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**truebluefan** · 12-18-2007, 11:47 AM

The much-heralded Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) has been scrapped after just one year because of heavy financial losses, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) announced today.

The eight-team tournament, which featured sides from Australia's mainland states, cost the ARU A$4.7 million (US$4 million) in its first year of operation with no signs of a quick turnaround.

The ARU said it expected to lose another $3.3 million in 2008 so had no alternative other than to ditch the tournament.

"Strong leadership is paramount to the success of our game and, to that end, there are times when tough decisions need to be taken,'' ARU deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said in a statement.

"Continuing with the ARC was considered by the board to be an untenable financial risk for the ARU and rugby as a whole.''

The ARU established the ARC last season as part of a strategy to try to develop more top-class players so that Australia could compete with countries which have fully-fledged professional club competitions.

Carroll said the ARC had already achieved some of its objectives by helping identify new talent and the ARU remained committed to trying to spread the game in Australia.

"While the format of ARC and the stakeholder investment strategy has proven to be flawed, the concept of an affordable high quality rugby competition remains a key strategy,'' he said.

The Australian Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) said they were disappointed at the ARU's decision to disband the competition after just one year.

"We can't help but feel this decision is premature,'' RUPA chief executive Tony Dempsey said.

State officials also expressed their disappointment at the decision but said the financial losses made it hard to stick with.

"The ARC was just what Australian Rugby needed... but I guess it couldn't go on losing millions of dollars each year,'' Western Australia chief executive Peter O'Meara said.

New South Wales chairman Arvid Petersen added: ``We are disappointed but fiscally this is the proper decision."

**truebluefan** · 12-18-2007, 11:48 AM

Defiant Wallaby fullback Chris Latham has vowed to show rugby powerbrokers his best years are yet to come after quitting the Australian game to play out his career at cashed-up English club Worcester.

Latham this afternoon confirmed he had signed a three-year contract with the Warriors but disputed the $2 million figure reported in newspapers, insisting he hadn't followed the cash trail after a series of negotiations with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) collapsed.

The 78-Test veteran said he was not bitter with the ARU but made it clear he was disappointed at the offer tabled to keep him in Queensland Reds and Wallaby colours, one which would have seen him play for less than his current package.

After months of all-consuming deliberations that weighed heavily on his family life, Latham rejected an incentive-based, two-year contract extension recently pitched by ARU high-performance manager Pat Howard.

"The offer was incentive based and I really didn't think given the position where I sat, I didn't think I needed incentives to play rugby. I never have," Latham said.

Instead the 32-year-old will link with Worcester at the end of the 2008 Super 14 season, with his final match for his beloved Reds a fairytale derby fixture against the Waratahs on May 17 at Suncorp Stadium.

The script is written for a dramatic Wallaby farewell at the same stadium in September when the Wallabies host the All Blacks in a Tri Nations finale.

Latham, the second-all-time leading Wallaby try-scorer with 40 behind David Campese, said the ARU believed he wasn't a long-term proposition after he missed the entire 2007 Super 14 campaign with a knee injury.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 12-24-2007, 09:37 AM

England head coach Brian Ashton and his lieutenants John Wells and Mike Ford have all been reappointed following an in-depth review into the state of the national rugby team.

Rob Andrew's recommendation to keep England's core World Cup coaching team in place was approved on Wednesday by the Rugby Football Union's management board.

Unlike the recent appointments of Warren Gatland in Wales and Robbie Deans in Australia, all three have been awarded the RFU's standard one-year rolling contracts rather than deals through to the 2011 World Cup.

"I'm delighted that Brian and his coaching team will remain with England, and like them, I'm looking forward to what will be a challenging international year in 2008," Andrew said.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 12-24-2007, 09:39 AM

The pathway for Argentina to be included in an expanded Tri Nations could be created with the inclusion of their top players in a hybrid Super 14 team based in Melbourne.

Australian Rugby Union deputy chief executive Matt Carroll yesterday said it is unlikely that the ARU could carry the full financial burden of an extra Super 14 team, despite Melbourne being touted as the next city for a side. But he suggested that a Melbourne team could become a joint venture for marquee players from Argentina, who were third in the World Cup, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

"I don't think Australian rugby could tolerate, at the moment, its own extra team out of its own resources. Four teams seems to be where we are at," Carroll said. "But that doesn't mean you can't have other teams coming into the competition that might facilitate players [who] might miss out on Super 14 [opportunities]. If you want Argentina to come into the Tri Nations you have to get Argentina players [here] - whether it is with additional teams which it could be in Super 14 - so they are playing at the same time [or window] as us."

