Preview: IRB Sevens, Dubai

Dubai is not only the setting for the opening round of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series 2007/2008, it is now also host to one of the Middle East's most popular social weekends of the year

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Anitelea Tuilagi to face the music

Leeds star Anitelea Tuilagi will face a Rugby Football Union (RFU) Disciplinary Hearing on Monday for striking a player in his team's 29-6 Guinness Premiership loss to Leicester Tigers at the weekend.

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World Cup set to stay at 20 teams

The 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will be confirmed as a 20-team tournament at the end of this week when the IRB's council meets in Woking, England.

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Rugby League : Wigan sign Samoa centre Carmont

Wigan have signed Samoa centre George Carmont from Australian side Newcastle Knights on a two-year deal. Carmont, 29, spent three years with NRL outfit Newcastle but did not have his contract renewed. Wigan head coach Brian Noble said: "I know George well and I am delighted to have signed a player of his quality. "He has been excellent in the National Rugby League for the last couple of years and is a good addition to the Wigan squad." Carmont captained his country in 2006 and was part of the squad who booked a place at the 2008 World Cup

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Tuilagi brothers go head to head at Headingley

Tuilagi brothers Andy and Alesana will hold their own private battle for supremacy as they go head to head for the first time when Leeds host Leicester Tigers at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Leeds Carnegie centre Andy is the middle brother of the Samoan rugby dynasty. He joined the club last season from Leicester having become the fourth member of the family to play for the Tigers following in the footsteps of Freddie, Henry and Alesana. A fifth brother, Vavae, is a member of the Leicester academy and a sixth, Manu, is at school in Leicestershire and set to follow the family tradition.

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Lome Fa’atau pays price for Glasgow’s failings

He may have been one of the big-name summer signings but Lome Fa’atau, the Samoa international wing, is the biggest casualty from Glasgow’s recent poor performances in the Heineken Cup. Shade Munro, the club’s assistant coach, admitted that the player had struggled to adapt his game to the Northern Hemisphere style, but backed Fa’atau to bounce back.


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Census Johnston Injury

Samoa prop Census Johnston is set to miss Sunday’s match with the foot injury which forced him to withdraw from the clash in Biarritz shortly before kick-off, but Cobus Visagie could be in line for a first start of the season after proving his fitness as a half-time substitute in France.

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Dale in and Loki out

Rasmussen returns for Sale clash Peter Austin 22 November 2007

WARRIORS' hard-hitting centre Dale Rasmussen is back in the line-up for tomorrow night's Guinness Premiership clash with Sale Sharks - but his Samoan team-mate Loki Crichton misses out through injury.
Rasmussen was rested for the two European Challenge Cup victories against Bucuresti and Montauban but returns to the outside centre berth for the crunch top-flight clash at Sixways on Friday night (8pm kick-off).
Mark Tucker will play alongside Rasmussen with Crichton ruled out with a calf injury, and youngster Chris Pennell retains his place at full back after his impressive try scoring display against Montauban.
Warriors keep the same pack that recorded a five try victory last weekend with New Zealand international lock Greg Rawlinson handed a place on the bench.
There is also a place amongst the replacements for Dominic Feaunati with the Samoan back after being ruled out since early October.
Sale have named a star-studded side for the match with All Blacks centre Luke McAlister making his full debut.
Mark Cueto, Sebastien Chabal, Rory Lamont, Andrew Sheridan and Jason White also make the starting XV after their World Cup exploits last month.


Warriors v Sale Sharks: 1 Morris, 2 Lutui, 3 Taumoepeau, 4 Murphy, 5 Gillies, 6 Wood, 7 Sanderson, 8 Talei, 9 M Powell, 10 Drahm, 11 Garvey, 12 Tucker, 13 Rasmussen, 14 Delport, 15 Pennell


Replacements: 16 Mullan, 17 Fortey, 18 Rawlinson, 19 Horstmann, 20 Runciman, 21 Feaunati, 22 Carlisle.


