Test Rugby: Swedes Invade The Netherlands

18.04.2009
Sweden v Netherlands in Amsterdam (WCQ Euro.R3; ENC 2B)

Preview
A win by the Netherlands will almost guarantee them a spot in the European cut for the Rugby World Cup next round. The Netherlands would then only have to win against Malta to be in. Sweden have a chance if they defeat the Dutch. They are in second place behind the Netherlands. The Swedes won comfortably against Latvia but caused a major suprise by dropping their home game against Malta.

The Netherlands first played Sweden in 1965, winning 23-5. In recent times the Netherlands have dropped two divisions since their ENC Division 1 days of the late 1990's, whilst Sweden have dropped from ENC 2A to ENC 2B in more recent times.

Last Five Encounters
23.04.2005 Netherlands 24-17 in Amsterdam (WCQ Euro.R3, Pool C)
08.05.2004 Netherlands 16-0 in Stockholm (ENC 2A)
03.05.2003 Netherlands 39-26 in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)
07.05.1994 Netherlands 44-6 in Vanersborg (Friendly)
06.11.1993 Netherlands 31-6 in Amsterdam (WCQ Euro. B1)

Netherlands have had the better of their recent encounters. My records show that Sweden last defeated the Netherlands back in 1971, 6-0.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Netherlands 18th, Sweden 20th.

Prediction: Netherlands by 14 points

Teams

Netherlands
Bart Jan Alting (RC Hilversum) 8 Tests
Jordy Bonhof (LRC Diok) 5
Costin Buburuzan (RC The Dukes) New Cap
Koen Buseman (Haagsche RC) 11
Boudewijn De Rouw (RC The Dukes) 10
Henry Eikemans (RC The Dukes) 2
Tjebbe Jehee (LSRG Leiden) 8
Allard Jonkers , Capt.(RC ‘t Gooi) 33
Titus Klumper (LRC Diok) 4
Jason Knox (RC ‘t Gooi) 4
Rik Roovers (REL) 4
Robert Rijnholt (RC Hilversum) 5
Roger Scheffer (LRC Diok) 10
Piet Hein Schram (RC ’t Gooi) 24
Timothy Schumacher (LRC Diok) 42
Peter Te Kulve (Utrechtse RC) 1
Miquèl Van Der Cruijssen (RC ’t Gooi) 10
Robert Van Trigt (RC Hilversum) 6
Bart Viguurs (RC The Dukes) 16
Gerard Viguurs (RC The Dukes)14
Sep Visser (RC Hilversum) New Cap
Stefan Vos (RC The Dukes) New Cap
Anton Werth (RC ‘t Gooi) 4
Head Coach: Hugues Dispas

Thanks to Jacqueline Reus, Nederlandse Rugby Bond

Sweden
Timothy Johansson (Enköping RK)
Eirik Lundqvist (Enköping RK)
Robert Nave (Enköping RK)
Viktor Pettersson (Enköping RK)
Olof Wadell (Enköping RK)
Thomas Brown (Stckholm Exiles RFC)
Paul Sullivan (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
Thomas Arvidsson (Fredriksberg RF. Denmark)
Alan Letele (Göteborg RF)
Douglas Lidberg (Göteborg RF)
Paul Matthews (Göteborg RF)
Nico Parmelund (Göteborg RF)
Fredrik Casselhag (Hammarby IF Rugby)
Eshan Fadaker (Hammarby IF Rugby)
Richard Johansson (Hammarby IF Rugby)
Mathias Thorhard (Hammarby IF Rugby)
Erik Wikström (Hammarby IF Rugby)
Magnus MacDonald (London Scottish RFC, England)
Alex Taylor (Nuneaton RFC, England)
Seteraki Tegunimataka (Pingvin RC)
Hannes Eriksson (Vänersborg RK)
Linus Hector (Vänersborg RK)
Head Coach: Robban Boström

http://www.rugby.se/t2.asp?p=5122&x=1&a=1166641 and thanks to ‘Quentin’ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3088