David Hands says the women's rugby World Cup illustrated a gulf in standards.
NEW Zealand, just as they have done in the men's game, set a new target of excellence when they carried off the women's World Cup in Amsterdam. In beating the United States 44-12, they set a standard to which others will aspire between now and the fourth tournament, in 2002.
During that time, the sport's administrators will be concerned to put in place a framework of matches that permits regular development in countries where the women's representative game is piecemeal. Too few of the countries competing in Holland have had that exposure, and it is likely that funds will be put aside for the staging of international tournaments as opposed to tours by those countries that can afford it. The International Rugby Board (IRB) gave Pounds 500,000 from Rugby World Cup for the organisation in Holland.
There will be concern, for example, that France appear to have gone backwards since the 1994 World Cup in Edinburgh; at the same time there will be pleasure at the advance of Canada and Kazakhstan - where fewer than 134 women play - and the ambition of Spain, the most popular team in the tournament. Yet if Canada, ranked fourth, could be beaten 81-15 by England in the third-place play-off, it indicates a gulf between the top three countries and the rest.
"We looked at where we were four years ago and there has been a 100 per cent improvement," Jill Zonneveld, the Canadian representative on the women's advisory committee to the IRB, said of the tournament as a whole.
"The levels of play have started to move up and the Dutch made this a highly-organised affair. Tenders for 2002 will go out in the next few weeks and we hope to know by January where it will be played. We have to consider development, impact and money." For those reasons, the venue is likely to be in Europe or North America, where access to sponsorship and television is greater.
Some 2,500 watched Vanessa Cootes score five of New Zealand's eight tries against the Americans on Sunday and confirm a technical expertise well in advance of any rival. The "Gal Blacks" had received coaching from John Hart and several members of his New Zealand men's squad and neither England in the semi-finals nor the Americans in the final could live with them.
It remains to be seen whether longstanding members of the England squad, which began with such high hopes of a successful defence of their 1994 title, will continue. An excellent spirit has been bred over the past three weeks and players such as Sue Day - switched to full back - and Jo Yapp, the 18-year-old scrum half, have received invaluable exposure.
FINAL RANKING (seeding in brackets): 1, New Zealand (4); 2, United States (2); 3, England (1); 4, Canada (8); 5, Australia (6); 6, Scotland (5); 7, Spain (7); 8, France (3); 9, Kazakhstan (14); 10, Ireland (11); 11, Wales (10); 12, Italy (12); 13, Holland (9); 14, Germany (13); 15, Sweden (16); 16, Russia (15).
Copyright (C) The Times, 1998
Source Citation
Hands, David. "New Zealand expose limitations; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 19 May 1998
Tuesday, 19 May 1998
Monday, 18 May 1998
World Cup fina: report
JOHN WALES IN AMSTERDAM
New Zealand 46 USA 12
FROM the moment the All Blacks arrived here 16 days ago their desire to lift the women's rugby World Cup has been as overwhelming as their performances. Their invincibility did not, however, create a sense of anticlimax as they disposed of the United States 46 12 in the final.The match was a personal triumph for the All Black wing Vanessa Cootes, who came to the World Cup with the most prolific scoring record in women's international rugby. She scored five tries in Saturday's match to take her tally for the competition to eight and increase her record to 35 touchdowns in only nine games.
The defending champions England made up for their defeat by the All Blacks in the semi-final by securing third place with a 81 15 victory over Canada during which the Wasps full-back Sue Day scored four tries. The Five Nations champions Scotland lost the consolation Plate final, going down 25 15 to Australia.
Such is the interest in the women's game in New Zealand that the final was televised live. Other countries, including South Africa, have voiced a desire to participate in the 2002 tournament.
The New Zealand captain Farah Palmer said: 'We are absolutely ecstatic; I don't think this will ever sink in. The support from New Zealand has been unbelievable and we've been inundated with faxes and calls of best wishes.'
The United States' French coach Franck Boivert, who leaves the Eagles to coach Fiji's men's side, said: 'No matter how hard your own team tries to take the game to the All Blacks, they are faster, fitter and better. I don't believe anyone can stop them; they are unbeatable.'
Source Citation
"Rugby Union: Cootes crosses five times in a one-woman walkover: Women's World Cup Final." Guardian [London, England] 18 May 1998
New Zealand 46 USA 12
FROM the moment the All Blacks arrived here 16 days ago their desire to lift the women's rugby World Cup has been as overwhelming as their performances. Their invincibility did not, however, create a sense of anticlimax as they disposed of the United States 46 12 in the final.The match was a personal triumph for the All Black wing Vanessa Cootes, who came to the World Cup with the most prolific scoring record in women's international rugby. She scored five tries in Saturday's match to take her tally for the competition to eight and increase her record to 35 touchdowns in only nine games.
The defending champions England made up for their defeat by the All Blacks in the semi-final by securing third place with a 81 15 victory over Canada during which the Wasps full-back Sue Day scored four tries. The Five Nations champions Scotland lost the consolation Plate final, going down 25 15 to Australia.
Such is the interest in the women's game in New Zealand that the final was televised live. Other countries, including South Africa, have voiced a desire to participate in the 2002 tournament.
The New Zealand captain Farah Palmer said: 'We are absolutely ecstatic; I don't think this will ever sink in. The support from New Zealand has been unbelievable and we've been inundated with faxes and calls of best wishes.'
The United States' French coach Franck Boivert, who leaves the Eagles to coach Fiji's men's side, said: 'No matter how hard your own team tries to take the game to the All Blacks, they are faster, fitter and better. I don't believe anyone can stop them; they are unbeatable.'
Source Citation
"Rugby Union: Cootes crosses five times in a one-woman walkover: Women's World Cup Final." Guardian [London, England] 18 May 1998
Wednesday, 13 May 1998
World Cup: England v New Zealand: Report
JOHN WALES in AMSTERDAM
ENGLAND's hopes of retaining the women's rugby World Cup foundered against the mighty All Blacks, the valiant holders giving up their crown as the favourites recorded a 44 11 victory.
