Your Scrumhalf Connection

from Guampdn.com:

The 13th Annual Budweiser True GRIT (Guam Rugby International Tournament) wrapped up yesterday at the Wettengel Rugby Field.

Women’s Division results: Hong Kong 19, Para Todu 5; Royals 32, Guam Rugby Club Women 0; Hong Kong 22, Royals 0; Little Blacks 71, Southern 0; Little Blacks 34, Para Todu 0; Guam Rugby Club 26, Southern 5; Royals 14, Para Todu 7.

Men’s Division results: Kurumi 35, Southside 14; IGETA 29, International Christian University 0; Guam Rugby Club 48, Old Soaks 0; Zenkai 22, Barbarians 7; Samuraiz 36, Southside 0; Para Todu 17, IGETA 0; Guam Rugby Club 68, Zenkai 0; International Christian University 12, Southside 5; Samuraiz 38, IGETA 0; Kurumi 17, Para Todu 0.

Courtesy of Paki’s Corner, view the Best Tries of the 2010 USA Sevens Tournament:

and courtesy of Monty, here is the video of Kevin Swiryn proposing to his girlfriend Lauren Shaughnessey, sooo cute!

To view more YSC videos hover over the heading ‘Videos’ on the navigation bar up top and choose Rugby Video Monday.

Please continue sending in your videos and I will keep posting them! Send them to wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com.

from USA Sevens:

(Las Vegas) – ABC will broadcast the USA Sevens Rugby Tournament presented by Bridgestone as a one-hour special on Saturday, February 20 at 5PM ET / 2PM PT.

The USA 7s event was held February 13-14th in Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium, and is the fourth stop of the eight global tournaments that compose the annual IRB Sevens World Series circuit. Sixteen elite international teams competed in 44 matches over the two days with the United States claiming the Bowl and Samoa’s chase to the Cup Final.

The one hour program is narrated by David Amber of ESPN, with insights and match commentary featuring Dave Sitton, Nigel Starmer-Smith, Wyn Gruffydd, Ray Viers and international analyst Jonnie Cox.

“In addition to the dynamic tournament coverage of the most recent Olympic sport, we will also have the opportunity to introduce the USA team to America,” said Mark S. Reilly, of USA Sevens LLC and the executive producer. “Viewers, both rugby fans and those new to the game, will find their stories compelling.”

USA Sevens LLC and the USA Rugby are encouraging all current and former players and fans across America to support the growth of rugby in this country by tuning in to watch this broadcast – be sure to check your local listings for the times in your area.

from ScrumQueens:

The national women’s rugby teams of Japan and Hong Kong will curtain raise an Asian 5 Nations game for the first time this year when the two sides do battle on May 22.

The game, to be played in Japan, marks a big moment for women’s rugby in Asia, which will receive a big exposure boost as the match is likely to take place in front of a large crowd.

The Asian Five Nations (A5N) is a competition which started in 2008 between the men’s teams from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and the Arabian Gulf. With this year’s competition serving as a qualification route for the 2011 World Cup, a big interest in the games is expected.

With neither women’s teams from Hong Kong or Japan qualifying for this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, the game marks the main 15 aside fixture so far on both nation’s calenders.

It also continues on the growing trend of women’s internationals acting as curtain raisers to major men’s test matches with England and the Black Ferns curtain raising at Twickenham last year and with France and Canda doing likewise at the Stade de France.

Both Hong Kong and Japan took part in the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers last year with Japan reaching the final but losing out to Kazakhstan who grabbed the last spot.

Hong Kong finished behind Japan in third spot in the competition with a final day win over Singapore.

Asian women’s rugby suffer from a lack of a mainstream 15 aside competition, with teams forced to play each other sporadically which leaves them ill prepared for World Cup Qualifiers every four years so game so of this nature are significant.

Meanwhile the Hong Kong 7s taking place in March is due to announce the participating women’s teams this week.

from USA Rugby:

LAS VEGAS – Before a lively USA Sevens crowd at Sam Boyd Stadium, the USA Women fell to China in the USA Women’s International Invitational Sevens final.

China got on board early in the first half when Zhao Xin Qi broke free from the U.S. defense and touched down for a try. The U.S. spent the remainder of the half defending its own end until China’s Guon Qi Shi crossed over to put China up 10 points by the half.

Although the U.S. came close to scoring near the end, following a quick break from Ida Bernstein, they could not finish the drive, leaving the score at 10-0 at the final whistle.

Day 1 Recap
Following an exciting day of pool play, the USA White team and the China Women’s Sevens National Team will face off for the USA Rugby Women’s International Invitational title on Sunday, Feb. 14. The Cup match is scheduled to kickoff amidst the USA Sevens finals action (5:06 pm PST) at Sam Boyd Stadium.

“The White Team gave a huge amount of effort and played with tremendous understanding,” recently appointed U.S. Women’s Sevens National Team Coach Ric Suggitt said, after the USA side clinched its place in the final.

“China played with great width and power against France, so I fully expect them to play the same away against us,” he added. “The team is extremely excited to have the opportunity to play on the main pitch. They hadn’t really thought about it all day, but once the semi-final was won, it really hit home. We hope the crowd can get behind us.”

The USA White Team kicked off the day on a high note with a 19-12 victory against China. Jenna Flateman led the scoring charge with two tries, while Elizabeth Trujilo dotted one down and Beth Black converted two.

Building on the momentum of its opening round victory over China, USA White put up a five try effort over Germany, with Kelly Griffin bolting in for two, and Ida Bernstein, Lisa Henneman, and Lauren Hoeck each contributing a try. Beth Black successfully converted two in the 29-12 final tally.

In its final pool match, USA White shut down the Canadian National University side 15-7 to earn a rematch against its northern neighbors in the Cup semifinals, where it put up a consistent 17-7 final to earn its place in the title match. Lauren Shaughnessy got the U.S. out to an early lead with a try inside the game’s first minute and picked off a stray Canadian pass for the final try of the game. Jenna Flateman notched her fourth try on the day and Beth Black kicked one of the extras.

Despite kicking off to a slow start, the young USA Blue team found its groove in its fifth place meeting versus Germany, surging to a 38-12 victory to close out the day. Jessica Sexauer led the way for the U.S. with four tries, while Melissa Smit kicked for eight points and San Juanita Moreno and Tanya Carlson each contributed a try to the effort.

“With an incredibly young team and having played two tough games, I was delighted to see the Blue Team finish with such a convincing win over Germany,” Coach Suggitt said of the USA’s second side.

Earlier in the day, the USA Blue opened with a 27-10 loss at the hands of France, was edged out by Canada in the late minutes, 10-17, and finished pool play with a 36-0 shutout loss to eventual finalists China.

To view all of the results of the 2010 USA Sevens Women’s International go here.

Thanks to Monty the newest YSC team member, we have tons of photos from the Opening Ceremonies and Day 1 action as well, go here and here to view.