Teams from Australia, Switzerland, USA, Argentina and Norfolk Island have already confirmed their entries. The latest international entries to arrive included the Creaky Ol' Convicts from Norfolk Island, the Southern Downs GO's Raging Rodents, Burleigh Bodgies, Bundaburg Rumruckers, Condamine Codgers and the Sunnybank Puffin Dragons (all from Queensland, Australia), Helvetes De Geneve from Switzerland and a big group of 60 representing the Texas XXX's (USA). Organisers were also delighted to receive the first local entry from the host club, the Hawaii Harlequins who advised they were looking forward to welcoming teams to their home.

The 2012 Hawaii Carnival ground operations are being organised by Hawaii Sports Inc a Hawaiian based company with many years of experience in successfully handling big numbers of touring rugby teams. The company are responsible for securing accommodation and the grounds, arranging tours and excursions and the organisation of the three big social functions. Heading the Hawaii Sports team is its managing director Cormac O'Carroll a former senior rugby player in Ireland who has lived in Hawaii for over 30 years. We asked Cormac (he's holding the ball in the team photo) to describe his home and what Vintage Rugby players can expect to experience in 2012 ...

'It was only a few weeks ago that I was sitting in the new Aviva Stadium in Dublin enjoying with great excitement the spectacle unfolding in front of me. The Irish were methodically and with some skill dismantling the wheels off the English Chariot who had arrived in Dublin earlier in the week with the intention of being all conquering Grand Slammers.  Having lived in Hawaii for the past 30 years our trips home to Dublin and Ireland usually coincide with a Six Nations or Fall Series game. My wife Trish is always amazed by the coincidence, it's all in the timing as we know. This year we first headed to Cardiff and the Millennium stadium, a great town and even greater on International weekends. When we landed in Heathrow my cell phone immediately went into overdrive, at that particular moment the Tsunami from the earthquake in Japan was only 30 minutes from hitting Hawaii. I never knew so many people loved me with all the calls of concern, we just sat back in our limo knowing that faith was not in our hands and we were lucky to be heading for Cardiff and a memorable weekend with some good friends.

One of the greatest enjoyments of going on vacation from Hawaii is that when it's all over, we get to come back. After a hectic three weeks trying to break the Guinness Book of records of pubs visited, friends met and pints of the black stuff consumed, Hawaii is the perfect remedy. Now Hawaii is on the map and a perfect remedy for all "has been" Rugby players from around the world. Time to update your travelling wardrobe, those 30 year old Boardies and Budgie Smugglers (Speedos for the non Aussies) will have to be replaced, increased support will definitely be required. Don't need any new stories, the old ones will be enjoyed even better, no matter how many times they've been retold.  My very own "Dolly Dimples" from Bective Rugby Club in Dublin, a threatening force (only off the field) are already in training and have booked out the local sunbed parlor.

After four previous Vintage Rugby Carnivals held in the bastions of world ruby, Limerick, Buenos Aires, Christchurch and Cape Town, the 2012 and fifth Carnival may not be in a Rugby Mecca but it certainly will be a Rugby Paradise. No reason needed, you now have that perfect excuse. There is no other location quite as bucolic as Kapiolani Park, nestled at the foot of Diamond Head and right on the shores of Waikiki Beach, it's the perfect location for a rugby carnival. Weather will be a balmy 27/28 C, 85-87 F during the day, just perfect to up the thirst a notch, one that will probably last until at least midnight. No fear of using too much energy in getting to the grounds either, your hotel is a short stroll away making the trip from bed to playing field no more than 10 minutes, you can use the extra time for that much needed sleep, better set the alarm.

All teams will be required to be in top shape, the social demands will be high so be prepared to bring your best efforts, the competition will be ruthless. The HHOBO'S (Hawaii Harlequin Old Boys Overseas Side), your Hosts, will use all of their 50 years of entertainment experience to put you to the test. Waikiki, with its many fine eateries and watering holes may be a major obstacle to your on field performance, but will certainly enhance your many social talents.

During the non playing days there will be an abundance of activity choices, take that once in a life time Waikiki Beach surf lesson, ride a six man Outrigger Canoe, Sail off on a Sunset Catamaran ride with a MaiTai in each hand or just laze on the beach and check out the Wahine. That's just the tip, it does not end there, head to the North Shore and view Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and The Pipeline or jump on a Waverunner or Parasail and Scuba Dive on the East coast. It's all here waiting for you; we're in Hawaii, We're Worlds Apart.'

Please join us.

Ho'olu komo la kaua

Teams who experienced the fantastic hospitality during the Christchurch Carnival in 2008 will have lasting memories of a beautiful city with a fierce rugby tradition. In the aftermath of the recent earthquake we asked Vintage Rugby advisor Neil Blanchfield (who was the rugby director of that carnival) to provide an update for this newsletter. Here is his report ...

