CONSUR B 2014; Day 1, Sunday 31 August

31.08.2014
Peru v Venezuela in Apartado (CONSUR B)

Preview
The CONSUR B tournament gets underway Sunday with a new competition format. Colombia on home ground would be favourites to win this but with stiff competition from Venezuela. Peru could upset but Ecuador could be well out of its depth.

Peru has two warm up tests against Ecuador back in mid July, winning both games 45-0 and 36-8.

Previous Encounters
30.08.2013 Venezuela 29-25 in Asuncion (CONSUR B)
09.09.2012 Venezuela 28-17 in Valencia (WCQ Americas; CONSUR B)
27.08.2011 Venezuela 17-15 in Lima (CONSUR B)
25.10.2010 Peru 13-5 in Medellin (CONSUR B)
02.12.2009 Venezuela 25-13 in La Guacima (CONSUR B)
These two nations first met in 2000 with Venezuela winning the majority of games to date.

Data supplied by www.rugbyinternational.net

GWC Rugby Rankings
CONSUR Table: Venezuela 7th, Peru 8th

IRB Ranking Points
Venezuela 41.67, Peru 40.13

Prediction: Venezuela by 8 points.

Teams

Peru Squad

Jorge Abugattas (Newton COB-UPC)
Michael Aramayo (Old Markhamians RFC)
Galileo Arbulu (Universidad de Lima RC)
Mauricio Arias (Old Markhamians RFC)
Jhonatan Carrera (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú)
Diego Choy (Newton COB-UPC)
Daniel Cino (Newton COB-UPC)
Christian Corzo (Universidad de Lima RC)
Giorgio Crolle (Newton COB- UPC)
Miguel Davila (Universidad de Lima RC)
Cristhian Diaz (Santa Clara RC)
Diego Diaz (Newton COB- UPC)
Carlos Garcia (Newton COB-UPC)
Luis Higa (Universidad de Lima RC)
Renato Lecca (Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola)
Gonzalo Mansilla (Universidad de Lima RC)
Alan Marcelo (Alumni UC)
Jhonatan Palacios (Alpamayo Blues RCA)
Christian Piskulich (Markhamians RA)
Augusto Robles (Universidad de Lima RC)
Andre Urquieta (Old Markhamians RFC)
Paolo Urquieta (Old Markhamians RFC)
Marcial Vasquez (Old Markhamians RFC)
Sebastian Velarde-Alvarez (Universidad de Lima RC)
Alfredo Villavicencio (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú)

Head Coach: Federico Cravero

Adapted from https://www.facebook.com/Tumisperu/photos/a.527722307279297.1073741828.522160914502103/774520475932811/?type=1&theater

Venezuela Squad not available

Colombia v Ecuador in Apartado (CONSUR B)

Preview
Hosts Colombia should have little difficulty accounting for Ecuador who were promoted from CONSUR C 2013. Ecuador had two warm up tests against Peru in July, losing both 0-45 and 8-36.

These two teams have never met in a 15’s rugby test before.

GWC Rugby Rankings
CONSUR Table: Colombia 8th, Ecuador 9th

IRB Ranking points do not apply as Ecuador is not a full member of the IRB.

Prediction: Colombia by 30 points

Teams

Ecuador Squad

Jonathan Arroyo (Monos RC)
Edisson Avellaneda (Quito RC)
Eloy Basantes (Cerberos RFC)
Heccer Benavides (Quito RC)
Jair Benavides (Quito RC) (Capt.)
John Cacpata (Quito RC)
Andrés Cascante (Cerberos RFC)
Jorge Civinta (Cerberos RFC)
Luis Cordero (Monos RC)
Fabián Cruz (Cerberos RFC)
Jose D'Lagazca (Monos RC)
Juan Gálvez (Quito RC)
Santiago Gálvez (Quito RC)
Christian Herrera (Carneros RC)
Juan Herrera (Quito RC)
Luis Hinostroza (Yaguares RC)
Jacobo Kiwi (Nómadas RC)
Edwin Lastra Quiñones (Monos RC)
Alberto Merchan (Yaguares RC)
José Molina (Cerberos RFC)
Jaime Perelli (Monos RC)
Gustavo Salvador (Bárbaros UCE RC)
Alberto Vallarino (Yaguares RC)
Daniel Viola (Nómadas RC)
Juan Viola (Nómadas RC)

