Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

You can either view the at Scrumhalf Connection or go directly to the Ustream site here. Each match will also be archived and available at Ustream.

For full rosters and schedule of Nations Cup 2009, go here.
8/10: USA vs England Match Report
8/10: France vs South Africa Match Report
8/13: Canada vs South Africa Match Report
8/13: England vs France Match Report
8/16: Canada vs France Match Report
8/16: USA vs South Africa Match Report
8/19: England vs South Africa Match Report
8/19: Canada vs USA Match Report
8/22: USA vs France Match Report
8/22: England vs Canada Match Report

**Submit Your Letter of Encouragement to the USA Eagles!

from Rugby Canada:

It was evident in the second game of the 2009 Women’s Nations Cup between England and the USA that both teams were playing in their first match of the tournament. Soft hands by both teams led to some prime opportunities that failed to be capitalized on as both sides struggled to find their rhythm on the scenic Appleby College rugby pitch.

A fumbled throw by England’s backs caused an early breakaway run by America’s Amy Daniels who intercepted sprinting twenty metres to touch down for the first try of the match. The early 7-0 lead by the U.S. was short-lived, as England rallied back with practiced hands and a drive by lock Jo McGilchrist who went over for England’s first try of the tournament. The Americans continued to push England, keeping the first half close at 14-5.

England emerged from the half time break composed and rejuvenated scoring four tries, two of which came from 19-year-old Emily Scarratt. Entering the U20 England women’s program just two years ago, this is Scarratt’s first Senior Nations Cup tournament; her first cup as a junior came just last year. “America put up a tough fight, which we were expecting. It took us a while to get into it but we just needed to be patient and play up our end,” Scarratt said after the match. “It came to us in the end, but full credit to America.”

The close encounter ended with defending Nations Cup champions England taking a 36-7 decision. England’s Head Coach Gary Street commented on the win after the final whistle. “They relied on our mistakes in the first half and the score was quite close. The second half I think our condition and our skill set really came into play. We showed our quality in the end.”

England’s fluid passing overcame the difficult first half, but small mistakes and lost balls cost the American team their lead. U.S. Head Coach Kathy Flores said that the fumbling hands let them down. “We really concentrated on knowing that England does not get pushed defensively a lot. It wasn’t our full attack, but we’re trying to concentrate on pushing them a lot defensively and cause some mishandling errors on their part, “ said Flores. “Unfortunately, I don’t think we quite followed through.”

USA Roster
1. Jamie Burke
2. Lisa Butts
3. Stacy Baker
4. Stacey Bridges
5. Jillion Potter
6. Beckett Royce
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Blair Groefsema
9. Claudia Braymer
10. Stephanie Bruce
11. Nathalie Marchino
12. Lynelle Kugler
13. Amy Daniels
14. Vanesha McGee
15. Ashley English
16. Farrah Douglas
17. Mari Wallace
18. Sharon Blaney
19. Phaidra Knight
20. Kim Magrini
21. Hannah Stolba
22. Christy Ringgenberg

It is GREAT news to hear that Canada will be live broadcasting almost all of the Nations Cup games via their Ustream channel! You can either view the video here or go directly to the Ustream site here. Each match will also be archived and available at Ustream.

You can either view the at Scrumhalf Connection or go directly to the Ustream site here. Each match will also be archived and available at Ustream.

For full rosters and schedule of Nations Cup 2009, go here.
8/10: USA vs England Match Report
8/10: France vs South Africa Match Report
8/13: Canada vs South Africa Match Report
8/13: England vs France Match Report
8/16: Canada vs France Match Report
8/16: USA vs South Africa Match Report
8/19: England vs South Africa Match Report
8/19: Canada vs USA Match Report
8/22: USA vs France Match Report
8/22: England vs Canada Match Report

**Submit Your Letter of Encouragement to the USA Eagles!

from Rugby Canada:
South Africa nearly claimed the opening win of the 2009 Women’s Nations Cup before French substitute Manon Andre was able to draw level 17-17 with less than a minute to play.

