Twenty teams to compete at Rugby World Cup 2011
DUBLIN, Ireland - The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced on Friday that the Rugby World Cup 2011 tournament in New Zealand will comprise 20 teams. This mirrors the number of teams that played in the last three tournaments. The decision was taken at a Special Meeting of Council following a recommendation to the Council from the Rugby World Cup Limited Board.
Dr Syd Millar, IRB and RWC Limited Chairman said, “Prior to RWC 2007 the IRB stated that it would review the number of participating teams for future Rugby World Cups. The reason for this review was to ensure that the tournament remains competitive and commercially attractive, that player welfare concerns are addressed and it continues to be the major promotional and financial vehicle for the continued expansion of the Game.”
“The IRB is committed to developing the Game and achieving specific goals within the strategic plan which include increasing the number and competitiveness of Unions at the top level and maximising the profile, profitability and value of Rugby World Cup.”
“The developing nations at Rugby World Cup 2007 have produced significantly enhanced performances since RWC 2003. This is a direct result of the global £30 million IRB strategic investment programme that was established in 2005.”
“Based on this plus the likelihood that surplus revenue from Rugby World Cup 2007 will provide further funds for future investment in developing nations, the Council had no hesitation in approving the recommendation from the RWCL Board that 20 teams participate at the 2011 tournament.”
“The successful
The playing window for RWC 2011 in
The RWC 2011 qualification structure is presently being reviewed but it has already been announced that the number of automatic qualifiers will increase from eight to 12 places. Therefore
The qualification system for the remaining eight places is currently being reviewed with regional qualification starting in 2008.
France stands up to Haka, beats All Blacks 20-18 (Video Updated)
(Video updated 10/8/07 at 9:15 a.m. EST)
Video highlights of the France - New Zealand quarterfinal that ended with a historic 20-18 win in Cardiff. France will play England on Oct. 13 at Saint-Denis.
Included in the highlights is the pregame Haka in which the French squad stood up, literally, to the Maori war dance that proceeds every All Black match. Also included is the final try of the match by Yannick Jauzion that put France up for good.
England shocks Aussies, wins 12-10 in Rugby World Cup quarters
After lackluster pool performances against the US and South Africa, many left England for dead against Australia in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.
Instead, England shocked the Wallabies 12-10 and will face either France or New Zealand in the semifinal.
Australia, who ran through their pool opponents (including a 91-3 win against Japan), was marred with ball-handling errors and penalties.
“It was our worst performance of the tournament for sure. Our scrum got into strife and England controlled the breakdown well and took the momentum away from us,” said Australia coach John Connolly in the post-match news conference.
The last time these two met in the RWC? England defeated Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final (video below).
USA Rugby falls 64-15 to South Africa in final RWC match
MONTPELLIER, France – Despite some good rugby by the U.S. Men’s National Team, South Africa was able to run in nine tries to post a 64-15 score against the Eagles in their final Pool A match at Stade de la Mosson.
“We didn’t seem to get the rub of the green on a lot of decisions,” Head Coach Peter Thorburn said. “But all that aside I’m just absolutely proud of them. “They fought for every bit of ground and they fought it out to the end. We think even though we haven’t had a win, we have.”
The Springboks took an early lead in the first half as Schalk Burger marked his return by scooping up a Butch James pass to crash over on the right, before Percy Montgomery reclaimed his place at the top of the scorers’ chart by converting the kick.
With the score at 10-3, some desperate USA defence saw them go down to 14 men as flanker Todd Clever saw yellow. Francois Steyn capitalised with a try on 28 minutes, before Bryan Habana extended the lead and Montgomery converted his fourth kick of the night.
On half time Habana could do nothing as USA wing Takudzwa Ngwenya hared down the right to cap a length-of-the-field move, with Mike Hercus converting to add to his earlier penalty and make it 24-10.
