25.04.2014
Japan 49, Hong Kong 8 in Tokyo (Asia Five Nations)
Argentina 73, Chile 12 in Santiago (CONSUR Cup)
24.05.2014
Korea 52, Philippines 22 in Makati (Asia Five Nations)
Russia 31,Germany 20 in Hamburg (WCQ Europe R5 Playoff)
Trinidad & Tobago 34, Barbados 5 in Port of Spain (Carib. Champ., Sth League)
Swaziland 15, Lesotho 0 in Maruso (Friendly)
24.05.2014
Germany v Russia in Hamburg (WCQ Europe R5 Playoff)
Image thanks to http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=104&start=25
Venue: Wolfgang-Meyer-Sportanlage
Image thanks to http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=104&start=25
Referee: Iñaki Atorrasagasti (Spain)
Preview
Both teams have had very different paths towards this stage of the European section towards qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The winner heads directly to the repechage stage and for the loser the World Cup campaign is over.
Russia is where it is due to a third placing behind Georgia and Romania in the European Nations Cup 2012-14 competition, which doubled as a World Cup Qualifying event. None of its performances were inspiring this season and they looked well off the pace set by both Georgia and Romania. This will be a levelling factor in its chances against Germany.
Germany on the other hand have continued to improve over the last two seasons. They have played at the level below that of Russia in ENC 1B. Germany won that competition and the right to be automatically promoted to ENC 1A, and joining Russia, for the 2014-16 competition. So bright days ahead for German rugby. It is to be hoped that their experience will not be that of Belgium who were promoted to ENC 1A after the 2010-12 competition but did not survive, being relegated to 1B for 2014-16.
Controversy is never far away when covering Rugby World Cup qualifying games. The big problem that lower IRB ranked teams have is availability of key players who ply their trade with big European club sides.Justin Melck, easily Germany’s best player, has not been released by the English side Saracens.For a team such as Germany, this is a huge blow.
An interesting change in the way crucial qualifying matches are staged sees the higher ranked side playing in the lower ranked team’s backyard. Russia travels to Hamburg for this one-off qualifier. If they win Russia will proceed to the first repechage round with a game against Uruguay.
GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Russia 9th, Germany 15th
IRB Ranking Points
Russia 62.58, Germany 58.03
Prediction: Russia by 10 points
Teams
Germany Squad
Sean Armstrong (Heidelberger RK)
Kehoma Brenner (Heidelberger RK)
Anjo Buckman (Heidelberger RK)
Samuel Füchsel (Heidelberger RK)
Christopher Hilsenbeck (US Colomiers, France)
Christopher Howells (TV Pforzheim)
Alexander Hug (TSV Handschuhsheim)
Steffen Liebig (Heidelberger RK)
Robert May (TV Pforzheim)
Timothy Menzel (USA Perpignan, France)
Robert Mohr (DSV Hannover 78)
Julius Nostadt (Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby, France)
Raphael Pyrasch (Heidelberger RK)
Clemens von Grumbkow (I Cavalieri Rugby, Italy)
Umberto Pilla (San Dona Rugby, Italy)
Carlos Soteras-Merz (TV Pforzheim)
Marten Strauch (SC Neuenheim)
Mark Sztyndera (SC Frankfurt 1880)
Mika Tyumenev ( Stade Montois, France)
Timo Vollenkemper (TV Pforzheim)
Alexander Widiker (Heidelberger RK)
Manuel Wilhelm (RG Heidelberg)
Arthur Zeiler (Heidelberger RK)
Head Coach: Kobus Potgieter
Adapted from http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=104&start=25
Russia Squad (Extended)
Props
Mogamed Davudov (VVA Saracens)
Andrey Igretsov (Slava-CSP Moscow)
Sergey Sekisov (VVA Saracens)
Grigory Tsnobiladze (Krasny Yar)
Alexey Volkov (VVA Saracens)
Innokenty Zykov (Enisey-STM)
Hookers
Evgeny Matveev (VVA Saracens)
Stanislav Selsky (Enisey-STM)
Valery Tsnobiladze (Krasny Yar)
Locks
Pavel Butenko (Enisey-STM)
Kirill Kulemin (Sale Sharks, England)
Alexander Voytov (VVA Saracens)
Backrow
Artem Fatakhov (VVA Saracens)
Andrey Garbuzov (Krasny Yar)
Viktor Gresev (Krasny Yar)
Alexander Khudyakov (Krasny Yar)
Andrey Temnov (Enisey-STM)
