Kia Ora. Sorry for not using that greeting before and, while we're on that theme, how about an apology from the All Blacks for their rest and rotation policy during the last World Cup campaign?
Murky question, the old race and rugby business. But there has been an apology to Maori affected by their exclusion from New Zealand teams because of South Africa's apartheid regime. Happenstance, politically motivated, good timing, carefully calculated in this centenary year for Maori rugby?
It does not matter. The apologies have been delivered from both New Zealand and South Africa for the non-selection of Maori on tours to the republic.
Curiously there have been players chosen for the Maori side who did not qualify. Lock Daryl Williams was a classic case - a good athlete of Fijian and Samoan connections who was picked for the team about 20 years ago until his mother revealed his bloodlines did not allow his inclusion.
Long-time All Black centre Frank Bunce played for Auckland Maori when his ancestry connected him to Niue and Samoa. There were also doubts expressed by staunch proponent Billy Bush about the racial qualifications of Christian Cullen, Tasesa Lavea and a number of others chosen in New Zealand Maori squads.
There was apparently no doubt, though, about the authenticity of the fair-skinned duo Lee Stensness and Tony Brown.
But there are still dramas.
A journalist colleague rang the NZRU the other day to inquire about the Maori squad and those who would be eligible for selection in their three-match programme next month.
You would think the NZRU would hold a register of those qualified for the Maori for the selectors to consider for that programme against Ireland and England next month. The query was related to Rene Ranger, the outside back from the Blues who has Cook Islands ancestry. It should have been easy enough to locate a list and give a response. The questioner is still waiting.
Just as we all are for some sort of decision about the officials who will be used during this year's Super 14 playoffs.
During round-robin matches, the tournament's organisers picked referees based on ability and perceived competence rather than a desire for national neutrality. It made economic and scheduling sense.
That policy has hit a few speedhumps, such as Marius Jonker's control of the Bulls game last week against the Crusaders. He made some decisions which favoured the Bulls in the crucial late minutes, but the biggest decision came from a linesman.
If Sanzar thinks we should revert to neutral referees for every match, shouldn't that apply to linesmen and television match officials too?
Imagine the cost, with no guarantee they would be any better than local touchies. And how will it all pan out next year, when the Super 15 is played in domestic pools before it splits into overseas games and extended playoffs?
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Rugby: IRB clears way for Argentina to join Tri-Nations
Sanzar has welcomed an International Rugby Board (IRB) rule change which clears the way for Argentina to join a new Four Nations competition in 2012.
At its council meeting this week, the IRB decided to alter regulation nine which governs the release of players for international duty, thereby meeting a condition set by Sanzar that Argentina were required to field their best players to participate in the Four Nations tournament.
The change, set to take effect from June 1, 2012, will ensure that the release period for the new Four Nations aligns with the new dates for the competition from late August through until early October.
In September, Sanzar issued an invitation to the Pumas to join the competition from 2012, subject to several conditions which have now been resolved.
Negotiation of a participation agreement with Argentina Rugby (UAR) remains the last hurdle for inauguration of the new competition alongside the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks.
"This is an exciting step for Sanzar and for world rugby, as it confirms Argentina's participation in a top-flight rugby competition, which they thoroughly deserve, and will add a dynamic new element to the current Tri-Nations, which is already regarded as one of the world's toughest tournaments," Sanzar and New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement.
"We now need to finalise a participation agreement with the UAR so we can move to full planning for the introduction of Argentina in 2012."
The IRB confirmed in March that it would match Sanzar and provide an investment of US$2.5 million ($3.5 million) per annum from 2012 to 2015.
Sanzar also confirmed today that the three Sanzar unions and their Super rugby teams will work with the UAR to look at providing greater opportunities for Argentinean players to play in Super rugby teams as part of the lead-up to the new Four Nations.
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset welcomed the likelihood of Argentina joining the competition.
"Today's announcement represents an historic milestone in the process of Argentina's integration into an expanded Tri-Nations tournament and is an extremely exciting development for UAR and rugby around the world."
At its council meeting this week, the IRB decided to alter regulation nine which governs the release of players for international duty, thereby meeting a condition set by Sanzar that Argentina were required to field their best players to participate in the Four Nations tournament.
The change, set to take effect from June 1, 2012, will ensure that the release period for the new Four Nations aligns with the new dates for the competition from late August through until early October.
