THIS WEEKEND 21-22 APRIL

 

Updated 04.05.2007

 

22.07.2007

Japan 82, Korea 0 in Tokyo (Asia Tournament, Division 1)

Japan won by 82 points. I predicted Japan by 40.

 

Japan is favoured to win comfortably against the Koreans who lost 0-54 to the Japanese last year in a World Cup qualifier.

 

LAST FIVE ENCOUNTERS

25.11.2006 Japan 54-0 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia R3)

23.04.2006 Japan 50-14 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia R4, Div.1)

15.05.2005 Japan 50-31 in Seoul (WCQ Asia Qualifying Div.1)

16.05.2004 Drawn 19-19 in Tokyo (Asia Tournament)

15.06.2003 Japan 86-3 in Tokyo

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Japan 17th, Korea 23rd

                                               Asia Table-Japan 1st, Korea 2nd

 

Teams

 

Japan

 

15.Goshi TACHIKAWA Toshiba, 11 Caps

14.Christian LOAMANU(Ton) Saitama Inst. Tech., 2

13.Koji TAIRA Suntory, NEW CAP

12.Bryce ROBINS(NZ) Ricoh, NEW CAP

11.Hirotoki ONOZAWA Suntory, 31 *

10.James ARLIDGE(NZ) NTT-Docomo Kansai, NEW CAP

9.Tomoki YOSHIDA Toshiba, NEW CAP

8.Takuro MIUCHI© NEC, 31 *

7.Hare MAKIRI (NZ) Fukuoka Sanix, 11

6.Hajime KISO Yamaha, 25 *

5.Tsuyoshi SATO JRFU (ex Sanyo), 7

4.Hitoshi ONO Toshiba, 15

3.Ryo YAMAMURA Yamaha, 29 *

2.Yuji MATSUBARA Kobe Steel, 15

1.Tatsukichi NISHIURA Coca Cola West Japan, 3

Reserves

16.Yusuke AOKI Suntory, NEW CAP

17.Tomokazu SOMA Sanyo, 6

18.Yuji KITAGAWA Kanto Gakuin University, NEW CAP

19.Ryota ASANO NEC, 18

20.Koichi OHIGASHI NEC, 3

21.Kousei ONO Fukuoka Sanix, NEW CAP

22.Go ARUGA Suntory, 2

 

A pretty experimental first line up for Japan`s first game this year, look at all the new caps in the backs! * = played in RWC03. Miuchi also captained the team in 2003. #21 Ono has been brought up in NZ and this year was in the Canterbury U19 team and made the NZ U19 trials so is one to watch for the future but maybe more so in 2011. Japanese aren`t big? #5 Sato is 197cm and 120kg! Unfortunately has had injury problems which saw him released from contract at Sanyo. Kirwan sees some potential in him though.

 

Data and comment thanks to ‘Yamaha Kiwi’

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2332

 

South Korea (surnames last)

1.Kwang Sik KIM Koryo (Korea) University

2.Jang Woo LEE Korea Elec. Power

3.Tae Hyung KIM Korea Elec. Power

4.Seon Gyu PARK Korea Elec. Power

5.Young Nam KIM Samsung

6.Son Gun JANG Army

7.Guon Woo YONG KRU (no present club)

8.Geun Gyu HAN Yonsei University

9.Sung Huk AHN Army

10.Jun Ki HONG KRU (no club)

11.Yo Han CHA Koryo University

12.Gyu Deuk LEE Army

13.Sung Soo KIM Army

14.Jae Young CHEA Army

15.Keun Hyun KIM Korea Elec. Power

Reserves

16.Yu Je YO Busan(?)/Ulsan(?) University

17.Sun Woon YOON POCOS

18.Jeong Min KIM Army

19.Wan Yong PARK Koryo University

20.Tae Il YOON Army

21.Jong Su KIM KRU (no club)

22.In Soo CHO Army

(sorry no info on caps – very few options after university – only the Army or about 4 or 5 clubs – that is the big problem, especially as unlike Japan very few companies have teams, only KEP and Samsung).

 

Thanks to ‘Yamaha Kiwi’http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2332

 

21.07.2007

Russia 62, Czech Republic 6 in Krasnodar (ENC 1)

Russia won by 56 points. I predicted Russia by 60.