“I guess the rugby world considers Bryan the fastest guy around. Well Takudzwa put his hand up today,” Mike Hercus commented after the match. “I just want to get him the ball. We see what he can do at training and we all know that he’s fast, but it’s about getting him the ball with space. He was born to do that and I was just happy I could get it to him.”
“I’m not sure I out-paced him, I just made him stop,” Ngwenya said in regards to his try against Habana. “I would never have run on the outside of anybody so these games must be giving me confidence.
“The Springboks were my favorite team when I was growing up in Zimbabwe,” Ngwenya added. “So it’s a good feeling to score a try against them. We tried to get some points on the board and to challenge ourselves and that’s what we’ve done.”
The improved scoreline survived for just over a minute of the second half. South Africa spread the ball to Habana, who had an easy task to slide home in the corner, before Montgomery missed his first kick of the night. Then substitute prop CJ van der Linde shrugged off three challenges to cross the whitewash, with Montgomery getting back on track with the kick.
Full back Chris Wyles shocked the Pool A winners again soon afterwards, going over for a try despite the attention of a clutch of Springbok backs. But the South Africa riposte wasn’t long in coming, Fourie du Preez feinting a pass before running through to touch down, and Montgomery converting to make it 43-15. Then, on 60 minutes, an irresistable Springboks move was finished off by Jaque Fourie on the right and Montgomery did the business with the boot.
With 10 minutes to go, USA did everything except score. However, Fourie rubbed in the salt with his second try, with James converting the kick, before Juan Smith went over to cap a good night for the Springboks.
The Eagles board a train at 4 a.m. in the morning and most of the team will fly back to the U.S. on Monday after being in France for nearly a month. The Springboks get a few days rest before taking on Fiji in the quarterfinals on October 7 in Marseille.
South Africa 64, USA 15 (halftime 24 - 10)
USA
Tries: Ngwenya, Wyles
Conversions: Hercus
Penalties: Hercus
1. Mike MacDonald (Mate Moeakiola in at 49); 2. Owen Lentz (Blake Burdette in at 75); 3. Chris Osentowski; 4. Alec Parker; 5. Mike Mangan; 6. Louis Stanfill (Henry Bloomfield in at 75); 7. Todd Clever; 8. Dan Payne (Mark Aylor in at 75); 9. Chad Erskine (Mike Petri in at 75); 10. Mike Hercus (C); 11. Salesi Sika (Thretton Palamo in at 75); 12. Vaha Esikia; 13. Philip Eloff; 14. Taku Ngwenya; 15. Chris Wyles (Nese Malifa in at 75).
South Africa
Tries:Burger, Steyn, Habana 2, Van Der Linde, Du Preez, Fourie 2, Smith
Conversions: Montgomery 6, James 2
Penalties: Montgomery
1. Os du Randt (Bismarck du Plessis in at 72); 2. John Smit (C); 3. Brendon Botha (CJ van der Linde in at 25); 4. Albert van den Berg (Bakkies Botha in at 56); 5. Victor Matfield; 6. Wickus van Heerden (Bobby Skinstad in at 71); 7. Juan Smith; 8. Schalk Burger; 9. Fourie du Preez; 10. Butch James; 11. Bryan Habana (JP Pietersen in at 53); 12. Francois Steyn (Andre Pretorius in at 67); 13. Jaque Fourie;14. Akona Ndungane; 15. Percy Montgomery (Ruan Pienaar in at 67).
USA Eagles Hold Final RWC Jersey Presentation
MONTPELLIER, France — On Saturday evening, the USA Men’s Rugby Team held an emotional Rugby World Cup jersey presentation for the Team set to play against South Africa on Sunday. Not only will this be the last jersey presentation for the U.S during this 2007 Rugby World Cup, but it also marks a few major milestones in Eagles history.
Captain Mike Hercus kicked off the long-standing Eagles tradition with some impressive statistics regarding lock Alec Parker (Aspen, Colo.), who will be starting in his 50th test match tomorrow.
