THIS WEEKEND 21-22 APRIL
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.
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!!
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.
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
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