Australian newspapers threaten Cup boycott

By John Drinnan 5:30 AM Thursday Jun 16, 2011

Some of Australia's biggest newspapers and online news sites are threatening to boycott the Rugby World Cup, saying its coverage rules are too restrictive.

New Zealand publishers are close to signing a deal, but they say the International Rugby Board has "dropped the ball" on the issue of website coverage.

Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd has refused to agree to accreditation terms for journalists on its Australian papers because it says IRB demands are restrictive.

News Ltd - part of Mr Murdoch's global media giant News Corporation - publishes the Australian, Sydney's Daily Telegraph, Melbourne's Herald Sun and Brisbane's Courier Mail, and runs the news.com.au website.

The Australian said the company would "boycott" the World Cup and instead cover matches from outside game venues - a move it said would be a blow to sponsors.

"The IRB has demanded news organisations agree to accreditation terms that would restrict newspaper websites to running just 90 seconds of World Cup highlight videos, require them to be taken down after 48 hours and have geographical blocks to stop people outside Australia accessing them," reported the Australian.

News Ltd group editorial director Campbell Reid said agreeing to the terms set by the IRB could set a dangerous precedent that could damage newspapers' ability to cover sporting events.

Rugby World Cup 2011 communications manager Mike Jaspers said decisions about media rights and News Ltd's allegation about the negative effect on sponsors were being handled by the IRB.

He said 2500 media representatives had agreed to the accreditation terms.

An IRB spokesman denied the board and the Australian newspapers were deadlocked over the issue. The IRB was committed to finding a "workable way forward".

The Newspaper Publishers Association in New Zealand was yesterday close to a deal that includes many of the terms News Ltd finds objectionable.

Association chief executive Tim Pankhurst said that although online video footage of matches would be limited to 90 seconds, there was a proviso that this could be extended for news events.

By John Drinnan | Email John

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10732512

Western Force scrambles to three point win over Melbourne Rebels

Melissa Woods From: AAP June 17, 2011

The Western Force may have lost James O'Connor to Melbourne but they took the points over the Rebels in their Super Rugby clash.

Five-eighth Willie Ripia nailed a penalty in the 77th minute from 48 metres out to give the Force a thrilling and deserved 27-24 victory at AAMI Park.

O'Connor, who will on Saturday be officially unveiled as a Rebel, didn't play because of suspension, while the Force were also missing their skipper Nathan Sharpe with an ankle injury.

But the Perth side scrambled well in an error-ridden match which came down to the wire.

Neither team could cross the white stripe in the opening half, with the visitors taking a 9-6 lead to the sheds thanks to the boots of Force five-eighth James Stannard and Melbourne's Danny Cipriani.

The second half started much the same way with Stannard, and then Cipriani adding further penalties to their tally and the Rebels levelled at 12-12 in the 52nd minute.

While the home side dominated the early exchanges in the second half, they were unable to convert that pressure into tries.

But the Force had no such problem as they scored twice in two minutes.

The first came in the 60th minute thanks to David Smith.

The winger touched down after his opposite Richard Kingi rushed out of the line to try to grab an intercept and Smith got outside him.

Two minutes later Stannard beat Rebels winger Cooper Vuna to give the Force some breathing room with a 22-12 lead.

The Rebels, buoyed on by their vocal home crowd, fought back and in the 68th minute reserve hooker Adam Freier burrowed over from a maul.

Skipper Stirling Mortlock then scored a contentious try to level at 24-24 when he pounced on a ball from Force hooker Ben Whitaker that looked like it had been earlier knocked on by Vuna.

With Cipriani off with a leg injury, Mortlock had the chance to win the match for his team but the conversion fell short.

But Ripia made no mistake with his shot three minutes later.

The Perth side were out to avenge an earlier loss to the Rebels but Melbourne, despite finishing last in the competition, had plenty to play for.

They were out to cap a memorable week after snaring the signature of Wallabies wonderkid O'Connor.

They also wanted a win to farewell some of their retiring veterans including legendary All Blacks' prop Greg Somerville as well as Sam Cordingley and Kevin O'Neill.

But in a disappointing end to the season, their losing drought which dates back to round seven continued.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/western-force-scrambles-to-three-point-win-over-melbourne-rebels/story-e6frf9if-1226077373351

Perfect script for Super Rugby's decider

Jim Morton
July 3, 2011 - 4:49PM
.AAP

Next Saturday night's Super Rugby final is guaranteed to have a fairytale ending - the only question is which amazing adventure will win out.

Will it be the competition's Cinderella story, the resurgent Queensland Reds, or the nomadic Crusaders, forced to play away from earthquake-ravaged Christchurch all season, who will cap a remarkable campaign at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium?

The decider itself is the stuff of dreams, brought about after the Reds blitzed the Blues 30-13 for a maiden play-off win and the Crusaders made a mockery of their travel issues in their Cape Town semi-final.

The Cantabrians became the first team since they themselves beat the Brumbies in the 2000 decider in Canberra to win a play-off on foreign soil by thumping the Stormers 29-10.

If the Reds are Cinderella, turning their rags to riches under Ewen McKenzie after six straight dark years anchored in the bottom three, the Crusaders could be Snow White - still the fairest in the land despite all their trials and tribulations.

