Monday 31 March 2014

Cam Dolan continues run of assured performances for the USA

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USA number 8 Cam Dolan stood out and continued his impressive run of form despite his side enduring yet another struggle against Uruguay in Atlanta last weekend.

Sunday 30 March 2014

Roundup: USA vs Uruguay RWC Americas Qualifier Second Leg

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Report of the second leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff between USA and Uruguay in Atlanta as the Eagles became the 16th team to confirm their place at next year's tournament.

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Chauncey O'Toole on the comeback trail

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This weekend marked a notable return of Chauncey O'Toole to Canadian rugby in the Tokyo Sevens. Can he rediscover his form and return to the force he was in 2011?

How did Paul O'Connell escape sanction for this?

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Whilst Georgia could take a pride from their narrow 14-10 defeat to Ireland, it was full what if moments. One being Ireland’s best forward lock Paul O’Connell escaping a card for a dangerous tackle on number 8 Giorgi Chkhaidze.

Milton Haig committed to Georgia

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His time in charge has been far from perfect, but Kiwi coach Milton Haig has immersed himself in the Georgian culture and committed himself to helping the national team and Georgian rugby. 

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Pressure piling onto Eagles scrum half Mike Petri

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In the wake of the USA’s disappointing draw against Uruguay, pressure is mounting on the selection of scrum half Mike Petri, who has come under criticism from US supporters.

The USA's worst performance in Mike Tolkin era

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USA were heavy favourites coming into their clash with Uruguay but were lucky to come away with a draw. Here we take a look at just how bad the Eagles performance was. Possibly their worst under Mike Tolkin.

Monday 24 March 2014

Japan announce match with Samoa to be played prior to the PNC

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Japan have announced there will be an extra match against Samoa taking place on May 30 at the Chichibunomiya Stadium in Tokyo, a week prior to the Pacific Nations Cup.

Sunday 23 March 2014

Friday 21 March 2014

Team News: RWC Americas Qualifier

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Team news ahead of the first leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff between Uruguay and USA to decide the Americas 2 spot.

Thursday 20 March 2014

Wednesday 19 March 2014

November fixture list lined up for Georgia

imageGeorgia are set to tackle a tough fixture list this November which includes a trip to visit 6 Nations champions Ireland in their own backyard.

Is Takudzwa Ngwenya’s international career with the USA finished?

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RugbyMag is reporting that the international career of Takudzwa Ngwenya, one of the quickest wingers in world rugby, may have come to an end.

Possible meritocratic system under new European domestic reforms?

imageThe latest news about reports on the European domestic teams outside the 6 Nations may be doing with the European reforms next season.

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Georgia 2014 ENC Grand Slam winners

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This weekend Georgia completed won their 9th ENC title and 4th Grand Slam with a 22-9 win over Romania in front of their home crowd at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium. Here is a look at the successful team of 2014.

Monday 17 March 2014

Sunday 16 March 2014

Roundup: ENC 1A March 15

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A roundup on the final round of ENC fixtures for 2014, including the big Grand Slam decider between Georgia and Romania in Tbilisi.

Friday 14 March 2014

Team News: ENC 1A March 15

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Team news for the final round of ENC 1A matches including the crucial Grand Slam title deciding match between Georgia and Romania.

Thursday 13 March 2014

Did Vlaicu choke vs Georgia in 2013?

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How costly will Romania's missed chances in last year’s drawn ENC decider against Georgia in Bucharest end up being? Here is a look at the moments of the match that cost the Oaks last year’s ENC and may also cost them the easier pool draw at next year's World Cup in England.

Wednesday 12 March 2014

The Portuguese errors that handed Russia the advantage

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Although the 34-18 scoreline indicates otherwise, Portugal were in a very even contest with Russia but lost it through some errors in their own 22 that put themselves under pressure.

Japan name their summer squad as they prepare for 2014

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Eddie Jones has named a 40 man squad for Japan's fixtures in Asian 5 Nations, Pacific Nations Cup and one off test with Italy over the months of May and June.

The Georgian backline hope Merab Sharikadze

imageDespite producing stocks of props playing in the Top 14 and the iconic loose forward Mamuka Gorgodze, behind the pack Georgia do not have the best of reputations. But young centre Merab Sharikadze could be the Georgian to lead the way in altering that reputation.

Cătălin Fercu the hidden gem of world rugby

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Cătălin Fercu has been tearing through opposition defences for Romania ever since he was a teenager, he became his country’s leading try scorer aged 26 and is one of the most talented backs the Oaks have ever had. But unfortunately he may never get the recognition his talent deserves.

Is playing a Japanese kids team in the Pacific Rugby Cup really a good idea?

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The Junior Japan side playing in the Pacific Rugby Cup are currently getting thrashed. Is the JRFU organising such a young team to participate in the tournament really a wise idea?

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Was there an eye gouging incident in Sochi last weekend?

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Was there an eye gouging incident involving the Russian prop Grigory Tsnobiladze and Portuguese flanker Julien Bardy as frustrations grew and tempers flared during the ENC clash last weekend in Sochi?

The Kvirikashvili clangers continue

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Can Milton Haig really keep picking Kvirikashvili at full back for Georgia? The question was asked last week and most fans backed him, but after yet another game against Spain where his errors were exposed and proved costly, surely it is now only Romanians who would want him wearing the 15 jersey next week.

Monday 10 March 2014

Roundup: ENC 1A March 8

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A round up on the latest round of fixtures in the ENC. Romania and Georgia both won again to set up their Grand Slam deciding clash whilst Russia confirmed a third place finish.

Friday 7 March 2014

Team News: ENC 1A March 8

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Team news ahead of the fourth round of ENC 1A matches for 2014 and 9th round of Rugby World Cup qualification.

Spain’s continually indecisive selection policy

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The Spanish selection policies over the past few years have seen a far larger turnover of players compared to other nations in Europe. Why can’t they make up their mind on selection?

Wednesday 5 March 2014

The last team to win an ENC match against Georgia

imageSince the 2007 World Cup, Georgia have lost just two ENC matches out of 34. Here is a lookback at the most recent upset against a multi national Spain side in February 2012 in Madrid.

Tuesday 4 March 2014

Male Sa’u joining the Melbourne Rebels

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Centre Male Sa’u is the latest Japanese international to earn a contract in Super Rugby. He joins hooker Shota Horie at the Australian side the Melbourne Rebels.

Sunday 2 March 2014

Nigel Melville to lobby for more North American internationals

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USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville looks set to lobby this week for more test matches for the North Americans to match the other sides in the world over the 2015-19 period.