Aussies in UK – the return of the old fashion tour!

The Australian Women’s Rugby Union side go up against all three single Service sides plus UK Combined Services.  Navy players selected for CS men’s team and other news from across Navy Rugby.

Does anyone remember when the New Zealand Combined Forces toured in 1992?  The side was captained by a young policeman who played for Canterbury.  On that tour Steve Hansen’s side played an enjoyable brand of rugby, hard up front but with flair in the backs when required.  A bruising encounter with the Navy at Devonport was followed up with an exceptional display at the Old Military Stadium, Aldershot.  Steve subsequently went on to forge a successful coaching career – Crusaders, Wales, New Zealand.  You never know who you might be watching when touring sides come to play.

Tuesday sees the Australian Defence Force Women’s team kick off their tour at RAF Halton with a match agains the RAF(W).  This will prove interesting for the RN(W) side as they will be able to gauge the Aussies agains the opposition they narrowly beat at Burnaby Rd last April in the Inter Services.  If you wish to get an insight in to the views of at least one of the Australian Defence Force players then an article by their full international Kate Porter can be viewed here.

The RN(W) will be second up of the three Services with the prime slot at Burnaby Road on Saturday 27 October, KO 14:00.  The RN(W) will need to reproduce their best form from last season at the first time of asking so naturally as much support as possible would be appreciated and also rewarded with some good rugby.

The second week of the tour sees the Aussies travel to Aldershot on Tuesday (31 Oct) where they will seek to raise their performance and atone for the 14-0 defeat by the Army last May.  This game was by all accounts a brutal encounter with the Army Women, fresh from their Inter Services success, having to work very hard for their success in some pretty poor playing conditions.  The ARU(W) match report can be viewed here.

The final match of the Aussie tour will be played at Caerphilly’s Virgina Park on the same day, 7 November,  as the Combined Serves Seniors play Crayshaw’s XV at Sardis Road.  The match kicks off at 14:00, free entrance, and will be an excellent showcase of both Service and Women’s rugby.  It should be well worth travelling a little earlier in to Wales and take the opportunity of watching two great games of rugby for the price of one.

Six From Navy in Initial Combined Services Selection

The Royal Navy have six players in the initial selection made by the Combined Services last week.  The CS coaching team chaired by the RAF’s Tug Wilson and including both the Navy’s and the Army’s Head Coaches (Ash Coates & Axel Rees) gave the nod to the Navy’s Dave Pascoe, Marsh Cormack, Gaz Evans, Dale Sleeman, Ben Priddey and Sam Laird.

The selections are based on last season’s Inter Service championship and therefore the performances of some of the RN players in Australia have not been used.  That said few will argue with the choices, although history suggests that a number of last minute changes will be required.

Ben Priddey will relish the opportunity to get some match time having missed the Commonwealth Cup due to professional courses.  Last seen playing against the Sharks at the Newquay Sevens he will be hoping that November isn’t too wet as the heavy Sardis Rd pitch would work against his all action style.

Another who didn’t make Australia is openside Sam Laird who will be winning his second CS cap.  I am sure he will be seeking to remind the Navy contingent of his prowess over the ball and his link play especially following the performances of the backrow in Sydney.

 

 

Sam Laird had an effective CS debut last season against the Gloucester President’s XV as did Dale Sleeman who also won his first full CS cap that night.  Another who played that evening was Gaz Evans, surprisingly only the holder of two CS caps, and it will be interesting where the CS seek to play the Navy’s most versatile player.

Marsh, who will be winning his sixth CS cap, makes a welcome return to CS colours having missed out in 2011 due to operational commitments.  Finally Navy skipper will be starting his second decade of CS rugby having been first capped in the 27-26 victory over the Barbarians in 2002.  Wednesday 7th November will be Pacco’s 12 CS cap which I believe is a clear record for a Navy player.

The Combined Services will be playing a Crayshaw’s XV at Sardis Rd, Pontypridd on Wednesday 7th November 2012.

Malta’s Mason Adds to International Caps

Before the CS play, Navy Rugby’s loose head prop, Kyle Mason will hoped to have added two more caps to his International collection.  Kyle has been selected to play for Malta in their two Autumn Internationals.  Both games are in the European Nations Cup.  The first is away to Croatia (27 Oct) before they host World Record holders Lithuania at home on 3 Nov.  Lithuania have retained their record of the longest winning run in International Rugby and no doubt sent a text to thank the Aussies.  When Steve Hansen’s All Black team couldn’t beat the Australians at Brisbane this weekend their run was stopped on 16 matches.  Nick Mallett’s Springboks managed 17, as did the 1969 All Blacks, but Lithuania remain top of the pile with 18 consecutive wins.

The 2012-2014 European Nations Cup also act as the qualifying competition for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.  So Kyle also becomes the first Navy player to compete in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.  To see all the rugby internationals that have served in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines then click here.  If you have any information that can add to this page I would be delighted to hear from you.  Kyle is currently on 18 caps although this is being checked with the Maltese Rugby organisation as it may be too low.  Whatever the correct number Kyle remains one of the Royal Navy’s most capped international players of all time.

U23s Moved to Sunday

Though previously advertised as being on Saturday the RN U23s match away to Oxford University has now been moved to Sunday 28th October and will be played at St Edwards School, Oxford.  With the U23s who were part of the Commonwealth Cup campaign returning this will give Scott Ashley and his coaching team and extra day to integrate them in to the playing patterns.  Scot will also hope that they bolster the playing squad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No doubt the RN U23s will be looking to build on the positives from the loss to Chichester and in particular their second half, much improved, performance.