Robbie Deans claim blossoming partnership with Dan Carter could see SBW selected in the AB's

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says Sonny Bill Williams' blossoming partnership with Crusaders' teammate Dan Carter could be the factor that lands the former rugby league star a starting spot in the All Blacks World Cup side later this year.

Williams made his test rugby debut for New Zealand late last year, before even playing a Super Rugby fixture.

The former Bulldogs NRL star has yet to establish himself as a regular All Blacks starter, Deans said playing regularly alongside Test five-eighth Carter was giving Williams the best possible opportunity to press his claim.

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"The fact that they have got a good combination, not only in terms of his (Williams) acceleration within the game as an individual but from a selection perspective, it could be a tipping point," Deans said on Friday.

"He (Williams) has done very well as a player and he's also got the benefit of that combination."

Williams, who looms as a threat to Queensland in Sunday's blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium, has already impressed against other Australian teams, including the Brumbies and Waratahs.

Deans said he had watched all of Williams' Super Rugby performances so far and wouldn't rule out talking to rugby league coaches about the best way to stop the mobile big man, who has opened up numerous defences with his famed offloading skills.

"There's no doubt given the right platform he will take some containing," Deans said of Williams.

Acknowledgements: - AAP

Richie McCaw makes his future intentions clear

 McCaw makes his  intentions clear...

 

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  Richie McCaw - Source:Photoshop

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• McCaw close to securing future (01:23)

 

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With one ace wrapped up, the other main card in New Zealand rugby, Richie McCaw, is expected to announce within the next week that he will stay put after the World Cup.

This comes after his good mate and All Black superstar, Daniel Carter, committed to New Zealand Rugby for the next four years yesterday.

There was little doubt that McCaw, capped a record 94 times for the All Blacks, would follow suit and he confirmed at Crusaders training today that he was close to sorting out a contract now his Super Rugby side is back in New Zealand.

"I haven't signed yet because I haven't said anything yet but hopefully in the next week or so get things sorted. Still working through a couple of things but, (we're) getting pretty close which is good," McCaw told ONE News.

"I've actually been away for the last three weeks so haven't been able to go through that but this week will try and get this sorted and hopefully in the next week or so get it all under control."

McCaw, 30, has always maintained that he enjoys playing in New Zealand and is more interested in building an All Black legacy than chasing the riches of playing in Europe - and he reaffirmed that stance today.

"I've made no secret that the reason I want to stay and look to stay is if I'm enjoying it," the 30-year-old said

"I've never made any bones about that so I haven't played much this year and I'm pretty keen to get out on the field, play and that's a good sign.

"If you weren't enjoying playing then you'd start questioning it but I've certainly got the hunger this year to be out on the field& and I guess you take that into consideration."

However, like Carter, he may get the best of both worlds by having a clause in his contract that says he can exercise a sabbatical if he wishes.

"All those sort of things have been in the pipeline, that's why it's taken a while but obviously, having similar agents, you understand Dan and where everyone's at and stuff so yeah they're the sort of details we're sorting through," he said.

While McCaw doesn't have the huge sponsorship deals Carter enjoys through Adidas and Jockey underwear, he could still expect to earn well over seven figures a year through his contract with New Zealand Rugby and a sabbatical in Europe. However he said that money wasn't the driving behind force his decision.

"If it's just what goes into your bank account, I think no matter what job you did it, if that was the case it doesn't last that long. I think the All Black jersey, as Dan said it yesterday, is a big carrot."
"That just shows to have guys who have to be in New Zealand to play that's still a pretty cool thing to have because it means a hell out a lot to the guys that play here."

And while Carter and McCaw remain good mates, the All Black captain said they don't discuss each others contracts.

"It's bloody good that he has re-signed for New Zealand rugby and the Crusaders. Certainly as a fella that plays in his team it's great to have a guy like that for an extended period.

"I think you've got to make your own decisions. We mentioned things but you haven't gone into depth because you've got to make your own decision based on your own circumstances.

"I'm just thankful just like everyone else is that he's decided to commit for a while."

Acknowledgements: Television NZ

AB's Dan Carter to get 8.25 million in French rugby contract...

AB's  Dan Carter to get paid 8.25 million dollars In French rugby  contract... 



The All Blacks are set to lose star first-five Dan Carter after the World Cup. English paper the Daily Mail has reported that Paris-based club Racing Metro will offer $8.25m for Carter's services.



