RUGBYINTERNATIONAL.NET

‘GETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT’

THE GAME OF RUGBY IS RAPIDLY EXPANDING WORLD WIDE. THIS WEB SITE'S MAIN FUNCTION IS THE RESEARCHING, COLLECTING, COLLATING, RECORDING AND UPDATING OF INTERNATIONAL RUGBY RESULTS AND RECORDS

MAY 2008

Web sites I recommend this month

Updated 01.06.2008 (3rd edition)

Scroll down for the latest news

Latest Results

01.06.2008

Barbarians RFC v England at Twickenham (Non-test)

31.05.2008

Argentina ‘A’ 43, Uruguay 8 in Montevideo (CONSUR A)

Zimbabwe 31, Zambia 7 in Kitwe (Friendly)

Israel 22, Finland 12 in Netanya (ENC 3C)

Classic All Blacks 15, Japan XV 13 in Tokyo (Non test)

25.05.2008

Serbia 19, Armenia 8 in Belgrade (ENC 3C)

24.05.2008

Korea 50, Hong Kong 24 in Hong Kong (Asia Five Nations Cup)

Kazakhstan 56, Arabian Gulf 27 in Taldykorgan (Asia Five Nations Cup)

Barbarians RFC 84, Belgium 10 v in Brussels (Friendly)

Uganda 20, Kenya 3 in Kampala (Elgin Cup, 1^st leg)

Bulgaria 16, Austria 0 in Sofia (ENC 3B)

Finland 11, Luxembourg 10 in Helsinki (ENC 3A)

18.05.2008

Japan 75, Hong Kong 29 in Niigata (Asia Five Nations Cup, Div.1)

China-Taipei 32, Hong Kong ‘A’ 17 in Hong Kong

17.05.2008

Korea 40, Kazakhstan 21 in Seoul (Asia 5 Nations, Div.1)

Andorra 17, Malta 16 in Andorra La Vela (ENC 2B)

Lithuania 13, Hungary 12 in Kecskemet (ENC 3B)

Finland 3, Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 in Helsinki (ENC 3C)

Botswana 25, Swaziland 7 in Gaborone (WCQ Africa. South-Pre qualifier)

Cayman Islands 20, Costa Rica 17 in San Jose (Friendly)

Coming Up

07.06.2008

Wales v South Africa in Bloemfontein

Ireland v New Zealand in Wellington

Scotland v Argentina in Rosario

Samoa v Fiji in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)

Tonga v New Zealand Maoris in Albany (Pacific Nations Cup)

England Saxons v United States in Nepean (Churchill Cup, Pool A)

Scotland ‘A’ v Canada in Nepean (Churchill Cup, Pool B)

Norway v Lithuania in Tonsberg (ENC 3B)

Tanzania v Kenya ‘A’ in Arusha (Friendly)

08.06.2008

Australia ‘A’ v Japan in Fukuoka (Pacific Nations Cup)

Austria v Hungary in Vienna (ENC 3B)

11.06.2008

Asia Nations Div.2 Tournament in Thailand due to start (June 11-14)

Teams-Thailand, India, Pakistan & Malaysia

Ireland ‘A’ v United States in Kingston (Churchill Cup, Pool B)

Scotland ‘A’ v Argentina ‘A’ in Kingston (Churchill Cup, Pool A-non test)

Italy ‘A’ v Russia in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)

Emerging South Africa v Georgia in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)

Uruguay v Romania in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)

NEWS ARCHIVES

The previous six months of news archives can be found here.

November-December 2007

2008 International Rugby Fixtures and Results

2008 GWC Rugby Rankings

TOURNAMENTS

Asia Nations

Castel Africa Cup

Churchill Cup

CONSUR A

CONSUR B

IRB Nations Cup

FIRA-AER European Nations Cup

NAWIRA B

Oceania Cup

Pacific Nations Cup

Southern Tours

Tri Nations

World Cup Qualifying Matches

ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS TO THE FIXTURE LIST

WARM UP MATCH FOR TANZANIA (01.06)

Tanzania will play Kenya ‘A’ in a test match in Arusha June 7. Tanzania are due to play in the Castel Cup, South Zone Pool B, to be held in Mauritius in late June.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200805120573.html

CHANGE TO MATCH STATUS No.2 (29.05)

This one occurs thankfully before the game is played. Contrary to what has been published on the IRB web site this match, according to Argentine RFU web site, will be between Argentina ‘A’ and Uruguay. Thus test caps will not be awarded to the Argentine players. It looks like being a warm up match for both the Argentina players before they head to the Churchill Cup tournament and for the Uruguayans who head to Europe and the IRB Nations Cup.

http://www.uar.com.ar/default.asp

CHANGE IN MATCH STATUS (25.05)

Word from the Austrian RFU indicates that the match v Slovakia 15 March was not a test match for Austria.