Head Coach: Douglas Rodriguez

Adapted from http://kickoffecuador.com/noticias/piqueros/mayores/piqueros-prepara-para-sudamericano-rugby-b and http://kickoffecuador.com/noticias/piqueros/test-matches/ecuador-no-pudo-con-per%C3%BA-chiclayo

Colombia Squad not available

CONSUR B 2014

31.08.2014
Peru v Venezuela in Apartado (CONSUR B)
Colombia v Ecuador in Apartado (CONSUR B)

03.09.2014
Winner Peru/Venezuela v Loser Colombia/Ecuador in Apartado (CONSUR B)
Winner Colombia/Ecuador v Loser Peru/Venezuela in Apartado (CONSUR B)

06.09.2014
Playoff 3rd-4th in Apartado (CONSUR B)
Final in Apartado (CONSUR B)

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2014

23.08.2014
New Zealand 51, Australia 20 in Auckland (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)
South Africa 33, Argentina 31 in Salta (Rugby Championship)

Briefly
Rugby is the game they play in heaven. That is a famous saying. Heaven came down to earth last night as New Zealand put on a performance that would have had the All Mighty standing to join a collective ovation at games end. It was simply amazing. New Zealand swept Australia off the park. It was not that Australia played that poorly, it was New Zealand played the game at a number of notches above what they played last weekend. Breathtaking performance!

South Africa were regarded as lucky to get away with the win in Salta. They had to come back from 16-28 to win this one. Argentina were simply magnificent up front and they played with enterprise, speed and some skill. Their encounter with New Zealand in Napier in two weeks time is shaping up to be a cracker.

SOUTH AFRICA v ARGENTINA: Rugby Championship

23.08.2014

Venue: Padre Ernesto Martearena Stadium, Salta

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Preview
The conditions didn’t help either team last weekend in Pretoria. If anything Argentina handled the conditions better. This weekend it will be 30+deg and dry as. So it will be the team playing the better dry weather rugby that will win.

South Africa allowed themselves to be out-muscled by the Argies, a situation intolerable by the team and fans. So I’d expect a better forward effort from South Africa.

Argentina has made two changes from last week’s team. Returning but to inside centre is the vastly experienced Juan Martín Hernández who withdrew from last week’s lineup due to injury. Also in is Lucas González Amorosino making for an attacking backline. If Argentina can maintain forward pressure on South Africa they may well win against them for the first time.

Last Five Encounters
16.08.2014 South Africa 13-6 in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
24.08.2013 South Africa 22-17 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
17.08.2014 South Africa 73-13 in Bloemfontein (Rugby Championship)
25.08.2012 Drawn 16-16 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
18.08.2012 South Africa 27-6 in Capetown (Rugby Championship)

South Africa has never lost against Argentina.

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
16.08.2014 v South Africa L 6-13 in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
21.06.2014 v Scotland L 19-21 in Cordoba
14.06.2014 v Ireland L 17-23 in Tucuman
07.06.2014 v Ireland  L 17-29 in Resistencia
25.05.2014 v Chile W 73-12 in Santiago (CONSUR Cup)

South Africa Last Five
16.08.2014 v Argentina W 13-6 in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
28.06.2014 v Scotland W 55-6 in Port Elizabeth
21.06.2014 v Wales W 31-30 in Nelspruit
14.06.2014 v Wales W 38-16 in Durban
23.11.2013 v France W 19-10 in Paris

South Africa’s last loss was 27-38 to New Zealand 5 October 2013. They have won the last seven on the trot.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: South Africa 3rd, Argentina 14th

IRB Ranking Points
South Africa 89.34, Argentina 73.98

Prediction: South Africa will dominate in the forwards to win by 7 points.

