THIS WEEKEND 17-18 MAY

 

Updated 24.05.2008

 

18.05.2008

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

Japan won by 46 points. I predicted Japan by 40 points.

 

Reviews

Hong Kong came very close to gaining a vital bonus point when they scored 3 tries against Japan. As predicted Japan won comfortably against Hong Kong but had to fight hard against a tenacious Hong Kong team determined to hold their second place in Asian rugby. Japan cleared out 24 maximum points in the competition and retain their Asian champion status. The crucial game for Hong Kong will be next weekend when they take on Korea in the struggle for second place.

http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=354&Itemid=26

 

 

2008 ASIA NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

Points: Win = 5, Draw = 3, Loss = 1, Loss within 7 points = 1 bonus, 4 tries or more = 1 bonus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASIA FIVE NATIONS Updated 17.05.2008

SEEDINGS: Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Kazakhstan, Arabian Gulf

26.04.2008

JAPAN

39

KOREA

17

SEOUL

 

P

W

D

L

PF

PA

DIFF

BPL

BPT

PT

26.04.2008

HONG KONG

20

ARABIAN GULF

12

AL AIN

JAPAN

4

4

0

0

310

58

+252

0

4

24

03.05.2008

JAPAN

114

ARABIAN GULF

6

OSAKA

KOREA

3

2

0

1

100

80

+20

0

2

13

03.05.2008

HONG KONG

23

KAZAKHSTAN

17

HONG KONG

HONG KONG

3

2

0

1

72

104

-32

0

0

11

09.05.2008

KOREA

43

ARABIAN GULF

20

DOHA

KAZAKHSTAN

3

0

0

3

44

145

-81

1

0

4

10.05.2008

JAPAN

82

KAZAKHSTAN

6

ALMATY

ARABIAN GULF

3

0

0

3

38

177

-143

0

0

3

17.05.2008

KOREA

40

KAZAKHSTAN

21

INCHEON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.05.2008

JAPAN

75

HONG KONG

29

NIIGATA

 

24.05.2008

KOREA

 

HONG KONG

 

HONG KONG

24.05.2008

ARABIAN GULF

 

KAZAKHSTAN

 

ALMATY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previews

See table above. Despite being undefeated so far in this years inaugural Asia Five Nations competition history is heavily against Hong Kong doing well in this fixture.

http://www.hkrugby.com/hkrugby/news/news-room.cfm?news_uuid=EDA4AFFB-92D2-8015-264D-220AA0F16EDC

 

Last Five Encounters

29.04.2007 Japan 73-3 in Tokyo (Asian Nations, Div.1)

18.11.2006 Japan 52-3 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia Round 3; 20th Asia Champ.)

08.05.2005 Japan 91-3 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia Qualifying 1)

28.10.2004 Japan XV 40-12 in Hong Kong (19th Asia Champ.)

19.10.2003 Japan XV 90-5 in Fukuoka (Asia Tournament, Pool A)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Japan 16th, Hong Kong 26th

                                             Asia Table-Japan 1st, Hong Kong 2nd

 

Prediction: Japan by 40 points.

 

Teams

 

Hong Kong

1 Pete Spizziri

2 Wayne Whitney

3 Nigel Hobler

4 Lawrence Denvir

5 Nick Hurrell

6 Nigel Clarke

7 Kris Marin

8 Semi Iafeta Capt.

9 Jon Elliot

10 Justin Temara

11 Andrew Wong Kee

12 Simon Hempel

13 Colin Bisley

14 Simon Smith

15 Rowan Varty

Replacements

16 Jon Abel

17 Alex Ng Wai-shing

18 Ivan Zenovic

19 Simon Leung

20 Kenzo Pannell

21 Mark Wright

22 Alex McQueen.

 

http://www.hkrugby.com/hkrugby/news/news-room.cfm?news_uuid=EDA4AFFB-92D2-8015-264D-220AA0F16EDC and thanks to ‘Quentin’http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2614&start=75

 

Japan

1 Tatsukichi Nishiura (Coca Cola) Age 32, Tests 12

2 Taku Inokuchi (Toshiba) 25, 4

3 Yosuke Ikegaya (Suntory) 28, 1

4 Taira Sato (NEC) 26, 2

5 Toshizumi Kitagawa (Toyota) 27, 9

6 Ryu Holani (Sanyo) 26, 1

7 Hare Makiri (Fukuoka Sannix) 29, 21

8 Takuro Miuchi, Capt. (NEC) 32, 43

9 Fumiaki Tanaka (Sanyo) 23, 1

10 James Arlidge (JRFU) 28, 4

11 Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory) 30, 42

12 Ryan Nicholas (Suntory) 28, 2

13 Yuta Imamura (Kobe Steel) 23, 17

14 Hiroki Yoshida (Toshiba) 26, 3

15 Shaun Webb (World) 26, 2

Replacements

16 Akira Ozaki (Suntory) Age 30, 2

17 Yusuke Aoki (Suntory) 24, 4

18 Tomoaki Taniguichi (Toyota) 25, 5

19 Koji Shinozuka (Suntory) 24, 3

20 Takashi Sato (Yamaha) 26, 3

21 Shotaro Onishi (Suntory) 29, 30

22 Go Aruga (Suntory) 24, 11

Coach: John Kirwan

 

http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=351&Itemid=26

 

