‘One Good Thing’ - Budding rugby stars chance to train with Saracens' Internationals

Fledgling forwards and promising props are being given the chance to hit the rugby union big time in a nationwide competition by ethical brand One Water.

The sponsors of the Aviva Premiership club Saracens are giving young rugby enthusiasts the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to win an exclusive training ground experience with the London club’s squad, which features numerous world-class players.

The winners will also receive 30 tickets to a Saracens home match at the club’s new Allianz Park stadium once complete in the New Year.

To enter, young players, coaches, teachers and proud parents are invited to upload creative team shots of their school or under-18 club team to an app on One’s Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/onedifference. Team members must hold cards emblazoned with the ethical company’s motto #DoOneGoodThing (available to download from the Facebook page).

A difficult season lies ahead for Welsh rugby

The first of the widely anticipated autumn internationals proved to be a rather underwhelming experience for those of us with a staunchly Welsh disposition.

From the kick off it was evident that Wales lacked the killer bite to pierce the Argentinean line, and as the cut and thrust of the early encounters settled and the game found some flow, it became glaringly obvious that, it was the Pumas rather than the Red Dragons, who possessed the necessary bite to win the game. Ultimately, it took just 80 minutes for the promise garnered by a stunning world cup performance and a third Grand Slam in eight years to be largely diminished.

From the evidence provided by last Saturday’s performance, it seems there are some glaring flaws in the current Welsh setup. Does the blame lie at the door of interim head coach Rob Howley? Are the team suffering from a lack of leadership given the absence of their commander-in-chief Warren Gatland? Perhaps it was a case of poor preparation or player focus? Or could it be that the much lauded Polish training camps were scheduled too closely to the first test?

How to Guarantee your RBS Six Nations 2013 Tickets

The RBS Six Nations Championship is the highlight of the rugby union calendar in the northern hemisphere. Getting tickets can sometimes be a hit or miss activity, but there are ways in which to ensure your place in the stadium.

The Six Nations is arguably the greatest annual rugby tournament on earth. This feast of rugby brings together the passionate fans of six determined nations, each willing their country on to glory. Many fans are happy to watch their team from the comfort of their own home, or going with a group of supporters at the local pub to watch on the big screen. However, there is nothing like actually being there in the stadium, feeling every ripple of excitement, hearing the roar of the crowd. Being able to buy the match shirt will ensure that you have a lasting memory to show off to your green-eyed friends at home.

Evolution of Rugby - A look at the quirky history of the game.

Dumptackle Rugby Blog brings you its' take on the evolution of rugby, spanning almost 200 years rich in sporting history, with the odd quirky fact thrown in you may not have known before!

Team of the Rugby Championship 2012

With the inaugural Rugby Championship coming to an end on Saturday night, Dumptackle Rugby Blog decided to take a look at whose star shone brightest, as NZ continued it's international dominance with an unbeaten campaign, Argentina caused more than a few scares and the Wallabies/Springboks largely disappointed.

 So without further adieu, here are the selections for our 'Team of the Tournament':

Can Argentina overturn the All Blacks in La Plata?

Most respected pundits suggest that Argentina's best chance of securing a first Rugby Championship victory will arrive in the final round of this year's tournament, when the Pumas host Australia in Rosario.

So what are the chances then, of Santiago Phelan's men upsetting the odds and turning over the current World Champions, New Zealand, in La Plata one week earlier?

Today Dumptackle Rugby Blog takes a look at the key areas which will define the historic contest at the beautiful Estadio Ciudad de La Plata this weekend, nicknamed the 'City of Diagonals' and how Argentina will look to conduce an error prone performance from the All Blacks.

Richie McCaw rated best captain of all time

With the recently announced news that (Sir) Richie McCaw will take a well earned sabbatical in 2013, missing the Crusaders' Super 15 challenge (as well as the All Blacks' June Internationals) before his triumphant Rugby Championship return, Dumptackle Rugby Blog decided to take a look at the most successful international captains in rugby union history.

But how do you judge an international captain? Is it by World Cups won? The number of test matches won? Or is it continued success over time?

Well it seems (Sir) Richie McCaw has all bases covered, leading the rugby union pile in almost all areas according to data compiled from ESPN Scrum.....

Is Chris Robshaw's England captaincy under threat?

Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw may be England's latest Golden boy following a 'Roy of the Rovers' like campaign for club and country in 2011/12, but his England mentor, Stuart Lancaster, is not afraid to upset the apple cart.

On Tuesday, the England head coach insisted that he would not be naming his England Captain until the squad were together for the Autumn internationals, prior to the team's first outing with Fiji on 10th November.

Lancaster's failure to endorse the incumbent captain sparked a few surprised murmurings around the press. Robshaw, it appears, is not the shoe-in many had presumed across the land. In fact, the door seems to be wide open for a renewed contest for the England captaincy.

Accordingly, this week Dumptackle Rugby Blog takes a look at the credentials of Robshaw and the main contenders to lead the Red Rose this autumn, should he be over-looked.

