So'oialo: I deserve to be benched!!

The All Black Back Rower Rodney So'oialo has admitted that New Zealand boss Graham Henry was right to drop him from the starting line-up for last weekend's Tri-Nations clash with Australia.

So'oialo has been a mainstay of the All Blacks' back row for the past four years but he was surprisingly left on the bench for the game in Sydney, with Kieran Read playing at No.8 instead.

It was a disappointment for So'oialo but the decision did not take him by surprise given his recent struggles to shake off the affects of a troublesome neck injury.

"I felt I was slightly off the pace because I was out of the game for a while," he said. "Being put on the bench last week I thought was a terrific decision because I was slightly out of pace. I fully support them in their reasoning for putting me on the bench."

So desperate is he to rediscover his best form, So'oialo has now requested that he be allowed to line out for his province, Wellington, twice in the next week.

Flood Aims for November Return!!

The Leicester and England fly-half Toby Flood hopes to return to action in November after surgery on his ruptured left Achilles.

Flood suffered the lower leg injury in the Heineken Cup semi-final win over Cardiff Blues in early May.

The 24-year-old told BBC Radio Leicester: "The timescale is about six months and I'm inside that bracket and so we're working towards that.

"The rehab's gone well, but the guys are in pre-season now and to watch that from the sidelines is difficult."

Halfpenny wants Williams Record!!

BLUES flier Leigh Halfpenny is setting his sights on eclipsing the great Shane Williams as Wales’ record try-scorer.

Halfpenny is ready to roar again in the 2009-10 campaign, having put his mixed Lions experience behind him.

The wing sensation returns to Blues colours in tonight’s pre-season game with Northampton at the Cardiff City Stadium, having shaken off the injury which caused his early exit from South Africa.

But Halfpenny still describes the time he had with the Lions as the best of his career and wants to put to use with the Blues what he learned next to Brian O’Driscoll and company.

“Obviously I’d like to take over the record from my mate Shane, but it will be difficult,” replied Halfpenny.

“Shane’s worked so hard to get where he is, but that is my biggest goal in a Wales jersey.”

He went on: “I’ve been lucky enough to play next to one of my idols in Shane.

“He’s someone I aspired to be like as a youngster. With my kicking, I always watched Neil Jenkins and Jonny Wilkinson. But I wouldn’t have minded being in a side with Jonah Lomu when he was in his prime – he was just unbelievable.

“I’d probably say in terms of rugby he was on a par with Usain Bolt is in athletics – a complete level above and nobody could cope with him.”

Dallaglio included in RFU Task Force (A Team)!!

Rugby's image has been hit by incidents such as Harlequins' fake blood injury, eye-gouging, and the suspension of five Bath players for drug-related issues.

The Task Group will conduct a thorough review of all issues in the game in an effort to clean up the sport.

A series of recommendations will be delivered by 30 September.

The group will be led by RFU president John Owen and also includes RFU elite rugby director and ex-England fly-half Rob Andrew, Bath prop and players' union chairman David Barnes, Worcester owner Cecil Duckworth OBE and chairman of London Irish Andrew Coppel.

RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: "The RFU has been very clear that we needed to act quickly at a game-wide level to ensure that recent events can never happen again.

"The Image of the Game Task Group includes the people we believe can help us do that and we will also work closely with the International Rugby Board (IRB) in support of their initiatives in this area.

"This is not a Disciplinary panel set up to take action against clubs and players, the RFU Disciplinary process will handle that should it be necessary. Nor will it be a talking shop.

"It will be focussed on the issues at hand and actionable solutions. We will do whatever it takes to rebuild the reputation of the sport and that work starts now."

He added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I've been inundated with emails and letters from people who are concerned and do not understand how, at the top end of the game, things seem to have gone wrong in terms of our core values.

"They are looking for us to put it right and that is what we are going to do. The Task Group is determined to take action to restore the good image of rugby union."

The objectives for the Task Group are:

1. To review the impact of recent disciplinary cases on the standing, reputation and image of rugby union.

2. To consider any other evidence of 'cheating' or 'gamesmanship' supplied to the Task Group involving any of the following:

- Fabricated blood injuries

- Feigned injuries to enable substitutions or gain an unfair advantage

- Other medical interventions with players to gain an unfair competitive advantage

- Events of 'gamesmanship' to gain an unfair competitive advantage

- Unfair interference with the opposition team's operations.

3. Assess the impact of recent events on the game in England and on our commercial partners who support it

4. Review the recommendations of the 'Core Values Task Group' and recommend any additions necessary to incorporate any matters arising out of the above issues

5. Review the management reporting lines in professional clubs and recommend a model for club governance to ensure proper accountability for implementing the Task Group's recommendations

6. Review and update all existing 'Codes of Conduct' in the light of recent incidents

7. Review any professional or ethical issues for doctors, medics and physios arising out of recent events

8. Consider the need to incorporate any additional provisions into the Standard Player Contract and EPS Player Contracts

9. Incorporate as appropriate the findings and conclusions of the Illicit Drugs Forum recently established by the RFU

10. Review our Regulations in the respect of the above issues and recommend any changes or additions necessary to the RFU Council

11. Produce a detailed action plan with target dates for delivery of each element. This action plan will detail clear outcomes, proposed strategies to counter inappropriate practices and any proposals for changes to RFU rules and regulations.

