In Brief: England, South Africa, Afghanistan

Photo: Women's rugby comes to Afghanistan (Hartlepool Mail)

England captain interviewed on Today Programme

Sarah Hunter appeared on BBC Radio 4’s “Today Programme”, with sports reporter Rob Bonnet devoting his entire late morning sports news slot to a live interview with the England captain, which started with a discussion on the controversial appointment of new England Men’s Captain, Dylan Hartley.

Asked about the appointment Hunter said “I agree with a lot of people that the style that he brings and the game that he plays is that something that Eddie Jones wants bring to the side and he epitomises that confrontational and uncompromising style of play. He plays on the edge but now he knows that he can’t go over that edge.”

So does similar foul play, of the type that Hartley has been cautioned for, appear in the women’s game? “I have heard very little, and haven’t been on the receiving end. The confrontation and physicality and aggression is still there [in the women’s game] but maybe in a more controlled manner.”

What about Hunter’s own captaincy style:” I think I am very much an “action speaks louder than words” type of captain. I try to inspire the team around me by how I play. I am a great believer – as Dylan Hartley has said - in ultimately you have to be the best player in your position”, she said.

Does she consider herself to be a role model? ”I like to see myself as a role model, both on and off the pitch. We are not professional – we are amateur and have full time jobs - so managing to fit in a full training schedule around working commitments and how we play our international rugby will help inspire your people to get into sport.”

And on the upcoming Six Nations, and improving on last year’s fourth place: “There is a lot to do, we know that more than anyone. There were a lot of changes last year after the World Cup but now we are a settled squad with young blood coming through, some great experience in the side, a great coaching team and the Autumn internationals and summer tour we are looking to put in a performance and improve on last year.”

South Africa host Brazil as they plan WSWS comeback

Despite the South African National Olympic Committee’s refusal to support their participation in the Olympic Games, the South African team still have a challenging programme ahead of them this year as they attempt to regain their place in the World Series.  Springbok coach Renfred Dazel and his team returned to their training base in Stellenbosch two weeks ago to prepare for the challenge.

“This is a very important season for us, with our main goal being to reclaim our place on the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series,” said Dazel. “Unfortunately we did not make the cut during the World Series Qualifier last year and we also received the disappointing news that we would not participate in the Olympic Games. But this is a new season, with new opportunities and challenges and we are looking forward to making our presence felt against quality teams.”

The team will face the Brazil Women’s Sevens team in matches on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week as part of the visitors’ preparations for the Olympic Games in August this year as well as the upcoming South American “rehearsal” tournament, to be played at the main games venue.

“Brazil will present a tough challenge this week as they have been playing on the Women’s World Series and they will want to kick-start their season on a high note, especially with the thought of hosing the Olympic Games in the back of their minds. These matches, however, are equally important to us, and they will also give us an indication of where we are in terms of the quality of our game. ”

There are a few new faces in the Springbok Women’s Sevens squad this season with Chané Stadler, who made her Bok Women’s Sevens debut in the Emirates Airlines Dubai Invitational in December, and Megan Comley from Tuks having joined the squad. Lamla Momoti and Nomsa Mokwai, who also featured in the Dubai tournament, are also currently training with the squad. However Veteran Bok Women’s Sevens player Nosiphiwo Goda has left the squad to pursue a different career. However, she will continue to play rugby for the Border Women’s provincial team.

“It is disappointing to lose a player of Nosiphiwo’s class and experience, but we wish her luck for the next phase of her life,” said Dazel. “On a positive note, however, I am pleased to welcome the new players to the squad. They all showed great potential late last season and I have no doubt that they will develop into solid players this season."

Women’s Rugby breaking down barriers in Afghanistan

Aid worker Malinee Wanduragala has spoken to her local newspaper – theHartlepool Mail– this week about how the women’s rugby programme she has been organising in Kabul to help to “tear down social barriers” in the country.

Malinee was stationed in the British Embassy in Kabul for 18 months with the UK’s Department for International Development, focused a lot of her work there around women’s rights. A former player with Wasps, she teamed up with local sports enthusiasts to arrange a training session which took place on the British embassy’s artificial grass tennis court, and about 25 women took part.

“Sports such as rugby can transform lives and communities”, said Malinee, “not just because of the important health benefits, but because they bring people together learn how to work as a team, teach respect and discipline and most importantly are a chance to have fun together.  I’d love to see rugby grow in Aghanistan and particularly see women and girls playing it

“I’ve loved sport since a young age and was really lucky to be part of a very successful Hartlepool Oaksway netball club team, coached by one of the best netball coaches in the country.

“Many of the best southern hemisphere rugby teams credit netball with developing great handling skills and the experience I gained in the decade competing nationally with Oaksway certainly helped me when I started playing rugby for Wasps in 2006.

Malinee’s idea to set up women’s rugby in the country came after meeting Asad Ziar, who founded the Afghan Rugby Federation in 2011 on the men’s side. With the help of the Afghan women’s cricket coach, she collected a group of women aged between 16 and 25 to a session as they learned the basics of rugby.

International development secretary Justine Greening said: “It’s great to see that Malinee is sharing her passion for rugby to help tear down social barriers for Afghan women and girls and at the same time giving them a totally new experience of playing sport and rugby. This work is a great example of how staff from the Department for International Development often going above and beyond their roles. If Afghanistan is to have a stable future, it’s vital that women can play their role in Afghan society and that includes sport.”