Friday, August 29, 2014

Mexico Rugby Q&A

*HABRÁ UNA TRADUCCIÓN AL ESPAÑOL EN ESTA SEMANA PARA LOS QUE DESEEN LEER ESTO EN Española
Being a mexican american (and german) the decision to want to do a Q&A was only natural of course, It has been a long time coming but I finally have the Q&A between Life Love Rugby and the Mexican Rugby Union. Francisco was very gracious enough to take time out of his very busy schedule to answer some questions that touch on all levels of rugby with in Mexico, and also share his thoughts on the talks of having a "Global" Schedule and when we could see the men's and women's nation teams competing on the Worlds stage.

LLR- For those who are unaware, what is your name and title with FMRU and how long have you been involved with rugby in Mexico?
Francisco Echeguren (FMRU President). I have been working in Rugby for the last 24 years and 3 years as FMRU President.

 
LLR- How many registered members are there?
FE- More less 4,900 registered and around 2,100 unregistered

 
LLR- Rugby has never been a hot topic in México but lately it seems that the sport is growing more and more, why is that, what is contributing?
FE- An organize leadership from FMRU and the main clubs of the country giving structure to the competitions and programs for developing and educating Coaches, Referees, and Administrators. The inclusion of the sport in the national youth games and in the Olympics circuit. Also the financial support of IRB and Conade (Mexican Sports Ministry)

 
LLR- How big of a moment is it in México rugby history with the M(U) 19 boys XV national team winning NACRA championship.
FE- It’s something that comes natural after the work and efforts of previous years, a better organize program and the development of a more structure u19 championship with youth games have been an impact on the number of players and the quality of them. The results have given validation to the persons behind them and this will hopefully give a boost in the next process.

 
LLR- With acceptance into the IRB rankings what does the Federation have planned to start climbing and break into the T2 status?
FE- The first will be continue with a structure line of work that integrates the local with the national competitions with the help of local sponsors to give a wither exposure to rugby in Mexico. Also to have more competitions in which the nationals teams are involve, for them to be more competitive in the international ground. Added with a group of athletes specialize in the sport, focus in preparing for the national teams with a preparation since their youth.

 
LLR- In going back to the youth, the best way to grow a sport and get better players is to get as many young kids playing, what steps and is there a plan to get more youth involved in Rugby?
FE- I think the big two factors in this are the inclusion of rugby inside the National Youth Games with u16, u19 and u23 in males and u19 and u23 in females, and the presences of the program Get Into Rugby

 
LLR- How about the women’s game, how is the female side of the game growing, youth and older?
FE- For now female rugby in Mexico have only been developing in 7’s, the inclusion of two categories in the National Olympics Games to bring younger players, and the national team been more competitive, wining the Caribbean Championship and been invited to major tournaments like Hong Kong.


LLR- Another National Team also won a championship this summer, the men won the Saratoga sevens, how many 7s tournaments does National teams participate in yearly (men and women) and are there any plans to participate in the World sevens series stops?
FE- For the male team will be around 9 tournaments and for the female squad 6. The teams are growing and we will be delight in participating again in world sevens series, the male team have been in the USA 7’s, and Hong Kong in few occasions, and we will love to see it back along with the women’s team.

LLR- What is a realistic timeline that you wish to achieve to have both men’s and women’s qualify for Rugby world cup xv’s and to have the 7’s National Teams participate in the sevens world series regularly?

FE- The men team will be 9 years for XV’s and years 5 years for 7’s. In women’s we hope it will be around 12 years XV’s and 7 in 7’s.


LLR- There has been great discussion here in the states on the constant and uneven college competition landscape, how is the college competition set up in Mexico?

FE- By the moment it’s in a state of development (been the competition of 10’s aside) there have been a great grow in the teams involved (from 4 to 36) in the last years.

LLR- How involved is FMRU in the college competition and club competition
FE- It’s totally involved by organizing the tournaments and the development of new teams.

 
LLR- How does the FMRU get its funding and what is their annual budget
FE- CONADE, IRB, Sponsors, and self-income.

