23 October 2011

Final of the Rugby World Cup 2011 - New Zealand lead France by 5 – 0 at half-time

France over for a try right under the posts with the score now 8 – 7 to the All Blacks.

The All Blacks have won the Rugby World Cup 2011 final against France by 8 -7!!!!!!!!

22 October 2011

Bronze Final of the Rugby World Cup 2011 – Australia beat Wales 21 – 18

Technorati Tags: 2011, All Blacks, Australia, bronze final, final, France, Les Bleus, new zealand, Rugby World Cup, Wales, Wallabies

France dominated the first phase of play yet unfortunately for them they did not put any points on the board at that stage. There was lots of action in the game.

Territory was even and in position there was a very slight advantage to New Zealand. Richie McCaw was quite pleased with the match in his 100th test appearance. He is the most test captain in New Zealand rugby history. Has scored the most points for a forward in the All Blacks. Richie was awarded a white All Blacks cap for being the first ever All Black to play 100 test matches.

Graham Henry definitely ranks Richie McCaw as his number 1 player. He leads by example and is a very popular player with everyone. Congratulations Richie!

Technorati Tags: All Blacks, France, new zealand, richie mccaw, rugby, Rugby World Cup 2011

By Rodney J Smith

Here’s a look at the Big Three of world rugby in terms of where they’re at ahead of the 2010 Tri Nations tournament. The teams will also have one eye firmly on long-range preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand too, which adds to the pressure in this year’s Tri Nations.

Australian Wallabies

Considering the relatively low profile of rugby union in Australia and the fact that much of the athletic talent gravitates towards rugby league or Aussie Rules football, it’s a testament to the Australian fighting spirit and “never say die” attitude that they are so competitive in rugby union. Australia tends to favour an open running style of rugby, relying on fast, elusive backs and not a little guile to run rings around their opponents, which can be very entertaining to watch. Teams that are successful against them tend to try and force a more structured, forwards-oriented game on them to capitalise on what is perceived as their main weakness: an under-powered front five, particularly in the scrumming department.

It’s something that coach Robbie Deans is trying hard to address ahead of the 2010 Tri Nations and next year’s world cup. Many questions still remain after the summer internationals against the northern hemisphere sides, which this Tri Nations tournament may go a long way towards answering. If they can manage to be more competitive up front, one feels that the core of this young side could carry the Wallabies forward for the next decade.

New Zealand All Blacks

Although the Kiwis are a relatively small nation, rugby is religion in the Land of the Long White Cloud, which means the sport enjoys the pick of the athletic talent. Their ranks are further bolstered by imports from the various Polynesian islands whose people, both culturally and physically, seem born to play rugby. Arguably the team to beat over the years, the All Blacks have perhaps the most balanced approach to the game, combining strong, incisive running backs with tough battle-hardened forwards who are capable of dominating against most teams in world rugby. They are a formidable prospect, with few obvious weaknesses.

Their achilles heel seems to be an inability to win that most elusive of prizes: the world cup (apart from the inaugural tournament). Each year they seem to be the team to beat going into the competition, yet somehow they have not managed to win it, earning them the tag of “chokers”. Perhaps their problem is that they want it too much? Anyhow, one thing is sure: the Kiwi public will tolerate nothing less than a win at next year’s world cup on home soil – otherwise the players and staff may as well pack their bags and go play in the Heineken Cup!

No such problems in the Tri Nations though – the All Blacks have been dominant over the years, and will be keen to re-establish the natural order of things after under-performing in last year’s tournament.

South African Springboks

Rugby has traditionally been a white man’s game in South Africa. But since the birth of the Rainbow Nation, more non-white players have been coming through the ranks. Whilst this is still somewhat of a political process rather than pure rugby development, the future looks bright for the Springboks if they can tap deeply into the local talent pool. The Springboks have traditionally played “10 man rugby” built on a very powerful forward pack with a kicking flyhalf and the rest of the backline there mainly for defense but more recently they’ve made progress in becoming more balanced – sometimes swinging too far the other way – but lately seem to have to the balance just about right.

After a very successful couple of years in which they have won just about everything going, the challenge for them is to keep developing to stay ahead of the pack. Many of their stars are nearing the end of their playing careers, and it remains to be seen if suitable replacements can be found to take over the mantle after next year’s world cup. At the moment depth doesn’t seem to be much of a problem, but one or two injuries in key positions could have a big impact.

