British and Irish Lions on the Road

The British and Irish Lions 2009 rugby tour of South Africa is almost underway. The first match is in two weeks time.

What is unusual about this tour to South Africa is that the team will play some mid-week matches against invitation or provincial sides, rather than just test matches. There was a time when this was common. Teams toured with only 30 players and played dozens of matches including four tests.

There has been a few changes to the original selections. Tom Shanklin (Wales) and Tomas O'Leary (Ireland) were injured after selection. O'Leary has been replaced by Mike Blair (Scotland) but Shanklins replacement is yet to be made.

The tour captain is Irishman Paul O'Donnell

Ireland's Alan Quinlan may also miss the tour if his appeal against a 12 match suspension fails.

The Team to date
Mike Blair (Scotland)-replaced O'Leary
Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
Lee Byrne (Wales)
Keith Earls (Ireland)
Harry Ellis (England)
Stephen Ferris (Ireland)
Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland)
Jerry Flannery (Ireland)
Riki Flutey (England)
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
Nathan Hines (Scotland)
Gethin Jenkins (Wales) Lions 2005
Rhys Adam Jones (Wales)
Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)
Stephen Jones (Wales) Lions 2005
Rob Kearney (Ireland)
Lee Mears (England)
Ugo Monye (England)
Euan Murray (Scotland)
Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland) Lions 2005
Paul O'Connell, Capt. (Ireland) Lions 2005
Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) Lions 2005
Ronan O'Gara (Ireland) Lions 2005
Mike Phillips (Wales)
Andy Powell (Wales)
Alan Quinlan (Ireland)-place in doubt-suspension
Matthew Rees (Wales)
Jamie Roberts (Wales)
Tom Shanklin (Wales) Lions 2005 (Injured-yet to be replaced)
Shaw Simon (England) Lions 2005
Andrew Sheridan (England) Lions 2005
Phil Vickery (England) Lions 2001
David Wallace (Ireland) Lions 2001
Martyn Williams (Wales) Lions 2005
Shane Williams (Wales) Lions 2005
Joe Worsley (England)

Head Coach: Ian McGeechan

Tour Schedule
Sat 30 May 15: v Royal XV, Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Rustenburg

Wed 3 Jun 19: v Golden Lions, Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

Sat 6 Jun 15: v Free State Cheetahs, Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

Wed 10 Jun 19: v Natal Sharks, ABSA Stadium, Durban

Sat 13 Jun 15: v Western Province, Newlands, Capetown

Tue 16 Jun 15: v Southern Kings, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Sat 20 Jun 15: First Test v South Africa, ABSA Stadium, Durban

Tue 23 Jun 19: v Emerging Springboks, Newlands, Capetown

Sat 27 Jun 15: Second Test v South Africa, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Sat 4 Jul 15: Third Test v South Africa, Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

Rugby Test: Big clash between Korea and Singapore

16.09.2009
Korea v Japan in Osaka (Asia 5 Nations)

Venue: Hanazono Stadium

Preview
Although unfair to giant-killers Kazakhstan and nearly giant-killers Hong Kong, this match is billed as the clash of the top teams in Asia.

Japan has been head and shoulders above all teams in Asia since this competition format began last year. Korea has come the closest, losing 17-39 in Seoul last year.


Korea has, first game excluded, struggled this year. They went down 27-30 to Kazakhstan away, and then nearly gave the game away against Hong Kong last weekend after a 31-3 half time lead. The problems encounted in those matches (ill-discipline and poor concentration) will be cruelly exposed by a fit and motivated Japanese team.


Japan can do little wrong. Coach John Kirwan has a vast reserve of quality players for this level of competition. I suspect he is already thinking ahead to sterner competition in the Pacific Nations cup next month.

Hirotoki Onozawa will be come the fourth Japanese rugby player to play 50 test for his country. He follows Daisuke Ohata (58 caps), Takeomi Ito (62) and Yukio Motoki (79).

Last Five Encounters
26.04.2008 Japan 39-17 in Seoul (Asia 5 Nations)
22.04.2007 Japan 82-0 in Tokyo (Asia Nations Div.1)
25.11.2006 Japan 54-0 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia R3; 20th Asia Champ.)
23.04.2006 Japan 50-14 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia R4. Division 1)
15.05.2005 Japan 50-31 in Seoul (WCQ Asia Qualifying, Div.1)

Japan by a long length since 2002 when they lost by a point, with a second-string side, for the gold medal at the Asia Games.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Japan 1st, Korea 3rd.

Prediction: Japan by 50 points

Teams not available

For a complete list of international test rugby results for both Korea and Japan, go to www.rugbyinternational.net

Test Match: Asia 5 Nations

16.05.2009
Hong Kong v Singapore in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)

Venue: Hong Kong Football Club

Preview
Two weeks ago I would have confidently predicted that this test match would be a battle between the two weakest teams in this competition. At stake would be a place in next years Asia 5 Nations and the opportunity to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Now I'm not so sure.

Last Week Singapore gave Kazahkstan a grand old tussle. The visiting Kazahks only just won 22-19 and the gap between the top teams and the bottom in this competition closed somewhat. At the same time Hong Kong made the comeback of all comebacks, losing 34-36 to Korea after trailing 3-31 at one stage.

Although both these teams do trail this competition their positions as bunnies is no longer true. What is certain is that the loser of this match will have a huge struggle not to be relegated back to Division 1 come the end of May. Hong have a two point advantage thanks to a close game against Korea and scoring 5 tries in the process.

