Friday, October 2, 2015

#TeamBallPlayerThing AND #KiwisCureBatten


New Zealand Doesn’t Quilt!




Watch this genius skit and Music Video in which certain New Zealand Celebrities, Artists, and Rugby Players encourage people to donate for the astronomical funds needed in order to find a cure for Battens Disease; and, offer some hilarious suggestions to ensure another RWC Win for their beloved All Blacks!


See the video below, courtesy of the official YouTube channel!


Opening Ceremony - Rugby World Cup, 2015


Rugby Returns To The

Nation Of Its Birth




For the second time in Rugby's history, the world-wide played Sport formally returned to the land of its birth when the Country of England - in the role of Tournament Host - graciously welcomed Nations from around the world to London's Twickenham Stadium to officially begin the 8th World Cup in a brief but powerful Opening Ceremony that took place on Friday, September the 18th, 2015.

The exciting, twenty minute-long event began very naturally with the succinct film dramatization of how this beloved pastime was created at the now-world-famous Rugby School, in 1823.

William Webb Ellis, portrayed very well in deed by 14-year-old English Actor, Edward Anthony, was, of course, "present" to showcase his "fine disregard for the rules of Football", "as played in his time", when he first elected to run with the game's ball towards the opposite goal, rather than kick it.

The newly named "Rugby" ball was then passed down through the decades and multiple Schools representatively by the capable hands of various Rugby Greats, displaying the Sport's rapidly-growing popularity throughout Great Britain.

At length, the ball is returned to "the Father of Rugby" (Ellis) in London, England, just outside Twickenham Stadium, who then kicks the well-worn leather ball skyward in a mile-high kick toward the reaches of space.  The ball then begins its highly-anticipated descent to Billy's cabbage Patch, landing squarely in the center of Twickenham field, and leaving in its wake a most impressive crater, from which arises the passionately-cheered-on "Rugby Players"

The excitement continues, and quickly grows, as the “Rugby Players” begin to peel back the layers that make up the exterior of the enormous, worn, leather ball of old to reveal an all-new, Gilbert-crafted, rubber-made and equally ginormous 2015 Rugby ball that has been resting quietly underneath the apparent chaos.

A well-versed singing out of "The World In Union" by British star, Laura Wright, and an unnamed but vastly-talented boy, is then witnessed as the "Rugby Players" continue to work together to strip away the final layer of the ceremonial ball, revealing the soon-to-be-much-sought-after William Webb Ellis Cup, subsequently retrieved by none other than William Webb Ellis himself (as played by Anthony) who then places the golden Cup on a ceremonial stand that has been most prestigiously erected center stage.

The well-received Ceremonial production also included more than a few, startle-inducing cameos, including game legends Jonny Wilkinson, Sir Clive Woodward, Will Greenwood, Jason Leonard, Bill Beaumont, and the former Coach of Scotland and the British Lions, Sir Ian McGeechan.

Also making a brief appearance in the Ceremony's pre-film was none other than Prince Harry - playing the role of Gardener - at the Rugby School of 1823, who humorously declares to fellow Gardener, Jonny Wilkinson, upon witnessing Ellis' fateful escapades, "Don't worry, Jonny, that'll never take off!"

A surreal event, to say the least, which gave proper cause for much cheer and excitement.

Prince Harry also made a live appearance in his official role as Honorary President of England Rugby 2015 on center stage in the midst of Twickenham field, for a rousing speech to the capacity-packed Stadium of 82,000 fans, including the smiling faces of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (bedecked very appropriately in matching shades of Royal Blue), competing Nations, Players, and Fellow Countrymen, of this globally-shared event:

"Welcome to Twickenham, to England 2015, and to the 8th Rugby World Cup.  This evening marks the beginning of a celebration of rugby which I hope will inspire current players, those new to the game and future generations.  There will be moments in this World Cup which will live with us for the rest of our lives. Who could forget 1995 and President Mandela handing The Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar, or that Drop kick in 2003?  

To all the players, we congratulate you and wish you well for the tournament. Your individual skill is to be celebrated; but, I can think of no other sport where the success of the team is shouldered so equally by everyone.  

Rugby has changed dramatically in my lifetime. But it remains a game founded on a code of values. Values which are as important today - both on and off the field of play - as they have ever been. Across the country, regardless of age, background or belief, this nation, which gave rugby to the world in 1823, will join together and celebrate the game like never before.  

In six weeks' time, one team will take its place in history. It's up to every one of us, to raise the roof on each match in this unforgettable journey. The players have earned it, the Nations deserve it and the fans expect it.  We're ready ... Game on!"

