TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 8 September

08.09.2012
New Zealand 21, Argentina 5 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
Australia 26, South Africa 19 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
Denmark 22, Norway 15 in London (Viking Cup Preliminary)

Briefly
Argentina gave New Zealand a serious fright in their Rugby Championship clash in Wellington. A player sin-binned mid-way through the second half effectively cost Argentina the rhythm and poise they had worked so hard to compose. New Zealand were in control and dominant in the last 15 minutes and that is where they won the game.

Prior to that Argentina were a very competitive unit. Their defence was superb. They rushed the All Black attack and the bone crunching tackles could be heard over the strong wind and, at times, driving rain.

Australia continued its winning ways against South Africa. With their backs to the wall against the media and fans, the Aussies won the game with a wingers try by prop Ben Alexander. He twinkled his way down the touchline to dot down in the corner. It took the TMO a moment to believe his eyes before awarding the try.

South Africa came away with a bonus point but this loss puts the pressure back on the team and the coach to produce. Next up they face the daunting prospects of a New Zealand side at home that finally hit its best in the last 15 minutes of their last game. Hmmmm.

Denmark won the preliminary Viking Trophy match in London finally overcoming a tenacious Norwegian side 22-15. Denmark will now challenge Sweden in Sweden on 22 September. Norway’s next match is their first ENC 2D encounter against neighbours Finland in 6 weeks time.

EUROPEAN TEST RUGBY: Viking Cup

08.09.2012
Norway v Denmark in London (Viking Cup)

Venue: Rosslyn Park Rugby Football Club grounds

Referee:

Preview
The organisers of this tournament moved this rugby test match to a neutral venue in London. In what is seen as an innovative move the organisers felt that the venue would give European rugby more publicity.

This is the first European rugby test match of the 2012-13 season. Norway and Denmark play a preliminary match in the contest. The winner will go on to play the final against Sweden, the Cup holders, in Sweden later this month.

The tournament will be used as a warm up for the 2012-14 European Nations Cup fixtures which begin next month.

Denmark finished second in ENC 2C behind Israel. Both were promoted to ENC 2B.Slovenia forfeited their playoff game against Denmark. The other teams in ENC 2B, apart from Israel, are Latvia (relegated from ENC 2A), Andorra and Serbia.

Regular Danish captain Jesper G.Jensen is out with injury. The match day 22 contains three new test caps.

Norway finished last in ENC 2B and were relegated to ENC 2C for 2012-14. Their aim will be to, in two seasons, work their way back into 2B.

For this fixture Denmark are the obvious favourites.

Last Five Encounters
15.10.2011 Denmark 28-5 in Odense (ENC 2C; Viking Cup)
16.10.2010 Drawn 14-14 in Oslo (ENC 2C)
17.09.2009 Norway 15-8 in Oslo (ENC 3B; Viking Cup)
11.04.2009 Denmark 20-18 in Odense (WCQ Euro. R1; ENC 3B)
24.10.1998 Denmark 45-7 in Aalborg (Friendly)

Denmark Last Five
21.04.2012 v Austria W 28-22 in Odense (ENC 2C)
29.10.2011 v Hungary W 21-13 in Kecskemet (ENC 2C)
15.10.2011 v Norway W 28-5 in Odense (ENC 2C; Viking Tri-Nations)
14.05.2011 v Austria L 16-23 in Odense (ENC 2C)
09.04.2011 v Sweden L 15-55 in Stockholm (Viking Tri-Nations)

Norway Last Five
19.05.2012 v Hungary L 14-28 in Oslo (ENC 2C)
05.05.2012 v Austria W 11-5 in Bergen (ENC 2C)
29.10.2011 v Israel L 11-22 in Netanya (ENC 2C)
15.10.2011 v Denmark L 4-28 in Odense (ENC 2c; Viking Tri Nations)
03.09.2011 v Sweden L 7-18 in Bergin (Viking Tri Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Denmark 27th, Norway 33rd

IRB Ranking Points
Denmark 41.75, Norway 34.55

Prediction: Denmark by 13 points.