BT Vision's proposed breakaway plunges European Rugby into chaos

Digested the news yet? Rugby in Europe may be booming like never before, but it could be about to experience the greatest single sporting revolution since Kerry Packer's sojourn into World Series Cricket in the mid 1970's; an upheaval which changed the way the Gentleman's game was played forever..

I'm not talking about rugby players wearing multi-coloured pyjamas as was the case back then. Parisien club Stade Francais have that covered already! This rugby revolution has potentially very far reaching consequences, especially for the Celts.

If you haven't heard yet, Premiership Rugby agreed an astonishing £152 million contract with BT Vision last week, securing rights to broadcast English domestic rugby matches, in addition to European matches involving English clubs from the 2014-15 season onwards.

By that time, the current agreement governing continental competition will have expired, paving the way for a potential restructuring of the European game or a 'new dazzling European tournament' as was described by BT Vision's Chief Executive Marc Watson.

Stick or Twist for Heyneke Meyer?

It seems Heyneke Meyer is already facing a genuine conundrum, just 7 games into his short tenure as South African Head Coach.

Surprising draws against the Poms and the Pumas, followed by successive defeats to both Australia and New Zealand have resulted in the former Bulls supremo facing a barrage of criticism from fans and media a-like, unsatisfied with the style of his stewardship.

To many, his simple, conservative approach has been exposed as 'archaic' by SA's more dynamic rivals from the Antipodes.

Faith has not been lost in the north of the country though (the Bulls' heartland). It appears Meyer truly splits opinion in his homeland. So how much merit is there behind the criticism he is facing and why should we back him?

This week, Dumptackle Rugby Blog has a look at both sides of the coin in the discussion.

Should Meyer stick with the principles which brought him so much Super Rugby success with the Bulls or is it time for him to twist and usher in a new era of attacking South African rugby?

Steve Hansen is the 'Puppet Master' in dealings with the media

Steve Hansen has only been in charge of the All Blacks for five games in his short tenure as New Zealand Head Coach thus far, but already he is looking supremely comfortable in the role.

One might say there is even an air of arrogance about the Cantabrian.

Prior to his appointment, there had been worries about Hansen's potential dealings with the media, as he stepped up from his All Blacks' assistant role (where the glare of the cameras is a little less intense). Many Kiwis bristled at the thought of Hansen, journalists, dictophones and cameras in the same room.

It is pretty common knowledge that 'Shags' can be a bit grumpy and there were musings prior to his promotion that despite his proficiency on the training paddock and his obvious technical expertise, the PR side of things may be a jarring and embarassing weakness for the NZRU.

How the public tide of opinion has changed....

'Murderball' - Wheelchair Rugby at the Paralympics

'People call it bumper cars with a ball but it's more like chess with violence'.

If you are a little confused, that is how Team GB's captain, Steve Brown, referred to the sport which he competes in and consequently holds so dear to his heart:

Wheelchair Rugby or 'Murderball', as it has often been described since the release of  the Oscar nominated documentary of the same name in 2005.

Today marks the opening of the game of Wheelchair Rugby's pool phase at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, with Great Britain battling the world champions, USA.

For those unaware of the sport, it's tough, uncompromising and certainly not for the feint hearted. Those of a nervous disposition may wish to halt reading now. It is almost gladiatorial-esque in nature...or maybe akin to 90's favourite Robot Wars if you prefer more modern imagery!

Exeter Chiefs aiming for the stars with planned expansion of Sandy Park

In the Westcountry, there is currently growing thought that the Exeter Chiefs have the potential to become a powerhouse of the domestic game in England. Maybe even European challengers.

It's a pretty bold statement for a team which has never won a domestic title in it's history and all the more intriguing when one considers that up until two years ago, the Devonshire based side had primarily toiled in the relative depths of the English Championship.

 There are a variety of reasons for the optimism though.

While Devon historically has been disadvantaged economically compared to other parts of the country, heavily reliant on seasonal trades such as tourism and farming, it's premier rugby club has been bucking the trend in recent years. Business it seems is thriving and the balance sheet is about to look even healthier....

Nick Evans - The Quick Fire Round

In Part II of our interview with Nick Evans, we see how the Quins man fares under 'intense' pressure, as we put him through his paces in our Dumptackle Rugby Blog .....

QUICK FIRE ROUND.

Read on to find out Nick's earliest rugby memory, childhood hero, desert island discs and much more.

Nick also reveals all the inside knowledge on his team mates at Quins, including who's the Stoop's 'Einstein', who's the laziest trainer and which music lover in the team may have a secret crush on Justin Bieber*.

(*May contain lie)

Opinion: Australia's Robbie Deans Conundrum

Robbie Deans, the Wallabies' rugby union coach, has been receiving a fair bit of cop over the last few weeks with regard to Australia's poor performances against the All Blacks in the opening two rounds of this year's Rugby Championship.

A lacklustre effort in Sydney followed by an emphatic nilling at Eden Park (for the first time in 50 years), locked the Bledisloe Cup in the NZRU trophy cabinet for yet another year on Saturday (and what's more, the Bledisloe is sitting next to the glistening William Webb Ellis Cup too).

That's been a bit of a bitter pill to swallow for some Wallabies supporters and the knives have been coming out as fans and past players a-like look to deflect their woes.