England had the audacity to take an early lead with two penalties but New Zealand responded with a penalty and a converted try from the centre Annaleah Rush to hold a 10 6 half-time advantage.The second half was emphatic, however, with New Zealand's powerful, pacy play overwhelming England in the 90F heat. Rush cemented her dominance by scoring another try, three conversions and a penalty for a personal tally of 24 points.
In between Rush's scores the stand-off Anna Richards and wing Vanessa Cootes touched down, the latter's double contributing to a remarkable international record of 30 tries in only eight games.
Bruised and battered, England countered with a consolation try from the lock Clair Green - the first of the tournament against New Zealand - but the All Blacks had the final say when the replacement Kellie Kiwi went over.
In Saturday's final New Zealand face the United States, who defeated Canada 46 6. The Americans, runners-up in 1994, beat the All Blacks in the 1991 final but few predict a repeat.
The England captain Emma Mitchell said: 'We did about the best we could against them for 30 minutes, when we had them rattled, but they are a great side and justify their status as the best in the world. Our goal has to be to come back stronger and aim to beat them next time.'
Scotland recovered from the disappointment of missing the final of the cup competition by beating France 27 7 to secure a place in the consolation plate final against Australia.
Source Citation
"Rugby Union: Other All Blacks end defence." Guardian [London, England] 13 May 1998
ENGLAND's hopes of retaining the women's rugby World Cup foundered against the mighty All Blacks, the valiant holders giving up their crown as the favourites recorded a 44 11 victory.
England had the audacity to take an early lead with two penalties but New Zealand responded with a penalty and a converted try from the centre Annaleah Rush to hold a 10 6 half-time advantage.The second half was emphatic, however, with New Zealand's powerful, pacy play overwhelming England in the 90F heat. Rush cemented her dominance by scoring another try, three conversions and a penalty for a personal tally of 24 points.
In between Rush's scores the stand-off Anna Richards and wing Vanessa Cootes touched down, the latter's double contributing to a remarkable international record of 30 tries in only eight games.
Bruised and battered, England countered with a consolation try from the lock Clair Green - the first of the tournament against New Zealand - but the All Blacks had the final say when the replacement Kellie Kiwi went over.
In Saturday's final New Zealand face the United States, who defeated Canada 46 6. The Americans, runners-up in 1994, beat the All Blacks in the 1991 final but few predict a repeat.
The England captain Emma Mitchell said: 'We did about the best we could against them for 30 minutes, when we had them rattled, but they are a great side and justify their status as the best in the world. Our goal has to be to come back stronger and aim to beat them next time.'
Scotland recovered from the disappointment of missing the final of the cup competition by beating France 27 7 to secure a place in the consolation plate final against Australia.
Source Citation
"Rugby Union: Other All Blacks end defence." Guardian [London, England] 13 May 1998
Tuesday, 12 May 1998
World Cup: England prepare for semi final
ENGLAND'S crown will come under severe threat in Amsterdam this afternoon, when they meet New Zealand in a semi-final of the third women's World Cup tournament. However, they will be buoyed by the presence of Gill Burns, their captain, who has recovered from injury, and spurred on by their humiliation at the hands of the New Zealanders last August.
On that occasion they were beaten 67-0, having stepped from the flight taking them across the world only 24 hours earlier. "We got our backsides kicked," Carole Isherwood, the performance director for England, said. "We were naive, we made mistakes, we gave New Zealand a boost of confidence, but we are a much-changed team now."
They are also benefiting from nearly three weeks together, having spent a week at Lilleshall before travelling to Holland. Two comfortable pool matches, against Sweden and Canada, were followed by the demanding physical encounter with Australia on Saturday, which England won 30-13, scoring five tries, though both Burns and Helen Clayton sustained ankle injuries.
They have mended quickly, though, and both have been named in the starting XV today. The team will need to accept the early scoring opportunities that went begging against Australia, for the New Zealanders have yet to concede a try in three matches.
"All the talk is about the All Blacks, just as in 1994 it was about the US," Steve Peters, the England coach, said. "But we're world champions and intend to stay that way." If England are to reach a third successive final (they lost to the United States in 1991 and beat them in 1994), much credit will go to the tactical direction given by Emma Mitchell, the Saracens scrum half. Mitchell will take over the captaincy if Burns has to leave the field.
The other semi-final is between the United States and Canada, renewing a rivalry that has been sustained in women's rugby since 1987.
Scotland, beaten 25-10 in the quarter-finals by the US, play France in the plate competition.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1998
Source Citation
Hands, David. "Burns fit to lead England; Women's World Cup." Times [London, England] 12 May 1998
On that occasion they were beaten 67-0, having stepped from the flight taking them across the world only 24 hours earlier. "We got our backsides kicked," Carole Isherwood, the performance director for England, said. "We were naive, we made mistakes, we gave New Zealand a boost of confidence, but we are a much-changed team now."
They are also benefiting from nearly three weeks together, having spent a week at Lilleshall before travelling to Holland. Two comfortable pool matches, against Sweden and Canada, were followed by the demanding physical encounter with Australia on Saturday, which England won 30-13, scoring five tries, though both Burns and Helen Clayton sustained ankle injuries.
They have mended quickly, though, and both have been named in the starting XV today. The team will need to accept the early scoring opportunities that went begging against Australia, for the New Zealanders have yet to concede a try in three matches.
"All the talk is about the All Blacks, just as in 1994 it was about the US," Steve Peters, the England coach, said. "But we're world champions and intend to stay that way." If England are to reach a third successive final (they lost to the United States in 1991 and beat them in 1994), much credit will go to the tactical direction given by Emma Mitchell, the Saracens scrum half. Mitchell will take over the captaincy if Burns has to leave the field.
The other semi-final is between the United States and Canada, renewing a rivalry that has been sustained in women's rugby since 1987.
