RUGBY WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL 1

24.10.2015
New Zealand 20, South Africa 18 at Twickenham (World Cup, Semi-final 1)

NEW ZEALAND ARE IN!

The first finalist for the 2015 Rugby World Cup final has been decided when New Zealand edged past South Africa 20-18 at Twickenham.

It was an enthralling game from beginning to end. New Zealand scored two tries to none and never looked in complete danger although South Africa certainly had there moments.

This games was always going to be brutal and it was. South Africa’s huge pack was matched by the New Zealanders. The difference was in the Kiwi’s defence and their speed around the field.

New Zealand will play either Australia or Argentina in the final at Twickenham next Saturday

SOUTH AFRICA v NEW ZEALAND: Rugby World Cup Semi-Final 1

24.10.2015

THIS IS THE FIRST OF THE BIG ONES THIS WEEKEND

Venue: Twickenham

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Preview
This has been a game long coming. The chances of these two giants of world rugby clashing has always been a possibility once the draw was known. Today they clash in the knockout semi-final played at Twickenham.

South Africa is always a tough, feared and much respected opponent. The rivalry with New Zealand goes back to 1921 and apart from the apathied years, has continued with the same intensity.

New Zealand and South Africa have always been tough sides. No quarter is given and the forward battle is often brutal. But are the teams on equal terms.

South Africa began this tournament with a shock loss to japan. They have recovered and are beginning to play like they usually do-tough and hard physically. They have a young backline with some exciting new players. Their pack is experienced. But their play is predictable with a heavy reliance on their pack.

New Zealand has progressed quietly through their pool matches without displaying what they can really do. That came during the quarter final match against France in which they played almost the perfect game and won 62-13. Amazing.

New Zealand will win but South Africa will push them close in what will be a bruising encounter.

Last Five Encounters
25.07.2015 New Zealand 27-20 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)
04.10.2014 South Africa 27-25 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)
13.09.2014 New Zealand 14-10 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
05.10.2013 New Zealand 38-27 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)
14.09.2013 New Zealand 29-15 in Auckland (Rugby Championship)

New Zealand has dominated South Africa in recent history although in the last two years the results have been very close.

South Africa Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
17.10.2015 v Wales W 23-19 at Twickenham (World Cup, Quarter Final)
07.10.2015 v United States W 64-0 in London (World Cup, Pool B)
03.10.2015 v Scotland W 34-16 in Newcastle (World Cup, Pool B)
26.09.2015 v Samoa W 46-6 in Birmingham (World Cup, Pool B)
19.09.2015 v Japan L 32-34 in Brighton (World Cup, Pool B)

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 5
17.09.2015 v France W 62-13 in Cardiff (World Cup, Quarter Final)
09.10.2015 v Tonga W 47-9 in Newcastle (World Cup, Pool C)
02.10.2015 v Georgia W 43-10 in Cardiff (World Cup, Pool C)
24.09.2015 v Namibia W 58-14 in London (World Cup, Pool C)
20.09.2015 v Argentina W 26-16 in London (World Cup, Pool C)

World Cup Encounters
08.11.2003 New Zealand 29-9 in Melbourne (Quarter Final)
04.11.1999 South Africa 22-18 in Cardiff (Playoff 3rd-4th)
24.06.1995 South Africa 15-12 in Johannesburg (Final)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: South Africa 2nd, New Zealand 7th

World Rugby Ranking Points
New Zealand 92.89, South Africa 86.80

Prediction: New Zealand by 3 points. Score 21-18

TEAMS

South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende,
11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez (Capt.), 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements
16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Victor Matfield, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Patrick Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein.
Head Coach: Heyneke Meyer

New Zealand
15 Benjamin Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (Capt.), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick,
3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joseph Moody. 
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Charles Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Samuel Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.
Head Coach: Steve Hansen