Parker, who made his Eagles debut in 1996 has seen nearly 100 players capped, four head coaches come and go and three Rugby World Cups, where he’s started in 10 of the 11 last matches.
“Alec represents all that is good about American rugby and it is fitting that he recieves his 50th cap at the end of his third World Cup. He has been one of the most consistent and best performers in an Eagles jersey over the 11 years and it’s an incredible accomplishment for any rugby player,” Captain Mike Hercus said. “His contribution to the Eagles goes far beyond what is seen on the field. He is the glue in the squad and anyone who has ever played with him knows just how valuable a teammate he is. It is an honor to play alongside a man who will surely be one of the greatest Eagles ever.”
Hercus presented Parker with an eagle statue and invited Alec to also say a few words about his experience and hand out the jerseys along with veteran No. 8 Fifita “Tasi” Mounga.
Mounga, who, in his second Rugby World Cup with the Eagles, was carried off on a stretcher from Wednesday night’s game against Samoa. Although Mounga was released by the hospital Friday morning and was allowed to rejoin the Team in Montpellier, the San Francisco resident sustained a cervical spine injury that has caused the Golden Gate player to reexamine his immediate playing future.
“I am hanging up my cleats,” Mounga said. “Rugby is the sport that I love and it’s very emotional for me right now, but I am just thankful for everyone’s support, not only the doctors, coaches and players, but also the numerous people that have sent me their well-wishes and prayers. Playing in my second Rugby World Cup was amazing and I’m so glad to have gotten the chance to experience it.”
“It has been an honor to play with these guys,” Parker said after his reflection of the last 11 years. “Tasi and Hercus have made such a difference for the Eagles. I wouldn’t want my 50th cap with any other team. This squad is so close, they have been with me through all sorts of stuff and I too am just really thankful to have gotten this opportunity to represent the U.S. in another Rugby World Cup.”
Release courtesy of USA Rugby
USA Falls Short to Samoa in Rugby World Cup
SAINT-ETIENNE, France – Although the U.S. Men’s National Rugby Team got off to slow start against Samoa on Wednesday night, the Eagles were able to come back from a 19-point deficit at halftime to finish 25-21, just short of notching its first win in pool A action at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
“They got a little too far in front of us early out,” Coach Peter Thorburn said, “But the team came back and gutsed it out until the end. We didn’t really have a lot of choice. We were down 22-3 at half time, but to keep at them until the end shows a lot of heart and I think that is one of the positives to come out of this match.”
With neither team able to make the quarter-finals, Samoa decided to throw caution to the wind and played an expansive game. The relaxed Pacific Islanders delighted the fans at Saint-Etienne with their free-flowing rugby but also made plenty of errors, failing to show patience with ball in hand and missing several try-scoring opportunities.
“We knew going into this that it would be a very physical game,” Thorburn added. “And we expect a much tougher match against South Africa. But, we made some mistakes in our lineouts and allowed them a majority of possesion in the first half. Those are the mistakes that make the difference in a game like this.”
The USA appeared a bit rusty following a 14-day break between matches and were always going to struggle to recover from a 22-3 half-time deficit. However, they rallied in the second half just falling short after a last minute try by Louis Stanfill (UC Berkeley) brought the score to within four.
Samoa wings Lome Fa’atau (fifth minute) and Alesana Tuilagi (ninth minute) and second row Kane Thompson (37th minute) crossed in the first half to to give Samoa a comfortable 19-point lead at the break.
However, early in the second half Samoa continued to find holes in the defense, but their execution let them down and USA scored in the 53rd minute through electrifying wing Takudzwa Ngwenya.
He stepped Tuilagi and showed blistering pace to score an impressive solo try, despite team-mate and Eagles No. 8 Tasi Mounga being in the sin-bin for a professional foul.
USA fly half Mike Hercus converted a tough attempt to reduce the gap to 22-10 and managed to close the gap with two additional penalty goals. But Samoa full back Loki Crichton also added a crucial three points to put the Samoan team just out of range.