TEAMS

Denmark

15		Joshua Jensen	CSR-Nanok RK
14		Sebastian Hurst	Letchworth RFC, England
13		Andreas Robertson	Nottingham Trent Univ., England
12		Sebastian Barrett	Ebbw Vale RFC, Wales
11		Oliver Le Roux	RK Speed
10		Sylvester Michaelsen	CSR-Nanok RK
9		Mikkel S. Jensen	Aarhus RK
8		Johannes Soussan	CSR-Nanok RK
7		Christian Fløjgaard *	CSR-Nanok RK
6		Gaspard Nau Valbak	VGA Saint Maur, France
5		Johannes Mackeprang	RK Speed
4		Kristian Riberholdt	Holstebro RK
3		Michael Friis Larsen	Aalborg RK
2		Rasmus Dufke	CSR-Nanok RK
1		Sean Maher *	Towcester RFC, England
16		Kasper Vad Pedersen	Aarhus RK
17		Matias Dinesen	Frederiksberg RK
18		Niels B. W. Godtfredsen	Aarhus RK
19		Jannick Larsen	Erritsø RK
20		James Rosenfeldt	CSR-Nanok RK
21		Christian Melgaard *	Erritsø RK
22		Thomas Graagaard	Holstebro RK
		HEAD COACH: Ivan Anderson

http://www.rugby.dk/nyheder/landshold/91111594-vtn-de-danske-vikinger-i-london

Norway Squad

Front Row:
Even Ellingsen - (Blindern RK)
Aleksansder Rønning - (Fredrikstad RK)
Joe Bula - (Gloppen Bushmen RK)
Andreas Fyri - (Oslo RK)
Erlend Meldalen - (Blindern RK)
Levan Abramashvili - (Stavanger RK)

Second row and loose forwards:
Axel Wilhelsen - (Bergen RK)
Kim Robin Pettersen - (Horten RK)
Shelton Davis - (Tønsberg RK)
Markus Sourlas - (Bergen RK)
Eirik Salvesen Lie - (Bergen RK)
Pascal Raclin - (Oslo RK)
Nick Sæby - (Stavanger RK)

Half backs:
Thierry Davy - (Blindern RK)
Tommy Kjønniksen - (Fredrikstad RK)
Andre Slaatta - (Bergen RK)
Simmen Hammer Eriksen - (Horten RK)

Centers:
Kristoffer Borsheim - (Stavanger RK)
Finn Gormley - (Galway Corinthians RFC)
Fredrik Skovly - (Oslo RK)
Andre Van Niekirk - (Bergen RK)

Full backs:
Kristian Elgheim - (University of York)
Alex Deisner - (Stavanger RK)

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4127

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: 8-9 September

08.09.2012
South Africa v Australia in Perth (Rugby Championship)
Argentina v New Zealand in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
Norway v Denmark in London (Viking Cup Preliminary)

09.09.2012
Paraguay v Colombia in Valencia (WCQ Americas; CONSUR B)
Venezuela v Peru in Valencia (WCQ Americas; CONSUR B)

Briefly
The Rugby Championship enters Round three this weekend. New Zealand hosts Argentina whilst Australia hosts South Africa.

Argentina showed against South Africa that they are a handful playing at home. But how will they handle playing against New Zealand in New Zealand. It will surely be a stern test of their away match stamina and presence of mind. To do well in this competition they will need to play as well away as they do at home.

Australia will be desperate for a home win against the Springbox. They are stuck at the bottom of the Rugby Championship points table and frankly at the moment that looks about right. Can they lift against South Africa as they did in the 2011 Rugby World Cup?

And for something completely different two European rugby nations will play on neutral territory. Denmark and Norway square off in the Viking Cup Preliminary match at Roslyn Park RFU club grounds in London.This sounds like a good initiative. The winner will face Sweden in Sweden at the end of September.

