On 22 September the Royal New Zealand Navy will open the 2014 Four Nations Maritime Rugby Cup (within which the Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup now sits) against the United States Marine Corps! History tells us that the USA declared independence in 1776 a year after the US Marine Corps were formed; so hence the tag CNRC is no longer applicable. However they will be warmly welcomed, by the New Zealand Navy’s own Haka, as a new team to the tournament. Famous around the world for their fervent loyalty to each other and their Corps, they are sure to bring a physical and determined edge to their matches, embodied by their motto Semper Fidelis (always faithful). This is perhaps more apt th...
The 2nd edition of the UK Fiji Sevens was another extravaganza of pace, power, flair and no little flamboyance. The Service Fijian community descended on Aldershot for a festival of rugby and this year included a side made up of Naval Service personnel under the guise of Devon Barbarians.
Navy Sharks assistant coach, B Buinimasi had assembled a side which included current Sharks Toots Vakalutukali, Sevanaia Naulago and Seti Raumakita along with recently recalled Iferemia Kava. Though the Devon Barbarians did not progress through to contest any of the finals they certainly contributed to the day. However a couple of knocks to Seti and Toots may impact on the Sharks selection at Harpend...
New RNRU Director of Rugby, Mark Deller, has been able to name a strong lineup, which includes seventeen capped players, in the twenty five man squad for the 2014 Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup which will be held in Devonport, New Zealand in September. Dave Pascoe is the only survivor from the last time the Kiwis hosted the cup in 2003. 2003 was a year for the New Zealand Navy to forget as they lost to both the Royal Navy and Australian Navy on their home HMNZS Philomel pitch, which for a proud rugby-playing nation is not something they would wish to repeat.
In the front row Ed Gaught will be playing in his third Commonwealth Cup and is joined by Tom Blackburn and Marc Jones who both p...
Royal Navy Sharks captain, Manoa Satala, is hoping that thirteen will be his lucky number. Following trials at Wasps Twyford Avenue training ground, Manoa has been selected for the World Club 7’s 13 th team. The seven selected players will be available at Twickenham to provide injury cover in case any of the twelve participants loose a squad member to injury. Last year, Huw Bevan (Barnes RFC) was selected and collected a winner’s medal with the ACT Brumbies. Manoa will be hoping for a similar experience as he returns to Twickenham seven years after winning his final Navy cap in 2007.
Currently eleven out of the twelve World Clubs 7’s teams ar...
