TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 20 June

Regret I am unable to cover test rugby this weekend due to other commitments

20.06.2015
Argentina v French Barbarians in Rosario (Non test)-To be played
Uganda 30, Kenya ‘A’ 25 in Kampala (Elgon Cup)
Mauritius 39, Reunion 10 in Curepipe

Briefly
Uganda won the Elgon Cup for 2015 by an aggregate of 47-45. If Uganda wins Africa Cup 1B and gets promoted to 1A they would play the Kenya first team.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Weekend 28-29 May

29.05.2011
Barbarians (UK) RFC 38, England 32 at Twickenham (Non-test)

28.05.2011
Guyana 22, Trinidad Tobago 20 in Port of Spain (NACRA Caribbean Champ.,South R3)
Bahamas 17, Mexico 12 in Nassau (NACRA Caribbean Champ., South R3)
Madagascar 50, Reunion 19 in Antananarivo (Friendly)

TEST RUGBY: African Friendly

28.05.2011
Reunion v Madagascar in Antanamena

Venue: Mahamsina Stadium

Referee:

Preview
Madagascar is using this game in the Indian Ocean Rugby Championship (Madagascar, Reunion, Seychelles, Mauritius) as a warm up for the up coming CAR African Rugby Competition.

Reunion will play Mauritius later in June but no word as to whether the Seychelles will compete. Reunion is an overseas department  of France and so strictly speaking this is not a test match. But as I have listed Reunion’s ‘test’ matches that I’m aware of from the past I can’t help but include this result on my lists.

Madagascar is due to play in Uganda next month in Division 1B, against Zimbabwe and Uganda. Ivory coast has pulled out of this competition because of the unstable political situation in that country and face automatic relegation.

The venue is a town in the south of the country called Antanamena.

Last year Madagascar played Zambia (won 36-18) and Zimbabwe (lost 22-28) in the CAR Africa Cup, Pool C tournament held in Bulawayo.

Reunion last played a ‘test’ in 2009 in which they lost all 3 games in the CAR Development Trophy, South-Mauritius (9-10), Botswana (17-39) and Madagascar (27-36).

Previous Encounters
25.07.2009 Madagascar 36-27 in Gabarone (CAR Development Trophy, South)
01.12.1995 Reunion 33-9

GWC Rugby Rankings do not apply as Reunion did not play in 2010

Prediction: Madagascar by 20 points

Teams

Madagascar

This is reportedly the starting XV for Madagascar

Donald Rakotomialoha (US Ikopa)
Ibrahim Andrianiaina (Iarivo RC)
Hasina Razafimahatratra (TAM Anosibe)
Tolotra Ramaromiantso (3FB)
Claudio Ravelonomenjanahary (Savonnerie Tropicale)
Toussaint Rabearilala (Iarivo RC)
Vonjy Randriamananjara (FTM)
Thierry Herimampionona (TAM Anosibe)
Romuald Rafaralahy (3FB)
José Rakoto Harison (3FB)
Benja Rakotoarivelo (TFMA)
Rija Rakotoarimanana (3FB)
Bienvenu Mananjarasoa (Iarivo RC)
Hery (AT Ivandry)
Jacquot Hary Nirina (TAM Anosibe)
Head Coach: Camille Ratsima

http://www.les-nouvelles.com/spip.php?rubrique15#

3FB = Ministère de la Santé et du Planning Familial

Reunion Squad not available

Rugby in Africa: CAR Development Trophy Concludes

The final day of the 2009 CAR Development Trophy, South Zone, concludes today in Gaborone, capital of Botswana. Madagascar, the highest seeded team looks like it will lose its placing.

25.07.2009
Botswana v Zimbabwe

Preview
The Zimbabwe-Botswana game looks to be the final of this tournament. Both go into this game undefeated and there appears to be nothing much between them.

Zimbabwe, without a few of its top players, caused an upset on day by downing the 'Makas' 31-22. They were a little shakey mid-week with a close 14-8 win over Mauritius.

