a global level so that we can work together to find the right way forward and collectively take the sport to the next level.
“Unless we interact in this way, we will never be able to achieve our common objectives, to make sure we have a great sport with a great spirit that continues to grow stronger.
“It was a thoroughly enjoyable meeting and I believe both groups parted with a better understanding of the workings of the other, the challenges each and the sport as a whole is facing and with an enhanced knowledge about each other’s issues.
“I believe these presentations and the feedback we receive from them is good for the ICC and more importantly it is good for the game of cricket. I’m extremely grateful to NZC Chairman Alan Isaac for allowing us the time to come together.”
NZC Chairman Alan Isaac said: “It was a real pleasure having David and Haroon here. Their openness and frankness about the issues that the cricket world is facing was very good and informative for our board.
“It was an excellent exercise from our perspective to ask questions, get their understanding of those issues and know how they are being addressed.
“It is essential that the cricket world stays united in facing some of the challenges that we have, from security to the opportunities around the development of the game, different formats of the game, and the excitement and the opportunities cricket provides to bring the world together in many ways.
“The ICC has a challenge because it is effectively a collection of Members. Those Members have different issues and they are trying to achieve different things. But that is not much different from any other representative body at the end of the day.”
Broadcast-quality audio of David Morgan and Alan Isaac is available for free download and use at http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/audio/audio.html
Details of future visits to Member boards by ICC officials will be confirmed, announced and detailed in due course.
ANZ Championship - Round One Preview
In this preview is;
The draw for Round 1
Dot points for this round
A look forward to the 2009 season with NSW Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald
What statistics you can expect from each game and where you find them online
Head to head statistics from the same team match-ups last season
Round One Draw;
Saturday 4th April
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Central Pulse
Stadium Southland, Invercargill at 2.00pm*
Saturday 4th April
Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever
State Netball Hockey Stadium, Melbourne at 2.00pm
Sunday 5th April
Queensland Firebirds v Adelaide Thunderbirds
Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane at 2.30pm
Monday 6th April
LG Mystics v Colourplus Waikato / Bay of Plenty Magic
The Trusts Stadium, Auckland at 7.00pm
Monday 6th April
NSW Swifts v Mercury Energy Tactix
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney at 7.00pm
* Please note all times are local area times.
Dot points for Round 1;
Colourplus Waikato / BOP Magic vs LG Mystics
Trusts Stadium
The two teams met twice in 2008. The Magic were victorious on both occasions, winning in the Round Two 56 – 52 and in Round Six 59 - 45
The Magic were the winners of the Minor Championship, edging out the NSW Swifts on goal percentage 114.69% to 111.35%. The Magic and the NSW Swifts both won 10 games and lost three in the home and away season, with the NSW Swifts victorious in the Grand Final, winning 65 to 56
The Magic’s winning away percentage last year sat at 43% while the LG Mystics winning at home percentage was 38%
The LG Mystics consistently accrued high scores throughout the competition despite winning or losing. Their lowest score was 42, which put them in second place in that department behind the NSW Swifts at 44.
Magic defender Casey Williams was named Holden Captiva Most Valuable Player of the 2008 ANZ Championship, she headed three statistical categories of the competition: deflections (84), defensive rebounds (66) and intercepts (51).
Magic shooter Irene van Dyk recorded her three 100 per cent shooting performances in 2008 and led in the accuracy stakes with 92.8% over 16 games. Mystics shooter Cathrine Latu was in the top ten in both accuracy and volume in 2008 and shot on average at 82%.
The Magic have accrued one Mystics player and the Mystics have accrued one Magic Player
Mystics gains: Keshia Grant (Magic), Pamela Cookey (England), Debbie White (Steel) and Finau Pulu
Mystics losses: Leana de Bruin (Magic), Paula Griffin (Pulse), Sheryl Scanlan (Steel), Angelina Yates
Magic gains: Leana de Bruin (Mystics), Frances Solia (Pulse), Jess Tuki (Steel) and Elias Shadrock
Magic losses: Amigene Metcalf, Brigette Tapene, Keshia Grant (Mystics), Rachel Beale
NSW Swifts v Mercury Energy Tactix
Sydney Olympic Park
The two teams met once in 2008 in Round two with the Tactix beating the eventual Champions 50 – 44. This made the Tactix the only New Zealand team to beat the NSW Swifts in 2008
After losing three of their first six matches, to Tactix, Vixens and Firebirds, Swifts proceeded to compile the best winning streak of the competition, nine straight wins including the Major Semi-Final and Grand Final.
The Tactix won four of their first six games but then could manage only one win from their final six games.
The Swifts have the second highest winning at Home record with 88%.
The Tactix and Swifts have shooters in the top ten shooting accuracy stakes. Jodi Brown (who played only 5 games) sat at fourth with 88% and Susan Pratley at seventh with 87%
The Swifts had a staggering 1017 attempts at goal during the competition. The only team to exceed 1000 and 35 attempts ahead of the Magic
Swifts Coach Julie Fitzgerald topped the inaugural coaching record with an 80% success rate.
Tactix gains: Angela Mitchell, Sonia Mkoloma (Pulse), Kahurangi Waititi (Pulse), Larissa Wilcox (Fever)
Tactix losses: Demelza McCloud (Firebirds), Elizabeth Manu (Pulse), Joanna McCaw, Hayley Stockman
Swifts gains: Samantha May, Amy Wild, Ashlee Mann, Jessica Mansell
Swifts losses: Selina Gilsenan (retired), Adelaide Johnson, Tiffany Lincoln, Leah Shoard (Steel)
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Central Pulse
Stadium Southland, Invercargill
The two teams met twice in 2008. The Steel were victorious on both occasions, winning in the Round two 52 – 50 and in the Round nine 41 - 29
The Steel finished 6th in the 2008 season, the Pulse finished 10th.
The Steel’s winning percentage at home was 62.5%. The Pulse did not win a game last season.
The Pulse’s highest score in 2008 was 50, their lowest was 28
Steel’s gains: Donna Wilkins, Adine Wilson, Leah Shoard (Swifts), Sheryl Scanlan (Mystics)
Pulse’s gains: Paula Griffin (Mystics), Althea Byfield (Jamaica), Larissa Harrison, Te Amo Amaru-Tibble, Camilla Lees, Ngarama Milner-Olsen, Hannah Broederlow, Katie King
Steel’s losses: Megan Dehn (Firebirds), Jenny May-Coffin (retired), Debbie White (Mystics), Jess Tuki (Magic)
Pulse’s losses: Sonia Mkoloma (Tactix), Kahurangi Waitit (Tactix), Frances Solia (Magic), Amber Bellringer, Lauren Burgess, Hayley Crofts, Candyce Edwards, Susan Tagicakibau
The Pulse had matches that went to extra time – three times, more than any other team last season.
Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever
State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne
· Vixens won both their 2008 matches against West Coast Fever in Round 9 and Round 12
· At the Sydney Pre-season Tournament, Vixens defeated Fever 28-21 (half game)
· With player movement over the off season, Fever will have two former Vixens players – Madison Browne and Johannah Curran – in its team, while English import Ama Agbeze will debut for the Vixens after a season at Fever.
· Vixens had a shooting percentage of 79.2% in 2008, ranking them 8th in the competition, while Fever had a shooting accuracy of 83.3% and a ranking of 4.
· Vixens winning at home percentage last year was 67% while Fever winning percentage away from home was 14%
· Sharelle McMahon had the highest shooting percentage in the Vixens team at 81.7%, while Caitlin Thwaites had the highest volume for Vixens with 422 goals for the year
· Caitlin Bassett was the stand out shooter for Fever in 2008, shooting 452 goals at an accurate 87.1%
· Vixens gains: Ama Agbeze (Fever) Kathleen Knott, Chelsey Nash, Brooke Thompson
· Vixens losses: Madison Browne (Fever), Johannah Curran (Fever), Sharni Layton (AIS), Abby Sargent (retired)
· Fever gains: Emma Beckett, Shae Bolton (AIS), Madison Browne (Vixens)
· Fever losses: Karen Atkinson, Ama Agbeze (Vixens), Ingrid Dick (retired), Tracey Pemberton, Larissa Wilcox (Tactix)
Queensland Firebirds v Adelaide Thunderbirds
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
Adelaide Thunderbirds won both of its 2008 matches against Queensland Firebirds in Round 9 and Round 13
Thunderbirds greatest winning margin against Firebirds in the ANZ Championship is 19 goals (Rd 13)
At the Sydney Pre-season Tournament, Thunderbirds defeated Firebirds 29-19 (half game)
Firebirds winning at home percentage last year was 86% while Thunderbirds winning percentage away was 63%
Firebirds Jamaican import Romelda Aiken was the dominant shooter for Firebirds’ in 2009 shooting 492 goals at 89.9%
Thunderbirds shooter Natalie Medhurst was her team’s leading scorer in 2008 shooting 326 goals at 90.3% accuracy (second highest in competition)
Firebirds gains: Demelza McCloud (nee Fellows) (Tactix), Alissa Castrisos, Carla Dziwoki
Firebirds losses: Katie Walker, Jo Morgan, Megan Rooney
Thunderbirds gains: Jane Altschwager, Joanne Sutton, Laura von Bertouch, Sheree Wingard
Thunderbirds losses: Alex Clarke, Mandy Edwards, Melissa Rowland, Kristen Hughes
Bumper season ahead, says Swifts coach;
Heading into the second year of the ANZ Championship, inaugural title-winning NSW Swifts netball coach Julie Fitzgerald has no doubts about what’s in store for 2009.
Last year’s introduction of a semi-professional trans-Tasman competition heralded a new era for the sport which Fitzgerald expects to reach new heights this year.
The intense 16-week season proved a testing one as the 10 teams struggled for consistency in battling the demands of performing week-in week-out over a prolonged period.
After a slow start, the Swifts took most by surprise to win the title on the back of a super consistent second half to the season.
However, Fitzgerald thinks back-to-back titles will be a much harder proposition.
``Everyone will go into this year more aware of what they’re going into and what’s required of them,’’ she said.
``I think a lot of the teams have built across the year and it will be a much stronger competition.’’
Consistency across the 13 weeks of the regular season and the ability to cope with loss of players through injury, the travel and being able to back up quickly from a Monday game to a Saturday game are vital components for Fitzgerald.
The Swifts lost three of their first five games last year and Fitzgerald said a repeat would be much tougher to come back from this year.
Knowing the demands of the competition, there has been a strong drive during the off-season by all teams to recruit wisely. There has been a lot of player movement but Fitzgerald singled out last year’s runners-up the Colourplus Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic for special mention heading into the first round of competition this weekend.
``You can pretend all you like but Magic are certainly the favourites of the competition and they do stand out head and shoulders above the others,’’ she said.
With their quintet of Silver Ferns – Irene van Dyk, Maria Tutaia, Laura Langman, Joline Henry and Casey Williams – and the off-season signings of accomplished defender Leana de Bruin, livewire midcourter Frances Solia and promising shooter Jess Tuki, the Magic present a formidable line-up.
``Teams like Adelaide Thunderbirds have built very well in the off-season, the pre-season form of Mystics can’t be ignored and Southern Steel is a team well-used to winning and I always have a lot of respect for them,’’ Fitzgerald said.
Major coups for the impressive Adelaide Thunderbirds 2009 team are dynamic midcourter Laura von Bertouch, who will reunite with her equally talented sister Natalie, and shooter Jane Altschwager. Both former Australian players have been lured out of retirement to strengthen an already top-notch Thunderbirds team.
The LG Mystics have a strong core in former Silver Ferns Temepara George and Vilimaina Davu while the towering Cathrine Latu gives the Auckland team a strong presence in goal.
The Steel have made prominent changes with well-performed defender Sheryl Scanlan moving south, former Swift Leah Shoard venturing across the Tasman and they welcome back former Silver Ferns Adine Wilson and Donna Wilkins.
``You also have to be wary of any team that’s got Romelda Aiken in it. And who’s going to rule out Melbourne Vixens while West Coast Fever has built very well in the off-season,’’ Fitzgerald said.
With a season under her belt, willowy Jamaican shooter Aiken could be in for a bumper 2009 as she spearheads a relatively stable Queensland Firebirds team. Their other major acquisition is Demelza McCloud (nee Fellowes) who turned out for the Mercury Energy Tactix last year.
The Melbourne Vixens have the inspiring Sharelle McMahon back to full fitness after a knee injury and last year’s fourth-placed finishers front up with a well-credentialed team.
As for the Swifts in 2009, they have a big hole to plug following the retirement of influential midcourter Selina Gilsenan. The former international was a strong ball carrier through court for the Swifts and a damaging defender.