Scrumhalves
Alexey Shcherban (Enisey-STM)
Alexander Yanyushkin (VVA Saracens)
Flyhalves
Yuri Kushnarev (Enisey-STM)
Anton Ryabov (Metallurg Novokuznetsk)
Sergey Yanyushkin (VVA Saracens)
Centres
Mikhail Babaev (VVA Saracens)
Dimitry Gerasimov (Enisey-STM)
Alexey Makovetsky (Krasny Yar)
Wingers
Igor Galinovsky (Krasny Yar)
Vladimir Ostroushko (Kuban Krasnodar)
Andrey Otrokov (Krasny Yar)
Fullbacks
Ramil Gaisin (Enisey-STM)
Igor Klyuchnikov (VVA Saracens)
http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4028&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=315
26.04.2014
Ukraine 29, Poland 28 in Lvov (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Czech Republic 37, Moldova 19 in Prague (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Germany 45, Sweden 20 in Stockholm (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Briefly
The Czech Republic caused one of the major boil overs in European test rugby this season. Moldova needed a win and bonus point to stay in touch with Division leaders Germany. They crashed spectacularly in Prague going down to the bottom placed, and relegated, team.
Germany continued to win its test matches although they had to come from well behind to eventually over power a determined Swedish side. Germany will now play in ENC 1A for 2014-16.
The Ukraine caused a minor ripple of excitement when they downed Poland by one point. With much political distraction around them the Ukrainians just managed to sneak past what has been a disappointing Polish side this season.
ENC 1B
| P | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | BT | BL | PT | |
| GERMANY | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 398 | 181 | 206 | 7 | 0 | 39 |
| MOLDOVA | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 267 | 228 | 39 | 6 | 0 | 34 |
| UKRAINE | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 227 | 227 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 23 |
| POLAND | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 209 | 183 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 22 |
| SWEDEN | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 193 | 307 | -114 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| CZECH REP. | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 142 | 300 | -158 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
Germany automatically promoted to ENC 1A for 2014-16.
Czech Republic automatically relegated.
26.04.2014
Ukraine v Poland in Lvov (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Czech Republic v Moldova in Prague (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Sweden v Germany in Stockholm (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
| P | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | BT | BL | PT | |
| GERMANY | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 353 | 161 | 192 | 6 | 0 | 34 |
| MOLDOVA | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 248 | 191 | 57 | 6 | 0 | 34 |
| POLAND | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 181 | 154 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 21 |
| UKRAINE | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 198 | 199 | -1 | 2 | 1 | 19 |
| SWEDEN | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 173 | 262 | -89 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| CZECH REP. | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 105 | 291 | -186 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Preview
Whilst the Ukraine-Poland game has no bearing on the outcome of this crucial Division the other two matches are crucial.
Moldova v Czech Republic in Prague
Referee: Graeme Wells (Scotland)
Venue:
Moldova must win this game with a bonus point if they are going to catch leaders Germany. They must also hope that Germany either loses to Sweden or if they win then without a bonus point.
Moldova are favourites to win and win handsomely as the Czechs have been well off the pace and have already earned automatic relegation to ENC 2A for the 2014-16 ENC competition.
Prediction: Moldova by 20 points and a bonus win with 4 tries.
