THIS WEEKEND 25-27 MAY

 

Updated 03.06.2007

 

28.05.2007

England Saxons 18, Scotland ‘B’ 3 (Non-Test) at Twickenham (Churchill Cup)

England Saxons won by 15 points. I predicted the Saxons by 30.

 

Review

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3551_2153489,00.html

 

27.05.2007

Junior All Blacks 31, Samoa 10 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)

Junior All Blacks won by 21 points. I predicted Junior All Blacks by 15.

 

Reviews

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3551_2150310,00.html

 

 

Previews

http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=374556&catid=17

 

Junior All Blacks:

15 Cory Jane, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Marty Holah (c), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Greg Rawlinson, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 John Afoa, 2 Derren Witcombe, 1 Clarke Dermody

Replacements: 16 Tone Kopelani, 17 Campbell Johnstone, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Andrew Ellis, 21 Anthony Tuitavake, 22 Daniel Braid / Tane Tu'ipulotu

 

Samoa:

 tbc

 

Referee: James Leckie (Australia)

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3893_2145229,00.html

 

Hong Kong 27, Korea 20 in Hong Kong (Asia Nations, Div.1)

Hong Kong won by 7 points. I predicted Korea by 5.

 

Review

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3551_2152818,00.html

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Korea 2nd, Hong Kong 3rd. CHANGE

 

26.05.2007

Australia 29, Wales 23 in Sydney

Australia won by 6 points. I predicted Wales by 5.

 

Reviews

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_2149323,00.html

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallabies_great_escape,58617.html/news/latest/section/21801

 

Previews

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallabies_v_wales,_preview,58560.html/news/latest/section/21893

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/larkham_out_of_first_test,58589.html/section/21893

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3551_2146656,00.html

http://www.wru.co.uk/2_10314.php

 

LAST FIVE ENCOUNTERS

04.11.2006 Drawn 29-29 in Cardiff

26.11.2005 Wales 24-22 in Cardiff

14.06.2003 Australia 30-10 in Sydney

25.11.2001 Australia 21-13 in Cardiff

23.10.1999 Australia 24-9 in Cardiff (World Cup, Quarter Final)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Wales 5th, Australia 10th CHANGE

 

Stephen Larkham was a late withdrawl being replaced from outside the squad of 22 by Sam Norton-Knight.

 

Match Data Sheet

 

South Africa 58, England 10 in Bloemfontein

South Africa won by 48 points. I predicted South Africa by 24.

 

Reviews

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3551_2149609,00.html

 

Previews

The situation is that many of England’s Six Nations squad are unavailable for the summer tour to South Africa. Brian Ashton has taken a mix of experience and developing players. Can this England side hold its own against the might of South Africa or will we see a repeat of 1997 when England suffered terribly against Australia and New Zealand on that summer tour?

http://www.sarugby.net/default.asp?des=article&id=216190

http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.England_Detail/StoryID/16994

 

LAST FIVE ENCOUNTERS

25.11.2006 South Africa 25-14 at Twickenham

18.11.2006 England 23-21 at Twickenham

20.11.2004 England 32-16 at Twickenham

18.10.2003 England 25-6 in Perth (World Cup, Pool C)

23.11.2002 England 53-3 at Twickenham

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-South Africa 3rd, England 6th

 

Match Data Sheet

 

Argentina 22, Ireland 20 in Santa Fe

Argentina won by 2 points. I predicted Argentina by 15.

 

Reviews

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3551_2150158,00.html

 

Previews

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Ireland 2nd, Argentina 7th CHANGE

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3558_2147806,00.html

 

The Teams:

 

Argentina: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Tomás De Vedia, 13 Miguel Avramovic, 12 Hernán Senillosa, 11 Francisco Leonelli, 10 Felipe Contepomi (captain), 9 Nicolás Vergallo, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 7 Juan Fernández Lobbe, 6 Martín Durand, 5 Esteban Lozada, 4 Pablo Bouza, 3 Santiago González Bonorino, 2 Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 1 Marcos Ayerza

Replacements: 16 Matías Cortese, 17 Pablo Cardinalli, 18 James Stuart, 19 Genaro Fessia, 20 Lucio López Fleming, 21 Juan Fernández Miranda, 22 Horacio Agulla

 

Ireland: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Brian Carney, 13 Andrew Trimble, 12 Kieran Lewis, 11 Tommie Bowe, 10 Paddy Wallace, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Keith Gleeson, 6 Neil Best, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 4 Trevor Hogan, 3 Simon Best (captain), 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Bryan Young.

Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Stephen Ferris, 20 Tomas O'Leary, 21 Geordan Murphy, 22 Barry Murphy.

 

Venue: Estadio Brigadier Estanislao López, Santa Fe

 

Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)

 

 

Fiji 30, Japan 15 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)

Fiji won by 15 points. I predicted Fiji by 20.

 

Reviews

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_2149086,00.html

http://rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=1 Thanks to ‘Quentin’ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2395

 

Previews

 

FIJI’S OVERALL RECORD VERSUS JAPAN (From Jeremy Duxbury, Fiji RFU)

Played         Won            Lost                Drawn              Pts For Pts Agst

7                     5                 2                  0                      191                   109

 

Most consecutive victories

Fiji                    – 4 (1999-2006)

Japan               – 2 (1994)

 

Biggest winning margins

Fiji                    – 28 (Fiji 41 Japan 13, 23/10/03, Townsville)

Japan                – 12 (Japan 20 Fiji 8, 15/05/94, Tokyo)

 

Highest points scored

Fiji                    – 47 (Japan 22 Fiji 47, 20/05/00, Tokyo)

Japan               – 24 (Japan 24 Fiji 18, 08/05/94, Matsuyama)

  

FIJI’S RECORD VERSUS JAPAN AT HOME

Played          Won            Lost                Drawn              Pts For Pts Agst

1                     1                 0                  0                      16                     9

 

Other match facts:

•           Fiji have only played one match against Japan at home, in 1999 when they won 16-9 at Churchill Park in the first Epson Cup.

•           FMF Flying Fijians coach Ilivasi Tabua made his Test debut for Fiji against Japan in 1990 (Waisale Serevi played fullback that day).

•           Netani Talei is the only player in Fiji’s starting 15 today that started against Japan last year in Osaka.

•           Alifereti Doviverata is the only player in Fiji’s starting 15 today that started against Japan at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

 

Fiji v Japan – Match by match

04/03/90 Chichibunomiya, Tokyo               W       32-6

08/05/94 Matsuyama, Japan                      L       18-24

15/05/94 National Stadium, Tokyo              L       8-20

05/06/99 Churchill Park, Lautoka              W       16-9

20/05/00 Chichibunomiya, Tokyo               W       47-22

23/10/03 Dairy Farmers, Townsville          W       41-13

01/07/06 Nagai Stadium, Osaka                W       29-15

Red font denotes games played in Japan, green denotes neutral venue.

 

GWC Rugby Rankings-World Table-Fiji 12th, Japan 17th

 

Teams

 

Japan Squad

Forwards:

Masahito Yamamoto (Toyota Motor) Age 28, (Caps 22)

Tatsukichi Nishiura (Coca-Cola West Japan) 31 (4)

Yuji Matsubara (Kobe Steel) 27 (16)

Mitsugu Yamamoto (Sanyo) 25 (6)

Yusuki Aoki (Suntory) 23 (1)

Ryo Yamamura 25 (30)

Tomokazu Soma (Sanyo) 29 (7)

Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba) 28 (16)

Takanori Kumagae (NEC) 28 (22)

Tsuyoshi Sato (JRFU; No Club affiliation) 29 (8)

Luke Thompson (Toshiba) 26 (1)

Yasunori Watanabe (Toshiba) 32 (26)

Hajime Kiso (Yamaha) 28 (26)

Hare Makiri (Fukuoka Sanix) 28 (12)

Glen Marsh () 34 (Debut)

