Panel announced for IRB conference

With less than two years to go to Rio, experts will discuss the Olympic effect will have on Rugby. Photo: IRB

With just one month to go to the IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition 2014 (ConfEx) the IRB has announced speakers for the “Olympic Rugby Sevens – Faster, Higher, Stronger” panel session.

Bringing together experts from the Olympic world and the wider sporting landscape, the panel will discuss how Rugby can make a success of Rio 2016 and become a must-attend event at the Olympic Games.

IOC member Patrick Baumann, who is also Secretary-General of the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur (FIBA) will join the panel to provide insight and advice on what it takes to be a successful Olympic sport and how Rugby can make the most of the debut of Sevens at Rio 2016.

Irish returns to 7s

Brian Carney celebrates a try in Ireland’s last 7s appearance in 2009. Photo: Planet Rugby

IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora has announced that Irish Rugby will be introducing a Men’s Sevens Programme this season as part of the IRFU’s expanded Player Development Pathway.

The IRFU has entered a team in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championships that take place in Montenegro in June 2015 and will compete in Division C of that competition.

“We are starting right down at the bottom and will work our way up. The Sevens programme is part of the development pathway,” said Nucifora.

ARU unsure about Gold Coast Sevens future

Fiji’s Apisai Domolailai goes in for a try against Samoa in the final. Photo: IRB

The future of the Gold Coast Sevens rugby tournament remains unclear after another disappointing attendance at the event on the weekend.

Officially 20,546 attended the two-day event in Robina, an underwhelming return when compared to some of the marquee stops on the tour such as Hong Kong, Wellington or London.

Fiji win Gold Coast title

Fiji acknowledge the crowd with the spoils of the Gold Coast Sevens win. Photo: IRB

Fiji defeated Samoa 31-24 in final of the Gold Coast Sevens to win round one of the HSBC Sevens World Series and take an early lead in the race for Olympic qualification.

Setefano Cakau scored two tries in the first half before Apisai Domolaili and Semi Kunatani saw the Fijians take a 26-0 lead.  But Samoa’s Fautua Otto scored just before half time before Lolo Lui, Siaosi Asofolau and Tila Mealoi narrowed the gap to just two points with four minutes to go.

Uruguay secure final RWC spot

Uruguay celebrate after securing their berth to join England, Australia, Wales and Fiji in Pool A of the 2015 England tournament. Photo: Planet Rugby

Uruguay staged a second half comeback to book their place at next year’s Rugby World Cup, defeating Russia 57-49 on aggregate.

The hosts became the 20th and final team to book their place in England next year. Los Teros will join Australia, England, Wales and Fiji in Pool A of the world’s biggest Rugby tournament.

Road to Rio 2016 kicks off for Rugby Sevens

Brazil’s men qualify automatically but the race to join them at Rio 2016 begins on the Gold Coast this weekend. Photo: IRB

International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset has described the beginning of qualification for Rugby Sevens’ debut at the Olympic Games as an historic moment for the sport.
Rugby will return to the Olympic stage after a break of 92 years when 12 teams will compete in each of the men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens events at Rio 2016. As excitement builds within the global Rugby family, the road to Rio will begin this weekend for the world’s top male teams with the Gold Coast Sevens in Australia.

Russia edge Uruguay in first leg

Russia’s Yuri Kushnarev is defended by Uruguay’s Santiago Vilaseca. Photo: IRB

Russia will take the narrowest of leads with them to Montevideo in two weeks’ time after they beat Uruguay 22-21 in Saturday’s first leg of the final Rugby World Cup 2015 qualifier in Krasnoyarsk.
However, while no team likes to lose a game of rugby, Uruguay’s Pablo Lemoine will probably be the more satisfied of the two coaches as his side is still very much in contention at what is effectively half-time.

Fiji, Samoa name squads for Gold Coast

Kolinisau will skipper the Fiji team. Photo: IRB

Ben Ryan has named four new players in his squad for the first round of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Australia.

Eminoni Nasilasila, Apisai Naqaliva, Sanivalati Ramuwai and Savenaca Rawaca will all make their debut for Fiji in Australia.

“All these players are going to make their debut, they’re not there to make up the numbers but they’re there to make an impact,” said Ryan.

Fiji squad: Apisai Domolailai, Semi Kunatani, Jasa Veremalua, Setefano Cakau, Isake Katonibau, Apisai Naqaliva, Emosi Mulevoro, Osea Kolinisau, Eminoni Nasilasila, Sanivalati Ramuwai, Savenaca Rawaca, Apisalome Waqatabu

RWC tickets set to go on sale

Debbie Jevans, CEO of England Rugby 2015. Photo: Skysports

Tickets for next year’s Rugby World Cup in England will go on sale on Friday, with those for popular matches to be distributed via a ballot, according to organisers.

Prices for adults start at £15 ($45) – £7 ($21) for children – and rise to £715 ($2166.67) for the best seats for the final at Twickenham on October 31, 2015. The average ticket costs around £100 ($303).

“We have worked hard to create as many low-priced tickets as we can and prices start at £7 ($21) for children and £15 ($45) for adults,” said a spokeswoman from England Rugby 2015.

IRB to change to World Rugby

More than a name change, says Lapasset. Photo: IRB

The International Rugby Board have embarked on a major rebranding programme which will see the organisation becoming World Rugby from November 19.

Rugby’s participation has increased by more than two million to 6.6 million players over the past four years.