The Task Group members:

John Owen, President of the RFU (Chairman of the Task Group)
Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the RFU Management Board and IRB representative
Francis Baron OBE, RFU Chief Executive
Cecil Duckworth OBE, Chairman and Owner of Worcester Warriors, PRL board member
Andrew Coppel CBE, Chairman of London Irish, PRL board member
David Barnes, Bath RFC player and Chairman of the PRA
Lawrence Dallaglio OBE , retired player and Board Director at Wasps, a PRL club
His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett RFU Disciplinary Officer
Bob Rogers RFU Past President and Chairman of the RFU 'Core Values' Task Group
Peter Baines Chairman RFU Governance Standing Committee
Rob Andrew MBE, RFU Elite Rugby Director
Andrew Scoular, RFU Community Rugby Director
Peter Thomas, RFU Corporate Communications Director

Booth Confident Exiles Can Have Double Success!!

London Irish head coach Toby Booth is confident his side can deal with the added pressure of playing in the Heineken Cup this season.

The Exiles flourished in the Guinness Premiership last season while plying their trade at the second tier of European competition, in the Challenge Cup.

But having returned to the top table in Europe this season, Booth is confident his side will not be overstretched.

He said to The Reading Chronicle "Obviously we are delighted to be back in that competition. That was one of the goals for what we wanted to do last year.

"We enjoyed our run to the semi-final a few years ago with Toulouse. The players love testing themselves against the best in the world.

"We will try to be more mindful this time to allow us to fight on two fronts and not put all our eggs in one basket.

"Our consistency in the Premiership was wayward when we had Heineken Cup success. What we have to do this time is not shift away from the emphasis of the Premiership.

"We are aware of the pitfalls and we are confident that if we keep our expectations real we can have a successful season."

Mauger and Leicester Ready To Go!!

Aaron Mauger the Leicester and former All Black centre is back to full fitness and is confident that his Tigers side has what it takes to grab the domestic and European 'double' that narrowly eluded them last season.

The 28-year-old No.12 was understandably disappointed at having missed the final third of last season and Leicester's title charge, which ended with a Guiness Premiership crown and a Heineken Cup Final loss to Leinster.

Mauger, though, is convinced that the Tigers squad has what it takes to go one better in 2009/10.

"We have definitely got the squad to go all the way in the Premiership and the Heineken Cup," he told the Leicester Mercury.

"I am hoping it works out as well as it did last year, but that we have the extra success of winning the Heineken Cup as well this time," he said, "We always try to go out and win every competition that we enter!"

Lote Tuqiri off to France??

Former Waratahs and Wallaby winger has apparently flown from Sydney to Paris in order to investigate lucrative offers to play rugby union in France.

News Limited newspapers said Thursday that the 29-year-old will meet with Bayonne - a club which includes former Australia rugby league star Craig Gower - and Stade Francais, coached by ex-New South Wales coach and Wallabies forward Ewen McKenzie.

"I'm off to France for a few days to talk to some of the clubs over there," Tuqiri said.

"I'll let everyone know what's going on soon enough."

Tuqiri received an undisclosed amount in an out-of-court settlement with the Australian Rugby Union on Monday after taking legal action over his contract termination.

His 1 million Australian dollar ($800,000) contract, which was scheduled to end in 2012, was severed by the ARU in June following an alleged breach of team protocol.

He had been a regular feature of Wallabies lineups since switching from rugby league in 2003 and was part of two World Cup campaigns.

Doubts Over Henson's Future!!

Gavin Henson's career looks increasingly likely to be over, after a newspaper in Wales (The Western Mail) revealed he has been granted indefinite leave by the Ospreys.

Henson did not turn up for the team photo on Tuesday, after having missed the official kit launch and media open day the week before, and no mention was made of his injuries in a media release detailing players not available for Friday's pre-season clash with Leeds.

Even if Henson were to commit himself to a playing return, he would be considerably behind his team-mates in terms of pre-season preparation, a dangerous situation given his injury track record of the past two years.
In seasons 2007-08 and 2008-09, Henson featured in just 23 out of 59 Ospreys games, playing in less than half the fixtures in each campaign.

New director of rugby Scott Johnson concedes that everyone at the region is unsure about when Henson will return. Johnson spoke of Henson injury issues that had been difficult to diagnose.

Henson admitted earlier this year he had thoughts of quitting because of those on-going injury problems, but subsequently issued a denial, stating he wanted to carry on playing.

Rugby League: O'Meley Vs Gibbs Big Hit!!

Lions Best Bits: Sheridan shows his power!!

Lions Best Bits: Brian O'Driscoll clashes with Danie Rossouw!!!

Lions Best Bits: Heinrich Brussow bouncing Martin Williams!!

