Saturday, October 31, 2015

AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND: World Cup Final

31.10.2015

Venue: Twickenham

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Preview
This is the game we have been waiting for for nearly four years. Here it is. The 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

We have the two best teams at this tournament in the final. One of these teams will make history. Whoever wins will become the first team to win three Rugby World Cup titles. If New Zealand wins they will be the first team to win successive titles. There is so much at stake the wait has been unbearable!

New Zealand has been the class act. Slowish to get going they sprang to life with the thumping of France in the quarter final. The semi-final against South Africa was won by two points although New Zealand looked a deserving winner. They came into the tournament as the hot favourites to retain the title and have consistently been at the top of the World Rugby Rankings for the last five years. It will take a super special team to beat them.

Could Australia be that team? Yes, most certainly. The self belief that has built up in this team since Cheika took over as head coach has transformed them from a motley crew into a well motivated, skilful team. They also started quietly with wins over Fiji and Uruguay. But then they disposed of hosts England and pushed them out of the tournament. Next they defeated Wales in a bruising encounter and the belief grew. They were lucky to win against Scotland even though they were the better side. That was an off day. And finally they were most convincing in their semi final win against Argentina.

This is very close to call. I believe the All Blacks will just have the edge. Theirs will be a nervy performance first half but I expect them to settle in the second, apply the pressure and win the last twenty minutes. But it will be close!

Prediction: New Zealand by 4 points. Score 23-19

TEAMS

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matthew Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 William Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Robert Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas,
3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (Capt.), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Gregory Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Benjamin McCalman, 21 Nicholas Phipps, 22 Matthew Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Head Coach: Michael Chieka

New Zealand
15 Benjamin Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 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 Joseph Moody.
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Charles Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Samuel Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.
Head Coach: Steve Hansen

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2B

31.10.2015
Lithuania v Andorra in Vilnius

  P W D L PF PA DIFF B TL
LITHUANIA 5 5 0 0 181 90 101 5 25
CYPRUS 4 2 0 2 87 90 -3 1 9
LATVIA 4 2 0 4 71 95 -24 1 9
ANDORRA 4 2 0 2 62 87 -25 0 8
HUNGARY 5 0 0 5 91 131 -40 4 4

Image  

Preview

Notwithstanding a major disaster in the Lithuanian rugby camp it is difficult not to expect that they will be promoted for the 2015-16 Rugby Championship. Playing at home to Andorra should see the locals chalk up another victory and retain their unblemished record.

Andorra has won its last two games in this competition. The win away against Latvia was most impressive.

rugby_andorra3
Andorran National Rugby Team. Image thanks to http://vpcandorra.com

Previous Encounters
18.10.2014 Lithuania 34-15 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
10.10.2009 Lithuania 40-12 in Siuilia (ENC 3A)
08.11.2008 Lithuania 26-10 in Andorra La Vela (WCQ Europe R2; ENC 3A)
19.10.1996 Andorra 54-24 in Andorra La Vela (WCQ Europe Pool 3, Rnd A)

Andorra Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
12.05.2015 v Latvia W 14-5 in Riga (REC 2B)
04.04.2015 v Hungary W 23-18 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
01.11.2014 v Cyprus L 10-30 in Paphos (REC 2B)
18.10.2014 v Lithuania L 15-34 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
12.04.2014 v Israel L 16-20 in Netanya (ENC 2B)

Lithuania Last Five P 5, W 5
24.10.2015 v Hungary W 37-15 in Esztergom (REC 2B)
02.05.2015 v Cyprus W 26-20 in Paphoa (REC 2B)
25.04.2015 v Latvia W 46-11 in Riga (REC 2B)
25.10.2014 v Hungary W 38-29 in Siauliai (REC 2B)
18.10.2014 v Andorra W 34-15 in Andorra La vela (REC 2B)

Lithuania has won its last 6 rugby test matches.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Lithuania 23rd, Andorra 25th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Lithuania 48.64, Andorra 43.10