In September, Sanzar issued an invitation to the Pumas to join the competition from 2012, subject to several conditions which have now been resolved.
Negotiation of a participation agreement with Argentina Rugby (UAR) remains the last hurdle for inauguration of the new competition alongside the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks.
"This is an exciting step for Sanzar and for world rugby, as it confirms Argentina's participation in a top-flight rugby competition, which they thoroughly deserve, and will add a dynamic new element to the current Tri-Nations, which is already regarded as one of the world's toughest tournaments," Sanzar and New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement.
"We now need to finalise a participation agreement with the UAR so we can move to full planning for the introduction of Argentina in 2012."
The IRB confirmed in March that it would match Sanzar and provide an investment of US$2.5 million ($3.5 million) per annum from 2012 to 2015.
Sanzar also confirmed today that the three Sanzar unions and their Super rugby teams will work with the UAR to look at providing greater opportunities for Argentinean players to play in Super rugby teams as part of the lead-up to the new Four Nations.
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset welcomed the likelihood of Argentina joining the competition.
"Today's announcement represents an historic milestone in the process of Argentina's integration into an expanded Tri-Nations tournament and is an extremely exciting development for UAR and rugby around the world."
Rugby: Russia to host World Cup Sevens
LONDON - Russia will host the next Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2013, three years before the sport returns to the Olympics.
The event, announced today by the International Rugby Board, will be the biggest rugby tournament to be staged by Russia, which also makes its debut at the 15-man World Cup in New Zealand next year.
The sixth World Cup Sevens will include 24 men's and 16 women's teams, and the IRB said it would provide an indication of which nations will be the leading contenders for Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Although rugby was in the Olympics until 1924, it is returning as a 7-a-side sport.
Wales and Australia won the men's and women's titles last year in Dubai.
The event, announced today by the International Rugby Board, will be the biggest rugby tournament to be staged by Russia, which also makes its debut at the 15-man World Cup in New Zealand next year.
The sixth World Cup Sevens will include 24 men's and 16 women's teams, and the IRB said it would provide an indication of which nations will be the leading contenders for Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Although rugby was in the Olympics until 1924, it is returning as a 7-a-side sport.
Wales and Australia won the men's and women's titles last year in Dubai.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Star trio back for Warriors
The Warriors have been boosted by the return of skipper Simon Mannering alongside strike players Manu Vatuvei and Brett Seymour for Saturday night's clash with the North Queensland Cowboys in Auckland.
While dynamic wing Vatuvei (hamstring) and playmaker Seymour (broken thumb) were expected to be back in action following last week's bye Mannering has also managed to overcome his hamstring problem and will line out for just the third time this season as the Warriors look to get their campaign back on track following three consecutive losses.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has also brought back young wing Kevin Locke for Patrtick Ah Van who broke a jaw in the last loss to Canberra.
Young prop Mataupu Poching will make his debut.
Cleary is delighted to get some senior players back involved for a 10th round match that the Warriors must win.
"We've been waiting patiently for Simon, Manu and Brett to return and it's a great boost for us to have them back straight after the bye round," said Cleary.
"All three are obviously hugely important to the side for a whole range of reasons. We've had to battle through recently without them but at last we have some better news in terms of our injured players."
While the three big names return with more than 300 NRL games between them, Saturday night's game will be just the start of an NRL career for 22-year-old Poching.
A foundation player for the Junior Warriors in the NYC's first year in 2008, the Mangere East product was troubled by injury last year. However, he has impressed for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup, earning a call-up as the Vodafone Warriors' 161st NRL player and the third NYC graduate to debut this season.
"Upu is rewarded for his consistency for the Vulcans. He has really stood up for them every week and has done everything we've asked of him," said Cleary.
Poching has been named to team up with Kiwi prop Sam Rapira in the starting front row. Rapira has shurgged off his knee injury from last week's Anzac Test loss to Australia.
There is also another change in the back row where the returning Mannering will have Ukuma Ta'ai as his second row partner in the run-on side. Mannering replaces Lewis Brown while Ben Matulino moves to the bench.
With Seymour back at halfback, James Maloney replaces Joel Moon at standoff.