Since the devastating February `quake, the seven-time champions have been homeless and forced to make a 100,000km odyssey around the globe.

They have also overcome a quirk of the draw which denied Richie McCaw's men the chance to play the two bottom sides - the Melbourne Rebels and Lions - and were denied the chance for more competition points with a second-round cancellation against the Hurricanes.

Although those factors combined to deny the Crusaders a New Zealand semi-final, they have not complained once and continue to provide enormous inspiration for their fans.

"We're not just playing for ourselves and our team," said hooker Corey Flynn. "We've got a city back home that's broken and needs some fixing and for 80 minutes if we can entertain them and take their minds off real life then that's our job done."

While the Crusaders are homeless, the cash-strapped Reds will host the final at a home ground that was two metres under water in the state's January floods.

"There will be a lot of resolve, from both sides," said McKenzie.

"I don't think the Crusaders have a mortgage on that.

"Their pain and suffering continues. We've obviously got through the worst of our's but there's still a lot of rebuilding.

"It is ironic but it's good we both get to face off."

Their last meeting was an epic encounter, with the Reds triumphing 17-16 through a last-minute penalty goal to superstar Quade Cooper in front of a record crowd of 48,301.

In contrast to having a mental edge from winning that and the previous year's clash, McKenzie believes those results will make the Crusaders even more difficult to topple.

"They're probably more annoyed with the last two results at Suncorp," said the coach, who took the NSW Waratahs to the 2005 and 2008 deciders only to be denied by the Crusaders both times.

"They're just a ruthless side and we saw that (against the Stormers), it was a ruthless display.

"They are big-game performers and I thought they played a brilliant game.

"They've timed their run perfectly and it will make for a great occasion.

"You can hope they have a bad night but you have to be able to beat them at their best and that's the challenge I'm looking forward to."

© 2011 AAP

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/perfect-script-for-super-rugbys-decider-20110703-1gx1p.html

All Blacks no longer in just all black

LIAM NAPIER AND MARC HINTON Last updated 05:00 24/07/2011

All Blacks no longer in just all black Sitiveni Sivivatu flies into All Blacks contention Stags party thanks to their drop-goal hero The All Blacks have defended a decision to no longer be all black.

Players wore multi-coloured boots in Friday night's test-season opener against Fiji in Dunedin – the most bold being Ma'a Nonu, who sported an unmissable orange and blue-soled pair. Others, including Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Colin Slade and Adam Thomson, wore white boots.

Previously the All Blacks have worn predominantly black boots.

Major sponsor adidas has been actively involved in the change and said it had been signed off by the New Zealand Rugby Union and backed by players.

Adidas spokesman Paul Stephens said the development was a "collaborative process" and admitted the company was expecting the change to create "discussion" among fans. But he added it was here to stay and warned there are more multi-coloured boots to come – several new "bold" colours are set to be unveiled during the Tri-Nations tournament.

"Everyone won't agree with it," Stephens said. "When you make change, you open yourself up for criticism."

Thomson said adidas had given the players the option of dumping black boots for coloured versions.

"Last year we were allowed them for Super Rugby, but not for the tests," he said. "Adidas have obviously ticked it off."

Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell said he found the coloured boots irritating when watching live coverage of the test.

"I disagree with what they are doing," said Randell, who led the All Blacks in the 1999 world cup. "It does take away from the uniform. But it's a new generation and the fact is, things change."

Other former All Blacks the Sunday Star-Times spoke to had mixed feelings. Josh Kronfeld and former player and coach Earle Kirton said the change was an inevitable development within a commercially-focused professional environment.

But Kronfeld said he would have felt uncomfortable wearing anything other than black boots playing for the All Blacks.

"When I was playing in the UK, I once got given white boots and I took a black vivid marker to them because it didn't feel right to be in anything but black," he said.

All Blacks management initially seemed miffed at queries over the change, saying no hard and fast policy had ever been in place, that it was each individual's choice and that adidas had not forced the change on them.

"We believe the most important thing is getting the performance right along with durability of the boot," manager Darren Shand said.

Ad Feedback "Then it's about having colours people like to wear." Shand admitted there was "a commercial imperative" involved.

Although one or two All Blacks occasionally wore silver boots last year, Friday night represented a new level with eight players wearing white boots and Nonu his eye-catching fluorescent pair.

Thirteen of the 22-player squad wore black-dominated boots, although many had green and yellow stripes.

The new footwear is not the last change adidas will make to the All Blacks this season.

The team is set to debut a new playing jersey in Saturday night's Tri-Nations opener against South Africa in Wellington. The company and NZRU have said the jersey will remain all black but there are other new developments.

One group of players stuck rigidly to tradition on Friday. The New Zealand tight forwards all wore predominantly black boots.

"The guys in the engine room never wear white," said Shand, "but that's their preference."

- Sunday Star Times

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/rugby/5331469/All-Blacks-no-longer-in-just-all-black

New Zealand have been hot favourites for the World Cup before and flopped
.

In Auckland,Winston Aldworth has a familiar sinking feeling
Saturday July 30 2011

If, as they say, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, then this year I'm compos mentis.