Prediction: Lithuania by 20 points. Score 35-15

TEAMS

Andorra Squad

Peter Ambor
Marc Arasanz
Bruno Comas (Primera selecció)
Matt Dawson
Esteve Dolsa
Eduard Estevenet
Joan Fité
Roger Fité
Jonathan Garcia
Julien Ginesta
Edisher Jamrulidze
Liam Jordan
Kim Jordan (Primera selecció)
Tiago Macedo
Joan Martí (Primera selecció)
Gerard Menardia
Daniel Raya
Giorgii Rekhviashvili
Eric Risco
Gerard Soteras
Marc Torrent
Stefano Tosatti
Marc Vilella (Primera selecció)

http://vpcandorra.com/2015/10/27/llistat-de-seleccionats-pel-partit-dels-isards-contra-lituania-el-31102015/

Lithuania Squad not available

Latvia v Hungary in Riga

Hungary have a difficult away game against middle of the table Latvia. Hungary may face relegation back to REC 2C at the end of the season unless they can pick up a few more wins. Latvia defeated Hungary 16-14 in Hungary in round 1.

Latvia to win by 15 points. Score 31-16.

Team lists not available

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2B

31.10.2015
Lithuania v Andorra in Vilnius

  P W D L PF PA DIFF B TL
LITHUANIA 5 5 0 0 181 90 101 5 25
CYPRUS 4 2 0 2 87 90 -3 1 9
LATVIA 4 2 0 4 71 95 -24 1 9
ANDORRA 4 2 0 2 62 87 -25 0 8
HUNGARY 5 0 0 5 91 131 -40 4 4

Image  

Preview

Notwithstanding a major disaster in the Lithuanian rugby camp it is difficult not to expect that they will be promoted for the 2015-16 Rugby Championship. Playing at home to Andorra should see the locals chalk up another victory and retain their unblemished record.

Andorra has won its last two games in this competition. The win away against Latvia was most impressive.

rugby_andorra3
Andorran National Rugby Team. Image thanks to http://vpcandorra.com

Previous Encounters
18.10.2014 Lithuania 34-15 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
10.10.2009 Lithuania 40-12 in Siuilia (ENC 3A)
08.11.2008 Lithuania 26-10 in Andorra La Vela (WCQ Europe R2; ENC 3A)
19.10.1996 Andorra 54-24 in Andorra La Vela (WCQ Europe Pool 3, Rnd A)

Andorra Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
12.05.2015 v Latvia W 14-5 in Riga (REC 2B)
04.04.2015 v Hungary W 23-18 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
01.11.2014 v Cyprus L 10-30 in Paphos (REC 2B)
18.10.2014 v Lithuania L 15-34 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
12.04.2014 v Israel L 16-20 in Netanya (ENC 2B)

Lithuania Last Five P 5, W 5
24.10.2015 v Hungary W 37-15 in Esztergom (REC 2B)
02.05.2015 v Cyprus W 26-20 in Paphoa (REC 2B)
25.04.2015 v Latvia W 46-11 in Riga (REC 2B)
25.10.2014 v Hungary W 38-29 in Siauliai (REC 2B)
18.10.2014 v Andorra W 34-15 in Andorra La vela (REC 2B)

Lithuania has won its last 6 rugby test matches.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Lithuania 23rd, Andorra 25th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Lithuania 48.64, Andorra 43.10

Prediction: Lithuania by 20 points. Score 35-15

TEAMS

Andorra Squad

Peter Ambor
Marc Arasanz
Bruno Comas (Primera selecció)
Matt Dawson
Esteve Dolsa
Eduard Estevenet
Joan Fité
Roger Fité
Jonathan Garcia
Julien Ginesta
Edisher Jamrulidze
Liam Jordan
Kim Jordan (Primera selecció)
Tiago Macedo
Joan Martí (Primera selecció)
Gerard Menardia
Daniel Raya
Giorgii Rekhviashvili
Eric Risco
Gerard Soteras
Marc Torrent
Stefano Tosatti
Marc Vilella (Primera selecció)

http://vpcandorra.com/2015/10/27/llistat-de-seleccionats-pel-partit-dels-isards-contra-lituania-el-31102015/