Last Five Encounters
08.05.2006 Hong Kong 26-14 in Singapore (Friendly)
22.05.2004 Hong Kong 47-14 in Singapore (Asia Tournament)
07.02.2002 Hong Kong 57-8 in Hong Kong (Friendly)
05.05.2001 Hong Kong 26-8 in Singapore (Asia Shield)
12.05.2000 Hong Kong 30-6 in ? (Friendly)

Singapore won the first official test match between these two nations 19 - 9 back in 1978. Hong Kong set a world record test win, 164-13 in 1994, when they played Singapore at the 14th Asia Rugby Campionship, staged in Kuala Lumpur.

Recent encounters have favoured Hong Kong, some by wide margins.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Hong Kong 4th, Singapore 5th

Prediction: Hong Kong by 17 points

Teams






Hong Kong

15 Mike Mckee (Hong Kong Football Club)
14 Simon Smith (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
13 Rowan Varty (DeA Tigers)
12 Simon Hemple (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
11 Adam Raby (Hong Kong Football Club)
10 Kenzo Pannell (Canterbury University, NZ)
9 Jeff Wong Chun Kui (Kowloon)
8 Simon Leung (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
7 Kwok Ka Chun (Kowloon)
6 Nigel Clarke (DeA Tigers)
5 Nick Hurrell (DeA Tigers
4 Angus Washington (Hong Kong Football Club)
3 Nigel Hobler (Hong Kong Football Club)
2 Jon Abel (DeA Tigers)
1 Peter Spizziri (Hong Kong Football Club)
Replacements
16 Grapes Lai Tsz Leung (Kowloon)
17 Alex Ng Wai Shing (Valley)
18 Ivan Zenovic (DeA Tigers)
19 Kris Marin (Hong Kong Football Club)
20 Tim Alexander (Valley)
21 Jonny Elliot (Valley)
22 Adam Raby (Hong Kong Football Club)
Head Coach: Dai Rees

http://www.hkrugby.com/hkrugby/news/news-room.cfm?news_uuid=401AA6D7-0052-A1BD-52A4-9EDBAD382FDE

Singapore team not available.

For lists of international rugby results by both Singapore and Hong Kong go to http://www.rugbyinternational.net/

Test Rugby: Poland Travel to Moldova

16.09.2009
Poland v Moldova in Chisinau (WCQ Euro.R4; ENC 2A)


Venue: "Dinamo" Stadium, Chişinău


Preview
Both teams languish at the bottom of the points table as this division nears the half-way stage. World Cup qualifying takes effect at the completion of the next round at the end of 2009-10.


Poland lost by one point to competition leaders Ukraine at the start of the season. The Poles then won convincingly against the Czech Republic. They have two matches in hard but they will both be tough asignments, today against Moldova away and then against Belgium at home.

The Polish squad spent time in France in February and then played a French Police side in Sochaczew, May 6, losing 16-22 (ht 10-9)


Moldova began promising enough with a good 20-8 win over high-flyers belgium. But since then they have lost to Czech Republic and then were swamped 32-0 by Ukraine last week, minus three key players from Russian Clubs. The good news for Moldova is that Vadim Cobîlaş, Alexei Cotruţa and Veaceslav Titica are available this week.


Previous Encounter
08.04.2006 Moldova 27-13 in Sochaczelo (WCQ Euro.R3, Pool A)


GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Poland 13th, Moldova 17th


Prediction: Moldova by 7 points


Teams

Poland Squad

Dawid Banaszek (Bourgoin, France)
Romuald Berthe (RC Rouen, France)
Kamil Bobryk (St Etienne, France)
Grzegorz Falk (Juvenia Kraków)
Donald Gargasson (Toulon, France)
Krzysztof Hotowski (Beaurepaire, France)
Piotr Jurkowski (Lechia Gdańsk)
Michał Krużycki (Bourgoin, France)
Stanislas Krzesinski (Albi, France)
Fabien Kwarta (U.S. Morlaas Rugby, France)
Yaan Levandowski (Cahors, France)
Kacper Ławski (Budowlani Łódź)
Wojciech Łukasiewicz (Folc AZS Warszawa)
Ciril Monarcha (C.A. Riberacois, France)
Stanisław Niedźwiecki (Budowlani Łódź)
Paweł Nowak (Arka Gdynia)
Dawid Popławski (Lechia Gdańsk)
Kazimierz Raszpunda (Pogoń Siedlce)
Rafał Sajur (Lechia Gdańsk)
Bastien Siepielski (?)
Tomasz Stępień (Budowlani Łódź)
Łukasz Szostek (Arka Gdynia)
Cedric Vaissiere (Albi, France)
Marcin Wilczuk (Old Belvedere, Ireland)
Head Coach: Tomasz Putra