ZIMBABWE TRAVEL TO ZAMBIA (25.05)

Zimbabwe will play Zambia in Lusaka next weekend. This match will be a warm up for both teams as they enter the first round of Rugby World Cup qualifiers. Zimbabwe is in Pool A which includes Namibia and Senegal, whilst Zambia is in Pool B which includes Ivory Coast and Morocco.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200805230163.html

CONSUR B AND WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS (24.05)

Tournament to be held in Asuncion, Paraguay in June after originally scheduled for Colombia. The winner will play Trinidad & Tobago to progress to the next round to play Chile and Uruguay.

19.June

Venezuela v Colombia

Paraguay v Peru

Brazil the bye

21 June

Brazil v Colombia

Paraguay v Venezuela

Peru the bye

23 June

Brazil v Peru

Paraguay v Colombia

Venezuela the bye

26 June

Colombia v Peru

Brazil v Venezuela

Paraguay the bye

29 June

Venezuela v Peru

Brazil v Paraguay

Colombia the bye

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2635&start=165

BELGIUM XV TAKES ON BARBARIANS (22.05)

Last year a Belgian XV, including a number of invited test players, played the Argentina side that went on to do so well in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. This year Belgium takes on the Barbarians RFC in Brussels this Saturday 24 May. The status of the match is in question. Although the Belgian team make up is all Belgian nations the programme describes the team as ‘Belgian XV’. So we are not sure if this will be a ‘test cap’ awarding fixture for Belgium.

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2738

CONSUR A FINAL MATCH (17.05)

Argentina will travel to Montevideo to play the final match in the CONSUR A Championship on May 31.

Other matches

25 Aug 07 Uruguay 35, Chile 34 in Santiago

15 Dec 07 Argentina 79, Chile 8 in Santa Fe

So this match is the final.

ASIAN NATIONS DIVISION 1 DATES (16.05)

This tournament will be played over the week 4-9 November 2008. The teams in Division 1 are Sri Lanka, Singapore, China and hosts China-Taipei. The format is yet to be determined. The Sri Lankans will play Arabian Gulf prior to the tournament.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/04/20/spo03.asp and also thanks to ‘4N’ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2614&start=75

CAYMANS V COSTA RICA FRIENDLY (16.05)

Previously announced but missing from the fixture list. The Caymans team travel to San Jose to play a one off friendly, Saturday 17 May.

AFRICA SOUTH WORLD CUP PRE QUALIFIER DATE SET (03.05)

The Botswana v Swaziland Pre Qualifying game has been set for May 17. The match will be played in Gaborone.

“…they have requested Zimbabwe to come to Botswana so that the games could be played as curtain raisers for the Vultures World Cup pre-qualifier against Swaziland on May 17”.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200804110123.html

WALES PLAY AN EXTRA TEST (01.05)

14.11.2008 v Canada in Cardiff

http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_3499126,00.html

LATEST NEWS

COUNTRY LIST UPDATES (01.06)

The following country lists have been updated. Included are a number of match data sheets. Go to country alphabetical lists at the top of the page.

Andorra Austria Austria XV Bosnia Herzegovina Bulgaria Cameroun Lithuania Nigeria Norway Slovenia Swaziland Uganda

THIS WEEKEND 31 MAY-1 JUNE

01.06.2008

Barbarians RFC v England at Twickenham (Non-test)

Previews

Previous-Last Encounters

GWC Rugby Rankings

Prediction

Teams

31.05.2008

Argentina ‘A’ 43, Uruguay 8 in Montevideo (CONSUR A)

Argentina won by 35 points. I predicted Argentina ‘A’ by 20 points.

Reviews

Previews

This match is the final of the CONSUR A tournament which began mid way through 2007. Both teams are about to head off to their respective tournaments. Argentina ‘A’ participates to the Churchill Cup whilst Uruguay, ironically, takes Argentina ‘A’s place in the IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest.

Previous Encounters

15.05.2005 Argentina XV 27-21 in Buenos Aires (26^th Sth.America Championship)

03.05.2003 Argentina XV 32-0 in Montevideo (24^th Sth. America Championship)

24.11.2001 Argentina ‘A’ 63-9 in ? (22^nd Sth.America Championship)

08.06.1998 Argentina XV 72-5 in Buenos Aires

Note: Uruguay has played Argentina in full test matches with in the same time frame.

