TEST RUGBY RESULTS: World

25.04.2015
Korea 33, Hong Kong 26 in Hong Kong (ARC Top 3)
Chile 32, Brazil 3 in Santiago (CONSUR A)
Trinidad Tobago 30, Mexico 16 in Port of Spain (NACRA Carib. Champ. Final)

Briefly
Korea edged out home side Hong Kong after building a big lead at half time. The Koreans looked to be a very strong side and managed to hold off a big Hong Kong comeback in the second half.

Chile were too good in a disappointing display by the Brazilians whilst Trinidad Tobago gathered their second Caribbean Championship title when they defeated Mexico. The Mexicans can be proud of their achievement in making th final after being promoted just last season.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: REC 2A & 2B

25.04.2015
Switzerland 23, Malta 20 in Valetta (REC 2A)
Israel 26, Czech Republic 26 in Prague (REC 2A)
Lithuania 46, Latvia 11 in Siaulai (REC 2B)

Briefly
Israel caused the major surprise of the test rugby weekend by drawing with the fancied Czech side in Prague. The Czechs had to come from way behind and just salvaged a draw but this is an indication of the development of Israeli rugby.

As I predicted Switzerland and Malta slugged out a very close contest in Malta. Meanwhile in Siaulai Lithuania were too strong for their neighbours.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: REC 2C & 2D 25

25.04.2015
Serbia 25, Denmark 22 in Odense (REC 2C)
Slovenia 17, Austria 16 in Vienna (REC 2C)
Bosnia Herzegovina 29, Finland 7 in Zenica (REC 2D)
Turkey 28, Bulgaria 26 in Antalya (REC 2D)

Briefly
In a close game in Odense Serbia continued its amazing turnaround by defeating Denmark. Serbia is now looking a likely promotion candidate next season.

Slovenia just edged out home team Austria in another very close game. This is now Austria’s second loss in a row.

In Division 2D Bosnia Herzegovina were too good for visitors Finland whilst Turkey caused an upset defeating Bulgaria by two points. This was a second leg game meaning normally it would have been played next season.

REC 2D: BULGARIA V TURKEY

25.04.2015

Venue: Anatayla

Referee: Kalaxilos (Greece)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
BOSNIA H.	2	2	0	0	93	37	56	1	9
FINLAND	1	1	0	0	32	10	22	1	5
BULGARIA	2	1	0	1	38	78	-40	1	5
TURKEY	2	0	0	2	44	60	-16	2	2
NORWAY	1	0	0	1	10	32	-22	0	0

Preview

These European neighbours have always had an uneasy political relationship ever since Bulgaria pulled away from the Ottoman Empire back in the 1880’s.

These two teams have met once before. Last November Bulgaria won 26-19 in Sofia. This match is being played as a second leg fixture, rather than it being played next year.

In this competition the relegated team from ENC 2C, Bulgaria, meets the promoted team from ENC 3, Turkey. Turkey has been finding the rise to this level a tough one

Bulgaria has had a horror trot of international test rugby results since they were promoted to ENC 2C in 2012. There were relegated last year.

Turkey Last Five P 5, W3, L 2
01.11.2014 v Bulgaria L 19-26 in Sofia (REC 2D)
25.10.2014 v Bosnia Herzegovina L 25-34 in Edrine (REC 2D)
23.11.2013 v Slovakia W 55-3 in Bratislava (ENC 3)
20.11.2013 v Azerbaijan W 31-3 in Bratislava (ENC 3)
17.11.2012 v Azerbaijan W 53-3 in Kemer (ENC 3)

Bulgaria Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
01.11.2014 v Turkey W 26-19 in Sofia (ENC 2D)
04.10.2014 v Bosnia Herzegovina L 12-59 in Zenica (ENC 2D)
26.04.2014 v Cyprus L 15-46 in Sofia (ENC 2C)
12.04.2014 v Slovenia L 17-43 in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
19.10.2013 v Austria L 14-58 in Vienna (ENC 2C)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Bulgaria 35th, Turkey 39th

World Rugby Ranking Points do not apply as Turkey is not a full member of World Rugby.

Prediction: Bulgaria by 7 points. Score 19-12

TEAMS

    

Not available

REC 2C: SLOVENIA v AUSTRIA

25.04.2015

Venue: Vienna

Referee: Dejan Stiglic (Serbia)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
LUXEMBOURG	3	3	0	0	68	24	44	1	13
SLOVENIA	3	2	0	1	75	27	48	2	10
AUSTRIA	3	1	0	2	45	67	-22	1	5
SERBIA	3	1	0	2	25	87	-62	0	4
DENMARK	2	0	0	2	37	45	-8	2	2

Preview
This is the first of two test matches in this division being played today. Slovenia is tucked in behind the division leaders Luxembourg. Austria suffered defeat by Serbia last weekend and slipped back to third place.

