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.

Article continues below

"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...

 

• 
  Richie McCaw - Source:Photoshop

•  

• McCaw close to securing future (01:23)

 

•  

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

http://anzacbloggersunite.co.uk/

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...

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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

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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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Crusaders v Sharks at Twickenham, London...

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Crusaders v Sharks at Twickenham, London...

It took this reporter quite some time to get used to the game of rugby. Years in fact. But now I’m as passionate about rugby as the next kiwi. But the rugby I’m passionate about isn’t the rugby they play in the northern hemisphere. Stephen Jones and the like may criticize the high scoring nature of our Super 15 matches, but to this reporter, rugby is meant to be an exciting, attacking game filled with five pointers.

That’s why I am so excited by the news that the mighty Crusaders will be taking on the potent Sharks in Twickenham. There are so many positives to this. The financial windfall for Christchurch is top of the list. But the fact UK rugby fans will actually get to see how rugby should be played is another giant plus. Expect confusion. For generations, UK fans have been taught to cheer stand-offs who can kick for touch. Standing ovations have been given to outside halves who, with the line clear, have opted for the drop goal. Passing is something of a novelty.

The truth is, there is more attacking flare in the Crusader’s backline than there is in the entire history of English rugby. How will the English rugby public react? Time will soon tell.

Acknowledgements: - Chad Pennington

NZ  Herald

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Christchurch lose all RWC and Super 15 matches...

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Christchurch loses all Rugby World Cup matches...



Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully has announced no Rugby World Cup matches will be played in Christchurch

Christchurch has lost all its Rugby World Cup matches.

The announcement has just come from Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully after consultation with IRB officials who are in Christchurch.

The decision was unanimously supported by the International Rugby Board, the New Zealand Government, the New Zealand Rugby Union and Rugby New Zealand.

Vbase, who are responsible for AMI Stadium, advised tournament organisers that it could not provide an absolute assurance that all necessary remedial work could be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup.

Quarter final matches on October 8 and 9 will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, but a decision regarding where the five pool matches will now be played is yet to be made.

Mr McCully says the Government is committed to keeping most of them in the South Island. He says the decision to move all the games has been made with sincere regret.

Ticket purchasers for all Christchurch matches will be offered the option of a refund or the opportunity to secure tickets to the relevant reallocated matches. Rugby New Zealand 2011 has confirmed there will be enough tickets available to rescheduled matches for those wanting to take up that option.

The surface of AMI Stadium (formerly Lancaster Park) has been badly damaged by liquefaction during the last earthquake in Christchurch. Super 15 matches have also been transfered from AMI Stadium to Nelson, most likely Twickenham for the Sharks v Crusaders game, and possibly Timaru.

Acknowledgements:© 2011 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

http://anzacbloggersunite.blog.co.uk

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NZ Rugby league relocates Anzac test from Christchurch...

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NZ Rugby League relocates Anzac test from Christchurch..






..
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The New Zealand Rugby League have decided to relocate the annual Anzac test due to the mounting death toll from Christchurch EQ...


Earthquake-ravaged Christchurch has lost out on hosting the Anzac rugby league test between New Zealand and Australia.

The test was scheduled to be played in the city on May 5 but the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) today decided to relocate the international due to the mounting death toll, which has risen to 163, and the serious damage inflicted on Christchurch's infrastructure by last week's magnitude 6.3 earthquake.

The match will instead be played at Skilled Park on Queensland's Gold Coast.

The NZRL said both it and the Australian Rugby League were committed to returning the Anzac test to Christchurch in 2012.

"The priority for them now is to somehow get their lives back together and the valuable resources they have on call need to be focused on trying to rebuild their city," NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle.

"By next year, hopefully, they will be looking for the tourism and the international exposure that this match can deliver, and we will be there to do everything we can to deliver that outcome.

"We remain committed to giving the people of Canterbury the chance to see the world champion Kiwis but unfortunately it is in everyone's interest that we wait for the right time.

"We are conscious that there are a lot of people hurting at the moment in Christchurch, as well as many in Queensland who are still coming to terms with the devastation of recent floods, and the test will certainly include a number of fundraising efforts."

To accommodate the venue change, the New Zealand Warriors' round nine National Rugby League (NRL) match against the Gold Coast Titans, which was scheduled to be played in Auckland, has been moved to Skilled Park. The corresponding match between the two teams in round 18 will move from Skilled Park to Auckland.

