SWITZERLAND v ISRAEL: ENC 2A

25.10.2014

Venue: Wingate Institute, Netanya

Referee: Nicolas Vandecauter (Belgium)

Preview
This will be both team’s first test match in the 2014-15 season.

This will be Israel’s first big test in their new ENC Division. Promoted from ENC 2B Israel carved a healthy swathe through that division but will find the Swiss at another standard.

‘Israel's national rugby team are climbing the ladder and have gained 54 places in the world rankings over the last 6 years.They finished the 2010-2012 season top of division 2C and have been promoted to 2B.They have currently won the group 2B with 7 out of 7 victories and been promoted to 2A.’
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Israeli-National-Rugby-Team/115698775148292

Israeli team thanks to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Israeli-National-Rugby-Team/115698775148292

Israel Coach: Raanan Penn

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Switzerland 22nd, Israel 25th

IRB Ranking Points
Switzerland 47.27, Israel 47.13

Prediction: Switzerland by 5 points

Teams

Israel

https://www.facebook.com/115698775148292/photos/pb.115698775148292.-2207520000.1414194444./827130964005066/?type=1&theater

Switzerland

	Last Name	First Name	Club
1	BARTSCHI	Clément	US Romans
2	BERNATH	Mathias	CA Saint-Etienne Rugby
3	DIMITRI	Nicolas	SA XV Charente rugby
4	DOY	Benjamin	US Oyonnax
5	GERY	Thibault	FC Rumilly
6	GOMBAS	Eddy	Rc Avusy
7	GROS	Julien	US Carcassonne
8	GUYOU	Nicolas	RC Tricastin
9	GUYOU	Matthieu	RCACP
10	HEINRICH	Lucas	CSBJ
11	HIRSCH	Sylvain	Rc Genève PLO
12	HIRSCH	Gaëtan	Rc Genève PLO
13	JAQUIER	Lucas	Rc Avusy
14	LIN	Cyril	CA Lannemezan
15	MONTIEL	Ghislain	Libourne (UAL)
16	MONZEGLIO	Brice	Section Paloise
17	PAUL	Matthieu	St Paul les Dax
18	PERROD	Simon	FC Rumilly
19	POMMIES	Ludovic	Lausanne University Club LUC
20	RUEGSEGGER	Frantz	RC Bern
21	SCHAERER	Benjamin
22	SEREX	Jake	UE Santboiana, Esp
23	LUCON	Maxime	AS Villeurbanne

Coaches:Gil Coquard and Jerome Malinjoud
Team Manager Jean-Marc Pythoud

http://www.suisserugby.com/news/newsdetail/news/swiss-national-team-ready-for-israel-and-suisse-rugby-day-matches.html

TURKEY v BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA: ENC 2D

25.10.2014

   

Venue: Kasim Stadium, Erdine

Referee: Sergey Poplavskyi (Ukraine)

Preview
This is a special match in the world of test rugby. New test nation Turkey will play its first game up a level from last year’s ENC Division 3. This will be a stern test of the level they are at as they come across the Bosnians who were relegated from ENC 2C.

Bosnia Herzegovina began their 2014-15 campaign with a convincing  59-12 win against Bulgaria at home. Their relegation from ENC 2C would have hurt as the team more than held their own against other ENC 2C opponents. I expect they will be too strong and experienced for the Turks.

I can’t find any team lists.

Prediction: Bosnia Herzegovina by 15 points

ENC 2B Lithuania v Hungary

25.10.2014

In Siauliai

Lithuania began their campaign to regain their place in ENC 2A with a good away 34-15 win against Andorra last weekend. Today they face Hungary at home.

This will be Hungary’s first test this season. They will have a tough ask playing away to Lithuania.

Prediction: Lithuania by 25 points

Team list not available

Live streaming
http://www.delfi.lt/video/sporto-tv/rungtynes/lietuva-vs-vengrija-europos-regbio-tautu-taures-turnyras.d?id=66112470

ENC 2C

25.10.2014
Serbia v Luxembourg in Belgrade (ENC 2C)
Denmark v Slovenia in Odense (ENC 2C)

Preview
Serbia made a disastrous start to the 2014-15 season with an away 3-48 loss to Slovenia last weekend. Having just been relegated from ENC 2B this was not the start they wanted. I expect they will be stronger at home and should bounce back against Luxembourg who are playing their first test match this season.

Prediction: Serbia by 5 points

Denmark will host Slovenia who had a good home win last weekend as mentioned above. The hosts lost away to Austria 2 weeks ago. This could well be a close game.