A key aspect for the New Zealand teams will be the ability to win games in Australia, a feat which none achieved last year
The draw for Round 1
Dot points for this round
A look forward to the 2009 season with NSW Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald
What statistics you can expect from each game and where you find them online
Head to head statistics from the same team match-ups last season
Round One Draw;
Saturday 4th April
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Central Pulse
Stadium Southland, Invercargill at 2.00pm*
Saturday 4th April
Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever
State Netball Hockey Stadium, Melbourne at 2.00pm
Sunday 5th April
Queensland Firebirds v Adelaide Thunderbirds
Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane at 2.30pm
Monday 6th April
LG Mystics v Colourplus Waikato / Bay of Plenty Magic
The Trusts Stadium, Auckland at 7.00pm
Monday 6th April
NSW Swifts v Mercury Energy Tactix
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney at 7.00pm
* Please note all times are local area times.
Dot points for Round 1;
Colourplus Waikato / BOP Magic vs LG Mystics
Trusts Stadium
The two teams met twice in 2008. The Magic were victorious on both occasions, winning in the Round Two 56 – 52 and in Round Six 59 - 45
The Magic were the winners of the Minor Championship, edging out the NSW Swifts on goal percentage 114.69% to 111.35%. The Magic and the NSW Swifts both won 10 games and lost three in the home and away season, with the NSW Swifts victorious in the Grand Final, winning 65 to 56
The Magic’s winning away percentage last year sat at 43% while the LG Mystics winning at home percentage was 38%
The LG Mystics consistently accrued high scores throughout the competition despite winning or losing. Their lowest score was 42, which put them in second place in that department behind the NSW Swifts at 44.
Magic defender Casey Williams was named Holden Captiva Most Valuable Player of the 2008 ANZ Championship, she headed three statistical categories of the competition: deflections (84), defensive rebounds (66) and intercepts (51).
Magic shooter Irene van Dyk recorded her three 100 per cent shooting performances in 2008 and led in the accuracy stakes with 92.8% over 16 games. Mystics shooter Cathrine Latu was in the top ten in both accuracy and volume in 2008 and shot on average at 82%.
The Magic have accrued one Mystics player and the Mystics have accrued one Magic Player
Mystics gains: Keshia Grant (Magic), Pamela Cookey (England), Debbie White (Steel) and Finau Pulu
Mystics losses: Leana de Bruin (Magic), Paula Griffin (Pulse), Sheryl Scanlan (Steel), Angelina Yates
Magic gains: Leana de Bruin (Mystics), Frances Solia (Pulse), Jess Tuki (Steel) and Elias Shadrock
Magic losses: Amigene Metcalf, Brigette Tapene, Keshia Grant (Mystics), Rachel Beale
NSW Swifts v Mercury Energy Tactix
Sydney Olympic Park
The two teams met once in 2008 in Round two with the Tactix beating the eventual Champions 50 – 44. This made the Tactix the only New Zealand team to beat the NSW Swifts in 2008
After losing three of their first six matches, to Tactix, Vixens and Firebirds, Swifts proceeded to compile the best winning streak of the competition, nine straight wins including the Major Semi-Final and Grand Final.
The Tactix won four of their first six games but then could manage only one win from their final six games.
The Swifts have the second highest winning at Home record with 88%.
The Tactix and Swifts have shooters in the top ten shooting accuracy stakes. Jodi Brown (who played only 5 games) sat at fourth with 88% and Susan Pratley at seventh with 87%
The Swifts had a staggering 1017 attempts at goal during the competition. The only team to exceed 1000 and 35 attempts ahead of the Magic
Swifts Coach Julie Fitzgerald topped the inaugural coaching record with an 80% success rate.
Tactix gains: Angela Mitchell, Sonia Mkoloma (Pulse), Kahurangi Waititi (Pulse), Larissa Wilcox (Fever)
Tactix losses: Demelza McCloud (Firebirds), Elizabeth Manu (Pulse), Joanna McCaw, Hayley Stockman
Swifts gains: Samantha May, Amy Wild, Ashlee Mann, Jessica Mansell
Swifts losses: Selina Gilsenan (retired), Adelaide Johnson, Tiffany Lincoln, Leah Shoard (Steel)
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Central Pulse
Stadium Southland, Invercargill
The two teams met twice in 2008. The Steel were victorious on both occasions, winning in the Round two 52 – 50 and in the Round nine 41 - 29
The Steel finished 6th in the 2008 season, the Pulse finished 10th.
The Steel’s winning percentage at home was 62.5%. The Pulse did not win a game last season.
The Pulse’s highest score in 2008 was 50, their lowest was 28
Steel’s gains: Donna Wilkins, Adine Wilson, Leah Shoard (Swifts), Sheryl Scanlan (Mystics)
Pulse’s gains: Paula Griffin (Mystics), Althea Byfield (Jamaica), Larissa Harrison, Te Amo Amaru-Tibble, Camilla Lees, Ngarama Milner-Olsen, Hannah Broederlow, Katie King
Steel’s losses: Megan Dehn (Firebirds), Jenny May-Coffin (retired), Debbie White (Mystics), Jess Tuki (Magic)
Pulse’s losses: Sonia Mkoloma (Tactix), Kahurangi Waitit (Tactix), Frances Solia (Magic), Amber Bellringer, Lauren Burgess, Hayley Crofts, Candyce Edwards, Susan Tagicakibau
The Pulse had matches that went to extra time – three times, more than any other team last season.
Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever
State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne
· Vixens won both their 2008 matches against West Coast Fever in Round 9 and Round 12
· At the Sydney Pre-season Tournament, Vixens defeated Fever 28-21 (half game)
· With player movement over the off season, Fever will have two former Vixens players – Madison Browne and Johannah Curran – in its team, while English import Ama Agbeze will debut for the Vixens after a season at Fever.
· Vixens had a shooting percentage of 79.2% in 2008, ranking them 8th in the competition, while Fever had a shooting accuracy of 83.3% and a ranking of 4.
· Vixens winning at home percentage last year was 67% while Fever winning percentage away from home was 14%
· Sharelle McMahon had the highest shooting percentage in the Vixens team at 81.7%, while Caitlin Thwaites had the highest volume for Vixens with 422 goals for the year
· Caitlin Bassett was the stand out shooter for Fever in 2008, shooting 452 goals at an accurate 87.1%
· Vixens gains: Ama Agbeze (Fever) Kathleen Knott, Chelsey Nash, Brooke Thompson
· Vixens losses: Madison Browne (Fever), Johannah Curran (Fever), Sharni Layton (AIS), Abby Sargent (retired)
· Fever gains: Emma Beckett, Shae Bolton (AIS), Madison Browne (Vixens)
· Fever losses: Karen Atkinson, Ama Agbeze (Vixens), Ingrid Dick (retired), Tracey Pemberton, Larissa Wilcox (Tactix)
Queensland Firebirds v Adelaide Thunderbirds
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
Adelaide Thunderbirds won both of its 2008 matches against Queensland Firebirds in Round 9 and Round 13
Thunderbirds greatest winning margin against Firebirds in the ANZ Championship is 19 goals (Rd 13)
At the Sydney Pre-season Tournament, Thunderbirds defeated Firebirds 29-19 (half game)
Firebirds winning at home percentage last year was 86% while Thunderbirds winning percentage away was 63%
Firebirds Jamaican import Romelda Aiken was the dominant shooter for Firebirds’ in 2009 shooting 492 goals at 89.9%
Thunderbirds shooter Natalie Medhurst was her team’s leading scorer in 2008 shooting 326 goals at 90.3% accuracy (second highest in competition)
Firebirds gains: Demelza McCloud (nee Fellows) (Tactix), Alissa Castrisos, Carla Dziwoki
Firebirds losses: Katie Walker, Jo Morgan, Megan Rooney
Thunderbirds gains: Jane Altschwager, Joanne Sutton, Laura von Bertouch, Sheree Wingard
Thunderbirds losses: Alex Clarke, Mandy Edwards, Melissa Rowland, Kristen Hughes
Bumper season ahead, says Swifts coach;
Heading into the second year of the ANZ Championship, inaugural title-winning NSW Swifts netball coach Julie Fitzgerald has no doubts about what’s in store for 2009.
Last year’s introduction of a semi-professional trans-Tasman competition heralded a new era for the sport which Fitzgerald expects to reach new heights this year.
The intense 16-week season proved a testing one as the 10 teams struggled for consistency in battling the demands of performing week-in week-out over a prolonged period.
After a slow start, the Swifts took most by surprise to win the title on the back of a super consistent second half to the season.
However, Fitzgerald thinks back-to-back titles will be a much harder proposition.
``Everyone will go into this year more aware of what they’re going into and what’s required of them,’’ she said.
``I think a lot of the teams have built across the year and it will be a much stronger competition.’’
Consistency across the 13 weeks of the regular season and the ability to cope with loss of players through injury, the travel and being able to back up quickly from a Monday game to a Saturday game are vital components for Fitzgerald.
The Swifts lost three of their first five games last year and Fitzgerald said a repeat would be much tougher to come back from this year.
Knowing the demands of the competition, there has been a strong drive during the off-season by all teams to recruit wisely. There has been a lot of player movement but Fitzgerald singled out last year’s runners-up the Colourplus Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic for special mention heading into the first round of competition this weekend.
``You can pretend all you like but Magic are certainly the favourites of the competition and they do stand out head and shoulders above the others,’’ she said.
With their quintet of Silver Ferns – Irene van Dyk, Maria Tutaia, Laura Langman, Joline Henry and Casey Williams – and the off-season signings of accomplished defender Leana de Bruin, livewire midcourter Frances Solia and promising shooter Jess Tuki, the Magic present a formidable line-up.
``Teams like Adelaide Thunderbirds have built very well in the off-season, the pre-season form of Mystics can’t be ignored and Southern Steel is a team well-used to winning and I always have a lot of respect for them,’’ Fitzgerald said.
Major coups for the impressive Adelaide Thunderbirds 2009 team are dynamic midcourter Laura von Bertouch, who will reunite with her equally talented sister Natalie, and shooter Jane Altschwager. Both former Australian players have been lured out of retirement to strengthen an already top-notch Thunderbirds team.
The LG Mystics have a strong core in former Silver Ferns Temepara George and Vilimaina Davu while the towering Cathrine Latu gives the Auckland team a strong presence in goal.
The Steel have made prominent changes with well-performed defender Sheryl Scanlan moving south, former Swift Leah Shoard venturing across the Tasman and they welcome back former Silver Ferns Adine Wilson and Donna Wilkins.
``You also have to be wary of any team that’s got Romelda Aiken in it. And who’s going to rule out Melbourne Vixens while West Coast Fever has built very well in the off-season,’’ Fitzgerald said.
With a season under her belt, willowy Jamaican shooter Aiken could be in for a bumper 2009 as she spearheads a relatively stable Queensland Firebirds team. Their other major acquisition is Demelza McCloud (nee Fellowes) who turned out for the Mercury Energy Tactix last year.
The Melbourne Vixens have the inspiring Sharelle McMahon back to full fitness after a knee injury and last year’s fourth-placed finishers front up with a well-credentialed team.
As for the Swifts in 2009, they have a big hole to plug following the retirement of influential midcourter Selina Gilsenan. The former international was a strong ball carrier through court for the Swifts and a damaging defender.
A key aspect for the New Zealand teams will be the ability to win games in Australia, a feat which none achieved last year
Matt Rodwell out
Today, Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) Managing Director, Matt Rodwell, announced his resignation to pursue a career in corporate business.
Rodwell has managed the Players Association since January 2006.
“The time is right for me to leave the RLPA and pursue another career path that is in the best interests of my career and family” Rodwell said today.
“I leave the RLPA in good condition with stability at Board level and continued strong membership from the Players within the NRL.” Rodwell added.
“I wish the Association all the success in maintaining and continuing to evolve as the effective representative Player voice in the game”.
Mr. Paul Moreton, RLPA Chairman added, “ I and our Board recognize the fact that Matt has a duty to fulfill his career aspirations, I would add that he has played a pivotal role in developing the strategic footprint and relevance proposition for the Association during his time as Managing Director in turbulent times and we all wish Matt and his family well”.
The RLPA is now searching for an appropriately qualified replacement, with Rodwell expected to finish duties by the end of April 2009.
Rodwell has managed the Players Association since January 2006.
“The time is right for me to leave the RLPA and pursue another career path that is in the best interests of my career and family” Rodwell said today.
“I leave the RLPA in good condition with stability at Board level and continued strong membership from the Players within the NRL.” Rodwell added.
“I wish the Association all the success in maintaining and continuing to evolve as the effective representative Player voice in the game”.
Mr. Paul Moreton, RLPA Chairman added, “ I and our Board recognize the fact that Matt has a duty to fulfill his career aspirations, I would add that he has played a pivotal role in developing the strategic footprint and relevance proposition for the Association during his time as Managing Director in turbulent times and we all wish Matt and his family well”.
The RLPA is now searching for an appropriately qualified replacement, with Rodwell expected to finish duties by the end of April 2009.
Injury change to New Zealand Sevens squad
The New Zealand Sevens team has been forced to make another change to their squad for the Adelaide leg of the IRB World Sevens Series.
Debutant Tutu Tairea from Auckland will replace Otago’s Jeremy Cave who has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Tairea will arrive in Adelaide tomorrow morning and Cave will stay on with his family for the duration of the tournament.