Moldova Squad

Dumitru Arhip (Dinamo Bucureşti, Romania)*
Adrian Baltag (USEFS Blumarine)*
Anton Bajutin (Krasniy Yar-Krasnoyarsk, Russia)*
Vadim Braga (USEFS Blumarine)*
Alexandru Bulgac (USEFS Blumarine)*
Ion Buşilă (USEFS Blumarine)*
Nicolae Caburgan (USEFS Blumarine)*
Sergiu Castraveţ (Novocuznetc, Russia)*
Nicolae Chirilă (Krasniy Yar-Krasnoyarsk, Russia)*
Maxim Cobîlaş (VVA-Podmoskovje, Russia) *
Vadim Cobîlaş (VVA-Podmoskovje, Russia)
Alexandru Colţ (Krasniy Yar-Krasnoyarsk, Russia)*
Alexei Cotruţa (VVA-Podmoskovje, Russia)
Vitalie Gîra (UTM Chişinău)*
Ştefan Leco (USEFS Blumarine)
Vasile Leu (UTM Chişinău)*
Veaceslav Lozinschii (USEFS Blumarine)*
Octavian Manoli (UTM Chişinău)*
Alexandr Matveev (USEFS Blumarine)*
Alexandru Şîşcan, Capt. (Slava Moscow, Russia)*
Pavel Titarenco (Olimp Electromaş Tiraspol)*
Veaceslav Titica (Krasniy Yar-Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
Eduard Toderica (Olimp Electromaş Tiraspol)*
Gheorghe Volosciuc (USEFS Blumarine)
Head Coach: Vasile Revencu

* Played v Ukraine last week

Rugby Test: Namibians take on Jaguars

15.05.2009
Argentina 'A' v Namibia in Buenos Aires


Venue: La Plata Rugby Club


Preview
Namibia travelled to Buenos Aires without its leading South African-based players. The team, therefor, was a mixture of experience and untried players at this level. They lost the first test 8-62.


Argentina are using these test matches to experiment. Of the 22 that were the team for the first test only nine return. Of those nine, four who started from the bench, are in the starting lineup.

Teams

Argentina 'A'
15 Lucas Barrera Oro (Tucumán Universitario)
14 Francisco Merello (Regatas de Bella Vista)
13 Horacio San Martín (Tala RC)
12 Álvaro Fulco (?)
11 Mauro Comuzzi, Capt. (Pucará)
10 Benjamín Urdapilleta (CUBA)
9 Martín Landajo (Club Atletico San Isidro)
8 Benjamín Macome (Tucumán R.C)
7 Alejandro Campos (Pueyrredón)
6 Dino Cáceres (Tucumán Lawn Tennis)
5 Mariano Galarza (Universitario de La Plata)
4 Agustín Guzmán (Tucumán R.C)
3 Juan Figallo (Jockey Club)
2 Agustín Creevy (San Luis)
1 Juan Gómez Kodela (Belgrano Athletic Club)
Replacements
16 Mauricio Guidone (La Plata R.C)
17 Guillermo Roan (La Plata R.C)
18 Carlos Cáceres (Tucumán Lawn Tennis)
19 Rodrigo Bruno (Jockey de Villa María)
20 Lucas Alcácer (SIC)
21 Nicolás Sánchez (?)
22 Belisario Agulla (Hindú Club)

Namibia
15- Chrisander Botha
14- David Philander
13- Julian Botes
12- Tinus Venter
11- Lluwellyn Winckler
10- Godwin Walters
9- Jurie van Tonder
8- Pieter Jan van Lille
7- Tinus du Plessis
6- Jacque Nieuwenhuis
5- Wacca Kazombiaze
4- Andre de Klerk
3- Jane du Toit
2- Hugo Horn
1- Johnny Redelinghuis
Replacements
16- Shaun Esterhuisen
17- Kees Lensing
18- Marius Visser
19- Desmond Haihambo
20- Colin de Koe
21- Jaco van Zyl
22- Jacky Bock
Head Coach: John Williams
http://www.uar.com.ar/noticias324.asp?notcod=20090514141434

For a list of all international rugby tests played by both Argentina 'A' and Namibia, go to www.rugbyinternational.net

Test Rugby This Weekend 15-16 May

15.05.2009
Argentina 'A' v Namibia in Buenos Aires (2nd Test)

16.05.2009
Japan v Korea in Osaka (Asia 5 Nations)
Hong Kong v Singapore in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)
Poland v Moldova in Chisinau (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 2A)

International Test Rugby Results This Weekend 8-9 May

08.05.2009
Argentina 'A' 67, Namibia 8 in Buenos Aires

09.05.2009
Ukraine 32, Moldova 0 in Kiev (WCQ Euro. R4; ENC 2A)
Korea 36, Hong Kong 34 in Seoul (Asia 5 Nations)
Kazakhstan 22, Singapore 19 in Singapore (Asia 5 Nations)
Lithuania 24, Armenia 19 in Abovian (WCQ Europe R2; ENC 3A)
Israel 26, Slovenia 19 in Netanya (WCQ Euro.R1 Playoff)

Comments
I was disappointed in the Namibian result. I didn't check the team list but I wonder if key players were not available. Not to take anything away from the Argentinians. Their depth of players is amazing. This team will be a major player in this year's Churchill Cup.

Ukraine's win over Moldova was expected but not by that margin. The FIRA-AER forum posts did suggest that a number of Moldovans who ply their trade in Russia would be missing. Two of the Russian clubs would need their players for either a crucial club match, or that they would be in a club training camp in England. I commented prior on the importance of this game, or even the first round of 2A results. Thanks to 'Mouton' I have been corrected and both ENC 1 and ENC 2A play into 2010 until qualifiers for the Rugby World Cup 2011 are found.

Some of the major eyebrow-raising results this weekend, though, came from Asia. Korea were leading HK 31-3 at one stage before the boys from the Sevens City staged the mother of all comebacks. They only just failed.

