The East Terrace

New Zealand players asked to beg

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and the New Zealand government are taking dramatic steps to ensure their holding of the 2011 Rugby World Cup is deemed a success and avoids becoming a financial disaster.

 

The revealed 'action plan' has been put together in light of the gloomy economic predictions regarding the potential losses of Rugby New Zealand 2011 Limited (RNZ 2011).

RNZ 2011 boss Martin Snedden is budgeting for a loss of around NZ$40million from the sport's showpiece and the figures are a major embarrassment to both the IRB and NZRU in light of the fact previous tournaments have grossed massive amounts of money for event organisers.

The most shocking part of the 'action plan' from the NZRU is that players on this Autumn's European tour are being asked to beg and busk during their spare time to help raise extra funds. Coach Graham Henry has confirmed that he has related to his players that they will be expected to put in a lot of hours 'off the paddock' in helping their country to achieve some level of financial stability.

For the full story click here.

IRB to introduce new 'honesty' system

In an effort to quell the rising controversy of inconsistent and often lenient sentences handed out in recent years to players found guilty of violent conduct, the IRB has proposed a new 'honesty' system to try and address the problem.

The new proposals would simply involve the IRB, or relevant union, emailing the accused player a video file of their alleged offence and asking them to view it before emailing it back with their verdict and punishment, if any.

"We need to empower players," said IRB spokesman Peter Williams. "When people are given responsibilities for their actions you often find that they behave far more respectably and with greater dignity than when they are held to account by someone else. The IRB feels that players would, if given these proposed powers, take them very seriously. After all, if they didn't given themselves an appropriate ban they would only be cheating themselves."

 

For the full story: visit scrum.com

 

Quins target change in fortune

The latest news item from The East Terrace is now available on scrum.com.

We reveal how the Harlequins are trying to bring back some good luck after the Bloodgate scandal.

To see the story visit the page by clicking here.

Wilkinson spotted in bar with Lady Luck

The East Terrace's latest news article is now online on www.scrum.com.

We reveal the latest drama in the personal life of rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson as he attempts to woo Lady Luck.

For a direct link to the story visit: http://www.scrum.com/lionstour/rugby/story/100213.html

South Africa introduce new quota system for team selection

The East Terrace's latest news article is now online on www.scrum.com.

We reveal the controversial new quota system being introduced for the selection of South Africa national sides. The shockwaves are going to change the game forever.

For a direct link to the story visit: http://www.scrum.com/lionstour/rugby/story/98504.html

Lions hit hard by economic climate

The East Terrace's latest 'news' article is now online on www.scrum.com.

We reveal the shocking news that the Lions' have had to cut their budget by 70%. This means a dramatic reduction in playing and coaching numbers.

For a direct link to the story  visit: http://www.scrum.com/lionstour/rugby/story/96919.html  

Lions' Mascot may be unable to tour

The East Terrace's latest 'news' article is now online on www.scrum.com.

We reveal the shocking truth about the Lions' famous cuddly mascot.  For a direct link to the story visit: http://www.scrum.com/lionstour/rugby/story/95956.html

1948 Irish Team looking for new media work

The East Terrace's latest 'news' article is now online at scrum.com.

We reveal the shocking truth of what the 1948 Irish team really think about the 2009 Grand Slam.

 

East Terrace article now available at scrum.com

The latest exclusive East Terrace news is now availble on www.scrum.com.

To see our Martin Johnson interview visit: http://www.scrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/92580.html

Beaumont shocks rugby world by announcing comeback

Originally published on scrum.com in Jan 2009

More than a quarter of a century after his last match for his country, former England and Lions skipper Bill Beaumont has shocked the rugby world by making himself available for the 2009 Six Nations campaign

With English rugby currently in crisis, and new manager Martin Johnson under immense pressure to deliver some results, Beaumont has stepped forward to, "help serve his country in one of its darkest hours".

Beaumont won 34 caps for England, a large number for the era, and led the side on 21 occasions. As well as making two Lions' tours, including being captain for the 1980 tour to South Africa, he also led the North of England to a famous win over New Zealand in 1979. He is most well known, however, for taking England to the 1980 grand slam; their first since 1957.

Beaumont's dramatic return to the fore was inspired by a recent late night viewing of Sylvester Stallone's 'Rocky Balboa' movie. The sixth film in the immensely popular Rocky series sees the fictional boxer return to the ring in his late sixties to take on the current heavyweight champion of the world. Rocky's combination of guile, power and passion is almost enough to see him upset the odds and win the fight.

"I was sat at home a few weeks back just flicking through the movie channel when on came this wonderfully inspiring film about a man taking one more shot at something he passionately believes in," said the fifty-six-year-old Lancashire man. "Rugby is something that I passionately believe in and, as a proud Englishman, I want to help my country out during its time of need. I couldn't sleep after watching it. I thought, well, I know it sounds silly, but maybe I could do what Rocky did. Maybe I could take that million to one shot and change things."

Since watching the movie three weeks ago, Beaumont has hired a personal trainer, purchased several sets of grey tracksuits, cleaned his old boots, drunk six raw eggs each morning and gone on a run "almost" every other day. He has also ordered several live chickens from the local farm to get in some agility and speed practice.