Sunday heralds in the first round of the CONSUR B competition being played in Valencia in Venezuela. This is part of the Rugby World Cup Americas qualification process. The winner of this tournament will play the NACRA winner (Bermuda) and that winner plays Brazil, both games probably in October.

There is plenty to look forwards to this weekend in the world of test rugby.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October

15.10.2011
France 9, Wales 8 in Auckland (World Cup, Semi-Final 1)
Poland 20, Czech Republic 13 in Nowy Sacz (ENC 1B)
Denmark 28, Norway 5 in Odense (ENC 2C; Viking Tri Nations)
Bosnia Herzegovina 48, Slovakia 15 in Bratislava (ENC 3)

14.10.2011
Rwanda 28, Burundi 3 in Kigali (CAR Division 2, South, Final)

Scroll down for match reviews

EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP RUGBY: Also Viking Tri Nations

15.10.2011
Norway v Denmark in Odense (ENC 2C; Viking Tri Nations)

Venue: Athletic Stadium

Referee: Welfring (Luxembourg)

Preview
Norway has a slight advantage over their Danish visitors regarding results over the past two seasons. Norway’s record of a win and a draw is testament to an improvement in the standard of their international rugby, especially when compared to the results of their encounters in the 90’s.

The overall points table below paints a different picture. Denmark is a serious contender for promotion to ENC 2B for 2012-14 competition, whilst Norway is in grave danger of relegation to ENC 2D!. A win with a bonus point for Norway is what they need to catch the tail of the field.

“…the final game of this years Viking 3N which Sweden has already won so these two teams playing for 2nd and 3rd. Peter Burke has taken the position of Norway's head coach after the previously appointed Steve Bates was unable to commit to the role.”from ‘Quentin’ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3887

“…Søren Brobyskov that had 41 caps has decided to quit on national level.: ‘exile’ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3887

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
ISRAEL	4	3	0	1	77	55	22	0	0	12
DENMARK	4	2	1	1	78	76	2	0	1	11
HUNGARY	4	2	0	2	77	65	12	0	2	10
AUSTRIA	4	2	0	2	65	67	-2	0	1	9
NORWAY	4	0	1	3	31	65	-34	0	1	3

Last Five Encounters
16.10.2010 Drawn 14-14 in Oslo (ENC 2C)
17.09.2009 Norway 15-8 in Oslo (ENC 3B; Viking Cup)
11.04.2009 Denmark 20-18 in Odense (WCQ Euro. R1; ENC 3B)
24.10.1998 Denmark 45-7 in Aalborg (Friendly)
28.09.1997 Denmark 27-3 in Oslo (Friendly)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Denmark 30th, Norway 33rd

IRB Ranking Points
Denmark 40.60, Norway 35.43

Prediction: Denmark by 3 points

Teams

Danish Squad With Test Caps
Johannes Soussan, CSR (17)
Stefan Soussan, CSR (-)
Emad Libis, CSR (3)
Jesper Neumann, Erritsø (-)
Jesper G. Jensen, Erritsø (27)
Nathanael Smalley, Erritsø (18)
Jonas Haaning, FRK (38)
Llewellen Pillbeam, Exiles (-)
Sebastian Barrett, Meibion Plasmawr (-)
Andreas Robertson, Nottingham Uni (4)
Johannes Mackeprang, Speed (4)
Gaspard Nau Valbak, VGA Saint Maur (3)
Joshua Jensen, Tetbury (-)
Christian S. Jensen, ARK (9)
Mikkel S. Jensen, ARK (1)
Rasmus Mortensen, ARK (17)
Niels Gotfredsen, ARK (11)
Kasper Vad Pedersen, ARK (31)
Andy Nielsen, ARK (19)
Daniel Pilgaard, ARK (-)
Sylvester Michaelsen, Aalborg (7)
Michael Friis Larsen, Aalborg (-)
Landstræner: Ivan Andersen
Teknisk rådgiver: Christopher Adby
Fys: Stig Midtiby Jensen

http://www.rugby.dk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1458&Itemid=