Mannering last played on March 28 after being forced off the field with a recurrence of his hamstring injury 23 minutes into the third-round game against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
Vatuvei was sidelined after his hamstring injury flared up again early in the second half of the Vodafone Warriors' fifth round victory over the Bulldogs. In his only appearances so far this season – two full games and two half games – Vatuvei has scored six tries and was involved in each of the club's three wins so far.
Ad Feedback Despite playing only 240 minutes of a possible 640 this season, Vatuvei still ranks among the NRL's top 10 try scorers and line breakers for the season to date.
Seymour, the Warriors' major off-season signing, has been out of action with a broken thumb since his club debut against Gold Coast in the opening round of the season.
Saturday night's match will produce a milestone moment for centre Brent Tate who will make his 150th NRL appearance. Tate's try against Canberra was the 50th of his career.
Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Brett Seymour, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Mataupu Poching, Simon Mannering (captain), Ukuma Ta'ai, Micheal Luck. Interchange (one to be omitted): Ian Henderson, Ben Matulino, Jeremy Latimore, Russell Packer, Jesse Royal.
While dynamic wing Vatuvei (hamstring) and playmaker Seymour (broken thumb) were expected to be back in action following last week's bye Mannering has also managed to overcome his hamstring problem and will line out for just the third time this season as the Warriors look to get their campaign back on track following three consecutive losses.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has also brought back young wing Kevin Locke for Patrtick Ah Van who broke a jaw in the last loss to Canberra.
Young prop Mataupu Poching will make his debut.
Cleary is delighted to get some senior players back involved for a 10th round match that the Warriors must win.
"We've been waiting patiently for Simon, Manu and Brett to return and it's a great boost for us to have them back straight after the bye round," said Cleary.
"All three are obviously hugely important to the side for a whole range of reasons. We've had to battle through recently without them but at last we have some better news in terms of our injured players."
While the three big names return with more than 300 NRL games between them, Saturday night's game will be just the start of an NRL career for 22-year-old Poching.
A foundation player for the Junior Warriors in the NYC's first year in 2008, the Mangere East product was troubled by injury last year. However, he has impressed for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup, earning a call-up as the Vodafone Warriors' 161st NRL player and the third NYC graduate to debut this season.
"Upu is rewarded for his consistency for the Vulcans. He has really stood up for them every week and has done everything we've asked of him," said Cleary.
Poching has been named to team up with Kiwi prop Sam Rapira in the starting front row. Rapira has shurgged off his knee injury from last week's Anzac Test loss to Australia.
There is also another change in the back row where the returning Mannering will have Ukuma Ta'ai as his second row partner in the run-on side. Mannering replaces Lewis Brown while Ben Matulino moves to the bench.
With Seymour back at halfback, James Maloney replaces Joel Moon at standoff.
Mannering last played on March 28 after being forced off the field with a recurrence of his hamstring injury 23 minutes into the third-round game against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
Vatuvei was sidelined after his hamstring injury flared up again early in the second half of the Vodafone Warriors' fifth round victory over the Bulldogs. In his only appearances so far this season – two full games and two half games – Vatuvei has scored six tries and was involved in each of the club's three wins so far.
Ad Feedback Despite playing only 240 minutes of a possible 640 this season, Vatuvei still ranks among the NRL's top 10 try scorers and line breakers for the season to date.
Seymour, the Warriors' major off-season signing, has been out of action with a broken thumb since his club debut against Gold Coast in the opening round of the season.
Saturday night's match will produce a milestone moment for centre Brent Tate who will make his 150th NRL appearance. Tate's try against Canberra was the 50th of his career.
Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Brett Seymour, Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Mataupu Poching, Simon Mannering (captain), Ukuma Ta'ai, Micheal Luck. Interchange (one to be omitted): Ian Henderson, Ben Matulino, Jeremy Latimore, Russell Packer, Jesse Royal.
Monday, May 10, 2010
NZ rugby 'owes Maori apology'
Former All Black Bill Bush says the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) must apologise to Maori for excluding players from tours to South Africa on the basis of race.
His call came after South Africa's Sport Minister, the Rev Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile, officially apologised to Maori players who were denied the chance to tour South Africa in 1928, 1949 and 1960.
The NZRU bowed to pressure from the New Zealand and South African governments of the day by fielding teams without Maori. Bush said it was time that the NZRU followed the South African Government's example.
"An apology would just heal the gaping wound," said Bush, who also played for New Zealand Maori.
"It's nothing to say 'I'm sorry' is it? 'I'm sorry for what happened in the past', that's all they have to say."
