Rugby
RECAP OF 2019 RUGBY SEASON
BY NTIENSE WILLIAMS
The 2019 Rugby Season was the Rugby World Cup year. For the first time it was held in Asia, Japan to be precise. It certainly lived up to its billing not withstanding the disruption of the game schedule due to the typhoons natural disaster.
In what proved an entertaining yet frantic year for the oval-ball game, New Zealand’s reign at the top of the sport finally came to an end in one of the most extraordinary ways possible – there semi-final defeat against England ending eight years of global domination.
That not withstanding, the 2019 Rugby World Cup was a resounding success that saw a new Champion in South Africa equalling the winning streak of 3 wins by New Zealand “All Blacks”
Another history was made as The Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi is the first and only black Rugby Player to captain a World Cup winning team in the history of the William Webb Ellis Trophy!
South Africa defeated England by 32 points to 12 points in an epic finals. South Africa’s Rugby World Cup triumph in 2019 thus eclipses the side’s success in 1995, according to former Springbok captain Francois Pienaar.
World Rugby has announced record-breaking digital content viewing figures for Rugby World Cup 2019, confirming the tournament as one of the most watched and engaged sports events of the decade.
#RWC2019 video content generates more than 2.1 billion views
Fifty four per cent of all video views accessed via World Rugby channels RWC Daily show watched nearly 11 million times
The Blossoms the Japanese Rugby National Team were a sight to behold and the best host so far in World Rugby history.
In Africa Rugby, Kenya secure the 2020 Tokyo Olympics African slot during the Africa Men’s Sevens tournament which was sponsored by Société Général and hosted in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. The Rugby Africa qualifiers had 14 teams who were in action in the two day event including Nigeria who came eighth position.
The Black Stallion also lost out of the Africa Rugby Cup qualifier when they were defeated by Madagascar 63 points to 3 points, as such lost out on the premier 15’s Africa Rugby Championship for the 2020 Africa Rugby Season.
Before now, Nigeria also lost out to Ivory Coast in the West Africa Rugby Series held in Ghana.
Ivory Coast was therefore crowned the 2019 WARS Champions haven’t previously defeated host Ghana in the first match of the Championship. Nigeria however defeated Ghana in the second match of the tournament to win an unofficial Ghana Vs Nigeria President’s Cup which return leg is still expected.
The National Rugby Union League program is yet to be concluded as we still await a 2019 Champion to emerge, even without a South South & South East League which did not hold last year.
Also the Rugby Federation Secretary General Mr Victor Anosa and Technical Director Mr Ntiense Williams were unceremoniously removed by the President Mr Kelechi Mbagwu with appeals pending at the supervising Ministry of Youth & Sports.
However, it wasn’t all loss or gloomy as two Black Stallion Captains Azeez Ladipo and Ona Jatto got married.
That not withstanding though, there were a couple of things that brought some delight and smiles on the faces of most Rugby lovers.
One of which was the fact that Rugby was featured as a medal winning event at the 2019 National Youth Games in Ilorin Kwara State with Edo Girls and Kano Boys winning the two Gold Medals in the Sevens event. Thanks to host Coach Angulu Sulymon and “Mr Rugby” who organised the most successful event.
Also, Rugby returned to the 20th National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020 after 10 years of absence as one of the five optional sports courtesy of the host Edo State and the sagacity of “Mr Rugby” Ntiense Williams who is an employee and Head Coach of the Edo State Rugby Association and the Sports Commission.
Akwa Ibom State formally inaugurated the Akwa Ibom State Rugby Association alongside 30 other sporting association to kick start genuine Rugby programs in the State.
Ehibam Griefshare Foundation held the first Championship at Idia College in Benin City after its launch last year, while Eco 2 School’s Rugby Tournament was held in Ajegunle Lagos.
Rugby players and enthusiast once again enjoyed fun and Rugby at the Sandy Beech Rugby Tournament at Takwabay Beech in Lagos to round up the 2019 domestic Rugby Season.
Rugby
Rugby player of Nigerian roots, Itoje, becomes first black to captain British and Irish Lions in 137 years
Maro Itoje, who was born to Nigerian parents in Camden, North London, has been named the captain of the British and Irish Lions that will be on tour in Australia.
He remarked that he was “deeply honoured and humbled” after being appointed captain of the British and Irish Lions.
The 30-year-old Saracens lock becomes the 47th Lions captain since 1888, the first Black player to captain the side, and only the third Englishman in the last 89 years to be appointed tour leader.
“I will do my best to do the role justice. I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead, it’s going to be a great tour,” he said
“I know the appetite amongst the players is extremely high, everyone is hungry to be a Lion, and I can’t wait to play my role.”