Norway Squad

Management
1. Kristina Ruffles Manager BSI Rugby
2. Nina Birgitte Engen Kiropraktor/Medisinsk ansvarlig Bergen Rugby Klubb
3. Severine Lescoffit Linjedommer Trondheim/NTNUi Rugby
4. Peter Burke Hovedtrener Oslo Rugby Klubb
5. Karl Frisch Assistent trener Bergen Rugby Klubb
6. Shelton Davis Assistent trener/spiller Tønsberg Rugby Klubb

Players
7. Thomas Bichard Breaud Oslo Rugby Klubb
8. Kristoffer Borsheim Stavanger Rugby Klubb
9. Joe Bula Gloppen Rugby Klubb
10. James Buncle Civic RFC, London
11. Alex Diessner Stavanger Rugby Klubb
12. Even Ellingsen Blindern Rugby Klubb
13. Erlend Granly Meldalen Blindern Rugby Klubb
14. Tim Greer Blindern Rugby Klubb
15. Sam Hedger Sunnmøre Rugby Klubb
16. David Hume Bergen Rugby Klubb
17. Tommy Kjøniksen Fredrikstad Rugby Klubb
18. Pascal Raclin Oslo Rugby Klubb
19. Sakaraia Ravonkula Bergen Rugby Klubb
20. Stian Røstberg Bergen Rugby Klubb
21. Eirik Salvesen Lie Bergen Rugby Klubb
22. Fredrik Skovly Oslo Rugby Klubb
23. Andre Slaatta Bergen Rugby Klubb
24. Viliame Tirikula Oslo Rugby Klubb
25. Michal Urbanski Bergen Rugby Klubb
26. Axel Wilhelmsen Oslo Rugby Klubb
27. Kristian Ytterdal Elgheim Fredrikstad Rugby Klubb

Source: http://www.rugby.no/no/landslag/herre

TEST RUGBY: Sweden Wins Viking Tri Nations

03.09.2011
Sweden 18, Norway 7 in Bergen (Tri Nations)

Briefly
The score line was a lot closer than I predicted. We know the Swedish side was without a number of top players. Sweden wins the trophy but a good showing by Norway who are placed well below Sweden in the rankings.

Scoring
Norway: 1 try ( Tirikula ) + 1 conversion
Sweden: 2 tries ( Arvidsson, Murphy), 1 conversion, 2 penalties.
from http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3851

‘Norway played very well today, and managed to face Sweden almost until the end. Norway has maybe a fitness issue that they must fix if they want to be able to hold them for 80 minutes, otherwise, we saw a better Norwegian rugby today, That's encouraging for the match against Denmark that will count double: both for European Nations Cup and Viking Tri-Nations. For both, the coming game will be to avaoid the last place’.
And other details from http://www.norgesrugby.no/results-feeds/614-norway-vs-sweden-tri-nations-match-report

VIKING TRI NATIONS RUGBY: Norway faces Sweden

03.09.2011
Sweden v Norway in Bergen (Viking Cup)

Venue: Fana Stadium

Referee:

Preview
In the first match of this new series, Sweden easily defeated Denmark 55-15 in Stockholm back in April. A win today would give the trophy to Sweden.

These two teams are ranked well apart with Norway playing in European Nations Cup Division 2C, whilst Sweden plays in ENC 2A, three divisions above. They last played a test against each other in 2000, a World Cup qualifying match.

Sweden’s coach Mike Tatu has been forced to leave out a number of experienced players due to injury and he has not included a number of England-based players. This gives an opportunity for a few younger players to make their test debut.