Takamichi Sasaki (Suntory) 23 (1)

Takuro Miuchi (NEC) 31 (33)

 

Backs:

Koichi Ohigashi (NEC) 27 (5)

Yuki Yatomi (Yamaha Motor) (22 (2)

Tomoki Yoshida (Toshiba) 25 (1)

Eiji Ando (NEC) 24 (8)

Kousei Ono (Fukuoka Sanix) 20 (1)

Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory) 29 (32)

Shotaro Onishi (Yamaha Motor) 28 (20)

Bryce Robins (Ricoh) 26 (1)

Yuta Imamura (Kobe Steel) 22 (6)

Koji Taira (Suntory) 24 (1)

Kosuke Endo (Toyota Motor) 24 (9)

Christian Loamanu (Saitama Instutute of Tech.) 20 (3)

Goshi Tachikawa (Toshiba) 30 (12)

 

Coach: John Kirwan

 

Singapore 31, Malaysia 19 in Kuala Lumpur (Asia Nations Div.3)

Singapore won by 12 points. I was spot on!

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Singapore 7th, Malaysia 10th.

 

Morocco 20, Cameroun 6 in Casablanca (Africa Cup, Div.1, North A)

Morocco won by 14 points. I predicted Morocco by 60.

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Morocco 3rd, Cameroun 13th

 

Ivory Coast 12, Senegal 10 in Dakar (Africa Cup, Div.1, North B)

Ivory Coast won by 2 points. I predicted Ivory Coast by 20.

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Ivory Coast 7th, Senegal 12th

 

Match Data Sheet

 

Namibia 83, Zambia 10 in Windhoek (Africa Cup, Div.1, South A)

Namibia won by 73 points. I predicted Namibia by 24.

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Namibia 2nd, Zambia 5th

 

Teams

 

Namiba

15 T. C. Losper (Western Suburbs RFC)-debut

14  Heini Bock (Reho Falcons RFC)

13  Ryan Witbooi (Western Suburbs RFC)

12 ?

11  Melrick Africa (Reho Falcons RFC)

10  Justinus van der Westhuizen (Wanderers RFC)-debut

9  Eugene Jantjies (Wanderers RFC)

8  Jacques Burger (Griqualand West, South Africa)

7  Jaco Nieuwenhuizen (Falcons, South Africa)

6  Wolfie Duvenhage (Wanderers RFC)

5  Wacca Kazombiaeze

4  Nico Esterhuizen.

3  Jane du Toit (Griqualand West, South Africa)

2  Hugo Horn (Border, South Africa)

1  Johnny Redelinghuys

Replacements

16  Skipper Badenhorst (Natal Sharks Academy, South Africa)

17 Marius Visser

18 Jurgens van Lill

19 Herman Lintvelt

20 Pieter Rossouw

21 LuWayne Botes

22 Corne Powell

 

 http://allafrica.com/stories/200705140975.html

 

Major Sponsor help for Namibian Rugby

http://allafrica.com/stories/200705110380.html

 

South Africa Amateur 40, Zimbabwe 8 in Johannesburg (Africa Cup, Div.1, South B)

SA Amateur won by 32 points. I predicted SA Amateur by 32.

 

Reviews

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=19580&cat=5

 

Previews

http://allafrica.com/stories/200705150144.html

http://allafrica.com/stories/200705260060.html

 

Match Data Sheet

 

Uganda 29, Kenya 10 in Kampala (Elgin Cup)

Uganda won by 19 points. I predicted Uganda by 12.

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Uganda 8th, Kenya 11th

 

Reviews

http://www.monitor.co.ug/sunday/sports/spt05276.php

 

Previews

http://allafrica.com/stories/200705250845.html

 

Teams

Kenya Squad

A provisional squad has been announced to begin training. The squad will be reduced to 25 players.

