Friday’s rugby news has a new levy for ACT clubs, an important Sevens Series, a massive injury verdict for the English captain and an NZ awards ceremony .
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ACT clubs fear new levy
A number of ACT clubs have been forced to increase junior registration fees from $150 to $200 next year, prompting fears that many young players will defect to rival sports such as rugby league. The increased fees were in response to a $250,000 reduction in ARU annual funding, but Royals junior rugby president Keiran Larnach has criticised the relative distribution of funds.
“It just seems like our costs going up are getting the ARU out of a hole and it’s going to elite players,” Larnach said. “We might have to consider our future in this competition.” Participation numbers in ACT rugby have decreased in recent years, with Lanarch fearing that this new move will lead to an accelerated exodus from the sport. [/one_half]
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No let up for Sevens schedule
Sevens captain Ed Jenkins has emphasised the importance of the South African Sevens series which kicks off this weekend. After reaching the final in the previous UAE tournament, the team realises the importance of maintaining that momentum.
“We’re up there at the moment, but it can change so quickly in Sevens so we have to put in another great performance this weekend so we can try and stay at the top there and those automatic qualification positions for the Olympics,” Jenkins said. Australia currently sit third on 29 points after two rounds of the 2014/15 series. Fiji are the ladder leaders (39 points), two points clear of South Africa.
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Robshaw under injury cloud
Chris Robshaw faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an injured shoulder and will see a specialist this week to determine the extent of the problem. The England captain has been ruled out of this weekend’s Champions Cup clash with Leinster with the injury.
Surgery would rule Robshaw out of the start of the Six Nations. While Test coach Stuart Lancaster could promote Northampton’s Tom Wood to the captaincy, the vacancy at 7 will be more difficult. Lancaster’s may call up Wasps captain James Haskell, use Billy Vunipola at 6 with Wood switched to open-side, or start Toulon flanker Steffon Armitage as an “exceptional circumstance” to break the policy of excluding foreign-based players. [/one_half]
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Retallick top NZ player
All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick has backed up his World Rugby International Player of the Year award by being named the Kelvin R Tremain Player of the Year for 2014. The 23-year-old’s outstanding form saw the 35-Test powerhouse lock join team-mates Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino who have won the top honour in recent years.
In an interesting statement given today’s first story, NZRU chairman Brent Impey emphasised that any professional success was built on the community game where the number of registered players topped 150,000 for the first time this year.”It is the foundation on which to build success and tonight we thank all those toiling on behalf of the community game who can take credit for the achievements we celebrate here.”
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