Referee: George Mossford (Finland)

Prediction: Denmark by 3 points

Teams

Slovenia

1 Tit Hočevar
2 Blaž Pilko
3 Luka Miklič
4 Zarko Krsmanovic

5 Mirt Suljič
6 Grega Miljuš , kaptajn
7 Max Nikolei Skofic
8 Damjan Jovič
9 Lewis Francis Podpadec
10 Žiga Burnik

11 George Fredric Skofic
12 Jaka Sajevic

13 Frank Joseph Skofic

14 Gal Okič
15 Anže Troppan

Replacements
16 Maks Zukič

17 Matic Martinjak

18 Jernej Šercer

19 Archie Hugh Skofic

20 Simon Gombač

21 Enej Radelj-Šemrov

22 Jack Alexei Skofic

23 Dragan Jovanovic

På sidelinjen:

Landstraner Emmanuel Mayer, assisterende landstraner Andrew Fenton, fysioterapeut Uhr

http://www.rugby.dk/download/category/3 ... tober-2014

Denmark

1 Sean Maher Towcestrians RFC Tests 8

2 Rasmus Dufke Hamlet Rugby Klub 14

3 Matias Dinesen RK Speed 14

4 Niels B. W. Gotfredsen Aarhus Rugby Klub 24

5 Esben Thorius RK Speed 1

6 Jeppe M. Holm RK Speed 1

7 Gaspard Nau Valbak VGA Saint-Maur 15

8 Nicklas V. Tell RK Speed 7

9 Mikkel S. Jensen Aarhus Rugby Klub 11

10 Peder Wilhelm Bjerrum Aarhus Rugby Klub 8

11 Gerard Hounou RK Speed 4

12 Joshua Jensen Maidstone RFC 13

13 Christian Melgaard Erritso GIF Rugby Klub 10

14 Sebastian Hurst Old Haberdashers RFC 5

15 Andy Nielsen, kaptajn Aarhus Rugby Klub 31

Replacements

16 Michael Friis Larsen Aalborg RK Lynet 14

17 Ruben Garcia Pedersen RK Speed 3

18 Malte S. Madsen RK Speed 1

19 Michael Husum Mortensen Hamlet Rugby Klub 1

20 Christian O. Olsen Aalborg RK Lynet 1

21 Yuriy Byelskyy CSR/Nanok -

22 Victor Hounou RK Speed -

23 Andrei Ungureanu DTU Exiles RUFC 3

På sidelinjen:

Landstraner Ivan Andersen, Ass. Landstraner Christopher Adby, fysioterapeut Peter

Rasmussen, holdleder Palle Andersen

http://www.rugby.dk/download/category/3 ... tober-2014

MALAYSIA v THAILAND

25.10.2014

There is not much information about this game. The Malaysian web site mentions this game, and the 2nd test to be played 28th. They named the fixtures as being ‘Rugby Championship’.They also indicate that IRB ranking points are up for grabs. I cannot find any squad lists.

Malaysian squad thanks to https://www.facebook.com/MalaysiaRugbyUnion

 

Image thanks to https://www.facebook.com/MalaysiaRugbyUnion

GWC Rugby Ranking
Malaysia 10th, Thailand 13th

IRB Ranking Points
Thailand 43.37, Malaysia 40.20

These two teams last met in 2012 in the Asia Nations Division 2 final held in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand won 22-19 and won promotion to Division 1.

Prediction: Thailand by 6 points

For a complete list of fixtures between these two teams and a list of all their international test rugby results go to www.rugbyinternational.net

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND 25 OCTOBER

25.10.2014
Switzerland v Israel in Netanya (ENC 2A)
Lithuania v Hungary in Vilnius (ENC 2B)
Thailand v Malaysia in Bangkok (1^st Test)
Serbia v Luxembourg in Belgrade (ENC 2C)
Denmark v Slovenia in Odense (ENC 2C)
Turkey v Bosnia Herzegovina in Erdine (ENC 2D)

BLEDISLOE CUP 2014

18.10.2014
New Zealand 29, Australia 28 in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)

Review
New Zealand scored a converted try right on time to just edge out a much improved Australia 29-28. Once again the All Blacks showed the class they are in by building pressure at the end of matches to win. They nearly did the same against South Africa two weeks ago but McCaw’s decisions to kick for touch and not score points were poor decisions.

Australia were gutted at the end. They played the better rugby for most of the match but just couldn’t hold the AB’s in the last five minutes. Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a try in his 100th test but that last minute try spoiled his celebrations.

Following the match Australian coach Ewan MacKenzie announced his resignation as Australia coach.

See article here http://www.espnscrum.com/australia/rugby/story/244599.html

And the successor? http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/244247.html

ENC Division 1B

18.10.2014
Poland 9, Netherlands 8 in Warsaw (ENC 1B)
Ukraine 45, Sweden 0 in Enkoping (ENC 1B)

Review
Poland just squeezed out the Netherlands at home to gain crucial points in this competition. They led 6-3 at halftime.