Teams

Argentina
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Lucas González Amorosino, 13 Marcelo Bosch,
12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (Capt.), 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements
16 Matías Cortese, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Leonardo Senatore, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 23 Horacio Agulla.
Head Coach: Daniel Hourcade

South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Jean de Villiers (Capt.), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handrè Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements
16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Bakkies Botha, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
Head Coach: Heyneke Meyer

AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND: Bledisloe Cup,Rugby Championship

23.08.2014

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Preview
There were many not happy with last weekend’s draw in Sydney. New Zealand fans, players and management were not happy with the referee nor with the way the All Blacks played. They weren’t happy with the draw either; it robbed New Zealand of an 18th successive test victory (Tier 1 nations that is).

The Australian’s weren’t happy with the weather and the fact they let this one slip away. In control for much of the game and with an advantage of two yellow cards given against the AB’s, they just couldn’t breach the Kiwi’s defence.

So this game is another new start. Australia can take a lot of credit the way they played especially the second half. This is a team that looks to be on the way up. Coach Ewan McKenzie is putting together a squad of players who continue to improve in skill, pace and team work. They’ll be looking to break the Eden Park hoodoo. Australia last defeated New Zealand back in 1986 when they won 22-9.

New Zealand played a shocker last weekend and were lucky with a draw. They rarely play two poor games in a row. They will also be without a few key players; Ma’a Nonu, Carter, Kaino and Woodcock are all form players out with injury. Back into the side comes Conrad Smith (now that baby has arrived) and Liam Messam who had a brilliant 2013.

Last Five Encounters NZ 3, Drawn 2.
16.08.2014 Drawn 12-12 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
19.10.2013 New Zealand 41-33 in Dunedin (Bledisloe Cup)
24.08.2013 New Zealand 27-16 in Wellington (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)
17.08.2013 New Zealand 47-22 in Sydney (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)
20.10.2013 Drawn 18-18 in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)

Australia Last Five P 5, W 4, D 1 
16.08.2014 v New Zealand D 12-12 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
21.06.2014 v France W 39-13 in Sydney
14.06.2014 v France W 6-0 in Melbourne
07.06.2014 v France W 50-23 in Brisbane
30.11.2013 v Wales W 30-26 in Cardiff

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 4, D 1
16.08.2014 v Australia D 12-12 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Champ.)
21.06.2014 v England W 36-13 in Hamilton
14.06.2014 v England W 28-27 in Dunedin
07.06.2014 v England W 20-15 in Auckland
24.11.2013 v Ireland W 24-22 in Dublin

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 2nd
Oceania Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 2nd

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 93.42, Australia 87.32

Prediction: History goes with New Zealand as does the home ground. A much better game of rugby. New Zealand by 8 points

Teams

New Zealand
15 Benjamin Smith, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (Capt.), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Charles Faumuina, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Samuel Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett,
23 Malakai Fekitoa
Head Coach: Steven Hansen

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Patrick McCabe, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matthew Toomua, 11 Robert Horne, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nicholas White, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (Capt.), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Robert Simmons, 4 Samuel Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements (one to be omitted):
16 James Hanson, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Benjamin Alexander, 19 William Skelton, 20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Nicholas Phipps, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Tevita Kuridrani, 24 Benjamin McCalman.
Head Coach:Ewan McKenzie

TEST RUGBY THIS SATURDAY: 23 August

23.08.2014
South Africa v Argentina in Salta (Rugby Championship)
Australia v New Zealand in Auckland (Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup)

Briefly
Round two of the 2014 Rugby Championship sees a repeat of last weekend’s fixtures except in the oppositions territory. Australia play on Eden Park where they haven’t won since Adam was a boy in shorts, whilst South Africa travel to Salta a provincial city in the far north west of the country, about as far from Buenos Aires you can get!