“With the season of injuries we have had the team is well prepared for dealing with late changes to the squad and the challenges it brings. However, the boys are focussed for the weekend and ready for the tournament, “said Coach Gordon Tietjens.
New Zealand kicks off the Adelaide tournament with a game against Wales on Friday night (6.36pm local time).
Debutant Tutu Tairea from Auckland will replace Otago’s Jeremy Cave who has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Tairea will arrive in Adelaide tomorrow morning and Cave will stay on with his family for the duration of the tournament.
“With the season of injuries we have had the team is well prepared for dealing with late changes to the squad and the challenges it brings. However, the boys are focussed for the weekend and ready for the tournament, “said Coach Gordon Tietjens.
New Zealand kicks off the Adelaide tournament with a game against Wales on Friday night (6.36pm local time).
Statement on Taniela Moa
The New Zealand Rugby Union, with the assistance of the Blues, is investigating an incident involving Blues player Taniela Moa, NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said today.
“Taniela Moa was involved in an incident, where a bottle was thrown, at a rugby club in Auckland last Saturday afternoon. We have started our own misconduct process, together with Blues team management, which will ascertain the facts and determine any penalty deemed appropriate,” Mr Sorensen concluded.
The Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) between the NZRU and its professional players includes a formal process for investigating any incidents of misconduct.
The NZRU and Blues will make further comment at the completion of the misconduct hearing, which is scheduled to take place in due course.
“Taniela Moa was involved in an incident, where a bottle was thrown, at a rugby club in Auckland last Saturday afternoon. We have started our own misconduct process, together with Blues team management, which will ascertain the facts and determine any penalty deemed appropriate,” Mr Sorensen concluded.
The Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) between the NZRU and its professional players includes a formal process for investigating any incidents of misconduct.
The NZRU and Blues will make further comment at the completion of the misconduct hearing, which is scheduled to take place in due course.
Gillette Cup Elite Schoolboy Squad to play New Zealand Cricket Legends
New Zealand’s top schoolboy cricketers will take on some of New Zealand’s former greats when the Gillette Cup Elite squad assembles in Wellington tomorrow for a 40 over match against a Wanderers XI in Upper Hutt.
Former Black Caps paceman Simon Doull will spearhead the Wanderers attack while legendary opener and current New Zealand selector John Wright will lead the batting line up.
Wright will be hopeful of not being too outshone by his son Harry, who will line up in the Gillette Cup Elite squad.
The Gillette Cup Elite Squad was chosen after last year’s Gillette Cup secondary school’s cricket tournament in Palmerston North and features some of the best young cricketers in the country.
The members of the Elite Squad are also in contention for a new coaching initiative from New Zealand Cricket which will see around 50 up and comers identified and given one on one coaching and guidance over the year as they strive for higher honours in the future.
The squad will assemble at Westpac Stadium tomorrow morning for a high performance clinic before heading to Upper Hutt for the match against the Wanderers.
The Wanderers side will have a lot to prove against their young counterparts after suffering a huge loss last year in the annual fixture, however with Wright and Doull’s inclusion the Wanderers will have no excuses this year.
Gillette Cup Elite Squad:
Josh Tasman-Jones (Westlake Boys High School), Craig Cachopa (Westlake Boys High School), Zac Scott (Tauranga Boys’ College), Nick Evemy (Tauranga Boys’ College), Ben Smith (Wanganui Collegiate), Abhi Ganugapati (Palmerston North Boys High School), Adam Milne (Palmerston North Boys High School), Harry Wright (Wellington College), Matt Henry (St Bede’s College), Andrew Ireland (St Bede’s College) Chamika Gajanayaka (Wellington College) Charlie McLean (Wellington College).
Wanderers XI:
John Wright, Simon Doull, Erv McSweeney, Evan Gray, Robert Kennedy, Brett Williams, Simon Baker, Tim Boyer, Stephen Mather, Rhys Morgan, Michael Best, Andrew Wilson, Shane Deitz.
Match starts at 12pm at Barton Oval, Upper Hutt
Former Black Caps paceman Simon Doull will spearhead the Wanderers attack while legendary opener and current New Zealand selector John Wright will lead the batting line up.
Wright will be hopeful of not being too outshone by his son Harry, who will line up in the Gillette Cup Elite squad.
The Gillette Cup Elite Squad was chosen after last year’s Gillette Cup secondary school’s cricket tournament in Palmerston North and features some of the best young cricketers in the country.
The members of the Elite Squad are also in contention for a new coaching initiative from New Zealand Cricket which will see around 50 up and comers identified and given one on one coaching and guidance over the year as they strive for higher honours in the future.
The squad will assemble at Westpac Stadium tomorrow morning for a high performance clinic before heading to Upper Hutt for the match against the Wanderers.
The Wanderers side will have a lot to prove against their young counterparts after suffering a huge loss last year in the annual fixture, however with Wright and Doull’s inclusion the Wanderers will have no excuses this year.
Gillette Cup Elite Squad:
Josh Tasman-Jones (Westlake Boys High School), Craig Cachopa (Westlake Boys High School), Zac Scott (Tauranga Boys’ College), Nick Evemy (Tauranga Boys’ College), Ben Smith (Wanganui Collegiate), Abhi Ganugapati (Palmerston North Boys High School), Adam Milne (Palmerston North Boys High School), Harry Wright (Wellington College), Matt Henry (St Bede’s College), Andrew Ireland (St Bede’s College) Chamika Gajanayaka (Wellington College) Charlie McLean (Wellington College).
Wanderers XI:
John Wright, Simon Doull, Erv McSweeney, Evan Gray, Robert Kennedy, Brett Williams, Simon Baker, Tim Boyer, Stephen Mather, Rhys Morgan, Michael Best, Andrew Wilson, Shane Deitz.
Match starts at 12pm at Barton Oval, Upper Hutt
PRICE SIDLEINED FOR NRL CLASH AGAINST SOUTH SYDNEY
A throat injury has today ruled Vodafone Warriors captain Steve Price out of Sunday’s third-round NRL clash against South Sydney at Mount Smart Stadium.
The 35-year-old prop received an accidental blow to his throat making a tackle on Sea Eagles forward Jason King early in the second half of the Vodafone Warriors’ 26-24 win over the defending premiers at Brookvale Oval on March 22.
Price was advised to miss the South Sydney match after visiting a specialist today.
“A scan revealed Steve has a haematoma to his throat and the area is still swollen,” said team doctor John Mayhew.
“He needs to rest this week to allow the swelling to ease before he is reviewed next week with a view to being able to return in round five (against Newcastle).”
With Price ruled out, a total of nine players from the Vodafone Warriors’ NRL squad are now unavailable for Sunday’s encounter.
On the injured list are centre Brent Tate (knee), wing Manu Vatuvei (knee), utility Lance Hohaia (knee) and second rower Ben Matulino (ankle) plus props Leeson Ah Mau (shoulder), Mataupu Poching (ankle), Evarn Tuimavave (neck) and now Price (throat) as well as second rower Epalahame Lauaki. Lauaki has been prevented from playing for the Vodafone Warriors after signing with Hull FC.
Tate is out for the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee playing against his old Brisbane club last Saturday night. Tuimavave is out indefinitely at this stage but Vatuvei, Hohaia, Matulino and Poching are all expected to be available for selection soon, possibly for round five.
“It’s a big dent in our resources but there’s nothing we can do about that except back other players to step in and do the job, which is exactly what we’re doing,” said coach Ivan Cleary.
“While we’ve lost two of our most experienced players this week in Brent and Steve, we have boys in our squad who are busting themselves for an opportunity and now they have it.”
Yesterday 39-game NRL utility Patrick Ah Van was confirmed as Tate’s replacement in the centres.
With Price out, Cleary said Sam Rapira and Russell Packer would be the starting props against South Sydney while he has brought in new signing Lewis Brown (22) and 2008 Vodafone Junior Warriors captain Daniel O’Regan (21) to create a five-man bench. Christchurch-born Brown, a hooker-back rower, and O’Regan, a loose forward-stand off, have both been playing for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup and are yet to play at NRL level.
Cleary said he wouldn’t confirm the final make-up of the interchange bench until closer to game time. In any event there would be at least one more debutant on Sunday, that player becoming the 150th to appear at NRL level for the club since its introduction to the competition in 1995.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
2.00pm, Sunday, April 5
Referees: Tony De Las Heras and Gavin Badger
VODAFONE WARRIORS
WADE McKINNON
DENAN KEMP
PATRICK AH VAN
JEROME ROPATI
AIDAN KIRK
JOEL MOON
STACEY JONES
SAM RAPIRA
IAN HENDERSON
RUSSELL PACKER
SIMON MANNERING
JACOB LILLYMAN
MICHEAL LUCK
Interchange:
LEWIS BROWN
NATHAN FIEN
DANIEL O’REGAN
JESSE ROYAL
UKUMA TA’AI
COACH: IVAN CLEARY
The 35-year-old prop received an accidental blow to his throat making a tackle on Sea Eagles forward Jason King early in the second half of the Vodafone Warriors’ 26-24 win over the defending premiers at Brookvale Oval on March 22.
Price was advised to miss the South Sydney match after visiting a specialist today.
“A scan revealed Steve has a haematoma to his throat and the area is still swollen,” said team doctor John Mayhew.
“He needs to rest this week to allow the swelling to ease before he is reviewed next week with a view to being able to return in round five (against Newcastle).”
With Price ruled out, a total of nine players from the Vodafone Warriors’ NRL squad are now unavailable for Sunday’s encounter.
On the injured list are centre Brent Tate (knee), wing Manu Vatuvei (knee), utility Lance Hohaia (knee) and second rower Ben Matulino (ankle) plus props Leeson Ah Mau (shoulder), Mataupu Poching (ankle), Evarn Tuimavave (neck) and now Price (throat) as well as second rower Epalahame Lauaki. Lauaki has been prevented from playing for the Vodafone Warriors after signing with Hull FC.
Tate is out for the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee playing against his old Brisbane club last Saturday night. Tuimavave is out indefinitely at this stage but Vatuvei, Hohaia, Matulino and Poching are all expected to be available for selection soon, possibly for round five.
“It’s a big dent in our resources but there’s nothing we can do about that except back other players to step in and do the job, which is exactly what we’re doing,” said coach Ivan Cleary.
“While we’ve lost two of our most experienced players this week in Brent and Steve, we have boys in our squad who are busting themselves for an opportunity and now they have it.”
Yesterday 39-game NRL utility Patrick Ah Van was confirmed as Tate’s replacement in the centres.
With Price out, Cleary said Sam Rapira and Russell Packer would be the starting props against South Sydney while he has brought in new signing Lewis Brown (22) and 2008 Vodafone Junior Warriors captain Daniel O’Regan (21) to create a five-man bench. Christchurch-born Brown, a hooker-back rower, and O’Regan, a loose forward-stand off, have both been playing for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup and are yet to play at NRL level.
Cleary said he wouldn’t confirm the final make-up of the interchange bench until closer to game time. In any event there would be at least one more debutant on Sunday, that player becoming the 150th to appear at NRL level for the club since its introduction to the competition in 1995.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
2.00pm, Sunday, April 5
Referees: Tony De Las Heras and Gavin Badger
VODAFONE WARRIORS
WADE McKINNON
DENAN KEMP
PATRICK AH VAN
JEROME ROPATI
AIDAN KIRK
JOEL MOON
STACEY JONES
SAM RAPIRA
IAN HENDERSON
RUSSELL PACKER
SIMON MANNERING
JACOB LILLYMAN
MICHEAL LUCK
Interchange:
LEWIS BROWN
NATHAN FIEN
DANIEL O’REGAN
JESSE ROYAL
UKUMA TA’AI
COACH: IVAN CLEARY
Black Ferns to tour England
Build up to 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup begins
The world champion Black Ferns are to take on the newly-crowned Six Nations champions England in a three-match tour to England later this year.
The Black Ferns will play Test matches against England on Saturday 14 November and Saturday 21 November, with a midweek match against England A on Tuesday 17 November. The matches will be held in London with the venues yet to be confirmed.
NZRU Professional Rugby General Manager Neil Sorensen said the tour would provide a huge challenge for the Black Ferns, with the England women’s team confirming their position as European champions 10 days ago.
England beat Scotland 72 – 3 to win the women’s Six Nations championship for a record-breaking fourth year in a row.
“The Black Ferns tour to England will be an exciting challenge for the players and follows on from the great showing by the New Zealand Women’s Sevens team at the recent Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai,” Mr Sorensen said.
Mr Sorensen said the tour would also give the players and management a valuable opportunity to road-test their planning ahead of next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup which will be held in England
The Managing Director of the Rugby Football Union for Women, Rosie Williams, said: “The RFUW is delighted that the Black Ferns are coming to London to play international rugby against England. This is not only a great chance for us to test ourselves on the field against one of the best teams in the world, but also tremendous preparation ahead of the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in August and September next year.”
The Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament will be staged across London and will showcase the top 16 international teams in world rugby. The Black Ferns are the current world champions beating England 25 – 17 in the last World Cup in Edmonton, Canada, in 2006.
The Black Ferns have played England ten times since 1997 and lost just the one match. Their record also includes a win over England in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final in 2002 in Spain.
Black Ferns tour to England match schedule
Saturday 14 November vs England
Tuesday 17 November vs England A
Saturday 21 November vs England
The world champion Black Ferns are to take on the newly-crowned Six Nations champions England in a three-match tour to England later this year.
The Black Ferns will play Test matches against England on Saturday 14 November and Saturday 21 November, with a midweek match against England A on Tuesday 17 November. The matches will be held in London with the venues yet to be confirmed.
NZRU Professional Rugby General Manager Neil Sorensen said the tour would provide a huge challenge for the Black Ferns, with the England women’s team confirming their position as European champions 10 days ago.
England beat Scotland 72 – 3 to win the women’s Six Nations championship for a record-breaking fourth year in a row.
“The Black Ferns tour to England will be an exciting challenge for the players and follows on from the great showing by the New Zealand Women’s Sevens team at the recent Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai,” Mr Sorensen said.
Mr Sorensen said the tour would also give the players and management a valuable opportunity to road-test their planning ahead of next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup which will be held in England
The Managing Director of the Rugby Football Union for Women, Rosie Williams, said: “The RFUW is delighted that the Black Ferns are coming to London to play international rugby against England. This is not only a great chance for us to test ourselves on the field against one of the best teams in the world, but also tremendous preparation ahead of the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in August and September next year.”
The Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament will be staged across London and will showcase the top 16 international teams in world rugby. The Black Ferns are the current world champions beating England 25 – 17 in the last World Cup in Edmonton, Canada, in 2006.
The Black Ferns have played England ten times since 1997 and lost just the one match. Their record also includes a win over England in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final in 2002 in Spain.
Black Ferns tour to England match schedule
Saturday 14 November vs England
Tuesday 17 November vs England A
Saturday 21 November vs England
A1GP Mexico City Confirmed as Season Finale
A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has been given FIA approval to hold A1GP Mexico City, Mexico on the weekend of the 22-24 May 2009, thus making this the eighth and final round of Season Four.
This popular event, which has been included on the A1GP calendar since Season Two, has never before been the series decider. After receiving the news A1GP CEO, Pete da Silva, said: “It is very important for the series to go back to Mexico City, especially as it won the award for being the best run event of Season Three. The fans have always given us a warm welcome, and it will be great to let them witness the finale of what has been a very exciting first season for the A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars.”
The approval is subject to the completion of FIA stipulated track changes that will allow the granting of the necessary licence. This work is due to start soon.
A1GP has visited Mexico every season with Fundidora Park in Monterrey being the track used in Season One and Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City in Seasons Two and Three.
This popular event, which has been included on the A1GP calendar since Season Two, has never before been the series decider. After receiving the news A1GP CEO, Pete da Silva, said: “It is very important for the series to go back to Mexico City, especially as it won the award for being the best run event of Season Three. The fans have always given us a warm welcome, and it will be great to let them witness the finale of what has been a very exciting first season for the A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars.”
The approval is subject to the completion of FIA stipulated track changes that will allow the granting of the necessary licence. This work is due to start soon.
A1GP has visited Mexico every season with Fundidora Park in Monterrey being the track used in Season One and Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City in Seasons Two and Three.
AH VAN REPLACES TATE, JONES STARTS AT HALFBACK AGAINST RABBITOHS
– Patrick Ah Van replaces the injured Brent Tate at right centre and veteran Stacey Jones will start at halfback when the Vodafone Warriors face South Sydney at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday.
Ah Van, only just turned 21, has 39 NRL appearances to his name since his debut for the club in 2006 when he was just 18.
While he has been used predominantly on the wing and sometimes at fullback in the past, Ah Van’s favoured position is in the centres.
He has impressed for the Auckland Vulcans in the opening three rounds of the New South Wales Cup competition after being used as a starting centre in the Vodafone Warriors’ first two trials against Melbourne and North Queensland in February.
While he returns for his 40th match, the 32-year-old Jones, used from the bench in the Vodafone Warriors’ last two matches, will be back in the No 7 jersey he last wore for the club in 2005. Nathan Fien goes to the interchange bench to provide cover at hooker and also halfback.
The highly-experienced Tate has been sidelined for the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee early in last Saturday night’s encounter with his old club Brisbane. He is due to have surgery in two weeks.
Tate’s injury has added to an injury list which already included Manu Vatuvei (knee), Lance Hohaia (knee), Ben Matulino (ankle), Mataupu Poching (ankle), Leeson Ah Mau (shoulder) and Evarn Tuimavave (neck).
Vatuvei will hopefully be available again next week while it’s possible Hohaia and Matulino will also be cleared to play again.
“We had two fortunate years in 2006 and 2007 but early last season and again this year we’ve had a fair share of injuries,” said coach Ivan Cleary.
“It’s the nature of the game and the nature of the competition we play in that you will have casualties but you can’t get hung up about it.
“We have to face up to the challenges they present, bring in other players to give them an opportunity and get on with it. That’s the exciting side of it. Other players are being given a chance.
“We’re certainly finding out about our depth at this early stage of the year but we have the greatest faith in our whole squad. That’s what this year was always about.”
Cleary expects nothing but the sternest examination from the Rabbitohs.
“They got us twice last year which was a huge disappointment, especially the way we played against them,” said Cleary.
“They started the season brilliantly against the Sydney Roosters (52-12) and had another very good win over Newcastle (22-12) last weekend. They have every right to feel comfortable about playing against us.
“We’re coming off an effort against Brisbane that didn’t please us. We need to step up.”
Sunday’s match will have special significance as the Vodafone Warriors turn it into a celebration of Sonny Fai’s life. There’ll be a strong Polynesian flavour to the day with performances by Tiki Taane, Lapi Mariner and Rosita Vai as well cultural groups from Sonny’s old school De La Salle College and his family church, the Samoan Methodist Church in Otahuhu.
The Fai family will be guests of honours while the first 5000 people to arrive will receive a lei to wear in memory of Sonny.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
2.00pm, Sunday, April 5
Referees: Tony De Las Heras and Gavin Badger
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 WADE McKINNON
2 DENAN KEMP
3 PATRICK AH VAN
4 JEROME ROPATI
5 AIDAN KIRK
6 JOEL MOON
7 STACEY JONES
8 SAM RAPIRA
9 IAN HENDERSON
10 STEVE PRICE (c)
11 SIMON MANNERING
12 JACOB LILLYMAN
13 MICHEAL LUCK
Interchange:
14 NATHAN FIEN
15 RUSSELL PACKER
16 JESSE ROYAL
17 UKUMA TA’AI
LEWIS BROWN
DANIEL O’REGAN
COACH: IVAN CLEARY
Ah Van, only just turned 21, has 39 NRL appearances to his name since his debut for the club in 2006 when he was just 18.
While he has been used predominantly on the wing and sometimes at fullback in the past, Ah Van’s favoured position is in the centres.
He has impressed for the Auckland Vulcans in the opening three rounds of the New South Wales Cup competition after being used as a starting centre in the Vodafone Warriors’ first two trials against Melbourne and North Queensland in February.
While he returns for his 40th match, the 32-year-old Jones, used from the bench in the Vodafone Warriors’ last two matches, will be back in the No 7 jersey he last wore for the club in 2005. Nathan Fien goes to the interchange bench to provide cover at hooker and also halfback.
The highly-experienced Tate has been sidelined for the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee early in last Saturday night’s encounter with his old club Brisbane. He is due to have surgery in two weeks.
Tate’s injury has added to an injury list which already included Manu Vatuvei (knee), Lance Hohaia (knee), Ben Matulino (ankle), Mataupu Poching (ankle), Leeson Ah Mau (shoulder) and Evarn Tuimavave (neck).
Vatuvei will hopefully be available again next week while it’s possible Hohaia and Matulino will also be cleared to play again.
“We had two fortunate years in 2006 and 2007 but early last season and again this year we’ve had a fair share of injuries,” said coach Ivan Cleary.
“It’s the nature of the game and the nature of the competition we play in that you will have casualties but you can’t get hung up about it.
“We have to face up to the challenges they present, bring in other players to give them an opportunity and get on with it. That’s the exciting side of it. Other players are being given a chance.
“We’re certainly finding out about our depth at this early stage of the year but we have the greatest faith in our whole squad. That’s what this year was always about.”
Cleary expects nothing but the sternest examination from the Rabbitohs.
“They got us twice last year which was a huge disappointment, especially the way we played against them,” said Cleary.
“They started the season brilliantly against the Sydney Roosters (52-12) and had another very good win over Newcastle (22-12) last weekend. They have every right to feel comfortable about playing against us.
“We’re coming off an effort against Brisbane that didn’t please us. We need to step up.”
Sunday’s match will have special significance as the Vodafone Warriors turn it into a celebration of Sonny Fai’s life. There’ll be a strong Polynesian flavour to the day with performances by Tiki Taane, Lapi Mariner and Rosita Vai as well cultural groups from Sonny’s old school De La Salle College and his family church, the Samoan Methodist Church in Otahuhu.
The Fai family will be guests of honours while the first 5000 people to arrive will receive a lei to wear in memory of Sonny.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
2.00pm, Sunday, April 5
Referees: Tony De Las Heras and Gavin Badger
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 WADE McKINNON
2 DENAN KEMP
3 PATRICK AH VAN
4 JEROME ROPATI
5 AIDAN KIRK
6 JOEL MOON
7 STACEY JONES
8 SAM RAPIRA
9 IAN HENDERSON
10 STEVE PRICE (c)
11 SIMON MANNERING
12 JACOB LILLYMAN
13 MICHEAL LUCK
Interchange:
14 NATHAN FIEN
15 RUSSELL PACKER
16 JESSE ROYAL
17 UKUMA TA’AI
LEWIS BROWN
DANIEL O’REGAN
COACH: IVAN CLEARY
England Reign In Spain At The Double
England’s young golfers completed a clean sweep in Spain, winning the European Nations Cup while Sam Hutsby took the individual title.
The four-man team of Hutsby, Charlie Ford, Luke Goddard and Dale Whitnell led from start to finish at Sotogrande and their four round aggregate of 840, 24 under par, was four better than France and nine ahead of Spain.
With the best three scores to count each day, England made their intentions apparent from the start, their opening 206, Goddard shooting 68 and Hutsby and Ford 69, saw them leading by one from the French with Spain on 209.
But it was on day two that the foundations for victory were laid. Goddard and Whitnell went round in 68 while Hutsby supported with 69 to leave England on 411, 21 under par, seven strokes clear of France.
It was a similar story on the third day, England increasing their lead to eight strokes over Spain on 617 thanks to a 65 from Hutsby, 69 from Ford and 72 by Goddard.
The final day was played in difficult conditions, a strong wind coming from the opposite direction from the previous days. That was reflected in the scoring with only a handful of the field breaking par.
One of those was Hutsby whose 71 was backed by 76s from Ford and Whitnell, while France overtook the Spanish to take the silver medals.
In the individual prize, Hutsby finished tied with Spain’s Carlos Pigem, who led by four going into the final day.
But the Spanish international suffered in the wind, shooting 75 to Hutsby’s 71 and it was the Hampshire man who prevailed with a par at the first extra hole in a sudden death playoff to bring the title to England for the fifth time in ten years, following Gary Wolstenholme’s wins in 2000, ‘01, ‘03 and ‘05.
Leading final scores:
European Nations Cup
840 England; 844 France; 849 Spain; 855 Ireland; 866 Denmark, Wales; 870 Italy
Individual
274 S Hutsby (Eng) 69 69 65 71; C Pigem (Sp) 67 65 67 75
(Hutsby won playoff at first extra hole)
279 A Kaleka (Fra) 68 69 71 71
280 J Lopez-Lazaro (Fra) 69 69 69 73
Other scores:
285 C Ford (Eng) 69 71 69 76, L Goddard (Eng) 68 68 72 77
287 D Whitnell (Eng) 70 68 73 76
The four-man team of Hutsby, Charlie Ford, Luke Goddard and Dale Whitnell led from start to finish at Sotogrande and their four round aggregate of 840, 24 under par, was four better than France and nine ahead of Spain.
With the best three scores to count each day, England made their intentions apparent from the start, their opening 206, Goddard shooting 68 and Hutsby and Ford 69, saw them leading by one from the French with Spain on 209.
But it was on day two that the foundations for victory were laid. Goddard and Whitnell went round in 68 while Hutsby supported with 69 to leave England on 411, 21 under par, seven strokes clear of France.
It was a similar story on the third day, England increasing their lead to eight strokes over Spain on 617 thanks to a 65 from Hutsby, 69 from Ford and 72 by Goddard.
The final day was played in difficult conditions, a strong wind coming from the opposite direction from the previous days. That was reflected in the scoring with only a handful of the field breaking par.