Game on indeed.  Following his speech, and a few more ceremonial tie-ups, the long-awaited Rugby World Cup, 2015, officially got under way with the Tournament's Inaugural Test Match:  England vs. Fiji.


Friday, September 4, 2015

The Four, Rugby World Cup Pools - RWC 2015

2015 Rugby World Cup:

Pool Stage



The Rugby World Cup, a Rugby Union World Championship competition, that occurs only once every Four years, is set to begin its 8th tournament on September 18th, 2015, and will be hosted by England.

The First Round of competition for The World Cup is most commonly referred to as the "Pool Stage":

The Pool Stage consists of dividing up the 20 International Rugby Teams that will be competing in this magnificent event into 

        4 "Pools" of  5 Teams each.  

Each Pool will then be designated one of the first four letters of the Alphabet for ease of conversation and communication (i.e., Pool A, Pool B, Pool C, and Pool D).

Once divided, each Pool's 5 Teams will proceed in a "Round Robin" type fashion and stand off against each other until every Team in that one Pool has played once against every other Team within the same Pool, hence Ten Games for each Pool, with a total of Forty Games for the whole of the First Round, or Pool Stage.

Within a Pool, Teams are awarded:

          4 (Four) Points for a Win, 
          2 (Two) Points for a Draw, and 
          0 (Zero) Points for a Defeat
                             (AKA NoneZipZilchNada!).

In addition, 
     - a Team that scores 4 or more Tries within a 
          single Test Match (Game), OR
     - a Team that loses by 7 points or fewer 
will also be awarded:

          1 (One) Bonus Point.


The 3 top-scoring Teams of each Pool will all be rewarded with an Automatic Qualification for the next World Cup, scheduled to take place in Japan, in the year 2019;

   however, only the 2

top-scoring Teams in their Pool, will then advance to Round Two, or the Quarter Finals, of The Rugby World Cup.



Here is the List of the Four Pools for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and the 20 Teams that are divided amongst them:

The Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2015
Pool A

----
This year, Pool A is often referred to as 
"The Pool of Death"
because there are 3, obvious, strong contenders
for the coveted, Top 2 spots; 
whereas, in Pools B, C, and D, 
there are only 2 competitors considered 
stronger in each respectively. 


The Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2015
Pool B


The Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2015
Pool C


The Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2015
Pool D


Of the 20 Teams competing, 12 have qualified for this World Cup by finishing in the top Three positions of their respective Pools during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, while the remaining 8 Teams qualified throughout the Four-year time lapse with Regional Competitions.


The Team "line-up" for this 2015 World Cup matches that of the previous, 2011 World Cup "line-up" with but one exception, Uruguay has replaced Russia.





The Rugby World Cup

The World Cup Returns This Fall!









Note: Make sure to see the 3 awesome 
Promo Videos at the end of this article!

"The Rugby World Cup" ...  a name that has quieted down to an anticipatory whisper over the last Four years (since Rugby's last World Cup that took place in 2011), is now, once again, a name that is sweeping throughout the Nations from household to household, over News outlets and Dining tables alike, in a contagious, almost tangible, frenzy-like atmosphere!


An International Rugby tournament to end all tournaments, The World Cup only takes place every Four years and remains, without a doubt, the Sport of Rugby's most prestigious and highly-anticipated affair.




International Teams from all around the World that were lucky (and good) enough to have made the final cut of the 20 Teams that will be competing in this exciting event, will stand off against each other in a series of Test Matches for a chance to win Rugby's highest honor, The William Webb Ellis Cup (or, the "Webb Ellis Cup").


Rugby's 8th World Cup is set to premiere this Fall, on the 18th of September, 2015, and will conclude on October 31st.


It will take place in England, which won The Bid to host the tournament against fellow bidding-contenders, South Africa, Japan, and Italy.




See the 3 videos below:

An exciting RWC 2015 Promo from the RugbyWorldCup channel on YouTube!


AND another from YouTube's channel, Gilbert Rugby:


AND, finally, an Epic 2015 RWC Promo from YT channel, World Rugby:



Richie McCaw to Retire


All Blacks Captain, Richie McCaw,

Said to Retire Following RWC, 2015




New Zealand All Blacks' Captain and Rugby Great, Richard Hugh "Richie" McCaw, is rumored to Retire early next year following The Rugby World Cup 2015.  For any true Rugby fan (and more so to all All Blacks fans) the long-dreaded-though-ultimately-an-inevitable-reality subject of Richie McCaw's retirement is unwelcome at best; though, not too surprising, considering his long-time fellow Club Rugby and International Rugby Teammate (and fellow Legend of the New Zealand Pitch), Daniel "Dan" Carter's Retirement from the New Zealand Club, The Crusaders, in June earlier this year.  Both men have long thrown everything they have into the Game they love -- and in a Nation that loves them for it!