TEST RUGBY RESULTS;Saturday 16 August

16.08.2014
New Zealand 12, Australia 12 in Sydney (Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup)
South Africa 13, Argentina 6 in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)

Briefly
In wet conditions in Sydney New Zealand and Australia slugged it out for a draw. Neither side mastered the conditions or each other, the result decided by penalty kicks.

In Pretoria South Africa overcame a much improved and determined Argentina also in wet conditions.

Next Games
23.08.2014
South Africa v Argentina in Salta (Rugby Championship)
Australia v New Zealand in Auckland (Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup)

NEW ZEALAND v AUSTRALIA

16.08.2014

Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Preview
There is no doubt that this encounter has pushed the passion, the excitement and the controversy to giddy heights.The prospect of a tight encounter between these two Trans-Tasman neighbours always sharpens the enthusiasm for international test rugby. Players get edgy, coaches say things, spectators get dressed up and make noise whilst armchair critics take up their place on the edge of their chairs.

Lets look at some stats. This will be the 150th encounter between these two Trans-Tasman rivals. New Zealand has won the Bledisloe Cup for the past eleven years Australia only winning twice in the last twenty meetings. If New Zealand wins tonight it will be their 18th consecutive win. a record for a Tier One nation (Cyprus actually holds the world record with 23 consecutive test rugby wins since 2008!).

There are some interesting changes to each team’s expected line ups. Australia has made a controversial change at fly half where Kurtley Beale comes in for Foley, the latter dropping to the reserves. New Zealand will be without experienced Conrad Smith who is home with his wife whose baby is expected.

Australia will be vulnerable at hooker and on the wings where injuries have taken a tole. Despite that Australia goes into this match on a high. McKenzie’s team is starting to gel together well. Beale’s selection is viewed as a confidence boost to a team beginning to show depth in all positions. The Waratah’s Super Rugby win has certainly been a confidence boost for Australia.

New Zealand is still the best team in the world. Australia’s most experienced back Adam Ashley-Cooper said mid week that Australia would need to be at their best in all positions for a full 80 minutes to defeat the Kiwis. If they can do that they are in with a chance. Lose this test and Australia can virtually kiss the Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe Cup good-bye for another year.

Last Five Encounters
19.10.2013 New Zealand 41-33 in Dunedin (Bledisloe Cup)
24.08.2013 New Zealand 27-16 in Wellington (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)
17.08.2013 New Zealand 47-22 in Sydney (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)
20.10.2013 Drawn 18-18 in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)
25.08.2012 New Zealand 22-0 in Auckland (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)

Australia last defeated New Zealand back in 2011, a 25-20 win in Brisbane. Australia last defeated New Zealand in Sydney in 2008, winning 34-19

Australia Last Five P 5, W 5
21.06.2014 v France W 39-13 in Sydney
14.06.2014 v France W 6-0 in Melbourne
07.06.2014 v France W 50-23 in Brisbane
30.11.2013 v Wales W 30-26 in Cardiff
23.11.2013 v Scotland W 21-15 at Murrayfield

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 5
21.06.2014 v England W 36-13 in Hamilton
14.06.2014 v England W 28-27 in Dunedin
07.06.2014 v England W 20-15 in Auckland
24.11.2013 v Ireland W 24-22 in Dublin
16.11.2013 v England W 30-22 at Twickenham

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 3rd
Oceania Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 2nd

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 93.81, Australia 86.92

Prediction: New Zealand by 8 points

Teams

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Patrick McCabe, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matthew Toomua, 11 Robert Horne, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nicholas White, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (Capt.), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Robert Simmons, 4 Samuel Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements
16 James Hanson, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 William Skelton,
20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Nicholas Phipps, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Tevita Kuridrani.
Head Coach: Ewen McKenzie

New Zealand
15 Benjamin Smith, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Malakai Fekitoa/Ryan Crotty, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 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 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Joseph Moody, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Samuel Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa/Ryan Crotty.
Head Coach: Steve Hansen

ARGENTINA v SOUTH AFRICA: Rugby Championship

16.08.2014

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

Preview
South Africa has stumbled and stuttered in their outings up to this game (the game v Scotland excepted). They bring a number of younger players into a very experienced mix. There are young and exciting players in de Allende, Pollard and de Jager.

