Eagle Rugby Blog

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 New Zealand tender bid for RWC 2011 was based on 20 teams. At the Counccil meeting the motion maintaining the exisiting 20 team format was proposed by New Zealand Council member Graham Mourie. The IRB is very confident that the tournament will be a huge success,” added Dr Millar.

The playing window for RWC 2011 in New Zealand is September-October 2011 with the final taking place on the weekend of October 22-23, 2011. The NZ Government has also announced that the school holidays following the third term in 2011 will be delayed by two weeks for all students in NZ to coincide with the final two weeks of RWC 2011.

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 South Africa, England, Argentina, France, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Fiji, Wales, Ireland, Tonga and Italy have automatically qualified for RWC 2011 as the top three teams in their respective RWC 2007 pools.

The qualification system for the remaining eight places is currently being reviewed with regional qualification starting in 2008.

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Boulder, Colo.  (October 31, 2007) – USA Rugby and the Army National Guard announced today that they have signed an agreement that will make the Army National Guard an Official Sponsor of USA Rugby.  This deal includes title sponsorship of USA rugby’s College and High School Championships as well as select National Team.

This strategic partnership will enhance the support provided to the nations’ top performing rugby athletes in premier matches throughout the United States.  The National Guard’s sponsorship of USA Rugby will include events such as the U.S. National College Playoffs and Championships, the Boys and Girls High School Championships, the National Guard Military Challenge and select Men’s and Women’s Championship events.

“The National Guard is looking forward to partnering with USA Rugby,” said Col. Mike Jones, chief of the Army National Guard’s Strength Maintenance Division. “This initiative will reach communities across the nation, increasing awareness of the Army National Guard.  USA Rugby’s beliefs of lifelong camaraderie beyond the game and the greatest asset being the players are beliefs the Army National Guard shares.  These shared values are a big part of the reason I think both organizations will benefit from our partnership.”

In addition to title sponsorships, another added benefit of this new partnership is that in conjunction with official USA Rugby licensees, USA Rugby and the National Guard will also launch a comprehensive college kit campaign that will provide apparel and equipment to 300 college teams across the U.S.  All colleges in good standing with USA Rugby will be eligible to apply for the free college kit.

This partnership between USA Rugby and the National Guard also includes an array of highly visible sponsorship programs that will be announced throughout the ’07-’08 rugby season.

“This is great news for the sport of rugby in the U.S.,” Vice President of Business Development David Voth said.  “USA Rugby is always looking for the right kind of partner.  USA Rugby and the National Guard share several admirable traits among members, including character, strength, vision and intelligence.  A partnership with the National Guard will ensure positive exposure for both organizations at the highest level of play.”

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In a release sent out this week, USA Rugby has announced that they will change the structure of boys high school national championship as part of a long term transition to reshape the high school rugby game in America.

The changes for 2008 include the creation of an eight team competition Boys High School Championship for single high school teams (e.g. St. Edward, Gonzaga, Xavier, etc.), and a separate eight team competition championship for Boys’ U19 club teams (e.g. Westerville, Penn, Highland, etc.).

According to USA Rugby, the goal of the reorganization is to support the development of rugby as a mainstream high school sport, conceivably to allow rugby enter the various high school organizations, such as the OHSAA.

“The strategic goal for USA Rugby is to have rugby formally recognized and supported by High Schools,” said Peter Steinberg, Age-Grade Manager for USA Rugby.  “The new championship structure will support this goal by encouraging the formation of single high school teams, while allowing multi-school club teams to continue to compete.  The end of the transition will include separate tracks for high school and club teams so the game can be as inclusive as possible.”

Along with the format change and an addition of a girls U-19 national championship, the dates of the 2008 High School Championships has been changed from May 24-26th, 2008 to June 6 - 8, 2008 at Founders’ Field in suburban Pittsburgh.   The date was changed so teams could prevent traveling on Memorial Day at a premium cost.

You can view a run down of the changes at the Gainline blog.

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Almost a week after the Rugby World Cup final, England fans are still debating the disallowed try by Mark Cueto in the first half. Had the 42nd-minute score been allowed to stand, then England would have narrowed South Africa’s lead to a point.

Video referee Stuart Dickinson has stated publicly that he reviewed the decision frame by frame after the match and is convinced that Cueto’s left foot was in touch before he grounded the ball.

	The try that wasn’t: Mark Cueto goes over the line

“I’m 100 per cent happy with the decision. His foot runs into touch by about 25 to 30 centimetres,” Dickenson said. “Factually it is indisputable. If you know the decision is correct and people are still upset, well there’s nothing you can do about that is there?”

Of course, the Springboks went on to win the final 15-6.

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In a repeat of 2003 World Cup semifinal, England defeated France on Saturday 14-9 in front of a packed house at the Stade de France.

Jonny Wilkinson missed two place kicks and two dropped goals, but drove his penalty from about 30 meters in the 75th minute.

Wilkinson did most of the damage in the 2003 semifinal, landing five penalties and three dropped goals in the 24-7 win over France at Sydney.

“England did exactly what they had to do. We didn’t have the tempo,” said France captain Raphael Ibanez. “We worked really hard after a bad start to the tournament. We believed in ourselves. We thought we could do it, be world champions. In the end, we couldn’t.”

England will meet 1995 champion South Africa on Saturday, Oct. 20. France goes into the third-place match against Argentina.

Video highlights after the jump…

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Video highlights of French lock/number 8/Caveman Sébastien Chabal.  Don’t forget to turn up the volume for the French rap/song awesomeness.

While not playing for France, Chabal plays professional rugby for the Sale Sharks in the English Guiness Premiership.   He is renowned for his hard-hitting and aggressive style of play, but a short temper and lack of fitness has led to disciplinary problems, including a red card for stomping English legend and Wasps player Lawrence Dallaglio in 2006.

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By popular demand from one of our biggest fans, some of the most vicious spear tackles over the last couple of years. Feel free to contact us with any other suggestions.

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Below is the field schedule and times for the first ever Ohio Rugbyfest on Saturday, October 13 at Lou Berliner Park in Columbus.

Field 1A

9 a.m. Kent State Women vs. Denison Women

1 p.m. Ohio State vs. Ohio University

3 p.m. Ohio State B vs. Ohio University B

Field 2B

9 a.m. Ashland Women vs. Kenyon Women

11 a.m. Scioto Valley Women vs. Lousiville Women
1 p.m. Scioto Valley vs. Indianapolis

Field  3C

9 a.m. Ohio Northern vs. Denison

11 a.m. Miami vs. Wright State

1 p.m. Ohio State Women vs. Navy Women

Field 4D

9 a.m. Oberlin vs. Cleveland State

11 a.m. Kent State vs. Cincinnati

3 p.m. Marshall vs. Eastern Kentucky

Field 5E

9 a.m. Oberlin Women vs. Miami Women

11 a.m. Ashland vs. Kenyon

3 p.m. Kentucky vs. John Carroll

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