Richie McCaw, All Blacks Captain



Richie McCaw and Dan Carter



Richie McCaw and Dan Carter

When asked concerning these rumors, the 34-year-old renowned Team Captain and Flanker stated, "Honestly, I haven't made any final decisions; but, probably, the likelihood is, I'm not going to be playing next year."

Said to be considering Retirement primarily for Health Reasons, McCaw also remarked, "But I don't want to be getting carried away now, talking about those sorts of things, when I am focusing about playing.  I want to really enjoy this year; but, as I say, that's the likelihood; and I don't want to make any big announcements because I don't think that would be right, going into a Season."

Considered by most to be Rugby's greatest Openside Flanker and International Team Captain in the World, Richie's Retirement would indeed mark a tremendous loss for the All Blacks Team, New Zealand, and the Sport of Rugby.

Concerning Dan Carter's signing of a 3-Year Contract to play for the French Rugby Club, Racing Metro (following his own Retirement from the All Blacks, after the 2015 Rugby World Cup), in a deal that has been described as "the richest contract in Rugby", and that will subsequently make Carter "Rugby's best- paid player", McCaw had this to say, "Everyone is motivated a bit differently; and I've always said that that is not the number one motivation."

Richie McCaw


Dan Carter

As a devoted and loyal New Zealand Player, it would appear that, retired or not, McCaw will "bleed black" for life, as was made obvious by his disinterestedness for  making such a Deal himself, even as a lucrative means to top off his distinguished career in Rugby.

"Obviously, it is nice to play and get well looked after because of that," observed McCaw, "but I've always said that if I was enjoying it, and wanted to carry on playing, then I would continue playing here.  If I'm not enjoying it and decide I've got to go off just to earn some cash, I think that would be pretty tough."


Beloved by his Coach, Fellow Teammates, and Rugby Fans alike, McCaw has also earned the respect of International Rugby Players the World-round, and has been awarded the IRB (International Rugby Board) Player of the Year Award a record 3 times, an event which prompted former Australian Lock and Award Chairperson, John Eales, to publicly describe McCaw as "an outstanding captain, a world class player, and a role model for our sport".

England To Host the 2015 RWC

England Will Host

the Rugby World Cup - 2015















Widely-spread grins and Rosey cheeks (Get it?) are sure to abound, as England excitedly makes their last-minute preparations for what will soon be the 8th installment of The Rugby World Cup!











For their second time of Hosting The World Cup (having  first co-Hosted it with Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and France in 1991), England has carefully selected and lovingly made ready 13, different Venues to house this highly-anticipated, grand affair:

01.  Twickenham Stadium, London - Capacity of 82,000

02.  Wembley Stadium, London - Capacity of 90,000

03.  Millennium Stadium, Cardiff - Capacity of 74,500

04.  Manchester Stadium, Manchester - Capacity of 56,000

05.  Olympic Stadium, London - Capacity of 54,000

06.  St. James' Park, Newcastle - Capacity of 52,387

07.  Villa Park, Birmingham - Capacity of 42,788

08.  Elland Road, Leeds - Capacity of 37,900

09.  Leicester City Stadium, Leicester - Capacity of 32,262

10.  Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester - Capacity of 16,500

11.  Sandy Park, Exeter - Capacity of 12,500

12.  Stadium MK, Milton Keynes - Capacity of 30,500

13.  Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton - Capacity of 30,750



Of the Thirteen Venues selected, 2 are actual, dedicated Rugby Union Grounds:  

Sandy Park in Exeter and Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester; 

2 are National Rugby Stadiums:

Twickenham Stadium (London, England)


An aerial view of Twickenham Stadium













and Millennium Stadium (Cardiff, Wales);


A panoramic view of Millennium Stadium



and 2 are multi-purpose Stadiums:

Wembley Stadium in London, and Olympic Stadium, also in London.

The remaining 7 Venues are Association Football Grounds.


Manchester City Stadium is currently being upgraded for the coming event, and construction is expected to be complete by August, 2015.


A Brief History of Twickenham Stadium


Twickenham Stadium, England


Twickenham Stadium, located on Whitton Road, Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, South West London, is the National Stadium of England; and is soon to premier as one of the 13, pre-selected Venues to help co-host The 2015 Rugby World Cup, which is all set to kick off (Ahem, if you'll pardon the pun!) on September 18th, 2015.


All Blacks at Twickenham


Twickenham, AKA "The Tarquin Dome", or "Twickers", as it is sometimes referred to, stands as the largest Rugby Union Stadium in the World, and also holds the proud distinctions of being the 2nd largest Stadium in The United Kingdom, London (Next to Wembley Stadium, also London), and the 4th largest Stadium in all of Europe, with a crowd capacity of 82,000.