Wilkinson excited for England return!!

In an exclusive interview with the BBC Jonny Wilkinson said that he was excited to be back with the England Elite Training squad as they held an open training session at Twickenham.

He spoke of the positive atmosphere amongst the squad and even compared it to that of the 2003 squad.

Wilkinson said he feels great and is in physically good condition. Even at 30 he is anxious to play in the World Cup and the Autumn Internationals.

Watch the BBC Interview!!

Delon Armitage Injured on England Duty!!

London Irish and England full-back Delon Armitage has returned early to his Guiness Premiership outfit after hurting his right shoulder on a week-long England training camp.

The 25-year-old full back was due to have a scan last night to determine the extent of the injury.

England announced today that they were suffering from more traditional wounds and that 25% of Martin Johnson's elite players were currently unable to train. Sixteen of the 64 men invited to England's first training session of the new season either failed to turn up or are now back with their clubs.

The 64 should have been at England's training headquarters in Surrey, but after a medical review and profiling Danny Cipriani, Toby Flood, Andy Goode, Topsy Ojo, Tom Rees, Paul Sackey, Will Skinner, George Skivington, Jordan Turner-Hall, Sam Vesty and Richard Wigglesworth returned to their clubs for treatment and rehabilitation. As agreed with his club, Gloucester, Olly Morgan did not join up with the squad; Ben Kay and David Strettle arrived with neck and lower back injuries respectively; Delon Armitage damaged his right shoulder in training on Monday; and Luke Narraway is experiencing "lower back discomfort".

The remaining 48 players will be at Twickenham tomorrow for an open training session which is part of the celebrations of a century of rugby at the stadium.

Monthly Review!!

Wallabies Captain Mortlock ruled out of Tri-Nations!!

The Wallabies have been dealt another blow following Saturdays 17-29 loss to South Africa in Cape Town, as captain Sterling Mortlock has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2009 Tri-Nations.

Mortlock will now undergo arthroscopic (key hole) suergery on Wednesday and is expected to be ruled out of action for at least six weeks.

The centre, who played just 30 minutes in his 80th Test on Saturday, is likely to return for the Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland in November.

Quins under investigation again!!

In the wake of Dean Richards' resignation over the 'fake blood' incident during last season's Heineken Cup quarter-final, the ERC (European Rugby Cup) are set to re-open their case against club, departed coach and physios Wendy Chapman and Steph Brennan, while considering the appeal against the 12-month ban of Tom Williams, the player who had been treated as though his secretion of a blood capsule onto a pitch and use thereof had been entirely his own idea.

ERC's disciplinary officer, Roger O'Connor has appealed against the level of sanction on Quins, and the dismissal of complaints against three club officials.

An independent appeal committee will be convened and they have the power to dish out a more severe sentence, which could extend to throwing the club out of the tournament.

Total Rugby's 200th Show

The programme that is always on my Sky+ with a series link is the IRB's Total Rugby. To celebrate their 200th show they are looking back at some of their best moments.

Hernandez to make debut

Juan Martin Hernandez will make his long-awaited debut in round five of the Currie Cup, for the Sharks against the Leopards.

The former Stade Francais talisman and Argentina international arrived in the country last week but has been given time to improve on his conditioning ahead of his Sharks debut.

Cipriani wants to fly high this season!!

Danny Cipriani is looking forward to the new Guiness Premiership season and said that there is a fresh new atmosphere in the Wasps camp and they are confident that they can win trophies this season.

Wasps face Harlequins in their Guinness Premiership opener on 5 September and fly-half Cipriani is confident Tony Hanks' new-look side can hit the ground running this season.

Keven Mealamu Out of Tri-Nations!!

The All Blacks have been dealt another hard blow to their Tri-Nations campaign as Hooker Keven Mealamu is ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

Mealamu is set to undergo surgery after suffering a ruptured pectoral tendon during Saturday's 31-19 loss to the Springboks in Durban.

Mealamu will be out for 4 months and will not be part of New Zealands autumn internationals.

Steyn Retains 10 Jeresy for SA!!

Not suprisingly Peter De Villiers has named an unchanged side to face Australlia in Cape Town on Saturday.

Ruan Pienaar has been declared fit and will be on the bench for SA on Saturday.

"Ruan Pienaar has always been part of our plans, but I think it would be doing the players who played last week an injustice to change the side," said De Villiers.

He would be mental to change the team really and who on this planet would drop Morne Steyn after scoring 31 points on his own against the All Blacks??

JD Sports buys Canterbury

The sportswear firm JD Sports has bought the European arm of the rugby shirt specialists Canterbury, which recently slipped into administration.

JD Sports is paying £6.5m for Canterbury Europe, as well as the global rights to the Canterbury brand.

Canterbury makes the shirts for rugby teams including the Scottish national side, Leinster, Wasps and Cardiff. Its recent expansion into football and cricket has been blamed for its recent demise.

Internationally, Canterbury is best known as the sponsor of South Africa and Australia's national rugby union teams.

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Steyn gives All Blacks a bit of a lesson