 
LLR- NACRA is the regional rugby union governing body, how has NACRA been successful thus far and what more needs to be done?
FE- NACRA as a strategic leader in the development of rugby in the region and also by organizing the tournaments that help as platform for bigger international competitions have been excellent, and also by helping member of the smaller federation to take IRB courses around the world for their development have been a great contribution in the local rugby.

 
LLR- Argentina has done a good job helping fellow nations in South America develop there rugby scene and give surrounding nations worthy matches, is there any pressure from fellow NACRA members to get Canada and USA to play games against other countries in the region, such as your selves Bahamas and Jamaica?
FE- The USA and Canada send representative teams to the NACRA 7’S Championship and USA send a regional team for the XV’s competition. Also they have always host different national teams for their local tournaments (Serevi 7’s between others), and invite to their courses to help the development of well-prepared staff inside the unions and federations of the zone.

 
LLR- Last few questions focusing on rugby around the world, do you personally think it is best for rugby to have a global calendar competition?
FE- It will be the best; unfortunately it’s a hard topic because of weather, culture, etc.

 
LLR- Will you your self or others be attending the ALL Blacks match in Chicago?
FE- I will not be there but some friends from Mexico will.

 
LLR- How big of a ripple effect could it have with expanding rugby in Mexico if the USA or Canada where to land the 2023, or 2027 world cup?
FE- It will have a great impact, some people from Mexico are already making the effort to go to world cups in the past, so having them so close will certainly will increase the number of Mexicans attending the competition, and also, If possible for Mexico to host one match will certainly bring more attention to rugby inside Mexico.

 
LLR- Last question, recently there was a great piece done on Chock Lopez in Canada about his experience playing rugby thus far and him going back to play for the u19 national team for this past NACRA championship, could we see more players like him going to other countries to gain experience and same for the men’s national team, is there an effort to get players over sea’s to participate in higher competition and in return come back and help propel the NT to higher ranking.
FE- There are some players with experience similar to Chock’s, some playing in Canada and the USA, and we had one player in New Zealand and other in France, but it have been more by personal initiative.

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you see now México is in great position to have Rugby really grow and become a regional power to help compete against Canada and USA, because rugby is till so raw the Federation has the chance to model there programs and systems from those in and outside the region that works for other countries in similar shoes or a little ahead. I agree with the time table to have the men's and women's competing internationally, there are many great things happening with the game and its growth in Mexico. more and more youth kids are turning to Rugby and college programs are beginning to pop up on universities all over the country. I have always said that In order for Canada and USA to become even better and climb higher in the IRB Rankings (soon World Rugby) they need to have the surrounding unions compete at a higher level, New Zealand or England wouldn't be who they are now if Ireland, Scotland or south Africa and Australia where weak unions and there was nothing to encourage those players to want to perform better against weaker opponents. but because Ireland is Strong and South Africa can compete, it pushes the All Blacks & England players to be and strive to be even better Rugby players. If Mexico, Jamaica, Bermuda and others in NACRA where to improve and grow there games to the same level as USA and Canada then both those countries would have a reason to push there respective players to be better, to get Clubs to better organize them self's and most likely really get the ball rolling on a professional competition (cough cough NRFL?) and straighten up the ugly elephant in the room, the college gaming setup. 
 
 
*if you want to keep up with Rugby in Mexico there are plenty of ways to fallow there growth.
1) mexrugby.com  
2) Twitter: @Rugby_Mexico
3) Instagram : rugby_mexico
 
*THERE WILL BE A TRANSLATION INTO SPANISH IN THE COMING WEEK FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO READ THIS IN Española
HABRÁ UNA TRADUCCIÓN AL ESPAÑOL EN ESTA SEMANA PARA LOS QUE DESEEN LEER ESTO EN Española

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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Monday, August 4, 2014

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Line up changes -WRWC

For Immediate Release
Submitted by USA Rugby
August 4, 2014

PARIS, France – In a must-win match, the Women’s Eagles open the second round of pool play at IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 against Kazakhstan Tuesday. Having secured a bonus point against Ireland, the Eagles will need the victory and a bonus point by scoring four or more tries to keep the “Final in ’14” hopes alive.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 A.M. ET.

