Innholdsfortegnelse for Aug-2018 i Rugby World

“The six weeks before chemo were like a mini pre-season” AT THE end of last August, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. During pre-season I’d had really bad lower back and abdominal pain. I was run-down and fatigued all the time, but I put it down to overtraining. I was doing a lot of conditioning, rugby and lifting, but in the back of my mind something else was wrong. I’ve always prided myself on keeping fit and handling the physical side, so I ignored the symptoms. The week before London Irish’s first pre-season match, against Ealing, I noticed a lump on my testicle and it was swollen. But in my head I still thought, ‘We’ve had a big week of contact, maybe I just took a bang on it.’ I…

AT ONE point, when we’d lost a heap of games under Glenn Ross, he would give us punishment runs, writes Bernard Jackman of his time at Connacht. He had this run where we’d run a figure of eight on the field. We’d start at one corner, go down the touchline, around the corner, diagonally across, back down the other touchline and diagonally again. The forwards went off first and we’d have the length completed when he’d start the backs. He’d give them a length before he took off himself. The idea was everyone had to beat him. If he passed anyone, we had to run again. One day, everyone was dropping balls in training and Ross sent us on the run. We did the figure of eight but, once we…

SUMMER TRIAL The WRU are trialling playing mini rugby at 59 clubs across Wales between June and August. The plan is to see whether a shift in season for U7s to U11s has positive results. WILSON ON WAY Danny Wilson (right) will become Scotland’s forwards coach next month after the SRU negotiated the former Cardiff Blues boss’s release from his new Wasps contract. CALLING TIME Australia Sevens captain James Stannard has had to retire from rugby following the head injury he suffered in a late-night assault. SAVEA SIGNS Hurricanes wing Julian Savea will join Toulon at the end of the Super Rugby season. JIM’S IN Former Northampton DoR Jim Mallinder has joined the RFU as pathway performance coach. Mallinder’s appointment follows the sacking of U18 coaches John Fletcher and Peter…

Age 24 (23 May 1994) Born Dublin Province Leinster Position Openside Height 6ft 3in Weight 16st 9lb Ireland caps Ten Points 15 (3T) Instagram @danleafy ANY OPENSIDE will tell you that it’s not just about getting there, it’s about how well you can time your run. In 2018, no No 7 has done it better than Dan Leavy. Back in November, when he was struggling with a couple of niggles, the 24-year-old Dubliner was not only fourth-choice No 7 for Ireland but probably Leinster – Sean O’Brien, Josh van der Flier and Jordi Murphy were all ahead of him. But offer a professional rugby player the option of shining before or after Christmas and he’ll always grab the latter. And Leavy has grabbed himself a sackful of shiny objects in…

Age 25 (29 Apr 1993) Born Church Village Club Cardiff Blues Position Flanker Height 6ft 1in Weight 15st 10lb Wales caps Eight Twitter @EllisJenkins_ AN UNMISTAKABLE smile crossed Warren Gatland’s face as he was interviewed on the pitch in Santa Fe. His fresh-faced Wales side had just completed a first 3-0 summer-tour clean sweep since 1997 and already the coach’s mind was whirring as thoughts turned to selection issues ahead. Can an experiment work too well? The pairing of two opensides, Ellis Jenkins and James Davies, against the Pumas produced a stream of turnover ball and Welsh penalties and left Shane Williams, in the TV studio, gushing about the “four or five world-class sevens” now available to Wales. Even New Zealand would be bowled over to have snafflers of the…

LIFT TOUCH-DROP OFF Use this great conditioning game as part of your weekend session. Break up training with rugby-specific skills work General 15 v 15 players, full pitch If you have more numbers at training, split the teams up and play two matches across the field If you have fewer numbers, reduce pitch dimensions Play for at least three minutes continuously. This is the average duration of the longest period of play in rugby – ie, the worst-case scenario. Rest for one minute. Play four games of this, with a minute’s rest between each game. Or to really challenge people, include some wrestling drills in-between each game for two to three minutes Defence Two-man touch – both ‘tacklers’ retreat quickly to their own 22m line before getting back into the…

THINK YOU know pressure? Put yourself in the shoes of USA Sevens. This month’s Sevens World Cup will be the first global rugby tournament to be staged in the States and the first rugby event to be played in a baseball stadium. NBC have bought the TV rights and, July falling outside the NFL and NBA seasons, there should be a huge American audience tuning in to watch their nation ‘kick some butt’. Bigged up as ‘The Pioneers’ in an HSBC Sport documentary, the USA team will have no second chances because a new format means one defeat and you’re out. This is pressure upon pressure because already sevens is a game decided by the thinnest of margins. We saw that in Paris at the end of the World Series:…