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 01-05-2008, 05:34 PM

WARATAHS forward Al Kanaar will miss the start of the Super 14 season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

The 24-year-old will spend up to eight weeks on the sidelines after missing all of last season following the reconstruction of his right knee. Scans on Kanaar's left knee revealed some minor cartilage and meniscus damage.

The second-rower was philosophical about his latest setback. "After what I've been through in the past 12 months, it's a minor setback, nothing more," he said.

"I've been training really well and the right knee's feeling great, so it's disappointing the other one's playing up now. But I'll hopefully be right by late February or early March, which puts me right in the frame for round four against the Brumbies."

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said it was a blow for Kanaar, labelling him among the team's hardest off-season trainers. "He's in excellent shape, so it's a shame for this to have happened now," McKenzie said. "We had been hoping to see him in the trials but instead we'll shift our focus to getting him right for the Brumbies on March 7."

The team, whose second-last place last season was the worst Super rugby season for the side, returned to training yesterday. Their first trial will be against the Queensland Reds in Campbelltown on Australia Day, and they kick off their Super 14 campaign against the Hurricanes in Sydney on February 16.

**truebluefan** · 01-05-2008, 05:34 PM

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO hasn't committed to a coaching career yet, but when he does - as seems very likely - he has the full confidence of a man who knows a thing or two about these matters.

Three-time British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan is convinced that Dallaglio, who confirmed his retirement from international rugby yesterday, will be as successful as a coach as he was as a player. "Can he make it as a coach?" McGeechan, the London Wasps director of rugby, mused. "Of course he can. I have no doubt about that."

Although Dallaglio says he will bide his time when he ends his career with the Wasps at the end of this season, the die has been cast. A coaching role is on his agenda at some point in the future. He differs from England's World Cup-winning captain, Martin Johnson, in that regard.

Dallaglio has known dark moments as well as glorious ones. A one-club player, yes, across 17 years, but never a one-dimensional man. Colourful, contentious, cranky, driven and loyal - and unflinching in the face of adversity - Dallaglio has always been both incredibly focused yet great company. Blinkered, yet all-seeing. Not a bad act.

He has never been shy of stating an opinion, or, at times, his own worth. Honesty was all that mattered, painful as that might have been.

Those who slated him for speaking out about the difficulties within the England camp in the early stages of the World Cup this year conveniently overlooked the fact that Dallaglio has been speaking out ever since he learned to talk. You should not pick and choose when you might listen to a man. One day a fearless pursuer of truth, the next a loudmouth? I think not.

He stated unequivocally that his decision to call time on his international career had nothing to do with the furore that accompanied his criticisms of England head coach Brian Ashton.

"From a selfish point of view, the chance to challenge for one more Six Nations would be lovely but you know when the time is right to go," Dallaglio said. "It's nice to go out on your own terms. Ironically, I'm playing better than I have in two years, so from a form point of view, it could have been an interesting selection."

He rejected a suggestion that he might turn to refereeing, and then smiled as it was pointed out that he'd been attempting to referee throughout his career. "Yeah, the refs might be glad I've called it a day," he said.

Yet for all his grandstanding, his penchant for the spotlight and the microphone, Dallaglio's immense value lies in his ability to relate to others, not to himself. He is loud and charismatic but he is also down to earth. He's an individual of overt physical attributes, yet it is his spiritual being that has had most impact on those around him.

Wasps coach Shaun Edwards pinpointed the moment when he knew he was in the presence of someone out of the ordinary. "We were on the coach back from a game, and the lads had had a few ales," he said. "Then, after everyone had got off, there was Lawrence, going round clearing up to help the driver. Bit special, that."

Of course, Dallaglio is not perfect. He has had to beat his breast in atonement a few times down the years. The blemishes, though, are part of his appeal.

Dallaglio's influence has extended far beyond a few domestic chores. Egos are given a one-way ticket to the exit at Wasps. Being proper, having manners, respect - that is the Dallaglio way and it has become the Wasps way.

And it appears Dallaglio will continue to have a significant bearing on what happens at Wasps for many years. "I've been here too long to walk out the door now," Dallaglio said.

He has a level-two coaching badge and will look to build on those qualifications - in his own time. "You've got to be humble as a coach," Dallaglio said. "Just because you've played at elite level doesn't mean you can coach. You've got to learn new skills."