Scotland, beaten 25-10 in the quarter-finals by the US, play France in the plate competition.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1998
Source Citation
Hands, David. "Burns fit to lead England; Women's World Cup." Times [London, England] 12 May 1998
Sunday, 10 May 1998
World Cup: England reach semi-finals
ENGLAND stayed on course to retain the women's rugby World Cup as they edged out Australia 30-13 to secure a place in Tuesday's semi-finals.
Experience was the key as the holders overcame a resolute Australia. The England pack slowly ground down their opponents after the first half ended 10-10. Paula George, the England full-back, touched down and Claire Frost added a conversion and penalty. In the second half England scored four tries to a penalty.
Wing Niki Brown, scrum-half Emma Mitchell, lock Linda Uttley and replacement Joanne Yapp were the England scorers.
The hard pitch contributed to injuries to Helen Clayton, Jo Poore and Gill Burns, who had come on as a replacement.
All three will receive treatment tomorrow on Monday before the team is picked for the semi-final.
The dreams of Scotland, the Five Nations champions, were dashed by the USA who beat them 25-10. Tries from flanker Diane Schnapp and captain Jenny Crawford, with the latter converted by Jos Bergmann, put the USA in command while Scotland could manage only one first-half score, a Paula Chalmers penalty.
England now face favourites New Zealand in the semi-final after the All Black women beat Spain 46-3. The seemingly invincible New Zealanders, who have run in 34 tries in their opening two games, finally broke a spirited Spain. "New Zealand are an outstanding side but they are showing signs that their unbeatable tag is beginning to slip" said Mitchell.
"Both Spain and Scotland showed that New Zealand find close forward play hard to match and if we play to our strengths we can take them".
In the other semi-final, Scotland's conquerers, the USA, play Canada who defeated France 9-7.
Copyright (C) The Sunday Times, 1998
Source Citation
Phillips, Marian. "George opens route for grand England defence; The rugby column." Sunday Times [London, England] 10 May 1998
Experience was the key as the holders overcame a resolute Australia. The England pack slowly ground down their opponents after the first half ended 10-10. Paula George, the England full-back, touched down and Claire Frost added a conversion and penalty. In the second half England scored four tries to a penalty.
Wing Niki Brown, scrum-half Emma Mitchell, lock Linda Uttley and replacement Joanne Yapp were the England scorers.
The hard pitch contributed to injuries to Helen Clayton, Jo Poore and Gill Burns, who had come on as a replacement.
All three will receive treatment tomorrow on Monday before the team is picked for the semi-final.
The dreams of Scotland, the Five Nations champions, were dashed by the USA who beat them 25-10. Tries from flanker Diane Schnapp and captain Jenny Crawford, with the latter converted by Jos Bergmann, put the USA in command while Scotland could manage only one first-half score, a Paula Chalmers penalty.
England now face favourites New Zealand in the semi-final after the All Black women beat Spain 46-3. The seemingly invincible New Zealanders, who have run in 34 tries in their opening two games, finally broke a spirited Spain. "New Zealand are an outstanding side but they are showing signs that their unbeatable tag is beginning to slip" said Mitchell.
"Both Spain and Scotland showed that New Zealand find close forward play hard to match and if we play to our strengths we can take them".
In the other semi-final, Scotland's conquerers, the USA, play Canada who defeated France 9-7.
Copyright (C) The Sunday Times, 1998
Source Citation
Phillips, Marian. "George opens route for grand England defence; The rugby column." Sunday Times [London, England] 10 May 1998
Saturday, 2 May 1998
Women's rugby now accepted by Twickenham?
FRANK KEATING
AS THE old advertising boast for the Virginia Slims women's tennis circuit had it - 'You've come a long way, baby' - so with the distaff branch of international rugby. Only 10 years ago, when Emma Mitchell played her first Test match against Wales at Newport, the England team slept in bunks or sleeping-bags at the Chepstow youth hostel.
'It was a three o'clock kick-off but we were still slung out by 10am after doing all the chores; the forwards washed up the breakfast things, the backs swept and dusted, and us two half-backs had to clean out the toilets. Then we found a park and 'killed three or four hours mooching about with our rucksacks, sleeping-bags and match kit.'From a Chepstow youth hostel to a swish hotel in Amsterdam . . . that 1988 fixture was only the third international England's women had played. Those pioneers have seen their game develop at such a remarkable pace that yesterday in Holland's capital the Dutch minister of sport, the former Olympic swimming medallist Erica Terpstra, officially opened the third women's World Cup in a jam-packed sell-out new stadium where today England begin the defence of their title against Sweden.
The final will be a fortnight today. Sixteen countries have qualified and although the bookmakers particularly fancy the holders England along with the United States, France and New Zealand, the newly Triple-crowned Scots are seriously optimistic; the Welsh and the Irish also travel with high hopes.
With some enlightened sponsorship, plus Sports Council funding and a Lottery grant, the women's game in England has nervelessly held the gaze and stared back with a bonny smile at the diminishing but still substantial body of men who scoff at their pastime.
The Rugby Football Union has come round at last. After the first women's World Cup in Cardiff in 1991 the International Rugby Football Board refused recognition to a follow-up in Holland, but after it was switched to Edinburgh and become another huge success, England famously winning the final, that haughty body loosened the studs on its starched wing-collars. Although not yet fully integrated the Women's RFU (RFUW) is now accepted under the umbrella of the RFU.
When the engaging scrum-half Mitchell played her first international that afternoon at Newport in 1988 there were reckoned to be about 40 women's sides in England. Today there are 270, and more than 8,500 registered players - which still does not compare, mind you, with the 13,000 players in 600-plus United States teams. Canada boasts nearly 10,000 players. On the other hand, Sweden muster only 100 adult players.
Brought up on men's rugby, you must watch and appreciate the women's game as if through a filter. As in cricket, different qualities predominate. Women's rugby is singularly more nimble and dextrous, and although just as wholehearted it has less of a grudge-driven and bullyingly hard edge.
