rugby365: The Exclusive Seven
It’s been a busy year for rugby365 in 2009 – covering a world’s worth of top flight rugby, the team have brought you all the latest news, reports and interviews from around the globe.
In fact looking back on the year it’s almost unbelievable to think how much has happened – Grand Slam success for Ireland, a Currie Cup/Super 14 double for the Bulls, British and Irish Lions series and Tri-Nations success for the Springboks… the list of fantastic moments goes on and on.
Along the way as well we have had the chance to speak to some of the biggest names in the game – we look back on seven of the most memorable ones of 2009.
R365 Exclusive: Monye’s proudest day
Despite having only six caps to his name Harlequins flyer Ugo Monye was named in Ian McGeechan’s 2009 British and Irish Lions touring party. rugby365 were the first to get his thoughts and, understandably, he was pretty pleased!
While his tour may well be remembered for two failed scoring opportunities in the first test he was certainly one of the most memorable characters on the tour – looking to make the most of every opportunity which came his way.
Nel’s keen to learn from ‘the best’
Young Free State Cheetahs star WP Nel has had a 2009 to remember that is for sure! Part of the Currie Cup’s most dominating front row, the 23 year-old was hugely unlucky not to be included in the Springboks end-of-year squad but did then earn a callup to Nick Mallett’s Barbarians side to play against New Zealand at Twickenham.
Speaking to rugby365 editor Peter Murison during the run-in to the Currie Cup semifinals, Nel maintained that he still had plenty to learn and insisted that, under Naka Drotske and Os du Randt, he was in the perfect place to do just that. Given his performances over the year he might just be right!
Habana: ‘Stormers have winning recipe’
rugby365 has been fortunate enough to chat to Springbok star Bryan Habana a couple of times this year but the one piece which stands out has got to be the exclusive chat he had with us regarding his high profile move to the Cape.
The Bulls wing has been an integral part of the hugely successful Pretoria-based side in recent years but now, with just about every trophy available to him in his cabinet, he reckons he is ready to help drive the Stormers to success.
Andrew aims for ‘sustained success’
One of the most high-profile men in the game, RFU Director of Elite Rugby Rob Andrew granted rugby365 an exclusive chat earlier this year – affording us the chance to pick the brain of the man tasked with once again building England into potential World Champions.
GLRU President, Kevin de Klerk, Exclusive
Part One
Part Two
The Golden Lions have had a difficult year on the pitch but off it they have also not had a lot of success – finding themselves in court rooms and arbitration hearings far too often for their liking.
Throughout it all though rugby365 was there, bringing you the best coverage of the complicated web – speaking exclusively to the man at the top of the tree – Kevin de Klerk.
2009 though will always be remembered for the titanic battle between the Springboks and the British and Irish Lions.
While the home side won the war 2-1 there were undoubtedly a number of battle in and amongst the tour which will live long in the memory.
During the buildup to the series though rugby365 had some great moments as well – two of which involved interviews with a pair of rugby icons – Gareth Edwards and Gavin Hastings.
Lions Chat: Edwards on team spirit
‘The Greatest Player to ever play the game’ – Gareth Edwards spoke exclusively to rugby365’s Nick Pawson about the Lions experience and exactly what it meant to be a part of the famous brand.
Three times a Lions tourist and a former tour captain, few people have more history with the Lions than Scottish star Gavin Hastings. Speaking to rugby365 the record points scorer admitted that, on his long list of great sporting achievements, captaining the Lions to New Zealand was ‘at the very top.’