'Dingo Deans' - the foreigner in the ranks is the one to blame for many. Is the criticism warranted though?

Team of the Rugby Championship - Week Two

 The dust has barely settled following the exploits of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the second round of 2012's inaugural Rugby Championship, but it's time to reveal who made Dumptackle Rugby Blog's team of round two.

As one might suspect there is a heavy All Black influence, after their nilling of Australia at Eden Park secured New Zealand the Bledisloe Cup for yet another year. A number of Pumas also impressed though, after securing a stirring draw in Mendoza against the Springboks. Read on to see who caught our eye in particular and why!


 Team of Round Two:


1.Roncero, 2.Guinazu, 3.Franks, 4.Albacete, 5.Timani, 6.Messam/Cabello, 7.Lobbe, 8.Reid, 9.Smith, 10.Carter, 12.Fernandez, 13.Williams, 11.Camacho, 14.Jane, 15.Dagg

Nick Evans Exclusive Interview - Aviva Premiership Preview

A couple of weeks ago, Dumptackle Rugby Blog had the pleasure of interviewing Nick Evans; star of Harlequin's victorious 2012 Aviva Premiership winning campaign and winner of it's prestigious 'Player's Player of the Year' award.

We chatted about everything from pre-season preparations to his history with Aussie Rules as a youngster and how at times, he had felt like 'God's hacky-sac' during the last Rugby World Cup in his native New Zealand.

I must say that Nick came across as a thoroughly down to earth guy and it was refreshing to be met by a professional sportsman with such a positive attitude, given the harsh criticism that many suffer in the media. That's the end of the love in though...make your own judgment by reading the interview in full below!

Definitive Guide to 2012/13 Aviva Premiership Signings

While some Englishmen have joyfully basked in the warm after-glow of the 2012 Olympics this summer, others have been counting down the days until that oval ball shaped game that we love... returns.

The wait is almost over though, with the Aviva Premiership commencing in 10 days time, as Harlequins begin their defence of the title against London Wasps (part of a glorious double header at Twickenham).

It's fair to say that a lot has changed since those hazy days in late May though, when Quins victory over Leicester allowed new English golden boy, Chris Robshaw, the opportunity to get his mitts on the Cup. Since then, every team has been busy in the transfer market in an effort to bridge the gap.

So, to help you understand your Vereniki Gonevas from your Watisoni Votus, Dumptackle Rugby Blog presents the definitive INS and OUTS for every team in the Aviva Premiership, courtesy of rugby-transfers.

Opinion: SARU decision to axe Lions for the Southern Kings in 2013 Super 15 is a complete shambles

The South African Rugby Union's decision (announced last Thursday) to relegate the Johannesburg based Lions from next year's Super Rugby competition, and promote a new franchise, the Southern Kings, in their place (for one guaranteed year only) has been regarded by most onlookers as a bit of a shambles.

Whatever your thoughts on the political motivations behind the move, which are admittedly complex (when set against a backdrop of a nation still recovering from the social lopsidedness of past Apartheid), the lack of co-operation in arriving at the decision will leave neither camp content. Both in fact have already publicly voiced their disgruntlement since.

For around 7 years, this saga has plodded on with the impending possibility that a new Eastern Cape based side could be added to the South African conference. The idea being, that the new team would be able to boost 'transformation' - ie. develop a high number of black players in a sport which is still dominated by the white population at the top level in South Africa.

Ultimately though, their entry into the competition has come at the painful expense of another franchise; the Lions.

Wallabies 'Strength and Conditioning' Coach joins Dumptackle Rugby Blog

It gives me great pleasure to reveal that Dumptackle Rugby Blog is spreading it's wings a little, as we team up with 'Pro Training Programs' - a site dedicated to providing professional training programs to the public.

From this point onwards, readers of the blog will be able to enjoy posts from David Boyle, a board member of the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association, who currently works with the Wallabies rugby union team (among other professional teams around the world).

His professional knowledge on high performance and elite training (as well as his past experiences playing rugby league with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the 1980's) should provide some fascinating insights, so keep tuned for his first post to go live shortly...

For now though, here's a little more information on 'Pro Training Programs' itself and why you may find yourself investing in one of their rugby union targeted performance programs.

Team of the Rugby Championship - Week One

The dust has barely settled following the exploits of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the first round of 2012's inaugural Rugby Championship, but it's time to reveal who made Dumptackle Rugby Blog's team of round one.

As one might suspect there is a heavy All Black influence, after their away victory over Australia in Sydney gave them some early momentum in the battle for the Bledisloe Cup. A couple of Boks and Wallabies make the grade too for their sterling efforts on the field. For the first time though, there's also a welcome South American flavour in the 15. Read on to see who caught our eye and why!

 Team of Round One:


1.Woodock, 2.Mealamu, 3.Franks, 4.Romano, 5.Sharpe, 6.Coetzee, 7.McCaw, 8.Lobbe, 9.Houggard, 10.Carter, 12.Steyn, 13.Nonu, 11.Habana, 14.Camacho, 15.Dagg

Argentina stumble against Boks, but fairy tale isn't over yet

All league games in Argentina were apparently suspended this weekend to give local supporters of the Pumas the opportunity to watch Argentina's battle with the Springboks live. The tussle after all was not just any test match. It was an occasion of significant historic importance.

