The selection committee chose the Shanghai-based architect among the many because the proposed design he submitted featured a strong public realm experience, not to mention that it is simple.

There were 237 entries chosen by the committee. Gedgaudas will be competing with the other four finalists, all based from Auckland.

The committee members stated that they are satisfied with the five finalists as they all managed to make the right balance between creating a great venue for spectators and celebrating the fact that the country is hosting a prestigious rugby tournament.

The final five designers were given until October 23 to finalize their designs. This ambitious project costs $74 million.

According to media reports, Rives work will be around 2.3 meters high, 0.9 meters wide and 0.9 meters deep. The work is untitled as of the moment but it will be made out of steel and the structure is currently being made.

The artwork will be made as part of the efforts to beautify mining towns, thanks to the program managed by BHP Billiton.

BHP will be obtaining a building license for this structure and so far everything is going smoothly as officers from the Shire of East Pilbara have submitted a recommendation for this project to proceed provided that the sculpture will be free of graffiti.

The 56-year old sculptor played for France in 59 games and has achieved fame for his courageous performances.

An International Olympic Committee executive board approved the recommendations of both golf and rugby for inclusion at the 2016 Games while female boxing is recommended for the 2012 Games.

A lot of rugby, golf and women’s boxing athletes are now gearing up for these major events, with some rethinking about their retirement plans and scheduling it after the Games, if the body and age permit.

Despite this wonderful development, it will still be a long road before the actual approval or inclusion of these sports in the Games. Basically, rugby and golf officials will conduct comprehensive presentations during a full IOC session. This will take place on October 9 this year in Copenhagen, Denmark. By that time, it would be made known if the sports actually made the cut.

Rugby and golf won over sports such as karate, softball, baseball and squash.

In a media conference held earlier this week, the team composed of Danny Grewcock, David Flatman, Stuart Hooper, Joe Maddock and David Barnes were presented as the leaders behind these latest efforts by the group.

Five Bath players in the past have been suspended in long terms after being determined guilty for drug-related incidents. Matt Stevens is suspended until January 2011 after the prop was tested positive for cocaine use. Second-row Justin Harrison, who already retired from the sport, was banned for the next eight months after admitting to taking cocaine.

The players recently suspended were Andrew Higgins, Michael Lipman and Alex Crockett who will have to stay in the sidelines for the next nine months after the three refused to undergo mandatory drug testing requested by the club. This was initiated following an investigation over an incident that took place in London earlier this year.

The Rugby Football League (RFL) stated that the ten teams that participated in Australia last year showed high quality rugby that the officials believe that increasing the competing countries will be good for the sport.

Richard Lewis, RFL chairman, said that the business plan that they have set up proposed 12 countries to compete by 2013. He added that they are still working hard in order to achieve this goal.

This will serve as the very first World Cup that will take place in United Kingdom since year 2000 when RFL dealt with massive debts due to the disaster in financial aspects during that time. The under-attended competition was plagued with bad weather and lesser crowd participation.

RFL officials are confident this time that they won’t encounter the same mistakes as in the past. They’ll be scouting for venues that can withstand bad weather and other factors.

Lewis revealed that they will be offering tickets at competitive rates in order to attract real rugby fans in watching the competitions come 2013.

Known for his fierce tackling ability, Williams got his moniker because of his passion for the game. He’s been known for inspiring his team during his days as the captain.

During the World War II, Williams participated as the glider pilot with the Royal Air Force. After his stint in the sport, he pursued a career as a journalist for the sport. This means that he has never truly left the sport.

Denis Gethin, WRU President, said in a statement that the world of rugby has lost one of its best players, adding that Williams was a man of “great stature” who does not have “an ounce of conceit in his body.”

Gethin revealed that prior to Graham Henry’s stint as the coach for the Welsh team, the latter wanted to see Bleddyn first.

The 26-year old player of the Brumbies team died from blood infection following surgery. On May 29, Mackay was hit by a motor vehicle in Durban, South Africa and needed major emergency surgeries to repair multiple fractures he suffered from the incident. However, a fatal cardiac arrest ensued after he contracted the blood infection.

Mackay’s parents John and Leonie said in their statement that they are flattered with the messages of support and reassurance from the rugby community from different parts of the world. They also credited St. Augustine’s Hospital staff for working hard to save their son’s life.

The parents also mentioned the Brumbies club for giving a second home for their son. They added that rugby has always been their son’s passion and that having lived up the dream of becoming an athlete could only mean that “he died a very happy man.”

The funeral will take place on Wednesday at Mary Immaculate Church in Sydney.

The popular Welsh Rugby Union has reportedly appointed Joe Lydon as the new Head of Rugby Performance and Development. With this appointment, Lydon will shoulder the task of ensuring the development of rugby in Wales.

Lydon currently serves as Performance Director of the Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club. He will be reporting directly to the group’s chief executive officer Roger Lewis, being part of the club’s executive board.

Lewis stated that appointing Lydon was a fulfillment of a promise to hire someone who is competent and who can really do the vital task for the development of the club. Lydon will be managing the Welsh Rugby League development structure.

“The Head of Rugby role is a key appointment in our senior management team and heads a structure which controls and develops all aspects of the game in Wales,” he was quoted as saying.

Lydon used to play the sport during the late eighties and early nineties and garnered accolades through the years. Now at 44 years old, Lydon still continues to contribute in the development of rugby, becoming the Wigan Team Manager and eventually going up the ranks. He’s expected to bring fresh ideas in the team.

This, when the brave Taranaki sided before Tamati Ellison five minutes before the home semifinal against the Southland had been secured.

The stoppage time try of Wellington’s Thomas Waldrom blew the score line to 50-30 but the frailty in this match is enough to disinherit Wellington with the Auckland’s title.

The ability of Lions to score points has always been certain but doubts about the team’s tendency to give after Taranaki easily shredded their defensive line.

With Hosea Gear back in his arrogant form, Wellington has always looked to have weapons and blast their chance to be out of trouble but Southland is heading on Friday night to Cake Tin planning to expose some hints when different teams meat head to head in the first semi finals.

The presence of Ma’a Nonu has given a little help to detract from the revived flakiness of Wellington but it was also his cut-out pass that Cory Jane to full back for the opener. Right after second five-eights, Taranaki replied and Willie Ripia and Jayden Hayward added a conversion and were penalized to put the guests ahead.

Wellington’s lead was restored when Jane crossed after connecting with the halfback Albie Matthewson. Ross Filipo and Gear then combined forces to send Nonu over.

Wellington got a score again from Filipo but it was cancelled out by the second score of Perez. Wellington then needed the late effort of Ellison to secure their way to the semifinals.

“We are bidding to host the Rugby World Cup not just for Japan but for Asia,” said Knobby Massimo of the Japan Rugby Union. “Bringing the Rugby World Cup to Japan and Asia will unlock the potential of rugby as a truly global sport.”

Other countries in the running for hosting the 2015 and 2019 games include Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and South Africa. The International Rugby Union is still accepting hosting bids. Both the 2015 and 2019 hosting privileges will be award at the same time. The IRB says that this move will ensure better planning and certainty for the game hosts and their commercial partners.

Hosting the World Rugby Cup is not only a matter of pride. It also boosts the country’s economy. Last years host games held in France saw a profit of $214 Million USD or 120 Million Pounds.