The NZRU had spoken to the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board about the issue and been told it would be wrong to be critical of apartheid-era decisions.
Maori board chairman Wayne Peters said it was time to focus on the future, not the past. However, Bush said Peters' hands were tied by the NZRU.
"I understand the position the Maori board are in. They're governed by the New Zealand Rugby Union, so I think it should come from the New Zealand Rugby Union board, not the Maori board," Bush said.
"He [Peters] has made a couple of comments to say that he's more interested in the celebration of 100 years of Maori rugby [this year], but he's actually there for us.
"His mandate is to get the best for us Maori people and players, and that includes an apology. But I don't think the New Zealand Rugby Union want to bring it up, or the New Zealand Government. They just hope it goes away."
The 1970 All Blacks team was the first "integrated" side to tour the republic.
Stofile said in a letter to the Sunday News that black South Africans hated Maori halfback Sid Going and Samoan wing Bryan Williams for being part of that team, referring to them as "honorary whites".
Bush, who was in the All Blacks team that played in South Africa six years later, said that antipathy remained.
"I feel it even when I go there now," he said.
"I go there twice a year and I take them [tour groups] to Soweto and one of the tour guides that we used, she knew I was there in 1976 and I don't think she was too happy about me, even though I didn't go there as an honorary white.
"But as far as I was concerned, I did something to break the barriers of apartheid down, by going there and trying to beat them.
"We did the haka when the South Africans didn't want us to, and that's my contribution."
GWJ8PXUEZCUN
His call came after South Africa's Sport Minister, the Rev Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile, officially apologised to Maori players who were denied the chance to tour South Africa in 1928, 1949 and 1960.
The NZRU bowed to pressure from the New Zealand and South African governments of the day by fielding teams without Maori. Bush said it was time that the NZRU followed the South African Government's example.
"An apology would just heal the gaping wound," said Bush, who also played for New Zealand Maori.
"It's nothing to say 'I'm sorry' is it? 'I'm sorry for what happened in the past', that's all they have to say."
The NZRU had spoken to the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board about the issue and been told it would be wrong to be critical of apartheid-era decisions.
Maori board chairman Wayne Peters said it was time to focus on the future, not the past. However, Bush said Peters' hands were tied by the NZRU.
"I understand the position the Maori board are in. They're governed by the New Zealand Rugby Union, so I think it should come from the New Zealand Rugby Union board, not the Maori board," Bush said.
"He [Peters] has made a couple of comments to say that he's more interested in the celebration of 100 years of Maori rugby [this year], but he's actually there for us.
"His mandate is to get the best for us Maori people and players, and that includes an apology. But I don't think the New Zealand Rugby Union want to bring it up, or the New Zealand Government. They just hope it goes away."
The 1970 All Blacks team was the first "integrated" side to tour the republic.
Stofile said in a letter to the Sunday News that black South Africans hated Maori halfback Sid Going and Samoan wing Bryan Williams for being part of that team, referring to them as "honorary whites".
Bush, who was in the All Blacks team that played in South Africa six years later, said that antipathy remained.
"I feel it even when I go there now," he said.
"I go there twice a year and I take them [tour groups] to Soweto and one of the tour guides that we used, she knew I was there in 1976 and I don't think she was too happy about me, even though I didn't go there as an honorary white.
"But as far as I was concerned, I did something to break the barriers of apartheid down, by going there and trying to beat them.
"We did the haka when the South Africans didn't want us to, and that's my contribution."
GWJ8PXUEZCUN
Golf: Woods withdraws from TPC with injury
PONTE VEDRA BEACH - Tiger Woods withdrew from The Players Championship today with an injury that he fears might be a bulging disk in his upper back.
"I've been playing with a bad neck for about a month," Woods said.
After hitting his drive well to the right on the seventh hole, Woods called for an official. He hit his second shot and grimaced, then walked to the middle of the fairway to shake hands with playing partner Jason Bohn before leaving on a golf cart.
Woods had his head bowed for several minutes as he sat in front of his locker, and other times kept his eyes closed as if he were in the middle of a nap before answering questions from three reporters.
"I've been playing through it," Woods said quietly.
"I can't play through it anymore."
He said he first felt the injury before the Masters and plans to have an MRI next week. He said he was having a hard time with the pain, and that there was a tingling sensation on his right side down to his fingers. As he was driven off in a golf cart, Woods continuing squeezed his right hand and released his fingers.