After 24 years of approaching Rugby World Cup competitions in a spirit of optimism, I've realised that expecting a knockout-round humbling for the All Blacks is the only protection against misery for a Kiwi rugby fan.

1987 has become to New Zealand rugby what 1966 is to English soccer. For Bobby Moore hoisted on team-mates' shoulders we've got a lovely photo of wee David Kirk holding the Webb Ellis Cup with his mates behind him in composed, soft-focus bliss.

It's a stirring memory. But in a nation where All Black success is considered the birthright of every fan, there's no escaping the fact that our last taste of World Cup glory came when mullets ruled the Earth.

In our regular disappointments every four years, there can be solace in the circumstances of defeat. Indeed it always takes something special to beat the All Blacks -- and more so at the World Cup.

The French comeback at Twickenham in 1999 is rightly regarded as one of the most astonishing turnarounds in modern sport. Well, bravo mes amis.

And there was that business in South Africa in 1995 -- the unification of a community putting aside a history of oppression to forge a collective spirit built around tolerance and reconciliation. Mmm, we're happy for you guys -- really.

But at the risk of sounding churlish, it's no fun seeing your sporting heroes -- who were a bit crook on the day but ultimately out-tackled -- turn into the villains in a Clint Eastwood movie. Us, the villains? They're the Springboks, for crying out loud!

New Zealand's selectors have always drawn their teams from the deepest well of talent in world rugby. You might think that would be a good thing but while opponents get good at making do with whatever talent they can scramble together, All Black bosses of recent World Cup competitions have fallen into an awkward mess trying to get all of the talent available to them out on the field.

This is how, in 1999, John Hart shifted the world's best full-back, Christian Cullen, into the midfield. Cullen's move to centre opened room for Jeff Wilson to shift from wing to full-back, with Tana Umaga (who, naturally, finished his career as a fine centre) coming into the side on the wing.

New Zealanders are an insular mob when it comes to rugby. We don't like to take advice from abroad on how to play the game we consider our own. And yet, looking at England's World Cup-winning side of 2003 and the Springboks of 2007, it's hard not to envy the certainty of selection.

Clive Woodward could pretty much have named his starting line-up for the 2003 final as he chewed over Christmas dinner in 2002.

Conversely, the team Graham Henry sends out on the field this morning to start the Tri-Nations campaign against South Africa has only five players who featured in last year's Tri-Nations opener.

And it's a reasonable bet that the All Black team that takes the field in the first knock-out match at the World Cup (yes, we can at least take that for granted) will carry a similar number of changes.

Henry rarely names the same line-up twice in a row. Key players are automatic selections -- no sane coach would leave out Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw or Mils Muliaina.

But away from the certainties, Henry has developed a habit of flitting between players. Last week, Liam Messam was the perfect loose-forward cover, today Adam Thompson gets the nod. No one's sure what happened to last year's Victor Vito.

The more the names change, the more the doubt stays the same. They're all good players -- Messam, Thompson and Vito would walk into most other sides at the World Cup.

But the constant selection changes leave the public dreading a lack of cohesion and understanding when the heat goes on in the knock-out stages. Around about the time when people choke.

An inability to pick through a treasure trove of players is far from New Zealand's only World Cup foible -- we've still got a pathological aversion to drop-goals.

Never mind that the finals of 1995 and 2003 were decided by the dull thud of a well-executed three pointer. Or that John Eales' pragmatic Wallabies reached the 1999 final courtesy of a drop-goal.

Not for us, thanks. The All Blacks have landed just 12 drop-goals in Test matches in the professional era. Jonny Wilkinson landed 13 on his own... in the calendar year of 2003.

Henry says drop-goals are back on the menu. With late kick-offs during the World Cup, the All Black coach acknowledges the beauty of winning ugly.

"It's a good word that, winning 'ugly'," he said. "There are things we can add to our game, and are going to add to what we do on the field, that can hopefully keep us a step ahead.

different

"The game we play in 2011 is going to be different to what we did in 2010. If that means winning ugly, that means winning ugly."

He's had Carter working on drop-goals but, with a national mindset geared away from the requisite build-up play that positioned Wilkinson so well in 2003, we're unlikely to change our spots so swiftly.

Some worry that Henry's reign has gone on too long; that his crop of All Blacks are fading. Writing in the 'New Zealand Herald', Chris Rattue saw a worrying trend in the Canterbury Crusaders' loss to the Queensland Reds in the Super 15 final.

"If you were drawing a graph, the Australian worm would be rising quite steeply and the New Zealand one falling slightly," he wrote. "Whether they cross paths this year may determine the World Cup outcome although the mercurial French and the power games of South Africa and England could blow both away.

"The Super 15 final confirmed that key All Blacks -- Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Brad Thorn -- are on a downslope."

Even with the formidable advantage of their side playing at home, All Black followers have seen too many awful upsets to take anything for granted. After 24 years of outlandish defeats, the prudent fan simply braces for the worst by assuming it's as good as happened.

For some, even winning this year wouldn't be good enough. Victory in the final on October 23 would merely confirm the All Blacks as flat-track bullies who only win at home.

I'd take that. But it won't happen.