These neighbours have always up and down results against each other. Austria has the home advantage but will need to improve on their performance last weekend.

It will be a very close game. Nothing in it!

Last Five Encounters
03.05.2014 Austria 20-8 in Vienna (ENC 2C)
20.04.2013 Slovenia 22-10 in Ljubliana (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2C)
14.04.2012 Austria 19-5 in Ljubliana (Friendly)
17.10.2009 Austria 15-13 in Ljubliana (ENC 3B)
08.11.2008 Slovenia 18-9 in Vienna (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 3B)

Slovenia Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
18.04.2015 v Luxembourg L 11-14 in Ljubliana (REC 2C)
25.10.2014 v Denmark W 16-10 in Odense (ENC 2C)
18.10.2014 v Serbia W 48-3 in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
03.05.2014 v Austria L 8-20 in Vienna (ENC 2C)
12.04.2014 v Bulgaria W 43-17 in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)

Austria Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
18.04.2015 v Serbia L 3-22 in Belgrade (REC 2C)
08.11.2014 v Luxembourg L 13-18 in Luxembourg (REC 2C)
11.10.2014 v Denmark W 29-27 in Vienna (REC 2C)
07.06.2014 v Bosnia Herzegovina W 26-12 (ENC 2C Playoff)
03.05.2014 v Slovenia W 20-8 in Vienna (ENC 2C)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Austria 30th, Slovenia 31st

World Rugby Ranking Points
Slovenia 38.99, Austria 38.61

Prediction: Austria by 1 point Austria 15-14

TEAMS

Austria

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

Slovenia

1. Tit Hočevar - kapetan 2. Samuel Vrhovec 3. Sebastjan Rman 4. Jernej Šercer 5. Žiga Vrhunec 6. Mirt Suljič 7. Max Skofič 8. Archie Skofič 9. Lewis Popadec 10. Peter Kavčič 11. George Skofič 12. Jaka Sajevic - podkapetan 13. Frankie Skofič 14. Dragan Jovanovič 15. Žiga Burnik 16. Gregor Miljuš 17. Maks Zukič 18. Igor Okič 19. Jack Skofič 20. Damijan Jovič 21. Anže Troppan 22. Enej Radelj Šemrov 23. Rok Zaletel

http://www.rugby.si/sl/content/postava-za-tekmo-proti-luksemburgu

REC 2A: SWITZERLAND v MALTA

25.04.2015

Venue: Hibernians Stadium, Vallette

Referee: Gert Visser (Germany)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	3	3	0	0	66	36	30	2	14
SWITZ.	3	2	0	1	83	65	18	2	10
MALTA	3	2	0	1	60	66	-6	0	8
CROATIA	4	1	0	3	86	103	-17	4	8
ISRAEL	3	0	0	3	51	76	-25	1	1

Preview
These two teams are locked together just in behind the Division favourite Czech Republic. Both have played three matches for two wins. Switzerland is ahead thanks to two bonus points.

In the three test matches played between these two nations the home team has, going against the trend at this level of test rugby, lost. I predict the same will occur in a very close tight game that could go either way. Nothing in it!

Previous Encounters
12.04.2014 Malta 29-14 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)
06.04.2013 Switzerland 19-10 in Valette (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2A)
16.10.2004 Malta 17-8 in Avusy (WCQ Europe R2, Pool B)

Switzerland Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
18.04.2015 v Croatia W 40-20 in Monthey (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Czech Republic L 14-27 in Nyon (REC 2A)
25.10.2014 v Israel W 29-18 in Netanya (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Lithuania L 18-24 in Vilnius (ENC 2A)
12.04.2014 v Malta L 14-29 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)

Malta Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
18.04.2015 v Israel W 16-13 in Netanya (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Czech Republic L 13-27 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Croatia W 31-26 in Valetta (REC 2A)
12.04.2014 v Switzerland W 29-14 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)
05.04.2014 v Netherlands L 10-33 in Valetta (ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Malta 20th, Switzerland 22nd

World Rugby Ranking Points
Malta 49.30, Switzerland 47.22

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Malta 49.30, Switzerland 47.22