In Singapore the locals gave the giant-killers from last week Kazakhstan, a huge fright. Whilst not including a few of last weeks key players, the Kazahks were still expected to win comfortably. I don't think that japan faces any real threat from the other teams in this competition but certainly Korea has being drawn back into the pack. The results are very encouraging for Asian rugby.

Back to rugby in Europe, Lithuania continued its stretch of wins to fourteen in a row with this win over Armenia. They also take out the World Cup honours in ENC 3A and now face Israel.

Israel defeated Slovenia 26-19 at home in another big upset. The Israelies continue their rise in European rugby and now face the mighty Lithuanians in what should be a great game.

International Rugby: Moldova v Ukraine

09.05.2009
Moldova v Ukraine in Kiev (WCQ Euro.R4; ENC 2A)


Preview
Division 2A would be the most even of all the FIRA-AER divisions. All but one team has suffered one loss and just about all those teams could take the honour of moving into the next round of World Cup qualifiers.


The Ukraine are favoured to win this match. They are playing on home soil and their last contest was a good win over the Czech Republic. Earlier they had a narrow win over Poland and a narrow loss to Belgium. Ukraine must win this game as they have played more games than the other contenders. A win here would put them in with a good chance of progressing.


Moldova began their campaign with a good win at home over Belgium. They lost their next outing to the Czech Republic. The pressure is on them to win this game, and then their last which will be against Poland.


Previous Encounters
13.05.2008 Ukraine 14-9 in Chisinau (ENC 2A)
05.05.2007 Moldova 17-16 in Kiev (ENC 2A)
1996 Ukraine 38-0 in Kiev (Friendly)


Home advantage has not helped either team in the past, both winning on each other's territory.


GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Ukraine 14th, Moldova 17th


Prediction: Ukraine by 8 points


Teams:

Moldova Squad
Dumitru Arhip (Dinamo Bucureşti, Romania)
Victor Arhip (Dinamo Bucureşti, Romania)
Adrian Baltag (USEFS Blumarine)
Anton Bajutin (Krasniy Yar-Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
Vadim Braga (USEFS Blumarine)
Alexandru Bulgac (USEFS Blumarine)
Ion Buşilă (USEFS Blumarine)
Nicolae Caburgan (USEFS Blumarine)
Sergiu Castraveţ (Novocuznetc, Russia)
Nicolae Chirilă (Krasniy Yar-Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
Maxim Cobîlaş (Steaua Bucureşti, Romania)
Vadim Cobîlaş (VVA-Podmoskovje, Russia)
Alexandru Colţ (Krasniy Yar-Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
Alexei Cotruţa (VVA-Podmoskovje, Russia)
Ion Dascal (USEFS Blumarine)
Maxim Gargalîc (Farul Constanţa, Romania)
Vitalie Gîra (UTM Chişinău)
Ştefan Leco (USEFS Blumarine)
Veaceslav Lozinschii (USEFS Blumarine)
Octavian Manoli (UTM Chişinău)
Alexandr Matveev (USEFS Blumarine)
Oleg Prepeliţa (SL Benefica, Portugal)
Andrei Romanov (VVA-Podmoskovje, Russia)
Alexandru Şîşcan, Capt. (Slava Moscow, Russia)
Pavel Titarenco (Olimp Electromaş Tiraspol)
Veaceslav Titica (Krasniy Yar-Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
Eduard Toderica (Olimp Electromaş Tiraspol)
Dumitru Vasilachi (RC Kredo 63, Ukraine)
Gheorghe Volosciuc (USEFS Blumarine)
Head Coach: Vasile Revencu

http://www.rugby.md/index.php?pagina=7&articol=54

Ukraine Squad
Vitaliy Dotsenko (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Sergey Garkavyi (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Georgi Gegidze (RC Kredo 63)
A.Glinka (RK Sokol)
Andrey Golishchev (RC Penza, Russia)
H.Kirsanov (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Vadim Kolyshkin (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Maksim Kravchenko (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
O. Kul'gan (Epocha-Polytechnic)
Oleg Litvinenko (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Aleksandr Lomakin (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Aleksandr Lubiy (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
A.Melnikov (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Jaba Malaguradze (RC Kredo 63)
S.Monastryov (RC Aviator)
Dmytro Mukhin (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Vitaliy Orlov (RC Enisei-STM Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
Aleksandr Polyanskyi (RC Kredo 63)
Vycheslav Ponomarenko (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Sergey Sukhikh (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
M.Tjurikov (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Aleksandr Tsapenko (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Sergey Tserkovnyi (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Sergii Yanchiy (RC Aviator)
Vitalii Zadvirnyi (RC Argo-NAU)
Ivan Zaliznyak (RC Olymp-RSC KhTZ)
Head Coach: S.Mina

http://rugby.org.ua/index.php?newsid=285

International Test Rugby: Singapore plays Kazakhstan

09.05.2009
Kazakhstan v Singapore in Singapore (Asia 5 Nations)

Preview


Kazakhstan has had to leave at home a number of Russia-based players including some of last weeks stars in their upset 30-27 win over Korea. Despite this Kazakhstan are expected to win this test match against the newly promoted Singaporeans.






