Preview: 2011 IRB Zevens World Series - Londen

De voorlaatste etappe van de 2010/2011 HSBC World Zevens Series begint dit weekend in Twickenham, en na een record hiaat van twee jaar, het team van Nieuw-Zeeland Zevens is goed geplaatst om te breken hun kampioenschap droogte.

Huidige kampioenen Samoa zijn derde (100 punten) en 2008/2009 winnaars Zuid-Afrika vierde (92), twee kanten die beheerd te breken wat regelmatige succes door Gordon Tietjens mannen – alleen Fiji eenmaal had beweerd de titel buiten van Nieuw-Zeeland in de eerste negen jaar van de nu legendarische Zevens serie is geweest.

Nieuw-Zeeland zijn geplaatst eerst in de serie standen (134) met tweede geplaatste Engeland (121) hun belangrijkste uitdagers, en het is passend dat het toernooi komt naar Londen waar de thuisploeg hoop zal druk uit te oefenen op de leiders.

Terwijl Nieuw-Zeeland hebben pedigree als Zevens exponenten, Engeland is zeker groeien.

Vorig seizoen de Rugby Football Unie (RFU) aangeboden centrale rugby contracten aan hun Zevens sterren, en coach Ben Ryan heeft genomen zijn team aan de rand van een eerste titel.

Nieuw-Zeeland was altijd gaat om formidabele dit seizoen, graag versterken zich op het circuit, maar ze zal concurreren tegen een van de record menigte ooit gezien op een Zevens evenement.

Ticketverkoop eindelijk graaf waren op 89,866, en op de rails te breken de 100.000 markeren en Twickenham maken dit weekend de grootste menigte ooit bij te wonen een twee-daagse Zevens gebeurtenis. De huidige record aantal is de menigte van 100.000 capaciteit opgenomen in de Dubai Zevens in 2008.

Nieuw-Zeeland, duwen voor hun negende titel in 12 jaar, heeft vier van de zes benen tot nu toe dit seizoen te beweren poleposition gewonnen.

Engeland echter beweerde Dubai, en bereikte de finale in George, Wellington en Hong Kong.

Londen wordt algemeen beschouwd als een zelfs toernooi, met de laatste vijf winnaars alle worden verschillende teams.

Tietjens zei hij was blij met het standpunt van zijn team, maar waarschuwde tegen de jongens denken de baan was compleet ondanks een comfortabele 13-punt buffer tussen de eerste en tweede.

"We hebben vier van de zes toernooien gewonnen dit jaar en het is geweldig om te gaan in deze laatste twee toernooien in de leiding," zei hij.

"Maar we weten dat een van de top vijf teams deze toernooien winnen, kan dus we niet zelfgenoegzaam mogen.

"Engeland is nog steeds een reële bedreiging voor ons en we zullen moeten uitvoeren op de top van ons spel om de titel van de serie."

Ryan zei dat een grote menigte en afgelopen succes kon inspireren zijn mannen.

"De Emiraten luchtvaartmaatschappij Londen Zevens wordt steeds groter en beter elk jaar. Op en buiten het veld is een briljante spektakel en zijn populariteit is ook een bewijs van de globale boom Zevens is genieten van,"zei de Engeland coach.

"Er is niets die we genieten van meer dan spelen in de voorkant van onze eigen fans en met de serie nog in leven dat we weten we herhalen onze 2009 toernooi winnen om de achterstand op Nieuw-Zeeland."

"Het is niet het begin van het seizoen waar in interviews je wordt gevraagd wat uw kansen zijn. Er is niet een lange weg te gaan en dit is een zeer belangrijk voor ons, in golfen termen. We got to nail dit en we nog niet veel speelruimte. Het is moeilijker dan elk toernooi die we dit jaar, wat betreft de externe druk om te presteren hebben, maar hopelijk hebben we een groep van spelers die tot de gelegenheid stijgen zal."

