RUGBY DIGEST

Other rugby stories in brief

IRB rule out end-of-season play-off

Top rugby union officials have agreed to scrap plans for an annual match between the winners of the Six Nations and Tri-Nations championships.

International Rugby Board officials discussed the idea with rugby chiefs from the sport's leading countries but decided a play-off between the champions of Northern and Southern Hemispheres was not feasible.

Instead, a "world series½ between the top teams north and south of the equator" would be looked at instead, said Steve Tew, chief executive officer of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

"The IRB staff . . . feel the world series concept has more potential to grow and become a truly effective proposition than just a one-off match between the two winners," Tew said, adding that it would also boost the chances of including teams like Argentina.

Tew defends All Black planning

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew has defended the national team after Wales coach Warren Gatland accused the All Blacks of failing to do enough homework on their opponents.

New Zealand-born Gatland tested his Wales side's knowledge of Italy ahead of the recent clash but questioned whether his compatriots employ a similar practice.

"How many All Blacks would know the players in the Wales team if they were playing them tomorrow?" he said.

But Tew insists the All Blacks approach all matches with the utmost professionalism.

"Certainly, from my experience, all of our professional rugby teams spend a considerable amount of time analysing the opposition, preparing for every game, so I find it a little bit hard to understand that criticism, but he's entitled to his views."

De Luca out for Scotland

Injury has forced Scotland centre Nick De Luca out of Saturday's Six Nations clash with England at Murrayfield.

De Luca sprained his right ankle while playing for Edinburgh in Friday's Magners League match against Newport Gwent Dragons.

Scotland, bottom of the table with no points, also have concerns over lock forwards Nathan Hines and Scott MacLeod, both of whom missed training yesterday.

Hong Kong gets Bledisloe match

Hong Kong will host a Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand and Australia on November 1st, the New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions said yesterday.

It will be the first time the two great rivals have met in a Test match outside New Zealand or Australia, except in a Rugby World Cup.

The 2008 Bledisloe Cup will be decided over four matches, three to be played as part of the annual Tri-Nations tournament and the one Test in Hong Kong.

ARU chief executive John O'Neill said the clash between the All Blacks and Wallabies in Hong Kong would be no exhibition. "Australia and New Zealand are great sporting rivals and the Bledisloe Cup is always fiercely contested," O'Neill said.

 Ulster gain

Ulster's Matt McCullough has agreed a new contract that will see him remain at Ravenhill until 2010. The Ballymena man, who was man of the match in Ulster's hard-fought victory over the Scarlets on Friday night, is delighted to be staying, saying this about his decision: "I am delighted with the way things are going within the squad and I am excited about the future under Matt Williams."