CNCF Charity Dubai Rugby 7's Tour - Players and Supporters
Some of the most famous rugby stars on the world stage play in the CNCF Rugby Seven's team in Dubai and here are a few of them:
Will Greenwood, MBE
"Austin hasn’t shut up about the CNCF Rugby Tour since last year. It’s a great charity and, if selected, I hope to be playing for them in Dubai in 2007. Anything that combines top class rugby, brilliant weather, a fantastic location with raising the profile of the work of CNCF has got to be done. Get it in your diaries!"
Will Greenwood
Austin Healey
The Leicester ‘Lip’ – 51 caps for England, 2 Lions caps and untold Premiership appearances for Leicester. What can we say about one of the most creative players of his generation that he hasn’t said himself?? Austin led the CNCF team to victory in the 2006 Dubai 7’s International invitation trophy and also hosted the famous CNCF Gala dinner.
"My first time in Dubai and I am definitely coming back for 2007 – although I might need to work on my fitness!! The rugby, the crowds, the players, the partying…it beats any Lions tour hands down and helped CNCF Rugby hit the $¼million target raised for kids in 2006."
Austin Healey
Daniel Herbert
"I haven’t been able to stop talking about what a fantastic tour you guys have put together. Its great to be able to put something back into rugby and raise cash for such a worthy cause at the same time. I will be back for 2007. Awesome!"
Daniel Herbert
Andrew Mehrtens
"The CNCF Rugby Team must be the most talked about charity side on the circuit. If you can field the likes of Danny Herbert, Austin Healey and Paddy Johns then you must be doing a lot of things right! How do I get selected?? The CNCF Rugby Tour is an amazing opportunity for any fan to join the players generating both awareness and funds for disadvantaged kids. Don’t miss out!"
Andrew Mehrtens
Martin Johnson, OBE
"Any team that can boast over 400 international caps has to be something special. The CNCF Rugby Tour is such a fantastic event and it was great to actually see Austin and the guys working hard to take the title in 2006. I was lucky enough to be at the CNCF Rugby Gala Dinner last year – what an amazing social occasion and over $85000 raised that evening for a truly worthwhile charity. I can’t recommend it highly enough!!"
Martin Johnson
Damien Smith
Australia wing and a member of the 1995 World Cup squad – poor Damien pulled his hamstring scoring his only try of the Dubai 7’s tournament in 2006. He soldiered on and amazingly was able to ride both a camel and a jet ski later that day
Ben Gollings
England sevens star Gollings headed up a strong CNCF team in 2005 – reaching the Trophy final. Formerly a wing/full-back for Newcastle, Harlequins and Worcester Gollings now plays his rugby in Japan. He is the leading all-time points scorer in IRB Sevens rugby.
Garrick Morgan
Man-mountain Garrick stands at 6’7” and tips the scales at over 19st. Capped 10 times by Australia he is not a man to be trifled with!! One of the biggest players to squeeze into a CNCF shirt and the opposition were positively drooling at the opportunity to put the tackles in…….Lets hope he can make the CNCF team again in Dubai 2007!!
Oriol Ripol
Spanish flyer ORIOL was drafted in to play for CNCF in 2005 alongside Ben Gollings. Currently playing for Sale in the English Premiership having previously played at just relegated Northampton.
Paddy Johns
Irish lock forward Paddy captained the CNCF veteran’s side in 2004/5 where they were narrowly beaten in the International Vets Trophy final. Paddy won 59 caps for Ireland and captained them 10 times.
Freddie Tuilagi
Caps for Samoa and some bone-crunching appearances for Leicester – one of the famous Tuilagi brothers. Freddy started his career in rugby league before switching codes, much to the dismay of his union counterparts. Freddy graced the hard pitches of Dubai in 2006 for CNCF and, as always, gave a hard-hitting performance in front of an appreciative crowd.
Danny Hipkiss
Dynamic Leicester centre Hipkiss joined Ben Gollings for CNCF in 2005 and after his stunning performance was selected to join the England Sevens squad for the next stages of the IRB tour. Dan has been the stand-out centre playing in the English Premiership in the 2006-2007 season and is in the current England World Cup squad.
Jos Baxendell
Veteran fly-half from Sale, recently retired from Premiership rugby and was unfortunate to face a very strong Aussie side when winning his England caps. One of the most under-rated fly-halfs in English rugby, Jos was the CNCF veterans play-maker in 2006 – and his skills helped them to the quarter-finals.
Dan Scarbrough
Saracens belligerent winger – recently recalled to the England side where he showed his vision and pace to score against an otherwise very strong Springbok side. Represented CNCF as they defended their Phuket 10s title in Thailand.