CZECH REPUBLIC v SWITZERLAND: REC 2A

24.10.2015

Venue: Vyskow, Prague

Referee: Maxime Burlet (Belgium)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	4	3	1	0	92	62	30	2	16
SWITZ.	4	3	0	1	106	85	21	2	14
MALTA	4	2	0	2	80	89	-9	1	9
CROATIA	4	1	0	3	86	103	-17	4	8
ISRAEL	4	0	1	3	77	103	-26	1	3

Preview
The two teams at the top of this division clash in Prague. The Czech Republic won the first round match 27-14 in Nyon.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Czech Republic 15th, Switzerland 21st

World Rugby Ranking Points
Czech Republic 51.07, Switzerland 49.49

Prediction: Czech Republic by 17 points. Score 38-21

TEAMS

Czech Republic Squad

Brtníček David – JIMI RC Vyškov
Buryánek Jiří – RC Dragon Brno
Čížek Jan - RC Přelouč/RC Mountfield Říčany
Čížek Petr – RC Praga Praha
Frank Jiří - RC SIX-FOUR (Francie, Federale 2)
Goldstein Marek - RC Tatra Smíchov
Havel Vojtěch - Saint Nazaire Rugby (Francie, Federale 1)
Hruška Vojtěch - RC Auxerrois (Francie, Federale 2)
Kolář Jan – RC Slavia Praha
Kovář Martin – JIMI RC Vyškov
Kovář Ondřej – JIMI RC Vyškov
Kučera Jan – RC Mountfield Říčany
Kubálek Jan – RC Mountfield Říčany
Loutocký Marek – RC SIX-FOUR (Francie, Federale 2)
Němeček Miroslav – RC Hyères-Carqueiranne-La Crau (Francie, Federale 2)
Pailodze Vachtang – RC Sparta Praha
Pantůček Jiří – JIMI RC Vyškov
Rapant Lukáš – US Oyonnax Rugby (Francie, TOP 14)
Rohlík Jan – RC Mountfield Říčany
Soural Adam – JIMI RC Vyškov
Staněk David – RC Přelouč/RC Praga Praha
Stejskal Aleš – RC Compiégnois (Francie, Federale 2)
Šimák Marek – RC Tatra Smíchov
Vokrouhlík Pavel – RC Praga Praha
Wognitsch Martin – SA XV Charente (Francie, Federale 1)

RC SIX-FOUR = Rugby Club du Pays Six Fournais, near Toulon

Head Coach: Thomasz Putra

http://www.rugbyunion.cz/cs/article/473

Switzerland

Lafuye, Cyril
Paul, Mathieu
Bartschi, Clement
Guyou, Nicolas
Alber, Edgar
Wullschleger, Jonathan
Coulot, Cyril
Lin, Cyril
Perrod, Simon
Gros, Julien
Hirsch, Sylvain
Doy, Benjamin
Montiel, Ghislain
Heinrich, Lucas
Gery, Thibault
Schaerer, Benjamin
Chamand, Romain
Coullon, Alexandre
Pommies, Ludovic
Hirsch, Gaetan
Guyou, Mathieu
Gangath-Samba, Francis
Moritz, Benjamin

Head Coach: Gil Coquard

http://www.suisserugby.com/news/newsdetail/news/switzerland-aims-to-top-enc-group-2a-as-it-faces-czech-challenge-in-vyskov.html

HUNGARY v LITHUANIA: REC 2B

24.10.2015

Venue: Esztergom

Referee: Štepán Cekal (Czech Republic)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
LITHUANIA	4	4	0	0	144	75	69	4	20
CYPRUS	4	2	0	2	87	90	-3	1	9
LATVIA	4	2	0	4	71	95	-24	1	9
ANDORRA	4	2	0	2	62	87	-25	0	8
HUNGARY	4	0	0	4	76	94	-18	4	4

Preview
The top team in this division travels to take on the bottom. Lithuania had to work hard at home to defeat Hungary 38-29 in the first round. Since then Lithuania has had good wins over Latvia and Cyprus. Hungary, whilst losing their games, are not losing them by much.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Lithuania 23rd, Hungary 33rd

