Rugby

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.

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.

Fiji helps Hong Kong sevens prepare

Hong Kong is in Fiji to prepare to participate at the weekend's Coral Coast Sevens in Sigatoka as one of two fully fledged international sides, the other being Germany.

Their former coach Gareth Baber, who has only recently arrived in the country himself to take the reins of the champion Fijians, was able to organise the session that will feature his extended squad that is preparing for the upcoming Wellington and Sydney legs of the World Sevens Series.

Interim-Hong Kong coach Jevon Groves said they will benefit from playing against one of the best teams in the world.

Tonga’s Hosting Wales in June is Still Uncertain

Wales Rugby Union CEO Martyn Phillipes confirms with Planet Rugby saying Tonga’s Teufaiva Park is nowhere near what you would need to host a game, although Tonga is committing to get to that. 

Meanwhile the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Siaosi Sovaleni told Radio and Television Tonga’s Sports News they’ve tendered the construction but the few companies who have submitted their bids, lack the professionalism to carry out the work.

He says, they are giving bidding parties a chance this week to complete the requirements.

Big pay rise for New Zealand rugby players

New Zealand Rugby and the Players Association have agreed a new three-year deal, which will see the total pool for player payments rise from $121 million to $176 million.

The money will be spread out from All Black level, all the way down to provincial and development level as well as sevens.

The maximum Super Rugby retainers will increase $5000 to $195,000, while the minimum retainers will also increase $5000 to $75,000.

Provincial Rugby's maximum retainer will remain $55,000 while the minimum retainer has increased significantly, up $18,000 to $21,000.

Former Tongan player hopeful of hosting Wales

Manu Vunipola, who now works for the Ministry of Sport as a development officer, said he helped host a Welsh delegation which visited the kingdom this month.

Wales is scheduled to play Tonga next year but the venue of the match is dependent on the dilapidated Teufaiva Stadium being renovated in time.

If not, the fixture could be moved to New Zealand.

Vunipola said he was hopeful the game would still be held in Tonga after showing the visitors around.

"We went to the hospital, we went to the hotel," he said.

All Black Sevens have to be at their best by Wellington

The All Blacks Sevens have improved to fifth in the overall standings after their third place finish in the second round in Cape Town.

The New Zealanders beat Kenya 28-7 in the quarter-finals, but lost 14-7 to South Africa in the semi-finals.

They then beat Scotland 24-19 in the play-off for third.

It’s an improved performance by the New Zealanders after they finished 8th in the opening leg in Dubai.

England beat South Africa 19-17 in the final.

Waldrom is happy with the improvement his side showed from the first round.

Blitzboks beat Rio champs to gold in Dubai

The All Black sevens were crushed 40-nil by South Africa in this morning's Cup quarter-finals before being beaten by Australia 20-12 in the fifth place playoff.

New Zealand finished equal seventh/eighth alongside France and sit in the same place in the standings with 10 points.

South Africa claimed top prize after they beat last season's series champions and Olympic gold medallists, Fiji, 26-14 in the final.