October/November 2007

The Rugby World Cup is now behind us – it was probably the most interesting and compelling tournament to date, with every stage being fiercely contested and many minor rugby nations emerging strongly to challenge the established powers. Argentina above all firmly laid down their claim to join the game’s elite and the competition also featured noteworthy performances from Fiji, Tonga and Georgia in this respect. We congratulate South Africa on their deserved victory and England on their remarkable turnaround to reach the final.

From a Rhino Rugby point of view, the tournament’s most striking feature was the performance of the England scrummage and its importance in the revival of their fortunes after a weak start. The quarter final against Australia in particular featured an outstanding display by man of the match Andy Sheridan and the whole England scrum – rarely has a game of such importance been more dominated by that phase of the game.

As for the previous World Cup, England trained on a Rhino scrummaging machine throughout the tournament and whilst it was slightly frustrating for us that our Dictator machine and other equipment was supplied according to IRB/RWC rules on an unbranded basis, nevertheless the equipment received considerable media attention and exposure and we were proud to have supplied it.

In this copy of our monthly newsletter we announce a new tie up with Key Finance Ltd which enables us to offer our more capital intensive equipment, scrummaging machines and mobile floodlighting in particular, via monthly payment terms over 2 to 5 years. We also announce the appointment of a new Sales Agent for Wales and South West England, Martin Jones, and highlight the importance of regular servicing and obtaining of Safety Certificates for our scrummaging machines. We also announce a tie up with Browns Sports & Leisure Resort in the Algarve, the training camp facility used by both England and Australia as part of their World Cup preparations.

As per the article on a recent visit made by our staff to a research facility at the University of Nantes during the World Cup to view a new scrummaging device, Rhino is planning to shortly announce a new initiative in respect of the measurement of forces within scrummaging with a view to ensuring more effective and safe performance. This campaign, SCRUMSMART, will consist both of academic and industrial research and a roadshow through the UK, Ireland and France to promote best and safe practice. We hope to formally launch the project in the coming months.

Thank you for your continued support for Rhino and don’t hesitate to get in touch with our staff in respect of any of our products.

Martin Johnson,
Director.