INTERNATIONAL AND TEST RUGBY: 11 July

11.06.2015
South Africa 46, World XV 10 in Capetown (Non test)
New Zealand Maori 27, Fiji 26 in Suva (Friendly)
Namibia 39, Russia 19 in Windhoek (1^st test)

Briefly
South Africa were too polished and fit for a World XV in Capetown. This international non test match was organised to help South Africa prepare for the Rugby Championship (which starts next weekend).

Fiji built up a huge halftime lead before running out of steam and succumbing to the Maoris by one point. Fiji begins its Pacific Nations Cup campaign next weekend with a test match against Tonga in Suva.

Namibia went 1-0 up in their two-test series against Russia in Windhoek. This was a much improved performance compared to their disastrous Nations Cup outing last month

TEST RUGBY RESULTS TIER 2 07-08 NOVEMBER

08.11.2014
New Zealand Maori 20, Japan 18 in Tokyo
Tonga 23, Georgia 9 inTbilisi
United States 27, Romania 17 in Bucharest
Russia 31, Hong Kong 10 in Hong Kong

07.11.2014
Canada 17, Namibia 13 in Colwyn Bay

TEST RUGBY RESULTS SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER

01.11.2014
Australia 40, Barbarians (UK) RFC 36 at Twickenham (Non Test)
New Zealand 74, United States 6 in Chicago
New Zealand Maoris 61, Japan 21 in Kobe
Czech Republic 27,Switzerland 14 in Switzerland (ENC 2A)
Malta 31, Croatia 26 in Valetta (ENC 2A)
Cyprus 30, Andorra 10 in Paphos (ENC 2B)
Bulgaria 26, Turkey 19 in Sofia (ENC 2D

Briefly
Australia defeated the UK Barbarians in a non-test game at Twickenham. It was a lively, open and exciting encounter, just what we expect from a Barbarians game.

New Zealand brought test rugby to the USA and won comfortably against the national side with a very ‘B’ team look. Mind you if you can bring Dan Carter on as a replacement..! The match certainly brought the best of test rugby to the USA. A sell-out crowd of 61,000 ( a record for test rugby in USA) was a great advertisement for the game there.

In ENC matches Czech Republic and Malta secured wins whilst Cyprus extended it’s world record consecutive test wins to 27 and announced their presence at this level. Turkey found that they still have a lot to learn in test rugby when they went down to Bulgaria in Sofia.

Sunday sees the Hungary-Latvia game being played.

TEST RESULTS IN SINCE SUNDAY

12.11.2013
Zimbabwe 29, Kenya 14 in Windhoek (IRB Tri-Nations)

09.11.2013
New Zealand Maoris 29, United States 19 in Philadelphia
Spain 26, Chile 3 in Santiago-

TIER 2 NATIONS: Spain v Chile, Fiji v Portugal, USA v NZ Maoris, Romania v Tonga

09.11.2013
New Zealand Maoris v United States in Philadelphia
Fiji v Portugal in Lisbon
Romania v Tonga in Bucharest
Spain v Chile in Santiago

Briefly
There are some interesting match ups in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend. The New Zealand Maoris displayed a typical Kiwi hard defensive game, quick skills and able to pounce on any opposition mistakes. The USA travel to Europe after this games whilst the Maoris go home.

Fiji should have little difficulty winning against Portugal but Romania could be in for a tough time against Tonga at home.

Spain plays its first game on a South American tour but should win against Chile.

Predictions
NZ Maoris by 40 v USA
Fiji by 30 v Portugal
Tonga by 10 v Romania
Spain by 26 v Chile

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: Friday 1 Nov-Sunday 3 Nov.

01.11.2013
Poland v Sri Lanka in Colombo (IRB Serendib Tri-Nations)

02.11.2013
England v Australia at Twickenham
New Zealand v Japan in Tokyo
Ukraine v Sweden in Kiev (WCQ Europe R4: ENC 1B)
Lithuania v Malta in (?) (ENC 2A)
Croatia v Switzerland in Split (ENC 2A)
Denmark v Israel in (?) (ENC 2B)

03.11.2013
New Zealand Maoris v Canada in Toronto

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)