08.07.2006 Argentina 26-0 in Buenos Aires (WCQ Sth America)

28.04.2004 Argentina 69-10 in Santiago (25^th Sth.America Championship)

27.08.2003 Argentina 57-0 in Buenos Aires (Pan American Series)

27.04.2002 Argentina 35-21 in Mendoza (23^rd Sth American Championship)

19.05.2001 Argentina 33-27 in Ontario (PARA)

Either way Argentina has dominated their South American neighbour.

GWC Rugby Rankings

Does not apply

Teams

Argentina ‘A’

15 - Lucas Barrera Oro (Tucuman Universitario)

14 - Mauro Comuzzi (Capitolina, Italy)

13 - Juan Ignacio Gauthier, Capt. (Hindu Club)

12 - Gabriel Azcárate (Club Natación y Gimnasia)

11 - Gonzalo Camacho (B.A.C.R.C.)

10 - Benjamín Urdapilleta (C.U.B.A.)

9 - Francisco Albarracín (La Plata RC)

8 - Leonardo Senatore (G.E.Rosario)

7 - Genaro Fessia (Sale Sharks, England)

6 - Federico Genoud (Los Tordos)

4 - Juan Pablo Lagarrigue (Cardanelas RC)

3 - Francisco Gómez Kodela (Belgrano Athletic)

5 - Felipe Aranguren (C.U.B.A.)

2 - Rodrigo María (La Tablada)

1 - Cesar Betolli (Tucumán Lawn Tennis)

Replacements

16 - Juan Gómez (?)

17 - Ariel Hevia (Banco Nación)

18 - Carlos José Cáceres (Tucumán Lawn Tennis)

19 - Alejandro Abadie (San Fernando)

20 - Lucio López Fleming (San Isidro Club)

21 - Federico Amelong (Rosario Jockey Club)

22 - Román Miralles (Duendes)

Head Coach: José Orengo

http://www.rugbytime.com/noticia.php?id=6233

No.16 not in orginal squad as far as I can tell.

Referee: Salvador Encinas (Chile)

http://www.uru.org.uy/noticia.php?i=1041&op=1

Zimbabwe 31, Zambia 7 at Diggers Rugby Ground, Kitwe (Friendly)

Zimbabwe won by 24 points. I predicted Zimbabwe by 8.

Reviews

http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/sundaymail/press/news/viewnews.cgi?category=7&id=1148999580

Previews

http://www.times.co.zm/news/viewnews.cgi?category=17&id=1212140862

Previous Encounters

22.09.2007 Zimbabwe 48-13 in Harare (Friendly)

16.09.2006 Zambia 14-10 in Lusaka (CAR Africa Cup, Group D)

10.05.2003 Zambia 17-8 in Luanshya (Friendly)

01.04.1982 Zimbabwe 54-4 in Lusaka

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Zimbabwe 8^th, Zambia 9th

Prediction: Zimbabwe by 8 points.

Teams

Zimbabwe

15.Tafadzwa Mhende.

14. Manasah Sita

13. Gardner Nechironga

12. Paul Staak

11. Alex Ndangana

10. Happy Nyatanga

9. Ketumetsi Tlou

8. Norman Mukondiwa (Capt.)

7. Jacques Leitao

6. Shaun Saywood

5. Fortune Chipendo

4. Dustin Wilcox

3. Rocky Gurumani

2. Raymond Dzvairo

1. Piet Joubert

Replacements

16. Devon Esbach

17. Dumisani Ncube

18. Prayer Chitenderu

19. Danny Robertson

20. Gary Hewitt

21. Adrian Sibanda

22. Willis Magasa

http://www.zimbabwerugby.com/index.php? ... Itemid=108 and thanks to ‘Quentin’ FIRA-AER forum

Notes

Cleopas Mokotose and Tangai Nemadire were not released by their Capetown club Schotsche Kloof Walmers.

http://www.thezimbabweindependent.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20438:mukondiwa-to-captain-sables-in-zambia-tie&catid=27:zimbabwe%20tourism&Itemid=65

Zambia

Forwards

Ahmed Saad, Chilambe Kaweme, Musonda Kaminsa and Daniel Sakala (Lusaka), Terry Kayamba (Diggers), Nigel Chibwe (Red Arrows), Richard Kapoma and Boyd Nyirenda (Green Buffaloes), Nyondo Armitage (UK), Happy Chipili (Diggers), Patrick Kasongo and Ephraim Musukwa (Red Arrows).

