SANZAR postponed an expansion of the Super Rugby finals series until 2010 during a teleconference on Tuesday.
The decision came after partners were unable to agree on a format for the planned six-team playoffs.
SANZAR officials also confirmed the 2009 Super 14 and Tri Nations series would continue to trial sanctions as part of the ELVs package for both tournaments.
This move is in accordance with the IRB's approval in May for SANZAR to extend the experimentation process and allow the use of extra ELVs in addition to the 13 that have been on global trial since August 1 this year.
"These were major issues with major implications in the different markets and we could not reach a consensus on either issue," said Andy Marinos, the acting managing director of SA Rugby, who doubles as the SANZAR MD on a rotational basis.
"We would all like to have gone to a six-team play-off series in 2009 and accepted that principle at our July meeting in Perth, but we could not agree on the play-off structure that was to be adopted and, in the interests of SANZAR, we opted to remain with the status quo."
Marinos also said the SANZAR partners were unable to agree a common approach on the ELVs and opted for the status quo.
"SANZAR was given IRB approval in May to further trial an expanded form of the ELVs and after reflection we have re-committed to that principle as an organisation," said Marinos.
"The ELVs as applied in the Tri-Nations will continue into the 2009 SANZAR competitions - we're smart enough and professional enough as rugby nations to adapt when we have to."
The Super 14 will kick-off on the weekend of February 13/14 .and the fixtures for the 2009 season will be issued in due course.
ISSUED BY SANZAR
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Final two players for New Zealand Heartland XV squad named
Final two players for New Zealand Heartland XV squad named
Mid Canterbury lock Malcolm Cairns and Wanganui fullback Aseli Tikoirotuma have been added to the New Zealand Heartland XV squad after completing travel documentation requirements and will fly out with the squad tonight.
The squad to tour the United States will be captained by Wairarapa Bush hooker Joe Harwood, coached by former Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti coach Peter Kemp, assisted by Wanganui head coach Guy Lennox, and will be managed by Crusaders manager Tony Thorpe.
New Zealand Heartland XV squad: Michael Broadhurst (Poverty Bay)*, Malcolm Cairns (Mid Canterbury)*, Coll Campbell (Poverty Bay)*, Brenton Connell (Mid Canterbury), Cameron Crowley (Wanganui)*, Jon Dampney (Mid Canterbury), Daniel Dwyer (Mid Canterbury)*, Michael Fitzgerald (Wanganui)*, Andrew Gadsby (West Coast)*, Matthew Gilbert (Wanganui)*, Jason Gill (Mid Canterbury), Ross Hay (North Otago), Joseph Harwood (Wairarapa Bush, Captain), Scott Leighton (Poverty Bay), Hamish McKenzie (North Otago), Leon Mason (Wanganui), Kevin Moore (Buller)*, Hayden Rasmussen (Thames Valley), Jason Rickard (Mid Canterbury)*, Corey Simpson (West Coast)*, Eric Smith (South Canterbury), Andrew Stephens (Buller)*, Aseli Tikoirotuma (Wanganui)*, Lasa Ulukuta (West Coast)*.
* Denotes first time selected for Heartland XV
Schedule of matches:
2 November: Heartland XV v Pacific Coast Grizzlies, Rocca Field, Treasure Island, San Francisco at 3:00pm (12.00pm Sunday NZT)
8 November: Heartland XV v USA Select XV, Real Salt Lake Stadium, Salt Lake City at 1:15pm (9.15pm Sunday NZT)
www.nzrugby.co.nz
Mid Canterbury lock Malcolm Cairns and Wanganui fullback Aseli Tikoirotuma have been added to the New Zealand Heartland XV squad after completing travel documentation requirements and will fly out with the squad tonight.
The squad to tour the United States will be captained by Wairarapa Bush hooker Joe Harwood, coached by former Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti coach Peter Kemp, assisted by Wanganui head coach Guy Lennox, and will be managed by Crusaders manager Tony Thorpe.