New Zealand v South Africa,

Live, Sky Sports 2, 8.35am

Irish Independent

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/new-zealand-have-been-hot-favourites-for-the-world-cup-before-and-flopped-2835636.html

Fans get upgrades as prime seats stay unsold

By Michael Dickison 5:30 AM Saturday Jul 30, 2011

Rugby World Cup ticketholders are being bumped up to expensive seats, as organisers discover some blocked views and struggle to sell out in prime seating areas.

A man with tickets to the opening match at Eden Park, between the All Blacks and Tonga, told the Weekend Herald that he had received a call from a tournament official this week.

His Category C seat - which retails for $225 - had obscured views that he had not been made aware of, the man was told. He was moved to a Category A seat, worth $460.

Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, a limited number of Category C tickets to the match were available for sale.

The man said it had been arranged for his old ticket to be picked up and replaced with the more expensive one.

A survey of ticket categories on sale has shown that the tournament is selling out in the cheap seats.

In most venues - particularly Eden Park - the expensive seats have remained plentiful as the cheaper seats sold out.

Tournament organisers yesterday did not say how many tickets were being upgraded, or whetherthe changes were confined to Eden Park.

Spokesman Mike Jaspers said only that "fine-tuning" had been required as camera positions and temporary seating were finalised.

"The requirements for Rugby World Cup 2011 are significantly larger than a normal rugby test, so some fine-tuning is inevitably required.

"This has affected a small number of seats and those fans have been compensated for any inconvenience with a better seating option."

The number of sold-out matches has fallen from four to just two.

France-Canada and South Africa-Samoa have both lost their "allocation exhausted" status, leaving only the finals and the NZ-France game sold out.

Many seating categories, including Categories A and C to semifinal number two - likely to feature the All Blacks - became available again this week.

Tournament organisers said more tickets had been made available to the public after the rugby boards, sponsors and travel agents did not want them.

Organisers have so far sold one million of the 1.6 million tickets, or three-quarters of their target of 1.35 million.

They had previously said that they would not discount ticket prices under any circumstances.

By Michael Dickison | Email Michael

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10741789

All Blacks put the world on notice in retaining Bledisloe Cup

Wayne Smith in Auckland From: The Australian August 06, 2011

THE Bledisloe Cup will remain in New Zealand hands for another year and the World Cup might soon end up there as well.

The All Blacks scored a comprehensive 30-14 victory over an uncharacteristically sloppy Wallabies at Eden Park tonight.

The final try-count favoured the home side only three-to-two, and there were serious question marks about their final score, but there could no disputing this was a well-deserved and well-taken victory by the world’s No1 side only weeks before hosting the seventh Rugby World Cup .

Dan Carter yet again was the dominant figure, not just in attack but in defence as well, and backed up his superlative allround game by kicking five goals from as many attempts, with a drop goal thrown in, just for good measure.

As pleasing as that must be for New Zealanders, one wonders just how dominant the All Blacks would be without him. But for the moment, they will be revelling in his brilliant display, one that completely put Quade Cooper in the shade.

Fears that the Australian scrum would not prove up to the task did not materialise but sadly, the Wallabies fell down in what they had considered their strongest point, their finishing.

“We left a lot of point out there,” said Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom, referring not just to James O’Connor’s three missed penalty goals but to a swag of attacking opportunities they simply couldn’t finish off.

Credit must go to a ferocious All Blacks defence and their captain Richie McCaw pointedly claimed his side had wanted to put in a performance that would do justice to the Bledisloe Cup and that surely was the case.

Winger Digby Ioane was the pick of the Australians, while O’Connor and lock James Horwill also looked threatening throughout, while Scott Higginbotham made such an impact when he came off the bench that a place may need to be found for him in the starting side.

But, critically, the All Blacks did a very effective job of shutting down the Wallabies’ dangerous halves pairing of Will Genia and Cooper and coach Robbie Deans will quickly need to find the antidote to those tactics before the rematch of these two side in Brisbane on August 27.

The All Blacks signalled their intent even before the kick-off, paying the Wallabies the rare compliment of performing their kapa o pango haka instead of their customary kamate kamate, a signal of how seriously they were treating this Test.

The Wallabies discovered that for themselves soon enough as Ma’a Nonu followed up an early Carter penalty goal to score the All Blacks’ first try after only eight minutes of play.

A hesitant defensive read by Adam Ashley-Cooper out side had allowed Nonu to release winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and although the Wallabies were able to shut him down just short of the line, and Jerome Kaino’s follow-up lunge, they had run out of defenders when Nonu took his turn to press for the try.

Suddenly the Wallabies found themselves 10 points down and although they surged back strongly, at one point working through 12 phases deep inside the NZ quarter, the situation was about to turn ever grimmer for them.

When Cooper’s midfield bomb skewed off his boot and went almost directly straight up, Piri Weepu pounced on the bobble ball in the landing zone and was able to put the All Blacks back on the attack again.

The Wallabies managed to kill the ball at the breakdown to force a scrum but once again Weepu caught them napping with a short side run for the corner, only for the ball then to be quickly worked to the left where Nonu drove to within a metre of the line before hooker Keven Mealamu finished off the raid as he crashed over in the tackle of Kurtley Beale.