These two teams have met only once before.
22.11.2002 Singapore 30-14 in Bangkok (18th Asia Champ. Div.2 Playoff)


GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Kazakhstan 2nd, Singapore 5th

Prediction: Kazakhstan by 30 points

Teams are not available

Rugby Match: Hong Kong Travels to Seoul

09.05.2009
Hong Kong v Korea in Seoul (Asia 5 Nations)
Preview

Korea were stunned last weekend after their 27-30 loss to Kazakhstan. That result will have either blunted their confidence or motivated them to bounce back. Hong Kong could be on the receiving end of a backlash. Korea will be far stronger at home.






Hong Kong were defeated by Japan 59-6 last weekend. Their performance will depend on how the bumps and bruises against Japan have healed and how the team travel to Seoul. Although their coach has said Hong Kong's development will take time they need a confidence-boosting performance against the Koreans. At this stage it looks like a Singapore-Hong Kong clash to sort out who is to be relegated out of this competition and out of World Cup contention.

Last Five Encounters
24.05.2008 Korea 50-24 in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)
27.05.2007 Hong Kong 27-20 in Hong Kong (Asia Nations Div.2)
21.11.2006 Korea 23-5 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia R5; 20th Asia Champ.)
22.05.2005 Korea 51-3 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia Qualification Div.1)
20.11.2002 Korea 40-17 in Bangkok (18th Asia Championship)

Hong Kong first played Korea in a test match in November 1972, winning 18-6.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Korea 3rd, Hong Kong 4th.

Prediction: Korea by 36 points

Teams:

Hong Kong
15 Mike Mckee (Hong Kong Football Club)
14 Simon Smith (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
13 Rowan Varty (DeA Tigers)
12 Edmund Rolston (Valley)
11 Adam Raby (Hong Kong Football Club)
10 Kenzo Pannell (Canterbury University, NZ)
9 Jeff Wong Chun Kui (Kowloon)
8 Simon Leung (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
7 Kwok Ka Chun (Kowloon)
6 Nigel Clarke (DeA Tigers)
5 Nick Hurrell (DeA Tigers
4 Ivan Zenovic (DeA Tigers)
3 Nigel Hobler (Hong Kong Football Club)
2 Jon Abel (DeA Tigers)
1 Peter Spizziri (Hong Kong Football Club)
Replacements
16 Alex Ng Wai Shing (Valley)
17 Grapes Lai Tsz Leung (Kowloon)
18 Fraser Smith (DeA Tigers)
19 Angus Washington (Hong Kong Football Club)
20 Kris Marin (Hong Kong Football Club)
21 Tim Alexander (Valley)
22 Adam Raby (Hong Kong Football Club)
Head Coach: Dai Rees

http://www.hkrugby.com/hkrugby/news/news-room.cfm?news_uuid=168B5270-E811-B56E-E834-13848D533E59

Korea Squad not available

Test Match: Big Clash of the East Europeans

09.05.2009
Lithuania v Armenia in Abovian (WCQ Euro.R2; ENC 3A)

Preview
Lithuania and Armenia clash in what is effectively the final in this division. Lithuania only needs to draw to qualify for the next round of World Cup 2011 qualification. Armenia must win to proceed. The winner will play the winner of the Slovenia-Israel clash, also on today.


In their latest match in this tournament Armenia lost to Andorra 10-36 in one of the biggest upsets in European rugby. Up to that match Armenia had virtually swept all before it including big wins over Serbia and Switzerland.




Lithuania's rise in European rugby has been nothing short of staggering. Firstly they were only promoted to ENC 3A at the beginning of this season. Since then thay have swept all the teams away. Their 50-9 win last weekend over Serbia was their 13th win on the trot since October 2006. In fact their last loss was against Armenia when they lost 3-18 in June 2006. Armenia were promoted to 3A only to find the Lithuanians in turn promoted.

The winning streak includes two big wins over neighbour Latvia who box in a division ABOVE Lithuania. What is remarkable is that the team can only draw on a small number of local clubs plus a few Lithuanians playing overseas.

Previous Encounter
04.06.2006 Armenia 18-3 in Siauliai (ENC 3B)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Lithuania 21st, Armenia 27th

Prediction: Lithuania by 8

Teams

Lithuania Squad
Tomas Astrauskas (RC Salda Siauliai)
Dainius Baltrukenas (RC Klevas Panevezys)
Ernestas Bartkevicius (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Aleksandras Čiuchlejus (RC BaltRex Siauliai)
Ignas Darkintius (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Mindaugas Grigas (RC BaltRex Siauliai)
Kestutis Marcisauskas (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Andrius Martinskas (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Darius Nosys (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Žygimantąs Radžiųs (RC Salda Siauliai)
Kestutis Ryskus (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Edmundas Scavinskas (RC BaltRex Siauliai)
Paulius Šertvitis (RC BaltRex Siauliai)
Richardas Stankus (RC Salda Siauliai)
Evaldas Štitilis (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Tomas Stungį (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Andrius Sutkus (RC BaltRex Siauliai)
Gediminas Svoba (RC Salda Siauliai)
Adrius Tatorius (RC Klevas Panevezys)
Laurynas Tipelis (RC BaltRex Siauliai)
Justinas Vasiliauskas (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Edvardas Žilius (RC Vairas Siauliai)
Head coach - Anatolijus Smirnovas

http://www.kaunas.lt/regbis

Armenia Squad not available

Test Rugby: Israel v Slovenia

09.05.2009
Slovenia v Israel in Netanya (WCQ Euro.R1 Playoff)

Preview
These two teams meet in a World Cup 2011 knockout clash. Both have won their respective FIRA-AER Division 3 pools at this the halfway stage. Last season Slovenia defeated Israel 17-5 at home when they were both in ENC 3C.