Teams
Moldova Squad
Pilieri:
Cobîlaş Maxim – Krasnîi Iar, Rusia
Leon Victor – CSM Bucureşti, România
Cobîlaş Vadim – Sale Sharks, UK
Titica Veaceslav – Krasnîi-Iar, Rusia
Dorogan Ruslan – Dinamo, România
Taloneri:
Orghianu Igor – Steaua, România
Dascăl Ion – Lupii Albi-USEFS, Moldova
Vasilachi Dumitru – Lupii Albi – USEFS, Moldova
Linia a II-a:
Romanov Andrei – Krasnîi-Iar, Rusia
Mahu Andrei – CSJ Timişoară, România
Gargalîc Maxim – Enisei, Rusia
Linia a III-a:
Prepeliţă Oleg – Krasnîi-Iar, Rusia
Castraveţ Sergiu – Lupii Albi – USEFS, Moldova
Buşilă Ion – Lupii Albi- USEFS, Moldova
Rotunda Roman – Dinamo, România
Purcel Nicolae – ŞSSRAR-USPEE, Moldova
Mijlocaş la grămadă:
Chirilă Nicolae – Lupii Albi-USEFS, Moldova
Caburgan Nicolae – Lupii Albi – USEFS, Moldova
Murzac Victor – Sporting-ASEM, Moldova
Mijlocaş la deschidere:
Manoli Octavian – Lupii Albi – USEFS, Moldova
Felston Craig – UK
Centri:
Baltag Andrian – Lupii Albi- USEFS, Moldova
Cavcaliuc Ion – Dinamo, România
Olari Andrei – Franţa
Leca Ştefan – Lupii Albi-USEFS, Moldova
Aripi:
Bulgac Alexandru – Lupii Albi-USEFS, Moldova
Cebotari Andrei – Dinamo, România
Toderică Eduard – Olimp-Electromaş, Moldova
Lotcă Ilie – Lupii Albi-USEFS, Moldova
Fundaşi:
Golubenco Mihai – Steaua, România
petrache Dorin – Lupii Albi – USEFS, Moldova
Artîc Mihai – Lupii Albi-USEFS, Moldova
http://www.rugby.md/index.php?pagina=7&articol=801
Czech Republic Squad
Roj
Havlíček Martin, Macháček Lukáš, Benda Jan, Luka Tomáš, Ulmmann Ondřej, Kutil Ondřej, Mára Vojtěch, Goldstein Marek, Voves Robert, Wognitsch Martin, Backa Radim, Frank Jiří,Havel Vojtěch, Hruška Vojtěch, Loutocký Marek, Nešpor Karel, Leroch Patrik, Buryánek Jiří, Chadim Tomáš, Pořízek Petr,
Útok
Pailodze Vato, Kopřiva Jakub, Jursík Václav, Jirman Milan, Samet Dali, Sulamanidze Irakli, Stejskal Aleš, Nosák Ondřej, Jung Karel, Kolář Jan, Lacina Jiří, Schlanger Michal, Jirman Michal, Adam Soural, Rohlík Jan, Čížek Petr, Tieber Jan
Head Coach: Thomasz Putra
Sweden v Germany in Stockholm (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Venue
Referee: Iñaki Atorrasagasti (Spain)
Germany travels to Sweden and will play against a tougher opponent than Moldova faces. Sweden has not fared well in the second round of this competition starting with a 60 point loss to Germany this time last year. Germany will need to win and with a bonus point if they are to head of the Moldovans. I think they can do it.
Prediction: Germany by 20 points and a bonus point for 4 or more tries.