"The move has been agreed to by both clubs and reduces the impact of the venue change on the Warriors, players," said NRL chief executive David Gallop said today.

"There is tremendous sympathy for the people of Christchurch and we accept that the city is simply not in a position to host the match."

Acknowledgements: NZPA

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Sonny Bill Williams lucky...

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Sonny Bill Williams lucky...


Sonny Bill Williams has emerged as one of the lucky survivors in yesterday's destructive 6.3 earthquake. The All Blacks star was relaxing in a pool when the quake hit the greater Christchurch area.

"It was a pretty crazy afternoon," Williams said. "I was at the pool and it came from nowhere. It was unexpected, especially as everyone was just starting to get settled after the last earthquake".

Williams and the friend he was with left the pool immediately and made their way to the streets only to find Christchurch in a state of chaos.

"Going through the city and seeing the destruction it was a lot worse that the last earthquake," he said. "We started walking and it was crazy. There were fires and it looked like there were people trapped. The worst thing about it was you just felt helpless."

The Canterbury representative confirmed that his own family was safe, but seeing the devastation firsthand has hit home.

"It really puts things in perspective. The thing that we do [rugby] is just a game and there’s more to life. This is something I’ll never forget."

Call 0800 RED CROSS (0800 733 276) to find out whereabouts of friends and famil

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Dramatic Blues comeback sinks Crusaders in first round encounter...

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Dramatic Blues comeback sinks Crusaders in first round encounter...

A gutsy decision by inspirational skipper Keven Mealamu capped a dramatic comeback as the Blues beat the Crusaders 24-22 in Auckland on the opening weekend of the new Super Rugby season.

Trailing by three points with 10 minutes left, Mealamu opted to forgo a shot at goal to gamble for a try and it was the hooker himself who crossed to give the hosts the perfect start to the season. It was the finale to a stunning second-half for the Pat Lam-coached team, who scored three tries after the break to rally from a 6-19 halftime deficit. Benson Stanley started the revival, before prop Tony Woodcock narrowed the gap to pave the way for his All Blacks front row partner Mealamu to seal the win.

It was the first win for the Blues over the Crusaders since 2007 and in front of a bumper 32,700-strong crowd who would have had their doubts of such a result after tries by Sean Maitland and Andy Ellis gave the visitors the first half advantage. Fly-halves Dan Carter and Stephen Brett, playing his former province, traded penalties, with Carter landing four to Brett's three, but the home side won the game elsewhere. All Blacks lock Ali Williams, playing his first Super rugby game in almost two years, lasted 63 minutes before he was withdrawn.

Later in the day, the Bulls kicked off the defence of their title with 24-20 victory over the Lions at Ellis Park - but only after withstanding a stirring late fightback from the home side. A rout appeared a distinctly possibility during a first quarter in which the Bulls racked up two tries, through fullback Zane Kirchner and winger Gerhard van den Heever. Fly-half Morne Steyn converted the second of those scores and then added two penalties to put the visitors 18 points ahead after just 27 minutes of play.

Centre Waylon Murray got the Lions off the mark with a try on 35 minutes but Steyn replied with another brace of penalties to send the Bulls in 24-5 up at the interval. Remarkably, though, the Bulls failed to score in the second half as the Lions launched a brave attempt at a comeback, with the sin-binning of Bulls centre Stephan Dippenaar acting as a catalyst. Martin Bezuidenhout crashed over while Dippenaar was still in the bin, before No.8 Warren Whiteley followed the replacement over just three minutes later to set up a grandstand finish.

A penalty from fly-half Elton Jantjies then saw the Lions draw to within four points with 12 minutes remaining but, despite their best efforts, the Lions were ultimately forced to settling for nothing more than a losing bonus point.

Elsewhere, the Brumbies got their season off on a winning note in Canberra, edging a competitive clash with the Chiefs 28-20 despite a second-half wobble. A solo score from young centre Robbie Coleman and powerful effort from winger Francis Fainifo gave the home side an 18-0 lead early on, with three butchered tries by the Chiefs in a bizarre two-minute period while prop Nathan White was in the sin-bin proving the ultimate penalty as they failed to regroup.

