Bernard Lapasset
World Rugby Council has approved the application by the Rwanda Rugby Federation (RRF) as a full member union, bringing the total number to 103 full members and 17 associates.
The RRF became an associate member of World Rugby in April 2004 and is a full member of Rugby Africa, the regional association. The union actively partakes in regional activities and participates in a range of Rugby Africa tournaments. It is recognised by its National Olympic Committee and fulfils World Rugby’s full membership criteria.
The RRF runs a national 15-a-side team and, in total, has 10 teams participating in a domestic 15-a-side league with more than 300 registered adult male players, 60 adult female players and nearly 7 000 youth players. The union is a structured organisation, administered by a full-time CEO and a number of volunteers.
The application was supported by the World Rugby Executive Committee, Rugby Africa and World Rugby’s Rugby Services Manager (Africa).
Bernard Lapasset
World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset says that Japan should be added to the Southern Hemisphere’s Rugby Championship competition alongside New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.
Argentina joined the Tri-Nations sides in 2012 and the tournament became known as The Rugby Championship. Since then they have beaten both South Africa and Australia and lost all of their matches against New Zealand.
Rugby in Japan is enjoying a surge in popularity after their national team the Brave Blosssoms beat South Africa’s Springboks in the Rugby World Cup and this has helped build excitement for the Rugby World Cup in 2019, which will be staged in Japan.
Bernard Lapasset
No Shit Sherlock, finally we have a replacement for Brainy Smurf!!
Apologies, I could not help that, it just blurted out and it was as if my fingers were typing in automatic mode….
Well, the opinion by World Rugby’s president, Bernard Lappasset when commenting on Rugby Sevens’ growing popularity and competitaveness ahead of its return to the Olympic programme next year, which has led to a rethinking of 15’s role in the game leads him to the conclusion that Rugby 15’s need some reform!
The 67-year-old Frenchman, speaking on Tuesday ahead of a lucrative sponsorship announcement of both the men’s and for the 1st time the women’s sevens series, said there was a need for a new system for the 15’s version of the sport.
“We need to open up a new system for the 15 discipline,” he said.
“To bring the northern and southern hemisphere programmes closer together.
Brett Gosper
World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper has revealed that they could review the 3-year residency rule for eligbility as there has been an increasing number of foreign-born players being selected for national teams.
Currently, players can compete for a country other than the one they were born in through a family connection stretching back to a grandparent, or via a 3-year residency period.
The issue was brought into sharp focus at this year’s Six Nations where a host of players represented adopted countries, having been lured overseas by hefty club salaries.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Gosper indicated the international game’s governing body was prepared to review the 3-year rule for Test eligibility.
IRB Chairman: Bernard Lapasset
The International Rugby Board have released a document detailing the necessary requirements for players to switch nationalities.
Players looking to represent another country will have to play in a minimum of four Sevens World Series legs for their conversion to be approved, along with adhering to other terms.
All players who apply this way will also have to take part in the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.
The document also states that players will not be able to revert to their former Union should their application to play for a second Union fall through.
With 500 days to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 in England kicks off, Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset is confident that preparations are on track to deliver “an unforgettable and special” record-breaking event that will further the growth of the sport worldwide.
With fans snapping up tickets in record numbers through the official supporter tour programme and with Rugby community ticket sales beginning today, tournament organisers England Rugby 2015 Limited have announced that tickets for all 48 matches will go on general sale globally from September 12-29 2014.
The prospect of two rival European club tournaments next season grew on Thursday when the four RaboDirect unions and France announced the Heineken Cup would continue and the English and French clubs insisted their Rugby Champions Cup would go ahead regardless.
More than 600 delegates and 30 exhibitors representing nearly 120 countries are attending the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition in Dublin, which will be opened officially by IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset at 1.45pm today.
World rugby supremo Bernard Lapasset has warned English and French clubs wishing to form a breakaway European club competition that they do not have the right to impose their will on other leagues reluctant to join them.
The 66-year-old Frenchman – president of the International Rugby Board since replacing Irishman Syd Millar in 2008 – has kept his own counsel while the English and French clubs have tried to persuade their counterparts in Wales, Ireland, Italy and Scotland to leave the European Rugby Cup (ERC), who organise the European Cup and Challenge, and join the planned 20-team Champions Cup from next year.
The Springboks took part in a scrum study conducted by the International Rugby Board (IRB) in conjunction with the University of Bath in Dublin on Tuesday.
The appointment of Australians to high profile positions in rugby has continued with the announcement of Brett Gosper as the International Rugby Board’s new Chief Executive as well as Managing Director of the Rugby World Cup.
The International Rugby Board Executive Committee, acting in its role as the IRB Trust, has appointed the members of the Rugby World Cup Limited Board who will serve a four-year term to be effective from 15 May 2012.
Incumbent Bernard Lapasset and former England rugby captain Bill Beaumont will learn their fate in Los Angeles on Monday in a second round of voting for the presidency of the International Rugby Board (IRB).