Training at Lilleshall this week before travelling to Holland on Thursday, the England squad displayed a lightness of touch in mind and spirit that their sombrely grunting male counterparts have long lost. There is a wide blend in ages, although on the practice pitch the mudlarking teenagers are not noticeably in thrall to their two undoubted world stars, the totemesque No. 8 and captain Gill Burns and the equally appealing Mitchell, who set Sky screens alight a couple of weeks ago when playing for Saracens against Wasps in the club cup final.
Like Mitchell, Burns took up the game when chivvied to switch from hockey in her early twenties. 'Rugby took over my life,' says the enthusiast, who teaches PE at Range High School, Formby.
Both women remain chastened by last autumn's first England tour to New Zealand when, after a 28-hour flight, the team had a day's sleep before waking up to play, ludicrously, the full-strength women's All Black XV. Not surprisingly they were beaten, 67 0. It still rankles. In Amsterdam, England are seeded to play New Zealand, who did not attend the World Cup in 1994, in the semi-final on Tuesday week.
'If not quite 67, they were 30 points better than us,' says Mitchell with a delectably determined smile. 'We know we stood off that day and let them come at us, which was fatal.'
At Lilleshall this week the women called in one of the England coaches, the former rugby league stalwart Phil Larder, to galvanise their defences. Larder was a convert inside five minutes and, after two stiff sessions on Monday, stayed over for an extra one on Tuesday. 'I feared the worst, if truth were known. But I've been impressed. I've drilled them one-on-one just like I have with the men, and they compared on a dead-level par. At defence, their technique and ability to hit hard was an eye-opener; they've got the timing as well as the bottle; they've addressed their apparent weaknesses and now I'd be mighty surprised if any other team in this World Cup can possibly defend as well.'
The Worcester club provide two in the Amsterdam party, the full-back Nicky Brown and Mitchell's deputy, the 18-year-old Jo-Ann Yapp, and I offered the last word to Worcester's rugby director Les Cusworth, former England coach and sparkling fly-half. 'The ladies play and enjoy rugby as it should be played and enjoyed. They are fast and skilful, and though the old-fashioned male in me still winces at some of the physical contact, their vision, handling and deftness of touch can teach many a leading male player a trick or two.'
As the Virginia Slims baby had it, they have come a mighty long way. From that Chepstow youth hostel to a plush hotel in Amsterdam . . .
Source Citation
"Rugby Union: Women's World Cup: It's only ruck and roll but we like it: Even the twits at Twickers take the fillies seriously now. It's been a long hard road, but they've finally arrived." Guardian [London, England] 2 May 1998
AS THE old advertising boast for the Virginia Slims women's tennis circuit had it - 'You've come a long way, baby' - so with the distaff branch of international rugby. Only 10 years ago, when Emma Mitchell played her first Test match against Wales at Newport, the England team slept in bunks or sleeping-bags at the Chepstow youth hostel.
'It was a three o'clock kick-off but we were still slung out by 10am after doing all the chores; the forwards washed up the breakfast things, the backs swept and dusted, and us two half-backs had to clean out the toilets. Then we found a park and 'killed three or four hours mooching about with our rucksacks, sleeping-bags and match kit.'From a Chepstow youth hostel to a swish hotel in Amsterdam . . . that 1988 fixture was only the third international England's women had played. Those pioneers have seen their game develop at such a remarkable pace that yesterday in Holland's capital the Dutch minister of sport, the former Olympic swimming medallist Erica Terpstra, officially opened the third women's World Cup in a jam-packed sell-out new stadium where today England begin the defence of their title against Sweden.
The final will be a fortnight today. Sixteen countries have qualified and although the bookmakers particularly fancy the holders England along with the United States, France and New Zealand, the newly Triple-crowned Scots are seriously optimistic; the Welsh and the Irish also travel with high hopes.
With some enlightened sponsorship, plus Sports Council funding and a Lottery grant, the women's game in England has nervelessly held the gaze and stared back with a bonny smile at the diminishing but still substantial body of men who scoff at their pastime.
The Rugby Football Union has come round at last. After the first women's World Cup in Cardiff in 1991 the International Rugby Football Board refused recognition to a follow-up in Holland, but after it was switched to Edinburgh and become another huge success, England famously winning the final, that haughty body loosened the studs on its starched wing-collars. Although not yet fully integrated the Women's RFU (RFUW) is now accepted under the umbrella of the RFU.
When the engaging scrum-half Mitchell played her first international that afternoon at Newport in 1988 there were reckoned to be about 40 women's sides in England. Today there are 270, and more than 8,500 registered players - which still does not compare, mind you, with the 13,000 players in 600-plus United States teams. Canada boasts nearly 10,000 players. On the other hand, Sweden muster only 100 adult players.
Brought up on men's rugby, you must watch and appreciate the women's game as if through a filter. As in cricket, different qualities predominate. Women's rugby is singularly more nimble and dextrous, and although just as wholehearted it has less of a grudge-driven and bullyingly hard edge.
Training at Lilleshall this week before travelling to Holland on Thursday, the England squad displayed a lightness of touch in mind and spirit that their sombrely grunting male counterparts have long lost. There is a wide blend in ages, although on the practice pitch the mudlarking teenagers are not noticeably in thrall to their two undoubted world stars, the totemesque No. 8 and captain Gill Burns and the equally appealing Mitchell, who set Sky screens alight a couple of weeks ago when playing for Saracens against Wasps in the club cup final.
Like Mitchell, Burns took up the game when chivvied to switch from hockey in her early twenties. 'Rugby took over my life,' says the enthusiast, who teaches PE at Range High School, Formby.
Both women remain chastened by last autumn's first England tour to New Zealand when, after a 28-hour flight, the team had a day's sleep before waking up to play, ludicrously, the full-strength women's All Black XV. Not surprisingly they were beaten, 67 0. It still rankles. In Amsterdam, England are seeded to play New Zealand, who did not attend the World Cup in 1994, in the semi-final on Tuesday week.