One of those was Hutsby whose 71 was backed by 76s from Ford and Whitnell, while France overtook the Spanish to take the silver medals.
In the individual prize, Hutsby finished tied with Spain’s Carlos Pigem, who led by four going into the final day.
But the Spanish international suffered in the wind, shooting 75 to Hutsby’s 71 and it was the Hampshire man who prevailed with a par at the first extra hole in a sudden death playoff to bring the title to England for the fifth time in ten years, following Gary Wolstenholme’s wins in 2000, ‘01, ‘03 and ‘05.
Leading final scores:
European Nations Cup
840 England; 844 France; 849 Spain; 855 Ireland; 866 Denmark, Wales; 870 Italy
Individual
274 S Hutsby (Eng) 69 69 65 71; C Pigem (Sp) 67 65 67 75
(Hutsby won playoff at first extra hole)
279 A Kaleka (Fra) 68 69 71 71
280 J Lopez-Lazaro (Fra) 69 69 69 73
Other scores:
285 C Ford (Eng) 69 71 69 76, L Goddard (Eng) 68 68 72 77
287 D Whitnell (Eng) 70 68 73 76
Ryder Cup Captains Head For Mallorca
Ryder Cup captains Mark James, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam will headline one of the strongest fields of the 2009 European Senior Tour season when they tee up in the €300,000 inaugural Son Gual Mallorca Senior Open from May 8-10.
Scotsman Torrance, the current Senior Tour Order of Merit leader, will renew his battle for supremacy with Welshman Woosnam, who claimed the John Jacobs Trophy in his rookie season in 2008.
In-form Torrance captured his 11th Senior Tour title – and his second in three appearances – in the last Senior Tour tournament when he won the DGM Barbados Open by four strokes.
The 2002 Ryder Cup-winning captain, winner of 21 titles on the European Tour, also won the 2008 season ending OKI Castellón Open España – Senior Tour Championship and has targeted succeeding Woosnam as the Senior Tour number one, having topped the Order of Merit himself in 2005 and 2006.
Woosnam heads to Golf Son Gual in Palma hoping to add to the two Senior Tour titles he won in 2008 at the Parkridge Polish Seniors Championship and Russian Seniors Open.
Those victories helped the 2006 Ryder Cup-winning captain and former world number one become the first former Harry Vardon Trophy winner on the European Tour to win the John Jacobs Trophy on the Senior Tour and he has now set his sights on back-to-back Order of Merit crowns.
James, meanwhile, returns to Europe to make his first Senior Tour appearance of the 2009 season in Majorca looking to claim the €45,000 first prize.
The 55-year-old Englishman, European team captain at the 1999 Ryder Cup in Brookline, is searching for his second Senior Tour victory following his win in the European Senior Masters in 2005. James also has three US Champions Tour victories to his name including the Ford Senior Players Championship in 2004.
The trio of Ryder Cup captains will be joined in the field by many other of the leading Senior Tour players including former Ryder Cup players Gordon J Brand of England, who finished second behind Woosnam in the 2008 Order of Merit, Italian Costantino Rocca and Ireland’s Des Smyth.
All-time leading Senior Tour career money winner Carl Mason, a three-time John Jacobs Trophy winner, makes his first appearance of the new season as he attempts to continue his run of winning in each of his seasons on the Senior Tour.
Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone, winner of the 2008 Jersey Seniors Classic, also returns to action having spent the winter commentating in South Africa for Sky Sports.
The impressive field is one of the strongest to assemble on the Spanish island and will tackle the Thomas Himmel-designed course, which is owned by the Pamer family from Germany, with Langer Sport Marketing managing and promoting the event.
Andy Stubbs, managing director of the Senior Tour, said: “With entries soon to close for the inaugural Son Gual Mallorca Senior Open we are already delighted with the present quality of the field, which is certain to create a great deal of interest in Mallorca and help raise the island’s profile as a first-class golfing destination.”
For more information on Golf Son Gual visit www.son-gual.com
Scotsman Torrance, the current Senior Tour Order of Merit leader, will renew his battle for supremacy with Welshman Woosnam, who claimed the John Jacobs Trophy in his rookie season in 2008.
In-form Torrance captured his 11th Senior Tour title – and his second in three appearances – in the last Senior Tour tournament when he won the DGM Barbados Open by four strokes.
The 2002 Ryder Cup-winning captain, winner of 21 titles on the European Tour, also won the 2008 season ending OKI Castellón Open España – Senior Tour Championship and has targeted succeeding Woosnam as the Senior Tour number one, having topped the Order of Merit himself in 2005 and 2006.
Woosnam heads to Golf Son Gual in Palma hoping to add to the two Senior Tour titles he won in 2008 at the Parkridge Polish Seniors Championship and Russian Seniors Open.
Those victories helped the 2006 Ryder Cup-winning captain and former world number one become the first former Harry Vardon Trophy winner on the European Tour to win the John Jacobs Trophy on the Senior Tour and he has now set his sights on back-to-back Order of Merit crowns.
James, meanwhile, returns to Europe to make his first Senior Tour appearance of the 2009 season in Majorca looking to claim the €45,000 first prize.
The 55-year-old Englishman, European team captain at the 1999 Ryder Cup in Brookline, is searching for his second Senior Tour victory following his win in the European Senior Masters in 2005. James also has three US Champions Tour victories to his name including the Ford Senior Players Championship in 2004.
The trio of Ryder Cup captains will be joined in the field by many other of the leading Senior Tour players including former Ryder Cup players Gordon J Brand of England, who finished second behind Woosnam in the 2008 Order of Merit, Italian Costantino Rocca and Ireland’s Des Smyth.
All-time leading Senior Tour career money winner Carl Mason, a three-time John Jacobs Trophy winner, makes his first appearance of the new season as he attempts to continue his run of winning in each of his seasons on the Senior Tour.
Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone, winner of the 2008 Jersey Seniors Classic, also returns to action having spent the winter commentating in South Africa for Sky Sports.
The impressive field is one of the strongest to assemble on the Spanish island and will tackle the Thomas Himmel-designed course, which is owned by the Pamer family from Germany, with Langer Sport Marketing managing and promoting the event.
Andy Stubbs, managing director of the Senior Tour, said: “With entries soon to close for the inaugural Son Gual Mallorca Senior Open we are already delighted with the present quality of the field, which is certain to create a great deal of interest in Mallorca and help raise the island’s profile as a first-class golfing destination.”
For more information on Golf Son Gual visit www.son-gual.com
2009 Malaysian Grand Prix Preview
Lewis Hamilton
“Firstly, we shouldn’t get carried away by our podium in Australia. Yes, we had a fantastic race but we’re all aware that our car isn’t capable of repeating that sort of performance on sheer pace alone. And Sepang is one of the tougher tracks on the calendar, one where we will probably be further from the frontrunners than we were in Albert Park. The track is both fast and technical so requires good mechanical and aero grip. It’s much more aero-dependent and rear-limited than Melbourne so it may highlight some of the shortcomings in MP4-24. Nevertheless, we’re all really encouraged by the progress we’ve made and I know we’ll be pushing as hard as ever to put more points on the board in Sepang.”
Heikki Kovalainen
“The Sepang track is a challenge because it requires several compromises to get the best set-up. There are plenty of long straights, where you ideally need lower downforce, but that gives the car a tendency to slide too much through the high-speed corners. The best corners are Turns Six and Seven – the fast left-right esses behind the pits. In the car, you’ve not only got to find the optimum balance, but also make sure the brakes and cooling are efficient, otherwise you’ll be in trouble before you get to the end of the race. The only difficulty for me is the heat; coming from Finland, we often see the same temperature-readings – but with a minus in front!”
Martin Whitmarsh
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Despite a good result in the race, our performance in the Australian Grand Prix was not what we would like it to be, and the reality is that this weekend’s race in Malaysia is unlikely to offer a significant improvement in fortunes. Nevertheless, we are still pushing to introduce performance to the car – the close proximity to the opening race means there won’t be many large changes to the car but there will be several upgrades to existing components. For us, the mission is clear: we must introduce laptime to our car faster than our rivals to enable us to, firstly, catch the leading runners and then to be able to compete against them. It’s a task we take incredibly seriously and are confident that progress will be made sooner rather than later.”
Norbert Haug
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“With Lewis in third place, the season opener in Melbourne ended much better for us than we had expected after his 18th grid position. Compared to our test results in Barcelona two and a half weeks ago, we made a good step. This result was mainly due to Lewis’s perfect drive and a good strategy by our team. Moreover, some of the incidents in the race went in our favour. However, we cannot expect the same again this coming weekend in Malaysia. We all will work flat out to improve our technical package further – that’s a promise.”
“Firstly, we shouldn’t get carried away by our podium in Australia. Yes, we had a fantastic race but we’re all aware that our car isn’t capable of repeating that sort of performance on sheer pace alone. And Sepang is one of the tougher tracks on the calendar, one where we will probably be further from the frontrunners than we were in Albert Park. The track is both fast and technical so requires good mechanical and aero grip. It’s much more aero-dependent and rear-limited than Melbourne so it may highlight some of the shortcomings in MP4-24. Nevertheless, we’re all really encouraged by the progress we’ve made and I know we’ll be pushing as hard as ever to put more points on the board in Sepang.”
Heikki Kovalainen
“The Sepang track is a challenge because it requires several compromises to get the best set-up. There are plenty of long straights, where you ideally need lower downforce, but that gives the car a tendency to slide too much through the high-speed corners. The best corners are Turns Six and Seven – the fast left-right esses behind the pits. In the car, you’ve not only got to find the optimum balance, but also make sure the brakes and cooling are efficient, otherwise you’ll be in trouble before you get to the end of the race. The only difficulty for me is the heat; coming from Finland, we often see the same temperature-readings – but with a minus in front!”
Martin Whitmarsh
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Despite a good result in the race, our performance in the Australian Grand Prix was not what we would like it to be, and the reality is that this weekend’s race in Malaysia is unlikely to offer a significant improvement in fortunes. Nevertheless, we are still pushing to introduce performance to the car – the close proximity to the opening race means there won’t be many large changes to the car but there will be several upgrades to existing components. For us, the mission is clear: we must introduce laptime to our car faster than our rivals to enable us to, firstly, catch the leading runners and then to be able to compete against them. It’s a task we take incredibly seriously and are confident that progress will be made sooner rather than later.”
Norbert Haug
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“With Lewis in third place, the season opener in Melbourne ended much better for us than we had expected after his 18th grid position. Compared to our test results in Barcelona two and a half weeks ago, we made a good step. This result was mainly due to Lewis’s perfect drive and a good strategy by our team. Moreover, some of the incidents in the race went in our favour. However, we cannot expect the same again this coming weekend in Malaysia. We all will work flat out to improve our technical package further – that’s a promise.”
Jimmy Hill Receives Contribution To League Football At 2009 Football League Awards
Football and Broadcasting legend Jimmy Hill has been presented with the prestigious Contribution to League Football Award at the 2009 Football League Awards incorporating FourFourTwo’s Top 50 Football League Players.
In receiving the award, Jimmy Hill said: “I am greatly honoured to accept this award from an organisation that has played such an important part in my life and throughout my career as a player, manager, chairman and broadcaster. It fills me with immense pride.”
Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney said: “During a career spanning nearly 60 years, Jimmy Hill has made a significant contribution to League football. His influence is still being felt today, in many areas of the game; after all it was Jimmy that was responsible for the introduction of three points for a win and the use of panels of pundits to comment on televised matches.
"He is much admired throughout The Football League and we are delighted to recognise his unparalleled contribution.”
Jimmy received his award at a gala dinner at Grosvenor House on Park Lane on Sunday evening in front of more than 800 attendees from clubs, sponsors and the football industry.
The FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players were also announced at the ceremony. The number one spot went to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ striker, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Matty Fryatt of Leicester City was the highest ranked League 1 representative and Grant Holt of Shrewsbury Town the highest in League 2. The full list of The Top 50 Football League Players can be found either in the May issue of FourFourTwo which is on sale now, or on the FourFourTwo website www.fourfourtwo.com.
To find out more about The Football League Awards please visit www.footballleagueawards.com
In receiving the award, Jimmy Hill said: “I am greatly honoured to accept this award from an organisation that has played such an important part in my life and throughout my career as a player, manager, chairman and broadcaster. It fills me with immense pride.”
Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney said: “During a career spanning nearly 60 years, Jimmy Hill has made a significant contribution to League football. His influence is still being felt today, in many areas of the game; after all it was Jimmy that was responsible for the introduction of three points for a win and the use of panels of pundits to comment on televised matches.
"He is much admired throughout The Football League and we are delighted to recognise his unparalleled contribution.”
Jimmy received his award at a gala dinner at Grosvenor House on Park Lane on Sunday evening in front of more than 800 attendees from clubs, sponsors and the football industry.
The FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players were also announced at the ceremony. The number one spot went to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ striker, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Matty Fryatt of Leicester City was the highest ranked League 1 representative and Grant Holt of Shrewsbury Town the highest in League 2. The full list of The Top 50 Football League Players can be found either in the May issue of FourFourTwo which is on sale now, or on the FourFourTwo website www.fourfourtwo.com.