Backs

Grant Mwila (Diggers), Emmanuel Daka and Chizola Banda (Lusaka) and Reuben Mkandawire (Red Arrows), Alex Mwila and Benard Mukwamba (Diggers), Patrick Chama (Roan), Simon Kapindu (Lusaka), Stuart Royle (Lusaka), Kelvin Kapandu and Kabwe Musonda (Red Arrows), and Martin Chisanga (Green Eagles), Michello Shelleni (Lusaka), John Kabwela and Isaac Munganga (Mufulira) and Keka Mfune (Konkola).

Coach: Innocent Sakala

Although selected both Chancy Mulama (Bury St Edmonds,England) and Tumi Mung’omba (UK) will not arrive in time to play. Both are expected to be available for the first Africa WCQ v Morocco June 11.

http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=42139

http://www.times.co.zm/news/viewnews.cg ... 1212058054 and thanks to ‘Quentin’ and ‘Andorra rugbyfanclub’ FIRA_AER forum

Israel 22, Finland 12 at Wingate Sports Institute, Netanya (ENC 3C)

Israel won by 10 points. I predicted Finland by 8.

Reviews

Israel led 15-5 at half time. The result means that Bosnia-Herzegovina is relegated to Division 3C for 2008-10 and that Israel must now face Cyprus in a playoff to decide who goes to 3C and who is relegated to 3D. Word has it that the Israel-Cyprus game will be played June 14 but venue unknown.

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2756

FIRA-AER CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION 3C Updated 01.06.2008
SEEDINGS: LUXEMBOURG, SLOVENIA, ISRAEL, FINLAND, BOSNIA
30.09.2006	LUXEMBOURG	16	FINLAND	9	CESSANGE		P	W	D	L	PF	PA		PT
07.10.2006	FINLAND	14	BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA	7	ZENICA	SLOVENIA	8	7	0	1	222	65	+155	22
28.10.2006	SLOVENIA	28	ISRAEL	5	NETANYA	LUXEMBOURG	8	4	0	4	129	99	+30	16
21.04.2007	LUXEMBOURG	17	BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA	12	ZENICA	FINLAND	8	3	1	4	85	131	-46	15
28.04.2007	ISRAEL	34	BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA	13	NETANYA	ISRAEL	8	3	0	5	141	161	-20	14
05.05.2007	SLOVENIA	25	LUXEMBOURG	16	LJUBLIANA	BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA	8	2	1	5	87	211	-119	13
19.05.2007	SLOVENIA	77	BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA	5	LJUBLIANA
19.05.2007	LUXEMBOURG	25	ISRAEL	16	CESSANGE	The European Nations Cup is now played for bi-annually. Points for the first year of competition carries over to the next season. Winner promoted to Div.3B. Bosnia Herzegovina were placed 5th and are thus relegated to 3D. Israel, being placed 5th, will play Cyprus in a play off to decide who will play in 3C or 3D for 2008-10.
26.05.2007	SLOVENIA	21	FINLAND	6	HELSINKI
02.06.2007	FINLAND	27	ISRAEL	20	HELSINKI
27.10.2007	LUXEMBOURG	30	BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA	3	CESSANGE
27.10.2007	SLOVENIA	32	FINLAND	3	LJUBLIANA
19.04.2008	SLOVENIA	10	LUXEMBOURG	3	CESSANGE
20.04.2008	BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA	27	ISRAEL	19	ZENICA
26.04.2008	SLOVENIA	17	ISRAEL	5	LJUBLIANA
03.05.2008	ISRAEL	20	LUXEMBOURG	12	NETANYA
10.05.2008	BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA	22	SLOVENIA	17	ZENICA
17.05.2008	FINLAND	3	BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA	3	HELSINKI
24.05.2008	FINLAND	11	LUXEMBOURG	10	HELSINKI
31.05.2008	ISRAEL	22	FINLAND	12	NETANYA
14.06.2008	ISRAEL		CYPRUS

Previews

The outcome of this pool has come down to the wire. Because two teams from 3D (Greece and Cyprus) have qualified for 3C 2008-10 a playoff will take place. Greece has been automatically promoted but Cyprus, who won the most recent 3D tournament, played October-November 2007, must playoff with the 4^th placed team in Pool 3C.

Israel must win today’s game to have any chance of staying in Division 3c. A win will see them take 4^th place and thus qualify for the play off. A loss will see them automatically relegated. A draw with Finland won’t be enough as they will have the same competition points as Bosnia Herzegovina. Bosnia Herzegovina have the advantage of a first round win over Israel so it is a win for Israel or out they go.