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Samoa Seven's hit with injury

The Samoa Sevens squad was dealt a blow on Wednesday when half-back Alatasi Tupou was ruled out of the opening legs of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series due to a "serious illness".

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Rugby League : Toa Samoa vs Lebanon

15th on Google :)

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=manu+samoa&hl=en&start=10&sa=N

Alesana Tuilagi hits hard

Bristol get fired up as David Lemi finds way home

Bristol are pinning their hopes on 'Rocket Man' David Lemi today, knowing that a home defeat against Stade Francais will all but knock them out of the Heineken Cup.

Coach Richard Hill has recalled the Samoan star — the Premiership's leading try scorer last season — even though he only returned to the club on Wednesday after a nightmare journey home from his wedding.

.....


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Player Club News : Sailosi Tagicakibau & Seilala Mapusua

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A poor lineout from the Dragons allowed Sailosi Tagicakibau to boot the loose ball upfield before setting off in pursuit. Tagicakibau collected the ball and found Seilala Mapusua on his outside, who made a brilliant offload to Nick Kennedy in the tackle, before the six foot eight inch second row ran over the line unchallenged

...

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Player Club News : Ofisa Treviranus

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Wingers Aidan Wynne and Ofisa Treviranus, neither of who had scored for Connacht before, helped themselves to a brace of tries each as Michael Bradley's men went on a scoring spree.

Nine Connacht players crossed the Spanish line as Connacht displayed a ruthless streak from the outset.

...

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Rugby League : Samoa Have Big Plans

Samoa, the last of the minnows to qualify for the 2008 World Cup, believe they can make the biggest impact in Australia.

The Pacific Islanders narrowly missed out on automatic qualification but claimed the 10th and last spot thanks to a 38-16 win over Lebanon in the repechage final in Featherstone on Wednesday.

They will line up alongside Tonga and Ireland in Group C confident that, with an array of former New Zealand internationals at their disposal, they can go on to surpass their previous World Cup best - a quarter-final appearance in 2000.

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NZ Maori joins Pacific Cup

New Zealand Maori has been confirmed to contest the Pacific Nations Cup for the 2008 edition.

The Maori will replace the Junior All Blacks - essentially New Zealand 'A' - next year, hoping to continue the country's undefeated record in the competition's two-year history.

Coached by Donny Stevenson, the Maori side will take on Tonga, Samoa and Japan in home games next year while also travelling to Australia and Fiji.

The side's last home game was the historic win over the British & Irish Lions at Hamilton in 2005.

"For nearly a century New Zealand Maori has enjoyed iconic status in New Zealand, and internationally, and it is fantastic that rugby followers in the Auckland region, Waikato and Hawke's Bay will have the chance to watch this team play," said New Zealand Rugby Union spokesman Neil Sorensen.

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Henry Tuilagi helps Perpignan to a victory

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Joe Bearman for Newport and Henry Tuilagi for Perpignan exchanged tries after the break. Scotland's Nathan Hines was sinbinned on 68 minutes and with a man advantage Ceri Sweeney, who ended the game with a nine point haul, brought the Dragons to within four points with a late try and conversion, but Perpignan held on to cling on to their impressive home record.

...

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Rugby League : Samoa make World Cup

Samoa booked their place in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup with a 38-16 victory over Lebanon in Featherstone.

Samoa had a host of star names available for the repecharge final and their boosted side proved too good for a brave Lebanon side, who did bounce back from a slow start t provide a tough test.

Six tries to four helped Samoa seal a place in next year's tournament in Australia, where they will now take on Ireland and Tonga in Pool C of the tournament.

Samoa will be quietly fancied to do well in Australia after players such as skipper Nigel Vagana switched their allegiances from New Zealand in a bid to kick-start their country's rugby league status.

After coming back from early deficits against both Ireland and Wales, Lebanon could not do the same against Samoa, and the Islanders' 28-8 lead at the break proved a bridge too far.