Slovenia were promoted to Division 3 from 3C in 2008. They bounced into the competition and defeated Hungary, one of the pool favourites, 32-26. They then shocked the rugby world as they cleaned up the rest of the Pool with wins over Denmark, Austria and Norway.

Israel has swept all before them in ENC 3C. First up they gained a shock 11-8 win away against favourites Bulgaria. From that point on Israel were going to be the team to beat. Greece, Luxembourg and last Saturday Finland were all swept aside, with the 70-8 win against Finland being a record score for Israel.

Previous Encounters
26.04.2008 Slovenia 17-5 in Ljubliana (ENC 3C)
28.10.2006 Slovenia 28-5 in Netanya (ENC 3C)

The records favour Slovenia. But the way Israel defeated Finland last weekend will make for an interesting contest.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Slovenia 28th, Israel 32nd.

Prediction: Slovenia by 8

Teams

Slovenia
15 David Cerar (RK Bežigrad)
14 Marko Gumzej (RK Bežigrad)
13 Goran Jelenčič (RK Bežigrad)
12 Aljaž Kralj Podobnik (RK Ljubjana)
11 Matej Kos (RK Ljubjana)
10 Damjan Ahačič (RK Ljubjana)
9 Urban Magušar (RAK Olimpija)
8 Grega Miljuš (RK Ljubjana)
7 Simon Gombač (RK Bežigrad)
6 Tit Hočevar (Oxford Harlequins, England)
5 Žarko Krsmanovič (RK Ljubjana)
4 Peter Gobec (RK Ljubjana)
3 Miroslav Lazič (RK Ljubjana)
2 Jošt Slapničar (RK Ljubjana)
1 Borut Završan (RAK Olimpija)
Replacements
16 Luka Miklič (RAK Olimpija)
17 Lovro Sambol (RK Bežigrad)
18 Luka Potnik (RAK Olimpija)
19 Luka Kranjc (RK Ljubjana)
20 David Duh (RAK Olimpija)
21 Pavle Žle (?)
22 Žiga Kosi (?)
Head Coach: Žiga Dobnikar

http://www.rugby.si/novice/FIRA-IZR-SLO_RWCQ-R1.pdf

Israel Team list not available

Test Match: Jaguars to meet Namibia

08.05.2009
Namibia v Argentina 'A' in Buenos Aires

Preview
The Namibians (The Welwitschias) travel to Buenos Aires to meet the Jaguars (Argentina 'A') in a test friendly. The Namibians are preparing for their international programme which includes games against South Africa (before the Lions arrive). For the Jaguars this match will give them a warm-up before their CONSUR A and World Cup matches coming up in May, and later, for their matches in the Churchill Cup.

These teams met for the first time during the 2007 IRB Nations Cup held in Romania. Argentina 'A' won comfortably 47-13. The Namibians have also faced the full strength Pumas during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia. They lost that one as well, 14-67.

GWC Rugby Rankings do not apply.

Prediction: Argentina 'A' will be too slick, winning by 25 points.

Teams

Argentina 'A'
15 Lucas González Amorosino
14 Mauro Comuzzi (capitán)
13 Juan Pablo Estelles
12 Horacio San Martín
11 Gonzalo Camacho
10 Santiago Fernández
9 Agustín Figuerola
8 Tomás Leonardi
7 Leonardo Senatore
6 Mariano Galarza
5 Genaro Fessia
4 Carlos Cáceres
3 Juan Figalli
2 Agustín Creevy
1 Felipe Betolli
Replacements
16 Lucas Vignau
17 Guillermo Roan
18 Tomás Roan
19 Alejandro Campos
20 Martín Landajo
21 Benjamín Urdapilleta
22 Martín Bustos Moyano
Head Coach: Santiago Phelan

http://www.uar.com.ar/noticias324.asp?notcod=20090506194858

Namibia
15 Tersius Losper
14 David Philander
13 Julian Botes
12 John Drotsky
11 Lwellyn Winckler
10 Jaco van Zyl
9 Jurie van Tonder
8 Pieter Jan Van Lille
7 Tinus du Plessis
6 Jacques Nieuwenhuis
5 Julian Botha
4 Wacka Kazombiaze
3 Marius Visser
2 Shaun Eterhuisen
1 Kees Lensing (Capt.)
Replacements
16 Hugo Horn
17 Huata Veii
18 Eugene Forbes
19 Desmond Haihambo
20 Colin de Koe
21 Jacky Bock
22 Tinus Venter
Head Coach: John Williams

http://www.uar.com.ar/noticias324.asp?notcod=20090507175201

Test Rugby This Weekend 9 May

09.05.2009
Moldova v Ukraine in Kiev (WCQ Euro.R4; ENC 2A)
Singapore v Kazakhstan in Singapore (Asia 5 Nations)
Korea v Hong Kong in Seoul (Asia 5 Nations)
Armenia v Lithuania in Abovian (WCQ Euro.R2; ENC 3A)
Israel v Slovenia in Netanya (WCQ Euro.R5 Playoff)
Azerbaijan v Slovakia in Baku - Default to Slovakia

British and Irish Lions Rugby Team

Here they are. Who do you think is missing and why? Who would you leave out?

Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
Lee Byrne (Wales)
Keith Earls (Ireland)
Harry Ellis (England)
Stephen Ferris (Ireland)
Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland)
Jerry Flannery (Ireland)
Riki Flutey (England)
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
Nathan Hines (Scotland)
Gethin Jenkins (Wales) Lions 2005
Rhys Adam Jones (Wales)
Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)
Stephen Jones (Wales) Lions 2005
Rob Kearney (Ireland)
Lee Mears (England)
Ugo Monye (England)
Euan Murray (Scotland)
Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland) Lions 2005
Paul O'Connell, Capt. (Ireland) Lions 2005
Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) Lions 2005
Ronan O'Gara (Ireland) Lions 2005
Mike Phillips (Wales)
Andy Powell (Wales)
Alan Quinlan (Ireland)
Matthew Rees (Wales)
Jamie Roberts (Wales)
Tom Shanklin (Wales) Lions 2005
Shaw Simon (England) Lions 2005
Andrew Sheridan (England) Lions 2005
Phil Vickery (England) Lions 2001
David Wallace (Ireland) Lions 2001
Martyn Williams (Wales) Lions 2005
Shane Williams (Wales) Lions 2005
Joe Worsley (England)

Head Coach: Ian McGeechan

Test rugby result: Japan 59, Hong Kong 6

A match review from Ian McDonnell in Japan.

"Hong Kong were at home for their first game of the 2009 HSBC Asian Five Nations against Japan after having the bye in the first round. Hong Kong warmed up for this test with a game against the visiting New Zealand Universities side on the Friday of the bye weekend. In the equivalent game last year played in regional Niigata city, Hong Kong but in a far better performance than in other recent encounters but still went down to the tune of 75-29.

However, this year the encounter was back on the artificial surface of the Hong Kong Football Club for the first time since the final Asian qualification round for the 2007 Rugby World Cup held in November 2006. Japan head coach John Kirwan was an adviser to the Japan team on that occasion two and a half years ago with general manager Osamu Ota acting as interim coach after previous coach Jean-Pierre Elissalde was dismissed over a conflict of interest. Kirwan was officially sworn in as coach on 1 January 2007 and this was his twenty-fifth test in charge of the Japan national side.

In the first round, last Saturday in Osaka, Japan defeated Kazakhstan 87-10 whereas Hong Kong had the first round bye.

Fullback Jack Tarrant opened the scoring in this test with a try in the seventh minute of play. The New Zealand born Tarrant made his debut for Japan last week against Kazakhstan and so this was his first test in the run-on side. The home side were the next to score care of a successful shot at penalty from five-eighth Kenzo Pannell in the tenth minute to bring back the score to 5-3. However, over the remainder of the first half it was the Japanese forwards that added the tries with 23-year-old loose head prop Naoki Kawamata touching down in the 18th minute followed by further five-pointers to open side flanker Yoshitaka Nakamura (36th minute) and tight head prop Kensuke Hatakeyama two minutes later. Panel added a second penalty on the half hour mark and the sides went to the break with Japan leading 26-6 after centre Ryan Nicholas converted three of the four tries.

Japan kept Hong Kong scoreless in the second stanza while adding a further five tries to the scoreboard. Captain Takashi Kikutani touched down in the third minute of play to add to the try he scored last week against Kazakhstan. The captain played on the open side of the scrum last round but was moved to No8 for this clash with Hong Kong. Hatakeyama brought up his double in the seventh minute and this was followed by tries to veteran lock Hitoshi Ono (11th minute) and wing Hirotoki Onozawa (24th minute). The 31-year-old Onozawa, as the oldest player in the XXII, is also now in the veteran class for Japan as he gets set to become only the fourth Japanese player to play fifty tests for the national side. Onozawa sits on 49 caps after this test with only the Kobe trio of centre Daisuke Ohata (58), No8 Takeomi Ito (62) and centre Yukio Motoki (79) ahead of him. Halfback Fumiaki Tanaka finished off the try scoring near the close of play and Nicholas completed the day converting seven of the nine tries.


In the other round two game played in Almaty, the home side Kazakhstan surprised Korea by running out 30-27 winners after leading 13-3 at halftime. For Kazakhstan, all their 30 points were scored by just two players with flanker Anton Rudoy scoring all three tries and fullback Maxim Lifontov converting all the tries as well as landing three penalty goals. The hosts led 27-10 at one stage in the second half but Korea fought back to even things up at 27-all by about the hour mark. However, Lifontov kicked the decisive penalty and Kazakhstan held on for a memorable victory. Chae Jae Young, Jeong Dae Ik and Han Kun Kyu were the try scorers for Korea. "

A full view of Ian's newsletter can be found at www.rugbyinternational.net

Test Rugby Results: 2 May

02.05.2009
Russia 53, Germany 0 in Hannover (WCQ Euro.R5; ENC 1)
Japan 59, Hong Kong 6 in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)
Kazakhstan 30, Korea 27 in Almaty (Asia 5 Nations)
Uruguay 43, Chile 9 in Montevideo (WCQ Am.R2; CONSUR A Prelim.)
Brazil 36, Paraguay 21 in Montevideo (CONSUR A Preliminary)
Croatia 23, Sweden 13 in Spli (WCQ Euro.R3; ENC 2B)
Lithuania 50, Serbia 9 in Vilnius (WCQ Euro.R2; ENC 3A)
Israel 70, Finland 8 in Netanya (WCQ Euro.R1; ENC 3C)

Rugby Test: Russia v Germany

02.05.2009
Russia v Germany in Hannover (WCQ Euro.R5; ENC 1)


Preview
With not a lot hinging on this game both teams are looking to the future. For Russia it will be their games coming up for the Rugby World Cup qualifying process. For Germany it will be a desperate lunge at the opposition for a win which will ease their relegation worries in 2010.