All Blacks wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and a spectacular solo effort from replacement halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow provided the Chiefs with a glimmer entering the final quarter but stand-in Brumbies captain Matt Giteau's third penalty and a close range try from Salesi Ma'afu suggested the Chiefs would head home empty handed. However, the visitors teased and tormented to the last. Replacement wing Lelia Masaga crossed after the hooter but Tim Nanai-Williams could only direct the angled conversion on to the right hand upright to deny the visitors a bonus point.

The Reds opened their account with a narrow 21-20 victory over Australian rivals the Western Force on Sunday. A first half kicking duel saw James O'Connor outgun Quade Cooper to give the Force a 12-6 lead at the break and the Reds suffered a further blow with a yellow card for winger Rod Davies.

O'Connor and Cooper traded further penalties after the break before Reds hooker Saia Faingaa caught the Force napping to notch the opening try and close the deficit to one point. But O'Connor struck back with a superb breakaway score - racing home from 80m after pouncing on a loose pass from Cooper with team-mate Matt Hodgson in the sin-bin. The Reds rallied as the game entered the closing stages and replacement hooker James Hanson burrowed over and Cooper's conversion was enough to win the game.

The Sharks followed up their Currie Cup success in October with an accomplished start to the season by registering a 24-9 win over the Cheetahs at Kings Park Stadium in Durban. Sharks flanker Jacques Botes touched down after just two minutes off the back of a powerful rolling maul and Patrick Lambie added a penalty as they hit their stride. The hosts had further chances to extend their lead but centre Stefan Terblanche missed long-range efforts from halfway, which allowed Cheetahs fly-half Naas Olivier to reduce the deficit with penalties either side of half-time.

Another two penalties from Olivier kept the Cheetahs in touch before Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis barged over from close range to swing the tie in favour of the Sharks. Lambie was replaced with 11 minutes remaining but his substitute Jacques-Louis Potgieter was similarly accurate with a penalty five minutes from time.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Melbourne Rebels endured a nightmare start to their life in Super Rugby as they were hammered 43-0 by a fast-finishing Waratahs side at AAMI Park. Drew Mitchell and Kurtley Beale did the damage for the visitors, while Danny Cipriani made his Rebels bow as an early replacement.

Also on Friday, the Highlanders scored the first upset of the new season with a 14-9 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington. It will go down as one of the least memorable season-opening matches in 16 years of professional Super rugby but the Highlanders will have few complaints. There were mistimed passes, handling errors, missed goalkicks, stoppages, penalties and other infringements galore - not to mention the sending off of All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu - but the upshot of it all was a brilliant start to the new season for the southern men, New Zealand's perennial strugglers of recent seasons.

They scored the only try of the match, to Wellington-born pivot Lima Sopoaga, and led 11-6 at half-time, but the key moment came 10 minutes into the second half when Nonu was sent off by Australian whistleblower Stu Dickinson for a second yellow card offence. The dreadlocked midfield back was sinbinned in the first half for lying on the ball and a lack of discipline cost him and the Hurricanes when he shoulder charged Highlanders scrum-half Jimmy Cowan, Dickinson with no option other than to produce a second yellow card and the mandatory red. The Highlanders could have put the hosts away but mistakes at crucial times cost them and Sopoaga missed four kicks at goal.

The Hurricanes were handed a lifeline when Highlanders substitute Brayden Mitchell was sinbinned for a professional foul with 10 minutes remaining, but they never really threatened the line as a steady flow of penalties and errors marred the match.

Acknowledgements:
© ESPN EMEA Ltd

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Warriors win pre-season game against Burleigh...

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Warriors win  pre-season game against Burleigh...

The New Zealand Warriors scored three tries in each half to beat Queensland Cup side Burleigh 30-0 in their National Rugby League trial at Toll Stadium in Whangarei today.

Fullback Kevin Locke dotted down twice in the first half and Krisnan Inu added another as the Warriors took a 16-0 lead into the interval.

After the break they added tries to Auckland Vulcans fullback Johnny Aranga, the speedy Glen Fisiiahi and hooker Alehana Mara to complete the scoring.

Earlier the Junior Warriors beat Otahuhu 34-28 in their third trial match.

Warriors 30 (Kevin Locke 2, Krisnan Inu, Johnny Aranga, Glen Fisiiahi, Alehana Mara tries; James Maloney 2 cons; Krisnan Inu con) Burleigh Bears 0. Halftime: 16-0 Warriors.