Argentina's entry into the Rugby Championship was perceived by many as just reward for over a decade of tireless campaigning off the field and sizeable success on it. Legendary Pumas such as Agustin Pichot, Felipe Contepomi and Hugo Porta had laid the foundations, but it was the current generation who were given the task of doing their heroes justice.

Santiago Phelan's men in truth perhaps didn't play to their potential in Cape Town, but most pragmatists prior to the tournament believed that Argentina's best chance to overturn one of the SANZAR powerhouses would come in the final week of the competition anyway, facing Australia at home in Rosario. The logic behind that assumption seems all the more sound now, after the 27-6 loss suffered in week one.

Dynamite Dagg reproduces World Cup heroics in Bledisloe victory

Navigating the Wallabies losing dressing room, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a dartboard with Israel Dagg's cheeky, open-mouthed mug imposed on the bulls eye. Twice in a row now, it has been the Crusaders and Hawkes Bay flier that has broken Australian hearts with attacking fireworks from full back.

In the Rugby World Cup semi final last year, his searing break and magical flicked offload to Ma'a Nonu set up the only try of the game, as the All Blacks secured their right to play in the final. Once more last night, he produced the goods when it mattered most too, despite a quiet Super 15 by his own impeccably high standards. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans must be sick of the sight of him. How can you restrict that kind of brilliance? The only hope is to subdue.

In many ways the performances of the two sides in the first Bledisloe game of 2012 were reflected in the two full backs on show. While Kurtley Beale was often to be found fumbling his way round the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, missing two try saving tackles on the All Black wingers and knocking on a simple pass in his own 22, Dagg had the opposition at his mercy.

Rugby Championship - Australia vs New Zealand Preview

Sydney welcomes the All Blacks to ANZ Stadium this week-end for the first game of the newly formed 'Rugby Championship', with the Wallabies looking to exact revenge over their trans-tasman rivals, after their crushing loss to the same team in the RWC semi final last year.

That day the All Blacks nullified their opponents on the ground with ease; McCaw and Reid dishing out the damage in the loose forwards. Israel Dagg and Corey Jane produced the necessary fireworks on attack and fly half Aaron Cruden overshadowed the much hyped Quade Cooper.

The young Wallaby's poor display from 10 provoked delighted jeers from the crowd with every mistake made that night and there is no doubt that the nature of the comprehensive defeat (by 20 points to 6) will have hurt the Wallabies.

Although Australia had suffered a surprise defeat to Ireland in the pool stages of that competition, they had beaten the All Blacks in Brisbane only a month before, as they clinched the 2011 Tri Nations trophy and no doubt will have had real hopes of a repeat performance.

Argentina are ready to ready to disprove the stereotypes.

There remains a prevalent belief among the rugby watching public that since Argentina have never defeated New Zealand nor South Africa, the Pumas will have little chance of turning over the SANZAR nations in the upcoming Rugby Championship. Such beliefs can often be heard espoused outside of South America, but many in Argentina believe that this particular view indicates a failure to truly grasp the quality of Argentine rugby.

Los Pumas are used to dealing with barbed stereotypes aimed at them; big strong forwards, no backs. For years they had to fight tooth and nail to be considered even as 'equals' to northern hemisphere opponents. Regular away wins over Wales, France, Scotland and England between 2001 and 2006 were considered as anomalies by many 'in the know'.

It wasn't until RWC 2007, when Argentina recorded a stirring victory over the French in the tournament's opening game, that the tide of popular opinion turned in their favour (in Europe at least). The heroics of the Pumas in that tournament changed the landscape of global rugby forever and might I add, for the better.

Rugby Championship - South Africa vs Argentina - 5 Key Battles

South Africa have the privilege of hosting Argentina's historic first-ever appearance in a Tier One southern hemisphere tournament this Saturday, as Heynecke Meyer's Springboks take on Santiago Phelan's Pumas in the newly formed 'Rugby Championship'.

While Santiago Phelan and his Argentinian squad will ride on a tide of emotion following years of strong campaigning (by stalwarts such as Agustin Pichot) for the right to regularly test their mettle against the best on offer, the rest of the world will look on with  a sense of intrigue. Just how competitive are these Pumas going to be?

Rugby World Cup winning All Black coach has been brought in to assist the Argentinian coaches this year and it will be fascinating to see how much his presence impacts on the South Americans too. While the Pumas have experimented with a flatter back-line on attack this year, don't expect them to veer to far from their intimidating forwards based game.

Below, Dumptackle Rugby Blog runs through the 5 key battles which should define the final result in Cape Town this weekend.

Rugby Championship - Australia vs New Zealand - 5 Key Battles

Sydney will hold host to the first Bledisloe Cup game of the year on Saturday (to much SANZAR fanfare), as the inaugural 'Rugby Championship' is kicked off in style by the top two IRB ranked teams in world rugby.

Both Australia and Zew Zealand will be looking for a confidence booster ahead of a gruelling tournament which will see each side travel between Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa from now 'til October as they embark on a 6 match marathon to define the top dog in southern hemisphere rugby.

