TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 26 June

26.06.2010 Updated
Argentina 41, France 13 in Buenos Aires
South Africa 55, Italy 11 in East London
Australia 22, Ireland 15 in Brisbane
New Zealand 29, Wales 10 in Hamilton
Samoa 31, Fiji 9 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup-New result
Japan 26,Tonga 23 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup) New result
Laos 12, Cambodia 3 in Phnom Pehn (Asia Regional Tournament, Mekong Cup)

Briefly
Argentina sensationally defeated France in Buenos Aires to eclipse their previous record win, that wonderful 34-10 win at the 2007 Rugby World Cup playoff match. South Africa easily disposed of Italy whilst New Zealand did the same to Wales. Australia stuttered to a 22-15 win over Ireland whilst Laos won the Asia Regional tournament with a spiteful card-ridden 12-3 win over Cambodia. The win also meant that Laos, with a better aggregate score over Cambodia, takes the Mekong Cup back to Ventiane.

For South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, eyes are now turned towards the Tri Nations tournament beginning held next month. For Northern Hemisphere teams, it's now about, the exceptions being Scotland and possibly England, licking their wounds and trying to take positives out of what were miserable performances. It is all thought provoking test rugby results with the Rugby World Cup only 15 months away.

Finally, Samoa took out the 2010 Pacific Nations title for the first time with a 31-9 win in front of a huge home crowd. Japan defeated Tonga 26-23 in the other match.

ASIA REGIONAL RUGBY TOURNAMENT

26.06.2010
Laos v Cambodia in Phnom Phen

Venue: Royal Cambodian AF Stadium

Referee:

Preview
Cambodia lost the opening game of this tournament to Brunei last Sunday. Laos defeated Brunei fairly easily Wednesday by 23-5. Laos will be the favourites to win this tournament on those results. However, Cambodia is playing at home. They also lost by only two points in the first match against Laos, in Vientiane back in late May. Laos may well find the Cambodians a handful in this test match which is also the return Mekong Cup fixture. Cambodia holds the Mekong Cup although Laos holds a two point aggregate advantage.

Last Five Encounters
15.05.2010 Laos 16-14 in Vietiane (Mekong Cup)
23.05.2009 Cambodia 24-8 in Phnom Phen (Mekong Cup)
28.03.2009 Laos 8-3 in Savannakhet (Asia Regional Tourn., Mekong Cup)
12.07.2008 Laos 33-0 in Jakarta (Asia Regional Tourn., Mekong Cup)
31.05.2008 Laos 15-14 in Vientiane (Mekong Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Laos 18th, Cambodia 20th
IRB Rankings do not apply

Prediction: Laos by 14 points

Teams

Laos
15 Anousith Chaleunsouk
14 Gregory Pham
13 Thit Outhone Thirakoun
12 Saysana Vinavong
11 Phakkham Sengsouliving
10 Chris Mastaglio
9 Savannhxay Xayyasone
8 Lee Sheridan
7 Somphone Vongvilay
6 Phouphet Phouttavong
5 Garry Wrigh
4 Phayphisit Maniseng
3 Phettanousone Chitthaphong
2 Damlongsak
1 Phanavan Boutthavong
Replacements
16 Soubin Phensomphu
17 Ekkasan Sengchanpheng
18 Anousith Phaipanya
19 Mit Oudone Keohanam
20 Matsumoto Hideaki
21 Soukthavi Souliyachack
22 Vannaxay Somsuthi
Head Coach: Maloo

4 players making test debut but which 4 not known.

http://www.laorugby.com/Lao_Rugby_Federation/A5N_2010_23_June.html

Cambodia Squad not available

INTERNATIONAL TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND : Saturday 26 June

26.06.2010
France v Argentina in Buenos Aires
Italy v South Africa in East London
Ireland v Australia in Brisbane
Wales v New Zealand in Hamilton
Fiji v Samoa in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)
Tonga v Japan in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)
Cambodia v Laos in Phnom Pehn (Asia Regional Tournament, Mekong Cup)

LATEST TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Wednesday 23 June

New Zealand Maori 35, England 28 in Napier (Non Test)
Laos 23, Brunei 5 in Phnom Pehn (Asia Regional Tournament)

RUGBY TEST RESULTS: Sunday June 20

IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest

20.06.2010
Namibia 21, Georgia 16
Romania 27, Italy A 22
Argentina A 33, Scotland A 13

Asia Regions in Phnom Phen

20.06.2010
Brunei 10, Cambodia 9

Briefly
Namibia won the 2010 IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest with a fine win against Georgia. Georgia lost the plot in the second half, conceding 3 yellow cards in the last 10 minutes. This was a fantastic moral boost for the Namibians before their Rugby World Cup finals in 2011. In previous World Cups they have been hammered. Hopefully they will be more competitive this time. Romania came second with a good final day win over Italy A. The Romanians have improved and now they head for a playoff against Tunisia in the repecharge stage of the Rugby World Cup qualifying stage.