“Our goal has to be to win and score four tries,” pointed out Head Coach Pete Steinberg. “That is our only route to the [semifinals].”

Extensive changes have been made to the lineup that will promote a different style of play as well as give players a chance to affect the lineup in subsequent matches.

“We are using more of our squad with some bumps and bruises happening against Ireland,” said Steinberg of the roster changes. “Performances here will effect the selections moving forward.”

Despite changing out the tight-five, Kate Daley and Lynelle Kugler return to the back row for the second match. Both started against Ireland.

Daley, at number eight, will again captain the Eagles.

“We want to improve our turnover rate on defense,” said Daley of her expectations against Kazakhstan.

Focusing on the breakdown contest, both Steinberg and Daley are hoping for a better performance in the area, increasing “our level of physicality at the breakdown on attack and defense and execute our fundamental skills with a little more consistency.

“We want to sure up our fringe defense that Ireland attacked,” noted Steinberg.

Although the captain is anticipating a closer match from the Nomads than what was seen against New Zealand, the Black Ferns defeated Kazakhstan, 79-5.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” remarked Daley. “They are going to be a better and more prepared team coming into this game.”

Steinberg built on Daley’s statements, saying, “Kazakhstan has a good defensive structure and provided problems for the Black Ferns, despite the score. We will need to be patient on attack and build the attack through multiple phases.”

View game notes >>

The two sides have met only once previously – during the 2010 World Cup. Being paired in pool play, the Eagles shut out the Nomads, 51-0.

In the contest, Nathalie Marchino capitalized twice for the Eagles, scoring two tries. Opening the match, the wing was also the last U.S. player to score a try in the match.

Marchino is set to start at wing Tuesday.

Naima Reddick and Sharon Blaney have also been named to the starting lineup for the 2014 contest, having started the only prior series meeting. Jamie Burke captained the Eagles during the 2010 contest, and has been selected as a reserve for the upcoming match.

Kittery Wagner will get the start at hooker, having come on as a reserve against Kazakhstan in the prior World Cup meeting.

Of note, Farrah Douglas, the Eagles Forward Skills coach, replaced Burke during the 2010 match.

The earlier match against Kazakhstan was the opening match of pool play. Following the 2010 contest, the Eagles went on to fall to Ireland in the subsequent test, 22-12.

The Eagles are rebounding from a 23-17 loss to the Irish.

Squandered opportunities from penalties frustrated the Eagles throughout the match as Ireland relied on its strong lineout maul as well as the boot of Niamh Briggs to seal the victory.

As a result, the Eagles currently sit in third place for Pool B, with New Zealand and Ireland in front. Kazakhstan is fourth having lost its match to the Black Ferns.

Universal Sports will be broadcasting the game live. Coverage for the contest is set to begin at 6:30 A.M. ET. Follow @USARugby on Twitter for live match updates from Marcoussis.

Womens' Eagles | v Kazakhstan 
8. Kate Daley (C) 

Women's Eagles | Reserves 

Kazakhstan| Starting XV 
1. Irina Radzevil 
2. Yelena Yevdokimova 
3. Yelena Muradova 
4. Lyudmila Matiyeva 
5. Svetlana Karatygina 
6. Symbat Zhamankulova 
7. Kundyzay Baktybayeva 
8. Marianna Balashova 
9. Amina Baratova 
10. Anna Yakovleva (C) 
11. Lyudmila Sapronova 
12. Balzhan Koishybayeva 
13. Oxana Shadrina 
14. Nigora Nurmatova 
15. Aigerym Daurembayeva

Kazakhstan | Reserves 
16. Olga Bakhtiguzina 
17. Yelena Rogacheva 
18. Yelena Kiryushina 
19. Karina Proskurina 
20. Anastassiya Khamova 
21. Lilya Bazyaruk 
22. Olga Sazonova

Women's Eagles | IRB Women's Rugby World Cup 2014