Previous Encounters

02.06.2007 Finland 27-20 in Helsinki (ENC 3C)

02.06.2004 Israel 24-15 in Beauvais (ENC 3C, semi-final)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Finland 34^th, Israel 36th CHANGE

Teams

Finland squad

1- Ville Patrikka (TRC Tampere)

2- Semu Salmivalli (TRC Tampere)

3- Micke Holström (Helsinki RUFC)

4- Sami Sarkki (Eagles RC)

5- Stuart Reynish (Warriors RC)

6- Jussi Latvala (Warriors RC)

7- Matti Keränen (OYUS)

8- Jonathan Price (Sheffields RFC, England)

9- Mikko Järvi (Tampere RC)

10- Jaakko Vilen (Warriors RC)

11- Otto Nojonen (Tampere RC)

12 - Galen Ranghiawha (Eagles RC)

13- Thomas Finell (Warriors RC)

14- Lasse Sariola (Warriors RC)

15- Aki Pentikainen (Helsinki RUFC)

16-Christian Stogholm (Göteborg, Sweden)

17- Jussi Kivelä (to be confirmed) (Tampere RC)

18- Andras Devenyi (Helsinki RUFC)

19- Stephen Whittaker (Helsinki RUFC)

20- Jani Lehtinen (Tampere RC)

21- Lauri Ylönen (Warriors RC)

22- Joaquim Grader(Warriors RC)

http://rugbyliitto.sporttisaitti.com/ti ... ?num=13046 and thanks to ‘Quentin’ FIRA-AER forum

IRB NATIONS CUP 2008 June 11-20

This IRB sponsored tournament involves the ‘A’ teams of South Africa and Italyagainst the full international sides of Romania, Georgia, Uruguay and Russia.

MATCH DATA SHEET UPDATES (24.05)

The following international rugby fixtures now have a match data sheet available in the fixtures lists and on each country’s list.

8 September 2007 France XV v Belgium (Updated)

27 October 2007 Denmark v Serbia (New)

27 October 2007 Hungary v Norway (Updated)

3 November 2007 Sweden v Denmark (New)

29 March 2008 Georgia v Czech Republic (New)

5 April 2008 Hong Kong v Tunisia (New)

12 April 2008 Georgia v Russia (New)

19 April 2008 Russia v Czech Republic (New)

COUNTRY LIST UPDATES (24.05)

The following country lists have been updated. Included are a number of match data sheets. Go to country alphabetical lists at the top of the page.

Armenia Austria Burundi Croatia Czech Republic Georgia Latvia Malta Moldova Portugal Russia Serbia

WEEKEND NEWS AND RESULTS 24-25 MAY

COUNTRY LIST UPDATES (18.05)

The following country lists have been updated. Included are a number of match data sheets. Go to country alphabetical lists at the top of the page.

Arabian Gulf Bahamas Guyana Hong Kong Jamaica Japan Kazakhstan Korea Netherlands Papua New Guinea Poland Spain

WEEKEND NEWS AND RESULTS 17-18 MAY

RiJ (Rugby in Japan) (15.05)

Regretfully Ian McDonnell, who provided a regular Japanese rugby newsletter to this site for over three years, is unable to continue his newsletter. His work was voluntary. His work commitments do not allow him the time needed to put together such an informative newsletter. Hopefully Ian will soon be able to resume the newsletter. My special thanks to Ian.

WEEKEND NEWS AND RESULTS 9-10-11 May

COUNTRY LIST UPDATES (10.05)

The following country lists have been updated. Included are a number of match data sheets. Go to country alphabetical lists at the top of the page.

Andorra Barbados Bermuda Bosnia Herzegovina Cayman Islands Croatia Germany Israel Luxembourg Slovenia Trinidad & Tobago Ukraine

WEEKEND NEWS AND RESULTS 3 May

RWANDA: KAMANZI BREATHES LIFE INTO RUGBY FEDERATION(03.05)

http://allafrica.com/stories/200803030354.html

COUNTRY LIST UPDATES (06.05)

The following country lists have been updated. Included are a number of match data sheets. Go to country alphabetical lists at the top of the page.

Armenia Belgium Denmark Hungary Latvia Lithuania Mexico Norway Serbia Sweden Switzerland St Vincent

Unconfirmed fixtures

“South: Bujumbura, Burundi – 04 – 08 May 2008

Participating teams

Burundi

Congo

Rwanda”

http://carugby.com/news/2008_competition/#2

COUNTRY LIST UPDATES (01.05)

The following country lists have been updated. Included are a number of match data sheets. Go to country alphabetical lists at the top of the page.

Argentina Austria Czech Republic Georgia Iran Malaysia Moldova Pakistan Philippines Romania Russia Tahiti