'If not quite 67, they were 30 points better than us,' says Mitchell with a delectably determined smile. 'We know we stood off that day and let them come at us, which was fatal.'
At Lilleshall this week the women called in one of the England coaches, the former rugby league stalwart Phil Larder, to galvanise their defences. Larder was a convert inside five minutes and, after two stiff sessions on Monday, stayed over for an extra one on Tuesday. 'I feared the worst, if truth were known. But I've been impressed. I've drilled them one-on-one just like I have with the men, and they compared on a dead-level par. At defence, their technique and ability to hit hard was an eye-opener; they've got the timing as well as the bottle; they've addressed their apparent weaknesses and now I'd be mighty surprised if any other team in this World Cup can possibly defend as well.'
The Worcester club provide two in the Amsterdam party, the full-back Nicky Brown and Mitchell's deputy, the 18-year-old Jo-Ann Yapp, and I offered the last word to Worcester's rugby director Les Cusworth, former England coach and sparkling fly-half. 'The ladies play and enjoy rugby as it should be played and enjoyed. They are fast and skilful, and though the old-fashioned male in me still winces at some of the physical contact, their vision, handling and deftness of touch can teach many a leading male player a trick or two.'
As the Virginia Slims baby had it, they have come a mighty long way. From that Chepstow youth hostel to a plush hotel in Amsterdam . . .
Source Citation
"Rugby Union: Women's World Cup: It's only ruck and roll but we like it: Even the twits at Twickers take the fillies seriously now. It's been a long hard road, but they've finally arrived." Guardian [London, England] 2 May 1998
World Cup: Gill Burns prepares for England's defence
GILL BURNS transports herself around the country in a car precisely 180,000 miles old and has not taken a holiday in almost seven years. If she spends little or none of her precious time worrying about money, it is because she has no money to worry about. "Disposable income? That's a laugh," she says. "You make sacrifices to play this game and the first sacrifice is whatever you might have in your pocket."
Her game is rugby and, without putting too fine a point on it, she is an extraordinarily accomplished performer; a fact she intends to emphasise over the two weeks of the third Women's World Cup, which began in Amsterdam yesterday. England are reigning champions and Burns, a No 8 from the Waterloo club, is captain of her country and the proud owner of 40 international caps, one more than Janis Ross, a flanker with Saracens and her oldest international ally.
She is also the only player to have scored in both previous World Cup finals and when you consider her physical resilience, her longevity at international level and a catalogue of complementary sporting achievements - Burns represented British Universities at hockey, basketball, swimming and athletics - she emerges as an explosive mix of Sean Fitzpatrick and C B Fry. A Corinthian with attitude.
Indeed, the most striking aspect of the 26-strong England squad who begin their campaign against Sweden today is the bewildering breadth of their sporting excellence. Paula George, for example, is a world championship netball player as well as an attacking full-back; Pip Spivey, the Clifton wing, is a nationally ranked pentathlete, tetrathlete and indoor rower; Teresa O'Reilly, a prop forward with Saracens, was a junior discus and javelin champion before moving into martial arts, where she won British and European titles in karate. Think twice before you take liberties with her, Os du Randt.
Thanks largely to a pounds 146,000 grant from the Sports Lottery Fund, this England party will be more thoroughly prepared for the rigours of international competition than any of their predecessors. "We've just spent the most fabulous week at Lilleshall, which gave us quality time together," said Burns. "Back in the early days, we'd have to get someone to pick our shirts up from some motorway service station an hour before kick-off. I could never have imagined a situation in which an England squad could spend 24 hours a day thinking purely about rugby. That's how far we've come.
"That's not to say we're pampered professionals, of course. All the girls in this squad have spent a fortune and shown enormous dedication getting to the top level - Susie Appleby, Janice Byford and Helen Clayton all took career breaks to get themselves ready for this tournament - and in my opinion, there is still a lack of respect from people who presume to judge us without taking the trouble to watch us play.
"But the game in England is growing stronger almost by the day; indeed, it is officially recognised as the fastest-growing women's sport in the country. There are 10,000 girls playing serious competitive rugby, we have a stable of incredibly supportive sponsors and a national development team funded by the Sports Council. All we need to do now is go to Holland and sock it to 'em."
Socking it to a predictably tough and resourceful New Zealand side, who are seeded to meet the holders at the semi-final stage, will be easier said than done. "We played them over there last year and had our backsides kicked," admitted Burns, none too sweetly. "We were naive, we defended poorly and we paid through the teeth. But we're a different side now, both in terms of personnel and attitude, and even though the New Zealand girls have been writing us off in public, I'm confident in our ability to handle whatever they throw at us.
"We've taken big strides off the field and those have been accompanied by improvements on it. We've always trained and trained damned hard, but we weren't necessarily doing the right training. Now we have balanced player-specific programmes, expertly compiled and rigidly adhered to. We're serious about this."
According to Byford, a front-row partner of O'Reilly's at Saracens, many leading male players discovered the seriousness of it all some time ago, especially their counterparts at Saracens: "We get a tremendous amount of moral and practical support from guys like Tony Diprose and Richard Hill," she said. "And when Francois Pienaar first took over as Sarries coach, he encouraged us by saying: 'This club needs silverware and you're the people to win us some.' If he recognises the work we're putting in, we must be doing something right."
Source Citation
Hewett, Chris. "Women's Rugby Union: Burns sets tone as a Corinthian with attitude; The England women's rugby union team begin their World Cup defence today. Chris Hewett met their dedicated captain." Independent [London, England] 2 May 1998
Her game is rugby and, without putting too fine a point on it, she is an extraordinarily accomplished performer; a fact she intends to emphasise over the two weeks of the third Women's World Cup, which began in Amsterdam yesterday. England are reigning champions and Burns, a No 8 from the Waterloo club, is captain of her country and the proud owner of 40 international caps, one more than Janis Ross, a flanker with Saracens and her oldest international ally.