Nieuw-Zeeland Zevens team voor Londen

Toby Arnold baai van overvloed
Tomasi Cama Manawatu
Shane Christie Tasman
Scott Curry baai van overvloed
DJ Forbes, captain Manukau County
Frank Halai Waikato
Bryce Heem Auckland
Solomon King North Harbour
Tim Mikkelson Waikato
Buxton Popoalii Otago
Lote Raikabula Manawatu
David Raikuna North Harbour

Londen toernooi (alle tijden zijn lokaal)

21 Mei
Nieuw-Zeeland v Kenia, 11: 58 am
Nieuw-Zeeland / Spanje, 3-d: 16.00 uur
Nieuw-Zeeland v Wales, 19: 18.15

22 Mei
Finals dag

Recente Londen Zevens resultaten

Australië 2010
Engeland 2009
Samoa 2008
Nieuw-Zeeland 2007
Fiji 2006
Zuid-Afrika 2005

Klik hier om te bekijken de zwembaden voor de 2011 Londen zevens.
Als u de volledige armaturen lijst voor de 2011 Londen Zevens, klik hier.

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2011 Investec Super Rugby preview - The Hurricanes

As always the Hurricanes have a marvellous roster, buttressed by 13 All Blacks, the bulk of which are considered test incumbents.

Indeed the six-time semi finalists – five of those appearances coming since 2003 – will boast a 947 Super Rugby capped group, a core of experience which will be vital to break what has become a fair drought for the prolific rugby producing region.

Either in the guise of the Hurricanes or Wellington, semi finals and numerous finals (in the ITM Cup) have been achieved by the region, but there has been no Super Rugby title.

Are they the strongest team not to have claimed the crown?

To put it broadly, one feels that if the Hurricanes had some small defining factor to add to their already potent arsenal, they could go on to claim success.

Surely inspiration could be drawn from the competition’s most successful team in the Crusaders, a side that has eliminated the Canes four times they have crossed swords in the top four finals (once in the 2006 final).

That je ne sais quoi for the Hurricanes could be the addition of new head coach Mark Hammett, a Crusaders title winner and key member of their backroom team.

The former All Blacks forward will replace Colin Cooper, who departs as the second most capped Super Rugby coach of all time.

While the new Taranaki coach was well regarded, surely it will smart that he could not take the title with such talent at his disposal, and one cannot forget that he too came from Crusaders territory.

Yet former test rake Hammett (with 29 All Blacks tests, 81 Crusaders and 76 Canterbury caps) has been forward's advisor and assistant to both Robbie Deans and Todd Blackadder since 2006.

The Hurricanes, well regarded as a potent attacking unit, will likely have a fair amount of starch and patterns integrated into them by the man fondly regarded as the Hammer.

This will suit the perennial contenders well.

They have long had the arsenal to match it with the big teams, and indeed when firing no side in the competition has been able to compete.

Yet ‘when firing’ is a statement that does not fit well with a side that hopes to be champions, and there is no doubt that the Hurricanes prominent weakness is occasional inconsistency.

However it will not only be Hammett who could change this, but the increasing seniority of their squad members, combined with the desperation of some of their All Blacks.

Piri Weepu will be out – even with a best case scenario – till March, which does rob the Hurricanes of a key player before their campaign even begins.

Karl Lowe will also miss the majority of the season.

Yet the rise and growing leadership of Conrad Smith will mean that the Hurricanes will have a world class player and general to kick off the season, and much will rest on the talented centre’s shoulders.

Also notable will be the attacking class of Hosea Gear, who has had his potential (long known to Wellington fans) realised with a stunning performance on the All Blacks Telecom Backing Black end of year tour.

However a host of All Blacks will be frantic to remind selectors of their class.

Two players will still be heavily on Graham Henry’s mind, yet their status as automatic selections did dim slightly towards the end of 2010.

Ma’a Nonu, whose incumbency as the All Blacks second five-eighth has been usurped by the emergence of the 109kg (based on recent boxing training reports) Sonny Bill Williams, will want to impress why he can be at his finest the best number 12 in the game.

While Cory Jane, one of the most consistent and reliable All Blacks wings in recent memory, will want to stamp his mark on the game, ironically with a chief rival (in Gear) playing with him in the back three.