IF YOUR body is a temple, this time of year is when you sweat blood trying to build an extension. Pre-season is a painful necessity in rugby. Whether you’re an elite star or a garden centre-dodger going for one last season down the leagues, you know these months can be gruelling. But it’s worth it – no beauty or brutality can win through if you aren’t fit. Which is why this issue has focused on the nuts and bolts of pre-season. We have weights programmes, diet plans and sleep advice. We even let you in on the monstrous Maro Itoje’s regime. However, for the vast catalogue of physical demands put on rugby players, we cannot ignore the issue of mental health. As our latest investigation into the havoc wrought by…

8 Kenya Janet Okello and Sinaida Aura scored try doubles while Linet Moraa also crossed as Kenya beat Uganda 29-7 to win the Africa Women’s Sevens, which was held in Botswana. 9 Australia Next year’s Sydney Sevens, on 1-3 February, will be played at an AFL ground – Spotless Stadium (above) in the Olympic Park. The usual sevens venue, Allianz Stadium, is being rebuilt. 10 Uruguay Montevideo played host to the Nations Cup, which involved Uruguay (above), Argentina XV, Fiji Warriors and Emerging Italy. The hosts secured back-to-back titles with a 26-20 win over Argentina in the decisive tie.…

1 DEVANTE ONOJAIFE Age 20 (15 April 1998) Born Colchester Club Northampton Country Scotland Position Back-row How long have you played rugby? I was born in Essex but moved to Dubai when I was nine because of my dad’s job – he’s a chemical engineer – and I started playing when I was 12 as it was on the school curriculum. Before then I’d mainly played football. How did you find it? I didn’t know any rules and the first time I got the ball I ran the wrong way! I must have enjoyed it, though, as I kept doing it. When I was younger I was big for my age and was asked to tone it down in football. In rugby, I didn’t need to do that. How did…

“If there’s to be more progress I think Georgia need a franchise or team where we’re all together all year. I’ve seen in Japan how quickly the boys develop because they’re all together. If you look at what Japan and Argentina are doing, we need something like that if we’re to make the next step.” “I studied international law and passed my exams in that. But I was always concentrating on rugby so don’t test me!” “Dream dinner party… friends, family, team-mates – and maybe the Georgia squad who played in 1999 and the early 2000s. They are heroes. They had nothing then and did a really good job.” “It’s easy to stay in one place, but it’s been more interesting for me moving to different countries (he’s played for…

Age 35 Position Fly-half Teams Cardiff Blues, Sale Sharks & Dragons “I STOPPED playing because of injury in 2016. Everyone said if you want to be successful, do something you love. For me, that had always been baking. “For ten or 12 years, I’d practised new breads, learnt skills and done courses. I knew One Mile Bakery in Cardiff, so got in touch with the owner, Liz Mahoney, to pick her brains. She wanted to expand, so I ended up taking over the branch. “I run baking classes, such as French, Italian, sourdough or breads of the world. And I also deliver bread, soup and jam to subscribers living within a mile radius of my kitchen in Rhiwbina. “There’s a big movement for real and slow bread. Most supermarket bread…

The issues of decision-making and discipline are inexorably linked ENGLAND RESULTS 9 June: South Africa 42-39 England 16 June: South Africa 23-12 England 23 June: South Africa 10-25 England OVERVIEW It was – in the main – a disappointing tour for England in South Africa, writes former Lions fly-half Stuart Barnes. As an exercise in planning towards next year’s World Cup in Japan, it was a diversion. Whereas other countries used their various tours this June to try new players and formats, England were burdened with a losing run which Eddie Jones was determined to end. They managed that with a 25-10 win in Cape Town in the third Test, but players like Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson and Saracens centre Alex Lozowski, who needed some game time, were pretty much…

THE UK is one of the most sleep-deprived nations in the world, with 70% of us getting less shuteye than we need according to the British Sleep Council. Matt Lovell, who has worked with sports clubs like Saracens, Leicester, Spurs and Man City, answers the key questions… Why is a good night’s sleep important? It’s essential to the recovery process. Lack of sleep has so many effects: it increases your stress hormones, blood glucose, it makes you hungrier – it’s a nightmare! It’s not good for a long life; it increases the likelihood of dementia. Is sleep a bigger problem for pro athletes? It plays a critical role in recovery, and athletes are all about recovery, so it’s more of an issue for them to get right. And it’s hard.…