To find out more about The Football League Awards please visit www.footballleagueawards.com
Changes to New Zealand Sevens squad for Adelaide tournament
The New Zealand Sevens team has made three changes to their squad for the Adelaide leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.
Sevens debutants Luke Hamilton (North Harbour) and Jeremy Cave (Otago) replace Tomasi Cama and Jordan Puletua who have been ruled out with finger ligament and hamstring injuries respectively.
Bay of Plenty’s Lance MacDonald will also join the team for the first time since 2006, replacing Victor Vito who is rejoining the Hurricanes squad in South Africa.
New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens said losing Cama and Puletua was a blow to the team and only added to the “miserable run of injuries” which his squad has had this season.
“Losing a senior player like Tomasi is always tough, but this is an ideal opportunity for a player like Luke Hamilton to show his stuff. He was picked as the outstanding player of the tournament at the Pub Charity National Sevens in Queenstown earlier this year and it was only due to injury that he wasn’t named in our 2009 squad, “said Tietjens.
Zar Lawrence will be rejoining the team on Thursday following his brother’s tangi in the Far North.
New Zealand kicks off the Adelaide tournament with a game against Wales on Friday night (6.36pm local time).
New Zealand’s schedule of matches (all times are local):
Friday 3 April
v Wales, 6.36pm
Saturday 4 April
v Tonga, 12.15pm
v USA, 5.48pm
Sunday 5 April
Finals Day
Squad for Adelaide tournament: Jeremy Cave (Otago), DJ Forbes (Captain, Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Luke Hamilton (North Harbour), Nigel Hunt (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Lance MacDonald (Bay of Plenty), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Julian Savea (Wellington), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau).
Sevens debutants Luke Hamilton (North Harbour) and Jeremy Cave (Otago) replace Tomasi Cama and Jordan Puletua who have been ruled out with finger ligament and hamstring injuries respectively.
Bay of Plenty’s Lance MacDonald will also join the team for the first time since 2006, replacing Victor Vito who is rejoining the Hurricanes squad in South Africa.
New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens said losing Cama and Puletua was a blow to the team and only added to the “miserable run of injuries” which his squad has had this season.
“Losing a senior player like Tomasi is always tough, but this is an ideal opportunity for a player like Luke Hamilton to show his stuff. He was picked as the outstanding player of the tournament at the Pub Charity National Sevens in Queenstown earlier this year and it was only due to injury that he wasn’t named in our 2009 squad, “said Tietjens.
Zar Lawrence will be rejoining the team on Thursday following his brother’s tangi in the Far North.
New Zealand kicks off the Adelaide tournament with a game against Wales on Friday night (6.36pm local time).
New Zealand’s schedule of matches (all times are local):
Friday 3 April
v Wales, 6.36pm
Saturday 4 April
v Tonga, 12.15pm
v USA, 5.48pm
Sunday 5 April
Finals Day
Squad for Adelaide tournament: Jeremy Cave (Otago), DJ Forbes (Captain, Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Luke Hamilton (North Harbour), Nigel Hunt (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Lance MacDonald (Bay of Plenty), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Julian Savea (Wellington), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau).
Cartwright sticks with winning formula
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright will stick with a winning formula for Saturday night’s clash against Melbourne at Olympic Park after today naming an unchanged starting side for the match.
Veteran Preston Campbell will again line-up at halfback in the absence of Scott Prince, who has been ruled out of the match against the Storm in order to get his injured hamstring right for the round 5 clash against North Queensland.
Centre Josh Graham has been included on an extended five-man interchange bench with one to be omitted. Graham was a late withdrawal from last Friday night’s 20-12 win over the Bulldogs due to a head knock.
Hardworking backrower Mark Minichiello said the side had taken confidence out of the win against the Bulldogs in the absence of co-captain Prince.
“Every time you play Melbourne you know you’re in for a real big fight and especially without Princey, it’s probably going to be a little tougher for us,’’ said Minichiello.
“But we proved to everyone last week that we can win without him and the team took a lot of confidence out of that win against the Dogs so we’re going down there with a lot of confidence and I think we can really give them a shake.’’
Minichiello said ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘intensity’ would the key to beating the Storm on their home turf.
“When you play Melbourne, if you’re down one per cent on your intensity or your attention to detail they’re going to get you – they’re just that good of a side.
“So we have to be 100 per cent on song and come to the game with enthusiasm and that intensity again.
“We took that out of game against the Bulldogs and we know how to do that now so hopefully we can take that down to Melbourne.’’
The team will travel to Melbourne on Friday.
Veteran Preston Campbell will again line-up at halfback in the absence of Scott Prince, who has been ruled out of the match against the Storm in order to get his injured hamstring right for the round 5 clash against North Queensland.
Centre Josh Graham has been included on an extended five-man interchange bench with one to be omitted. Graham was a late withdrawal from last Friday night’s 20-12 win over the Bulldogs due to a head knock.
Hardworking backrower Mark Minichiello said the side had taken confidence out of the win against the Bulldogs in the absence of co-captain Prince.
“Every time you play Melbourne you know you’re in for a real big fight and especially without Princey, it’s probably going to be a little tougher for us,’’ said Minichiello.
“But we proved to everyone last week that we can win without him and the team took a lot of confidence out of that win against the Dogs so we’re going down there with a lot of confidence and I think we can really give them a shake.’’
Minichiello said ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘intensity’ would the key to beating the Storm on their home turf.
“When you play Melbourne, if you’re down one per cent on your intensity or your attention to detail they’re going to get you – they’re just that good of a side.
“So we have to be 100 per cent on song and come to the game with enthusiasm and that intensity again.
“We took that out of game against the Bulldogs and we know how to do that now so hopefully we can take that down to Melbourne.’’
The team will travel to Melbourne on Friday.
ICC announces change to umpire appointments in New Zealand
The ICC has announced a change to the umpire appointments schedule for the third Test in the current series between New Zealand and India in New Zealand.
Billy Doctrove of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, who was taken ill during the second Test in Napier, will not be standing in the final match of the series in Wellington. He will be replaced by Daryl Harper, also of the Emirates Elite Panel.
All other appointments remain unchanged. Appointments for other upcoming series will be announced in due course.
New Zealand
Series match referee: Alan Hurst
3-7 Apr – New Zealand v India (Test), Wellington – Simon Taufel and Daryl Harper
Billy Doctrove of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, who was taken ill during the second Test in Napier, will not be standing in the final match of the series in Wellington. He will be replaced by Daryl Harper, also of the Emirates Elite Panel.
All other appointments remain unchanged. Appointments for other upcoming series will be announced in due course.
New Zealand
Series match referee: Alan Hurst
3-7 Apr – New Zealand v India (Test), Wellington – Simon Taufel and Daryl Harper
White Ferns captain Haidee Tiffen announces retirement
White Ferns captain Haidee Tiffen, a veteran of three Women’s World Cup campaigns – and a member of the victorious 2000 team – has today announced her retirement from all levels of cricket.
Tiffen made her White Ferns debut in 1999 and has played 117 one-day internationals, two tests and nine Twenty20 games in the New Zealand colours.
Tiffen said today that the decision to retire was a difficult one.
“I have not taken this decision lightly – it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now,” she said.
“To wear the White Fern and to represent Canterbury for the past 10 years has been a huge privilege, especially having the opportunity to captain both my province and the national team.
“I have so many amazing memories of the game – both successful highs and some gut wrenching lows but I know the experience of them all has shaped the person I am today.”
Tiffen said the 2000 World Cup final victory over Australia in home town Christchurch, where she is a high school teacher, was a high point. “But it was also a thrill to lead the team to the final in the 2009 tournament earlier this month.
“The team has developed so well, and we gave it everything – it was a good time to bow out.”
The 2009 tournament also saw Tiffen achieve her highest score, with an innings of 100 against Pakistan.
New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said Tiffen could be proud of her outstanding record as a player and as a leader of the White Ferns.
“Haidee has been a wonderful ambassador for the game both in New Zealand and internationally,” he said.
“She has a tremendous enthusiasm for the game, and for her fellow players. She has also been an outstanding performer, recognised as one of the best middle-order batters in the game. She’s deservedly earned the respect of teams around the world.”
Haidee finishes her international career ranked number nine in the world for her one-day international batting record, with an average of 30.72.
Tiffen made her White Ferns debut in 1999 and has played 117 one-day internationals, two tests and nine Twenty20 games in the New Zealand colours.
Tiffen said today that the decision to retire was a difficult one.
“I have not taken this decision lightly – it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now,” she said.
“To wear the White Fern and to represent Canterbury for the past 10 years has been a huge privilege, especially having the opportunity to captain both my province and the national team.
“I have so many amazing memories of the game – both successful highs and some gut wrenching lows but I know the experience of them all has shaped the person I am today.”
Tiffen said the 2000 World Cup final victory over Australia in home town Christchurch, where she is a high school teacher, was a high point. “But it was also a thrill to lead the team to the final in the 2009 tournament earlier this month.
“The team has developed so well, and we gave it everything – it was a good time to bow out.”
The 2009 tournament also saw Tiffen achieve her highest score, with an innings of 100 against Pakistan.
New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said Tiffen could be proud of her outstanding record as a player and as a leader of the White Ferns.
“Haidee has been a wonderful ambassador for the game both in New Zealand and internationally,” he said.
“She has a tremendous enthusiasm for the game, and for her fellow players. She has also been an outstanding performer, recognised as one of the best middle-order batters in the game. She’s deservedly earned the respect of teams around the world.”
Haidee finishes her international career ranked number nine in the world for her one-day international batting record, with an average of 30.72.
Laxman returns to top 20 batsmen while Ryder and Taylor are on a charge
VVS Laxman has returned to the top 20 of the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen after his fighting unconquered century helped India salvage a draw in the second Test against New Zealand in Napier yesterday.
Laxman followed up his 76 in India’s 305 all out in the first innings with an unbeaten 124 as the tourists finished 476-4 after being forced to follow on. Earlier, the Black Caps had declared their first innings at 619-9.
For his excellent performances with the bat, Laxman has been rewarded with a jump of six places and puts him in 15th position, just behind master batsman Sachin Tendulkar who contributed 49 and 64 with the bat.
Opener Gautam Gambhir is the highest-ranked India batsman in fifth place and his knock of 137 in the second innings has not only strengthened his current position but has put him within striking distance of fourth-placed Mahela Jayawardena of Sri Lanka.
While Laxman is the only player in the top 20 to make an upward movement, India’s stand-in captain Virender Sehwag is the only batsman in the top 20 who has slipped down the ladder. The opener has dropped two places to 17th position after scores of 34 and 22.
There is good news for New Zealand as all its three centurions have made movements in the right direction.
Man of the match Jesse Ryder, who scored a career-best 201, has vaulted 12 places to 30th position to become his country’s highest-ranked batsman, Ross Taylor has climbed eight places to 32nd spot after a fine 151 while Brendon McCullum has jumped three places to 34th position after his third Test century.
The table is still headed by Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies who leads Pakistan captain Younus Khan by a very small margin while Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is in third position.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, India fast bowler Ishant Sharma’s 3-95 has helped him leapfrog Jacques Kallis of South Africa, Pakistan’s Danish Kaneria and England’s Monty Panesar to a career-best 17th spot.
Sri Lanka’s iconic spinner Muttiah Muralidaran is the still the number-one ranked bowler with South Africa’s Dale Steyn in second spot and Mitchell Johnson of Australia in third place.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounders there has been no change at the top, with South Africa’s Kallis still leading the way.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table, India will retain its third position behind Australia and South Africa irrespective of how the Wellington Test pans out. If India wins the match and the series 2-0, it will stay on 118 Ratings Points while New Zealand will also stay on 81 Ratings Points. However, if New Zealand turns the tables on India and wins the Test to square the series, India will slip to 115 Ratings Points while New Zealand will rise to 85 Ratings Points.
