Rugby

Israel reaches World Cup qualifiers

Simon Griver — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:10:45 +0100

Israel will play in next month’s qualifying tournament for the 2015 Rugby World Cup after beating Latvia.

A 17-15 victory in front of 2,000 spectators at the Wingate Institute assures Israel first place after the opening round of matches in Europe’s Division 2B, following wins over Serbia and Andorra.

The newly-promoted team still has a home match against Denmark later this month and they appear well placed to climb into Division 2A at the first attempt for season 2014/15.

Israel captain Yonatan Kaplan said: "This team surprises me again and again and we’re not stopping here. Five more victories and we’re in the World Cup finals."

Kaplan to hang up his boots

James Masters — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:27:24 +0000

Leading referee Jonathan Kaplan will retire at the end of the season.

The South African official, who has taken charge of more tests, Super Rugby and Currie Cup matches than anyone else in history, will hang up his boots following a 21-year career.

Kaplan said: "Rugby has been my life for the past few decades and I’ve made the decision with a tinge of sadness.

"But the time has come to move on and make way for the young referees we have coming through in South Africa."

Kaplan has taken charge of a world record 68 test matches and four rugby World Cups. He said: "I’ve had an incredible career and I’ll miss my front row seats on the big stage. You have no idea how difficult it is. It’s like part of me is dying.

"I’ve always prided myself on having the best interests of the game at heart, and being brave enough to try and get the best out of every game in which I have been involved."

Born in Durban, Kaplan started refereeing as a schoolboy at King David in Johannesburg at the age of 17.

And despite announcing his retirement, he insists that he still plans to be involved with rugby in the future.

He said: "I’d like to remain involved in the game, quite in what capacity I am not sure at this stage."

Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU: "Jonathan has been one of the world’s best referees for a very long time now and has been a credit not only to South African rugby but the profession of refereeing."

USA Maccabiah rugby squads announced

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:56:23 +0000

Maccabi USA has announced its squads for the Open and sevens competitions at this summer's Maccabiah Games in Israel.

Coach Shawn Lipman, Assistant Coaches Gregory Schor Haskin and David Rudzinsky, with Managers Barry Seidel and David Danker, have been working with the Rugby applicants over the last year to develop an elite team through intensive conditioning and fitness training.

Final trials took place January 30 - February 3 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Over 40 applicants for the team gathered for intensive fitness training, which included a rigorous workout with the U.S. Navy Seals at their facility on Coronado Island and culminated with a match against the San Diego Aztecs,

Attending the trials to support the selection process were Maccabi Rugby legends, former 2001 captain and 2009 coach Craig Levine and Gary Puterman. Levine won gold in 1997 and captained the silver medal team in 2001, and Gary was a three-time gold medallist and member of the 2009 team. Marc Stcherbina, a two-time Commonwealth Games medal winner in Rugby and world-class professional player was at the trials to support the coaching staff.

This elite level team includes current and former International and U.S. National Team athletes: Dallen Stanford; Kevin Swiryn and Zach Test.

In preparation for Israel the team has attracted the support of Alan Ozdamar, the strength and conditioning coach for the US National Olympic rugby team, and Integrated Athletics International, a leading speed, conditioning and muscle reactive therapy group, under the leadership of Mathias Narducci. With their support the team will be training under Olympic and world class standards. John Dibatista, a leading sports psychology and leadership consultant, will also be working with the squad on mental preparation and leadership training.

Jeff Simon and Josh Kaplan will co-chair the USA Open Rugby section. Simon said: "Shawn and the entire management team have done an amazing job of building a foundation for our rugby program where we have been able to attract the best Jewish Rugby players from the USA.

"We have high expectations for the team to take gold medals in both Rugby 15s and Rugby 7s. This will be an amazing experience for all the athletes, both on and off the field, as there is no other event in the world where the most elite Jewish Rugby players gather for International competition and have the opportunity to compete against the best in their sport as well as to experience the culture and history of Israel."

USA rugby squad:
Zack Abbott (Ann Arbor, MI)
Gabe Adler (Los Angeles, CA)
Ross Biestman (Oakland, CA)
Jared Braun (Berkeley, CA)
David Cohen (Marietta, GA)
Joel Cohen (Rockville, MD)
Seth Cohen (New York, NY)
Shawn Cox (Austin, TX)
Matthew Crawford (Walnut Creek, CA)
Aaron Davis (Team Vice Captain, of Venice, CA)
Elliot Dillon-Herzog (Evanston, IL)
Raymond Fleser (Narragansett, RI)
Taylor Howden (Denver, CO)
Joji Kurosaki (Portland, OR)
Max Levine (San Francisco, CA)
Guy Matisis (Weymouth, MA)
Tanner Mohr (Davis, CA)
James Murray (New York, NY)
Jacob Poliakoff (Poway, CA)
Alan Roniss (Long Beach, CA)
William Rudman (San Francisco, CA)
Michael Rudzinsky (Reading, MA)
Ross Silverman (Santa Barbara, CA)
Joshua Slater (Denver, CO)
Dallen Stanford (Team Captain, of Santa Monica, CA)
Kevin Swiryn (Bellevue, WA)
Zach Test (Redwood City, CA)
Jasper Wilson (New York, NY)
Roman Wilson (Norman, OK)
Ilya Wortman (Boston, MA)

Head coach: Shawn Lipman (Hidden Hills, CA)
Assistant Coach: Gregory Schor Haskin (Miramar, FL)
Assistant Coach: David Rudzinsky (Reading, MA)
Manager: Barry Seidel (Encino, CA)
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator: David Danker (Foster City, CA)
Medical Trainer: Sarah Sall (Philadelphia, PA)

Sam is the man for all seasons

Danny Caro — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:54:42 +0000

Sam Isaacs made his debut for the London Wasps academy team in the under-18 Aviva Premiership win over Bristol.