If the deal goes through, Carter will become the world's highest-paid player, making $2.75m a season over three years.



"He's assessing his options and will make a decision soonish," said Carter's agent Simon Porter. "He's the world's best rugby player, and there are lots of people including the NZRFU interested in him."



Porter said there are interested clubs "all over Europe" and that the Racing Metro deal was "just speculation". France, however, would seem a logical destination for Carter. He previously played one season for Perpignan before returning to New Zealand and the Crusaders.



If Carter were to sign with Racing Metro he would arrive in November for the start of the Heineken Cup.


http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/


Acknowledgements: MSN Sports/ Daily Mail

AB's coach laments young Kiwis being lured overseas...

AB's coach laments young Kiwi players being lured overseas...



Many of New Zealand's young rugby players are being lured overseas, much to the disappointment of Graham Henry. Their incentive must go, says Lynn McConnell, senior editor of Sportal.co.nz.



You do have to wonder where New Zealand's young rugby players are getting their advice.



All Blacks coach Graham Henry is reportedly upset that so many young players are heading offshore in the pursuit of foreign dollars before they have completed their run at the great New Zealand dream: winning All Blacks status.



Players do have a limited time in the game, and they do have to maximise their abilities — as does anyone in the workforce. But being stuck in some British backwater, training and playing in conditions far removed from the generally better weather struck in New Zealand, during the Super Rugby series especially, can't be the greatest dream in the world.



However, in the free market the world has become, the market forces provide the opportunity and there is not much the All Blacks coach, whoever that may be, can do about it.



There is the cynical viewpoint to be had that every place taken by a New Zealander in Britain is one less place for a homegrown player to develop over there. And if the Brits are happy having their rugby competitions looking like a sporting version of the United Nations, as English football does, then good on them.



Impatience is a vice of the young and if the chance is there they are going to take it. But at least some of the criticism should be aimed at New Zealand rugby thinking itself. It involves releasing some of the bonds that hold the game in New Zealand.



It is well past time that New Zealand Rugby looked to establish a fighting chest to keep these players in New Zealand and to create an atmosphere that prevents players looking overseas. The old catchcry that the New Zealand dollar can't compete with British payments can only be used for so long.



A professional administrative approach would see a more public ownership of the game for the All Blacks and for the Super Rugby franchises. That would allow rugby employees to focus more time and effort into maximising the opportunities to keep players in New Zealand. This could be a wide-ranging concept aimed at providing education for players built around their rugby requirements so that the need to cater for their future by playing rugby overseas is removed, or made less appealing.



There must be any number of opportunities that could be developed by working in with reputable entities to allow this to happen on a much wider scale than is the case now.



Education is just one area that could be involved. There could be many others. Rugby might say that it is already doing its bit in this regard, but the evidence is that it is not making any impact with the players concerned.



Continuing monetary losses are going to be a problem for a long-time yet — some extraordinary thinking is required, but is rugby prepared to make that move?



Acknowledgements: MSN Sports

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Matt Todd plays the role of a chosen one at No 7...

Matt Todd plays the  role of a chosen one at No 7...




The Christchurch rugby club is the oldest in New Zealand with 32 All Blacks including five captains on their honours board.



Their last inscription came a decade ago when a young Richie McCaw was added in gold lettering. Club members and many others who've followed Matt Todd's progress believe his name will soon follow the national captain.



Ask at the club or provincial observers and they have no doubt, 23-year-old Todd is destined for the black jersey, the only argument is when. They believe they saw into the future a few years back when McCaw and Todd played a rare club game together against Lincoln University.



"You wouldn't have been ringing me about Matt this time last year. But as you can see, he manages to progress up the levels all right, nothing really fazes him.



"He never seems overawed, he has a great temperament," said his recent club coach, Brad Mooar.



Those sentiments are shared by Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder, a wily looseforward in his day, someone who understands hard work and doesn't favour hyperbole.



"Matt could be a great player - that's in the future. But he's certainly putting a lot of pressure on the selectors," he said.



If Todd followed his usual routine he would have watched Christchurch club training last night before boarding the Crusaders bus today for the two-hour trip south and their next duel against the Bulls in Timaru.



It would be a quiet trip, Blackadder thought. The players would save their energy for the game, prop Nick Barrett would stow his guitar until the return trip.