 

Match data sheet

 

LAST FIVE ENCOUNTERS

12.11.2005 Russia 52-12 in Krasnodar (ENC 1)

19.03.2005 Czech Republic 11-7 in Prague (ENC 1)

14.06.2003 Czech Republic 27-13 in Prague (ENC 1)

05.05.2002 Russia 37-17 in Prague (WCQ Euro. R3, Pool A)

29.05.1999 Russia 52-13 in Prague (FIRA Pool E)

 

The Czech Republic had the edge over the Russians 2003-05 when they played both games in Prague.

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Russia 11th, Czech Republic 12th

 

Review

Russia should not have any problems brushing aside a Czech team weakened by defections and injury. Russia is one of two unbeaten sides in this two-year tournament although it has only played the one game a convincing win over Spain in February.

 

Germany 22, Ukraine 14 in Kiev (ENC 2A)

Germany won by 8 points. Germany won by 8 points SPOT ON!!

 

Match data sheet

 

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

12.10.2003 Ukraine 6-3 in Kiev (ENC 2A)

12.11.2000 Ukraine 19-12 in Heusenstamm (FIRA B)

02.04.2000 Ukraine 20-17 in Kiev (FIRA B)

 

Ukraine and Germany last played in 2003. This was a vital match with winner-takes-all stakes as the winner would go up to Division 1. History states that the Ukraine just edged out the fancied Germans and went on to play two seasons of top European rugby. Its ironic that after relegation the Ukraine meets Germany again in Kiev.

 

Preview

The 2A competition gets underway again after a lull since November. Four teams will clash Saturday. The Ukraine was relegated from Division 1 in 2006. They were shocked with an early loss to Belgium and then recovered with a good win over the Netherlands. Germany also suffered an early loss, to Moldova and they also recovered with an impressive win over Belgium. Both these teams are Division 1 contenders in 2008.

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Germany 13th, Ukraine 15th

 

Moldova 29, Belgium 27 in Brussels (ENC 2A)

Moldova won by 2 points. I predicted Moldova by 5

 

Match data sheet

 

Preview

Moldova have cemented a place among the favourites early on in this competition. They edged out one of the favourites Germany early on and then brushed the Netherlands aside both games being played at home. As most of the team play club rugby in France Brussels could be regarded as a ‘home’ fixture. Belgium won against the Ukraine early on in November but slumped against the Germans away.

 

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER

07.04.2001 Belgium 26-10 in Brussels (FIRA Pool 1; WCQ Euro R1)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Belgium 14th, Moldova 15th CHANGE

 

 

Hungary 27 Austria 5 in Dunaujvaros (ENC 3B)

Hungary won by 22 points. I predicted Austria by 5.

 

Match data sheet

 

Preview

Austria is the only team yet to play in this competition. They are regarded as the favourites and have an advantage in playing all their first round matches in one slot of the season. But most teams struggles playing away from home at this level as most players are amateur and struggle to get time off work. The Hungarians remain unbeaten after wins against Norway and Bulgaria.

 

LAST FIVE ENCOUNTERS

29.04.2000 Hungary 48-18 in Budapest (FIRA D1)

10.04.1999 Austria 33-7 in Vienna (FIRA B)

23.05.1998 Austria 24-12 in Budapest (FIRA Bronze B)

05.11.1996 Austria 21-8 in Vienna

31.10.1992 Hungary 5-3

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Austria 28th, Hungary 29th CHANGE

 

These two nations were regular competitors in the early days of their rugby history. Surprisingly, these neighbours have not played each other since 2000.

 

Luxembourg 17, Bosnia 12 in Zenica (ENC 3C)

Luxembourg won by 5 points. I predicted Luxembourg by 24.

 

Reviews

http://www.rugby.lu/news_fiche.asp?newsID=94

http://rugbylife.blogger.ba/

 

Match data sheet

 

Preview

Bosnia has struggled the last few seasons. This was emphasised with a loss to Finland at home last October. Luxembourg Is the favourite to take this competition at this stage and should win this away fixture.

 

LAST FIVE ENCOUNTERS

12.11.2005 Luxembourg 20-7 in Sarajevo (ENC 3C)

25.10.2003 Luxembourg 31-8 in Bosnia (ENC 3B)

27.10.2002 Luxembourg 21-5 in Cessange (ENC 3B)

27.10.2001 Bosnia 13-12 in Sarajevo (FIRA B, Pool B)

28.03.1998 Luxembourg 22-5 in Cessange (FIRA Bronze A)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Luxembourg 32nd, Bosnia 38th