Rugby News from unexpected places

We often come across interesting rugby stories from non-traditional rugby countries. They usually don't warrant a thread of their own. This thread can act as a repository for those articles.

First up, an article about Rugby in Columbia Colombia helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/34651834-5e41-11e2-a771-00144feab49a.html#axzz2JGKIaCgx

That is why I like that IRB Total Rugby show you get on fox sports. Every week they have a story about a rugby minnow.

A top show that concentrates on the story, not the presenters' personalities. Much more professional than the Rugby Club.

I recall they had a youth tour here last year. I remember seeing a group of teenagers in their Columbia track tops walking around Darling Harbour carrying Wallabies and Tahs gear with Gilberts in their hands.

An article on the modest growth of rugby in Libya. It was banned by Gaddafi until 2009 when 7s became an Olympic sport.

http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/02/01/libyan-rugby-hits-its-stride/

Listen to the audio file from Radio Australia (~5mins). Nothing earth shattering but interesting.

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/in...y-union-helping-to-unify-bougainville/1094834

Nigel Melville of Rugby Operations for USA Rugby discusses the challenges of growing the sport in America on the Fox News Channel (USA)

2million kids in the US play rugby


http://video.foxnews.com/v/2193530708001/a-rugby-craze-sweeps-the-us-/?playlist_id=930909752001

Any players with recent Greek heritage, this may interest you:

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Greek-national-rugby-team-calling-for-overseas-players

You may recall that last year we stopped the ABs equalling Lithuanias record of 18 consecutive wins. This record is a favourite in rugby trivia. It looks as if Cyprus may equal the record if they knock off Bulagria this weekend.

http://au.eurosport.com/rugby/cypru...ak-after-meteoric-rise_sto3666325/story.shtml

Great achievement if they do but it doesn't look like the Cypriots are enamoured by rugby just yet!

I think I'm gonna get the DVD - this is from Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu's Facebook page:

Interesting article on Canada's preparations for there upcoming test schedule. Highlights how easy Tier 1 nations who have profressional comps and player depth have it in comparison to the tier two nations.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story...er-schedule-with-world-cup-qualifier-looming/

Those Prices!!!

looking forward to being in the gentle south for that game.
work trip scheduled for that time and it conveniently includes a stop in charleston!

http://www.khou.com/great-day/videos/gdh_6-3-13_seg5-209941791.html

Over 8,000 people in Chile watched the U20 Chilean side take on U/20 Italian side at the Junior Rugby World Trophy. Italy won 50-6.



http://www.irb.com/jwrt/news/newsid=2067073.html#italy into final after magnificent seven

A nice piece in the Wall Street Journal about a 42yr CEO in San Antonio.
"Mr. Salter says he believes rugby offers the strongest team camaraderie of any sport. After every game it is tradition for the host team to arrange a dinner for the visiting team. "I've run track and played basketball, but if you play rugby, you really form a bond with your team that is hard to explain," he says."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...0411954584.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_5

The name of the country is Colombia, chaps. Not Columbia. That's a University.

Canada defeated Fiji for the first time since 1995 in Ottawa on wednesday night, 20-18.

Canada now leads the Pacific Nations Cup and faces Tonga in Kingston, Ontario on Saturday.

Canada is giving a lot of players a run which is great to see.

A week after Tonga is Ireland at BMO Stadium in Toronto. They are hoping for 20,000 to attend.

After that, they face Japan in Japan and then a break until the USA in August (one game in Toronto and one in Charleston).

Lastly - they face NZ Maori in November in Toronto.

Toronto getting a lot of love at the moment due to scheduling conflicts in Vancouver with other stadiums and the IRB not approving the artificial turf at B.C Place - i think they wanted to host the NZ Maori game there.