An impressive 12 point effort by South African fly half Zandile Nojoko combined with the opening try by Marilize Jordaan seemed to be enough as France struggled to hold off some slicing runs by their southern hemisphere opponents.

“We had a real lack of possession,” French Head Coach Christian Galionnier said after the match. “We’re not especially fast and we dropped far too many balls.”

As the French struggled to find their composure a little luck fell on their side as South African substitute Phumeza Gadu was sin binned for diving in at a ruck with five minutes to play.

The player advantage made the difference according to Galionnier as his side was given some breathing room from the powerful Boks’ pack.

“It was much easier for our forwards after the yellow,” he said before adding, “The sin binning then opened the field up for our backs and we were able to score.”

South African winger Marilize Jordaan was first to open the scoring as both sides were gridlocked through much of the opening half. Nojoko kicked the conversion for the early 7-0 lead before France came driving back.

The entire blue pack mauled their way towards the try line to narrow the lead 7-5 and Aurelie Bailon converted to tie the match 7-7.

South Africa held much of the possession as time wore on and it took a thirty metre try-scoring Nojoko run followed up by her own conversion for them to retake the lead 14-7.

The French were quick to capitalize on South Africa’s mistakes and a counter-attacking run by Babrile Mutis narrowed the lead by two points as the clock wore down.

Nojoko’s penalty kick from just inside the touch line padded the South African lead with another three points as they had their first 2009 Nations Cup win in sight.

Despite dominating the set pieces for much of the match, South Africa’s fatigue set in as poor challenges at the break down were eventually penalized with the crucial sin binning of Gadu.

France had their opportunities and after several phases of grinding pick and drive tactics, Manon Andre eventually barreled through to tie the match 17-17.

South Africa Roster
1 Cebisa Kula
2 Nosipho Poswa
3 Ramona Brown
4 Namhla Siyolo
5 Dolly Mavumengwana
6 Nomatamsanqa Falenia
7 Lamla Momoti
8 Mandisa Williams
9 Saloma Booysen
10 Zandile Nojoko
11 Natasha Hofmeester
12 Yolanda Meiring
13 Lorinda Brown
14 Marilize Jordaan
15 Aimee Barrett
16 Donna Sidumbu
17 Portia Jonga
18 Wendy Khumalo
19 Nombulelo Mayongo
20 Fundiswa Plaatjie
21 Phumeza Gadu
22 Claudio Thompson

It is GREAT news to hear that Canada will be live broadcasting almost all of the Nations Cup games via their Ustream channel! This afternoon's games are France vs South Africa at 4:30 EST and USA vs England at 6:30 EST. You can either view the video here or go directly to the Ustream site here.

You can either view the video via Scrumhalf Connection or go directly to the Ustream site here. Each match will also be archived and available at Ustream.

For full rosters and schedule of Nations Cup 2009, go here.
8/10: USA vs England Match Report
8/10: France vs South Africa Match Report
8/13: Canada vs South Africa Match Report
8/13: England vs France Match Report
8/16: Canada vs France Match Report
8/16: USA vs South Africa Match Report
8/19: England vs South Africa Match Report
8/19: Canada vs USA Match Report
8/22: USA vs France Match Report
8/22: England vs Canada Match Report

**Submit Your Letter of Encouragement to the USA Eagles!

Video clips at Ustream


Other Rugby Video Mondays:
8/3/2009: Rugby Video Monday: ESPY Awards Highlights 1995 Rugby World Cup and Nelson Mandela
7/27/2009: Still no USA vs Canada Video?
7/20/2009: Bloodfest 7s Final - Satiated Beavers vs Phatties
7/13/2009: Tyra McGrady USA U20 Try against Wales
7/6/2009: USA A vs Canada A Video & Great Defense by USA Women's Nation Team Player...Mel Denham

Please keep sending me your favorite videos to scrumhalfconnection@gmail.com! Make sure to check out the YSC VimeoChannel or my Youtube channel...and you can subscribe to both if you like, but keep in mind that all new videos will be onVimeo only as they are recorded in High Definition.