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Maurie Fa'asavalu Interview

Lima hails Lemi's dedication, courage

Manu Samoa legend Brian Lima has hailed speedster David Lemi for widening the door of opportunity for the local players.
Lima said Lemi’s “outstanding” performance with club team Bristol is leading the way forward for local players to receive overseas contracts.
Lima understands how difficult and frustrating it can be for local players to get a crack at top level rugby.
But Lemi’s commitment and dedication to make a name for himself and for Samoa is proving local talent can compete with the best.
“David Lemi is a good player and he’s always learning.
“He has shown great dedication and commitment with Bristol.
“And to tell you, David has deserved it. He performed and in the last season, he was the top try-scorer.
“He has taken his opportunity and created a future for himself. He has opened the door for local players to seize such opportunities. He is a role model for Samoa’s local players,” Lima told Observer Sport.


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Brian Lima : ‘Rugby is my love,...family is my life’

Brian Lima is known by many names on the rugby field. He is known as the Chiropractor, the Hitman, Samoa’s greatest player and Samoa’s national hero.
The man will always be remembered for his passion and love for rugby.
He served Samoa for 16 years on the rugby field where he gave his heart for Samoa’s cause.
He also made history as the first player to appear in five World Cups, dating back to 1991 where his rugby career kicked off.
Today, Lima’s life has changed. He now watches the Samoa Sevens and Marist trainings at Marist Sports Club.
He is the man you find at Apia Rentals, the business he and his wife Sina run. He is now a true family man with his dedication and commitment on being a great dad and a great husband.
Lima has bowed out of rugby.

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Elvis Seveali'i Injured

Elvis Seveali'i will be out for at least a month with a broken arm.

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Anitelea Tuilagi’s power gives Leeds timely boost in confidence

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The pick of the tries was a powerful burst through several despairing tackles by Anitelea Tuilagi early in the second half, reminiscent of the efforts of Alesana, his brother, for Leicester last season. It did not take Leeds long to find the holes in the Castres defence. In the twelfth minute, Appo Satala, the Fiji wing, sprinted powerfully down the right and, as he was tackled, expertly flipped a pass inside to Joe Bedford, who had only to fall over the line to score.
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Where are they now? Joe Tekori

Joe Tekori plays with the likes of Carl Hoeft, Kees Meeuws, Laloala Milford and Steve Kefu in the French Club Castres Olympique.

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Rugby League : Repechage Final - Samoa v Lebanon

Toa Samoa to me Lebanon in the Repechage Final

10/11/2007

Lebanon has overcome a sluggish start to qualify for the Repechage final against Samoa in Featherstone on 14 November.

The winner of the Repechage final will clinch the 10th and final spot for the 2008 World Cup to be played in Australia.

Lebanon, after trailing 16-10 at half-time, overwhelmed a gun-shy Wales 50-26 while Samoa thrashed the USA 42-10 in the other Repechage semi-final.

Both semi-finals were played at Widnes, under lights.Chris Salem scored a hat-trick of tries for Lebanon who at one stage conceded nine penalties to none.

Lebanon knuckled down to play disciplined football and their support play was outstanding as they raced in a swag of tries in a lop-sided second half.

Samoa were always dictating terms against the USA and led 22-0 at half-time.


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Rugby League : Samoa stay on course with win over USA

Samoa 42 United States 10

Samoa moved to within 80 minutes of a third successive World Cup appearance with a tougher-than-expected victory over international minnows United States at Widnes last night.

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Rugby League : Cahill backs Samoa

Socceroo and Everton midfielder Tim Cahill is the latest world-class player to lend his support to Samoa as they become increasingly short-odds favourites to claim the final spot in next year's rugby league World Cup.

Cahill is expected to be at the Halton Stadium for tomorrow morning's (AEDST) Samoa-United States game, with the winner having to beat the winner of Lebanon v Wales to qualify for the cup.

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South Africa Sevens in George Pools Announced

The pools and schedule have been announced for the second event in the 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series, the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens at Outeniqua Park in George.

