IRB World Cup bids confirmed
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The IRB have confirmed bids for the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and 2019. 10 unions have expressed an interest and including exotic Rugby nations like Russia and Jamaica alongside stalwarts such as Australia, England, South Africa and Ireland.
Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales have submitted an interest in 2015.
While Australia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are looking towards 2019.
The next Rugby World Cup will be held in New Zealand in 2011. The 2015 and 2019 World Cup’s will be announced in July 2009.
If the IRB is serious about expanding the game which I believe they are then they need to award at least one of the World Cup’s to a developing Rugby nation like Italy or Japan. Japan was overlooked for the 2011 World Cup after getting pipped by New Zealand for hosting rights. In July 2009 the IRB will be able to undo the mistake of not selecting them for 2007.
Who do you think should be awarded the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cup?
New Zealand Maori’s claim Pacific Nations Cup
The New Zealand Maori team claimed the Pacific Nations Cup after a 21-18 win over Australia A yesterday. Australia A almost clinched a penalty in the final minutes but a Mark Gerrard conversion attempt fell just below the crossbar. A draw would have provided Australia A with the Pacific Nations Cup as they received two more bonus points through the earlier four rounds. The New Zealand Maori’s clinched victory just prior with a try to Thomas Waldrom just three minutes from the final siren.
In other games Samoa defeated Japan 37-31 in Apia and Tonga claimed their first victory of the tournament with a 27-16 win over Fiji in Nuku’alofa.
The New Zealand Maori finished on 21 pts, Australia A 20 pts, Samoa 10 pts, Fiji 10 pts, Japan 7 pts and Tonga 5 pts.
Pacific Nations Cup Round 4
Round 4 of the Pacific Nations Cup took place on the weekend with only two teams remaining unbeaten after the weekend the Australia A side and the New Zealand Maori’s.
Australia A triumphed easily over the Fijian side 50-13 in Brisbane. Australia had too much experience and firepower for the Fijians. Samoa were too good for Tonga winning 20-15 and the New Zealand Maori blasted Japan off the park 65-22. The Cup will be decided with the blockbuster match between Australia A and New Zealand Maori on the 6th July in Sydney.
Pacific Nations Cup Round 3
The third round of the Pacific Nations Cup was played on the weekend with Australia A smashing Tonga 90-7. Fiji defeating Japan 24-12 in Tokyo and the New Zealand Maori’s trimphing 17-6 over Samoa.
Australia A were dynamic with Stephen Hoiles scoring 4 and Drew Mitchell 3 tries respectively in a 14 try effort by the team against a lacklustre Tongan side. All eyes were on Timana Tahu who delivered a solid performance at inside centre to push his claims for a spot on the Wallabies bench. Fiji came from behind to beat Japan 24-12 in Tokyo. Fiji were down 9-3 at half time but dug deep to score three converted tries in the second half to beat a tenacious Japan. In the other encounter the New Zealand Maori’s ground out a hard fought win 17-6 over a spirited Samoan team.
Australia A and New Zealand Maori’s are the only undefeated team while Fiji with two and Japan with one win represent the other teams who have registered victory.
IRB World Rankings
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the latest rankings of all Rugby playing nations on 16 June 2008.
The only movement within the top 10 from last week is Scotland moving up one place after their surprise victory against Argentina and Fiji dropping back one spot as a result of the Scottish win. Among other major top 20 nations Samoa has moved from 13th to 12th spot and Japan from 16th to 15th after recent performances in the Pacific Nations Cup.
The top 10 are;
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
Australia
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Fiji
A full list can be viewed at the Official IRB Rugby site.
Pacific Nations Cup Roundup
The second round of the Pacific Nations Cup was held over the weekend. Japan were far too strong for Tonga winning 35-13. The New Zealand Maori held off Fiji to win 11-7 and Australia A beat Samoa 20-15.
The Australian A side beat Samoa in Apia in terrible conditions. Samoa came hard at Australia A in the second half and they were lucky to hang on for the win. Samoa as expected came out hard and pummelled the Australian A side, both sides scored two tries a piece. The difference in the end was the boot of Mark Gerrard.
Japan meanwhile lead 12-6 at halftime against Tonga after they sustained heavy pressure in the first 20 minutes. Japan blew Tonga away in the second half scoring four tries in what was a convincing 35-13 victory.
Australia A and the New Zealand Maori’s remain the only two unbeaten teams after two rounds. Fiji and Japan both have one win and one loss and Samoa and Tonga are yet to register a winner.