New Zealand Heartland XV squad: Michael Broadhurst (Poverty Bay)*, Malcolm Cairns (Mid Canterbury)*, Coll Campbell (Poverty Bay)*, Brenton Connell (Mid Canterbury), Cameron Crowley (Wanganui)*, Jon Dampney (Mid Canterbury), Daniel Dwyer (Mid Canterbury)*, Michael Fitzgerald (Wanganui)*, Andrew Gadsby (West Coast)*, Matthew Gilbert (Wanganui)*, Jason Gill (Mid Canterbury), Ross Hay (North Otago), Joseph Harwood (Wairarapa Bush, Captain), Scott Leighton (Poverty Bay), Hamish McKenzie (North Otago), Leon Mason (Wanganui), Kevin Moore (Buller)*, Hayden Rasmussen (Thames Valley), Jason Rickard (Mid Canterbury)*, Corey Simpson (West Coast)*, Eric Smith (South Canterbury), Andrew Stephens (Buller)*, Aseli Tikoirotuma (Wanganui)*, Lasa Ulukuta (West Coast)*.
* Denotes first time selected for Heartland XV
Schedule of matches:
2 November: Heartland XV v Pacific Coast Grizzlies, Rocca Field, Treasure Island, San Francisco at 3:00pm (12.00pm Sunday NZT)
8 November: Heartland XV v USA Select XV, Real Salt Lake Stadium, Salt Lake City at 1:15pm (9.15pm Sunday NZT)
www.nzrugby.co.nz
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Five All Blacks extend NZRU contracts
All Blacks Josevata Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Anthony Tuitavake, John Afoa and Ma’a Nonu have extended their contracts with the New Zealand Rugby Union, it was announced today.
Rokocoko, Smith and Tuitavake have re-signed through to the end of 2010 while
Afoa and Nonu have re-signed through to 2011.
NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said the signings were great news for New Zealand rugby.
“To have this group of experienced and talented guys in their prime and wanting to contribute further to New Zealand rugby is fantastic.
“They will no doubt help their teams’ chances of success and will also have a positive side-effect on those playing alongside them. We appreciate their commitment.”
24-year-old Afoa made his All Blacks Test debut at prop in 2005 and has played nine Tests, including six so far in 2008. He has also donned the Auckland jersey 60 times since 2002 and has also played 60 matches for the Blues.
26-year-old Nonu has scored eight tries in his 28 All Blacks Tests. He made his debut in 2003 and has played in 10 Tests so far this year. The midfielder has also been capped more than 70 times for the Hurricanes and played his 58th game for Wellington last weekend.
Rokocoko has played 48 Tests for the All Blacks in a career that has so far spanned five years. The 25-year-old winger made his debut a week after his 20th birthday alongside Nonu in 2003 and has scored 43 tries in the black jersey. Rokocoko has also played 60 games for the Blues and 20 games for Auckland.
26-year-old Smith has played 21 Tests in the All Blacks midfield since making his debut against Italy in 2004. He also has also played 35 games for his Hurricanes franchise and more than 30 games for his Wellington provincial side.
Anthony Tuitavake, who is also 26, made his All Blacks debut in the first Test against Ireland this year and has played five Tests. He is the most-capped player in his North Harbour provincial side, with 76 caps since 2001, and also has played 41 Rebel Sport Super 14 matches for the Blues and Highlanders.
Rokocoko, Smith and Tuitavake have re-signed through to the end of 2010 while
Afoa and Nonu have re-signed through to 2011.
NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said the signings were great news for New Zealand rugby.
“To have this group of experienced and talented guys in their prime and wanting to contribute further to New Zealand rugby is fantastic.
“They will no doubt help their teams’ chances of success and will also have a positive side-effect on those playing alongside them. We appreciate their commitment.”
24-year-old Afoa made his All Blacks Test debut at prop in 2005 and has played nine Tests, including six so far in 2008. He has also donned the Auckland jersey 60 times since 2002 and has also played 60 matches for the Blues.