Little Brunei caused an upset with a 1 point win over hosts and tournament Favourites, Cambodia.

TEST RUGBY IN ASIA: Asia Regional Tournament

Asian rugby is organised into levelled competitions. At the top is the Asia5Nations, followed by divisions 1 to 4, and below that are regional competitions, from which further divisions can be made. In 2010 a new 4th division was created out of a 2009 regional division. The only regional tournament in Asia for 2010 is being held in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. The teams are Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.

Some more here http://www.asian5nations.com/Regional

The Draw
Sunday 20 June
Cambodia v Brunei

Wednesday 23 June
Laos v Brunei

Saturday 26 June
Cambodia v Laos (also for the Mekong Cup)

Preview
Cambodia v Brunei

Venue:

Referee:

Preview
Cambodia has already played a Mekong Cup test match against Laos, so they will be more match-fit than Brunei. Cambodia is also playing on home turf, a big advantage at this level of international rugby. The Combodians won't forget the loss they suffered against Brunei in the regional tournament held in Laos last year.

Previous Encounters
25.03.2009 Brunei 21-10 in Savannakhet (Asia Regions 1)
11.07.2007 Cambodia 30-8 in Brunei (Asia Nations Series, Div.6)
29.05.2006 Cambodia 41-10 in Phnom Phen (Asia Tournament, Tier 6)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Cambodia 19th, Brunei 20th
IRB Rankings do not apply

Prediction: Cambodia by 14 points

Teams

Not available

Test Rugby This Weekend 12-13-14 June

I don't know how you are all going to stay awake with all this international rugby happening around our globe.

12.06.2009
Samoa v Junior All Blacks in Samoa (Pacific Nations Cup)
Uruguay v Romania in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
Scotland 'A' v Russia in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
Italy 'A' v France 'A' in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)

The Pacific Nations Cup gets underway tomorrow. A couple of matches are being played offshore but mostly, due to cost-cutting, they will mostly be played in Fiji.

The IRB Nations Cup pits the strongest 'A' teams from France, Italy and Scotland against Romania, Uruguay and Russia. Now that the Emerging Springbok are not playing this year fields will be even.

13.06.2009
New Zealand v France in Dunedin
England v Argentina in Salta
Australia v Italy in Canberra
Tonga v Fiji in Nuku'alofa (Pacific Nations Cup)
Uganda v Tunisia in Kampala (WCQ Africa R2; Africa Cup SF)
Ivory Coast v Namibia in Abidjan (WCQ Africa R2; Africa Cup SF)
Uzbekistan v Kyrgyzstan in Tashkent (Asia Regions 2 Final)
Uzbekistan 'B' v Mongolia in Tashkent (Friendly)

The teams from the Northern Hemisphere begin their southern tours on Saturday. At first impression one would think that France are not taking their best side down under. They were because the French Top 14 final between Perpignan and Clermont-Auvergne only involved a few French test players. But injuries has forced a number of players to withdraw. The result is this is not the strongest of French teams but, unlike the last couple of tours, its not their weakest either.

England against Argentina in Argentina is a totally different proposition to playing Argentina in Manchester. The strange thing is that both teams will suffer jet lag. Still I expect the Argies to be far more competitive in front of a provincial crowd in Salta.

Italy has a very hard tour ahead of it. Injuries have hit the Italians and they look like continuing their losing streak.

Fiji and Tonga clash in Nuku'alofa whilst the Junior AllBlacks start their Pacific Nations campaign in Apia. Elsewhere the Africa World Cup qualifying process goes into the third round. Tunisia travel to Kampala to take on the Ugandans, whilst Namibia (the favourite) travels to Ivory Coast to tackle a team with a number of French-based players in the squad.

Test Rugby Result: A first for Mongolia

09.06.2009
Kyrgyzstan 38, Mongolia 21 in Tashkent (Asia Regions 2)

Review
My supposed itinerary for this tournament has been shot down in flames. Mongolia played its first ever test match against Kyrgyzstan and lost by a respectable 21-38. The IRB website states that the final on Saturday will be between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan which leaves me pndering..what happened to Jordan?

"Also notable is that Wednesday's match was the first full 15-aside international Test match refereed by Gabriel Lee Wing Yi, Asia’s number one ranked female referee and the first ever Asian Rugby Football Union men’s Test match to be refereed by a female match official."

"Lee had her work cut out in her first Test as an entertaining match was disfigured by the awarding of six yellow cards for a variety of infringements. "

Six yellow cards must be some kind of a record. Still it's good to see women referees officiating at mens rugby tests. I can't recall other women refereeing mens rugby tests.