World Rugby Ranking Points
Malta 49.30, Switzerland 47.22

Prediction: Switzerland by 1 point: Score 17-16

TEAMS

Switzerland

15-Thimbault Gery 12.03.1991
14-Sylvain Hirsch 14.05.1992
13-Chislain Montiel 29.09.1987
12-Mathieu Guyou 04.07.1975
11-Lucas Heinrich 13.06.1995
10-Sebastien Dimitri 27.09.1994
9-Benjamin Doy 13.09.1993
8-Brice Monzeglio 28.06.1983
7-Cyril Lin 17.08.1984
6-Cyril Coulot 14.02.1986
5-Nicolas Guyou 14.02.1982
4-Edgar Alber 04.01.1994
3-Clement Bartschi 20.11.1985
2-Mathieu Paul 15.11.1984
1-Cyril Lafuye 10.10.1990

Replacements
16-Benjamin Schaerer 30.03.1992
17-Benjamin Moritz 26.08.1995
18-Alexandre Coullon 26.06.1987
19-Jake Serex 07.12.1985
20-Ludovic Pommies 12.07.1984
21-Ivan Kraljevic 10.09.1991
22-Florin Escoffier 06.12.1993
23-Eddy Gombas 01.11.1988

Head Coach: Gil Coquard

Thanks to Veronika Muehlhofer, CEO (General Secretary),
Swiss Rugby Union

Malta squad not available

REC 2A: CZECH REPUBLIC v ISRAEL

25.04.2015

Image thanks to http://www.rugbyunion.cz/cs/article/300

Venue: RC Sparta Praha, Prague

Referee: Alexei Bryzgalin (Russia)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	3	3	0	0	66	36	30	2	14
SWITZ.	3	2	0	1	83	65	18	2	10
MALTA	3	2	0	1	60	66	-6	0	8
CROATIA	4	1	0	3	86	103	-17	4	8
ISRAEL	3	0	0	3	51	76	-25	1	1

Preview
Israel has found the step to Division 2A a tough assignment. They have won their way up two divisions since being in ENC 2C in 2010, a fantastic effort. The support the team had in that time was also fantastic.

Israel has remained a tough opponent in spit of its three losses so far. At no time have they been outplayed. With the continued development in their game they would be aiming just to remain at this level for the 2016-18 competition.

The Czech Republic remains on top of the table. They were relegated from Division 1B in 2014. They remain undefeated but they have not dominated the competition opposition as some thought. This is a far cry from the 2003-2008 season when they played at the top level of the FIRA-AER competitions.

The Czechs should win this game but if they play as indifferently as they did against Croatia they might find Israel a tougher opponent than they expected. If the Czech Republic respect their opposition and play as well as they can then Israel could be in for a tough time.

These two teams have met only once before, in 1993. Czech Republic won 28-0 in Amsterdam in a World Cup qualifying tournament.

Czech Republic Last Five P 5, W4, L 1
11.04.2015 v Croatia W 12-9 in Zagreb (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Malta W 27-13 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Switzerland W 27-14 in Nyon (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Moldova W 37-19 in Prague (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
05.04.2014 v Germany L 12-76 in Heidelberg (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)

Israel Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
18.04.2015 v Malta L 13-16 in Netanya (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Croatia L 20-31 in Zabreb (REC 2A)
25.10.2014 v Switzerland L 18-29 in Netanya (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Latvia L 22-29 in Riga (ENC 2B)
12.04.2014 v Andorra W 20-16 in Netanya (ENC 2B)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Czech Republic 13th, Israel 25th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Czech Republic 52.07, Israel 44.60

Prediction: Czech Republic by 18 points. Score 43-18

TEAMS

Czech Republic

1. Lukáš Macháček 2. Vojtěch Mára 3. Lukáš Rapant 4. Radim Backa 5. Robert Voves (c) 6. Jiří Frank 7. Vojtěch Havel 8. Josef Maňák 9.Vachtang Pailodze 10. Pavel Vokrouhlík 11. Martin Sadílek 12. Jiří Lacina 13. Aleš Stejskal 14. Adam Soural 15. Jan Rohlík
lavička: 16. Ondřej Kovář 17. David Jaroš 18. Jakub Doležel 19. Jan Olbrich 20. Jakub Kopřiva 21. Tomáš Forst 22. Petr Čížek 23. David Brtníček

http://www.rugbyunion.cz/cs/article/307

Israel

15. Mordechay Radahkovich-06.09.1984
14. Ori Abutbul-02.05.1994
13. Amit Kakoun-27.12.1988
12. Alexy Veklov-15.06.1991
11. Jonathan Radashkovich-24.06.1988
10. Vitali Pryimak-29.05.1986
9. Shai Hacohen-22.02.1992
8. Michael Eli-21.04.1989
7. Guy Matisis-28.07.1987
6. Jonathan Shaki-10.05.1983, Capt.
5. Thomas Burden-09.08.1995
4. Ushangi Manjavidze-13.04.1986
3. Matan Brosh-12.04.1981
2. Omri Iotan-10.08.1984
1. Nathan Amos-11.08.1978