See also
http://www.norgesrugby.no/viking-tri-nations
http://iof3.idrottonline.se/SvenskaRugbyforbundet/Landslagen/Herrlandslagen/Aktuellt/HerrXVsmaskadorokarchansernaforungdomarna/

Last Five Encounters
28.10.2000 Sweden 44-3 in Enkoping (FIRA Pool 2; WCQ Europe R1)
29.04.2000 Sweden 91-0 in Vanerborg (FIRA Div.3)
26.09.1992 Sweden 98-0 in Aalborg (FIRA C1; Nordic Cup)
30.09.1990 Sweden 60-3 in Toijala (FIRA C1; Nordic Cup)
10.10.1987 Sweden 49-0 in Eskilstura (Nordic Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Sweden 18th, Norway 33rd

IRB Ranking Points
Sweden 50.99, Norway 35.43

Prediction: Sweden by 35 points

Teams

Norway Squad
Thomas Bichard Breaud (Oslo RK)
Kristoffer Borsheim (Stavanger RK)
James Buncle (Civic RFC London, England)
Joseph Bula (Gloppen RK)
Wesley Chibaya (Tønsberg RK)
Shelton Davis (Tønsberg RK)
Alexander Diessner (Stavanger RK)
Even Ellingsen (Blindern RK)
Timothy Greer (Blindern RK)
Bjørn Håkon Varpe (Sunnmøre RK)
Andrei Hanger (Cheltenham Saracens RFC, England)
Samuel Hedger (Sunnmøre RK)
David Hume (Bergen RK)
Thomas Kjøniksen (Fredrikstad RK)
Kim-Robin Petterson (Horten RK)
Sakaraia Ravonkula (Bergen RK)
Aleksander Rønning (Fredrikstad RK)
Stian Røstberg (Bergen RK)
Stewart Smiler (Stavanger RK)
Villiame Tirikula (Tønsberg RK)
Michal Urbanski (Bergen RK)
Axel Wilhelmsen (Durham Univ, England / Oslo RK)
Head Coach: Gareth Gunter

http://www.norgesrugby.no/national-teams/613-2011-men-selection-3rd-september-sweden

Sweden Squad
Emil Andersson (HRC Gripen) New cap
Thomas Arvidsson (Fredriksberg, Denmark)
Ivar Bengtsson (Hammarby IF)
Peter Blaha (IF Attila)
Tobias Borg (Enköpings RK)
Hannes Eriksson (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
Robin Fransson (Vänersborgs RK)
Ian Gowland (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
Rikard Johansson (Hammarby IF)
Oscar Lechner (Stockholm Exiles RFC) New Cap
Eirik Lundqvist (Enköpings RK)
Conor Murphy (HRC Gripen)
Bobby Nave (Enköpings RK)
Daniel Nissila (IF Attila)
Stefan Obradovic (IF Attila)
Sami Paulsson (Enköpings RK)
Simon Pierce (Stockholm Exiles RFC) New Cap
Emil Sandberg (Stockholm Exiles RFC) New Cap
Lee Sandberg (Cambridge RUFC, England)
Paul Sullivan (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
Alexander Taylor (Hammarby IF)
Carl Ulander (Stockholm Exiles RFC) New Cap
Jim Wetterström (Enköpings RK)
Peter Wiklund (Vänersborgs RK)
Rikard Örnberg (Hammarby IF)
Head Coach: Mike Tatu

http://iof3.idrottonline.se/SvenskaRugbyforbundet/Landslagen/Herrlandslagen/Aktuellt/HerrXVsmaskadorokarchansernaforungdomarna/

Special thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3851

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 9 April 2011

09.04.2011
Israel 20, Austria 11 in Netanya (ENC 2C)
Sweden 55, Denmark 15 in Stockholm (Viking Tri Nations) 
Mexico 25, USA South 9 in Mexico City (NACRA Caribbean Champ.R1, North)
St Vincent and Grenadines v British Virgin Islands in Kingstown (NCARA Caribbean Champ.R1, South)-to come