17.05.2008

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

Korea won by 19 points. I predicted Korea by 25.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

 

Previous Encounter

 

20.10.2003 Korea 45-19 in Seoul (Asia Tournament)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Korea 3rd, Kazakhstan 4th

 

Teams

 

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

Andorra won by 1 point. I predicted Malta by 8.

 

Reviews

Andorra’s agony was to win this game but not by enough. It won the game by 1 point but needed to win by 8 points to avoid relegation and send Malta down to Division 3A. This didn’t happen, Malta holding on to lose by 1 point.

 

FIRA-AER CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION 2B Updated 18.05.2008

SEEDINGS: LATVIA, POLAND, CROATIA, MALTA, ANDORRA

07.10.2006

POLAND

54

ANDORRA

8

CRACOVIE

 

P

W

D

L

PF

PA

 

PT

28.10.2006

LATVIA

27

MALTA

16

RIGA

POLAND

8

7

0

1

266

70

+194

22

28.10.2006

POLAND

12

CROATIA

11

MAKARSKA

LATVIA

8

5

0

3

150

165

-15

18

04.11.2006

CROATIA

40

MALTA

18

MARSA

CROATIA

8

4

0

4

133

134

-1

16

04.11.2006

LATVIA

34

ANDORRA

21

ANDORRA LA VELA

MALTA

8

2

0

6

125

210

-85

12

31.03.2007

LATVIA

27

CROATIA

7

MAKARSKA

ANDORRA

8

2

0

6

118

216

-98

12

07.04.2007

ANDORRA

24

CROATIA

13

ANDORRA LA VELA

Poland promoted to Division 2A.

Andorra relegated to Division 3A.

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.2A. Last placed team will be relegated to Division 3A in 2008.

05.05.2007

POLAND

33

LATVIA

9

RIGA

12.05.2007

MALTA

31

ANDORRA

24

MARSA

19.05.2007

POLAND

36

MALTA

3

SIEDLCE

29.09.2007

POLAND

33

ANDORRA

5

ANDORRA LA VELA

27.10.2007

CROATIA

15

POLAND

14

GDYNIA

10.11.2007

CROATIA

24

MALTA

9

MAKARSKA

17.11.2007

MALTA

16

LATVIA

13

MARSA

24.11.2007

LATVIA

20

ANDORRA

9

RIGA

19.04.2008

CROATIA

15

ANDORRA

10

SPLIT

26.04.2008

POLAND

55

LATVIA

0

KOSZALIN

10.05.2008

POLAND

29

MALTA

16

MARSA

10.05.2008

LATVIA

20

CROATIA

8

RIGA

17.05.2008

ANDORRA

17

MALTA

16

ANDORRA LA VELA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previews

This match is a relegation battle. If Andorra wins then both teams will have 12 points. The table position will then be decided on their last encounter. Malta won that game by 7 points so Andorra must win this game by 8 points or more to stay in Division 2B.

 

Previous Encounter

12.05.2007 Malta 31-24 in Marsa (ENC 2B)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Malta 20th, Andorra 22nd

 

Teams

 

Andorra Squad

Vilasetrú, Txelidze, Martínez, Cabanes, Soteras, González, Font, Mitjana, Alieu, Kirikaixvili, Carmona, Ambor, Garcia, Pérez, Abelló, Calvel, Fité, Gispert, Magallon, Lucas, Taurinyà & Sayo.

 

http://www.elperiodicdandorra.com/defau ... _PK=254&h= and thanks to ‘Quentin’ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2731

 

Malta Squad

Adrian Bartolo - Kavallieri RFC, Malta

Andrew Galea - Qormi Sharks RFC, Malta

Clayton Cassar - Overseas RUFC, Malta

David Borg - Kavallieri RFC, Malta

Dominic Busuttil - Beddau RFC, Wales

Dominic St George - Kew Occasionals RFC, England

Guy Kennedy - Queanbeyan Whites RFU, Australia

Harry Collins - Hartpury College RFC, England

Ian Borda - Kavallieri RFC, Malta

James Bartolo - Edinburgh Academicals RFC, Scotland

James Finlason - Hove RFC, England

Kyle Mason - Plymouth Albion RFC, England

Lee Culnane - Tuggeranong Vikings RLFC, Australia

Luke Vella - Emu Plains RLFC, Australia

Matthew Mirabelli - Stompers RFC, Malta

Michael Bonavia - Kavallieri RFC, Malta

Michael McArdle - Ealing Trailfinders RFC, England

Oliver Sacco - Clifton RFC, England

Paul Calgaro - Queanbeyan Whites RFU, Australia

Paul Marzella - Burleigh Bears RLFC, Australia

Rohan Spiteri - Goulburn Bulldogs RLFC, Australia

Steven Kempster - Tring RFC, England

 

 http://www.maltasport.com/modules/smart ... temid=2270 and thanks to ‘Quentin’ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2731

 

 

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

Lithuania won by 1 point. I predicted Lithuania by 14 points.