**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 07:54 AM

Double champions Leicester were knocked out of the European Cup on Saturday when they slumped to a shock 17-12 defeat against Edinburgh.

The Tigers, who were 2001 and 2002 champions as well as runners-up last season, saw their hopes of making the quarter-finals end when Pool Six leaders Toulouse garnered a losing bonus point in their surprise 20-13 defeat to Leinster.

That win in Dublin also kept the Irish province's outside hopes of a last eight spot alive.

French giants Biarritz, the 2006 runners-up, were hammered 45-16 by a formidable-looking Saracens in Pool Four and now need to beat Italian minnows Viadana in the final batch of group games and hope other results go their way.

Meanwhile, Gloucester lost their 100-per cent record in Pool Two when they suffered a 32-15 defeat against the Ospreys.

Leicester went to Edinburgh needing a bonus-point win to keep alive their quarter-final qualification hopes but saw the home side score the game's only tries.

Andy Goode's three penalties had the visitors in front at the break, cancelling out Phil Godman's converted try.

The kicking duo traded penalties at the start of the second half before Edinburgh powered back with a second try from hooker Ross Ford.

"The priority was to get a win with the hope that the contest would open up later on," said Leicester coach Marcelo Loffreda.

"We had three penalties in the last 10 minutes, yet didn't go for goal with a single one. If we'd kicked a couple of goals we could have put pressure on and the result might have been different."

In Dublin, Toulouse had lock Gregory Lamboley sin-binned for persistent infringements in the ruck, where Leinster hooker Bernard Jackman and man-of-the-match No.8 Jamie Heaslip were outstanding.

A try in each half from Luke Fitzgerald, as well as 10 points from Felipe Contepomi's boot, kept Leinster in the shake-up for a last eight place.

At Vicarage Road, Saracens underlined their credentials as title contenders by outplaying Biarritz in a five-to-one thrashing with former All Black lock Chris Jack scoring his first two tries for the English side.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 07:57 AM

Wales rugby international Gavin Henson will not face charges over allegations of disorderly behaviour after prosecutors announced there was "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction".

The decision now leaves Henson free to be selected for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship on the same basis as any other player.

Henson was due to appear in court in Cardiff on Monday accused of using disorderly behaviour, or threatening abusive or insulting words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress on December 2 last year.

The incident took place a few hours after Henson scored all of the Ospreys' points in the Welsh region's 19-8 Anglo-Welsh Cup win away to London-based Harlequins.

complete article

**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 08:38 PM

Four additional forwards were called up for today’s Scotland training session in preparation for the start of the 2008 RBS 6 Nations Championship next month.

Props Craig Smith (Edinburgh) and Bruce Douglas (Llanelli Scarlets), hooker Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors) and lock Scott Murray (Montauban) were added for the squad session at Murrayfield by head coach Frank Hadden.

Hadden enlisted the experienced quartet following matches at the weekend. Unable to train fully today were prop Euan Murray (calf), lock Jim Hamilton (ankle), No 8 Dave Callam (shoulder/neck) and flanker Kelly Brown (shoulder).

Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets) took a limited part as he had played for his club in yesterday’s Heineken Cup tie against London Wasps. In addition Nathan Hines was not present today as he and his wife Leanne are undergoing fertility treatment.

**truebluefan** · 01-15-2008, 09:34 AM

Rugby journeyman Angus Scott has announced his retirement from the Western Force after failing to overcome foot problems.

The 29-year-old prop started his career with the Brumbies in 2000 before joining Queensland and then moving to Perth as an inaugural member of their squad.

Scott won 16 Super 14 caps with the Force, bringing his final tally to 37.

He made the decision to hang up his boots after surgery and a rehabilitation program couldn't fix heel problems in both feet.

Scott was disappointed that he couldn't finish his career on the paddock but said he had done everything possible to get back to full fitness.

"I had heel surgery in June and I have been working hard since then to get back on track but my recovery plateaued well short of where it needed to be," he said.

"The reality is, I just can't run at a level necessary for Super rugby. It seems my feet can't manage the training load any more."

Western Force head coach John Mitchell said Scott was a handy prop who could play both sides of the scrum.

"Gus was one of the best loosehead props in Australia. It's just a shame he couldn't have had one more season, but there's no controlling these things," Mitchell said.

He also said Scott's retirement would present an opportunity for home-grown RugbyWA Academy prop, Kieran Longbottom, to step up.