For articles produced for the Northampton Saints Rugby Club website go to the following links:
http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/3831_798.php
http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/3831_823.php
Showing posts with label Northampton Saints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northampton Saints. Show all posts
Monday, 7 April 2008
Northampton Saints- Your Chance to Vote
Included in the Northampton Saints versus Leicester Tigers match day programme (April 2006):
With the end of the Saints' 2005/06 campaign looming, awards season is set to begin. The club is giving its supporters the chance to vote for the Northampton Saints' Player of the Year, sponsored by Persimmon, and Saints Review has suggested six players who you might like to consider, although the choice is entirely up to you. There is also a chance to vote for Saints' Young Player of the Year, sponsored by Hasmead, and Try of the Year, sponsored by Pro-Cut.
Two forwards who have stood out this season are lock Damien Browne and flanker Paul Tupai. Browne has accepted a lot of responsibility this season. He has called the lineouts and was named as captain against London Irish in February. He has made the most forward appearances this season.
Kiwi Tupai arrived after Christmas but has already made a big impact. He has been hard to shift from the team sheet and is consistently a niggling presence around the breakdown.
In the backs, the arrival of Carlos Spencer has grabbed most of the headline. He has not failed to disappoint with his running lines baffling defences across the Guinness Premiership.
Another newcomer is wing Sean Lamont. He will be remembered for his record-breaking four-try haul against Saracens in February.
Lamont's partner on the wing Ben Cohen has also delivered this season. He is leading the way with 13 tries so far this season. He also gained his 50th cap for England against Italy.
Saints Review's last suggestion is centre Jon Clarke. He has stormed back from injury this season to take on a new position at centre and to only miss one game. He also has seven tries to his name.
For the Young Player of the Year award, the Northampton Saints Academy has put together a shortlist of four players.
Worcester recruits Dylan Hartley and Mark Hopley are the first on the shortlist. Hartley had a tough debut at Leicester this season, but impressed as hooker. He also won a Grand Slam for England in the U21s Six Nations. Hopley has captained both the Academy and Wanderers sides, and scored in the 125th Anniversary match for the Academy against Leicester's development team.
Paul Diggin is a self-proclaimed "local lad done good". Born and bred in Northampton, the winger has made five appearances this season and has made real progress in breaking into the 1st XV.
Finally, No. 8 Mark Easter has been picked out for his performances in is five 1st XV appearances this season. He scored his debut try against Gloucester in March and scored last weekend's winner against Bath.
You can also vote for your try of the season from a shortlist chosen by the coaches. To vote, click on the Player of the Year button on the home page of the club's website at www.northamptonsaints.co.uk or fill in the coupon in the Chronicle and Echo. Closing date for votes is Sunday, April 30, 2006.
With the end of the Saints' 2005/06 campaign looming, awards season is set to begin. The club is giving its supporters the chance to vote for the Northampton Saints' Player of the Year, sponsored by Persimmon, and Saints Review has suggested six players who you might like to consider, although the choice is entirely up to you. There is also a chance to vote for Saints' Young Player of the Year, sponsored by Hasmead, and Try of the Year, sponsored by Pro-Cut.
Two forwards who have stood out this season are lock Damien Browne and flanker Paul Tupai. Browne has accepted a lot of responsibility this season. He has called the lineouts and was named as captain against London Irish in February. He has made the most forward appearances this season.
Kiwi Tupai arrived after Christmas but has already made a big impact. He has been hard to shift from the team sheet and is consistently a niggling presence around the breakdown.
In the backs, the arrival of Carlos Spencer has grabbed most of the headline. He has not failed to disappoint with his running lines baffling defences across the Guinness Premiership.
Another newcomer is wing Sean Lamont. He will be remembered for his record-breaking four-try haul against Saracens in February.
Lamont's partner on the wing Ben Cohen has also delivered this season. He is leading the way with 13 tries so far this season. He also gained his 50th cap for England against Italy.
Saints Review's last suggestion is centre Jon Clarke. He has stormed back from injury this season to take on a new position at centre and to only miss one game. He also has seven tries to his name.
For the Young Player of the Year award, the Northampton Saints Academy has put together a shortlist of four players.