Argentina has the disadvantage of not have game time together. Only three players remain from the loss to Scotland. They also must contend with travel to Pretoria and the altitude question. They have some exciting individual players but cohesion will be a major problem.

I can’t see South Africa losing this one. It will be about how much damage Argentina can prevent.

Last Five Encounters
24.08.2013 South Africa 22-17 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
17.08.2014 South Africa 73-13 in Bloemfontein (Rugby Championship)
25.08.2012 Drawn 16-16 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
18.08.2012 South Africa 27-6 in Capetown (Rugby Championship)
09.08.2008 South Africa 63-9 in Johannesburg
South Africa has never lost against Argentina.

Argentina Last Five
21.06.2014 v Scotland L 19-21 in Cordoba
14.06.2014 v Ireland L 17-23 in Tucuman
07.06.2014 v Ireland  L 17-29 in Resistencia
25.05.2014 v Chile W 73-12 in Santiago (CONSUR Cup)
17.05.2014 v Uruguay W 65-9 in Montevideo (CONSUR Cup)

South Africa Last Five
28.06.2014 v Scotland W 55-6 in Port Elizabeth
21.06.2014 v Wales W 31-30 in Nelspruit
14.06.2014 v Wales W 38-16 in Durban
23.11.2013 v France W 19-10 in Paris
17.11.2013 v Scotland W 28-0 at Murrayfield
South Africa’s last loss was 27-38 to New Zealand 5 October 2013. They have won the last six on the trot.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: South Africa 2nd, Argentina 14th

IRB Ranking Points
South Africa 89.34, Argentina 75.12

Prediction: South Africa by 39 points.

Teams

South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Jean de Villiers (Capt.), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar,
8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager,
4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements
16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Jan Serfontein.
Head Coach:

Argentina
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (Capt.), 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements
16 Matías Cortese, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro,
19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Leonardo Senatore, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Lucas González Amorosino.
Head Coach: Daniel Hourcade

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND; Saturday 16 August

16.08.2014
Argentina v South Africa in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
Australia v New Zealand in Sydney (Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup)

Briefly
The 2014 Rugby Championship gets underway this Saturday. Argentina travels to South Africa in what will be a very challenging encounter for them. New Zealand head to Sydney for a showdown with their Trans-Tasman rival and a chance to create a record of 18 consecutive test wins for a Tier 1 nation. The world record for all test rugby is held by Cyprus with an incredible 23 consecutive test wins between 2008 and 2014.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: Repechage Playoffs

02.08.2014
Russia 23, Zimbabwe 15 in Krasnoyarsk (WCQ Repechage 1)
Uruguay 28, Hong Kong 3 in Montevideo (WCQ Repechage 2)

Review
Russia and Uruguay will play a two-leg playoff to sort out who gets the last place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals. The first leg will be played in Krasnoyarsk 27/28 September with the second in Montevideo 11/12 October.

Other Reviews
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/news/newsid=2072390.html#uruguay+book+russia+world+cup+showdown

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/news/newsid=2072269.html#russia+book+place+repechage+final

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Repechage_qualification

http://www.hkrugby.com/eng/news/4246.php

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2014/08/04/sables-world-cup-dream-shattered

http://www.rugbynews.com.uy/destacadas/el-triunfo-de-la-identidad/ (In Spanish)

http://www.rugbynews.com.uy/destacadas/el-scrum-como-bandera/

Image thanks to South China Morning Post

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Repechage

The Repechage playoffs are to find the final place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals to be played in the United Kingdom. The winner will play in Pool A along with England, Wales, Australia and Fiji. Russia qualified as Europe No.3, Zimbabwe as Africa No.2, Hong Kong as Asia No.2 and Uruguay as America’s No.3. The home draw is dependent on teams having the highest IRB Ranking. The winning teams from this weekend will playoff for the final place.