Leon Lloyd
Another experienced Tiger’s centre – moving to Gloucester next season, Leon and Austin combined well for CNCF in the 2006 Dubai tournament to take apart both opposition defence and attack. Capped by England but we never saw the best of Leon on the international stage.
Phillip Burger
Possible the quickest player ever to pull on a CNCF shirt (quicker even than Graham Smith!). Phillip plays his rugby for the Free State Cheetahs and was the top try scorer in the 2005 Currie Cup. Phillip went on to represent the Boks in Sevens and surely it won’t be long before he is fully capped. Showed his breath-taking skill and pace in the International Trophy Final for CNCF in 2005
Tim Donnelly
Australian Tim plays for Randwick and (until recently) the NSW Waratahs – fast, skilful and uncompromising in defence, Tim was the key player in the 2004 CNCF campaign, joining several other Aussie players in the 2004 International Invitation Trophy Final
Nigel Heslop
Veteran England winger Heslop has turned out for CNCF several times. Despite his mature years he still has an outrageous swerve that leaves defenders sprawling allied with genuine pace and an ability to find a gap where none exists. He keeps coming in the hope that he can have a go back at Serge Blanco!!
Aadel Kardooni
The teak-hard Kardooni played for Wasps, Leicester and Bedford as well touring twice with the England ‘A’ side. A CNCF regular and as reliable a scrum half as you could ask for.
Ryan Kankowski
This very mobile back rower has cemented a regular place at no 8 in a successful Natal Sharks side – following some storming performances in the Super 14 and Currie Cup surely it won’t be long before he pulls on a Springbok jersey?
Charlie Keenan
Charlie plays on the wing for Scottish Premiership side Boroughmuir and has represented Scotland at Sevens. Fast and powerful, he does some modelling on the side and sometimes he even puts a shirt on!!
Marius Schoeman
Marius is South Africa’s 2nd highest try scorer in the sevens game. Vastly experienced – he worked with Austin Healy to guide the CNCF team to victory in 2006 against England Saxons.
Derek Stark
9 caps for Scotland. Starky was an elusive runner and was a regular in the CNCF squad until recurring ‘injuries’ forced him to give up his place for younger talent. Seeing his tartan suit was a highlight of the tour!!
Peter Playford
Peter played for CNCF in 2004 when we were narrowly beaten in he final . He has just been awarded a contract with the Super 14 side ACT Brumbies and has represented Australia at U21
Josh Heke
Former Otago Highlander – sevens specialist Josh combined well with Austin Healy and the South African contingent last year to help CNCF to the Dubai International Invitaion title. Aggressive in attack and monumental in defence Josh’s physical presence complimented the outrageous pace of the Boks.
Mark Woodrow
Former Bristol player ‘Woody’ now plying his trade at Doncaster. A skilful and creative playmaker – one of the most memorable characters of the 2005 tour!
Russell Earnshaw
Former Doncaster back-rower Russell provided some much needed ‘beef’ an an otherwise lightweight CNCF side in 2005. Having represented England in two commonwealth games Russell is a big game player and strikes fear into the opposition defence. Just joined Pertemps Bees as the forwards coach.
Matt Dowling
Ex Waratah Matt Dowling added some serious gas and bags of experience to the 2003 CNCF side. His previous Australia sevens appearances shone through.
Stuart Reid
Superfit second rower Stuart Reid has been a CNCF stalwart. Having won 8 caps for Scotland he is now more used to tackling villains than the opposition having just been promoted to sergeant in Lothian and Borders police and now coaching at Boroughmuir.
Ricky Evans
Former Cardigan, Llanelli, Wales and Barbarian rugby star Ricky Evans and a Fire-fighter. Ricky Evans had 8 "B" caps and 19 full caps for Wales. Ricky has recently moved out to Dubai to live and work.
Others include:
Charlie Amesbury, Garrick Morgan, Martin Shaw, James Cunningham, Derek Macalese, Kenny Price, Alan Buzza, Fergus Wallace, Michael Dods, Bill Drake Lee, JP O'Reilly, Nambdi Ezulike, Ryan O Neill, Alex Sanderson, Robbie Miller, Marcus Seuseu, Junior Simpson, Ian Stent, Andy Miller, Calvin Howarth, William Wood, Michael Price, Graham Smith, Ian Dawson, Gary Harris, Andy Lee, Wesley Henry, Kevin Knowlan, Brent Oliver, Greg Smith, Tim Lenevez, Lindsay Graham, Everton Davis, Justin Cassell, Wayne Marsters, Greg Botterman, Terry Jacobs, Howard Noble, Zangqa Vuyo, Jim Jenner, Scott Nichol, Ben Whetstone, Ian Weakford, Paul Manders and Toby White.