International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset says that Wales cannot be certain of hosting Rugby World Cup matches when the tournament moves to England in 2015.
After much debate and investigation, the Golden Lions and the Lions Super Rugby teams, under the guises of the GLRU and Lions Rugby (PTY) LTD have decided that their futures’ remain at their historical home Coca-Cola (Ellis) Park.
The stadium was rebuilt in the early 1980’s and was given another major facelift for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The full media releases from the various parties reads:
Sharks 53 / Lions 9 (Final score)
The Sharks hosted the MTN Golden Lions at Kings Park, Durban at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The sharks totally outclassed a lethargic and error ridden Lions side to book a home semi final against the Free state Cheetahs next week, where they will certainly carry all of the momentum.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Golden Lions CEO Manie Reyneke has quit in his position as Chief Executive Officer of the union, the GLRU announced.
Lions (20) 42 / WP (9) 25 (Final Score)
The MTN Golden Lions host DHL Western Province at Coka-Cola Park, Johannesburg at 17:05 SA Time.
This is the live match discussion Article.
The match is broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Lions were full value for their 5 tries to 1 win over a Western Province side who had to try and stay in touch via the solid boot of Demetri Catrakilis.
MTN Golden Lions coach, John Mitchell has made one injury enforced changed to his line up to Face DHL Western Province on Saturday.
Lions (6) 18 / Blue Bulls (18) 21 (Final Score)
The MTN Golden Lions hosted the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg at 15:00 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Blue Bulls desperately held on, with superb defence to win this cliff-hanger by 3 points.
Lions coach John Mitchell has made two changes and two positional changes as he named his side to face the Vodacom Blue Bulls on Saturday.
Lions (20) 41 / Griquas (6) 25 (Final Score)
The MTN Lions hosted GWK Griquas at Coca-Cola Park, Joannesburg at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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A Game of two contrasting halves!
The MTN Lions absolutely dominated the first half yet the determined Griquas were determined not to give up and dominated the second half.
The Lions bag a full 5 Log Points and the Griquas get nothing.
Pumas (6) 20 / Lions (27) 34 (Final Score)
The Ford Pumas hosted the MTN Golden Lions at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit at 19:10 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
It was a game of 2 halves, with the Lions dominating the 1st half and the brave Pumas dominating the 2nd half.
Well after the final hooter, the Lions managed to get their bonus point for tries, via replacement Johan Snyman.
Was a very good game to watch!
Demetri Catrakilis
Golden Lions coach, John Mitchell, and Western Province flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis were today named as the Currie Cup Coach and Player of the Month for August.
Here is the Lions team for Saturday’s top of the table clash against the Sharks.
WP (9) 28 / Lions (17) 26 (Final Score)
DHL Western Province hosted the MTN Golden Lions at Newlands, Cape Town at 19:10 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
In a nailbiter, DHL Western Province were the victors.
Lions (8) 17 / Cheetahs (3) 10 (Final Score)
The MTN Lions host the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg at 19:10 SA Time. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match is broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
In a hard fought match and exciting end to the match, the Lions were victorius.
The Lions made one change and two positional switches to their side ahead of Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup match against the Cheetahs in Johannesburg.
Blue Bulls (19) 27 / Lions (16) 36 (Final Score)
The Vodacom Blue Bulls hosted the MTN Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 17:05 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Blue Bulls were just too ill-diciplined and Flip van der Merwe earned tow yellow cards, turning the final one into Red, whilst the Lions were mostly well diciplined and controlled all game.
The Lions deserved their win.
In a move to replace the soon to be departed Fourie Du Preez, the Bulls have signed the Lions scrumhalf with a contract from the beginning of 2012 until the end of the Currie Cup in 2013.
The MTN Golden Lions have made only one change to the run on team to take on the Leopards at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday from the team that beat Griquas so comprehensively last week.
Captain Doppies la Grange is rested to ensure he recovers fully from his hamstring strain.
He is replaced by Alwyn Hollenbach, with Joshua Strauss taking over the Captains reigns as expected.
Michael Rhodes returns from suspension to start on the reserves bench.
Herewith all of the MTN Golden Lions teams to take on the Leopards:
CJ van der Linde has signed a contract of just over 2 years to join the Lions from 1st August 2011 to 31st October 2013 the Johannesburg based Union announced in a media release this morning.
Herewith the full announcement as received from the Lions.
Lions (16) 31 / Pumas (17) 27 (Final Score)
The MTN Golden Lions hosted the Ford Pumas at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg at 19:10 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 & SH2 on TV in SA.
The Lions squeeked a win, which they really did not deserve on the night against a very gutsy Pumas outfit
The Currie Cup kicks off this weekend and there are some massive clashes in store in Round One of South Africa’s premier provincial competition.
At a media function in Johannesburg earlier this afternoon, the Golden Lions announced their Currie Cup squad, as well as the team to play the Pumas in the opening fixture of the 2011 competition on Friday night.