Worcester recruits Dylan Hartley and Mark Hopley are the first on the shortlist. Hartley had a tough debut at Leicester this season, but impressed as hooker. He also won a Grand Slam for England in the U21s Six Nations. Hopley has captained both the Academy and Wanderers sides, and scored in the 125th Anniversary match for the Academy against Leicester's development team.
Paul Diggin is a self-proclaimed "local lad done good". Born and bred in Northampton, the winger has made five appearances this season and has made real progress in breaking into the 1st XV.
Finally, No. 8 Mark Easter has been picked out for his performances in is five 1st XV appearances this season. He scored his debut try against Gloucester in March and scored last weekend's winner against Bath.
You can also vote for your try of the season from a shortlist chosen by the coaches. To vote, click on the Player of the Year button on the home page of the club's website at www.northamptonsaints.co.uk or fill in the coupon in the Chronicle and Echo. Closing date for votes is Sunday, April 30, 2006.
Northampton Saints- Bruce Reihana
A piece produced for the Northampton Saints versus Leicester Tigers match day programme (April 2006), involving professional rugby player Bruce Reihana:
It is no secret that Saints are going through somewhat of a transitional phase this season. They have lost the likes of Matt Dawson and Nick Beal to Wasps and retirement respectively in recent years and with Paul Grayson and Budge Pountney moving into coaching roles, Saints have turned to a new set of leaders to build a fresh team around.
One of those players is Bruce Reihana, who this season has made the step from player to co-captain in one easy move. Reihana has been a leading light this season, having missed only one game and scoring eight tries, as well as taking the responsibilities as kicker.
He said: “It is a huge honour to be made captain. I didn’t expect it, but I am very proud.”
Reihana added: “I haven’t found it hard being made captain. I have always tried to lead in the way I play. I have tried to make the hard decisions by words as well as by actions. There are plenty of leaders like Carlos Spencer, Mark Robinson and Ben Cohen which makes my and Steve’s job a lot easier.
“I’m enjoying the extra responsibility-it is an exciting challenge.”
It is no surprise that Reihana has become a fans’ favourite since joining from Waikato in 2002. He has scored 30 tries for Northampton and scored more than 450 points, as well as picking up the Zurich Premiership Overseas Player of the Year, PRA Players’ Player and Saints Player of the Year awards at the end of the 2003/04 season and last year’s Try of the Year award. He celebrated his 100th game for the team against Newcastle last month, and is very proud of his achievements since moving from New Zealand. No wonder he decided to stay at Saints rather than return to Waikato, as he had planned.
“The feeling here at Northampton is amazing. The people, the stadium and the set up are fantastic.”
But has the atmosphere changed at all with his one time team-mate Paul Grayson coaching the team?
“Not at all. It was very good to be playing with someone I really respect. He has a great knowledge of the game and now to be coached by him is fantastic. He has been there and done it as a player, and even though he is young and starting out in coaching, he has a huge future ahead of him.”
It is obvious that Reihana is very happy at Franklin’s Gardens, and optimism is high for the future. He talks of a mentality and toughness in the side that was borne out of last year’s relegation battle. Hopefully, this can be used to find some real success at Northampton. But Bruce also realises that rugby is not the be-all and end-all, a fact that hit home when his brother passed away recently.
He said: “Losing my brother had made me realise that you never really know when your life is going to end. I now know that I should live each day to its fullest and don’t take anything for granted.”
Reihana’s enthusiasm for the game will be vital if Saints are to push for a GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP play-off semi-final, which is a realistic aim according to the flying Kiwi.
“My ambitions are to get three wins from the final three games. I want to keep my game to the highest level it can be, and help keep Saints going up the Premiership ladder.”
First in his sights are Leicester Tigers, who were the team he made his debut against in 2002, and who have already beaten Northampton twice this season. Reihana knows that Saints need to be on top of their form to beat their Midlands rival, but is confident a win is possible.
“It is always a hard battle against Leicester. There is huge rivalry between the two clubs, and both sides have a massive will to win. But we have trained really well this week, and worked hard. If we can take our chances we have a really good chance of winning.”