Last Five Encounters
16.04.2000 Russia 89-6 in Moscow (FIRA B)
04.05.1994 Russia 67-5 in Bucharest (WCQ Europe)
24.10.1992 Russia 13-10 in Moscow (FIRA A1)
25.06.1983 USSR 37-9 in Heidelberg (Friendly?)
24.10.1982 USSR 31-9 in Moscow (FIRA A)


These two teams first met in 1977 with USSR winning 22-16 in Hannover. Not a lot can be read into these results. More recent results in common are from 2008-10 FIRA Division A.


Germany has lost to Spain 11-22, Georgia 5-38, Romania 0-22 and Portugal 6-44.

Russia defeated Spain 42-15, Portugal 18-14, Romania 28-19 and lost to Georgia 21-29.


GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Russia 9th, Germany 12th


Prediction: Russia by 25 points


Teams not available

International Rugby: Hong Kong takes on Japan

02.05.2009
Hong Kong v Japan in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)

Previews
Hong Kong struggled at this level last year and I can see the same happening again. A number of overseas-based players trained with the squad in Brisbane in January but only Pannell from New Zealand is available. Hong Kong's home ground will be an advantage but that's about it.

Last Five Encounters
18.05.2008 Japan 75-29 in Niigata (Asia 5 Nations)
29.04.2007 Japan 73-3 in Tokyo (Asia Nations Div.1)
18.11.2006 Japan 52-3 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia R3; 20th Asia Champ.)
08.05.2005 Japan 91-3 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia Qualifying, Div.1)
28.10.2004 Japan XV 40-12 in Hong Kong (19th Asia Champ.)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Japan 1st; Hong Kong 3rd.

Prediction: Japan by 45 points

Teams


Japan
15 Jack Tarrant (Mitsubishi Sagamihara) 29, 1
14 Hiroki Yoshida (Toshiba) 27, 5
13 Koji Taira (Suntory) 26, 11
12 Ryan Nicholas (Suntory) 29, 9
11 Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory) 30, 48
10 Tatsuhiko Otao (Yamaha) 27, 2
9 Fumiaki Tanaka (Sanyo) 24, 9
8 Takashi Kukutani (Capt.) (Toyota) 29, 19
7 Yoshitaka Nakayama (Toyota) 26, 6
6 Michael Leitch (Tokai University) 20, 3
5 Yuji Kitagawa (Kanto Gakuin University) 22, 1
4 Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba) 30, 30
3 Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory) 23, 2
2 Tateo Kanai (Suntory) 24, 1
1 Naoki Kawamata (Sanyo) 23, 1

Replacements
16 Yoshimitsu Yasue (IBM/Kobe) 24, New Cap
17 Hiroshi Yamashita (Kobe) 23, 1
18 Luke Thompson (Kintetsu) 27, 14
19 Phillip O’Reilly (Sanyo) 28, 9
20 Tomoki Yoshida (Toshiba) 27, 15
21 Shaun Webb (World/Coca-Cola) 27, 10
22 Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha) 23, 5
Head Coach: John Kirwan

http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=563&Itemid=1

Hong Kong

15 Mike Mckee (Hong Kong Football Club)
14 Sebastian Perkins (Hong Kong Football Club)
13 Rowan Varty (DeA Tigers)
12 Simon Hempel (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
11 Simon Smith (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
10 Kenzo Pannell (Canterbury University, NZ)
9 Jeff Wong Chun Kui (Kowloon)
8 Simon Leung (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
7 Kwok Ka Chun (Kowloon)
6 Nigel Clarke (DeA Tigers)
5 Nick Hurrell (DeA Tigers
4 Ivan Zenovic (DeA Tigers)
3 Nigel Hobler (Hong Kong Football Club)
2 Jon Abel (DeA Tigers)
1 Peter Spizziri (Hong Kong Football Club)
Replacements
16 Alex Ng Wai Shing (Valley)
17 Grapes Lai Tsz Leung (Kowloon)
18 Angus Washington (Hong Kong Football Club)
19 Kris Marin (Hong Kong Football Club)
20 Tim Alexander (Valley)
21 Edmund Rolston (Valley)
22 Adam Raby (Hong Kong Football Club)
Head Coach: Dair Rees
http://www.hkrugby.com/hkrugby/news/news-room.cfm?news_uuid=F633B39C-FF4D-43F8-AA36-1F0027B320EA

Rugby Match: Kazakhs at home to Koreans

02.05.2009
Kazakhstan v Korea in Almaty (Asia5Nations)


Preview
Kazakhstan began the 2009 Asia5Nations with a big loss to Japan. Another tests awaits them when Korea, fresh from a 65-0 win over Singapore last weekend, arrives in Almaty. Last year the Koreans won 40-21 in Seoul but I would expect a much closer result on Saturday.


Previous Encounters
17.05.2009 Korea 40-21 in Seoul (Asia5Nations)
20.10.2003 Korea 45-19 in Seoul


GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Korea 2nd, Kazakhstan 4th


Prediction: Korea by 9 points


Teams not available