5th Alun Wyn Jones’s testimonial season concludes with a dinner at Swansea University’s Great Hall. The Ospreys, Wales and Lions lock has been supporting three charities – the DofE Award, Golau Cancer Foundation and Forget-Me-Not Dementia Day Clubs. Details at awjtestimonial.com 8th  A year on from the third Test of the historic drawn series between New Zealand and the Lions, get a unique look at what went on behind the scenes with the new All Or Nothing documentary series. The six-part series, which is available now on Amazon Prime, takes you inside the All Blacks camp and features interviews with coaches, players and support staff. 18th Japan 2019 are looking to recruit 10,000 people for their Team No-Side volunteer programme. If you’ll be aged 18 or older by 31 March…

Last person you phoned I FaceTimed my mum last night Most important person in phone Probably my family – Mum, Dad, brothers Last person you texted My best mate from home, Leon Last photo you took Yesterday I went for a dog walk with Frank and took some photos Favourite social network Instagram, by miles Music app Spotify News app Sky Sports – that’s about it Last app downloaded The Alexa one because I’ve got an Alexa now Last song played This morning I listened to Chris Brown, Freaky Friday Favourite WhatsApp group My family one as my brothers put random stuff on…

BEN FODEN, the ex-England full-back, and his wife Una have launched DW Fitness First’s new School Run campaign. The aim is to get more parents exercising with their children. That could mean actually running the route to school, whether that’s every day or once/twice a week, or using a workout plan that should fit around the daily routine and keep young children engaged. See dwfitnessfirst.com/campaigns/schoolrun for more info. Foden, who has two children – Aoife and Tadhg – with Una, said: “Even as a rugby player, you notice how hard it is to maintain an exercise regime when you become a parent. “It must be incredibly difficult when exercise is not part and parcel of your job. Una and I find it challenging to exercise as a family, but we…

LUKE EDWARDS SPORTS SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT SIS PITCHES  As a World Rugby Preferred Turf Producer, SIS Pitches have worked with clubs and teams across all levels, including Saracens and Newcastle. There are many benefits of installing an artificial pitch. The surface will perform consistently throughout the entire season; traction, shock absorption and head impact criterion will be the same all year, whatever the weather. The increased playing hours mean teams are able to maximise the use of their facility, both for training and in matches. The level of specialist maintenance is nowhere near the same as required for maintaining perfect natural grass. We don’t believe artificial pitches cause a higher rate of injury. A 2016-17 study by the RFU, Premiership Rugby and RPA noted that when combining data from…

It has to be Jonny May (right). Three tries in three Tests, scored in a variety of ways, are testimony to his finishing skills. He has been scoring tries for years but that hasn’t stopped him having something of a reputation as an eccentric player. Not on this tour. Not only did he score three tries but he also gave the final pass for another three. His timing of pass was good, his running lines from the blind side quite brilliant. If the Leicester winger swapped the white of England for the black of New Zealand he would not look out of place. As a scorer, creator, chaser and defender, he was absolutely top notch in South Africa. World-class, dare I say.…

He may not have caught the eye in the manner that Josh Adams did with his superb solo score in Santa Fe but Cory Hill (right) looks to have cemented himself as Alun Wyn Jones’s second-row partner for Japan 2019. The 26-year-old Dragons lock, who now has 18 caps after making three Test starts on this tour and who captained Wales in two of the games, showed decent leadership skills, defended resolutely and was a key component in an effective lineout that has malfunctioned so often in the past. Hill is fast becoming one of the senior figures in this Wales team.…

The biggest impact on power for beginners will be adding strength. That takes time. If you’re really a beginner, you wouldn’t change much for the first few months. At the start of the week, focus on lower body… Squats Two sets of eight reps. Deadlifts Two sets of ten reps. Step-ups Two x 12 (six each leg). Hamstring curl Two sets of five. The second day focuses on the upper body and uses supersets – one set of an exercise followed immediately by another exercise… Bench press + lat pull-down Two sets of eight reps for both exercises. Dumb-bell row + pec fly Two sets of eight reps for both exercises. Shoulder press Two sets of ten reps. Roll-outs Two sets of six reps. Day three is full body but…

HOW CAN you tell if you’re not getting enough sleep? Try this simple test. Lie on your bed in the afternoon and hold a metal spoon over a metal tray to the side of the bed. Check your watch and close your eyes. When you fall asleep, the spoon will fall and clatter as it hits the tray, waking you up. • If it takes 15min or more to fall asleep, you’re fine • 10-15min – you have a mild degree of sleep debt • 5-10min – you’re sleep deprived • 5min or less – you have severe sleep deprivation…