She is also the only player to have scored in both previous World Cup finals and when you consider her physical resilience, her longevity at international level and a catalogue of complementary sporting achievements - Burns represented British Universities at hockey, basketball, swimming and athletics - she emerges as an explosive mix of Sean Fitzpatrick and C B Fry. A Corinthian with attitude.
Indeed, the most striking aspect of the 26-strong England squad who begin their campaign against Sweden today is the bewildering breadth of their sporting excellence. Paula George, for example, is a world championship netball player as well as an attacking full-back; Pip Spivey, the Clifton wing, is a nationally ranked pentathlete, tetrathlete and indoor rower; Teresa O'Reilly, a prop forward with Saracens, was a junior discus and javelin champion before moving into martial arts, where she won British and European titles in karate. Think twice before you take liberties with her, Os du Randt.
Thanks largely to a pounds 146,000 grant from the Sports Lottery Fund, this England party will be more thoroughly prepared for the rigours of international competition than any of their predecessors. "We've just spent the most fabulous week at Lilleshall, which gave us quality time together," said Burns. "Back in the early days, we'd have to get someone to pick our shirts up from some motorway service station an hour before kick-off. I could never have imagined a situation in which an England squad could spend 24 hours a day thinking purely about rugby. That's how far we've come.
"That's not to say we're pampered professionals, of course. All the girls in this squad have spent a fortune and shown enormous dedication getting to the top level - Susie Appleby, Janice Byford and Helen Clayton all took career breaks to get themselves ready for this tournament - and in my opinion, there is still a lack of respect from people who presume to judge us without taking the trouble to watch us play.
"But the game in England is growing stronger almost by the day; indeed, it is officially recognised as the fastest-growing women's sport in the country. There are 10,000 girls playing serious competitive rugby, we have a stable of incredibly supportive sponsors and a national development team funded by the Sports Council. All we need to do now is go to Holland and sock it to 'em."
Socking it to a predictably tough and resourceful New Zealand side, who are seeded to meet the holders at the semi-final stage, will be easier said than done. "We played them over there last year and had our backsides kicked," admitted Burns, none too sweetly. "We were naive, we defended poorly and we paid through the teeth. But we're a different side now, both in terms of personnel and attitude, and even though the New Zealand girls have been writing us off in public, I'm confident in our ability to handle whatever they throw at us.
"We've taken big strides off the field and those have been accompanied by improvements on it. We've always trained and trained damned hard, but we weren't necessarily doing the right training. Now we have balanced player-specific programmes, expertly compiled and rigidly adhered to. We're serious about this."
According to Byford, a front-row partner of O'Reilly's at Saracens, many leading male players discovered the seriousness of it all some time ago, especially their counterparts at Saracens: "We get a tremendous amount of moral and practical support from guys like Tony Diprose and Richard Hill," she said. "And when Francois Pienaar first took over as Sarries coach, he encouraged us by saying: 'This club needs silverware and you're the people to win us some.' If he recognises the work we're putting in, we must be doing something right."
Source Citation
Hewett, Chris. "Women's Rugby Union: Burns sets tone as a Corinthian with attitude; The England women's rugby union team begin their World Cup defence today. Chris Hewett met their dedicated captain." Independent [London, England] 2 May 1998
Friday, 1 May 1998
World Cup: Home nations prepare
A DARK cloud looms on the horizon of women's rugby. It is called New Zealand and the 15 other countries that contest the third World Cup in Holland over the next fortnight await with some trepidation to see whether its womenfolk can match the feats of the All Blacks.
The old order is changing, no matter what the gender. England, the holders, the United States and France have been the traditional powers but this weekend will show what the southern hemisphere can offer: New Zealand played in the first women's World Cup, in Wales in 1991, but withdrew from the 1994 tournament after an absence of support from the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.
They return with a flourish, underpinned by the growing popularity of competitive touch rugby in the southern- hemisphere summer and successes that include a 67-0 demolition of England last year. They will be joined, for the first time in a world tournament, by Australia, while Scotland will enter as European champions after a season in which they recorded their first success against England, by 8-5 in March.
For the first time, the tournament commands the support of the International Rugby Board (IRB), which will meet all the costs. It is a far cry from seven years ago, when the overwhelming enthusiasm of the administrators of the women's game in Britain carried all before them, even if it left them in debt by the close.
Now, however, there is greater recognition by the men of the merits of women's rugby. For example, England will defend their title after spending a week together at Lilleshall, thanks to a Pounds 146,000 grant from the National Lottery; the team is sponsored by Swiss Life (UK), supported by ADMeat, and a further eight companies con tribute significantly to the squad's preparation.
Ten years ago, when Gill Burns played her first international (against Sweden, England's pool opponents tomorrow), the players paid their own way in terms of kit, travel and accommodation. Burns leads England into what will be her third World Cup, knowing the financial worries that afflicted the 1991 organisers are things of the past - though she has not taken a holiday in the past six years and the mileage on her car is approaching 200,000.
This has not stopped three members of the squad - Susie Appleby (policewoman), Janice Byford (teacher) and Helen Clayton (lecturer) - from taking career breaks so that they can concentrate on a successful World Cup. It is also an opportunity for youth, because in Jo Yapp, 18, England include one of the youngest competitors in the tournament. Whether England can retain their crown remains to be seen. Their squad has changed out of all recognition since the visit to New Zealand, but the forwards do not look as formidable as the pack that squeezed the life out of the United States in the 1994 final; they have received coaching from luminaries such as Dick Best and Phil Larder and enter the fray encouraged by their 62-8 defeat of Ireland a month ago.
They are seeded to meet New Zealand in the semi-finals, at the Dutch National Rugby Centre in Amsterdam. Scotland, drawn in the same pool as New Zealand, must beat Italy to ensure a quarter-final place, while Wales are in the same pool as the Americans, whose free-running backs provided the highlights of the 1994 tournament.
