TEST RUGBY: Netherlands Travel to Split

24.04.2010
Netherlands v Croatia in Split (ENC 2B)

Venue: RK Nada Split, Stari Plac

Referee: Frasineanu (Romania)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
NETHERLANDS	7	7	0	0	205	74	131	21
CROATIA	6	5	0	1	131	83	48	16
MALTA	7	3	0	4	105	146	-41	13
SWEDEN	7	1	0	6	130	150	-47	9
LATVIA	7	1	0	6	87	210	-120	9

Preview
This probably the biggest game for both teams for some time. Croatia are tucked in close behind Division leaders the Netherlands, they have a match in hand and now play the leaders in front of a home crowd. Croatia has flown in a number of overseas heavyweights for this important rugby test. Included is Waitemata RFC, Auckland veteran Ivan Nola.

For the Netherlands, undefeated in this division, a win today will take them back to ENC 2A, from which they were relegated last season. This is a huge game for both teams.

Previous Encounters
01.11.2008 Netherlands 18-12 in Amsterdam (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2B)
01.11.1998 Netherlands 29-7 in Amsterdam (Friendly)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Netherlands 19th, Croatia 20th

Prediction: Netherlands by 5 points

Teams

Croatia Squad
Marin Antunović (RK Makarska Riviera)
Carl Banks (North Shore RFC, NZ)
Ante Blažević Bandov (RK Nada)
Tony Begovich (North Shore RFC, NZ)
Mate Borozan (RK Nada)
Nick Brajkovich (North Shore RFC, NZ)
Tomislav Burazin (RK Nada)
Tonči Buzov (RK Nada)
Goran Čulić (RK Nada)
Dominik Draženović (RK Mladost)
Tvrtko Dumančić (RK Mladost)
Duje Grubišić (RK Nada)
Nik Jurišić (RK Mladost)
Špiro Matić (RK Nada)
Andrej Mihalj (RK Mladost)
Filip Mijić (RK Zagreb)
Milan Milanović (RK Nada)
Ivan Nola (Waitemata RFC, NZ)
Ante Olujić (RK Nada)
Alek Osmanović (RK Makarska Riviera)
Ivan Rešetar (RK Nada)
Ivica Rubelj (RK Nada)
Ivica Šimić (RK Makarska Riviera)
Saša Sljepčević (RK Nada)
Ivan Šuta (RK Mladost)
Marin Tvrdić (RK Nada)
Filip Ujaković (RK Mladost)
Michael Zovko (Souths RFC, Australia)
Head Coach: Jakša Lovreta

Netherlands Squad not yet available