Rugby

Rugby helps heal wounds in 'Land of a Thousand Hills'

An estimated one million people were killed during a 100-day period, among them Tharcisse's father and two brothers. Aged 13, he was forced to flee his home and then the supposed safe shelter of a camp to stay alive with his mother, sisters and remaining brothers.

However, he has been able to slowly and steadily heal his emotional wounds thanks to an unlikely source of solace -- the game of rugby.

England one win away from equally ABs record

England remain on course for back-to-back Six Nations grand slams but celebrations will be muted after they produced their worst performance under Eddie Jones.

RNZ reports it is a 17th game unbeaten for England who can draw level with the All Blacks record of 18 when they take on Scotland in their next Six Nations game.

Patrick Tuipulotu may seek compensation if lab found to be at fault for positive drug test

Four days after Stuff broke news that Tuipulotu failed a test for a specified substance last November while touring with the All Blacks, results of the 24-year-old's second B sample came back negative.   

That cleared Tuipulotu, who faced a potential two-year ban, to return to training immediately with the Blues, but left several unanswered questions about the discrepancy in his two samples, which were tested nine weeks apart.

Brisbane 10s a chance for Samoa to impress

The bulk of the squad is locally based and has been preparing in Samoa since December under Director of Coaching Alama Ieremia.

Veteran Manu Samoa prop Census Johnston has flown in from France to take part in the inaugural event.

He said it was an honour for Samoa to be invited to take part and, especially for the younger players, a big opportunity to learn and show what they've got.

"Playing against guys with a lot of international experience it's going to be a huge event for them."

"We're here to try and win the tournament and make our people proud."

All Blacks bug case: Man charged over listening device

Police said the 51-year-old had been employed as a security consultant, but gave no further details.

But New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said the man had worked for the All Blacks for a long time and was "trusted and well-respected".

"Frankly, the charge seems bizarre and unbelievable," he said.

"However, as with all cases before the courts, there has to be a due process that takes place and it is not right or proper for us to make any further comment as this could jeopardise the outcome of the case," he added.

World Cup the end goal for Germany

Arguably that 50-27 win against Os Lobos at the Rudolf-Kalweit Stadium in Hannover was every bit as significant as the victories achieved over France, Italy and Romania during the inter-war years when Germany was in its pomp as a rugby-playing nation.

Not only did the emphatic victory save them from relegation into the third tier of European rugby, it also instilled a sense of self-belief in Germany’s amateur players and broke the cycle of the side promoted into Division 1A, now known as the Rugby Europe Championship, going straight back down.

Samoa 7s no quick-fix - Tietjens

The Manu lost all of their pool matches at the Wellington tournament last weekend and finished in 13th place, the same position they sit on the World Series standings.

Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who is also Chair of the Samoa Rugby Union, visited the team at their hotel on the weekend to lend his support.

Tietjens said the team appreciated the gesture.

"They realise that it's not a quick fix about getting this team up and running again and getting them up to where they'd like to be," he said.

Gordon Tietjens suggests moving Wellington Sevens to Samoa or Fiji

The Suva Sevens has a nice ring to it.

Former New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens, now in charge of the Samoan sevens team, has suggested taking the Wellington Sevens to the islands following their dire crowd numbers this past weekend.

He told 1News that a country like Samoa or Fiji would love to host a tournament on the World Rugby Sevens Series.

Just 18,000 out of a possible 70,000 are believed to have attended the annual Wellington event.

Tomasi Cama says coaching former New Zealand team mates toughest part of the job

Back in the day, DJ Forbes would clean out rucks, Tomasi Cama would unlock the defence and Tim Mikkelson would score the tries.

Sherwin Stowers was there, causing headaches for the opposition, and the youngster Scott Curry was coming through, proving a menace himself with his work up the middle.

Almost nothing has changed as New Zealand prepare for the Wellington Sevens, except that Cama is now coaching his former team mates, rather than running around on the field with them.

Strong BOP connection with Samoa and Japan sevens teams

The Japanese team wanted some physical contact in a game situation and they got plenty of that from the eager Samoan squad, who don't mind hitting hard in the tackles.

Both teams have strong Bay of Plenty links.

Samoa are coached by Sir Gordon Tietjens with Japan under former Steamers backs Damian Karauna (head coach) and Steve Miln (assistant coach).

Bay of Plenty sevens rep Danny Kayes is the latest connection with the talented ball runner called into the Samoan squad following the Bayleys National Sevens held in Rotorua last weekend.