But numerous players, from great warhorse Rodney So’oialo, to last year’s fringe All Blacks Aaron Cruden and Victor Vito, to forgotten prop Neemia Tialata and lock Jason Eaton, and returning hooker Andrew Hore – will all want strong campaigns to impress for a potential World Cup berth.

That desperate edge that so many key players will bring to the Hurricanes 2011 campaign could be the defining factor that could enable the star studded franchise to go all the way.

They will need to arrest the aforementioned consistency.

Last season three wins to open their campaign led to a horror middle patch, kicking off with a shock loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. That 28-12 defeat led to four losses in a row, and with a draw to the Crusaders and a bye meant they went from round four to round nine without a victory.

They kick off the 2011 Super Rugby season with a good draw, hosting the Highlanders and Crusaders before taking their first bye in round three. They will not play a match on the road (against the Blues) until round five, and will play the Rebels in Melbourne as their first ‘cross-conference’ opponent.

It is arguably the best beginning to the tournament of any team, and one that the Hurricanes will need to capitalise on if they are to break their title drought.

Roll of honour: Finalists 2006, semi-finalists 1997, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009
Last season: 8th (7 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses)
In 2010: 7th equal best attack, 7th best defence

Notable results
Home team first

Hurricanes 47 – 22 Western Force (round two)
Brumbies 13 – 23 Hurricanes (round ten)
Hurricanes 44 – 21 Reds (round 13)

HURRICANES 2011 SUPER RUGBY ROSTER

Fullbacks: Cory Jane
Wingers: Hosea Gear, Alipati Leiua, Julian Savea, Andre Taylor
Midfield: Charlie Ngatai, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith
First five-eigths: Aaron Cruden, Daniel Kirkpatrick
Halfbacks: Chris Eaton, Tyson Keats, Piri Weepu
Loose forwards: Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Karl Lowe, Rodney So'oialo, Victor Vito
Locks: James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Bryn Evans, Mark Reddish, Jeremy Thrush
Props: Michael Bent, Jacob Ellison, Anthony Perenise, John Schwalger, Neemia Tialata
Hookers: Dane Coles, Laurence Corlett, Andrew Hore

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2011 Investec Super Rugby preview - The Crusaders

It is a remarkable statistic to think that if the Crusaders do not win their eighth Super Rugby crown this season it will constitute their longest drought without claiming the championship.

With seven titles to their name in 15 years, the most successful franchise in the competition’s history has never gone more than two years without winning the title.

Indeed, the greatest dynasty in Super Rugby has of late been usurped by the Bulls, who have not only won three of the last four titles, but on all occasions the South Africans have claimed the title, they have beaten the Crusaders in the semi finals.

However there has been a feeling in ‘title town’ that the Crusaders have not been quite the imposing machine that has seen them win almost half of the titles on offer in Super Rugby.

But history has proven that the red and blacks never lie dormant for long, and with Canterbury proving their status as the strongest province in New Zealand rugby, one feels that the Crusaders could make a statement this year.

Especially with far more derby matches in the revamped Super Rugby format.

On paper the Crusaders squad is typically strong, yet while they have their usual collection of All Blacks, there more menace to even their elite contingent.

Richie McCaw will begin the season with his reputation as one of the great captains the game has ever seen confirmed after a landmark season in 2010.

He is also the senior Crusader with 103 caps.

Dan Carter will begin the season not only the Super Rugby point’s record holder, but also as test rugby’s all time highest point’s scorer.

Both men will be crucial to the Crusaders campaign, but as was seen with the All Blacks last season, they are not the only two kingpins in the squad.

Kieran Read will enter the campaign a player whose status is beginning to rival that of his partner in the flank and the nation’s premier first five-eighth. The New Zealand player of the year is generally regarded as the best number eight globally, and will be crucial to the Crusaders hopes.

The list continues with ageless workhorse Brad Thorn, one of the top locks in world rugby last year, who gets better with age.

Supporting the senior players are rising All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Ben and Owen Franks.

Veterans such as Chris Jack, who will likely become a Crusaders centurion (with 98 caps), Andy Ellis and Corey Flynn will also play their parts.

The enviable squad list is bolstered with two new additions, and two more All Blacks – bring their international contingent to 12 players – in Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Dagg.