Get a Copy here

The international face of Toulon

New Zealand: Orene Ai'i, who was born in Samoa, Andrew Mehrtens, Anton Oliver,

Samoa: Fotunuupule Auelua , who was born in New Zealand, Kiri Mariner, Tusiata Pisi,

Tonga: Saimone Taumoepeau, a Junior All Black

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FYI : IRB Sevens World Series

Season format

In a normal event, 16 teams are entered; in Hong Kong, 24 teams enter. In each tournament, the teams are divided into pools of four teams, who play a round-robin within the pool. Points are awarded in each pool on a different schedule from most rugby tournaments—3 for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 for a loss, 0 for a no-show. In case teams are tied after pool play, the tiebreakers are:^[1]

1. Head-to-head result between the tied teams.
2. Difference in points scored and allowed during pool play.
3. Difference in tries scored and allowed during pool play.
4. Points scored during pool play.
5. Coin toss.

Four trophies are awarded in each tournament, except for Hong Kong. In descending order of prestige, they are the Cup, whose winner is the overall tournament champion, Plate, Bowl and Shield. In Hong Kong, the Shield is not awarded. Each trophy is awarded at the end of a knockout tournament.

In a normal event, the top two teams in each pool advance to the Cup competition. The four quarterfinal losers drop into the bracket for the Plate. The Bowl is contested by the third-place finishers in each pool, while the Shield is contested by the last-place teams from each pool.

In Hong Kong, the six pool winners, plus the two highest-finishing second-place teams, advance to the Cup. The Plate participants are the eight highest-ranked teams remaining, while the lowest eight drop to the Bowl.

Points schedule

The season championship is determined by points earned in each tournament. For a 16-team event, applicable to all current legs in the series except for Hong Kong, points are awarded on the following schedule:^[1]

• Cup winner (1st place): 20 points
• Cup runner-up: 16 points
• Losing Cup semifinalists: 12 points
• Plate winner (5th place): 8 points
• Plate runner-up: 6 points
• Losing Plate semifinalists: 4 points
• Bowl winner (9th place): 2 points

Points are awarded on a different schedule in a 24-team event, such as Hong Kong:^[1]

• Cup winner: 30 points
• Cup runner-up: 24 points
• Losing Cup semifinalists: 18 points
• Losing Cup quarterfinalists: 8 points
• Plate winner (9th place): 4 points
• Plate runner-up: 3 points
• Losing Plate semifinalists: 2 points
• Bowl winner (17th place): 1 point

If two or more teams are level on series points at the end of the season, the following tiebreakers are used to determine placement:^[1]

1. Overall difference in points scored and allowed during the season.
2. Total try count during the season.
3. If neither of the above produces a winner, the teams are considered tied.

Download you copy of the Dubai Rugby Sevens

tournament dates are November 29 to December 1 , the file is a Microsoft Excel file (170kb) and you can get it here

Loki helps Warriors to first win

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Warriors responded with Crichton showing his versatility from full back with some clever darting runs before centre Mark Tucker was taken horribly high in the tackle by Hala’ufia on 27 minutes and referee White had little choice but to send him to the sin bin. Brown stepped up to slot the penalty and cut the lead to two points.

The visitors were now dominating the set piece and scrum with prop Darren Morris enjoying a storming first half. A home scrum was wheeled around 90 degrees to hand the ball back to the visitors before Brown boomed another long kick downfield.

A period of sustained pressure was rewarded when a penalty was given when Quins strayed offside and Crichton chipped into the corner to set up a perfect attacking platform. The resulting catch and drive saw the forwards rumble forward with Lutui touching down to the delight of the travelling army. The conversion was added the Crichton.....