"We'll just listen to the sound of the bus wheels and get there by lunch," the coach dead-panned.



Locals expect more than 10,000 to turn up to Alpine Energy Stadium with interest in the match rivalling that for a visit from one of the middle-tier international sides. The Crusaders will arrive via Twickenham and a bye, while the Bulls have been basking in Queenstown this week.



Todd will wear the No 7 jersey again, deputising for McCaw who may be fit for action next round against the Chiefs in Mt Maunganui. The intrigue will be how Blackadder uses his looseforward artillery when captain Kieran Read, McCaw, Todd, George Whitelock and Jonathan Poff are all fit.



Todd is a product of Kaiapoi in North Canterbury where he stayed, played and went to school until he switched for his last year at Christchurch Boys' High. He returned to his home club the next season before beginning his Christchurch club career in 2007.



"He has an awesome work ethic, he understands the game and his knowledge just grows all the time," said Mooar.



"He was always a standout player. He was on the cusp of NZ under-20s but just missed and was close to Canterbury in 2008 and missed out on that too but that was good because he did not get knocked around."



The 104kg flanker had all the instincts of an openside, said Mooar, and had shown he could handle every level of rugby. He knew what to work on, he did what was needed and a whole lot more in training.



Around his rugby demands, Todd had also taken some business papers at university and become a personal trainer. He led a balanced life, which was not always the case with young rugby players, and was strong and incredibly fit.



Academy, colts, provincial and Super 15 coaches had all followed Todd's progress and been involved in two-way dialogue about his progress since school.



"What Matt does is instinctive," said Blackadder.



"He has good hands, is a strong link player and is only in his first really big campaign, but if he keeps going he's got a good show of being in the All Blacks squad."


Acknowledgements: Wynne Gray

Storm beats Westen Sydney Academy in SG Ball match...

Image via Wikipedia

Melbourne Storm  versus Western Sydney Academy in SG Ball match...

:

SG Ball Update

© Melbourne Storm

Melbourne Storm’s SG Ball team recorded their first victory of the season on Saturday with a convincing win over the Western Sydney Academy side.

The 44-26 result should provide a good confidence boost for the young Storm side who have suffered some heart-breaking losses after dominating large periods of every game this season.

The first-half was a fairly even affair with the Academy side scoring first after some poor discipline from the Storm.

The teams then matched tries with the score locked at 10-10 before Pride Petterson-Robati scored a great try just before half-time.

This gave the Storm some momentum heading into the second-half and they soon extended the lead with a series of tries early in the period to take the score out to 44-16.

A couple of late four-pointers to the Academy side saw the game finish at 44-26 to the Storm.

The most pleasing aspect of the game was the willingness of the players to play some patient footy for the first time this season. The completion rate was up significantly on previous weeks enabling the team to build pressure on the opposition.

Some excellent tries were scored and the team should now have a belief in what they are doing on the field.

DJ Solomona and Wayne Kennedy were the best for the Storm scoring five tries between them.

Strong performances also came from Pride Petterson Robati, Adam Millgate, Tala Titi and Tremaine Jensen.

Melbourne Storm 44 (Tries: DJ Solomona 3, Wayne Kennedy 2, Dane Chang, Pride Petterson Robati, Evander Jackson; Goals: Adam Millgate 6) def. WSAS 26.

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Matt Todd seen as back-up to Richie McCaw

Image via Wikipedia

Matt Todd seen as back-up to Richie McCaw in AB's...

Todd Blackadder sees Matt Todd in ABs jersey - back-up to Richie McCaw

Matt Todd in action for the Crusaders in a pre-season match - Source: Photosport
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made it clear that flanker Matt Todd should be second choice number seven for the All Blacks behind captain Richie McCaw.

Blackadder believes selectors need to look no further for a back-up loose forward as the young player has carried his impressive ITM Cup form through to the first four rounds of Super Rugby.

Todd was instrumental in last night's 44-13 drubbing of the Highlanders at Carisbrook, although his counterpart Adam Thompson was the sole try scorer for his side.

A former openside flanker himself, Blackadder said Todd is very talented - mixing it with the best and outplaying them.

After last night's deluge the Crusaders are now preparing to fly out to London from Christchurch to play the Sharks at Twickenham next weekend.

Acknowledgements: - Newstalk ZB

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