Ireland's inexperienced team, which has received financial support from the Irish Rugby Football Union worth Pounds 20,000, will lack nothing in commitment but look to have the most demanding of games on the opening day, when they play Australia. It is, though, New Zealand's performance that will be watched most closely. "Ever since they beat us in August, I have been dying for another chance," Emma Mitchell, England's talented scrum half, said. That chance may be just around the corner.
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SQUADS
ENGLAND: Backs: P George (Wasps), N Brown (Worcester), P Spivey (Clifton), J Molyneux (Waterloo), S Day (Wasps), K Knight (Old Leamingtonians), T Collins (Saracens), S Appleby (Saracens), G Prangnell (Wasps), E Mitchell (Saracens), J Yapp (Worcester). Forwards: J Smith (Wasps), J Byford (Saracens), T O'Reilly (Saracens), M Edwards (Saracens), N Ponsford (Saracens), J Poore (Richmond), T Siwek (Richmond), L Uttley (Wasps), C Green (Saracens), S Robertson (Leeds), G Stevens (Clifton), J Ross (Saracens), H Clayton (Saracens), C Frost (Saracens), G Burns (Waterloo, captain).
WALES: Backs: N Evans (Cardiff Harlequins), T Comley (Ty-Croes), E Green (Saracens), S Thomas (Waterloo), S Phillips (Aberystwyth), L Rickard (Aberystwyth), R Williams (Wasps), S Williams (Ty-Croes), B Evans (Cardiff Harlequins, captain), R Owens (Swansea Uplands), S Calnan (Cheltenham). Forwards: D Mason (Waterloo), J Studley (Blaenau Gwent), A Antoniazzi (Waterloo), L Pritchard (Cardiff Harlequins), N Griffiths (Cardiff Harlequins), J Kift (Cardiff Harlequins), A Dent (Waterloo), C Donovan (Saracens), J Robinson (Aberystwyth), J Morgan (Cardiff Harlequins), S Ellis (Richmond), G Baylis (Saracens), E Steer (Swansea Uplands), P Evans (Swansea Uplands), L Burgess (Saracens).
SCOTLAND: Backs: C Herriot (Edinburgh Academicals), A McGrandles (Leeds), M Cave (Saracens), S Brodie (Edinburgh Academicals, K Littlejohn (Leeds, captain), D Fairbairn (Murrayfield Wanderers), P Paterson (Richmond), K Craigie (Murrayfield Wanderers), S Higgins (Edinburgh Academicals), R Lewis (Murrayfield Wanderers), L Blamire (Edinburgh Academicals), P Chalmers (Murrayfield Wanderers). Forwards: J Taylor (Edinburgh Academicals), K Findley (Richmond), L Allsopp (Murrayfield Wanderers), A Christie (Edinburgh Academicals), A MacKenzie (Glasgow Southern), S Scott (Murrayfield Wanderers), M McHardy (Edinburgh Academicals), L Cockburn (Edinburgh Academicals), G Cameron (Murrayfield Wanderers), D Kennedy (Leeds), I Wilson (Alton), J Sheerin (Richmond), J Afseth (Edinburgh Academicals), B MacLeod (Murrayfield Wanderers).
IRELAND: Backs: S Cosgrave (Old Crescent), L Nicholl (Cooke), A Dillon (Blackrock College), C-A Byrne (Blackrock College, captain), F Neary (Waterloo), S Fleming (Cooke), H Siwek (Wasps), R Currie (Cooke), R Shrieves (Richmond), F Devaney (Creggs), S O'Donovan (Waterloo). Forwards: D Campbell (Cooke), O Brown (Shannon), M Nash (Wasps), A Parsons (Wasps), J Moore (Exeter), E Wilt (Crawley), T Kennedy (Old Leamingtonians), M Myles (Wasps), A-M McAllister (Blackrock College), L Noade (Cooke), R Burn (Novocastrians), J O'Gorman (Old Crescent), F Steed (Novocastrians), J Whiteside (Leeds), J McCarthy (Old Crescent).
POOLS: A: England, Canada, Holland, Sweden. B: United States, Spain, Wales, Russia. C: France, Australia, Ireland, Kazakhstan. D: New Zealand, Scotland, Italy, Germany.
ITINERARY: Today: Opening ceremony; Canada v Holland. Tomorrow: Spain v Wales, New Zealand v Germany, France v Kazkhstan, United States v Russia, England v Sweden, Australia v Ireland, Scotland v Italy. May 5: Pool matches between first-round winners; pool matches between first-round losers. 9: Quarter-finals. 12: Semi-finals. 16: Final.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1998
Source Citation
Hands, David. "England outlook blackened by rivals; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 1 May 1998
The old order is changing, no matter what the gender. England, the holders, the United States and France have been the traditional powers but this weekend will show what the southern hemisphere can offer: New Zealand played in the first women's World Cup, in Wales in 1991, but withdrew from the 1994 tournament after an absence of support from the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.
They return with a flourish, underpinned by the growing popularity of competitive touch rugby in the southern- hemisphere summer and successes that include a 67-0 demolition of England last year. They will be joined, for the first time in a world tournament, by Australia, while Scotland will enter as European champions after a season in which they recorded their first success against England, by 8-5 in March.
For the first time, the tournament commands the support of the International Rugby Board (IRB), which will meet all the costs. It is a far cry from seven years ago, when the overwhelming enthusiasm of the administrators of the women's game in Britain carried all before them, even if it left them in debt by the close.
Now, however, there is greater recognition by the men of the merits of women's rugby. For example, England will defend their title after spending a week together at Lilleshall, thanks to a Pounds 146,000 grant from the National Lottery; the team is sponsored by Swiss Life (UK), supported by ADMeat, and a further eight companies con tribute significantly to the squad's preparation.
