TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 20 April

20.04.2013
Japan 121, Philippines 0 in Fukuoka (WCQ Asia 5 Nations)
Hong Kong 53, United Arab Emirates 7 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia 5 Nations)
Brazil 76, Mexico 5 in Sao Paulo (Friendly 2^nd test)
Netherlands 29, Croatia 24 in Zagreb (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2A)
Israel 46, Denmark 3 in Netanya (WCQ Europe R2: ENC 2B)
Cyprus 16, Hungary 15 at Esztergom (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2C)
Slovenia 22, Austria 20 in Ljubliana (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2C)
Luxembourg 20, Greece 7 in Luxembourg (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
Bosnia Herzegovina 19, Finland 15 in Sarajevo (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)

Review
Japan and Hong Kong got the Asia 5 Nations tournament off to a flying start. Japan overwhelmed the Philippines at home whilst Hong Kong won easily also at home. The 18 May clash between Philippines and UAE could well be the decider as to who is relegated to Asia Nations Div.1 2014. It certainly was a ‘test’ for the boys from the Philippines. They never gave up, made over 100 tackles in the match and will be a stronger outfit next outing.

Brazil won the second test against the visiting Mexicans. This is an initiative by both rugby nations to spread the game, gain international experience, especially for the Mexicans, and was a good warm up session for the Brazilians as they prepare for the CONSUR A tournament which begins next weekend.

ENC 2A

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
NETHERL.	4	4	0	0	125	57	68	2	0	18
SWITZ.	4	3	0	1	92	75	17	1	0	13
MALTA	4	1	0	3	74	104	-30	1	1	6
CROATIA	3	1	0	2	64	77	-13	1	0	5
LTHUANIA	3	0	0	3	54	95	-41	0	0	0

Netherlands defeated Croatia and qualify for Rugby World Cup qualifying process. Croatia’s test v Lithuania next weekend will have no bearing on the outcome.

ENC 2B

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	TL
ISRAEL	4	4	0	0	137	45	92	3	0	19
LATVIA	4	2	0	2	85	82	3	2	0	10
DENMARK	4	1	1	2	62	79	-17	1	0	7
ANDORRA	4	1	1	2	48	77	-29	0	0	6
SERBIA	4	1	0	3	84	133	-49	1	1	6

Israel easily defeated Denmark at home. A disappointing Denmark conceded more points in this match than in all their other games this season. Israel had already qualified for the next stage of the Rugby World Cup qualifying process.

ENC 2C

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
CYPRUS	4	4	0	0	198	53	145	3	0	19
HUNGARY	4	2	0	2	61	56	5	0	1	13
BULGARIA	4	2	0	2	65	128	-65	1	0	12
SLOVENIA	4	2	0	2	52	96	-44	1	1	10
AUSTRIA	4	0	0	4	57	99	-42	1	1	2
	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
SLOVENIA	3	2	0	1	44	47	-3	0	2	10
HUNGARY	3	2	0	1	46	45	1	0	1	9
BULGARIA	3	2	0	1	55	49	6	0	1	9
AUSTRIA	3	0	0	3	37	45	-8	0	2	2

Slovenia defeated Austria with a bonus point for their 4 tries. That means Slovenia goes through to the Rugby World Cup qualifying playoff rounds. Cyprus defeated Hungary by just 1 point.

ENC 2D

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	TL
LUXEMBRG	4	3	0	1	74	62	12	0	4	12
NORWAY	4	2	0	2	65	48	17	1	1	10
BOSNIA H.	4	2	0	2	78	70	8	0	2	10
GREECE	4	2	0	2	61	64	-3	0	1	9
FINLAND	4	1	0	3	44	78	-34	0	2	6

Luxembourg defeated Greece away and now qualify for the next round in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Bosnia Herzegovina defeated a determined Finland side at home.

My understanding of the next round of European World Cup qualifying looks like this…

European play-off matches.
Round 1
4 May 2013 – Slovenia v Luxembourg in Ljubliana

Round 2
18 May 2013 - Israel v Round 1 Winner in Netanya

Round 3
3 September - Netherlands v Round 2 Winner in Amsterdam

Round 4
10 May 2014 - Winner 2012-14 Division 1B (Current leaders Germany) v Round 3 Winner-Home to Div.1B team

Round 5
2012-14 Division 1A standings. First two automatically qualify for RWC 2015 Finals.

Round 6
2014 - 3rd Placed nation from 2012-14 Division 1A v Round 4 Winner-1A home venue

(With help from ‘rugbychange’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4028&start=180)