Isaacs, who is 17 and from Pinner, was at the Fulham FC academy for five years before winning an Outstanding Sports Talent scholarship at Harrow School. He then moved on to Old Merchant Taylors where, earlier this year, he became the youngest-ever player to represent the 1st XI. He currently captains the OMT 1st XI and plans to lead the team on a tour to America and Canada this summer.

At Wasps, the winger is coming to the end of his contract with the Elite Player Development Group where he trains twice a week.

Following the 40-18 win over Bristol at Maidenhead RFC, Isaacs is set to feature in the match against Harlequins this weekend.

He said: "I want to take my rugby as far as I can. I’d love to play for Wasps 1st XI who are the team I support."

Isaacs has also featured for Middlesex from under-14 level and had trials with the South of England team.

Katz lifts England

Danny Caro — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:00:13 +0000

Sam Katz marked his first appearance for England Students with a match-winning performance against Portugal.

Katz, who was GB’s star man at the 2009 Maccabiah Games, scored 20 points as England ended their Lisbon jinx with a 25-20 victory.

Trailing 12-9 at the interval, Katz of Loughborough University kicked five penalties, a conversion and a drop-goal to seal a famous win.

Katz was presented with his first England cap by the RFU’s Bill Beaumont after the match.

He hopes to be in the squad for the forthcoming matches against the French Universities and Welsh Students.

During his work placement year, Katz has been playing for Rosslyn Park RFC, who currently lie fourth in the English National League 1. He returns to Loughborough University in the summer to complete his degree in International Business & Spanish.

Israeli rugby is going places, says Penn

Simon Griver — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:22:52 +0000

Israel's rugby team scored a 26-5 away victory over Andorra last weekend.

Following its win over Serbia last month, newly-promoted Israel are the only team in the European Nations Cup Qualifying Group 2B with a 100 per cent record after two games.

Despite freezing conditions in Andorra, Israel edged the first half 7-5 thanks to an Eitan Humphries try.

Israel dominated the second half as tries from Ronen Tolman and Natan Brosh clinched the game.

Israel coach Ra’anan Penn told The JC: "This was another battling performance and with home games against Denmark and Latvia in April we are confident of finishing top, which will put us into the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals qualifying tournament."

But Penn is remaining realistic of his team’s chances of making a dream appearance at Twickenham and says promotion to Group 2A is the best they can hope for.

He added: "If we could win two rounds that would be a sensation. I think Group 2A would be as far as this team can go.

"It's an ageing team, but we have fantastic teenagers coming through and Israeli media interest has increased a thousand-fold."

The best team won, says Penn

Simon Griver — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:15:02 +0100

Israel made an impressive start to the European Nations Cup Qualifying Group B2 season with a 48-22 victory over highly-rated Serbia.

Fears that Israel, who earned promotion last season, would be outclassed were soon banished amid a flurry of tries in front of a crowd of 1,500 at the Wingate Institute.

The hosts made a dream start when Ronen Tollman beat four players to score the first of eight tries five minutes into the game. Nimrod Kaplan (2), Misha Eli, Matan Brosh, Ethan Humphries, Adrian Reinstein and Modi
Radshkovits also went over the line in an impressive performance.

Israel coach Ra’anan Penn said: "We thought it would be tougher but it soon became apparent that we were more organised and a better team.

"This result has given us confidence and we believe we can clinch back-to-back promotions."

Israel's next match is against Andorra on October 27.

Team GB eye rugby gold

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:55:22 +0100

Rugby boss Jon Tyler has set his sights on leading Team GB to a golden summer at the 2013 Maccabiah Games.

Team GB are planning to send open teams for both the 15-a-side and rugby sevens competition as well as under-16 and under-19 squads.

Tyler is expecting over 70 players to make the trip to Israel and is looking to run the rule over the squads at the next training session on June 24.

“Even though we have a number of applications, I am keen to receive as many applications as possible from all age groups from all over the country,” he said.

“We are interested in people for all positions and age groups, but particularly any 6 foot 10 inch players would be very useful!

“Three years ago at the Maccabiah Games, the GB rugby team had to content themselves with the Silver medal.

“This time we are determined to come home with the Gold.”

In order to attend the trials, players must register online at www.maccabigb.org.

Rugby joy for Israel

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:51:10 +0100

The Israel national rugby team has been promoted into Division 2B of the European Nations Cup.

A 15-0 victory against Denmark in front of 1,500 spectators at Wingate Stadium saw them finish the job in style.

First-half tries from prop Matan Brosh and Adrian Reinstein put Israel in command. Reinstein sealed the win with a brilliant solo effort in the second half.

Israel try-scorer Matan Brosh said: “When you take every player as an individual, Denmark is better than Israel. But as a team we are a force and we gave them no chance.”

Team GB stars shine

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:05:45 +0100

Maccabiah stars Aaron Radley of Rosslyn Park RFC and Sam Katz from Loughborough University RFC helped the Ramblin Jesters, an Invitational Rugby Sevens Team, reach the semi-finals of the Amsterdam Sevens Tournament.

Played in front of 8,000 spectators, the Londoners featured in 48-team, competition, with the Jesters side made up of IRB internationals from Fiji, Wales and Ireland.