Reliance Mobile ICC Test Rankings (31 March 2009)
Batsmen
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Ave HS Rating
1 ( - ) S.Chanderpaul WI 886 50.01 901 v NZ at Napier 2008
2 ( - ) Younus Khan Pak 880! 51.80 880 v SL at Lahore 2009
3 ( - ) K.Sangakkara SL 854 54.99 938 v Eng at Kandy 2007
4 ( - ) M.Jayawardena SL 821 53.23 854 v Ban at Dhaka 2008
5 ( - ) Gautam Gambhir Ind 812! 52.02 812 v NZ at Napier 2009
6 ( - ) Kevin Pietersen Eng 797 51.09 909 v WI at Headingley 2007
7 ( - ) Ricky Ponting Aus 785 56.20 942 v Eng at Adelaide 2006
8 ( - ) Graeme Smith SA 782 50.33 810 v Aus at Melbourne 2008
9 ( - ) Michael Clarke Aus 776 47.82 825 v SA at Sydney 2009
10 ( - ) Jacques Kallis SA 755 54.66 935 v NZ at Centurion 2007
11 ( - ) Ashwell Prince SA 742 47.29 756 v Pak at Centurion 2007
12 ( - ) AB de Villiers SA 740! 43.92 740 v Aus at Cape Town 2009
13 ( - ) R.Sarwan WI 738 42.57 767 v Eng at Bridgetown 2009
14 ( - ) S.Tendulkar Ind 733 54.75 898 v Zim at Nagpur 2002
15 (+6) VVS Laxman Ind 716 45.41 753 v Aus at Sydney 2004
16 ( - ) Andrew Strauss Eng 707 44.26 769 v SA at Johannesburg 2005
17 (-2) Virender Sehwag Ind 700 50.41 854 v SA at Kolkata 2004
18 (-1) Mike Hussey Aus 696 55.29 921 v WI at Kingston 2008
19 (-1) Simon Katich Aus 692! 43.42 692 v SA at Cape Town 2009
20 (-1) T.Samaraweera SL 687! 51.07 687 v Pak at Lahore 2009
Bowlers
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Ave Econ HS Rating
1 ( - ) M. Muralidaran SL 855 22.18 920 v Ban at Kandy 2007
2 ( - ) Dale Steyn SA 844 23.70 897 v Ind at Ahmedabad 2008
3 ( - ) Mitchell Johnson Aus 807* 28.01 811 v SA at Durban 2009
4 ( - ) Stuart Clark Aus 760* 22.96 863 v WI at Bridgetown 2008
5 ( - ) Makhaya Ntini SA 741 28.37 863 v Ind at Durban 2006
6 ( - ) Harbhajan Singh Ind 699 30.76 765 v NZ at Wellington 2002
7 ( - ) Jerome Taylor WI 670* 34.29 717 v Eng at Kingston 2009
8 ( - ) Paul Harris SA 669*! 32.60 669 v Aus at Cape Town 2009
9 ( - ) Chaminda Vaas SL 664 29.40 800 v Ind at Chennai 2005
10 ( - ) R.Sidebottom Eng 654* 27.70 769 v SA at Lord's 2008
11 ( - ) Brett Lee Aus 653 30.81 811 v WI at Antigua 2008
12 ( - ) Daniel Vettori NZ 638 33.25 681 v Aus at Auckland 2000
13 ( - ) Umar Gul Pak 621* 31.34 627 v WI at Karachi 2006
14 ( - ) Zaheer Khan Ind 619 34.40 689 v Pak at Delhi 2007
15= ( - ) James Anderson Eng 609 35.42 622 v Ind at Chennai 2008
( - ) Andrew Flintoff Eng 609 32.07 810 v Pak at Multan 2005
17 (+3) Ishant Sharma Ind 608*! 31.76 608 v NZ at Napier 2009
18 (-1) Jacques Kallis SA 603 31.08 742 v Eng at Headingley 2003
19 (-1) Danish Kaneria Pak 594 34.87 723 v Eng at Multan 2005
20 (-1) Monty Panesar Eng 585 33.72 721 v WI at Chester-le-St 2007
All-rounders
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points HS Rating
1 ( - ) Jacques Kallis SA 455 616 v Pak at Durban 2002
2 ( - ) Mitchell Johnson Aus 375*/*! 375 v SA at Cape Town 2009
3 ( - ) Daniel Vettori NZ 363 369 v Ban at Dhaka 2008
4 ( - ) Andrew Flintoff Eng 281 501 v Pak at Multan 2005
5 ( - ) Chris Gayle WI 274 /* 282 v Eng at St John's 2009
*indicates provisional rating; a batsman qualifies for a full rating after playing 40 Test innings; a bowler qualifies for a full rating when he reaches 100 Test wickets.
!indicates career-highest rating
Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship (before the start of New Zealand – India Test series)
Rank Team Rating
1 Australia 128
2 South Africa 119
3 India 118
4 Sri Lanka 108
5 Pakistan 100
6 England 98
7 West Indies 89
8 New Zealand 81
9 Bangladesh 0
(Developed by David Kendix)
For more information on the ICC Player Rankings go to: www.reliancemobileiccrankings.com
For more information on the ICC Test Championship rankings go to:
www.icc-cricket.com
Laxman followed up his 76 in India’s 305 all out in the first innings with an unbeaten 124 as the tourists finished 476-4 after being forced to follow on. Earlier, the Black Caps had declared their first innings at 619-9.
For his excellent performances with the bat, Laxman has been rewarded with a jump of six places and puts him in 15th position, just behind master batsman Sachin Tendulkar who contributed 49 and 64 with the bat.
Opener Gautam Gambhir is the highest-ranked India batsman in fifth place and his knock of 137 in the second innings has not only strengthened his current position but has put him within striking distance of fourth-placed Mahela Jayawardena of Sri Lanka.
While Laxman is the only player in the top 20 to make an upward movement, India’s stand-in captain Virender Sehwag is the only batsman in the top 20 who has slipped down the ladder. The opener has dropped two places to 17th position after scores of 34 and 22.
There is good news for New Zealand as all its three centurions have made movements in the right direction.
Man of the match Jesse Ryder, who scored a career-best 201, has vaulted 12 places to 30th position to become his country’s highest-ranked batsman, Ross Taylor has climbed eight places to 32nd spot after a fine 151 while Brendon McCullum has jumped three places to 34th position after his third Test century.
The table is still headed by Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies who leads Pakistan captain Younus Khan by a very small margin while Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is in third position.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, India fast bowler Ishant Sharma’s 3-95 has helped him leapfrog Jacques Kallis of South Africa, Pakistan’s Danish Kaneria and England’s Monty Panesar to a career-best 17th spot.
Sri Lanka’s iconic spinner Muttiah Muralidaran is the still the number-one ranked bowler with South Africa’s Dale Steyn in second spot and Mitchell Johnson of Australia in third place.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounders there has been no change at the top, with South Africa’s Kallis still leading the way.
In the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table, India will retain its third position behind Australia and South Africa irrespective of how the Wellington Test pans out. If India wins the match and the series 2-0, it will stay on 118 Ratings Points while New Zealand will also stay on 81 Ratings Points. However, if New Zealand turns the tables on India and wins the Test to square the series, India will slip to 115 Ratings Points while New Zealand will rise to 85 Ratings Points.
Reliance Mobile ICC Test Rankings (31 March 2009)
Batsmen
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Ave HS Rating
1 ( - ) S.Chanderpaul WI 886 50.01 901 v NZ at Napier 2008
2 ( - ) Younus Khan Pak 880! 51.80 880 v SL at Lahore 2009
3 ( - ) K.Sangakkara SL 854 54.99 938 v Eng at Kandy 2007
4 ( - ) M.Jayawardena SL 821 53.23 854 v Ban at Dhaka 2008
5 ( - ) Gautam Gambhir Ind 812! 52.02 812 v NZ at Napier 2009
6 ( - ) Kevin Pietersen Eng 797 51.09 909 v WI at Headingley 2007
7 ( - ) Ricky Ponting Aus 785 56.20 942 v Eng at Adelaide 2006
8 ( - ) Graeme Smith SA 782 50.33 810 v Aus at Melbourne 2008
9 ( - ) Michael Clarke Aus 776 47.82 825 v SA at Sydney 2009
10 ( - ) Jacques Kallis SA 755 54.66 935 v NZ at Centurion 2007
11 ( - ) Ashwell Prince SA 742 47.29 756 v Pak at Centurion 2007
12 ( - ) AB de Villiers SA 740! 43.92 740 v Aus at Cape Town 2009
13 ( - ) R.Sarwan WI 738 42.57 767 v Eng at Bridgetown 2009
14 ( - ) S.Tendulkar Ind 733 54.75 898 v Zim at Nagpur 2002
15 (+6) VVS Laxman Ind 716 45.41 753 v Aus at Sydney 2004
16 ( - ) Andrew Strauss Eng 707 44.26 769 v SA at Johannesburg 2005
17 (-2) Virender Sehwag Ind 700 50.41 854 v SA at Kolkata 2004
18 (-1) Mike Hussey Aus 696 55.29 921 v WI at Kingston 2008
19 (-1) Simon Katich Aus 692! 43.42 692 v SA at Cape Town 2009
20 (-1) T.Samaraweera SL 687! 51.07 687 v Pak at Lahore 2009
Bowlers
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Ave Econ HS Rating
1 ( - ) M. Muralidaran SL 855 22.18 920 v Ban at Kandy 2007
2 ( - ) Dale Steyn SA 844 23.70 897 v Ind at Ahmedabad 2008
3 ( - ) Mitchell Johnson Aus 807* 28.01 811 v SA at Durban 2009
4 ( - ) Stuart Clark Aus 760* 22.96 863 v WI at Bridgetown 2008
5 ( - ) Makhaya Ntini SA 741 28.37 863 v Ind at Durban 2006
6 ( - ) Harbhajan Singh Ind 699 30.76 765 v NZ at Wellington 2002
7 ( - ) Jerome Taylor WI 670* 34.29 717 v Eng at Kingston 2009
8 ( - ) Paul Harris SA 669*! 32.60 669 v Aus at Cape Town 2009
9 ( - ) Chaminda Vaas SL 664 29.40 800 v Ind at Chennai 2005
10 ( - ) R.Sidebottom Eng 654* 27.70 769 v SA at Lord's 2008
11 ( - ) Brett Lee Aus 653 30.81 811 v WI at Antigua 2008
12 ( - ) Daniel Vettori NZ 638 33.25 681 v Aus at Auckland 2000
13 ( - ) Umar Gul Pak 621* 31.34 627 v WI at Karachi 2006
14 ( - ) Zaheer Khan Ind 619 34.40 689 v Pak at Delhi 2007
15= ( - ) James Anderson Eng 609 35.42 622 v Ind at Chennai 2008
( - ) Andrew Flintoff Eng 609 32.07 810 v Pak at Multan 2005
17 (+3) Ishant Sharma Ind 608*! 31.76 608 v NZ at Napier 2009
18 (-1) Jacques Kallis SA 603 31.08 742 v Eng at Headingley 2003
19 (-1) Danish Kaneria Pak 594 34.87 723 v Eng at Multan 2005
20 (-1) Monty Panesar Eng 585 33.72 721 v WI at Chester-le-St 2007
All-rounders
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points HS Rating
1 ( - ) Jacques Kallis SA 455 616 v Pak at Durban 2002
2 ( - ) Mitchell Johnson Aus 375*/*! 375 v SA at Cape Town 2009
3 ( - ) Daniel Vettori NZ 363 369 v Ban at Dhaka 2008
4 ( - ) Andrew Flintoff Eng 281 501 v Pak at Multan 2005
5 ( - ) Chris Gayle WI 274 /* 282 v Eng at St John's 2009
*indicates provisional rating; a batsman qualifies for a full rating after playing 40 Test innings; a bowler qualifies for a full rating when he reaches 100 Test wickets.
!indicates career-highest rating
Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship (before the start of New Zealand – India Test series)
Rank Team Rating
1 Australia 128
2 South Africa 119
3 India 118
4 Sri Lanka 108
5 Pakistan 100
6 England 98
7 West Indies 89
8 New Zealand 81
9 Bangladesh 0
(Developed by David Kendix)
For more information on the ICC Player Rankings go to: www.reliancemobileiccrankings.com
For more information on the ICC Test Championship rankings go to:
www.icc-cricket.com
Ryder, Taylor and McCullum make ground in world rankings
Jesse Ryder has jumped 12 places in the world test batting rankings after his double hundred in the second Test against India to reach 30th position - currently the highest-ranked New Zealand batsman. Ross Taylor has climbed eight places to 32nd spot after a fine 151 while Brendon McCullum has jumped three places to 34th position after his third Test century.
Ellis to sit out Bulls match
Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis had an X-ray yesterday after hurting his ribs in the match against the Stormers at AMI Stadium on Saturday night.
The X-ray showed no new fractures and revealed that previous injuries (picked up in July while playing for Canterbury, and November while playing for the All Blacks in UK) were well-healed.
However, Ellis will not play against the Bulls at AMI Stadium this Friday night. His place is likely to be taken by Kahn Fotuali’i, who replaced Ellis at halftime on Saturday night
The X-ray showed no new fractures and revealed that previous injuries (picked up in July while playing for Canterbury, and November while playing for the All Blacks in UK) were well-healed.
However, Ellis will not play against the Bulls at AMI Stadium this Friday night. His place is likely to be taken by Kahn Fotuali’i, who replaced Ellis at halftime on Saturday night
New Zealand Junior Davis and Fed Cup Teams announced
The 2009 New Zealand Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams have been announced by Tennis New Zealand.
The players will compete at a qualifying competition in Shepparton in Australia, 15-20 April.
At this regional event around 20 countries from Asia/Oceania will bid to qualify for the world group finals, with the top four teams from our region going through.
The world finals are to be held in San Luis Potosie, Mexico 29 September - 4 October.