The RFU have launched a Fit for Rugby training programme, which is designed to help amateur players improve their fitness. Here Maro Itoje explains why he does the following exercises in his strength and explosive power workout. You’ll also find other workout videos, such as Elliot Daly on speed and acceleration, and a training guide (sets, reps, weights) suitable for your level online at englandrugby.com/fitforrugby DEADLIFT “This works your back, glutes and legs. For me, it helps with the scrum, tackling and making turnovers.” BENCH PRESS “For building upper-body strength. It works chest, shoulders and back. It’s a great way to build strength for close grappling in mauls and contact defence.” BARBELL SQUAT JUMP “This seriously works your quads, hamstrings and lower back. It’s great training for the lineout, change…

THE SPRINGBOKS have definitively started the climb back up the rankings after some seasons when, by their standards, they have been pathetic. And the massive priority is for Rassie Erasmus to continue the progress. You may support a rival nation in rugby, but the world game needs South Africa to be themselves and the good feeling of the first Test against England at Ellis Park last month was fabulous. Siya Kolisi became the first black player to lead the Boks while the team looked like and played like a genuine, meritocratic, multiracial team (the media conferences involved four languages). The series was secured a week later and it’s a thrilling prospect that if South Africa continue to improve under Erasmus and Kolisi, they could easily be good enough to challenge…

“ THIS GUY from a small village on the Islands came to France. He joined a big club in the Top 14. He didn’t last a season. He then went from club to club – he could because he had the skills. He was a freak; he could turn nothing into something. But none of the clubs recognised they had to help him. “Alcohol was his medicine. He drank to get comfortable so he could speak to people. It was so sad because there was no one around him to see that. “Finally, someone took him in. But after six months, he moved out of that family home and into a club flat. He went down the same road. He was asked to go to rehab. “The club helped and…

1 Disguise your movements Getting your ten to practise shaping to kick then pass is fun. The player must learn to disguise their movements quickly, looking like they’re about to kick but being in a good enough body position to transfer the skill. Practise off both sides and introduce more attackers and defenders. Coach the defensive wing to vary their decisions (ie, hold back or push up) so the ten can practise visionary aspects as well as technical. The ten can’t get too flat to the defensive line or they’ll be too static to be effective. 2 Running square No-look passes aren’t easy but the key is to coach the running angles of the carrier (Cipriani). Get players to run flat lines, with hips and shoulders square to the defensive…

It’s all about getting a mix of macronutrients Q You need to recover from all of the beastings and hypertrophy and eventually restarting contact on hard grounds. Will I have to sleep in an ice bath? A Absolutely you can jump in that ice bath, but inflammation is necessary for muscle repair and growth. You’ll have to experience it at some point. Why not try a simple pool session to get movement back into weary limbs? Do a couple of lengths at a speed you’re comfortable with, before stretching, swinging and shaking your legs in the water. Then alternate between swimming a length and stretching a targeted muscle, like quads or calves. Take a cold shower when you’re done. We’re being serious. 1 MOVE WE RECKON that you’re pretty well…

“Before making a break around the edges, you want a positive ruck from your team; a good carry and clearout, so you’ve got fast ball. If the opposition are not set in defence, it’s a chance to get on the front foot when they’re not ready.” “Vision is a big part of scrum-half play. It’s about seeing who you’re up against. If it’s the tight five, the larger guys, in or around a ruck, you should beat them for speed. Shoulders turned out is another good read. If a player thinks you’ll be passing to ten or a forward, it’s a chance to get outside their soft shoulder and accelerate through the gap as they won’t have time to get you.” “You need a burst of acceleration to get through…

Farrell not the man It appears that England have had the spark coached out of them. As for Owen Farrell as a captain, when the referee effectively tells you to shut up – “Thanks for your support but I can manage” – you’ve lost it and to keep yelling about stuff after that showed, in my opinion, he’s not the man for the job. Ian Milligan, via Facebook Lions honoured The discussion over the future of the Lions came under the microscope at Kelso RFC and brought a resounding note of support for the tours. The club celebrated its five Lions – Ken Smith (1959), Roger Baird (1983), John Jeffrey (1986 and 1989), Alan Tait (1997) and Ross Ford (2009) – in an event that afforded club stalwarts the opportunity…

Rugby union will never be global until large nations stop stealing smaller nations’ children. In football you play for your country and FIFA demand that your club releases you to play. Drogba, Schmeichel, Aguero… the list (of footballers who have played in England) is endless and the England team would have been victorious – but not English. It’s simple: 1. Let Islanders, South Africans etc play for their country. 2. Make clubs release them for Tests. 3. Share international gate receipts fairly. People come to Twickenham to watch Fiji, so share the spoils, help Fiji grow and help the pot grow rather than take a bigger chunk of a smaller pot. Greed and short-termism prevent rugby from going global. Rugby could laugh at FIFA’s corruption on some levels, but could…