 

Reviews

The outcome of this game was not going to affect in any way Lithuania’s promotion to Division 3A next season. Perhaps this influenced Lithuania’s enthusiasm for this game. Hungary came at the Lithuanian’s strongly and the Baltic visitors only just held on to their unbeaten record in this division.

 

SEEDINGS; AUSTRIA, HUNGARY, LITHUANIA, NORWAY, BULGARIA

07.10.2006

HUNGARY

13

NORWAY

8

STAVANGER

 

P

W

D

L

PF

PA

 

PT

28.10.2006

HUNGARY

42

BULGARIA

3

KECSKEMET

LITHUANIA

7

7

0

0

265

47

+218

21

28.10.2006

LITHUANIA

37

NORWAY

15

VILNIUS

HUNGARY

7

5

0

2

138

94

+44

17

18.11.2006

LITHUANIA

40

BULGARIA

10

SOFIA

NORWAY

7

2

1

4

103

112

-9

12

21.04.2007

HUNGARY

27

AUSTRIA

5

DUNAUJVAROS

AUSTRIA

6

1

1

4

23

130

-107

9

05.05.2007

AUSTRIA

7

BULGARIA

3

VIENNA

BULGARIA

7

1

0

6

71

239

-168

8

19.05.2007

LITHUANIA

27

AUSTRIA

0

VIENNA

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.3A. Last placed team will be relegated to Division 3C in 2008.

19.05.2007

BULGARIA

25

NORWAY

10

SOFIA

02.06.2007

LITHUANIA

36

HUNGARY

7

VILNIUS

09.06.2007

NORWAY

22

AUSTRIA

8

OSLO

27.10.2007

HUNGARY

5

NORWAY

3

SZEKESFEHERVAR

27.10.2007

LITHUANIA

64

BULGARIA

3

VILNIUS

17.11.2007

HUNGARY

32

BULGARIA

6

ETREPOLE

26.04.2008

AUSTRIA

3

NORWAY

3

VIENNA

03.05.2008

LITHUANIA

48

AUSTRIA

0

VILNIUS

10.05.2008

NORWAY

44

BULGARIA

21

STAVANGER

17.05.2007

LITHUANIA

13

HUNGARY

12

KECSKEMET

24.05.2008

BULGARIA

 

AUSTRIA

 

SOFIA

07.06.2008

NORWAY

 

LITHUANIA

 

TONSBERG

08.06.2008

AUSTRIA

 

HUNGARY

 

VIENNA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previews

It’s difficult to see Lithuania being defeated by their nearest rival in this competition. Lithuania stands head and shoulders above the rest. A win to Lithuania will see it promotes to 3A for the 2008-10 seasons.

 

Previous Encounters

02.06.2007 Lithuania 36-7 in Vilnius (ENC 3B)

27.05.2006 Lithuania 23-17 in Estzergom (ENC 3B)

20.10.2001 Hungary 26-16 in Szazhalombatta (FIRA B, Pool B)

31.05.1997 Hungary 16-3 in Szazhalombatta (WCQ Europe, Pool 3, Round A)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Lithuania 21st, Hungary 29th

 

Teams

 

Lithuania squad

 

Darius Nosys, Ignas Darkintis, Rokas Daknys, Justinas Aršanskis, Audrius Ramančionis, Kęstutis Riškus, Andrius Martinskas, Mindaugas Šiumberevičius, Irmantas Kukulskis, Justinas Vasiliauskas, Kęstutis Marcišauskas, Gediminas Marcišauskas, Maksimas Guseinovas (all - Šiaulių "Vairas"), Tomas Zibolis, Laurynas Tipelis, Gediminas Švoba, Mindaugas Grigas, Edmundas Ščavinskas, Aleksandras Čiuchlejus, Gediminas Liutkus (all - Šiaulių "BaltRex"), Andrius Bridikis (Šiaulių "Salda"), Simon Verbickas (Chester RUFC, Eng)

 

http://www.kaunas.lt/regbis/ and thanks to ‘Quentin” http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2732

 

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

Match drawn. I predicted Finland by 14 points.

 

Reviews

This drawn result means the remaining two fixtures in this division will be crucial in deciding who is relegated.