Lithuania Squad not available

Friday, October 30, 2015

SOUTH AFRICA v ARGENTINA: World Cup, Bronze

30.10.2015

Image result for olympic stadium london rugby
Image thanks to ibtimes.co.uk

Venue: Olympic Park, London

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

Preview
This is a bronze medal match. It is not anywhere near the importance of the Final to be played Saturday. But try telling the 2007 Argentina side this match has no meaning. That win put Argentina well and truly in with the big boys of test rugby. We see them in 2015 in exactly the same position with perhaps an even better team.

South Africa has everything to lose and very little to gain. Their reputation has taken a beating in 2015. They came last in the shortened Rugby Championship which included a home loss to Argentina and the rugby world will never forget Japan’s astounding win over South Africa in their first pool match.

South African’s and New Zealander’s have a common attitude towards losing a rugby test match. Don’t do it! Losing is never an option and another loss by South Africa will create a dark cloud of that vast land and the coach can say goodbye.It would also place a minus against Victor Matfield’s illustrious test rugby career in this his last test match.

Argentina has problems. Four key players are out. They have depth in their team but losing captain Creevy is a vital blow from which I fear Argentina will not recover. It is a shame but I feel South Africa now has the favourite tag. Argentina though will go down fighting. If their explosive backs get a sniff of an upper hand it could well be even closer than the 13 point win to South Africa I have predicted. Still, Argentina will be even stronger in 2019 and they could well be in that final.

Last Five Encounters
15.08.2015 South Africa 26-12 in Buenos Aires ( RWC Warm up Friendly)
08.08.2015 Argentina 37-25 in Durban (Rugby Championship)

World Cup Encounters
14.10.2007 South Africa 37-13 in Paris (Semi-Final)

South Africa Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
24.10.2015 v New Zealand L 18-20 at Twickenham (World Cup, Semi-Final)
17.10.2015 v Wales W 23-19 at Twickenham (World Cup, Quarter Final)
07.10.2015 v United States W 64-0 in London (World Cup, Pool B)
03.10.2015 v Scotland W 34-16 in Newcastle (World Cup, Pool B)
26.09.2015 v Samoa W 46-6 in Birmingham (World Cup, Pool B)

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
25.10.2015 v Australia L 15-29 at Twickenham (World Cup, Semi-Final)
18.10.2015 v Ireland W 43-20 in Cardiff (World Cup, Quarter Final)
11.10.2015 v Namibia W 64-19 in Leicester (World Cup, Pool C)
04.10.2015 v Tonga W 45-16 in Leicester (World Cup, Pool C)
25.09.2015 v Georgia W 54-9 in Gloucester (World Cup, Pool C)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: South Africa 3rd, Argentina 6th

World Rugby Ranking Points
South Africa 86.02, Argentina 84.24

Prediction: South Africa too strong, by 13 points. Score 30-17

TEAMS

13[1]

Argentina
15 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matias Moroni,
12 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Nicolás Sánchez (Capt),
9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Javier Ortega Desio, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Juan Figallo.
Replacements
16 Lucas Noguera, 17 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 18 Santiago Garcia Botta, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Juan Pablo Socino.
Head Coach: Daniel Hourcade

34[1]

South Africa
15 William le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende,
11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen,
7 Schalk Burger, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (Capt.), 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements
16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Lodewyk de Jager, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Patrick Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein.
Head Coach: Heyneke Meyer

Monday, October 26, 2015

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Second Semi-Final

25.10.2015
Australia 29, Argentina 15 at Twickenham (World Cup, Semi-final 2)

AUSTRALIA ARE IN!

Preview
Australia defeated Argentina 29-15 (4 tries to none) to secure a Rugby World Cup final place. They will face New Zealand at Twickenham, next Saturday.