An aerial view of Twickenham Stadium


In the year 1907, RFU (Rugby Football Union) Committee Member, William "Billy" Williams, along with RFU Treasurer, William Cail, set out, upon the urging of some anxious Employers, on what would eventually be noted as a history-making endeavour: To seek out and purchase England's first Rugby Union dedicated grounds.

Recognizing some great, albeit hidden, potential, Billy Williams settled upon a humble Cabbage Patch, resting comfortably in Twickenham, London.

For £5,500 12s and 6d, the 10¼ acres were swiftly purchased, and construction began the following year for what would later be referred to as, "The Home of Rugby Union".  As a result of these "game changing" events, Twickenham Stadium would also come to be affectionately referred to as "Billy Williams' Cabbage Patch, "The Cabbage Patch", or just simply "Headquarters".


On October 2nd, 1909, Twickenham Stadium hosted its inaugural Match between English Rugby Union club Teams, Harlequins and Richmond (14-10, Harlequins).   A first International Test Match would soon follow, making its Twickenham debut on January 15th, 1910, between International Rugby Teams, England and Wales (11-6, England).  At that time, Twickenham's maximum capacity only allowed for a mere 20,000 spectators.

During the First World War (WWI), England's most beloved Stadium was once again humbled and brought down to the lowly status of "Cow Pasture", when it was temporarily converted for the necessary grazing of some of the country's sheep, horse, and cattle populations.  In public remembrance and gratitude of this noble sacrifice, King George V would later unveil a War Memorial, in 1921.

In the year 1959, old adversaries, England and Walesjoined forces to battle worthy opponents, Ireland and Scotland, in a unique Test Match to celebrate Twickenham's 50th Anniversary.  England and Wales won the Match, 26-17.

In celebration of Twickenham's 100th Anniversary, England's International Rugby Players wore commemorative shirts in an International Test Match against Wales that was played on February 6th, 2010, in Twickenham Stadium.  England, rather appropriately, thrashed the opposing Team, winning the historical game with a final score of 30-17.

In a love affair that has lasted for over a century, Billy's Cabbage Patch also retains the unique, additional distinction of being the only National Stadium in the entire World to have its native Team,  England, play nearly all their Home Games there (as opposed to any other National Team of the World, who prefer to "switch up" their playing Venues on a regular basis), and is considered to be by its Patrons, one of England's most-precious treasures and crowning achievements (if you'll pardon the 2nd pun!).

A Brief History of the Sport of Rugby

William Webb Ellis,

The Inventor of Rugby:



William Webb Ellis, an English Clergyman who lived from 1806-1872, is a man widely and gratefully recognized around the world as the inventor of the game of Rugby.

William Webb Ellis

Legend has it, this now-famous Sport first began to take shape in the year 1823, during a routine game of Football ...

Following the untimely death of William's Father, James Ellis, who served as an Officer in England's Dragoon Guards, William's Mother, Ann Ellis, elected to move with her two sons, William and his older brother, Thomas, to Rugby, Warwickshire, England to afford her two children a proper and Free education, as any pupil living within a 10-mile radius of the Rugby Clock Tower was allowed to attend Rugby School completely free of charge.

Whilst attending School from 1816-1825, William was noted as being a fine Scholar and Cricketer, though it was noted that he was "rather inclined to take unfair advantage at Cricket".

One fateful day while taking part in game of Football with some fellow Classmates, William, rather unconsciously, made worldwide history when, upon catching the ball in his arms, cheated by rushing forward with the ball still cradled in his arms towards the opposite goal line, instead of retiring backwards, as he ought, for a Punt or setup Kick.

Upon reflection of this intriguing turn of events, students of the Rugby School met together excitedly to set certain rules and standards to characterize this unique and thrilling new Sport that would eventually be named for the School where it was invented ... and so the game of Rugby was born.

These fateful events were then commemorated in stone, some 172 years later, on a Rugby School plaque (erected in 1995) that bears the following inscription:


"THIS STONE COMMEMORATES THE 

EXPLOIT OF WILLIAM WEBB ELLIS 
WHO WITH FINE DISREGARD FOR THE 
RULES OF FOOTBALL AS PLAYED IN HIS 
TIME FIRST TOOK THE BALL AND RAN 
WITH IT THUS ORIGINATING THE 
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE OF 
THE RUGBY GAME A.D. 1823".


Picture of the plaque at Rugby school


To honor the Inventor of this beloved pastime, The Rugby World Cup trophy was dutifully named The William Webb Ellis Cup, which stands to this day as the highest achievement that can be attained by a Nation's International Rugby Team.



2011 Rugby World Cup Champions,
The All Backs!