02.08.2014
Russia v Zimbabwe in Krasnorask (WCQ Repechage 1)

Venue: Central Stadium

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Preview
This is the first meeting between these two teams. Zimbabwe has been playing opposition well below of what Russia has been playing. The Africans playing in the middle of Russia would have been a huge physical and mental struggle. Plus they have had little preparation.

Russia hasn’t exactly set the rugby world on fire with some very ordinary results in the IRB Nations cup but I expect them to be fielding a stronger line up. They will just be too much fro Zimbabwe.

Last Five
Russia
22.06.2014 L 6-13 v Uruguay in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
18.06.2013 L 16-20 v Romania in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
13.06.2013 L 0-66 v Emerging Ireland in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
24.05.2013 W 31-20 v Germany in Hamburg (WCQ Europe R5 Playoff)
15.03.2013 W 34-20 v Belgium in Brussels (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)

Zimbabwe
06.07.2013 W 28-10 v Kenya in Antananarivo (WCQ Africa; Africa Cup 1A)
02.07.2013 L 20-24 v Namibia in Antananarivo (WCQ Africa; Africa Cup 1A)
12.11.2013 W 29-14 v Kenya in Windhoek (IRB Tri-Nations)
08.11.2013 L 26-35 v Namibia in Windhoek (IRB Tri-Nations)
14.07.2013 L 17-29 v Kenya in Antananarivo (WCQ Africa; Africa Cup 1A, Final)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Do not apply

IRB Ranking Points
Russia 63.43, Zimbabwe 55.98

Prediction: Russia by 40 points

Teams

Russia
1 Grigory Tsnobiladze
2 Valery Tsnobiladze
3 Andrey Igretsov
4 Alexander Voytov
5 Andrey Ostrikov
6 Andrey Garbuzov
7 Andrey Temnov
8 Viktor Gresev
9 Alexander Yaniushkin
10 Yuri Kushnariov
11 Denis Simplikevich
12 Alexey Makovetsky
13 Vasily Artemyev
14 Mikhail Babayev
15 Igor Kliuchnikov
16 Stanislav Selsky
17 Innokenty Zykov
18 Artiom Fatakhov
19 Pavel Butenko
20 Alexey Scherban
21 Igor Galinovsky
22 Ramil Gaisin

http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=141&start=25

Zimbabwe Squad

Forwards
Pieter Joubert, Keith Murray, Kevin Nqindi, Jan Ferreira, Graeme Lawler, Jacques Leitao, Lambert Groenewald, Lawrence Cleminson, Sanele Sibanda, Matthew Mandioma, Farai Mudariki, Fortune Chipendu, Kingsley Lang, Takunda Chifokoyo.

Backs
Daniel Hondo (captain), Hilton Mudariki, Guy Cronje, Stephan Hunduza, Riaan O’Neill, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Peter Du Toit, Lenience Tambwera, Shayne Makombe, Danny Robertson.

‘The Sables have not been able to get into camp prior to the Russian trip due to financial challenges but are expected to depart for Siberia on Saturday where they are scheduled to hold a five-day training camp.’
http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=141&start=25

Hong Kong v Uruguay in Montevideo (WCQ Repechage 2)

Venue: Estadio Charrúa

Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)

Preview
I expect this to be a much closer contest than the Russia-Zimbabwe match.
’Hong Kong is a solid squad. Having watched them for a few years now, they have improved immensely and if there is any A5N team outside of Japan that could beat Uruguay, it's Hong Kong. Unfortunately I think their biggest loss is not a player, but losing head coach Leigh Jones to become Japan's defence coach is something that will go a long way. Hong Kong play a pretty structured/patterned game that relies off of good set piece. They play a solid in to out drift defence with an occasional blitz. They're system is very similar to the Welsh spread/fan where they prefer to put numbers into the line instead of loading the breakdown. They one or two they put in though will be pests, able to slow and turn over ball.

