RUGBY TEST: Norwegians in Vienna

06.11.2010
Norway v Austria in Vienna (ENC 2C)

Venue: Vienna Sportklubstadion

Referee: J.Craenan (Sweden)

Preview
With only a handful of games so far in this division of the FIRA-AER European Nations Cup, results have been indecisive. With two matches in this division this weekend some sort of order will emerge. We should see a front runner emerge and some teams struggling to stay up with the pace.

Norway has played one rugby test so far this northern season, a 14-14 draw with Denmark. This was a good result at home against a stronger team.

Austria began its season with 16-22 loss to Hungary away. Austria is a difficult team to defeat on their home soil. Encounters between Austria and Norway have produced close results recently. I expect the same here on Saturday.

Norway were successful against Austria in Oslo, 2007.

Last Five Encounters
14.11.2009 Austria 12-9 in Vienna (ENC 3B)
11.10.2008 Norway 11-3 in Oslo (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 3B)
28.04.2008 Drawn 3-3 in Vienna (ENC 3B)
09.06.2007 Norway 22-8 in Oslo (ENC 3B)
09.06.2001 Austria 51-7 in Oslo (WCQ Europe R1; FIRA Pool 2)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Norway 31st, Austria 33rd

IRB Ranking Points
Norway 37.17, Austria 36.06

Prediction: Norway by 7 points

Teams

Norway Squad

Kristoffer Borsheim – Stavanger RK
James Buncle – London Scottish RFC - ENG
Shelton Davis – Tønsberg RK
Alex Diessner – Stavanger RK
Lewis Eaton – Stavanger RK
Andrew Fraser Smith – Oslo RK
Andreas Fyri – Oslo RK
Joe Greenshields – Bergen RK
Tim Greer – OSI RK
Sam Hedger – Sunnmøre RK
Will Hume – Bergen RK
Francis Hunt - Oslo RK
Stein Ove Kristensen – Trondheim RK
Jack Panapasa – Bergen RK
Pascal Raclin – Oslo RK
Jerome Richter – Tønsberg RK
Neil Ryan – Tønsberg RK
Stian Røstberg – Bergen RK
Mick Shelley – Bergen RK
Fredrik Skovly – Oslo RK
Andre Slaatta – Bergen RK
Håkon Stengrimsen – Stavanger RK
Head Coach: Gareth Gunter

http://www.rugby.no/les.asp?ID=761

Austria Squad not available