Test Rugby: Asia Regions 2

06.06.2009
Kyrgyzstan v Uzbekistan in Tashkent (Asia Regiona 2)

Preview
Whilst newcomer Jordan is the unknown factor in this tournament, these two teams slugged it out for draw in last years tournament and I expect a right old tussle again. It could be that the winner of this tournament may make up a new Asia Nations Division 4 for 2010.

These two teams have met once before
10.10.2008 Drawn 15-15 Beshkek (Asia Regions)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Both at 21st place

Prediction: Uzbekistan by 7

Teams
Not available at present

For a list of all international rugby tests played by these two nations go to www.rugbyinternational.net

Test Rugby This Weekend 6 June

06.04.2009
England v Argentina in Manchester
Australia v Barbarians (UK) RFC in Sydney-Non Test
Free State Cheetahs v British and Irish Lions in Bloemfontein
United States v Wales in Bridgeview, Illinois
Canada v Georgia in Denver (Churchill Cup, Pool A)
Argentina 'A' v England Saxons in Denver (Church. Cup, Pool B-Non Test)
Lithuania v Netherlands in Vilnius (WCQ Euro. R3 Playoff)
China v Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur (Asia Nations Div.2, Final)
India v Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur (Asia Nations Div.2, 3rd-4th)
Kyrgystan v Uzbekistan in Tashkent (Asia Regions 2)

Previews
Argentina prepare to sink their puma teeth into a vunerable England outfit fresh from a 26-33 defeat at the hands of the Barbarians. Argentina has what would appear to be a strong side whilst England are rebuilding with a youthful side.

The British and Irish lions take on the Free State Cheetahs in their third tour match. On Wednesday they gave the lowly Golden Lions a 74-10 hiding, wiping out the stutters and floundering of their first match. The Cheetahs will provide stiffer opposition.

Wales complete their North American tour with a test against the USA. The USA Eagles performed well enough losing 10-27 to Ireland last weekend and will want to improve on that performance with the Churchill Cup just around the corner. For the last two seasons the USA has finished last in the Cup and will want to see progress being made this year.

The Churchill Cup gets underway this weekend. Georgia is the new team in the competition and will face Canada on Saturday. Argentina 'A' and last year's winner England Saxons do battle in the other pool match. Unlike previous tournaments, the 2009 version will be held in one venue, Denver, Colorado, USA.

The saga of Lithuanian rugby continues on the shores of the warm summer Baltic shores. Well, actually just a little inland in Vilnius. Lithuania has now played an amazing fourteen rugby tests on the trot without defeat, going back to 2006. Two weeks ago they defeated Israel in the World Cup qualifying match in Netanya, winning the Round 2 playoff. Now they face the Netherlands at home for the Round three playoff. Whereas Israel was below them in the rankings, the Netherlands were the leaders of the European Nations Cup Division 2B at the halfway stage thus qualifying for the playoff. This is a division ABOVE Lithuania. The boys from the Baltics will have a tough match ahead of them but it would not surprise the rugby world if they won, and thus qualified for playoffs next season.

China and Malaysia square off in Kuala Lumpur in the Asia Nations Division 2 final. A jaded Chinese side struggled against Pakistan but will be a different propsect on Saturday. India and Pakistan playoff for 3rd-4th, the loser will drop to the third division for 2010.

And finally an Asian regional rugby tournement gets away in Tashkent on Saturday. Uzbekistan, the host, faces Kyrgyzstan in the first game. The other participant, Jordan, fresh from a 94-0 warmup against a Palestinian club side, plays their first game next Wednesday.

I'll post some more detailed previews in the next day or so, time permitting.

Test Rugby Result: Laos wins Tournament

28.03.2009
Laos 8, Cambodia 3 in Savannakhet (Asia Nations Region 1)


Review
In what turned out to be a much closer result than expected, Laos won the Asia Nations Regions 1 tournament held in Laos. Laos scored all their 8 points in the last 7 minutes, with a try and a dropped goal. Cambodia, who has lost 10-21 to Brunei mid-week, were not expected to push the Laotians around but that is what they did.


Photo by: JACOB CAWTHORNE Laos flanker Sengchanpheng Ekasan (right, with ball) is tackled by Cambodian prop Chro Kim Seng during their international match Saturday in Savannakhet, Laos.

Thanks to www.phnompenhpost.com

Review here at http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/Sport/Unbeaten-Laos-win-tourney.html

Rugby Result: Brunei defeats Cambodia

25.03.2009
Brunei 21, Cambodia 10 in Savannakhet (Asia Regions 1)

Brunei defeated Cambodia 21-10. The final match on Saturday between Laos and Cambodia also sees the Mekong Cup up for grabs. Laos looks the favoured side going by the lastest results. If Laos wins then they could well qualify for a Division spot in the 2010 Asia Nations tournaments.