While Uruguay may boast a better forward pack, Hong Kong will certainly threaten out wide, and are not afraid to let their 7s stars play with the ball. The key for Hong Kong is they can't have any lapses, they need to put in the full 80. As we saw against Japan, 3 tries in about 10 minutes at the end of the first half really took the wind out of their sails. I would say Uruguay is a favorite but I wouldn't be surprised if Hong Kong was able to keep it close right until the end. They're one scrappy bunch. Uruguay beat Kazakhstan something like 44-6 four years ago? I believe Hong Kong 2014 to be better than Kazakhstan 2010.’
Thanks to Martin Dunham at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=142

‘Peter McKee failed a fitness test so he was dropped, props Stephen Nolan and Alex Ng were unavailable so Bennett and Leung were selected. Scrumhalf Kenneth Hsieh was unavailable, enter Charles Cheung. Centre Lee Jones is still recovering from injury (didn't play in this year's A5N), aiming to return for the A7S. Baddeley had passed his fitness test before departing, securing his spot.’
Again, thanks to Martin Dunham  http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=142

Last Five
Hong Kong
25.05.2014 v Japan L 8-49 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
10.05.2014 v Korea W 39-6 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
03.05.2013 v Sri Lanka W 41-10 in Colombo (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
26.04.2014 v Philippines W 108-0 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)

Uruguay
22.06.2014 v Russia W 13-6 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
18.06.2014 v Emerging Ireland L 3-51 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
13.06.2013 v Romania L 16-34 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
17.05.2014 v Argentina L 9-65 in Montevideo (CONSUR Cup)
10.05.2013 v Chile W 55-13 in Montevideo (CONSUR Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Uruguay 17th, Hong Kong 23rd

IRB Ranking Points
Uruguay 61.86, Hong Kong 58.47

Prediction: Uruguay by 15 points

Teams

Hong Kong

1. Leon Wei Hon-sum; 2. Alex Harris; 3. James Cooper; 4. Paul Dwyer; 5. Jack Delaforce; 6. Nick Hewson (captain); 7. Matt Lamming; 8. Pale Tauti; 9. Jamie Hood; 10. Chris McAdam; 11. Salom Yiu Kam-shing; 12. Jake Phelps; 13. Lloyd Jones; 14. Rowan Varty; 15. Alex McQueen.
Replacements: 16. Tom Bolland; 17. Jack Bennett; 18. Phil Leung; 19. Bill Brant; 20. Alex Baddeley; 21. Charles Cheng; 22. Niall Rowark; 23. Tom McQueen.
http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=142

Uruguay

1) Alejo Corral ,2) Nicolás Klappenbach(c), 3) Óscar Duran; 4) Matías Palomeque, 5) Franco Lamanna, 6) Juan Gaminara, 7) Diego Magno, 8) Alejandro Nieto; 9) Agustín Ormaechea, 10) Felipe Berchesi; 11) Jerónimo Etcheverry, 12) Alberto Román, 13) Joaquín Prada, 14) Santiago Gibernau; 15) Gastón Mieres.

El banco será con: 16) Arturo Ávalo, 17) Rodolfo De Mula, 18) Carlos Arboleya ,19) Cristofer Soarez de Lima, 20) Juan De Freitas, 21) Guillermo Lijtenstein, 22) Alejo Duran y 23) Santiago Vilaseca.

http://www.rugbynews.com.uy/banner/el-xv-de-los-teros-para-enfrentar-a-hong-kong/