They key to Australia’s win were their defence and their ability to secure possession at the breakdown. Australia took their chances despite a horror run of errors at the start of the second half but Argentina fluffed a number of scoring opportunities especially in the second half. They always looked dangerous with ball in hand.

Adam Ashley-Cooper score three tries his last after a magnificent run by Drew Mitchell. This score sealed the game. Argentina, though, never gave up and were attacking right to the end.

Australia will need to up their performance from today’s but in the final we will see the two best teams at the tournament in the final.

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Divisions 2A & 2B

24.10.2015
Switzerland 20, Czech Republic 14 in Prague (REC 2A)

  P W D L PF PA DIFF B PT
SWITZ. 5 4 0 1 126 99 27 2 18
CZECH REP 5 3 1 1 106 82 26 3 17
MALTA 4 2 0 2 80 89 -9 1 9
CROATIA 4 1 0 3 86 103 -17 4 8
ISRAEL 4 0 1 3 77 103 -26 1 3

Review
Switzerland caused a major upset by defeating the Czech Republic in Prague to sneak ahead on the points table.

‘14-20 to the Swiss. A good result for them and a reversal of the win the Czechs got over them in the last round. I guess this must put them as favourites for promotion after the Czechs drew against Israel.

The Czechs had the upper hand in the forwards, but the Swiss pack worked hard as a unit and the backs took their chances. The Czechs were however missing a few big names such as the prop Strastny, the hooker Kutil, the lock Voves and back row Manak.

I don't think the Poles or Dutch will be too worried looking at this top of the table clash if they have an eye on who the newcomer to their division will be next year and if it will mean they will become the most likely candidate for the drop. Neither will the Swedes, who will look to bounce back after the new 1 year season format.

The pace of this game was definitely slower than the Ukraine-Poland game we saw last week, and even the physique of the players looked to be more like serious amateurs than semi-professionals.’

Thanks to ‘Polter’ at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=699


Lithuania 37, Hungary 15 in Esztergom (REC 2B)

  P W D L PF PA DIFF B TL
LITHUANIA 5 5 0 0 181 90 101 5 25
CYPRUS 4 2 0 2 87 90 -3 1 9
LATVIA 4 2 0 4 71 95 -24 1 9
ANDORRA 4 2 0 2 62 87 -25 0 8
HUNGARY 5 0 0 5 91 131 -40 4 4

Review
As expected Lithuania, the table leaders, were too strong for bottom placed Hungary. Lithuania look good for promotion back into REC 2A for next season whilst for Hungary they look like being relegated back to REC 2C.

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: 2C & 2D

24.10.2015
Luxembourg 34, Austria 6 in Vienna (REC 2C)

  P W D L PF PA DIFF B PT
LUXEMBOURG 5 5 0 0 115 35 80 2 22
SLOVENIA 4 3 0 1 92 53 49 2 14
AUSTRIA 6 2 0 4 98 143 -45 3 11
SERBIA 4 3 0 2 50 109 -59 0 8
DENMARK 5 0 0 5 89 114 -25 5 5

Review
Luxembourg were too strong for the home side. They led 13-6 at halftime.

"Bonus point secured with a try on the last play of the game. Very proud of all the players and staff. "Jonathan Flynn

‘Tries from Browne, Vert, Rossa and Olsen with 14 points from the boot of Browne’. http://www.rugby.lu/fr/actualites/luxembourg-wins-vs-austria


Bulgaria 34, Finland 15 in Sofia (REC 2D)

  P W D L PF PA DIFF B TL
BOSNIA H. 6 6 0 0 174 81 93 2 26
NORWAY 5 3 0 2 99 75 24 2 14
BULGARIA 6 2 0 4 113 180 -67 4 12
FINLAND 6 2 0 4 92 117 -25 2 10
TURKEY 5 1 0 4 105 130 -25 3 7

Review
4 tries and a bonus point to Bulgaria. Finland and Turkey look like they will battle for relegation when they meet in April 2016.