BOULDER, Colo. – The USA Women’s Head Coach, Kathy Flores, officially announced her lineup for the Eagles’ first match of the Nations Cup against England on Monday, August 10, at Appleby College in Oakville, Ontario.

"The team is training well and anxious to meet England again. Despite only four training sessions, they feel prepared,” Flores said.

The U.S. Women’s Team hasn’t faced England since the last Nations Cup, played this time last year in England. That encounter saw the Eagles lose 17-14 in a very hotly contested match.

The Nations Cup is a critical tune-up event for the Eagles, who have qualified for the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup, and the annual event is a great opportunity to play four international matches and to take advantage of the extended assembly time.

The U.S. player pool for this tournament endured a late addition of Phaidra Knight after Kate Daley sustained an injury in the Saranac Lake Tournament last weekend. Luckily Knight was available and ready to come with the side to the Nations Cup.

“We are happy to have (Phaidra’s) experience and leadership with the team,” Flores added. “Along with a few changes to the Can-Am squad she will help mobilize our attack and improve our continuity which has been our weakness in the past."

The Eagles play a challenging schedule at the Nations Cup and will make full use of the 30-player squad it has brought to Canada.

"We've got four matches so we will need to hit the ground running. Having played England many times in the last two years, we both know each other well, so the challenge will be to become less predictable," Flores said.

Following the opener against England tomorrow, the U.S. will get almost a week break before playing three matches in six days. The U.S. will play South Africa on Sunday, August 16, Canada on Wednesday, August 19 and France on Saturday, August 22.

"The athletes are fired up to put it all together,” Women’s High Performance Manager Alex Williams said. “They are ready to stand up and show the world the results of the hard work they've been putting in for the last three years and to kick off the year-long road to the World Cup with some victories at the Nations Cup.”

Tickets for the Nations Cup event at Appleby College can be purchased at the gate for $5 per day - or a $25 pass for the week to watch unlimited rugby action at both Appleby College and the finals day at Fletchers Fields. Fans unable to make it to the Nations Cup can watch it live at http://budurl.com/e8j7.

Follow the U.S. Women’s National Team via twitter at http://twitter.com/USAWomenEagles, or facebook and of course the U.S. Women’s National Team tour journal page on www.usarugby.org/goto/women_eagles.


USA Roster
1. JAMIE BURKE
2. LISA BUTTS
3. STACY BAKER
4. STACEY BRIDGES
5. JILLION POTTER
6. BECKETT ROYCE
7. KRISTIN ZDANCZEWICZ
8. BLAIR GROEFSEMA
9. CLAUDIA BRAYMER
10. STEPHANIE BRUCE
11. NATHALIE MARCHINO
12. LYNELLE KUGLER
13. AMY DANIELS
14. VANESHA MCGEE
15. ASHLEY ENGLISH
16. FARRAH DOUGLAS
17. MARI WALLACE
18. SHARON BLANEY
19. PHAIDRA KNIGHT
20. KIM MAGRINI
21. HANNAH STOLBA
22. CHRISTY RINGGENBERG

YSC celebrates 1 year of Free Rugby Raffles! This month YSC will be picking not 1... not 2... but 10 lucky winners! We've gathered quite a bit of goodies including rugby tshirts from teams across the nation, hats, sweatshirts, jerseys, and of course the very popular YSC merchandise! Each winner will receive a surprise raffle item from the rugby grab bag.

from IRB.com:

The International Rugby Board Council has awarded Rugby World Cup 2015 to England and Rugby World Cup 2019 to Japan. The decision, which was approved by a vote of 16 to 10, ratifies Rugby World Cup Limited’s recommendation announced last month.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset made the announcement at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin and congratulated all four bidding Unions. “All the tenders were of a very high standard and each Union demonstrated that they could host an excellent Rugby World Cup. It is a tribute to the health of the Game and the enormous prestige of RWC that the competing bids were so strong,” said Lapasset.