World Rugby Ranking Points
Lithuania 48.01, Hungary 39.21

Prediction: Lithuania by 23 points. Score 38-15

TEAMS

Hungary

pillér: Pocskai Szabolcs, Szabó Tamás, Ted Coe, Németh Gábor, Marosi Tamás
sarkazó: David Darquier, Pluhár Dániel, Mathé Zoltán
második sok: Jámbor Attila, Andre Brand, Szalai Mátyás, Prágai András, Kovács Márk Manó, Bárdos András
leváló: Tóth Dániel, Gyurcsik Mózes, Fábián Gábor, Valloo Nicolas
összefogó: Thomas Duqroc, Róth Bence
tolongás irányító: Czakó Attila, Szabó Gergely, Gombás Bence
irányító: Almási Bence, Janotka László
szélső: Kőműves György, Collet Gregorie, Steigerwald Ádám, Prakter Attila, Kósa Bálint, Stiglmayer Márk
center: Raul Zaiba, Horváth Áron, Gyurcsik Achilles, Laczikó Krisztián
full back: Katona Jonathan, Révfalusi Bálint

http://rugby.hu/index.php/hu/rogbi-xv-k ... tott-keret

Lithuania

Augustinas Terleckas, Tomas Zibolis, Artūras Rachimovas, Marius Andrijauskas, Naglis Dunčikas, Justinas Poškevičius, Domantas Tautkus, Žygimantas Radžius, Mindaugas Misevičius, Dovydas Taujanskas, Dainius Tamoliūnas, Kęstutis Marcišauskas, Vytaras Bloškys, Armandas Kalinauskas, Donatas Vilimavičius, Daivaras Jonaitis, Modestas Bekeris, Mantas Kazlauskas, Vaidotas Gaubas, Armandas Burba, Tomas Bagdonas, Egidijus Barkauskas.

http://regbis.lt/lietuvos-regbio-rinkti ... engrijoje/

AUSTRIA v LUXEMBOURG: REC 2C

24.10.2015

Venue: Hohe Warte Stadium, Vienna

Referee: Alexei Bryzgalin (Russia)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
LUXEMBOURG	4	4	0	0	81	29	52	1	17
SLOVENIA	4	3	0	1	92	53	49	2	14
AUSTRIA	5	2	0	3	92	109	-17	3	11
SERBIA	4	3	0	2	50	109	-59	0	8
DENMARK	5	0	0	5	89	114	-25	5	5

Preview
Luxembourg is the undefeated side in this division. They defeated Austria 18-13 back in November 2014.

‘Perhaps the last match at this venue because the owner is a third division Football team with possibilities to climb next year to the second league and with that on mind the want to have a more cared pitch.
After a great result in Denmark 10 days ago, Austria is looking to keep that 3rd spot on the table and specially to win at home against the Nº1 Union in the pool.’

From ‘JTV84’ at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=701

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Luxembourg 28th, Austria 31st

World Rugby Ranking Points
Luxembourg 40.25, Austria 36.37

Prediction: Austria by 8 points. Score 28-20

TEAMS

Luxembourg

1 Benjamin Blanchett
2 Saman Rezapour
3 Yannick Boone
4 Adam Marcus
5 Phil Barnard
6 Christian Ohlsen
7 John Fitzpatrick
8 Jean-Baptiste Vert
9 Sean Carroll
10 Thomas Kremmer
11 Chris Lowe
12 François Simon
13 Vincent Giffard
14 Adrien Timmermans
15 Max Dozin
16 Yared Katema
17 Will Dennis
18 Philippe Vimond
19 James Clarke
20 Tertius Barnard
21 Christopher Rossa
22 Ciaran Keane
23 Scott Brown

Head Coach: Jon Flynn

http://www.wort.lu/en/sport/rugby-luxembourg-to-take-on-austria-in-vienna-562731740da165c55dc4ba47