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Rugby League : Samoan Rugby League Team to play USA

Samoa played in the Pacific Pool of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers. They beat the Cook Islands and Fiji, but lost to Tonga. On a points difference, Samoa came in third and will have to play the USA in the repecharge round.on 10 November Halton Stadium, Widnes

The team includes likes of some popular NRL stars :

1. Tangi ropati 2. Matt Utai 3. Nigel Vagana (vc) 4. Willie Talau 5. Fracis Meli 6.Setaimata Sa 7. Chan Ly 8. Kylie Leuluai 9. Motu Tony 10.Iafeta Paleaisina 11.Jack Afamasaga 12. Ali Lauitiiti 13. David Solomona (c) 14. Frank Puletua 15. Tony Puletua 16. Evarn Tuimavave 17.Gray Viane 18.Malo Solomona 19.Joe Vagana 20.Hutch Maiava 21.Phillip Leuluai 22.Rota Setu 24. George Carmont 25. Junior Moors

Sosene Anesi fined for assault

Chiefs utility-back Sosene Anesi became the third player from the Waikato franchise in the past two years to be fined for assault. The 26-year-old All Black appeared in the Hamilton District Court on Monday this week, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of assault laid against him.

Waikato rugby Chief Graham Bowden confirmed that the incident between Anesi and an unnamed man who was assaulted took place in the early hours of the morning three weeks ago.

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Loki trys his hand full back

NEW signing Netani Talei (Fijian) will make his Warriors first team debut in the EDF Energy Cup as one of four changes for the clash with Harlequins tomorrow

Loki Crichton moves to full back with James Brown handed the fly-half jersey.

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Gavin Williams still out with ankle injury

........Gavin Williams (ankle) is also nearing a return.

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Justin Va'a and Lome Fa'atau in action this weekend

Samoan prop Justin Va'a returns to the starting line up after his stint at the World Cup.

The powerhouse front row packs down at loose head and was a member of the Pacific Islands squad that played Ireland at Lansdowne Road last autumn.

Another South Sea Islander, Lome Fa'atau, is named on the right wing.

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Alesana out with injury

Of the three returning stars from the World Cup, Samoan Alesana Tuilagi has a groin strain, Irishman Geordan Murphy hurt a thumb in the defeat against Argentina on Sunday, and Italian Martin Castrogiovanni has a knee injury....


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Where are they now? Elvis Seveali'i

Elvis Seveali'i plays his rugby with the Sale Sharks in England with likes of "the animal" Sebastien Chabal and All Black Luke McAlister, this also is the former club of the one the manu samoa greats, Apollo "Terminator" Perelini.

Player Profile

Rugby or Football?

ok had to post this, wow is all i can say :)

Players Club News : Loki Crichton & Dale Rasmussen

Loki and Dale feature in a loss to Ospreys outfit who soared to a 47-16 victory in the EDF Energy Cup.

....With just 18 seconds on the clock, the visitors forced a penalty 45 metres out in front of the posts, which fly-half James Hook narrowly missed, while Warriors centre Dale Rasmussen soon needed to make a last-ditch tackle to prevent a try....

....Live-wire wing Williams came close to scoring, only to be thwarted by Loki Crichton's try-saving tackle....

...With 22 minutes gone, Crichton kicked for the corner from a penalty. From the resulting line-out, Ospreys were hit for collapsing the maul, Warriors took the scrum and the ball was worked to Rasmussen who crashed towards the line. The home fans were cheering as it appeared the Samoan centre had scored but, after consultation with the TMO, the try was chalked off....

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Samoa Rugby 7's Team Announced

The Samoa 7s Team for the 2007/2008 Dubai/George IRB Tournament:

1. Simaika Mikaele
2. Apelu Faaiuga
3. Alafoti Faosiliva
4. Alapasa Cortz
5. Mussolini Faalupega
6. Uale Mai
7. Lolo Lui
8. Roger Warren
9. Alatasi Tupou
10. Gasolo Salima
11. Pulemalie Sopo
12. Desmond Faaiuaso
13. Stephen Betham, Manager
14. Galumalemana Rudolf Moors, Coach
15. Kelly Horne, Physiotherapist


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3 amigos off to U.S.DAX

Gavin Williams , Kane Thompson and Kasiano Lealamanua will be playing for French club the U.S.DAX.

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WARNING
Unfortunately the club website is in french so most of this information is via a translation website, which mean i can't 100% guarantee that this is correct. if you speak French and can confirm this please email me, thank you.