Countdown to 2011 Rugby World Cup
With just a few months to go until the RWC kicks off, we take a look at happenings from a few countries taking part in this year's event.
With just a few months to go until the 2011 Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand, we take a look at happenings from a few countries taking part in this year's event.
Pool A: New Zealand, France, Tonga, Canada, Japan
Japan will host the sixth IRB Pacific Nations Cup in 2011 between July 2-13, where the home side and Tonga will seek a competitive edge ahead of their Pool A clash in RWC 2011. The tournament also provides another valuable step in Japan's preparations to host an outstanding RWC 2019, following the exceptional 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in the same city.
With half of the PNC matches last year being decided by less than three points it promises to be an intriguing guide to RWC 2011 form.
Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland, Georgia, Romania
Romania captain Sorin Socol admitted his side face a hard time in Pool B after becoming the 20th and final qualifier for Rugby World Cup 2011 after overcoming Uruguay 39-12.
“Every time you go to the World Cup, for a team like Romania who come from the second division of rugby in the world, honestly it is hard but we will try to do the best we can,” he said.
Romania coach Romeo Gontineac echoed his skipper's thoughts on the year ahead.
“It is a hard job,” he said.
“But we will try to construct a very competitive team for the World Cup. Hopefully we will have 50 players until the summer to make a very good squad for the World Cup.”
Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy, Russia, USA
Russia returned home from a two-week tour in New Zealand unbeaten following wins over a Taranaki Invitational XV and South Canterbury.
The tour, though, was about more than just victories with director of rugby Steve Diamond and backs coach Henry Paul focused on improving fitness ahead of Russia's Rugby World Cup debut.
Russia will return to New Zealand having proved popular tourists with the tournament hosts after holding a number of open sessions.
Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Samoa, Namibia
While Fiji's World Cup participation is in the balance, Samoa are at least heading in the right direction.
Progress off the field in Samoa has mirrored recent results on it. The construction of the Samoa Rugby Union's (SRU) High Performance Facility started at Faleata with a special ground-breaking ceremony.
The state-of-the-art facility will feature a High Performance gym, recovery and rehabilitation centre, four new training pitches, accommodation for up to 90 athletes and a dedicated administration centre for SRU staff. Construction is expected to be completed well ahead of Samoa's RWC 2011 preparation camp in August.
The project is underwritten by IRB funding through strategic investments aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the global Game. The IRB has contributed over $2 million to the project, which has been made possible through the donation of 36 hectares of land by the Samoan Government.