Australia will also have revenge on the mind against New Zealand, after being comprehensively knocked out by the All Blacks in last year's Rugby World Cup semi final by 20 points to 6. Can they beat their trans-Tasman rivals this time round?

Below, Dumptackle Rugby Blog runs through the 5 key battles which should influence the final result in Sydney.

Super Rugby 2012 Awards

 Following on from our 'not so serious' take on the Super Rugby Awards a few weeks ago, Dumptackle Rugby Blog presents our real award ceremony, commending the efforts of those whose star shone brightest in 2012.

While the Chiefs walked away with the ultimate title, after a powerful display against the Sharks in Hamilton, there are still plenty more gongs to hand out.


Read on below to find out who was selected in the following categories:

Team of the Year, Coaches of the Year, Players of the Year, Rookies of the Year, Breath of Fresh Air Award, Individual Try of the Year, Team Try of the year, Match of the Year

Opinion: Chiefs imperious as they bring home Super Rugby title

You've got to salute the mighty Mooloo Men. To leap from 10th to Champions in just twelve months is quite an achievement and all the more impressive when one considers their coach, Dave Rennie, was enjoying his debut season in Super Rugby this year.

How the Cowbells must have been ringing overnight in Hamilton, as they celebrated their 37-6 demolition of the Sharks... or should I say how they must have been ringing from Counties Manukau to Taupo - as 2012 was the year that the whole catchment area, not just Waikato, got behind the Chiefs in their bid to become Super Rugby Champions..

There is no doubt that Chiefs had been the most impressively balanced team in this year's competition. A fine attack masterminded by young conductor Aaron Cruden at fly half and a ferociously mean defence had led many assured judge in the southern hemisphere to predict Chiefs glory in the final. If anyone deserved the title, they did, it seemed. 

Argentina vs Stade Francais Preview

Argentina will enjoy its first ever match in 'the Rugby Championship' in fifteen days time but just which personnel will be chosen to front up against the Springboks remains to be seen. Santiago Phelan's 34 man squad enters the final stage of their preperation this weekend with Argentina taking on Top 14 club Stade Français in Buenos Aires in the first of two matches against the Parisien outfit.

It is an interesting choice of an opponent but a sensible one. Argentina could have tried to secure an international test match, but the callibre of teams avaliable would have been unlikely to match that of Stade Français. It is the European pre-season after all and no national teams are actively training at the moment, aside from the four who will dispute the upcoming 'Rugby Championship' - Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Stade Français is not just any French club either. It is the same club that transformed Juan Martín Hernández into a superstar, the same club that Agustín Pichot captained to the 2007 Top 14 Championship and has been in essence the spiritual home of many Pumas over the last decade. Of the team that defeated France to spectacularly open Rugby World Cup 2007 for example, five players adorned the Parisien's colours in domestic rugby at the time; Hernández, Pichot, Lucas Borges, Ignacio Corleto and Rodrigo Roncero.

Opinion: Chiefs looking to Aaron Cruden for inspiration in Super Rugby Final

Aaron Cruden has come a long way since his formative years kicking rugby balls around the local parks of Palmerston North. Back then, pulling on his beloved Manawatu jersey was the primary aim for a boy whose enthusiasm was entrenched in his country's national sport.

Even a year ago, Cruden had been struggling to make Mark Hammett's stuttering Hurricanes team. A number of erratic performances had seen him fall out of favour with his coach as he failed to replicate the form which had seen him awarded 'IRB World Junior Player of the Year' two years earlier in 2009. How quickly things can change...

This weekend, Cruden has the opportunity to become a Super Rugby champion, as his Chiefs face the Sharks in the final of the Super 15. His performances thus far in 2012 have also had him touted as Super Rugby's potential 'Player of the Season'.

What a  meteoric rise to stardom for the flyhalf.  It is even more astounding though, when one considers the struggles he endured as a young man. At the tender age of 19, Cruden received the news that no man wants to hear; diagnosis - testicular cancer.

Prospect of Olympic Gold could lure talented 'crossover' athletes

Rugby union's tectonic plates are shifting and that shift could accelerate dramatically over the next few years if promoters get their way.

While rugby sevens, may seem to some like a glorified drinking festival, chock a block with students and party-goers more interested in their choice of fancy dress attire than the action taking place on the field, its' admission into the Olympic arena has at least changed the way the rest of the world looks at the sport.

Asia, Russia and the Americas are taking a fresh look at Sevens now that a glint of Olympic gold is discernible. Major economies such as India and Brazil have also publicly stated their intention to improve their national rugby programmes, in order to achieve future competitiveness in the sport.

While Sevens won't be showcased in the Olympics until Rio 2016 (it was only admitted by the IOC in 2011), promoters hope the shortened version will have the same impact on the sport as the popular Twenty20 format had on cricket.

The spectator friendly nature of Sevens seems to suggest that the likelihood of this is high, so who is to say that Sevens rather than 15s  won't churn out rugby's first truly global superstar? Could a Julian Savea for example be as recognisable as Lebron James, Lionel Messi, Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt in four years time?

Fancy training with England Fullback Ben Foden?

