our.ddddddddddddAs a result Robertson has elected to install Test lock Sam Whitelock as his sides 2017 skipper, giving Read the

THE 2 EVENTS1 mens tournament (12 teams)1 womens tournament (12 teams)THE FORMATIn the first round, the teams are split into 2 groups of 6. The top 4 in each group advance to the knock-out stage: quarter-finals, semi-finals, bronze medal match and final.7 players per team. Group matches will consist of 7-minute halves with a 2-minute half-time break. The final and bronze medal match will consist of 10-minute halves.MILESTONESMiddle AgeEarly forms of rugby begin to emerge all over Europe, with different names and rules.1823Legend has it that during a football game, William Webb Ellis, a pupil a Rugby School, picked up the ball and ran with it, thus creating the game of rugby. Although the story is considered a myth, the Rugby World Cup is named after the sports so-called inventor.1871The first international match is played between Scotland and England, in Edinburgh.1883The first rugby sevens tournament is organised in Melrose, Scotland. The Melrose Sevens is still held annually to this day.1886The Irish, Welsh and Scottish Unions found the International Rugby Football Board. England refuses to take part, stating that it deserves greater representation, but ultimately joins the IRFB in 1890.1900Rugby union is part of the Olympic programme in Paris. France win the gold medal.1924Rugby unions 4th and final Olympic appearance, again in Paris. The United States are the surprise winners, with hosts France settling for silver.1987The first rugby union World Cup is co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. The All Blacks beat France in the final.1993The first rugby sevens World Cup is hosted by Scotland and won by England.2009The first womens rugby sevens World Cup is hosted by the United Arab Emirates and won by Australia.2014The International Rugby Board, the sports governing body, is renamed World Rugby.2016After a 92-year absence, rugby (sevens instead of union) returns to the Olympics. 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New Zealand Rugby are open to the idea of giving All Blacks skipper Kieran Read a Richie McCaw-esque sabbatical before the 2019 World Cup.Read, 31, is contracted until the end of 2017, with negotiations ongoing for a two-year extension.The tournament in Japan is likely to be the Crusaders No.8s last in the black jumper, as he will celebrate his 34th birthday during the Cup.NZ Rugby chief Steve Tew said the union was open to giving the 97-cap Read a sabbatical in 2018 to refresh before a final tilt at the Webb Ellis.If granted, the sabbatical would imitate former captain McCaws six-month break from the game at the beginning of 2013.McCaw, in a bid to preserve his body for the ultimately successful 2015 World Cup defence, missed most of Super Rugby in 2013 and the June series against France.Weve proven over a long period of time now that well sit down with each player and, within reason, be incredibly flexible, Tew said on Monday.If thats what any player wanted and we believed it merited in terms of their tenure and loyalty, and their workload, wed consider that.Irrespective of any sabbatical, Read will be forced to take a prolonged break from rugby after having his wrist operated on two weeks ago.Crusaders boss Scott Robertson confirmed oon Monday that Read would sit out Super Rugby action until April, just two months before the Lions tour.ddddddddddddAs a result Robertson has elected to install Test lock Sam Whitelock as his sides 2017 skipper, giving Read the chance to recuperate and rejuvenate.The 83-cap Whitelock had previously captained the Crusaders during Reads absence at the start of 2016.Kieran has been an excellent captain, hes a courageous leader who the players admire and love, Robertson said.This will allow Kieran to focus on just playing and enjoying himself in the Crusaders environment.Meanwhile, Tew confirmed contract offers had been extended to All Blacks stalwarts Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg and Ben Smith.All three will be off-contract next year and have reportedly fielded lucrative deals from clubs in Ireland and France.Head coach Steve Hansen has publicly called on the trio to stay until 2019 and write another chapter in their Test stories.They all know we love them to death and wed love them to stay, but theyve got to make their decision, Tew said.We continue to work really hard to create great environments for our players. 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