On 22 February 2011 Christchurch was struck by a 3rd major earthquake in less than 6 months. While registering 6.3 (smaller than the 4 September earthquake of 7.1) the damage caused was  significantly higher, in property and in loss of life.

The names of 172 victims have been released as of 7 April 2011, with the final death toll expected to be 181, making the earthquake the second-deadliest natural disaster recorded in New Zealand . Prime Minister John Key stated that 22 February "may well be New Zealand's darkest day". Nationals from more than 20 countries are among those missing. The New Zealand Government declared a state of national emergency which still exists at 12 April.

Rugby in Christchurch has been seriously affected particularly at the upper level with the Rugby World Cup pool and quarter final matches having to be moved to other parts of NZ due to damage to the recently redeveloped AMI Stadium. The pitch was badly affected by sand and silt rising up like little volcanoes (liquefaction) which also affected the eastern part of the city.

Not only has this impacted on the RWC but it has also meant that both the Crusaders games and the National provincial team Canterbury are going to have to play many of their games away from Christchurch with the stadium unlikely to be ready for use again until February 2012.

While the eastern suburbs and the CBD have been massively hit, the western side of the city was relatively unscathed. Rugby clubs in the east including Linwood, New Brighton, Shirley and Sumner report that fortunately their club grounds and facilities came through with only minor problems. Linwood Rugby Club, set to hold their 125th Jubilee at Easter have decided to postpone the celebrations until a year later, in deference to those badly affected by the damage and loss of life.

Since the February earthquake, Christchurch has continued to rock, with 1050 more shocks recorded since the Big One and 320,000 tonnes of liquefied sand which burst to the surface all around the city being removed to a landfill along with thousands of tonnes of demolition material. 500 kilometres of sewerage pipes around the city have to be replaced.

Be assured when you next come to Christchurch it will be a different place than you saw before.

It is with sadness that we learnt recently that Joel Dubois had died suddenly of a heart attack. Joel was the much loved and respected leader of L'Union Francais Des Anciens Du Rugby (UFAR) teams at the Christchurch and Cape Town Carnivals. Vintage Rugby asked Jean Francois Monfraix (the French Vintage Rugby Advisor and a close friend of Joel's) to write an obituary.

Joel is gone.

You were all used to seeing Joel sitting next to Monique side by side on every game played by the UFAR team at Vintage Carnivals. You couldn't miss him. But now we will miss him...

Listen to David Morgan - Mad Dog - talking about Joel:

"This is indeed a piece of sad news. During the Christchurch and Cape Town carnivals as well as in-between them, Joël and I had many, many conversations followed by the sharing of e-mails as we awaited the next carnival.
His capacity to excite and encourage everyone to participate in Vintage Rugby was pure positiveness in motion. His energies and enthusiasms were driven by a real passion for all things rugby.
Joël was always sending me items from France and he knew well my liking for Dijon Mustard and each package always contained a bottle of the famous mustard - his "local" brand.
Joël my friend, you are now the "chef de mission" for the Vintage team in heaven for the game they play in heaven.
Play Hard, Party Hard and keep the reserves benches rotated, just like you did here on earth.
Miss ya Bloke."
There is very little to add to David's speech.
Vintage Rugby is THE place to meet new friends from all over the World.
And when one passes away all the other ones keep him a little place in their heart.
Forever.

Adieu Joel. Merci pour tout*

*Thanks for all

Creaky Ol' Convicts of Norfolk Island were formed in 2003, appropriately named as Norfolk Island was previously a convict settlement. Some of the team (especially those who attended the Christchurch Carnival in 2008) certainly live up to the name by being creaky and old. The team was formed with the view of having a run and doing some travelling.

The team is made up of Norfolk Islanders, some Australian and New Zealanders - they say its like a Tri-Nations team with plenty of referee's ! They play 3-4 games each season and they are usually very social occasions with plenty of vocal, wine induced, support from wives on the sideline. The oldest and probably their most competitive player is a spritely 77 year-old.

Aloha from the World Vintage Rugby office. Vintage Rugby is all about having fun and there will never be an easier or more cost effective way for US Old Boys teams to experience a truly international Old Boys event so close to home. You won't need a passport - just pack your boots, and there is no problem with currency - it's all in US dollars !

Its a 7-day carnival in paradise, for players over 35 and includes 3 playing days, 2 lavish social functions and an exciting mid-week excursion.

Organisers expect a large number of US Old Boys teams will want to register and intend to limit entry to ensure a balanced mix of international teams. They hope that all vet teams will seriously consider coming to Hawaii for what will be a memorable week of rugby in Hawaii. Register now to avoid disappointment!