"I might have a bulging disk," he said.
Woods said he does not know what caused the injury, only that "playing doesn't help it."
It is the first time he has withdrawn from a tournament since the Nissan Open at Riviera in 2006, when he narrowly made the cut and withdrew from the final two rounds because of the flu. He also withdrew from the 1995 US Open at Shinnecock Hills as a 19-year-old amateur because of a wrist injury from hitting out of deep rough.
Woods started the final round 10 shots out of the lead and was two over through six holes
It was only his third tournament back from a five-month hiatus after he was caught having extramarital affairs. Woods tied for fourth at the Masters, then missed the cut last week at Quail Hollow with the second-highest round (79) and the highest 36-hole score (153) of his PGA Tour career.
Woods at times stretched and rolled his neck between shots over the last three days, when he produced some good golf along with some shots that didn't remotely resemble the No 1 player in the world. He popped up two tee shots with his 3-wood, and hit another one at a 45-degree angle. In relatively easy scoring conditions, Woods had rounds of 70-71-71 and was tied for 45th going into the last round.
- AP
"I've been playing with a bad neck for about a month," Woods said.
After hitting his drive well to the right on the seventh hole, Woods called for an official. He hit his second shot and grimaced, then walked to the middle of the fairway to shake hands with playing partner Jason Bohn before leaving on a golf cart.
Woods had his head bowed for several minutes as he sat in front of his locker, and other times kept his eyes closed as if he were in the middle of a nap before answering questions from three reporters.
"I've been playing through it," Woods said quietly.
"I can't play through it anymore."
He said he first felt the injury before the Masters and plans to have an MRI next week. He said he was having a hard time with the pain, and that there was a tingling sensation on his right side down to his fingers. As he was driven off in a golf cart, Woods continuing squeezed his right hand and released his fingers.
"I might have a bulging disk," he said.
Woods said he does not know what caused the injury, only that "playing doesn't help it."
It is the first time he has withdrawn from a tournament since the Nissan Open at Riviera in 2006, when he narrowly made the cut and withdrew from the final two rounds because of the flu. He also withdrew from the 1995 US Open at Shinnecock Hills as a 19-year-old amateur because of a wrist injury from hitting out of deep rough.
Woods started the final round 10 shots out of the lead and was two over through six holes
It was only his third tournament back from a five-month hiatus after he was caught having extramarital affairs. Woods tied for fourth at the Masters, then missed the cut last week at Quail Hollow with the second-highest round (79) and the highest 36-hole score (153) of his PGA Tour career.
Woods at times stretched and rolled his neck between shots over the last three days, when he produced some good golf along with some shots that didn't remotely resemble the No 1 player in the world. He popped up two tee shots with his 3-wood, and hit another one at a 45-degree angle. In relatively easy scoring conditions, Woods had rounds of 70-71-71 and was tied for 45th going into the last round.
- AP
Soccer: Rooney aggravates groin injury
MANCHESTER - England striker Wayne Rooney aggravated a groin injury while playing for Manchester United today, a month before the World Cup begins.
The 24-year-old Rooney limped off in the 77th minute of United's season-ending 4-0 victory over Stoke.
Hampered by groin and ankle problems for more than a month, Rooney had initially been ruled out of the final two matches of the club season but returned to help United's failed bid for a fourth straight Premier League title.
"He has aggravated his groin again," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "I don't think it is serious - he should be OK for England."
England coach Fabio Capello announces his provisional 30-man World Cup squad Wednesday (NZT).
England has two friendlies before the final squad is announced at the start of June - against Mexico on May 24 and Japan on May 30.
The team's first match of the tournament is against United States on June 12.
The 24-year-old Rooney limped off in the 77th minute of United's season-ending 4-0 victory over Stoke.
Hampered by groin and ankle problems for more than a month, Rooney had initially been ruled out of the final two matches of the club season but returned to help United's failed bid for a fourth straight Premier League title.
"He has aggravated his groin again," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "I don't think it is serious - he should be OK for England."
England coach Fabio Capello announces his provisional 30-man World Cup squad Wednesday (NZT).
England has two friendlies before the final squad is announced at the start of June - against Mexico on May 24 and Japan on May 30.
The team's first match of the tournament is against United States on June 12.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)