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England plan pre-match tribute to rugby coach killed on police duty in September
England will pay tribute before Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup game with Georgia to Matt Ratana, the 54-year-old East Grinstead rugby coach who was shot dead while on duty in London in September. The New Zealand-born Ratana was head coach at the grassroots club, having previously played for the London Irish amateurs.
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An English Rugby statement outlined a variety of matchday moments that will be happening in conjunction with what will be the first Test match to take place behind closed doors at Twickenham since the outbreak of the pandemic.
It read: “There will be a moment’s applause to celebrate the lives of some of those in the rugby community who were lost to their families and the game during recent times.
“Their names and photographs will be shown on the big screen, while also celebrating key workers who have worked tirelessly during the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of this tribute, there will be a special mention for the life of Sergeant Matt Ratana, head coach of East Grinstead Rugby Club, who was tragically killed in the line of duty.
“We pay further tribute to Matt Ratana with two police officers – Sergeant Paul James and Sergeant Dan Humphreys – flanking England and New Zealand shirts with a Metropolitan Police uniform in the centre.”
"I shall never play at Twickenham again."
This is the story of how we brought Ronnie Poulton Palmer home.#ArmisticeDay @LewisMoody7 pic.twitter.com/txIdXTTJ0z
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 11, 2020
The statement also addressed what the England players will do regarding the Black Lives Matter and the Rugby Against Racism campaigns. “In recognition of improving diversity and inclusion in our sport and society, England’s players will show support for the positive messages of Black Lives Matter and Rugby Against Racism.
“This will take place after the anthem, during a moment of silence. Players will make an individual choice about taking the knee. Black Lives Matter and Rugby Against Racism branding will be within the stadium bowl. The RFU launched a documentary to educate fans on the origins of the Swing Low song in late October and made commitments to improving diversity and inclusion in rugby union.”
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England last played at Twickenham in March when a capacity crowd was in attendance against Wales. Eddie Jones’ side went on to clinch the Six Nations title behind closed doors with a win last month over Italy and they will now play their first home game in eight months after their planned October match versus the Barbarians was scratched.
“While we are so pleased that England are playing again at Twickenham this Saturday, we wish it could have been with the great support of a home crowd including those from our community clubs up and down the country,” said RFU CEO Bill Sweeney.
“Although it isn’t possible for now, we have a number of special moments at the game to mark our return, including a way for our clubs to be there in spirit if not in person through a wall of club shirts; a representation of the lifeblood of our game and recognition for the continued tireless efforts of the rugby community during a hugely challenging year.
“We will also hold an applause to celebrate the lives of those in the rugby community who were lost during recent times and an acknowledgement of the incredible work of the NHS and key workers during the pandemic.”
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BREAKING
Sevens changes for England. #ENGvGEOhttps://t.co/MZqhssV2oO
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 12, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Shame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
2 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
2 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
2 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
3 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
28 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
2 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
2 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
28 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
2 Go to comments