MOLDOVA v NETHERLANDS Rugby Europe Championship, Division 1B

28.02.2015

Venue: Amsterdam

Referee: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)

Preview

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
MOLDOVA	3	3	0	0	134	48	86	3	15
POLAND	3	2	0	1	63	73	-10	1	9
BELGIUM	2	2	0	0	48	31	17	0	8
UKRAINE	3	1	0	2	70	54	16	1	5
NETHERLANDS	2	0	0	2	29	32	-3	2	2
SWEDEN	3	0	0	3	25	131	-106	0	0

Although at opposite ends of the points table these two teams could well be closer than that. Moldova has the perfect record so far and look likely contenders for promotion in 2016.

The Netherlands, newly promoted, have began with two impressive displays, losing by one point to Poland and by two points to Belgium. Not bad for a team playing in Division two last season.

Moldova travels away with what appears to be a constant problem. They just can’t field a strong team on the road. ‘So, no M Cobilas, no V Cobilas, no Arhip, no Mahu, no Felston, no Cavcaliuc, no Golubenco.’. These players have all been listed by their professional clubs as playing this weekend. So much for the international window. The last time Moldova played Netherlands in Amstredam the same thing happened and look at the score.

Moldova’s only bright spot is their powerful scrum, even with out the Cobilas brothers. If the Netherlands can hold them in the scrum they are in with a chance of winning.

Last Five Encounters
07.04.2012 Netherlands 40-26 in Amsterdam (ENC 1B)
30.04.2011 Moldova 22-15 in Chisinau (ENC 1B)
17.11.2007 Moldova 15-13 in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)
25.11.2006 Moldova 43-7 in Chisinau (ENC 2A)
12.11.2005 Moldova won 30-27 in Chisinau (WCQ Europe R3, Pool A)

Moldova Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
22.11.2014 v Sweden W 57-8 in Chisinau (REC 1B)
15.11.2014 v Poland W 48-25 in Chisinau (REC 1B)
08.11.2014 v Ukraine W 29-15 in Chisinau (REC 1B)
26.04.2014 v Czech Republic L 19-37 in Prague (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1B)
12.04.2014 v Ukraine W 28-8 in Chisinau (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1B)

Netherlands Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
21.02.2015 v Belgium L 21-23 in Amsterdam (REC 1B)
18.10.2014 v Poland L 8-9 in Warsaw (REC 1B)
10.05.2014 v Germany L 7-17 in Amsterdam (WCQ Europe R4, Playoff)
12.04.2014 v Croatia W 45-13 in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)
05.04.2014 v Malta W 33-10 in Valette (ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Moldova 14th, Netherlands 19th

IRB Ranking Points
Moldova 55.38, Netherlands 51.17

Prediction: Expect an upset. Netherlands by 9 points

 

Teams Not available