Do you fancy training with a shining light from world rugby? Leading European Sports Food company, Multipower, are offering just that; a truly 'once in a lifetime' opportunity...

All you have to do is enter their competition on Facebook by clicking 'like' and your club could be enjoying a pre-season training session with one of their Sportsfood ambassadors; Northampton Saints and England fullback, Ben Foden (pictured above).

Foden has been capped 27 times for his country since his debut against Italy in the 2009 Six Nations, scoring 7 tries in the white shirt of England and is widely regarded as one of the best counter-attacking rugby players in the world.

 Voting for the competition will be activated on Monday 6th August 2012 at 9AM (GMT).

 Good luck to all who enter!

Sharks world class pack need one last lung busting effort to secure 'greatest ever' tag

While backline stars such as JP Pieterson and Freddy Michalak won many of the headlines following the Sharks unlikely victory over the Stormers at Newlands last week, it was the Sharks' tireless forwards who ultimately laid the foundation for their victory and secured their franchise a much coveted berth in the Super 15 final.

Attempting to silence 48,000 parrochial supporters (who had not seen their Stormers lose once at home all season), the Sharks managed to defy the air miles and logic to bamboozle their South African rivals 26-19, just a week after dishing out the same treatment to last years winners, the Queensland Reds, in Brisbane.

Deputy captain, Bismark Du Plessis, may have been brutally handed off  by young Stormers locking sensation Eben Etzebeth early on, but it was in the physicality stakes that the Sharks gained ascendancy over their opponents and that was what left Alistair Coetzee's Stormers searching for answers, which they ultimately couldn't find. At no other point in the season have the Stormers been left so utterly flummoxed by an opposition pack.

Sportesk - Social Network for Sportsmen and Women

In the last decade, social networking sites have gone viral. By using online sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, users are able to communicate with friends, family, celebrities, employers and even brands from all over the world.

Social networking allows you to communicate with whomever you want (or whatever you want), whenever you want and the advantage of this type of communication is endless.

New social networking site, Sportesk, has really found a niche in the social media marketplace. The site, as the name may suggest, is targeted towards sports fanatics, and offers the opportunity for anybody involved in sport – players, coaches, refs, teams, agents, sponsors etc. – to connect with each other from anywhere in the world!

Opinion: It's time for Argentina, Japan and the Pacific Islands to be embraced by Super Rugby

As always during this time of the year, I arose early on Saturday morning, defying stupendous odds to catch a glimpse of the Super Rugby Play-Offs, or 'squeeky bum time' as the culmination of the season has become known in the UK.

That term was so beautifully coined by legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the late '90s, to describe the added pressure that is piled on when results, not performances are imperative. With that ratcheting up of pressure normally comes some added excitement too.

Was it just me though or did the first round of qualifying matches seem rather a damp squib?

Rather than drawing breath after a roller coaster ride of attacking rugby, I found myself stifling the yawns. Both games were of a reasonable quality but they were also a little underwhelming; not the feast SANZAR representatives would have been hoping for when the Crusaders-Bulls and Reds-Sharks match-ups were confirmed.

John Kirwan looks to turn Blues 'Poisoned Chalice' Golden

One of Auckland rugby's favourite sons was welcomed back to Eden Park yesterday, as influential power brokers Andy Dalton and Gary Whetton revealed that John Kirwan would be given the task of leading the Blues revival in 2013.

 During the press conference of his unveiling, Kirwan wasted no time in revealing that he was 'fulfilling a dream' coaching the Blues and was noticeably bristling with excitement.

The former golden boy of New Zealand rugby has a strong affinity with Auckland, having represented them in domestic rugby 142 times between 1983 and 1994, but had recently forged a coaching career in Italy and Japan. The time seems right for Kirwan to make the next step though. At first glance, it seems a pretty good fit.

The Blues have struggled under Pat Lam this year, enduring a miserable season in which they finished bottom of the New Zealand conference, despite pre-season hopes of challenging for the title. John Kirwan's challenge therefore will be to transform a stuttering franchise, which has recently been regarded as a bit of a poisoned chalice, into a golden one.

The 'Not So Serious' Super Rugby 2012 Awards

The Round Robin stage of this year's Super 15  finally came to an end on Sunday after 18 rounds of action packed rugby. The Stormers, Chiefs and Reds clinched top spots in their conferences and can look forward to hosting some big ties in the coming weeks.

The play-offs still await us, but as not all teams will be involved over the next three weeks.....now seemed as good a time as any (out of equality) to give you Dumptackle Rugby Blog's not so serious take on the end of year 'Award Ceremony'. Sit back, crack open a beer and enjoy the daftness.


The following categories are discussed 'in depth':

The Adam Kleeberger Award for Best Beard, Best 90s Tribute Act, Distinguished Award for Services to Hamburgers, Saturday Night Fever Award, The Piri Weepu Cult Hero Award, Best Mr T Impression and M.F.P (Most Fragile Player).

Read on below to see who made the grade in our satirical Awards Ceremony and leave your own awards in the comments section if you wants your thoughts to be known!

Super Rugby - Time for the Play-Offs!