Botswana, playing at their home ground at the University of Botswana, has surprised most with their record so far. They were convincing 16-10 winners over Zambia, whilst they won comfortably 39-17 over Reunion mid-week.

Previous Encounter
Botswana played its first international rugby test match in 1996. On that day there were hammered 130-10 by Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. These two teams have not met since!

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Zimbabwe 7th, Botswana 10th

Prediction: Zimbabwe by 10 points

Teams

Botswana not available

Zimbabwe Squad
Forwards
Rocky Gurumani (Old Hararians ) Aged 34
Alfred Sairayi (Old Hararians)
Piet Joubert (Mashonaland Country Districts)
Devon Esbach (Mashonaland Country Districts)
Dimitri Zaverdinos (Mashonaland Country Districts) #
Kyle De Beer (Districts) #
Theo Weale (Old Miltonians) #
Kundai Hatendi (Harare Sports Club) #
Costa Dinha Aged 31 (possibly captain)
Moses Makiwa (Old Miltonians) #
Prayer Chitenderu (Old Hararians)
Norman Mukondiwa (Matabeleland Province)
Jacques Leitao (Mashonaland Country Districts)
Njabulo Ndlovu (Mashonaland Country Districts) # Still at school (Prince Edward School)

Backs
Gardner Nechironga (Polokwane, South Africa)
Tapiwa Mafi (Old Hararians) #
Gary Hewitt (Mashonaland Country Districts)
Tichafara Makwanya (Old Hararians) #
Bernard Mukondiwa (Old Miltonians) #
Paul Staak (Matabeleland Province)
Daniel Hondo (Hurtpury RFC, England)
Jafet Ndebele (Old Hararians) #
Lloyd Machanjaira (Old Miltonians) #
Tafadzwa Mhende (Harare Sports Club)
# New Caps

Head Coach: Brendan Dawson

Madagascar v Reunion

Preview
Madagascar should win this game but they will be ruing their loss to Zimbabwe on day 1.

Previous Encounters
These two teams first met back in 1995. My records show a 33-9 win to Reunion on that day. Since then Madagascar has been on a much higher African rugby stage. I expect Madagascar to win easily.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Madagascar 8th, Reunion 15th

Prediction: Madagascar by 50 points

Teams

Madagascar Squad
Vonjiniaina Marson Andriamananjara (COSFA)
Nirina Jacquis Bayard (Iarivo RC)
Haja Jean-Marc Fiarana (Iarivo RC)
Fabiola Derossant Fiavota (Iarivo RC)
Andrianavalona Bienvenu Mananjarasoa (Iarivo RC)
Jacquot Hary Nirina (TAM Anosibi)
Dimbiniaina Jean-Willy Rabemananjara (3FB)
Edmond Rija Rakotoarimanana (3FB)
Sidonie Lantoniaina Rakotoarisoa (3FB)
Benjamina Mandimby Rakotoarivelo (US Ankadifotsy)
Jean Félix Rakotoarivelo (US Ankadifotsy)
Mboazafy Noé Rakotoarivelo (Capt.) (COSFA)
Mario Rakotomalala (US Ankadifotsy)
Fenohery Andriambininjato Rakotondrazaka (FTA)
Jean de Dieu Rakotonirina (3FB)
Antonio Gontran Rakotozanany (TAM Anosibi)
Herilaza Ramanoelina (Iarivo RC)
Tolotra Ratsimba Ramaromiantso (3FB)
Herman Ibrahim Randrianiaina (Iarivo RC)
Tahina Herizo Randrianarisoa (3FB)
Toussaint Boniface Rabearilala (Iarivo RC)
Tina Nirina Ravelomanantsoa (Iarivo RC)

3FB = Ministère de la Santé et du Planning Familial
COSFA = Club Omnisports des Forces Armées

