Auckland Blues sign Ali Williams
Welcome back!
Ali Williams has returned to his former stomping ground of Auckland after playing 2008 for the Super 14 championshi winning Canterbury Crusaders.
Williams left Auckland after the 2007 Super 14 competition due to a major fallout with then Auckland coach David Nucifora, now the Australian High Performance coach. Williams had been with the Blues for six seasons at the time.
The departure of Robbie Deans and Dan Carter from the Crusaders may have played some part but as Williams regards Auckland as home he was always likely to return as some stage. Williams will link with new Auckland coach Pat Lam.
Southern Hemisphere look at tour alternatives
Australia and New Zealand are looking at alternatives to the northern hemisphere touring teams visiting Australia and New Zealand in June. This comes after the disregard shown by northern hemisphere teams who have sent understrength teams here for the last few years.
This year saw one of the weakest touring teams to tour the respective countries in a critically undermanned French side that sported a team of virtual unknowns. The northern hemisphere teams are in a tough spot as they are sending teams at the end of a long and tough domestic competition and often the sides that arrive in Australia and New Zealand are struck by injuries and stars looking for a end of season break.
This has resulted in touring sides being cannon fodder for the big southern hemisphere teams. The northern hemisphere recently made some commitments after pressure from the ARU and NZRU to send their best sides and had recently assured their domestic competitions would finish by the end of May. However, despite this the French will not conclude their competition until the 6th June so it makes the whole commitment a joke.
In response to this the ARU ans NZRU have proposed a possible southern hemisphere plan where the All Blacks would tour Australia in June and play the Waratahs, Reds and Brumbies. This would be followed by the Wallabies going to New Zealand to play the Hurricanes, Blues and Crusaders.
Should this proceed it will likely be a huge positive for the region as it will draw huge crowds and return the ARU budget to a better position after they have taken a loss in recent in recent times especially with the French team that toured this year drawing lacklustre crowds.
Currently planned fo 2009, France are scheduled to play two Tests in New Zealand and one in Australia while Italy are also scheduled to tour Australia.
Stade Francais sign McKenzie
Ewen McKenzie has signed to coach Stade Francais on a 3 year contract. McKenzie, who was dumped by the NSW Waratahs after a poor start to the season will be keen to advance his chances with the French side in a hope of being a future Wallabies coach.
McKenzie who was a member of the 1991 World Cup winning Wallabies side was told his contract would not be extended at after the 2008 Super 14 after the NSW Waratahs started poorly. The Waratahs went on to make the final of the Super 14 only to lose to the Canterbury Crusaders 20-12.
Experimental Law Variations (ELVs)
With the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) due to be implemented to Rugby on 1st August for a 12 month trial, we at The Ruck and Maul thought it would be good to give you a brief update of those changes.
The 2008 Super 14 was played under the new ELVs and this resulted in a faster game with less full arm penalties and the sides who were able to adapt to the increase in speed and alteration to the rules dominated. The Canterbury Crusaders from New Zealand were the best at adapting and the mobile forwards they possessed and the dominance and aggression at the maul was a key aspect in them winning the competition.
The IRB are officially implementing the rules on 1 August, this will bring all nations into line and will change the face of the game we know now. Players will need to be fitter and more mobile but still maintain the same skill level they possess. Under the ELVs there is less room to hide on the field as the game is faster and more dynamic.
The Southern Hemisphere nations of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia will have an early advantage having experienced this since the last World Cup but the Tri-Nations is the first major test series that will be played under the new ELVs.
The IRB have produced an excellent guide to the Experimental Law Variations, click here to read the guide.
Daniel Carter re-signs with NZRU till 2011
Daniel Carter has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) until the end of 2011 in what is a strong sign that he is keen to play a major role in the next World Cup.
The announcement comes several days after the All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw also re-signed with the All Blacks. The NZRU will be pleased to know they have secured perhaps the two major stars in the All Blacks and will no doubt provide a positive lead for other major names to also follow suit.
In what is a growing trend for the major southern hemisphere nations of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia it is reported that Carter’s contract includes a clause for a six month sabbatical in the northern hemisphere but ensures Carter will be available for New Zealand Rugby well before the next World Cup campaign. Carter has not made a decision upon regarding his future regarding who he may play for but it is likely he will sign with the French team Toulon who has recently been promoted to the top flight. Toulon invested wisely in their playing stock last year securing George Gregan and Tana Umaga who provided the experience and ability to get the promoted. Carter is reportedly also looking at another club but his connection to former All Black Captain Umaga certainly provides a strong advantage to Toulon in gaining his signature.