Your Scrumhalf Connection

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 Rugby:

DUBLIN, Ireland – The International Rugby Board has confirmed that eight Unions have expressed a formal interest to host Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013.

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, Scotland and USA all submitted their interest to tender for the global showcase tournament by the deadline on October 30.

The strong level of tender interest is another significant boost for Rugby Sevens at a time when the sport is enjoying its highest ever profile following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to include the sport in the Olympic Games, starting from 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

“The International Rugby Board is delighted with the phenomenal level of interest in hosting Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013,” said Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“Rugby Sevens’ winning formula of exciting, explosive action, competitive matches, world class men’s and women’s players and plenty of spectacular tries has proven a major hit with commercial partners and broadcasters the world over, while also proving highly successful in reaching out to new audiences.”

“At a time when we look forward to the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, that eight Unions from countries across five continents are attracted to hosting Rugby World Cup Sevens clearly highlig hts the global prestige of the tournament which has grown to become a major event on the global sporting stage,” added Lapasset.

The eventual host of the 2013 tournament will look to emulate this year’s ground breaking event held in Dubai. The first to feature a women’s competition, Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 pushed the boundary for Rugby Sevens once more, shattering all previous broadcast records with the action reaching 141 countries through 29 international broadcasters in 19 languages.

“Rugby World Cup Sevens was a resounding success on and off the field, breaking all previous hosting records. It also highlighted the exponential growth across emerging markets such as North and South America, Asia and Africa with the likes of Kenya, USA, Argentina and Tunisia stamping their mark in the men’s tournament and Brazil, Uganda, Thailand and China shining in the women’s event,” added Lapasset.

Tendering Unions for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 have been asked to follow the same format as the 2009 tournament with 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams competing over two or three days.

RWCL has also recommended that tenders maintain the blend of two pitches within one city, ideally co-located. This will maximise the festival feel across the two competition pitches and the integration between the men’s and women’s tournaments.

Unions have until 1700 GMT on December 15, 2009 to formally confirm that they will tender for the tournament. The Host Union for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 will be selected by the IRB Council at its May 2010 meeting.

Further Information:

Dominic Rumbles, IRB Head of Communications, +353-86-852-0826, email: dominic.rumbles@irb.com

CURTAIN RAISER MATCH:
Florida U-20s vs. Georgia U-20s – KICK OFF 10:30 am (gates open at 9 am)

Can’t make it to the game?
USA Rugby will stream the match live from Broward County Regional Park, starting at 2 pm (EST). Please visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/usa-rugby to watch the USA take on Uruguay to qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Still need a place to stay?
Thanks to the Fort Lauderdale Rugby Club, USA fans can save on hotel rates for the RWC qualfier weekend. Please contact Peter Dobson with Scots-American Travel Advisors at 772.563.2856 to book your room at these great local establishments:

MORE RUGBY during the RWC QUALIFIER WEEKEND:
2009 Under-19 Women’s Territorial Championship
November 21-22, 2009
Saturday (11/21): 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Sunday (11/22): 9 am – 12:30 pm

MILLS POND PARK
2201 NW 9th Ave (POWER LINE ROAD)
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33311

The global Rugby family are celebrating the announcement that Rugby Sevens will be included at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

An overwhelming vote in favour of inclusion by the International Olympic Committee members at the 121st Session in Copenhagen means that the world’s top men’s and women’s Rugby players will have the opportunity to compete for an Olympic Gold medal, the pinnacle of sporting achievement.

Bernard Lapasset, President of the International Rugby Board, said: “This is a historic moment for our sport and for the global Rugby community, who were united in support of our campaign.”

“We are excited and honoured to be joining the Olympic Games and I would like to thank the IOC members for believing in our Olympic vision and our values and recognising that Rugby Sevens is a perfect fit for the Olympic Games.”

“The Olympic Games will be the pinnacle of the sport for all our athletes and the Rugby family. The best men’s and women’s players in the world are excited to be able to showcase their talent on the world’s greatest sporting stage.”

“We are now looking forward to working in partnership with the IOC to develop and implement a Rugby Sevens tournament in Rio that will reach out to new audiences and inspire a new generation of sports fans around the world,” added Lapasset.

VIDEO: WATCH RUGBY SEVENS’ NEW ‘REACHING OUT’ FILM >>

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION SCRIPT >>

The IRB has been advised by the International Olympic Committee that the Golf and Rugby presentations, as well as the announcement of the decision, will be streamed live on the internet at www.olympic.org this Friday, October 9.

Rugby Sevens will present at 1125 approx. (Copenhagen Local Time) – the presentation is 20 minutes long followed by a 10 minute Question & Answer Session.

After the Q&A session, the Rugby delegation will leave the session room and the IOC will vote by secret ballot. Once the vote is taken, Golf and Rugby will be allowed back into the session room for the announcement.

Although exact timings are subject to change and the presentation may be delayed, the below is an approximate schedule of events:

• 1125 Copenhagen – Rugby Presentation – streamed 

• 1155 Copenhagen – IOC Vote – streamed 

• 1200-1215 Copenhagen – IOC Announcement – streamed

GOOD LUCK TO ALL RUGGERS!