Reunion Squad
Pascal Agro (Chaudron)
Ludovic Claude (Chaudron)
Sylvain Defvergnes (Saint-Pierre)
Cédric Efflame (Saint-Paul)
Nicolas Frapese (Saint-Pierre)
Jérôme Gauthier (Chaudron)
Lazare Hoarau (XV Dionysien)
Marcel Hoareau (Chaudron)
William Hoareau (Chaudron)
Ulrich Lamour (Saint-Paul)
Bruno Lechnig (Saint-Pierre)
Frédéric Lechnig (Saint-Pierre)
Quentin Llouquet (Saint-Paul)
Jérémy Orélie (Saint-Paul)
Bruno Palace (Saint-Paul)
François Ribière (Saint-Paul)
Johan Rivière (Chaudron)
Patrice Rosa (Saint-Paul)
David Scheller (Saint-Pierre)
Eric Shapaz (La Montagne)
Willy Sinivassin (Etang-Salé)
Cédric Tiburce (Saint-Paul)
Christel Vocher (Saint-Paul)
Laurent Wolter (Saint-Pierre)
Encadrement : Bernard Charreyre, Didier Adekalom et Yves Russier

Mauritius v Zambia

Preview
It's not been a happy tournament for Zambia. They surprisingly lost to hosts Botswana 10-16 on day 1 and then found a tough Madagascan side too strong mid-week.

Mauritius defeated their island neighbour Reunion 10-9 on day 1, and then pushed Zimbabawe 8-14 mid-week for a very respectable record.

There may not be much between these two teams who have never met before.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Zambia 11th, Mauritius 14th.

Prediction: Zambia by 5 points.

Teams

Mauritius Squad
Romain Lamusse
Gauthier Ozoux
Cédric Poché
David Gervel
Nicolas Dupavillon
Jérôme Ritter
Jérôme Ferrat
Nicholas Margéot
Amédée Maingard
Jean-François Marie
Herbert Couacaud
Fabien Rivalland
Jean Edgar de Ravel
Denis Claude Pilot
Christophe Rousset
Yohan de Coriolis
Daniel Maigrot
Robert Boullé
Patrice François
Sacha Descroizilles
Thomas Maujean
Alexandre Jouan
Léopold Le Guen
Fabien Sauzier

Coaches: Bernard Castelin, Alain Lastécoueres.

Zambian Squad
Ali Bhuka, Macgiven Muchindu, Simon Kapindu, Michelo Sheleni, Norman Sibanda, Boyd Nyirenda, Dany Kabila, Ephraim Musukwa, Nigel Chibwe, Nicton Mwape, Edwin Zulu, Macmanus Musonda, Mwila Chileshe and Tom Chaloba. Nickson Silwimba, Grant Mwila, Isaac Munganga, Chancy Mulama, Jonathan Gondwe, Brian Chansa, Ceasar Mutesha, John Mulenga, Alex Mwila and Kabwe Musonda.
Head Coach: Happy Chipili

Rugby In Africa

CAR Development Trophy, South.
Just last weekend we saw the conclusion of the corresponding tournament in the north, which was held in Togo, a tiny republic in West Africa.

The Development trophy is for emerging nations one level below CAR Trophy, which was also played recently. The nations at the trophy level are Morocco (the winner), Kenya, Senegal and Cameroun.

The southern tournament was hit last week with two defections. Both Tanzania and Swaziland pulled out. This left Botswana (hosts), Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Zambia and the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Reunion. Because it is an overseas department of France, Reunion has permission to play as a nation, but is not eligible for World Cup qualifying games.

With the late withdrawls, organisers rearranged the touranment into two pools, with teams only playing across the pools, exactly like the recent IRB Nations tournament held in Bucharest.

The tournament is being held at the University of Botswana Rugby grounds in the capital Gaborone.

Day One
20.07.2009
Zimbabwe 31, Madagascar 22
Botswana 16, Zambia 10
Mauritius 10, Reunion 9

Review
Two upsets were recorded in the first round. Madagascar were well fancied as the tournament favourite. On the day they found the Zimbabweans too strong.

Botswana caused the other upset by downing Zambia who are ranked higher. In the other match Mauritius just edged out Reunion.

Round two is on Wednesday 22 July