Austria

1.    Mihajlovic    Bogdan
2.    Hruschka    Paul
3.    Müller    Maximilian (Capt.)
4.    Pauser    Stephan
5.    Ehrentraut    Stefan
6.    Dachler    Johannes
7.    Oberhauser    Michael
8.    Psota    Stefan
9.    Lewis    Jan
10.    Aslanyan    Musheg
11.    Hruschka    Popkin
12.    Chiu    Gordon
13.    Kerschbaumer    Michael
14.    Sabo    Milan
15.    Navas    Maximilian
16.    El Agrebi    Omar
17.    Westerlund    Philip
18.    Kinsky    Dominic
19.    Olivanti     Frederik
20.    Schneider    Robert
21.    Schritliser    Manuel
22.    Dejean De la Batie    Jeremie
23.    Treuer    Daniel

Head Coach: Peter Smutna

http://www.rugby-austria.at/nationalteam/news-nationalteam/detail/rugby-enc-keine-lux-leaks-mit-oesterreich/

BULGARIA v FINLAND: REC 2D

Venue: Sofia

Referee: Robert Diaconescu (Romania)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
BOSNIA H.	6	6	0	0	174	81	93	2	25
NORWAY	5	3	0	2	99	75	24	2	14
FINLAND	5	2	0	3	77	83	-6	2	10
TURKEY	5	1	0	4	105	130	-25	3	7
BULGARIA	5	1	0	4	79	165	-86	3	7

Preview
Bulgaria had a horrific start to this campaign but improved against Norway at home to lose by only one point. A revamped side and playing at home should see a vast improvement.They need this win to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.

Issac Visser has been named Finnish interim coach who replaces Robert Hussey. No reason has been given for this move.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Finland 35th, Bulgaria 38th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Bulgaria 30.76, Finland 29.15

Prediction: Bulgaria by 14 points. Score 30-16

 

Teams are not available

AUSTRALIA 35, SCOTLAND 34: World Cup Quarter final

18.10.2015

HEARTACHE!

That was how Scotland felt after a last minute penalty goal by Australia saw them lose 34-35 in an exciting game at Twickenham. Scotland should have won this game. They deserved to. Australia were never allowed to settle by a tenacious Scottish side that could sense Australia were having an off day.

There were times when Australia were brilliant but if they make as many mistakes next week against Argentina as they did today they will not reach the final.

Scotland can be proud of their effort. The future for them looks good despite the heartache of today.

I do not believe Australia will repeat this performance next week. They will, like the All Blacks bounce back.

ARGENTINA 43, IRELAND 20: World Cup Quarter Final

18.10.2015

Argentina are into the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi finals after defeating Ireland in Cardiff. All the noise and the colour of the Irish supporters just could not pull the Irish up in this game. Argentina were dominant up front for much of the game and their backs were slick and quick. It was an exciting game to watch. Argentina have come of age.

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP

17.10.2015
Ukraine 30, Poland 14 in Khmelnytskyi (REC 1B)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
BELGIUM	7	6	0	1	146	112	134	4	28
UKRAINE	7	5	0	2	155	111	44	2	22
MOLDOVA	5	3	0	2	155	83	72	4	16
POLAND	7	3	0	4	146	187	-41	2	15
NETHERLANDS	5	2	0	3	81	74	3	2	10
SWEDEN	7	0	0	7	80	296	-193	0	0

Bosnia Herzegovina 24, Turkey 21 in Zenica (REC 2D)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
BOSNIA H.	6	6	0	0	174	81	93	2	25
NORWAY	5	3	0	2	99	75	24	2	14
FINLAND	5	2	0	3	77	83	-6	2	10
TURKEY	5	1	0	4	105	130	-25	3	7
BULGARIA	5	1	0	4	79	165	-86	3	7

Test match friendly
Gibraltar 29, Malta Barbarians 14 in Valette