THIS WEEKEND 11-12 MAY
12.05.2007
Russia 21,
Portugal 13 in Lisbon (ENC 1)
Russia won by 8 points. I predicted Portugal by 4.
Russia has their revenge
over Portugal. Portugal will have a torrid time at the Rugby World Cup. Russia
also goes to the lead of ENC 1.
Preview
These two teams are the only
ones in this competition that are so far undefeated. They have also both played
fewer games with Portugal registering only one outing, a 21-18 win over
neighbours Spain in early February. A Russian team without most of their
French-based players easily accounted for the Czech Republic in their last
outing.
28.10.2006 Portugal 26-23 in
Lisbon (WCQ Europe Rnd 5, Pool A)
13.06.2006 Russia 37-17 in
Lisbon (IRB Nations Cup)
25.02.2006 Drawn 19-19 in
Lisbon (ENC 1)
14.06.2005 Portugal 18-16 in
Krasnoyarsk (ENC 1)
23.03.2004 Portugal 19-18 in
Coimbra (ENC 1)
The Russians must just be
fed up with travelling to Lisbon for a match against The Portuguese. They made
the trip three times last year and here they go again. The Russians will be out
to prove a point after the Portuguese eliminated them from World Cup contention
last October. Since then Portugal has gone on to qualify for the 2007 Rugby
World Cup finals in France. This Russian team travels without a number of top
players plying their trade in France.
GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Portugal 10th, Russia 11th
CHANGE
Malta 31,
Andorra 24 in Marsa (ENC 2B)
Malta won by 7 points. I predicted Andorra by 2.
Both these teams have
registered two loses in this competition. Andorra has played one more game than
Malta. Andorra has been the only one of the two with a win, against Croatia at
home last month. Malta lost at home to Croatia last November. Malta will arrive
with a team studded with English-Australian based players.
This is the first time these
two teams have met.
GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Andorra 19th, Malta 21st
CHANGE
Greece 20,
Slovakia 17 Thessalonika (ENC 3D Final)
Greece won by 3 points. I predicted Greece by 16.
Greece and Slovakia are the
newest teams of European rugby. Greece entered competition last season whilst Slovakia
are new this season. Greece won a place in the 3D final with two convincing
wins over Azerbaijan whilst Slovakia reached the final with a loss. Beaten 6-0
by Monaco early in the season they progressed due to Monaco fielding ineligible
players, a problem they have had in the past. It is difficult to gauge
Slovakia’s strength on that performance.
GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Greece 39th, Slovakia 41st.
Thailand 44,
Pakistan 0 in Lahore (Asia Nations Div.4)
Thailand won by 44 points. I predicted Thailand by 8.
Reviews
Pakistan moved up to
Division 4 after a very successful year in 2006. They will find both Thailand
and especially China-Taipei a handful.
These two teams have not met
before.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/12/spt14.htm
http://www.irb.com/EN/News/Regional+News/070514+kb+pak+ans.htm
GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Thailand 11th, Pakistan 13th
11.05.2007
Kazakhstan 49,
Arabian Gulf 9 in Dubai (Asia Nations Div.2)
Kazakhstan won by 40 points.
Kazakhstan easily accounted
for Sri Lanka 79-6 at home on Wednesday but face the inevitable task of a long
haul to the gulf to play Friday night. If the team can be kept together they
have a fighting chance.