If Reihana does manage to lead the team to a famous victory, you can be sure to hear the “Bruce, Bruce, Bruce” chants going around Franklin’s Gardens-something that has become commonplace this season. Not since Harvey Thorneycroft has one player been singled out for the crowd’s singing practise, and Reihana is very thankful to the Saints’ faithful.
He said: “I’m very honoured to hear people chanting my name. It really does drive me on in a game. I want to play hard for the team and for the fans. It is a fantastic feeling in a game when the crowd are behind you. I’m overwhelmed.”
Let’s hope that name will be ringing around the ground tonight against Leicester.
It is no secret that Saints are going through somewhat of a transitional phase this season. They have lost the likes of Matt Dawson and Nick Beal to Wasps and retirement respectively in recent years and with Paul Grayson and Budge Pountney moving into coaching roles, Saints have turned to a new set of leaders to build a fresh team around.
One of those players is Bruce Reihana, who this season has made the step from player to co-captain in one easy move. Reihana has been a leading light this season, having missed only one game and scoring eight tries, as well as taking the responsibilities as kicker.
He said: “It is a huge honour to be made captain. I didn’t expect it, but I am very proud.”
Reihana added: “I haven’t found it hard being made captain. I have always tried to lead in the way I play. I have tried to make the hard decisions by words as well as by actions. There are plenty of leaders like Carlos Spencer, Mark Robinson and Ben Cohen which makes my and Steve’s job a lot easier.
“I’m enjoying the extra responsibility-it is an exciting challenge.”
It is no surprise that Reihana has become a fans’ favourite since joining from Waikato in 2002. He has scored 30 tries for Northampton and scored more than 450 points, as well as picking up the Zurich Premiership Overseas Player of the Year, PRA Players’ Player and Saints Player of the Year awards at the end of the 2003/04 season and last year’s Try of the Year award. He celebrated his 100th game for the team against Newcastle last month, and is very proud of his achievements since moving from New Zealand. No wonder he decided to stay at Saints rather than return to Waikato, as he had planned.
“The feeling here at Northampton is amazing. The people, the stadium and the set up are fantastic.”
But has the atmosphere changed at all with his one time team-mate Paul Grayson coaching the team?
“Not at all. It was very good to be playing with someone I really respect. He has a great knowledge of the game and now to be coached by him is fantastic. He has been there and done it as a player, and even though he is young and starting out in coaching, he has a huge future ahead of him.”
It is obvious that Reihana is very happy at Franklin’s Gardens, and optimism is high for the future. He talks of a mentality and toughness in the side that was borne out of last year’s relegation battle. Hopefully, this can be used to find some real success at Northampton. But Bruce also realises that rugby is not the be-all and end-all, a fact that hit home when his brother passed away recently.
He said: “Losing my brother had made me realise that you never really know when your life is going to end. I now know that I should live each day to its fullest and don’t take anything for granted.”
Reihana’s enthusiasm for the game will be vital if Saints are to push for a GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP play-off semi-final, which is a realistic aim according to the flying Kiwi.
“My ambitions are to get three wins from the final three games. I want to keep my game to the highest level it can be, and help keep Saints going up the Premiership ladder.”
First in his sights are Leicester Tigers, who were the team he made his debut against in 2002, and who have already beaten Northampton twice this season. Reihana knows that Saints need to be on top of their form to beat their Midlands rival, but is confident a win is possible.
“It is always a hard battle against Leicester. There is huge rivalry between the two clubs, and both sides have a massive will to win. But we have trained really well this week, and worked hard. If we can take our chances we have a really good chance of winning.”
If Reihana does manage to lead the team to a famous victory, you can be sure to hear the “Bruce, Bruce, Bruce” chants going around Franklin’s Gardens-something that has become commonplace this season. Not since Harvey Thorneycroft has one player been singled out for the crowd’s singing practise, and Reihana is very thankful to the Saints’ faithful.
He said: “I’m very honoured to hear people chanting my name. It really does drive me on in a game. I want to play hard for the team and for the fans. It is a fantastic feeling in a game when the crowd are behind you. I’m overwhelmed.”
Let’s hope that name will be ringing around the ground tonight against Leicester.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)