Reds snatch Aussie Conference

The round robin stage of this year's Super 15 came to a conclusion on Saturday, as a dramatic weekend of rugby witnessed the Stormers, Chiefs and Reds confirmed as  conference winners in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The Crusaders, Bulls and Sharks also kept alive their hopes of Super Rugby glory, qualifying for the play-offs through the hotly contested wild card positions. They secured their passage after comfortable strolls past the Force, Cheetahs and Lions respectively.

Spare a thought for the Brumbies and Hurricanes though, who agonisingly missed the cut by the narrowest of margins. Sport can be cruel at times and coaches Jake White and Mark Hammett must be pondering what could have been had an extra point been garnered elsewhere during the competition.

Both can rest easy knowing that their sides surpassed all pre-season expectations though. The Hurricanes in particular, who finished as the competition's top try scorers (by quite a distance), were the 'feel good' team of 2012.

Friday Fun - Leaky Australians, Fiji's new haka and my World XV

The weekend is nearing and the rugby therefore is creeping up on us once again. The Super 15 will be acting out the final round its' Round Robin stage, with the Hurricanes kicking it all off against the Chiefs in Wellington on Friday night.

While the three conference leaders (Stormers,Chiefs and Brumbies) have all but been confirmed (barring the Brumbies collecting zero points and the Reds getting a full house), five teams remain in contention for the other three play-off spots and it's all beginning to get a bit tense.

Until the action commences though, Dumptackle Rugby Blog rounds up some of the more quirky happenings from this week for your entertainment...

We divulge on the new Fijian war dance known simply as the 'I Bole', the problem of a rogue urinator in Australian domestic rugby and select our World XV for the season. What more could you want?

Is 2012 the year of the Sharks in Super Rugby?

Despite enjoying a long, illustrious history in Currie Cup rugby, the Sharks have never been able to translate their domestic success onto the Super Rugby stage. Runners up in 1996, 2001 and 2007; the Sharks have often been the nearly men of the competition.


2007 was perhaps the closest they came to getting their mitts on the trophy. Yet, despite topping the Super Rugby table during the round robin and also becoming the first South African side to host a Super Rugby final that year, they finished second best to a Bryan Habana inspired Bulls team, who managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the dying moments. That final’s result sparked an unprecedented era of Bulls supremacy. How different things could have been….


A run of five wins in the Sharks’ last six games though now has some fans wondering; is this the season the Sharks finally come of age? The Chinese calendar may suggest otherwise, but perhaps 2012 is the year of the Shark after all? Their 32-10 demolition of the Bulls on Saturday not only kept their play-off hopes alive, but set up an unlikely charge towards the title.

Opinion: Stop Sniggering! Scottish rugby's bold 'Four Year Plan' should be commended, not derided

Scottish Rugby's new Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, sparked a few looks of incredulity last week when he addressed the Annual General Meeting for the first time in his short tenure. Truth be told, a few sniggers could be heard at the back of the room too. His bold four year plan for Scottish rugby should be commended though, not derided. The aims may seem implausible to many in the short-term, but too often management is constrained by lack of vision. This criticism at least cannot be leveled at Mark Dodson.

If you haven't heard already, Dodson has set some incredibly ambitious targets for Scotland's national team, aiming to secure an RBS Six Nations Grand Slam and even World Cup glory by 2016 (ie. win the next World Cup). When you consider the Scots' early exit in last year's RWC and their failure to win Europe's flagship international tournament since 1999, it looks a very tall order indeed.

One cannot dismiss lightly the fact that Scotland have a fair old job on their hands. Wooden Spooners to World Champions in four years is no easy task. There is however strategy behind the bravado and a realisation that the tide perhaps is turning. Scotland do have talent coming through. They now need to match it with ambition.

Sonny Bill abandons ship. Nonu to the rescue. But who backs up?

Sonny Bill Williams looks almost certain to continue his rugby union career in Japan (before switching codes to rugby league in Australia), thus ruling him out of contention for the inaugral Rugby Championship later this year. Fret not though. It is worth noting that the All Blacks still have a couple of damn good centres at their disposal.

Sonny Bill has taken his game to 'an all new level' in 2012 according to Wayne Smith and Dave Rennie (his coaches at the Chiefs), but the Auckland born code swapper is not the 'be all and end all' of New Zealand rugby. Round 15 of this year's Super Rugby competition reminded us of that salient point.

While a rejuvenated Ma'a Nonu, fresh from a 5 week rest, was busy tearing the Force apart at Eden Park, both with his destructive running game and his fabulous array of miss passes, SBW was busy committing a rugby sin in the dieing minutes at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.

Predicting the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Every year following a Rugby World Cup, we tend to see a clutch of retirements, resignations and sometimes even sackings in the international rugby arena. While the gloriously unforgiving world of test rugby may come to and abrupt end for some, for others a door of opportunity opens.

South Africa, England and World Champions New Zealand all started a-fresh with new coaches in 2012, and with that influx of heads came new ideas, playing philosophies and also personell. While the best coaches often adapt their styles and selections to the latest law interpretations, one can at least see which types of players the current crop would be likely to invest their faith in under the current rules.