Acknowledgements: NZPA

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NZ wins Wellington Sevens - unearths new star......

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Three tries to speedster Declan O'Donnell ensured New Zealand landed the Wellington sevens rugby tournament crown with an emphatic 29-14 win over England tonight.



The Waikato teenager had earlier scored twice against Australia to send the hosts into the final and it was his blistering speed and the team's defiance after the loss of captain DJ Forbes early in the match that saw them claim their fifth Wellington title and a share of the world series lead.

Forbes, playing in his 38th sevens tournament, left the field with a knee injury following Isoa Damu's try that handed England, winners here in 2009, a 7-0 lead.

But New Zealand drew inspiration from old hands Tomasi Cama, Lote Raikabula and Forbes' replacement Solomon King to score 29 unanswered points to deny England.

Cama provided the first try for the busy Toby Arnold, before 19-year-old O'Donnell sparked into life in wet conditions.

He fended off Dan Norton twice to score under the posts and give New Zealand a 12-7 lead at the break.
From the restart, New Zealand pounced on an England error and Arnold repaid the favour for Cama who sold an outrageous dummy to scoot over next to the posts.

O'Donnell, who overcame an ankle injury to play in the tournament, then showed why he is being tipped for big things with a 80-metre dash to the line after New Zealand had soaked up concerted England pressure.

He had his third try and his 10th for the tournament with 90 seconds left and despite a minor melee near the close the final say went to England with substitute Simon Hunt scoring their second try.

New Zealand had earlier beaten Australia 17-0 to make the final, while England, who held the outright world series lead heading into the final, beat Samoa 7-5.

In addition to O'Donnell's two tries in the semi-final, Tim Mikkelson scored from 50 metres out and New Zealand withstood the sinbinning of playmaker Cama midway through the second half.

A conversion was all that separated England from Samoa in the other semi-final. The leading points scorer in international sevens, Ben Gollings, dinked over the extra points to give England a two-point lead but they then had to dig deep to deny a late surge from Samoa.

England, down a man after repeated infringing, were almost undone with time up on the clock.

Reupena Levasa opted for the kick and chase and it looked to have paid dividends only for his third kick to slide dead in goal with the try line begging.

Samoa, who struggled on the first day and had been thumped 29-5 by Australia in their final pool match, had made the semi-final after a surprise defeat of the in-form Fiji.

They led at the break after an unconverted try to Ofisa Treviranus, but England's John Brake capped a 95-metre move by England to give Gollings the chance to put them into the lead.

Elsewhere, defending champions Fiji won the plate final after beating South Africa 26-12, Kenya won the bowl after downing Tonga 19-0 and United States beat France 19-12 to claim the shield

Related articles

• England lose to New Zealand in Wellington Sevens final (telegraph.co.uk)
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AAADD - know the symptoms...

Image via Wikipedia

AAADD- know the symptoms...

AAADD- KNOW THE SYMPTOMS...

Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder. Somehow I feel better, even though I have it!!

Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A..A.D.D. -

Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests itself:

I decide to water my garden.

As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I head towards the garage, I notice post on the porch table that I picked up from the postman earlier.

I decide to go through it before I wash the car.

I put my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the recycling box under the table, and notice that the recycling box is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the recycling first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the postbox when I take out the recycling paper anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my cheque book off the table and notice that there is only one cheque left.

My extra cheques are in the desk in my study, so I go into the house to my desk where I find the cup of tea I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my cheques but first I need to push the tea aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The tea is getting cold, and I decide to make another cup..

As I head toward the kitchen with the cold tea, a vase of flowers on the work-top catches my eye - the flowers need water.

I put the tea on the work-top and discover my glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I'd better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers..

I put the glasses back down on the work-top, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote control. Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realise that tonight when we go to watch TV,I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

So, I put the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:

The car isn't washed

The bills aren't paid

There is a cold cup of tea sitting on the kitchen work-surface

The flowers don't have enough water,

There is still only 1 cheque in my cheque book,

I can't find the remote,

I can't find my glasses,

And I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all bloody day and I'm really tired.

I realise this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.....

Do me a favour. Forward this message to everyone you know, Because I can't remember who the hell I've sent it to.

Don't laugh - if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!

Acknowledgements: Barbara, Taita

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