At 17-0 down, the Wallabies desperately needed points but O’Connor, though otherwise having an outstanding game in attack, twice was badly astray with shots at penalty goal.

Still, he almost made amends with a scything run through the NZ midfield and looked certain to score until Carter, the lynchpin of the All Blacks attack, just managed to knock him off balance.

Carter is renowned as one of the world’s great attacking five-eighths but it was his defence that was demoralising the Australians. Earlier he had defused a three-on-two Wallabies overlap by effectively turning himself into two defenders to close down the threat from centre Pat McCabe.

That was one of half a dozen occasions the Australians came within touching distance of the NZ line. Arguably the best chance came in the 22nd minute when the Wallabies scrum – the one element of their play that was exceeding all expectations – held up wonderfully, allowing Cooper to angle a neat kick in behind the All Blacks backline.

Ioane sprinted through and needed only a kindly bounce for a try but the ball skidded on the lush turf and another golden opportunity went begging.

The second half began much as the first half had finished, with a missed penalty goal attempt by O’Connor after Wyatt Crockett was penalised a second time at the scrum.

But while the Wallabies kicker squandered his chance, Carter made the most of his when, sensing there was nothing on in attack, he took the chance to practice his field goals and made no mistake.

The best moment of the match for Australia came in the 51st minute when Horwill won a crucial turnover from Brad Thorn and in a flash Will Genia sent Beale spearing through a gap in the NZ defensive line before sending Ioane sprinting for the line.
All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina moved across to make the tackle but with Beale running a great line in support, he had to cover the inside pass, and that was all the invitation Ioane needed to beat him with an in-and-away.

Cooper relieved O’Connor as goalkicker and immediately landed the difficult conversion but just as the Australian celebrations were warming up, NZ scored from the kick-off.

It seemed to everyone but referee Craig Joubert that All Black number eight Kieran Read knocked on as he flew to contest the kick in the air but the South African allowed play to go on and Conrad Smith swooped, scooted away down the right-hand flank before turning the pass infield for Sivivatu to score.

That was the cue for Dan Vickerman to enter the fray in place of Rob Simmons but by now the Wallabies were battling to stay in touch, and their cause only became more difficult when a scrum penalty against Ben Alexander allowed Carter to nudge the All Blacks out to a 30-7 lead.

A late try by skipper Rocky Elsom after Ioane – the standout Wallabies player – had chased through on an O’Connor kick to force a turnover off Hosea Gear, allowing Cooper to fire a 30m pass out to McCabe. Under intense pressure from Sonny Bill Williams, McCabe bravely stood his ground and slipped a marvellous pass to Elsom who strolled round to score Australia’s second try.

NEW ZEALAND 30 (Keven Mealamu, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu tries Daniel Carter 3 cons 2 pens drop goal) AUSTRALIA 14 (Rocky Elsom, Digby Ioane tries Quade Cooper 2 cons) at Eden Park. Referee: Craig Joubert.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/all-blacks-put-the-world-on-notice-in-retaining-bledisloe-cup/story-e6frg7mf-1226109870614

Still 230,000 World Cup tickets to be sold

JOHN HARTEVELT Last updated 05:00 10/08/2011

An extra 10,000 foreign visitors are now expected to arrive for the Rugby World Cup, but ticket sales from Australia remain soft and organisers still have more than 230,000 tickets to sell.

Organisers yesterday revealed updated ticket sales figures, revealing a $1million boost in sales in the three days since the All Blacks beat the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday night.

They also hit back against polling that last week suggested many Kiwis were not looking forward to the tournament, issuing research of their own that showed 54 per cent of people felt it was an event "all New Zealanders should celebrate".

"It's very apparent now that public confidence, public interest and public enthusiasm about the World Cup is growing stronger," RWC 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said.

He revised the expected visitor numbers for the third time since New Zealand clinched the hosting rights, with up to 95,000 now believed to be arriving for an average 23-day stay.

Britain and Ireland were expected to send about 25,000 fans, France about 10,000, and a "pleasantly surprising" 10,000 would come from the Americas.

There has been concern that ticket sales in Australia were below expectations, and Mr Snedden yesterday said there would be "a continuing effort" across the Tasman to attract more fans.

"We still see Australia as being our best bet offshore and there will be a continuing effort going into that market to try and persuade more people resident in Australia to come over," he said.

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully said he and Mr Snedden would travel to Australia for a final push ahead of the second Bledisloe Cup test match in Brisbane.

The Government – which is underwriting two thirds of the expected $39m loss on the tournament – was "very comfortable" with progress, Mr McCully said.

"But we've still got some work to do, particularly in Australia."

For every dollar under the $268m targeted from ticket revenue, the loss will increase on what was predicted.

So far, $234m of ticket revenue has been collected with about 230,000 tickets still to be sold before, and during, the tournament to meet the target.

"We have a very achievable target. We have to keep going the way we are but if we do, I think we'll get there," Mr Snedden said.

Projected foreign arrivals were above what had been expected but ticket sales were not doing as well because local people bought their tickets late, he said.

Ad Feedback The success of the Bledisloe Cup "dress rehearsal" match at the weekend had helped boost local interest.