Teams
Germany
1 Arthur Zeiler (Heidelberger RK)
2 Mika Tyumenev (Mont-de-Marsan/FRA)
3 Julius Nostadt (LOU Lyon/FRA)
4 Manuel Wilhelm (RG Heidelberg)
5 Rob May (TV Pforzheim)
6 Kehoma Brenner (Heidelberger RK)
7 Alexander Hug (TSV Handschuhsheim)
8 Timo Vollenkemper (TV Pforzheim)
9 Sean Armstrong (Kapitän - Heidelberger RK)
10 Raynor Parkinson (Heidelberger RK)
11 Marten Strauch (SC Neuenheim)
12 Anjo Buckman (Heidelberger RK)
13 Steffen Liebig (Heidelberger RK)
14 Carlos Soteras-Merz (TV Pforzheim)
15 Pieter Jordaan (Heidelberger RK)
Bench: Chris Howells (TV Pforzheim), 17 Samy Füchsel (Heidelberger RK), 18 Jannis Läpple (SC Frankfurt 1880), 19 Justin Melck (Saracens F.C./ENG), 20 Pierre Mathurin (Heidelberger RK), 21 Hendrik van der Merwe (Heidelberger RK), 22 Rafael Pyrasch (Heidelberger RK), 23 Marcus Bender (TSV Handschuhsheim)
http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6772/37/
Sweden
1. Peter Viklund
2. James Derbyshire
3. Mark Beveridge
4. Rikard Örnberg
5. Daniel Chamberlain
6. Sean Burke*
7. Sami Paulsson
8. Andrew Daish
9. Matt Mitchell*
10. Dustin Eaton
11. Tim Johansson
12. Neil Erasmus*
13. Rikus Van Niekerk
14. Robin Fransson
15. Ian Gowland (kapten)
Replacements
16. Lars Tunestål
17. Alex Eliason
18. Stuart Rumbelow
19. Mak Jelec
20. Alexander Nash
21. Jono Edwards
22. Conor Murphy
23. Simon Pearce
*New caps
http://iof3.idrottonline.se/SvenskaRugbyforbundet/Nyheter/Senastenytt/HerrXVtredebutantermedfranstartmotTyskland/
The other game is the Ukraine v Poland game. All I’ve found out is that Poland will be fielding a weakened side due to many of their ‘foreign’ players being unavailable.
Prediction: Poland by 5 points
12.04.2014
Moldova 28, Ukraine 8 in Chisinau (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Netherlands 45, Croatia 13 in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)
Malta 29, Switzerland 14 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)
Reviews
The Ukraine appeared to be missing a number of their leading players and went down 8-28 to Moldova who gained a bonus point 4th try. Moldova’s win did not appear to be impressive however.
Germany and Moldova share top spot in this competition. Each team has a game to play. Both teams will want top spot as it ensures them a games against Russia in May in the Rugby World Cup Round 5 Playoff. Neither can afford to drop a bonus point although Germany has the points difference advantage, the pressure really being on Moldova.
ENC 1B Points Table
| P | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | BT | BL | PT | |
| GERMANY | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 353 | 161 | 192 | 6 | 0 | 34 |
| MOLDOVA | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 248 | 191 | 57 | 6 | 0 | 34 |
| POLAND | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 181 | 154 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 21 |
| UKRAINE | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 198 | 199 | -1 | 2 | 1 | 19 |
| SWEDEN | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 173 | 262 | -89 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| CZECH REP. | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 105 | 291 | -186 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Remaining Games, all to be played 26 April
Poland v Ukraine in Lvov
Moldova v Czech Republic in Prague
Germany v Sweden in Stockholm
The Germany-Sweden game looks to be the crucial fixture. Moldova will be expected to gain the win and a bonus point against bottom placed Czech Republic.Germany need to win with a bonus point away to ensure they take the title.
In ENC 2A the Netherlands won easily as expected against Croatia but Malta caused an upset with an away win against Switzerland.
At halftime Malta had held Switzerland to 9-9 and then crawled ahead 17-14 with the game in the balance right to the end. Malta apparently scored 12 unanswered points in the last 3 minutes! scoring 2 tries to 1 in the game.
ENC 2A Points Table
| P | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | BT | BL | PT | |
| NETHERL. | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 255 | 124 | 131 | 5 | 0 | 35 |
| SWITZ. | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 152 | 135 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| MALTA | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 162 | 179 | -17 | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| CROATIA | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 120 | 200 | -80 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| LTHUANIA | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 103 | 156 | -53 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Remaining Games
19/04 Lithuania v Croatia in Zagreb
26/04 Switzerland v Lithuania in Lithuania
Lithuania’s struggle to avoid automatic relegation begins next weekend. They play Croatia away and Switzerland at home, both big hurdles to overcome. The game against Croatia could well be crucial to their chances.
The Netherlands and Switzerland have tied up the first two places.
