EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP RUGBY TEST: Latvia v Croatia

05.11.2011
Latvia v Croatia in Split (ENC 2A)

Venue: Stari Plac

Referee: Hoyer (Netherlands)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
SWEDEN	6	5	1	0	194	125	65	2	0	24
LITHUANIA	5	3	1	1	147	77	70	2	1	17
MALTA	5	2	0	3	94	88	14	2	2	12
LATVIA	5	1	0	4	77	179	-102	2	1	7
CROATIA	5	1	0	4	71	118	-47	0	2	6

Preview
This is the second ENC 2A rugby test match to be played this weekend.It is a crucial match for the fortunes and future of the two rugby nations.

Both teams are languishing at the bottom of the championship points table. A loss to either team could well mean eventual relegation.

Latvia has struggled its last three games. Unable to secure the services of it’s Russia-based players they appear to have levelled out after their heady days of the mid-2000s when they achieved promotion to this level.

Croatia has also struggled but played well against competition leaders Sweden last weekend. They also have the advantage of playing at home.

Things look gloomy for Latvia. I predict a loss to them and eventually they’ll head down to ENC 2B for 2012-14.

Last Five Encounters
30.10.2010 Croatia 14-12 in Riga (ENC 2A)
24.10.2009 Croatia 23-9 in Riga (ENC 2B)
25.04.2009 Croatia 21-13 in Makarska (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2B)
10.05.2008 Latvia 20-8 in Riga (ENC 2B)

Croatia Last Five
29.10.2011 v Sweden L 18-24 in Enkoping (ENC 2A)
07.05.2011 v Lithuania L 12-29 in Split (ENC 2A)
30.04.2011 v Malta L 14-21 in La Valette (ENC 2A)
20.10.2010 v Latvia W 14-12 in Riga (ENC 2A)
23.10.2010 v Sweden L 13-32 in Split (ENC 2A)

Croatia lost 12-31 to Belgium (Oct.22) in a friendly, non test match

Latvia Last Five
29.10.2011 v Malta L 0-28 in Riga (ENC 2A)
14.05.2011 v Sweden L 29-54 in Riga (ENC 2A)
30.04.2011 v Lithuania L 3-57 in Kuanas (ENC 2A)
06.11.2010 v Malta W 33-26 in La Valette (ENC 2A)
30.10.2010 v Croatia L 12-14 in Riga (ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Croatia 21st, Latvia 23rd

IRB Ranking Points
Croatia 44.12, Latvia 41.12

Prediction: Croatia by 19 points

Teams

Croatia Squad
Jai Ayoub (AUS)
Denis Brečić (Mladost RFC)
Caleb Brown (Hauraki North RFC, New Zealand)
Ante Bulat (Mladost RFC)
Marko Bunić (Mladost RFC)
Tomislav Burazin (Nada RFC)
Tonči Buzov (Nada RFC)
Goran Čulić (Nada RFC)
Dominik Draženović (Mladost RFC)
Luka Jureško (Zagreb RFC)
Milivoj Kramarić (Zagreb RFC)
Steven Kumarich (Auckland University RFC, New Zealand)
Jakša Lovreta (Makarska Rivijera RFC)
Miroslav Mandić (Zagreb RFC)
Frane Marčić (Nada RFC)
Filip Mijić (Zagreb RFC)
Ante Olujić (Nada RFC)
Mario Ozich (Waitemata RFC, New Zealand)
Saša Sekovanec (Nada RFC)
Saša Slijepčević (Young Munster RFC, Ireland)
Ivan Šuta (Mladost RFC)
Vinko Udovičić (Zagreb RFC)
Richard Pervan (NZ)

http://www.nada-rugby.hr/nadanew/hrvats ... atska.html

Latvia Squad
Andris Andersons (RK Miesnieki/Ķekava)
Āris Andersons (RK Miesnieki/Ķekava)
Nauris Bērziņš (SK Ovals)
Andrejs Borisovs (SK Ovals)
Zigurds Felss (RK Eži/LMT)
Gunārs Grīnvalds (RK Eži/LMT)
Elmārs Imbrass (SK Ovals)
Kristaps Jakušs (RK Baldone)
Ruslans Kotļevs (RK Eži/LMT)
Raimonds Krūmiņš (RK Eži/LMT)
Mareks Larionovs (RK Eži/LMT)
Andrejs Meļņikovs (SK Ovals)
Romāns Odnokurcevs (RK Eži/LMT)
Arvis Pilenieks (RK LL Universiāde)
Santis Podāns (SK Ovals)
Jānis Priede (RK Miesnieki/Ķekava)
Valters Raņķis (RK Miesnieki/Ķekava)
Jānis Skuja (RK Miesnieki/Ķekava)
Māris Streikišs (RK Eži/LMT)
Vjačeslavs Tiško (SK Ovals)
Mihails Tumins (SK Ovals)
Vigo Valdavs juniors (RK Livonia/Garkalne)
Head Coach: Vladimirs Ņikonovs

http://89.111.16.216/read/?id=875