"We know we've got plenty to do in all sorts of areas around that, but the fact is that it was a success," Mr Snedden said. A few more tickets to some games would be made available in "dribs and drabs" in the weeks ahead.

People in the earlier ballot process who had been unsuccessful would get the first offer of any new tickets.

IRB and Rugby World Cup Ltd chairman Bernard Lapasset said he was confident the tournament would be "a resounding success".

- The Dominion Post

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/rugby/5418489/Still-230-000-World-Cup-tickets-to-be-sold

Big names miss New Zealand World Cup squad

August 23, 2011 - 12:46PM

The All Blacks 30-man squad to contest the Rugby World Cup was unveiled today by coach Graham Henry.

Captained by Richie McCaw at his third World Cup, the squad features a 16-forward, 14-back split.

The contentious winger positions have been won by Zac Guildford, Cory Jane and Isaia Toeava, leaving no room for Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu.


The most notable inclusion in the forwards is Wellington loose forward Victor Vito, who is selected ahead of Waikato's Liam Messam.

John Afoa is the fourth prop, selected ahead of Wyatt Crockett while Anthony Boric - who has been sidelined for two months with injury - wins the fourth locking spot ahead of Jarrad Hoeata.

McCaw, first five-eighth Dan Carter, hooker Keven Mealamu, fullback Mils Muliaina and lock Ali Williams will take part in their third consecutive tournament.


Matt Giteau of Australia. Many consider the 92-Test veteran to be among the best 30 players in Australia, but coach Robbie Deans thinks his play has become too predictable. Rumours of a terse relationship with the Wallabies coach persist. Photo: Getty Images

..Seven players will contest their second tournament - hooker Corey Flynn, midfielder Ma'a Nonu and lock Brad Thorn played in the 2003 campaign; while prop Tony Woodcock, halfback Andy Ellis, centre Conrad Smith and outside back Isaia Toeava played in Rugby World Cup 2007.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said he was pleased with the strength of his squad.

"Firstly, I would like to congratulate all those players selected. It's an incredibly exciting time for the team and a unique opportunity to represent New Zealand at home. The players will be facing the ultimate rugby challenge - playing for the most coveted trophy in world rugby, the Rugby World Cup," he said.

"At the same time I want to pay tribute to those players who have missed out on selection. It was an incredibly difficult process; all the players who missed selection are not only outstanding players but special people. We are close as a group which made this selection all the more difficult."

Henry said the side had "generally" been picked on form.

"We believe there is a good balance; a blend of experienced All Blacks -with nine players who have played more than 50 Tests - while at the other end of the scale we have seven players who have played fewer than a dozen tests who bring youthful enthusiasm to the side.

"There is also a balance in the fact that we have players who are specialists in their position while others have utility value and can cover a number of positions, so we have the players to cover any possibilities which may be thrown up during the tournament."

The All Blacks squad is in Brisbane preparing for the final match of the Tri Nations against Australia on Saturday.

Squad:

Backs: Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Corey Jane, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis

Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Anthony Boric, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Corey Flynn

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South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has placed his faith in the core of the 2007 World Cup-winning squad for this year's tournament, starting next month.

Eighteen members of the previous squad have been chosen for New Zealand while 12 were in the starting XV when South Africa beat England in the 2007 final.

Flanker Francois Louw, who has not played for his country for more than a year, was one surprise inclusion.

And winger Odwa Ndungane got the nod over fellow Shark Lwazi Mvovo.

Louw, who was not used in the recent Tri-Nations series and seemed to have accepted his lot by signing for Bath for next season, was handed a lifeline following the withdrawal of Juan Smith.

Ndungane will now follow in the footsteps of his twin brother Akona, who was a member of the squad in France four years ago.

There was also a recall for veteran Ulster lock Johan Muller, who was to captain the side on the recent away leg of the Tri-Nations but withdrew because of injury.

Most attention ahead of the announcement was on who would be chosen as back-up to second-row pair Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield and to open-side flanker Heinrich Brussow, and it was Muller and Louw who got the nod.

Veteran flanker Schalk Burger was also included despite not having played since breaking his right thumb in July.

"The squad has a backbone of proven title-winning ability and experience as well as a strong component of new stars," De Villiers said in a statement.

"It has been a tough season to date and we have had some challenges with the amount of rugby the players have had to play but I'm very happy with the squad."

There are no uncapped players among the 30, which is likely to be one of the most experienced outfits in New Zealand: more than 10 players have passed 50 appearances, while Ruan Pienaar is just one short of his half-century.

South Africa open their title defence against Wales in Wellington on 11 September. Fiji, Samoa and rank outsiders Namibia complete a group from which the top-two finishers advance to the quarter-finals.

SOUTH AFRICA 2011 RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD

Forwards: Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Jannie Du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, John Smit (captain), Tendai Mtawarira, Guthro Steenkamp.

Backs: Francois Steyn, Gio Aplon, Patrick Lambie, Bryan Habana, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Juan de Jongh, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar.

Rugby World Cup coverage in chaos as media talks fail

Simon Canning From: The Australian August 24, 2011

MEDIA coverage of the Rugby World Cup has been thrown into chaos less than three weeks before the opening game after talks over media accreditation failed.

The Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers' Association has announced Australian newspaper publishers have refused to agree to accreditation demands by the International Rugby Board.

PANPA chief executive Mark Hollands has described the impasse as "regrettable" coming after months of negotiations over how media companies, including News Limited, publisher of The Australian, would be able to report on the World Cup online.

The Australian first revealed the impasse in June after the IRB said that journalists would not be accredited if their employers did not agree to restrictions on how content such as video was used on their websites.

The decision by Australian media companies means News Limted, Fairfax Media and AAP will not cover the rugby union showcase from within venues an d may not send journalists to New Zealand at all.

The Rugby World Cup begins on September 9.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/world-cup-coverage-in-chaos-as-media-talks-fail/story-e6frg996-1226121133323

Poor views force RWC fans' shift

MICHELLE DUFF Last updated 05:00 27/08/2011


DIEGO OPATOWSKi/ The Dominion Post
MOVED: Rugby fan Dave Jackman had to be relocated to better stadium seats.Relevant offersWith just two weeks until kickoff, Rugby World Cup organisers have had to contact hundreds of ticketholders to let them know they will not be able to see properly from their seats.

Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 has had to relocate hundreds of spectators to better seats at Westpac Stadium after it was found that 200 ground-level seats at each match could have impaired views of the game.

Tournament organisers said the reshuffle "isn't a large issue" and they would not be losing money because it was standard practice for major events to reserve some seats for these kinds of problems. The seats could still be sold as "restricted view".

However, a fan who bought his tickets in the first sales round said not realising the mistake until a fortnight before the tournament showed a worrying lack of organiser foresight.

A week ago, RNZ 2011 realised the perimeter signs – carrying sponsors' advertising and tournament branding – would potentially obscure the view of those in seats closest to the field, because they were bigger than those signs usually used for rugby matches.

After testing a section of temporary seats, they found the seats were not elevated enough to provide a clear view.

RNZ 2011 general manager of marketing Shane Harmon said organisers had to "reassess our original assumptions" as temporary structures were erected in the stadium – including signage, additional camera positions, media facilities, banners and branding.

"As a result, a seat that in normal circumstances would have unencumbered views, may, for some of the reasons ... have a restricted view for RWC.

"If there are any marginal issues we err on the side of caution and look after our fans by taking a proactive approach to it."

Fans are being contacted and offered seats with better views, some of which are in more expensive areas of the stadium.

Wellington's Dave Jackman, who had been told he would be relocated for the South Africa-Fiji game on September 17, was shocked at the poor organisation.

"It concerns me that a couple of weeks out from the Rugby World Cup, the organisers are shifting ticketholders around the stadium," he said. "We don't know where our seats will be, if our group will be together, and if they will be the same standard."

Temporary seating had been used before, so organisers should have known, he said.

"It's just really odd."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/5516046/Poor-views-force-RWC-fans-shift

Journos set to cover rugby from hotel rooms as coverage standoff worsens

Simon Canning From: The Australian August 29, 2011

JOURNALISTS from Australia's major publishers are set to cover the Rugby World Cup from their hotel rooms as the standoff between the International Rugby Board and News Limited and Fairfax shows little sign of ending.

Sources warn that any capitulation by publishers in their battle for the right to feature pre-roll adverts in their online videos of world cup highlights could wreck an existing accord with international sporting bodies.

Over the weekend, Australian Associated Press hoped to strike a deal with the IRB that would allow it to upload text and images, but not video. However, both Fairfax and News Limited confirmed they would not accept the IRB accreditation terms because of the restrictions it would place on their use of online video.

With the opening game between New Zealand and Tonga just 11 days away, both publishers have contingency plans to allow their journalists to cover the cup without access to the stadiums.

The refusal by the IRB to allow newspapers to run videos with ads either side has been seen by some as a land grab by the code.

World Cup organiser's spokesman Dominic Rumbles was hopeful an accord could be reached.

But the official statement from the IRB suggested little hope of compromise. "This issue has nothing to do with fair dealing or freedom of the press," the IRB said. "Media companies like the newspaper groups who have not purchased any rights to World Cup match footage will now be allowed by Rugby World Cup Limited to show selected match footage as part of their online news reporting . . . This is a first for Rugby World Cup and shows RWCL's willingness to work within differing news reporting environments.

"However, Australian newspapers are insisting that they be allowed to commercialise the match-day footage released by the RWCL for news reporting purposes. The RWCL is not content to see its copyright material commercialised by third parties." News Limited's group editorial director Campbell Reid said the company's newspapers, which include The Australian, would provide better coverage without the restrictive accreditation terms. He was supported by the newspaper industry body Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association, which had been negotiating with the IRB on behalf of Australian news companies.

Contingency plans could include sharing content with accredited New Zealand media and even journalists buying tickets and sitting in the stands with members of the public.

Mark Hollands, chief executive of the Newspaper Publishers Association, said the IRB accreditation demands flew in the face of a structure endorsed by sporting groups and media companies in Australia and was considered world's best practice.