Both players, likely to play key roles in Graham Henry's selections this year, add considerably to the Crusaders backline arsenal, and to a team that could at full strength field a pack with past or present All Blacks from 1 to 8.

But the Crusaders strength is not only present with their test players, but also in their production line. Scrumhalf Willi Heinz, prop Andrew Olorenshaw, lock Joe Wheeler, hooker Quentin MacDonald and flanker Matt Todd were in the Crusaders wider training group last season and have made the step up to the full squad for 2011.

And finally the lure of the region is as strong as always, with first-five Matt Berquist and hooker David Hall (from the Highlanders) new additions.

While new Super Rugby players come in the form of Tasman five-eighth Tom Marshall, Southland prop Nick Barrett, Canterbury lock Luke Romano and Canterbury Colt and New Zealand Under-19 captain Tyler Bleyendaal.

Todd Blackadder will commence his third season as coach, and would dearly love to win a Super Rugby title, with the last crown coming in 2008 under Robbie Deans (who has won a record five championships).

His new forwards coach will be Dave Hewett, former manager of the Canterbury team last year, taking over from Mark Hammett who moves to take charge of the Hurricanes.

The Crusaders will play the Queensland Reds (Jan 29 in Cairns), the Melbourne Rebels (Feb 5 at AAMI Park) and the Highlanders (Feb 11 in Oamaru) as part of their pre-season programme.

They will kick off their regular season with two blockbuster derby matches, against the Blues and the Hurricanes, both away from home. They return home to host the Waratahs and Brumbies.

They will take their first bye in week seven.

Roll of honour: Champions 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, Finalists 2003, 2004, only three times in 15 years haven’t reached the top four
Last season: 4th (8 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses)
In 2010: second best attack, fourth best defence

Notable results:
home team first

Crusaders 35 – 6 Sharks (round three)
Western Force 24 – 16 Crusaders (round eleven)
Crusaders 40 – 22 Brumbies (round fourteen)

CRUSADERS

Fullbacks: Israel Dagg
Wingers: Zac Guildford, Sean Maitland, Adam Whitelock
Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean, Tom Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams
First five-eigths: Matt Berquist, Tyler Bleyendaal, Daniel Carter
Halfbacks: Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali'i, Willi Heinz
Loose forwards: Richie McCaw, Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock
Locks: Chris Jack, Luke Romano, Brad Thorn, Joe Wheeler, Sam Whitelock
Props: Nicholas Barrett, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Olorenshaw
Hookers: Corey Flynn, David Hall, Quentin MacDonald

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Preview: 2011 New Zealand National Sevens

Bay of Plenty look potent enough to end a remarkable drought at the national sevens rugby tournament in Queenstown this weekend.

Despite regularly providing one of the stronger teams at the event, Bay of Plenty are yet to taste success at the 34 previous editions of the tournament dating back to 1975.

They were runners up last year, pipped 21-14 on the hooter in the final when Waikato scored a brilliant 90m try through Tim Mikkelson.

This year the Peter Woods-coached team have already flexed their muscles by winning last weekend's 12-team provincial tournament at Mt Maunganui, heading off other leading sides including Waikato, who they pummelled 47-26 in the final to defend their title after racing 26-0 up.

The pace of Sekeli Bola promises to be a threat at Queenstown, allied with the playmaking skills of Ruki Tipuna and grunt of veteran New Zealand international forward Solomon King.

Waikato, Auckland, North Harbour, Counties Manukau and Taranaki loom as the main threats, with the powerbase of New Zealand sevens firmly in the upper North Island.

The tournament is the last chance for hopefuls to impress national sevens coach Gordon Tietjens before he finalises his squad for the next leg of the International Rugby Board series, in Wellington on February 4-5.

For financial reasons, the cash-strapped Southland union will not be fielding a team at the tournament for the first time since it was hosted in Queenstown in 2004.

Pools

Pool A: Waikato, Otago, Horowhenua Kapiti, North Otago

Pool B: Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Auckland, Canterbury

Pool C: Counties Manukau, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, South Canterbury

Pool D: Taranaki, North Harbour, Tasman, Northland

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