So, without further adieu, Dumptackle rugby blog presents its' wholly un-scientific prediction of the major test nations first XV's for RWC 2015. Some notable legendary players have been left out, not because they are not good enough at the moment but because father time may have caught up with them after four more years and due to the increased competitive nature of some countries, there could be superior alternatives.

What do you make of the predicted squads? Please leave your views in the comments section below!

Lancaster's hard nosed attitude will reap rewards for England

After two gruelling tests in which Heyneke Meyer's Springboks imposed both their will and their physical dominance on England, it was encouraging to see Stuart Lancaster's young squad charge themselves back up emotionally for one last big effort on tour. They may not have won their final match, but they can take some solace from the 14 all draw in Port Elizabeth; South Africa's most successful ground at test level. England displayed a lot of heart, endeavour and importantly, backbone.

Too often in the past northern hemisphere sides have capitulated in the final test on tour (see Ireland's effort in Hamilton, NZ as just one example of many). Drained physically and emotionally, some perhaps have been guilty of looking forward to time on the beach with the family after a long hard season. England though did not suffer from these frailties. England in fact were defiant.

Stuart Lancaster remarked prior to the tour quite vocally that he had discussed with the players how the season didn't end after the Aviva Premiership final. It seems he struck a chord with the players. The young squad continued with his hard-nosed attitude approaching the third test, despite finding themselves on the receiving end of an unassailable 2-0 scoreline.

June International Tests - The Definitive Review (New Zealand)

New Zealand cleaned up in June with a 3-0 whitewash over the touring Irish squad. Despite a scare in the second test, where Ireland almost pulled off an historic first ever victory over their hosts, many Kiwi players actually came out of the series with their reputations enhanced. A few stars were born too.

The first and third tests can only be described as thrashings and will have Declan Kidney pondering the future of some of his squad. Perhaps his own position is becoming untenable too. New Zealand inflicted a record score of 60 points to nil over the Irish in the final game. Worrying times for the Irish.

In this post though, Dumptackle rugby blog runs through NZ's 'break through players', the 'movers and shakers' and settles on a player of the series.

Steve Hansen should follow the example of Del Bosque and Spain

If Steve Hansen and his fellow All Black coaches ever needed a blueprint on ‘how to sustain international sporting success’, they need look no further than the efforts of Spanish national coach Vicente Del Bosque, the man who inherited their title winning side of 2008 before subsequently leading Spain to unprecedented World Cup and European glory in 2010 and 2012.

By dismantling Italy four goals to nil in the final of European football’s showpiece tournament on Sunday night, ‘La Rojas’ clinched their third successive major title; a record which they hold alone over almost a century of competition. This record is all the more astonishing though, when you consider the raft of early exits, painful defeats and tears shed by both their players and supporters prior to their inaugural success at Euro 2008.

June Internationals - Team of Week Two

Week two of the June International window churned out some surprising but gladly received drama, as the northern hemisphere fought back following a mauling a week earlier in the first round of matches.

Wales were silenced after the hooter with a heart-breaking penalty by Australia's Mike Harris, which secured a narrow win for the Wallabies in Melbourne. Ireland were also denied late as a 14 man All Black side showed the composure needed to prevent an embarrassing loss for the World Champions' new coaching team. Dan Carter as always was the man to settle any nerves as his wobbly drop-kick separated the teams in Christchurch late on. England also provided a late surge in Jo'burg but were undone by the early exploits of South Africa's power men. 

For your critical eye, Dumptackle Rugby Blog scanned the games with intent and after much deliberation, produced week two's team of the week. 

What do you make of the selections? Please leave your views in the comments section below

England robotic, but proactive Lancaster can provoke evolution

England's first up 22-17 loss to South Africa in Durban was a truly brutal affair and with two tests remaining, this series could well develop into a war of attrition. At times during the first test, the game resembled a gladiatorial stand-off. The power, intensity and ferocity of the Springbok challenge was a couple of notches above anything that the majority of England's squad would have faced in the Aviva Premiership, Heineken Cup (or even the Six Nations for that matter) and eventually the pressure which was exerted on them told.

England did seem to achieve parity for a while though, so fans of the Red Rose should not despair.  The respective forward packs went at it hammer and tong for the best part of an hour and that was a good indicator of England's relative strength up front. Dan Cole's battle with 'the Beast' was a joy for the purists out there, while England's new loose-head prop with the punk rock hair-do, Joe Marler, had an encouraging day at the office. Potential is certainly there for England. Will that potential be fully harnessed though?

June Internationals - Team of Week One

The June International window churned out some pretty enticing test matches in week one, as the Southern hemisphere exercised their dominance on the men from the north. The All Blacks hammered a confident Ireland side at Eden Park, helping dispel fears of any potential 'World Cup hangover' while the Springboks came out on top in a brutal affair in Durban against England.

Wales will probably be the most disappointed side, as they mostly flattered to deceive, losing to an understrength Australian side despite coming into the game with an unheralded sense of belief. It appears the Six Nations is not a worthy benchmark for global dominance.


For your critical eye though, Dumptackle Rugby Blog scanned the games with intent and after much deliberation, produced week one's team of the week.


What do you make of the selections? Please leave your views in the comments section below!