SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY TALISMAN FABIAN JURIES TO ATTEND THE INDEPENDENCE RUGBY 7’S IN LAGOS

Ex-Springbok 7’s talisman ‘’Fabian Juries’ will arrive Lagos on the 30st October 2014 for the Independence 7’s in Lagos in a bid to promote the game of rugby in Nigeria, the Ex-Springbok speed star is IRB Sevens highest try scorer in South Africa and 13th in the world.

He is expected to help with officiating in the tournament and prepare the Nigerian national team the ‘Black Stallions’ for the African Sevens Championship in Zimbabwe in November 2014.

Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu CEO CMB Building who also doubles as also the chairman of Friends of rugby, a major supporter and sponsor of independence rugby sevens from its inception in 2009 Said: “We are glad that one of the top rugby sevens player in the world will be in Nigeria to support the development of the sport and the tournament, his presence will also help motivate the home based players, he further reported that preparations is ongoing to ensure we have a great tournament, and also to ensure we further harness the opportunities embedded therein”.

Fabian Juries, photo sport24.co.za

Nigeria has a population of over 150 million; we are also naturally built for Rugby. If properly harnessed, Rugby can become our number one sport in the country”. The real estate veteran who is an ex rugby player further stressed that the game of rugby is the greatest team sport ever, it teaches discipline, respect and he expects the game to spread fast into all schools in the country.

This year’s Independence 7’s will be held at the Onikan Stadium, Onikan, Lagos on the 31st of October and 1st of November 2014.

Four up for IRB Women’s Sevens Player of Year

The shortlist of four nominees has been announced for the second IRB Award of 2014, the prestigious IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year.

Australia’s Emilee Cherry and Charlotte Caslick have been shortlisted for the award alongside New Zealand duo Sarah Goss and Kayla McAlister, the winner in 2013.

The four players have each helped their respective sides win two of the four rounds in the 2013/14 Series, and were voted onto the shortlist by the management staff of the teams competing against them.

The winner will be announced on Saturday at the conclusion of the Amsterdam Sevens, the final round of the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series 2013/14.

The shortlist of four nominees has been announced for the second IRB Award of 2014, the prestigious IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year.

Australia’s Emilee Cherry and Charlotte Caslick have been shortlisted for the award alongside New Zealand duo Sarah Goss and Kayla McAlister, the winner in 2013.

The four players have each helped their respective sides win two of the four rounds in the 2013/14 Series, and were voted onto the shortlist by the management staff of the teams competing against them.

The winner will be announced on Saturday at the conclusion of the Amsterdam Sevens, the final round of the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series 2013/14.

IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year 2014 nominees

Charlotte Caslick (Australia) – The youngest of the four nominees having only turned 19 in March 2014, Caslick is one of the brightest young stars in women’s rugby. She made her debut in Amsterdam last year and has scored 10 tries in her first full season.

Emilee Cherry (Australia) – A former touch rugby champion and a natural reader of the game, Cherry is known for her blistering speed and evasive running. The 21-year-old has been at the forefront of Australia’s success this season and is the leading try and point scorer with 24 tries and 138 points.

Sarah Goss (New Zealand) – A hard worker and uncompromisingly tough tackler, Goss gives her team the go-forward and solid base from which to build their many attacks. Compared to All Blacks Sevens captain DJ Forbes for her work ethic and value to the team.

Kayla McAlister (New Zealand) – The recipient of the first IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year Award in 2013 after only a year in the sport, McAlister has scored 20 more tries this season. A former netballer inspired to try Sevens by the lure of the Olympics, her quick feet and vision have split many a defence and led to tries for the world champions.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Women’s Rugby Sevens continues to win new admirers all over the world as the quality of the individual athletes and the team performances improve with every season. In this year’s IRB Women’s Sevens World Series we have seen some outstanding matches and these four players in particular have demonstrated what it takes to excel at the top level.

“We are now just two years away from Sevens’ Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro and the teams continue to raise the bar in performance. To be nominated by the teams for this award is a special achievement in itself so I congratulate all four players.”

This will be the second IRB Award to be presented in 2014 after Fiji’s Samisoni Viriviri was named the IRB Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC in London on Sunday.

IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year
2013 – Kayla McAlister (New Zealand)

Source: http://www.irb.com