Rugby Test Match: Laos v Brunei

22.03.2009
Laos v Brunei in Savannakhet (Asia Nations Regional 1)

Preview
The first of the Asia Nations regional tournaments gets underway in Savannakhet, Laos. There is the likelyhood that the winners of the three regional tournaments for 2009 will be gathered together in an Asia Nations Division 4. So winning this tournament has more value to it than just local bragging rights.

Laos lost to Indonesia last year in the regional tournament held in Djakarta. Indonesia progressed this season to Division 3. Laos in turn were too good for Cambodia. Laos has lost twice to Brunei in past regional tournaments so the teams look reasonably even.

Brunei had a disasterous time at last years regional in Guam, losing to Guam by 70 points, and then to Indonesia by 101! They look better suited to this level.

Previous Encounters
27.06.2006 Brunei 32-17 in Phnom Pnen (Asia Regional Tournament)
14.07.2007 Brunei 17-16 in Brunei (Asia Regional Tournament)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Laos 18th, Brunei 20th

Prediction: Laos by 14 points.

Teams

Not available

Test Rugby: Laos v Brunei

22.03.2009
Laos v Brunei in Savannakhet (Asia Regional 1)

Preview
This is the first match of this tournament with host Laos playing Brunei.

Mote to follow.

Asia Regional Test Rugby: Regional 1

The first of the 2009 Asia Regional Rugby tournaments gets underway Sunday in Laos. These matches are not part of the Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifying system.

The tournament will be held at the Savannakhet Stadium in Savannakhet, Laos. Savannakhet is the main city (100,000 pop) of the Central-Southern area of Laos. It is situated on the Mekong River.

Teams at this tournament will be the national 15's mens sides from Cambodia, Brunei and Laos.

Schedule
22 March: Laos v Brunei
25 March: Brunei v Cambodia
28 March: Cambodia v Laos

Rugby Tests Coming Up

A huge weekend of international rugby coming up next weekend. Can't wait!
The big clashes are Ireland v Wales to determine the 6 Nations Championship, Georgia and Russia square off to see who takes out the first round of ENC 1 and Cyprus heads to Bosnia to battle for the top honours in ENC 3D.

21.03.2009
Ireland v Wales in Dublin (6 Nations)
Scotland v England at Twickenham (6 Nations)
France v Italy in Rome (6 Nations)
Georgia v Russia in Krasnodar (WCQ Euro.R1; ENC 1)
Portugal v Romania in Bucharest (WCQ Euro.R1; ENC 1)
Armenia v Andorra in Andorra La Vela (WCQ Euro.R4;ENC3A)
Israel v Luxembourg in Netanya (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 3C)
Slovakia v Monaco in Bratislava (ENC 3D)
Cyprus v Bosnia Herzegovina in Zenica (ENC 3D)

22.03.2009
Czech Republic v Ukraine in Odessa (WCQ Euro.R2; ENC 2A)

Also...
An Asia Nations regional tournament is due to get underway in Laos March 22-28 involving Laos, Cambodia and Brunei.

Rugby Result: 10 October Uzbekistan 15, Krygyzstan 15

This test match was played a day earlier than planned due to a double booking at the venue in Bishkek. This was the first ever test match between these two rugby nations. Iran won this Asia Regional Tournament with an 8-6 win over Uzbekistan on Wednesday.
http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2614&start=165

Rugby Result: Iran 8, Uzbekistan 6

Iran won the Asia Regional Tournament held in Bishkek, Capital of Kyrgyzstan. As well as the win over Uzbekistan, Iran defeated the hosts 30-16 last Sunday. The final match of the tournament is between the host Kyrgyzstan and neighbours Uzbekistan on Saturday.

Rugby Fixtures Ahead

11.10.2008
Brazil v Trinidad and Tobago (WCQ America, Playoff)
Brazil, the winner of the CONSUR B tournament played in Asuncion, meets Trinidad and Tobago, the winner of NAWIRA B Tournament played in Cayman Islands, in the first leg of this playoff. They meet again the following week with the winner on aggregate proceeding to WCQ America Round 2.

Kyrgyzstan v Uzbekistan in Beshkek (Asia Regional Tournament)
The final match of this tournament sees two regional teams new to international rugby.

Rugby Result: Iran 30, Krygzstan16.

Played in the Uzbeki capital Beshkek, this was Krygzstan's first international rugby test. Half time 13-8. The other team in this Asia Regional Competition is Uzbekistan who will play its first international rugby test match against Iran on Wednesday.