"Publishers understand the IRB must earn revenue from licensing games for TV and radio, but we do not accept the IRB is entitled to seek to dictate what material may legitimately be used to report news," Mr Hollands said.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/journos-set-to-cover-rugby-from-hotel-rooms-as-coverage-standoff-worsens/story-e6frg996-1226124031364

A word on the All Blacks: Cheats

MARK REASON Last updated 05:00 31/08/2011

OPINION: If New Zealand go out of a consecutive World Cup because of another dodgy refereeing decision, they will have no one to blame but themselves. The All Blacks no longer even bother to bend the laws. They set out to deliberately cheat.

For only one piffling syllable, CHEAT is an awfully big word. "Who are you calling a cheat?" demands the card-playing gunslinger, just before the mandatory murder and the five aces sliding from the sleeve.

The All Blacks cheat in spades. Half of their tries in the Tri- Nations have been set up by blatant cheating.

Go back to the first South Africa game just before Wyatt Crockett scored in the corner. It is hard to believe that Richie McCaw could be four yards offside and get away with it, but there he is holding back the South African lock.

In the first game against Australia they are at it again. Piri Weepu set up the first try by going through a hole created by Ali Williams holding Quade Cooper to the ground.

In the buildup to the second try Ma'a Nonu sets a screen (much as they might do in basketball) for Kieran Read.

Every week Paddy O'Brien, the International Rugby Board head of referees, sends out a directive to the coaches about issues that have arisen from the weekend games. At this point O'Brien warned coaches about all the holding back and obstruction that was going on. He might as well have told the All Blacks to stop doing the haka for all the notice they took.

New Zealand were at it again on Saturday. There were just three incidents in the leadup to their first try, but the second try was exceptional. As Nonu was running through another black hole, a prone David Pocock was waving his arms in frustration. McCaw and Keven Mealamu had held him pinned to the ground for 14 seconds.

Even by the very high standards of the All Blacks, 14 seconds must have constituted a personal best. Does McCaw have an invisibility cloak that only television cameras can penetrate? Even Robbie Deans called him "a bloody menace" and that's when he was coach of the Crusaders.

Perhaps the funniest moment in Saturday's game was when the commentator opined that Brad Thorn had been "unfortunate" to bump into Williams. The ref was gullible enough to award an accidental offside.

Accidental? Don't make me laugh. The next time the All Blacks play a big game, watch what they do around the breakdown. They deliberately splinter off into offside positions to block the defence. It's about as accidental as the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior.

Ad Feedback O'Brien told me while he was in Italy for the Junior World Cup that no World Cup has yet been decided by a bad refereeing decision.

A couple of weeks later, Paddy was overtaken by events. The refereeing of the final of that Junior World Cup was one of the most unfortunate performances I have ever seen and certainly determined the outcome. I suspect this coming World Cup is an injustice waiting to happen, but don't blame the refs, blame the players and coaches.

One of the joys of that Junior World Cup, as O'Brien observed, was that the players haven't learned (fully) yet to cheat. O'Brien also knows that one of the biggest challenges senior rugby faces going forwards is to stop the culture of cheating.

Is the batsman who knows he nicked the ball and refuses to walk a cheat? Is the footballer who dives in the penalty area a cheat? Is the rugby player who holds back an opponent a cheat? You bet they are. People call it "the professional foul".

No, it's just cheating.

Yes, I know other teams cheat, although none of them are as accomplished at it as New Zealand.

On Saturday Will Genia was the first to take up a blocking position on the All Blacks side of a ruck and was called back by the ref. Genia threw up his arms in apology – as if.

The former Australian coach Bob Dwyer, like most of the planet, believes that New Zealand lead the world cheating averages. He said: "Richie would be guilty six times of obstruction in every game. I think we have to keep criticising the New Zealanders and making people aware of what are illegal tactics."

In that context, I don't want to hear a single New Zealander whinge about a bad decision during the World Cup. The moment you set out to deceive refs is the moment you lose your right of appeal.

If you live by the sword, be prepared to die by the sword, and the cheating All Blacks wield the biggest claymore of the lot.

* Mark Reason is one of England's most experienced sports columnists. A long-time senior writer for The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph in Britain, he migrated to New Zealand and now calls this country home.

- The Dominion Post

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/5535580/A-word-on-the-All-Blacks-Cheats

Five rugby players banned for life

12:57 PM Wednesday Aug 31, 2011

Five players from Otahuhu rugby club have each received a lifetime ban from all rugby.

A judicial hearing was called following the assault on a referee at the conclusion of a match between the Otahuhu and Suburbs under- 19 teams earlier this month.

The panel considered evidence from several parties, including video footage of the incident in which the referee sustained injuries.

The penalties were deemed to be from the more serious category of the NZRU disciplinary rules. Those guidelines also state that clubs are responsible and accountable for the conduct of their players and all persons under their jurisdiction, therefore sanctions have also been imposed on the club and the team coach.

Auckland Rugby Union chairman Glenn Wahlstrom endorsed the decision of the independent judicial committee.

"The judicial committee has given a very strong message and rightly so," he said. "Match officials must have the right to be safe in the role they perform without being subjected to the threat or even worse, acts of violence."

The club has the right to appeal the decision within seven days.

The matter is also with the police.


- APNZ
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10748564

A wins a win. I don't see how they'd be too upset with a 31 point win...

They should be beating Tonga by 50+

NZ would be disappointed with that result IMO