Samoa finishes their Rugby World Cup with a win, while the USA prepares for its final match against South Africa on Sunday, September 30 in Montpellier.
Samoa 25, USA 21 (halftime 22-3)
USA (21)
Tries: Stanfill, Ngwenya
Conversions: Hercus
Penalties: Hercus 3
USA Lineup
1. Mike MacDonald (Matekitonga Moeakiola in at 68); 2. Owen Lentz; 3. Chris Osentowski; 4. Alec Parker; 5. Hayden Mexted; 6. Louis Stanfill; 7. Todd Clever (Blake Burdette in at 45); 8. Fifita Mounga (Mark Aylor in at 64); 9. Chad Erskine; 10. Mike Hercus (c); 11. Takudzwa Ngwenya; 12. Vahafolau Esikia (Albert Tuipulotu in at 73); 13. Philip Eloff; 14. Salesi Sika; 15. Chris Wyles.
Samoa (25)
Tries: Fa’atau, Tuilagi, Thompson
Conversions: Crichton 2
Penalties: Crichton 2
Samoa Lineup
1. Kas Lealamanua (Naama Leleimalefaga in at 70); 2. Mahonri Schwalger (Silao Vaisola Sefo in at 73); 3. Census Johnston; 4. Leo Lafaiali’I; 5. Kane Thompson (Joe Tekori in at 64); 6. Semo Sititi (c); 7. Justin Purdie; 8. Alfie Vaeluaga (Ulia Ulia in at 67); 9. Junior Polu (Steve So’oialo in at 70);10. Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (Lolo Lui in at 70).; 11. Alesana Tuilagi; 12. Elvis Seveali’I; 13. Seilala Mapusua; 14. Lome Fa’atau David Lemi in at 60); 15. Loki Crichton.
USA Names Team to Face Samoa in Rugby World Cup
LYON, France - USA head coach Peter Thorburn (NZL) announced the team set to play Samoa in the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool A match at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne on Wednesday.
“We have put out the best side that we have to face Samoa,” Head Coach Peter Thorburn said. “We obviously hope to come away with a win, but more importantly, we hope to meet our team objectives. If we can accomplish those, the rest will follow.”
Captain Mike Hercus added, “We will have to be aware of their physicality and their strong way of making contact. They are very good breaking tackles and have a good line-out. I think it will be a very difficult match.”
The U.S. starting lineup includes: 1. Mike MacDonald; 2. Owen Lentz; 3. Chris Osentowski; 4. Alec Parker; 5. Hayden Mexted; 6. Louis Stanfill; 7. Todd Clever; 8. Fifita Mounga; 9. Chad Erskine; 10. Mike Hercus (c); 11. Takudzwa Ngwenya; 12. Vahafolau Esikia; 13. Philip Eloff; 14. Salesi Sika; 15. Chris Wyles.
Replacements: 16. Blake Burdette; 17. Matekitonga Moeakiola; 18. Mark Aylor; 19. Henry Bloomfield; 20. Mike Petri; 21. Valenese Malifa; 22. Albert Tuipulotu.
The Samoa starting lineup is as follows: 1. Kas Lealamanua; 2. Mahonri Schwalger; 3. Census Johnston; 4. Leo Lafaiali’I; 5. Kane Thompson; 6. Semo Sititi (c); 7. Justin Purdie; 8. Alfie Vaeluaga; 9. Junior Polu;10. Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu; 11. Alesana Tuilagi; 12. Elvis Seveali’I; 13. Seilala Mapusua; 14. Lome Fa’atau; 15. Loki Crichton
Replacements: 16. Silao Vaisola Sefo; 17. Naama Leleimalefaga; 18. Joe Tekori; 19 Ulia Ulia; 20. Steve So’oialo; 21. David Lemi; 22. Lolo Lui.
Release courtesy USA Rugby