 

FIRA-AER CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION 3C                  Updated 17.05.2008

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

7

4

0

3

119

88

+31

15

21.04.2007

LUXEMBOURG

17

BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA

12

ZENICA

BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA

8

2

1

5

87

211

-119

13

28.04.2007

ISRAEL

34

BOSNIA & HERTZEGOVINA

13

NETANYA

FINLAND

6

2

1

3

62

99

-37

11

05.05.2007

SLOVENIA

25

LUXEMBOURG

16

LJUBLIANA

ISRAEL

7

2

0

5

119

149

-30

11

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. 

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

 

LUXEMBOURG

 

HELSINKI

31.05.2008

ISRAEL

 

FINLAND

 

NETANYA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previews

Finland plays its last 3 matches over the next 3 weekends. The only thing not in any doubt with this division is that Slovenia will head into Division 3B. So that leaves Israel, Bosnia and Finland to battle it out to see who stays in this division for 2008-10. Bosnia & Herzegovina were the giant killers last weekend but can they hold that form (and the team) and travel well to Helsinki? Finland will be a difficult team to play at home.

 

Previous Encounter

07.10.2006 Finland 14-7 in Zenica (ENC 3C)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Bosnia & Herzegovina 33rd, Finland 37th Finland moves up to 34th place.

 

Teams

 

Bosnia Herzegovina

Vidovic Zeljko ( RC Danube - Austria),

Kadic Sejad ( RC Nyon - Awitzerland)

Ajanovic Semir,

Pasic Semir,

Musinovic Ermin,

Uzunovic Mensur,

Razic Damir,

Dzanic Damir,

Uzunovic Kenan,

Tabakovic Senad,

Subasic Sabahudin,

Beso Latif, ,

Smriko Anes,

Selimbegovic Nermin,

Kapic Albin,

Basic Adis,

Muratovic Edin,

Karabegovic Adis,

Deljkic Benjamin,

Turalic Sanjin,

Zadic Armin,

Tufekcic Sead,

Djokic Alen.

All other players are from RC Celik

http://rugbylife.blogger.ba

 

Finland Squad

1.Tim Sampson - Helsinki RUFC

2. David Price - Sheffields UK

3. Micke Holmstöm - Helsinki RUFC

4. Stuart Reynish - Warriors RC

5. Sami Sarkki - Eagles RC

6. Jussi Latvala - Warriors RC

7. Matti Keränen - OYUS

8. Andras Devenyi - Helsinki RUFC

9. Mikko Järvi - Tampere RC

10. Joaquim Grader - Warriors RC

11. Lasse Sariola - Warriors RC

12. Galen Rangiawha - Eagles RC

13. Thomas Finell - Warriors RC

14. Otto Nojonen - Tampere RC

15. Lauri Ylönen - Warriors RC

16. Semu Salmivalli - Tampere RC

17. Juha Rainvuori - Warriors RC

18. Marko Raitinpää - Eagles RC

19. Stephen Whittaker - Helsinki RUFC

20. Mauno Konttilla - Tampere RC

21. Jaakko Vilen - Warriors RC

22. Aki Pentikainen - Helsinki RUFC

 

http://rugbyfinland.com/keskustelu/inde ... pic=2114.0 and thanks to ‘Quentin’.

 

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

Botswana won by 18 points. I predicted Botswana by 60.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

Cameroun has already been promoted to the 2008 Africa Cup last weekend. This weekend will provide the other qualifier.

http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20080516&i=Vultures_to_pick_Swazi_bones_in_qualifier

 

Last Five Encounters

19.07.2007 Botswana 46-0 in Gaborone (CAR Castel Beer Trophy, Group B)

23.04.2005 Botswana 19-12 in Gaborone (WCQ Africa Round 1A, South)

04.09.2004 Botswana 25-22 in Gaborone (CAR Div.2, South)

05.10.2002 Drawn 10-10 in Malkem (CAR South Pool 2)

01.09.2000 Botswana 13-3 in Gabera (WCQ Africa Round 1, Section B)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Botswana 13th, Swaziland 28th

 

Teams

 

Cayman Islands 20, Costa Rica 17 at Polideportivo de Aranjuez, San José (Friendly)

Caymans won by 3 points. I predicted Caymans by 16.

 

Reviews

“I was at the game yesterday. I arrived a little late so I missed the first 20 minutes but I asked the linesman and he told me the final score was 20-17 with Cayman winning (even though I overheard a player saying that the final score was 20-15). Costa Rica came very close of winning the game at the end but had two tries disallowed for knock-ons. Anyways, I think this a very good result for Costa Rica considering that Cayman is an IRB member.”

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2603&start=165 , plus pictures. Thanks to ‘Cirdo’.

 

Previews

 

Previous Encounters

None

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: North America Table-Cayman Islands 9th, Coast Rica does not register.

 

Teams