One of the few sure test starters, Itoje will be embarking on his third Lions tour after being selected as the youngest player in New Zealand in 2017 and playing a standout role in South Africa in 2021.
Appointed England captain in place of Jamie George in January, Itoje led his country to second place in this year’s Six Nations Championship with four wins in a row.
The first Englishman to lead the Lions since Martin Johnson 24 years ago, also in Australia, and only the second in the professional era, the London-born son of Nigerian parents was the obvious choice after Ireland captain Caelan Doris suffered a shoulder injury.
Doris was not named in the 38-man squad and is expected to require surgery.
Itoje said he received an unidentified call on his mobile from an Irish number after club training on Tuesday, a bit of a giveaway since Lions head coach Andy Farrell is also the coach of Ireland.
Even though the line was crackling, and he did not have Farrell’s number saved, he recognised the coach’s Wigan accent. Then the line went dead.
“I put the phone down, and then it’s gone, isn’t it? He knows something’s brewing,” laughed Farrell. “So, I rang him back and I went ‘Oh, by the way, would you like to be British and Irish Lions captain?’.
Itoje had dinner in London on Wednesday with some of the past captains, and he said their passion and appreciation shone through.
“It was amazing. It’s a brotherhood, it’s a unique club, and to spend time with them, for them to show the love and care and appreciation that they still have for the Lions. It was absolutely amazing to be a part of that.
“It’s our responsibility now to take it forward and to make sure the Lions continues to be in an elevated position.”
Itoje showed he was captain material from an early age, leading the England Under-20s to Junior World Cup triumph in 2014, even though he became Saracens captain only this season and former coach Eddie Jones had declared him too “inward looking”.
Itoje disagreed with that assessment and has gone on to prove it wrong, while Jones was shown the exit in 2022.
“He has thrived on the England captaincy. He played really well in the Six Nations, but he has played even better for us since then,” Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall told the Guardian this week.
“Maro has absolutely thrived on all of that leadership,” he added. “Maro is very much a leader by what he does and how consistent he is.”
The Lions have a game against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. They will have five tour games before the first test in Brisbane on July 19. The second and third tests are on July 26 and August 2.
-Reuters
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Rugby players are celebrating the return of the sport to the National Sports Festival and will thus be one of the disciplines at the Edo State Sports Festival which is coming up from 22nd to 30th of April 2025 at Benin City.
Rugby is one of the 29 sports approved by the organizing committee of the 4th edition of the Edo State Sports Festival.
The disciplines are: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Cycling, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Para Athletics, Taekwondo, Tennis, Abula, Ayo, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Deaf Athletics, Karate, Scrabble, Swimming, Dart, Kung-fu, Kickboxing, Table Tennis, Judo, Football and Rugby.
Rugby was previously excluded but the position has changed to encourage Rugby which is very popular in Edo State.
At the National Sports Festival of 2022 in Edo State, rugby was a scoring event. That was 10 years since its absence after featuring last at the Kada Games in 2009 in Kaduna State.
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Ahead of the kickoff of the Africa Rugby Sevens tournament in Mauritius, the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) (www.NigeriaRugby.org) has taken a significant step in repositioning rugby in the country by signing a three-year partnership deal with Flovale Consulting.
The partnership will enable Flovale Consulting to create a dedicated channel and focus efforts on making rugby one of the most popular sports in Nigeria, while also promoting the development of both body and mind. This collaboration aims to lay a strong foundation for the future growth of Nigerian rugby.
“We are passionate about developing rugby as a government agency responsible for the promotion and development of the game in Nigeria,” said NRFF President Dr. Ademola Are. “This partnership will advance rugby in Nigeria through a unified plan that benefits all levels of the game, from community and professional rugby clubs to unions, regions, commercial partners, and fans. Everyone has a role to play.”
The partnership focuses on growing rugby participation, increasing fan engagement, and supporting players at all stages of their careers.
It reflects the NRFF’s ambitions for development and growth, addressing societal issues and values.
The collaboration will create development programs and age-appropriate training structures, ensuring junior players can develop their skills and passion for rugby in a fun and safe environment.
Volunteers and players will be actively supported to fully enjoy their time in the sport.
“We aim to help players reach their full potential and remain involved in rugby into adulthood, whether playing for unions or clubs. Delivering this strategy with our clubs, schools, partner organizations, and commercial partners will ensure that rugby in Nigeria continues to thrive,” said Opeoluwa Runsewe, CEO of Flovale.
Runsewe added, “As a corporate partner, Flovale Consulting is committed to driving growth and success both locally and globally. With careful planning and innovative strategies, this partnership is set to elevate rugby, foster financial stability, and achieve significant milestones.”
“We are excited about this partnership with Flovale. Collaborations such as this will foster the development of rugby in Nigeria,” concluded Dr. Ademola Are, NRFF President.
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