Biko Adema, Fly half-Nondescripts

Michael Aung, Lock-Nondescripts

Edwin Alubaka, Hooker- Kenya Commercial Bank

Lavin Asego, Fly half-Mwamba

Calvins Biko, Centre- Kenya Commercial Bank

Naftali Bondo, Winger-Impala

Mark Emitati, Prop-Kenya Commercial Bank

Spencer Fondaumiere, Backrow-Nondescripts

Kevin Gachoka, Fly half-Mean Machine

Collins Injera, Winger-Mwamba

James Kabeberi, Prop-Nakuru

Humphrey Kayange, Centre-Mwamba

Michael Kimani, Hooker-Nondescripts

Daniel Kiptoo, Prop-Kenya Harlequin

Moses Kola, Scrum half-Impala

Wilson Kopondo, Lock-Mean Machine

Leslie Libasia, Backrow-Kenya Harlequin

Paul Murunga, Lock- Kenya Commercial Bank

Peter Mutai, Scrum half- Kenya Commercial Bank

Ferdinand Ngaira, Backrow-Nakuru

Richard Nyakwaka, Lock-Mwamba

Arnold Odera, Lock- Kenya Commercial Bank

George Odipo, Lock-Kenya Harlequin

Anthony Ogot, Backrow- Kenya Commercial Bank

Paul Oimbo, Backrow-Impala

Ben Okembo, Prop-Impala

Kelvin Otieno, Centre-Nakuru

Odera Owino, Backrow-Nondescripts

Paul Sadat, Centre-Impala

Anthony Shihemi, Backrow-Nondescripts

Ian Simiyui, Centre-Kenya Harlequin

Nato Simiyu, Fullback- Impala

Erick Situma, Fullback-Nazarene

Jude Thumbi, Scrum half-Kenya Harlequin

John Wanderi, Lock-Nakuru

Pascal Wetukha, Backrow-Nakuru

 

Uganda Squad

 

Props

Fred Mudoola (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Kenneth Mutabaruka (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Brain Makalama (G4 Security Black Pirates RFC)

Bobby Bibagambah (G4 Security Black Pirates RFC)

Ronald Adigasi (Rhinos RFC)

Hookers

Alex Mubiru (MTN Kyadondo Heathens RFC)

Deogratius Tumuhairwe (G4 Security Black Pirates RFC)

Solomon Mawanda (G4 Security Black Pirates RFC)

Locks

Victor Wadia (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Moses Soita (G4 Security Black Pirates RFC)

Ronald Mwisaka (MTN Kyadondo Heathens RFC)

Flanks

Mathias Ochwo (MTN Kyadondo Heathens RFC)

Robert Seguya (MTN Kyadondo Heathens RFC)

Adrian Bukenya (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Roger Rukundo (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Scrum halves

Anthony Kinene (G4 Security Black Pirates RFC)

Allan Masiko (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Phillip Karumira (G4 Security Black Pirates RFC)

Fly halves

Edmond Tumusiime (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Brian Tabaruka (MTN Kyadondo Heathens RFC)

Centers

Tony Luggya (Hima Cement Impis RFC)

Timothy Mudoola (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Felix Lubega (G4 Security Black Pirates RFC)

Wings

Ochaya Emmanuel (G4 Security Black Pirates RFC)

Richard Lumu (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Simon Wakabi (UTL Kampala Old Boys RFC)

Bonny Moro (Rhinos RFC)

 

Total of 27 players

 

Notes from Peter Ofong

“1) Dropped due to injury: Both African leopards Allan and John Musoke.

2) Foreign based players not selected (funds??):Gideon Kamya-Prop(Bracknell RFC-UK);Tony Nyangweso-Wing (Cartha Queens Park RFC-Scotland);Andrew Irumba (Flyhalf/Full back)-(University of Witswatersrand-RSA)

3) Debutants: Richard Lumu and Felix Lubega(U19)”.

 

Slovenia 21, Finland 6 in Helsinki (ENC 3C)

Slovenia won by 15 points. I predicted Slovenia by 12.