Replacements
16. Sela Arnsberg-07.04.1994
17. Oren Alt-08.03.1971
18. Jonathan Levy-27.02.1988
19. Itshak Hanania-12.08.1982
20. Dekel Fleisch-22.11.1995
21. Adrian Rainstein-16.06.1989
22. Fabian Maguid-08.02.1986
23. Guy Brengler-03.01.1994

Head Coach: Raanan Penn

Send by iphone thanks to Julian Shapiri, Manager Israeli team.

REC 2D: FINLAND v BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA

25.04.2015

Venue: Stadion: Kamberović polje, Zenica

Referee: Serban Cristian (Romania)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
BOSNIA H.	2	2	0	0	93	37	56	1	9
FINLAND	1	1	0	0	32	10	22	1	5
BULGARIA	2	1	0	1	38	78	-40	1	5
TURKEY	2	0	0	2	44	60	-16	2	2
NORWAY	1	0	0	1	10	32	-22	0	0

Preview
These two teams are both undefeated with Finland having a game in hand.

Bosnia Herzegovina lost their promotion playoff against Austria last June and will spend another two seasons in Division 2D. They dominated this division last year except losing to Finland away. They have the home advantage and are always a tough opposition when they play at home.

Finland’s form is very much up and down. They struggle when playing away. I feel B&H will be too strong in that second half.

Previous Encounters
31.05.2014 Finland 29-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)
20.04.2013 Bosnia Herzegovina 19-15 in Sarajevo (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
17.05.2008 Drawn 3-3 in Helsinki (ENC 3C)
07.10.2006 Finland 14-7 in Zenica (ENC 3C)

Bosnia Herzegovina Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
25.10.2014 v Turkey W 34-25 in Edrine (REC 2D)
04.10.2014 v Bulgaria W 59-12 in Zenica (REC 2D)
07.06.2014 v Austria L 12-26 in Tesanj (ENC 2C-2D Playoff)
31.05.2014 v Finland L 24-29 in Turku (ENC 2D)
19.04.2014 v Norway W 43-0 in Zenica (ENC 2D)

Finland Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
18.10.2014 v Norway L 12-20 in Oslo (REC 2D, 2nd leg)
04.10.2014 v Norway W 32-10 in Helsinki (REC 2D, 1st leg)
31.05.2014 v Bosnia Herzegovina W 29-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)
10.05.2014 v Luxembourg L 7-27 in Luxembourg (ENC 2D)
12.10.2013 v Norway L 12-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Bosnia Herzegovina 34th, Finland 37th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Bosnia Herzegovina 34.54, Finland 30.29

Prediction: Bosnia Herzegovina by 18 points. Score 31-13

TEAMS

Finland Squad

Forwards
Mikael Ahola UK
Kosti Eskola WRC
Karl Fitness JRC
Fred Harrison Tampere
Janne Heinanen JRC
Aro Katainen JRC
Matti Keranen Kuopo
Mauno Konttila JRC
Aleksi Laitinen Vaasa
Kevin McCarthy HRC
Marko Sallert HRC
Sauli Tyvi Vaasa
Kalle Valimaki Linna

Backs
Avea Avea Linna
Paul Davies Kuopio
Teemu Elomaa JRC
Thomas Finell WRC
Kalle Helin Vaasa
Antti Lammi WRC
Crispin Maenpaa Belgium
Henri Repo Joensuu
Danny Taylor UK
Valtteri Valtia WRC

Head Coach: Bob Hussey
Assistant Coach: Isaac Visser
Manager: Stephen Whittaker
https://www.facebook.com/suomenrugby

Bosnia Herzegovina

1.Ajanovic Semir
2.Fetic Mirsad
3.Nermin Selimbegovic
4.Pojskic Edin
5.Dario Petrusic
6.Sedad Tufekcic
7.Haris Oruc
8.Senad Turcinovic
9.Armin Zadic
10.Sabahudin Subasic
11.Ajkunic Zijad
12.Selmir Glavas
13.Adnan Hamzic
14.Fadil Spahic
15.Samed Smajlovic

Replacements
16.Danijel Keserovic
17.Sandro Mrgic
18.Elvis Tuka
19.Nejro Ahmic
20.Semir Topcic
21.Armin Kavazovic
22.Alem Haracic
23.Dario Gojkovic

https://www.facebook.com/ragbih