12.04.2014
Venue: Dinamo Stadium, Chisinau
Referee: Ken Lambrechts (Belgium)
| P | W | D | L | PF | PA | DIFF | BT | BL | PT | |
| GERMANY | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 353 | 161 | 192 | 6 | 0 | 34 |
| MOLDOVA | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 220 | 183 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 29 |
| POLAND | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 181 | 154 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 21 |
| UKRAINE | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 190 | 171 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 19 |
| SWEDEN | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 173 | 262 | -89 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| CZECH REP. | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 105 | 291 | -186 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Preview
This match is being previewed as much for the politics as for the rugby. The politics is of course the conflict between Ukraine and Russia over the Crimea, the resulting military build up, the fallout between the superpowers and the world-wide media coverage.
Thankfully this match will proceed despite the awkward circumstances for the Ukraine. If the match was due to be played in the Ukraine it may well have been cancelled.
As far as the rugby is concerned, Moldova is unlikely to catch the dominant team Germany in this competition. However they do have a mathematical chance but a lot depends on what other teams do. Moldova would need to win their remaining games with bonus points. Their heavy loss to Sweden early in the competition has come back to haunt the Moldovans. Since then they have certainly looked like they could cope if promoted to ENC 1A.
The Ukraine, relegated from ENC 1A in 2012 will remain in ENC 1B for 2014-2016. The lost 18-38 to Moldova this time last year.
‘Moldova has tried to play this match on the much larger and more modern Zimbru Stadium in the city but the football club has asked a very high rent price.
It's interesting that the Arhip brothers are listed in the Moldovan squad even if they are supposed to be injured. Prop Vadim Cobilas will make it to the match after playing for Sale tonight, according to the Moldovan Federation. However, an article on frr.ro claims that he will not play for Moldova’.
From Dragos03 at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4543
GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Moldova 13th, Ukraine 16th
IRB Ranking Points
Moldova 55.11, Ukraine 52.17
Prediction: Moldova will be weakened if the Arhip brothers do not play but I’d expect them to just do enough to outlast Ukraine. Moldova by 4 points
TEAMS
Moldova Squad
Props
Cobîlaş Maxim (Krasnîi Iar, Russia)
Leon Victor (CSM Bucureşti, România)
Cobîlaş Vadim (Sale Sharks, Aviva Premiership)
Titica Veaceslav (Krasnîi-Iar, Russia)
Dorogan Ruslan (Dinamo, România)
Hookers
Orghianu Igor (Steaua, România)
Dascăl Ion (Lupii Albi-USEFS)
Vasilachi Dumitru (Lupii Albi – USEFS)
Dumitru Arhip (Ospreys, Pro 12)
Locks
Romanov Andrei (Krasnîi-Iar, Russia)
Mahu Andrei (RCM Timişoara, România)
Gargalîc Maxim (Enisei-STM, Russia)
Back row
Prepeliţă Oleg (Krasnîi-Iar, Russia)
Castraveţ Sergiu (Lupii Albi – USEFS)
Buşilă Ion (Lupii Albi- USEFS)
Rotundu Roman (Dinamo, România)
Purcel Nicolae (ŞSSRAR-USPEE)
Victor Arhip (Enisei-STM, Russia)
Scrum half
Chirilă Nicolae (Lupii Albi-USEFS)
Caburgan Nicolae (Lupii Albi – USEFS)
Murzac Victor (Sporting-ASEM)
Fly half
Manoli Octavian (Lupii Albi – USEFS)
Felston Craig (UK)
Centres
Baltag Andrian (Lupii Albi-USEFS)
Cavcaliuc Ion (Dinamo, România)
Olari Andrei (Toulouse Olympique XIII, France)
Leca Ştefan (Lupii Albi-USEFS)
Wingers
Bulgac Alexandru (Lupii Albi-USEFS)
Cebotari Andrei (Dinamo, România)
Toderică Eduard (Olimp-Electromaş, Transnistria)
Lotcă Ilie (Lupii Albi-USEFS)
Fullback
Golubenco Mihai (Steaua, România)
Petrache Dorin (Lupii Albi–USEFS)
Artîc Mihai (Lupii Albi-USEFS)
http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4543
Ukraine
I could only find their team list written in Ukranian here http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4543
Posts
All Comments
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