Ukraine raised some eyebrows by overpowering Sweden away 45-0. They led 31-0 at halftime and made use of two Swedish yellow cards to score two tries.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: ENC 2B, 2C & 2D

18.10.2014
Lithuania 34, Andorra 15 in Andorra La Vela (ENC 2B)
Slovenia 48, Serbia 3 in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
Norway 20, Finland 12 in Oslo (ENC 2D)

Reviews
Lithuania were too strong for Andorra away. They led 20-8 at halftime. This was a good start to Lithuania’s campaign to regain their place in ENC 2A.

Slovenia caused a major upset by defeating Serbia 48-3. They led 22-0 at halftime. Serbia had just been relegated from ENC 2B and were expected to be one of the stronger teams in this division.

Norway turned the tables on Finland and avenged their earlier defeat to the Fins. Strangely this was a Round Two ENC 2D match for the 2015-16 season!

TEST RUGBY SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER

Because of other commitments I will be unable to fully review this weekend’s fixtures.

18.10.2014
New Zealand v Australia in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)
Poland v Netherlands in Warsaw (ENC 1B)
Sweden v Ukraine in Enkoping (ENC 1B)
Andorra v Lithuania in Andorra La Vela (ENC 2B)
Slovenia v Serbia in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
Finland v Norway in Oslo (ENC 2D)

Briefly
New Zealand should defeat Trans-Tasman rivals in Brisbane. Steve Hansen summed up the clash-All the off-field drama in the Australian Camp will either cement the team and they will be a very great threat or it will unravel the team. This could be a most interesting clash.
Prediction: New Zealand by 20 points

ENC 1B
Poland already has a win under it’s belt so far this season whereas this will be Netherland’s first game. The Netherlands are the newly promoted side and may well struggle. Poland by 10 points.

Sweden also has had a game played and will thus have that advantage over the visiting Ukrainians. The Ukrainians also have what is virtually a civil war at home on their minds. Sweden by 15 points.

Lithuania were relegated last season to Division 2B after a golden era going back just two seasons. They will be eager to regain their place in ENC 2A and they must start with a convincing win in Andorra. Lithuania by 20 points.

Slovenia and Serbia get their 2014-15 campaigns underway in Ljubliana. Serbia were relegated from ENC 2B. Slovenia by 5 points.

Finland and Norway clash again after facing each other earlier in the month. In strange circumstances they will play their round 2 clash (2015-16). Finland won easily at home but I’d expect a tougher Norwegian side to win at home. Norway by 3 points.

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND 18 OCTOBER

18.10.2014
New Zealand v Australia in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)
Poland v Netherlands in Watsaw (ENC 1B)
Sweden v Ukraine in Enkoping (ENC 1B)
Andorra v Lithuania in Andorra La Vela (ENC 2B)
Slovenia v Serbia in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
Finland v Norway in Oslo (ENC 2D)

EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP

11.10.2014
Austria 29, Denmark 27 in Vienna (ENC 2C)

RUGBY WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: Repechage

12.10.2014
Uruguay 36, Russia 27 in Montevideo (WCQ Repechage; Playoff 2nd leg)

27.09.2014
Russia 22, Uruguay 21 in Krasnoyarsk (WCQ Repechage; Playoff 1st leg)

Uruguay wins the 20th place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup Finals. They defeated Russia on aggregate.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

04.10.2014
South Africa 27, New Zealand 25 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)
Argentina 21, Australia 17 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)

27.09.2014
South Africa 28, Australia 10 in Capetown (Rugby Championship.Mandela Cup)
New Zealand 34, Argentina 13 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)

New Zealand takes the title for the third year in a row but loses its unbeaten record in the Rugby Championship

CONSUR C RESULTS

11.10.2014
El Salvador 29, Panama 3 in Panama City (CONSUR C)
Costa Rica 22, Guatemala 17 in Panama City (CONSUR C)

08.10.2014
El Salvador 25, Costa Rica 14 in Panama City (CONSUR C)
Guatemala 24, Panama 19 in Panama City (CONSUR C)

05.10.2014
Costa Rica 18, Panama 10 in Panama City (CONSUR C)
Guatemala 23, El Salvador 17 in Panama City (CONSUR C)

El Salvador wins the tournament

TEST RUGBY RESULTS 20-27 SEPTEMBER

27.09.2014
South Africa 28, Australia 10 in Capetown (Rugby Championship.Mandela Cup)
New Zealand 34, Argentina 13 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)
Russia 22, Uruguay 21 in Krasnoyarsk (WCQ Repechage; Playoff 1st leg)

20.09.2014
Barbados 29, Curacao 0 in Saint Michail (NACRA Caribb. Champ.,South-Prom.Relegation)