26-year-old Nonu has scored eight tries in his 28 All Blacks Tests. He made his debut in 2003 and has played in 10 Tests so far this year. The midfielder has also been capped more than 70 times for the Hurricanes and played his 58th game for Wellington last weekend.
Rokocoko has played 48 Tests for the All Blacks in a career that has so far spanned five years. The 25-year-old winger made his debut a week after his 20th birthday alongside Nonu in 2003 and has scored 43 tries in the black jersey. Rokocoko has also played 60 games for the Blues and 20 games for Auckland.
26-year-old Smith has played 21 Tests in the All Blacks midfield since making his debut against Italy in 2004. He also has also played 35 games for his Hurricanes franchise and more than 30 games for his Wellington provincial side.
Anthony Tuitavake, who is also 26, made his All Blacks debut in the first Test against Ireland this year and has played five Tests. He is the most-capped player in his North Harbour provincial side, with 76 caps since 2001, and also has played 41 Rebel Sport Super 14 matches for the Blues and Highlanders.
All Blacks announce team to play Australia
All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have selected the following team to play Australia in the ANZ Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup Test at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday November 1.
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore
3. Neemia Tialata
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Williams
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw (Captain)
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Stephen Donald
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Dan Carter
13. Conrad Smith
14. Hosea Gear
15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu
17. Greg Somerville
18. Anthony Boric
19. Adam Thomson
20. Piri Weepu
21. Ma’a Nonu
22. Isaia Toeava
Wellington winger Hosea Gear will make his All Blacks debut becoming All Blacks number 1079.
“Hosea has been outstanding in the Air New Zealand Cup and was the competition’s leading try scorer. He comes into the team in fantastic form,” All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said.
Henry said the team features eight players who played in the Air New Zealand Cup final on the weekend.
“There is an element of match hardness in the squad with most players having played Air New Zealand Cup rugby over the last month,” he added.
The team also features a key positional change, with Stephen Donald starting at first five-eighth and Dan Carter outside him at second five-eighth.
“Stephen has taken his opportunities this year and he was influential when he came on in the last Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane and deserves to start,” Henry said.
www.nzrugby.com
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore
3. Neemia Tialata
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Williams
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw (Captain)
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Stephen Donald
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Dan Carter
13. Conrad Smith
14. Hosea Gear
15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu
17. Greg Somerville
18. Anthony Boric
19. Adam Thomson
20. Piri Weepu
21. Ma’a Nonu
22. Isaia Toeava
Wellington winger Hosea Gear will make his All Blacks debut becoming All Blacks number 1079.
“Hosea has been outstanding in the Air New Zealand Cup and was the competition’s leading try scorer. He comes into the team in fantastic form,” All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said.
Henry said the team features eight players who played in the Air New Zealand Cup final on the weekend.
“There is an element of match hardness in the squad with most players having played Air New Zealand Cup rugby over the last month,” he added.
The team also features a key positional change, with Stephen Donald starting at first five-eighth and Dan Carter outside him at second five-eighth.
“Stephen has taken his opportunities this year and he was influential when he came on in the last Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane and deserves to start,” Henry said.
www.nzrugby.com
Motorcycles Unleashed
Te Manawa has announced the launch of the exhibition Motorcycles Unleashed! a century of competition bikes which will open November 8 2008 in Palmerston North.
The exhibition boasts over 50 iconic bikes sourced from across New Zealand and Australia. “This will be the first time that these exceptional bikes have been seen together under one roof” says Bettina Anderson, curator of the exhibition. “We are celebrating the kiwi bike-building tradition and letting our visitors share in the victory moments, and marvel at the art of motorcycle design”.
www.temanawa.co.nz
The exhibition boasts over 50 iconic bikes sourced from across New Zealand and Australia. “This will be the first time that these exceptional bikes have been seen together under one roof” says Bettina Anderson, curator of the exhibition. “We are celebrating the kiwi bike-building tradition and letting our visitors share in the victory moments, and marvel at the art of motorcycle design”.
www.temanawa.co.nz
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