Ten years ago, when Gill Burns played her first international (against Sweden, England's pool opponents tomorrow), the players paid their own way in terms of kit, travel and accommodation. Burns leads England into what will be her third World Cup, knowing the financial worries that afflicted the 1991 organisers are things of the past - though she has not taken a holiday in the past six years and the mileage on her car is approaching 200,000.
This has not stopped three members of the squad - Susie Appleby (policewoman), Janice Byford (teacher) and Helen Clayton (lecturer) - from taking career breaks so that they can concentrate on a successful World Cup. It is also an opportunity for youth, because in Jo Yapp, 18, England include one of the youngest competitors in the tournament. Whether England can retain their crown remains to be seen. Their squad has changed out of all recognition since the visit to New Zealand, but the forwards do not look as formidable as the pack that squeezed the life out of the United States in the 1994 final; they have received coaching from luminaries such as Dick Best and Phil Larder and enter the fray encouraged by their 62-8 defeat of Ireland a month ago.
They are seeded to meet New Zealand in the semi-finals, at the Dutch National Rugby Centre in Amsterdam. Scotland, drawn in the same pool as New Zealand, must beat Italy to ensure a quarter-final place, while Wales are in the same pool as the Americans, whose free-running backs provided the highlights of the 1994 tournament.
Ireland's inexperienced team, which has received financial support from the Irish Rugby Football Union worth Pounds 20,000, will lack nothing in commitment but look to have the most demanding of games on the opening day, when they play Australia. It is, though, New Zealand's performance that will be watched most closely. "Ever since they beat us in August, I have been dying for another chance," Emma Mitchell, England's talented scrum half, said. That chance may be just around the corner.
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SQUADS
ENGLAND: Backs: P George (Wasps), N Brown (Worcester), P Spivey (Clifton), J Molyneux (Waterloo), S Day (Wasps), K Knight (Old Leamingtonians), T Collins (Saracens), S Appleby (Saracens), G Prangnell (Wasps), E Mitchell (Saracens), J Yapp (Worcester). Forwards: J Smith (Wasps), J Byford (Saracens), T O'Reilly (Saracens), M Edwards (Saracens), N Ponsford (Saracens), J Poore (Richmond), T Siwek (Richmond), L Uttley (Wasps), C Green (Saracens), S Robertson (Leeds), G Stevens (Clifton), J Ross (Saracens), H Clayton (Saracens), C Frost (Saracens), G Burns (Waterloo, captain).
WALES: Backs: N Evans (Cardiff Harlequins), T Comley (Ty-Croes), E Green (Saracens), S Thomas (Waterloo), S Phillips (Aberystwyth), L Rickard (Aberystwyth), R Williams (Wasps), S Williams (Ty-Croes), B Evans (Cardiff Harlequins, captain), R Owens (Swansea Uplands), S Calnan (Cheltenham). Forwards: D Mason (Waterloo), J Studley (Blaenau Gwent), A Antoniazzi (Waterloo), L Pritchard (Cardiff Harlequins), N Griffiths (Cardiff Harlequins), J Kift (Cardiff Harlequins), A Dent (Waterloo), C Donovan (Saracens), J Robinson (Aberystwyth), J Morgan (Cardiff Harlequins), S Ellis (Richmond), G Baylis (Saracens), E Steer (Swansea Uplands), P Evans (Swansea Uplands), L Burgess (Saracens).
SCOTLAND: Backs: C Herriot (Edinburgh Academicals), A McGrandles (Leeds), M Cave (Saracens), S Brodie (Edinburgh Academicals, K Littlejohn (Leeds, captain), D Fairbairn (Murrayfield Wanderers), P Paterson (Richmond), K Craigie (Murrayfield Wanderers), S Higgins (Edinburgh Academicals), R Lewis (Murrayfield Wanderers), L Blamire (Edinburgh Academicals), P Chalmers (Murrayfield Wanderers). Forwards: J Taylor (Edinburgh Academicals), K Findley (Richmond), L Allsopp (Murrayfield Wanderers), A Christie (Edinburgh Academicals), A MacKenzie (Glasgow Southern), S Scott (Murrayfield Wanderers), M McHardy (Edinburgh Academicals), L Cockburn (Edinburgh Academicals), G Cameron (Murrayfield Wanderers), D Kennedy (Leeds), I Wilson (Alton), J Sheerin (Richmond), J Afseth (Edinburgh Academicals), B MacLeod (Murrayfield Wanderers).
IRELAND: Backs: S Cosgrave (Old Crescent), L Nicholl (Cooke), A Dillon (Blackrock College), C-A Byrne (Blackrock College, captain), F Neary (Waterloo), S Fleming (Cooke), H Siwek (Wasps), R Currie (Cooke), R Shrieves (Richmond), F Devaney (Creggs), S O'Donovan (Waterloo). Forwards: D Campbell (Cooke), O Brown (Shannon), M Nash (Wasps), A Parsons (Wasps), J Moore (Exeter), E Wilt (Crawley), T Kennedy (Old Leamingtonians), M Myles (Wasps), A-M McAllister (Blackrock College), L Noade (Cooke), R Burn (Novocastrians), J O'Gorman (Old Crescent), F Steed (Novocastrians), J Whiteside (Leeds), J McCarthy (Old Crescent).
POOLS: A: England, Canada, Holland, Sweden. B: United States, Spain, Wales, Russia. C: France, Australia, Ireland, Kazakhstan. D: New Zealand, Scotland, Italy, Germany.
ITINERARY: Today: Opening ceremony; Canada v Holland. Tomorrow: Spain v Wales, New Zealand v Germany, France v Kazkhstan, United States v Russia, England v Sweden, Australia v Ireland, Scotland v Italy. May 5: Pool matches between first-round winners; pool matches between first-round losers. 9: Quarter-finals. 12: Semi-finals. 16: Final.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1998
Source Citation
Hands, David. "England outlook blackened by rivals; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 1 May 1998
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