Rights-Free Photographs: www.gettyimages.com/Editorial/Publicity.aspx
Audio reaction: On IRB website HERE >>
Video News release: Available, see details below

“Both Italy and South Africa submitted extensive and compelling tenders. I would like to thank them on behalf of the IRB Council for the quality of their work and their dedication to the process. The Tender Analysis Report and the RWCL Board’s recommendation were carefully studied by the Council and their assessment concluded that the selection of England and Japan would provide the best combination of host Unions to drive the ongoing development of the Game worldwide.

“We believe that the succession of England and Japan as host nations for RWC will create new opportunities and help maximise commercial revenues for re-investment in the Game. It is an exciting combination for Rugby World Cup and one which we think will enable the sport to reach developing Rugby markets and therefore contribute to the continued growth of the Game and its values worldwide,” added Lapasset.
“The commercial success of RWC is an important element in the progression of our Game and means that developing Rugby markets be considered for the tournament to both reflect and assist the Game’s strategic vision and evolution.

“We are confident that England will deliver a spectacular tournament in 2015 and that Japan, as the first Rugby World Cup host nation in Asia, will mark the beginning of a very exciting chapter in the history of this great tournament. I would like to congratulate both Unions on their selection and the IRB looks forward to working with them on what promise to be two very special Rugby World Cup tournaments,” added Lapasset.
The announcement of the RWC 2015 and RWC 2019 Host Unions is the culmination of an extensive tender process that kicked off in August 2008. It is also the first time that two tournaments have been awarded at the same time.

As the world’s third-largest sporting event, Rugby World Cup is the driving force behind the global development of Rugby worldwide. The tournament’s commercial success provides the IRB with the platform to invest up to £150 million between 2009-2012 across all 116 Member Unions in the form of annual Union grants and the Strategic Investment Programme that is designed to increase the competitiveness of the Game.

And the winner of the Red Rhino USA Rugby package is:

If you haven't seen the powerful video from the 2009 ESPY awards concerning the 1995 Rugby World Cup video, check it out below! The 2009 ESPY Awards were held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. The event hosted by Samuel L. Jackson was hyped to be one of the best ESPYS of all time as in the past year we have seen great sporting performance throughout the sporting board.

The night was reserved for two very special awards, Athlete Of The Year and The Arthur Ash Courage Awards. Former South African President Nelson Mandela was honoured with the Arthur Ash Courage award for the way in which he united a country that has been racially dived for nearly half a century through sports. Mandela used the 1995 Rugby World Cup which was held in South Africa to bring all South Africans as one, to see each other as equals and erase the past that has divided South Africa. With the inspiration and motivation Mandela gave the Springboks, the South African rugby team went on to win the Rugby Cup World and through that moment 43million South Africans were united in an act of magic, the ‘Madiba Magic’.

Other Rugby Video Mondays:
7/27/2009: Still no USA vs Canada Video?
7/20/2009: Bloodfest 7s Final - Satiated Beavers vs Phatties
7/13/2009: Tyra McGrady USA U20 Try against Wales
7/6/2009: USA A vs Canada A Video & Great Defense by USA Women's Nation Team Player...Mel Denham
6/29/2009: USA vs Canada?
6/22/2009: MARFU vs Pacific U23 NASCs Highlights
6/15/2009: West Scrum Try & a Highlight Reel of MARFU vs NRU from U23 NASCs
6/8/2009: Philadelphia Gets Dirty...

Please keep sending me your favorite videos to scrumhalfconnection@gmail.com! Make sure to check out the YSC VimeoChannel or my Youtube channel...and you can subscribe to both if you like, but keep in mind that all new videos will be onVimeo only as they are recorded in High Definition.