Be sure to catch all the excitement of the 2010 tri nations rugby tournament over at http://trinationsrugby.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rodney_J_Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?Tri-Nations-Rugby—Team-Profiles&id=4615945

Technorati Tags: rugby, team profiles, Tri Nations Rugby

Weight circuit training combined with your swimming. Work out all your muscles in a circuit and do some extra benching, you might want to do some running as well.

Technorati Tags: build, player, rugby

Thanks for your advice. I am a 27 year old male rugby player, around 87kg (194lbs), 5’11″ tall

The latest word is that you do a minute or two of anaerobic training in the middle of an aerobic session. I don’t know whether there’s anything to it. The Energy Efficient or Recovery Zone – 60% to 70% Training within this zone develops basic endurance and aerobic capacity.

All easy recovery running should be completed at a maximum of 70%. Another advantage to running in this zone is that while you are happily fat burning you may lose weight and you will be allowing your muscles to re-energise with glycogen, which has been expended during those faster paced work-outs. Check out the Fat burning zone page.

The Aerobic Zone – 70% to 80% Training in this zone will develop your cardiovascular system. The body’s ability to transport oxygen to, and carbon dioxide away from, the working muscles can be developed and improved. As you become fitter and stronger from training in this zone it will be possible to run some of your long weekend runs at up to 75%, so getting the benefits of some fat burning and improved aerobic capacity.

The Anaerobic Zone – 80% to 90% Training in this zone will develop your lactic acid system. In this zone your individual anaerobic threshold is found – sometimes referred to the point of deflection (POD). During these heart rates the amount of fat being utilised as the main source of energy is greatly reduced and glycogen stored in the muscle is predominantly used.

One of the by-products of burning this glycogen, is the runners worst enemy, lactic acid. There is a point at which the body can no longer remove the lactic acid from the working muscles quickly enough. This happens at an individual heart rate for us all and is accompanied by a rapid rise in heart rate and a slowing of your running pace. This is your anaerobic threshold or POD.

Through the correct training it is possible to delay the POD by being able to increase your ability to deal with the lactic acid for a longer period of time or by pushing the POD higher. The Red Line Zone 90% to 100% Training in this zone will only be possible for short periods of time. It effectively trains your fast twitch muscle fibres and helps to develop speed. This zone is reserved for interval running and only the very fit are able to train effectively within this zone.

Technorati Tags: Rugby Fitness, rugby player

Dan Carter returned to New Zealand last month and has been weighing up offers from Auckland and Canterbury.  This afternoon Carter signed on the dotted line with Canterbury.

Carter, the injured All Blacks’ first-five eighth has re-signed with the Canterbury rugby Union through until the end of 2011.

It is reported that Auckland was prepared to pay Carter as much as $400,000 a season to move there.  This must have been attractive to Carter who now resides in Auckland although Carter says Christchurch has always been home.

I am sure the Canterbuy Rugby fans will be pleased with his loyalty to the region.

Technorati Tags: All Blacks, auckland, Canterbury rugby, Dan Carter, first five eighth

To view video, please click on the post title

A living rugby legend – Jonah Lomu from New Zealand

A short video on Jonah Lomu featuring some of his great runs, including the run against england in the 99 world cup. Song: Baba O’Reilly – The Who

Duration : 0:2:34

Technorati Tags: allblacks, jonah, legend, living, lomu, New, rugby, tribute, try, Zealand

To view video, click on the post title

My Tribute to some of the best Welsh rugby tries from the best sidestepping wizards of Welsh rugby, past and present. Wales Rugby at it’s best!

Shane Williams, Ieuan evans, Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, JJ Williams, Jonathan Davies, Gerald Davies and more more more. Song – You’re the Best Around, Artist: Joe Esposito -plus- The World in Union, by the Fron Male Voice Choir of Wales. Grand slam champions 2008! yeah!

Duration : 0:7:19

Technorati Tags: bennett, best, edwards, gareth, Gavin, Henson, jinking, phil, rugby, shane, sidestep, tries, try, Wales, Welsh, williams, wizards

Technorati Tags: Michael Witt, otago, rugby