The New Zealand teams are:
Junior Davis Cup:
Jaden Grinter (Waikato-Bays)
Jamie Yates (Waikato-Bays)
Chester Espie (Northern)
With Captain Alaistair Hunt, and non-travelling reserves Chris Simich (Auckland) and Wharenui Hawera (Waikato-Bays)
Junior Fed Cup:
Katherine Westbury (ex-Canterbury)
Briar Preston ((Northern/Auckland)
Leela Beattie (Canterbury)
With Captain Peter Blow, and non-travelling reserves Emily Fanning (Southern) and Heidi Stewart (Waikato-Bays)
The players will compete at a qualifying competition in Shepparton in Australia, 15-20 April.
At this regional event around 20 countries from Asia/Oceania will bid to qualify for the world group finals, with the top four teams from our region going through.
The world finals are to be held in San Luis Potosie, Mexico 29 September - 4 October.
The New Zealand teams are:
Junior Davis Cup:
Jaden Grinter (Waikato-Bays)
Jamie Yates (Waikato-Bays)
Chester Espie (Northern)
With Captain Alaistair Hunt, and non-travelling reserves Chris Simich (Auckland) and Wharenui Hawera (Waikato-Bays)
Junior Fed Cup:
Katherine Westbury (ex-Canterbury)
Briar Preston ((Northern/Auckland)
Leela Beattie (Canterbury)
With Captain Peter Blow, and non-travelling reserves Emily Fanning (Southern) and Heidi Stewart (Waikato-Bays)
2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship
Casares, Andalucía, Spain
30th March 2009
Volvo and IMG today announced a revised date for the 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship, which will, subject to final confirmation by The European Tour, now be held from the 29th October to 1st November, 2009 at the magnificent Finca Cortesín Hotel, Golf and Spa in Andalucía, Spain.
The new date further enhances the importance of the 16-man tournament on The European Tour International Schedule as it is the first of three final crucial qualifying events in the run-up to the Dubai World Championship, which will be staged just three weeks later.
The original date, 24th – 27th September was found, when the PGA FedEx schedule was announced to clash with the Tour Championship, which would have impacted upon the availability of the world’s leading players for the Volvo World match Play Championship. Volvo has requested this date of the European Tour and it is expected to be finalised after the 2009 Masters.
With a total prize fund of €3.25 million, and a first prize of €750,000, a place in the Volvo World Match Play Championship could significantly enhance a player’s position on the ‘Race to Dubai’, with all 16 players chasing a place in the end-of-season showpiece.
Per Ericsson, President & CEO of Volvo Event Management Golf, said, “The new Volvo World Match Play Championship represents the next chapter of the ‘Volvo in Golf’ story and will be Volvo’s 120th title sponsorship, a record of which we are justifiably proud.”
He added, “Together with our partners The European Tour, Finca Cortesín and IMG, I am delighted that we have reached a satisfactory conclusion on the question of dates.
“I am delighted how well all the partners have worked together on developing the Volvo World Match Play format, especially on achieving a clear and transparent qualification criteria, developing an exciting new match play format and creating a world-class sporting and social ambience that I believe will be comparable to a ‘Ryder Cup,’ for individual golfers.”
Concluded Ericsson, “At present, only one golfer, Ernie Els qualified for the inaugural Volvo World Match Play Championship, but three-weeks today, we will know the name of the second, the winner of the 15th Volvo China Open, which takes place in Beijing from 16th – 19th April.
Leading players expressed their delight when learning of the date change to avoid a clash with the Tour Championship.
Spain’s leading golf star, Sergio Garcia explained, “I am delighted that the European Tour has worked with Volvo and IMG to change the date to ensure the best field possible is available. Match play is very exciting at the best of times but I think the position of the Volvo World Match Play Championship on the Schedule near the end of The Race to Dubai will make it even more thrilling. Of course it is also special for me that Spain is hosting such a prestigious global tournament so I will be hoping to qualify and do very well in front of my home fans."
Colin Montgomerie, recently announced as European Ryder Cup Captain and winner of the 1999 World Match Play Championship added, “This is one of the oldest and most prestigious events on The European Tour and it really is heartening in these tough economic times to be announcing such positive news. The new qualifying criteria will certainly make it tough for me to qualify but you can be sure I will be doing all I can to secure my place in the field, starting at the Volvo China Open in a couple of weeks time.
[The Volvo World Match Play Championship] is now sitting in a crucial end of the season date and I think it will be a very important week for the 16 in-form players who make it into the field. As it is match play format, I don’t mind admitting I will have my Ryder Cup hat on as I watch with interest to see who rises to the challenge of the cut and thrust of match play.”
Paul Casey, World Match Play Championship winner in 2006 following on from his Volvo China Open victory, added, “This is a very exciting new phase for the event and with long-time Tour sponsor, Volvo, on board, it is sure to go from strength to strength. It is in a great place on the schedule – it is the last event in Europe before The Dubai World Championship and is one that we must qualify for to give ourselves the best chance to top The Race to Dubai.”
Speaking on behalf of Finca Cortesín, Javier Reviriego, General Manager of Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, “We are delighted to have so many media here today and are really looking forward to hosting the Volvo World Match Play Championship for the first time here in Andalucia. It is a significant global event and we believe are progressing well with our preparations, working with Volvo and IMG, to ensure everything about our venue is ready for the inaugural Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesín. Since the very conception of the Finca Cortesin project, we have always planned to host a major golf event like this one. We are certain our facilities and the service we provide to our clients can match the top golf resorts in the world.”
Guy Kinnings, Director, IMG Golf (EAME), added, “We were very excited to announce Volvo’s title sponsorship last year and are thrilled with the way we are collaborating to take this great event forward. It is nice to be commenting on such a good news story where one of the Tour’s most committed sponsors has worked to ensure the brightest of futures for one of the longest running events on Tour. Finca Cortesín are proving to be the best of hosts for this event and they have done everything to ensure the course is in perfect condition and will provide the ideal stage for the thrilling head-to-head contests the World Match Play always enjoys.”
The 45th edition of the World Match Play Championship will be Volvo’s first year as title sponsor having hosted the 21st and final Volvo Masters at Club de Golf Valderrama in 2008.
A new title sponsor and revised date are only the beginning of a comprehensive ‘make-over’ aimed at reinvigorating the World Match Play Championship; a prestigious new venue on mainland Europe, a clearly-defined set of new qualifying criteria and a refreshing new championship format all add-up to an exhilarating future for one of world golf’s most evocative tournaments.
The Championship will be held in Spain for the first time in its history moving from Wentworth Club and 16 of the world’s best players will go head-to-head in classic match play golf over the magnificent 7,439-yard course at Finca Cortesin designed by Cabell B Robinson.
The change in qualifying criteria announced last year will ensure the most cosmopolitan and International World Match Play field in its 45-year history.
The Official World Golf Ranking and The Race to Dubai will be used to identify the 16-man field with leading players from the continents of Europe, Africa/Middle East, North America, South America, Asia and Australasia qualifying along with the defending Champion and winner of the 2009 Volvo China Open.
The Tournament will also benefit from an innovative new playing formula as the players will contest a new look ‘Champion’s League,’ style match play format with the players divided into groups of four where they will play each member of their group over full 18 hole matches.
The winner of each group will qualify for the semi finals which, along with the final, will be played over 36 holes in traditional and compelling head-to head-match play golf, considered by many to be the purest form of the royal and ancient game.
30th March 2009
Volvo and IMG today announced a revised date for the 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship, which will, subject to final confirmation by The European Tour, now be held from the 29th October to 1st November, 2009 at the magnificent Finca Cortesín Hotel, Golf and Spa in Andalucía, Spain.
The new date further enhances the importance of the 16-man tournament on The European Tour International Schedule as it is the first of three final crucial qualifying events in the run-up to the Dubai World Championship, which will be staged just three weeks later.
The original date, 24th – 27th September was found, when the PGA FedEx schedule was announced to clash with the Tour Championship, which would have impacted upon the availability of the world’s leading players for the Volvo World match Play Championship. Volvo has requested this date of the European Tour and it is expected to be finalised after the 2009 Masters.
With a total prize fund of €3.25 million, and a first prize of €750,000, a place in the Volvo World Match Play Championship could significantly enhance a player’s position on the ‘Race to Dubai’, with all 16 players chasing a place in the end-of-season showpiece.
Per Ericsson, President & CEO of Volvo Event Management Golf, said, “The new Volvo World Match Play Championship represents the next chapter of the ‘Volvo in Golf’ story and will be Volvo’s 120th title sponsorship, a record of which we are justifiably proud.”
He added, “Together with our partners The European Tour, Finca Cortesín and IMG, I am delighted that we have reached a satisfactory conclusion on the question of dates.
“I am delighted how well all the partners have worked together on developing the Volvo World Match Play format, especially on achieving a clear and transparent qualification criteria, developing an exciting new match play format and creating a world-class sporting and social ambience that I believe will be comparable to a ‘Ryder Cup,’ for individual golfers.”
Concluded Ericsson, “At present, only one golfer, Ernie Els qualified for the inaugural Volvo World Match Play Championship, but three-weeks today, we will know the name of the second, the winner of the 15th Volvo China Open, which takes place in Beijing from 16th – 19th April.
Leading players expressed their delight when learning of the date change to avoid a clash with the Tour Championship.
Spain’s leading golf star, Sergio Garcia explained, “I am delighted that the European Tour has worked with Volvo and IMG to change the date to ensure the best field possible is available. Match play is very exciting at the best of times but I think the position of the Volvo World Match Play Championship on the Schedule near the end of The Race to Dubai will make it even more thrilling. Of course it is also special for me that Spain is hosting such a prestigious global tournament so I will be hoping to qualify and do very well in front of my home fans."
Colin Montgomerie, recently announced as European Ryder Cup Captain and winner of the 1999 World Match Play Championship added, “This is one of the oldest and most prestigious events on The European Tour and it really is heartening in these tough economic times to be announcing such positive news. The new qualifying criteria will certainly make it tough for me to qualify but you can be sure I will be doing all I can to secure my place in the field, starting at the Volvo China Open in a couple of weeks time.
[The Volvo World Match Play Championship] is now sitting in a crucial end of the season date and I think it will be a very important week for the 16 in-form players who make it into the field. As it is match play format, I don’t mind admitting I will have my Ryder Cup hat on as I watch with interest to see who rises to the challenge of the cut and thrust of match play.”
Paul Casey, World Match Play Championship winner in 2006 following on from his Volvo China Open victory, added, “This is a very exciting new phase for the event and with long-time Tour sponsor, Volvo, on board, it is sure to go from strength to strength. It is in a great place on the schedule – it is the last event in Europe before The Dubai World Championship and is one that we must qualify for to give ourselves the best chance to top The Race to Dubai.”
Speaking on behalf of Finca Cortesín, Javier Reviriego, General Manager of Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, “We are delighted to have so many media here today and are really looking forward to hosting the Volvo World Match Play Championship for the first time here in Andalucia. It is a significant global event and we believe are progressing well with our preparations, working with Volvo and IMG, to ensure everything about our venue is ready for the inaugural Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesín. Since the very conception of the Finca Cortesin project, we have always planned to host a major golf event like this one. We are certain our facilities and the service we provide to our clients can match the top golf resorts in the world.”
Guy Kinnings, Director, IMG Golf (EAME), added, “We were very excited to announce Volvo’s title sponsorship last year and are thrilled with the way we are collaborating to take this great event forward. It is nice to be commenting on such a good news story where one of the Tour’s most committed sponsors has worked to ensure the brightest of futures for one of the longest running events on Tour. Finca Cortesín are proving to be the best of hosts for this event and they have done everything to ensure the course is in perfect condition and will provide the ideal stage for the thrilling head-to-head contests the World Match Play always enjoys.”
The 45th edition of the World Match Play Championship will be Volvo’s first year as title sponsor having hosted the 21st and final Volvo Masters at Club de Golf Valderrama in 2008.
A new title sponsor and revised date are only the beginning of a comprehensive ‘make-over’ aimed at reinvigorating the World Match Play Championship; a prestigious new venue on mainland Europe, a clearly-defined set of new qualifying criteria and a refreshing new championship format all add-up to an exhilarating future for one of world golf’s most evocative tournaments.
The Championship will be held in Spain for the first time in its history moving from Wentworth Club and 16 of the world’s best players will go head-to-head in classic match play golf over the magnificent 7,439-yard course at Finca Cortesin designed by Cabell B Robinson.
The change in qualifying criteria announced last year will ensure the most cosmopolitan and International World Match Play field in its 45-year history.
The Official World Golf Ranking and The Race to Dubai will be used to identify the 16-man field with leading players from the continents of Europe, Africa/Middle East, North America, South America, Asia and Australasia qualifying along with the defending Champion and winner of the 2009 Volvo China Open.
The Tournament will also benefit from an innovative new playing formula as the players will contest a new look ‘Champion’s League,’ style match play format with the players divided into groups of four where they will play each member of their group over full 18 hole matches.
The winner of each group will qualify for the semi finals which, along with the final, will be played over 36 holes in traditional and compelling head-to head-match play golf, considered by many to be the purest form of the royal and ancient game.
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