 

Reviews

http://rugbyliitto.sporttisaitti.com/tiedotearkisto/?num=12594 (In Finish)

Thanks to ‘Rugbylife’ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2400

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Slovenia 33rd, Finland 36th

 

25.05.2007                                                                                                                                                                                             

New Zealand Maori 59, Canada 23 in Northampton (Churchill Cup)

NZ Maori won by 36 points. I predicted NZ Maori by 20.

 

Reviews

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3551_2148891,00.html

 

Point Scorers:

 

New Zealand Maori

Tries: Tahana (2), Waldrom, Te Whare, Horton, Bruce, Kawau, Ellison, Smith

Conversions: Bruce (7)

 

Canada:

Tries: Kleeberger, Pyke, Carpenter

Conversion: Pritchard

Penalty goals: Pritchard (2)

 

Teams

 

New Zealand Maori:

15 Shannon Paku, 14 Pehi Te Whare, 13 Jason Kawau, 12 Rua Tipoki (captain), 11 Anthony Tahana, 10 Callum Bruce, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Warren Smith, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Angus Macdonald, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Kristian Ormsby, 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Luke Mahoney, 1 Keith Cameron.

Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Craig West, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 James Rodley, 21 Tamati Ellison, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.

 

Canada:

15 Mike Pyke, 14 Dean van Camp, 13 Craig Culpan, 12 Derek Daypuck, 11 James Pritchard, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, (c) 8 David Biddle, 7 Adam Kleeberger, 6 Mike Webb, 5 Mike Burak, 4 Luke Tait, 3 Scott Franklin, 2 Pat Riordan, 1 Kevin Tkachuk.

Replacements: 16 Aaron Carpenter, 17 Dan Pletch, 18 Mike Pletch, 19 Josh Jackson, 20 Stan McKeen, 21 Morgan Williams, 22 Nathan Hirayama.

 

Referee: James Jones (Wales)

 

Yellow Card: Issac Ross (New Zealand Maori - fighting)

 

Previews

http://www.planet-rugby.com./Story/0,18259,3551_2148891,00.html

http://www.rugbycanada.ca/index.php?lang=en&page_id=10&news_id=3111

http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=6055

 

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

02.08.2003 NZ Maori 30-9 in Kingston

27.07.2003 NZ Maori 65-27 in Calgary

 

Australia ‘A’ 60, Tonga 15 in Sydney (Pacific Nations Cup)

Australia ‘A’ won by 45 points. I predicted Australia ‘A’ by 30.

 

Reviews

 

Point Scorers:

 

Australia ‘A’

Tries: Turner (3), Cross (2), Polota-Nau, Hewat, Schifcofske

Conversions: Schifcofske (6), Hewat

Penalty Goals: Schifcofske (2)

 

Tonga:

Tries: Kiole, Tupou

Conversion: Apikotoa

Penalty Goal: Apikotoa

 

Australia 'A':

15 Peter Hewat, 14 Clinton Schifcofske, 13 Junior Pelesasa, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Lachlan Turner, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Sam Cordingley, 8 Jone Tawake, 7 David Pocock, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Alister Campbell (c), 4 Will Caldwell, 3 Troy Takiari, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Nic Henderson

Replacements:16 Sean Hardman, 17 Gareth Hardy, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19Julian Salvi, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Gene Fairbanks, 22 Kurtley Beale

Coach: Laurie Fisher

 

Tonga Squad:

Aleki Lutui, Viliami Ma'asi, Tevita Taumoepeau, Makoni Finau, Sateki Mata'u, Toma Toke, Tevita Tanginoa, Isileli Fine, Sione Kalamafoni, Nili Latu, Naisa Sikalu, Chris Hala'ufia, Teu'imuli Kaufusi, Hale T.Pole, David Palu, Sikalele 'Ahoafi, Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, Setaleki Lu'au, Kaiongo Tupou, Hudson Tonga'uiha, Suka Hufanga, Sione Fonua, Aisea Havili, Seti Kiole, Vungakoto Lilo, Sila Va'enuku

 

Referee: Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan)

 

Previews

These two teams have never met before in an international match.

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/campbell_and_cordingley_to_lead_australia_a,58490.html/news/latest/section/50819