RUGBY TEST RESULTS: July 14

14.07.2012
Zimbabwe 22, Uganda 19 in Jammal CAR Div.1A)
Kenya 31, Tunisia 24 in Jammal (CAR Div.1A)
Thailand 42, India 19 in Pattaya (WCQ Asia; Division 1 Playoff)
Mauritius v Reunion in Bambous (Friendly)-Cancelled

Briefly
Zimbabwe becomes the new holder of the Africa Cup, taking the title off Kenya. Kenya won against Tunisia ( a repeat of last years final) sending the North Africans down to Division 1B for 2013.

The Divisions for 2013 in 1A and 1B look like this
CAR Division 1A
Zimbabwe
Uganda
Kenya
Madagascar

CAR Division 1B
Tunisia
Namibia
Senegal
One team promoted from CAR Division 1C 2012

CAR Division 1C kicks off in Gaborone next Sunday 22 July
The teams are…
Botswana (Hosts)
Cameroun
Zambia
Ivory Coast
Mauritius
Nigeria

In the other game Thailand will play in Asia Nations Division 1 for 2013 after defeating India 42-19 (I was spot on with my prediction) whilst India remains in Division 3 and are out of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

INTERNATIONAL TEST RUGBY RESULTS SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER

12.11.2011
Kenya 16, Tunisia 7 in Nairobi (Africa Cup 1A, Final)
Germany 23, Netherlands 7 in Hannover (ENC 1B)
Poland 17, Moldova 17 in Chisinau (ENC 1B)
Switzerland 27, Serbia 19 in Monthey (ENC 2B)
Andorra 15, Slovenia 6 in Ljubliana (ENC 2B)
Greece 16, Finland 6 in Athens (ENC 2D)

Briefly
Kenya took out the 2011 Africa Cup in Nairobi. Morocco and Namibia no-showed. The result does not, to be fair, reflect the true strength of African rugby. CAR certainly have some on-going problems getting teams to tournaments.

Kenya, Africa Cup winners for 2011. Image thanks to CAR website.

In ENC 1B, Poland and Moldova slugged out a 17-17 draw which doesn’t help either in their chase of Belgium.

In the other ENC 1B game, Germany defeated Netherlands 23-7. Netherlands look destined to be relegated. On the German team effort. ‘More of the same old it seems. Bad decision making, place kicking and ill discipline let them down. It's a win but without the bonus point. Unfortunately the team picked up a few injuries (Armitage, Jordaan, Kasten, Pyrasch).’ from ‘Karmakoma’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3938

Germany too good for Netherlands. Image thanks to http://www.totalrugby.de

In ENC 2B, Switzerland won a hard-fought game at home against Serbia to cement their place at the top of the table.

Also in ENC 2B, Andorra had to struggle to defeat Slovenia at home. Andorra lead 15-0 at halftime but the home team came back strongly in the second half.

Finally, in ENC 2D, Greece had to work hard against the visiting Finns for their win. The score was 3-3 at half time but Greece were stronger in the second half, scoring 2 tries to nil.

 
Greece defeated Finland 15-6 in Athens. Images thanks to rugbynews.gr

AFRICA CUP TEST RUGBY: Final in Nairobi

12.11.2011
Tunisia v Kenya in Nairobi (Africa Cup 1A, Final)

Venue: EURFU Ground

Referee:

Preview
This was to be a four-team tournament. Unfortunately, firstly Namibia, and then, Morocco, withdrew for various reasons. In Namibia’s case it was both financial and the resignation of the RFU committee.

Although unannounced, the Tunisian squad is made up of amateurs, 11 from France and 11 local.

‘Head coach Michael “Tank” Otieno has handed KCB and Lions fullback Matthew Musita his first international capping after the 17-year-old was named in the final squad off 22 players to face Tunisia in the Africa Cup clash on Saturday at the RFUEA grounds.

The call-up was good news for the talented Form Three student at St. Paul’s Amukura High School in Teso County who abandoned basketball for rugby.

Otieno also recalled Cheetahs/Nondies’ scrum half Charles “Akaranga” Kanyi after a two-year absence and KCB/Lions loose lock Dennis Mwanja for the tie that doubles up for the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) Cup. Rhinos/Quins winger Victor Sudi will captain the team.’

The Kenyan’s have the advantage of playing together in 2011 for the Victoria Cup. Tunisia has been based in France playing local teams for much of October.

Last Five Encounters
02.08.2008 Tunisia 44-15 in Tunis (WCQ Africa, R1, Pool C)
23.09.2006 Tunisia 31-12 in Tunis (WCQ Africa R2, Group B; Africa Cup Grp B)
10.06.2006 Kenya 25-21 in Nairobi (WCQ Africa R2, Group B; Africa Cup Grp B)
21.05.2005 Kenya 37-15 in Nairobi (CAR Div.1, Pool C)
20.09.1997 Tunisia 52-5 in Tunis (WCQ Africa Round B)

The 1997 match was the first between these two nations. Tunisia has never won in Nairobi.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Africa Table-Tunisia 4th, Kenya 6th

IRB Ranking Points
Tunisia 52.24, Kenya 49.18

Prediction: Tunisia by 5 points

Teams

Kenya Squad
Joel Nganga - UAP Rhinos
Vincent Ongera - UAP Rhinos
Dennis Karani - SDV Cheetahs
Anthony Mutai - UAP Rhinos
Ronnie Mwenesi – Lions
Duncan Ekasi - SDV Cheetahs
Andrew Amonde – Lions
Brian Okwomi - Nguvu Sharks
Charles Kanyi - SDV Cheetahs
Linus Simiyu - SDV Cheetahs
Victor Sudi - UAP Rhinos [Captain]
Patrice Agunda - UAP Rhinos
Anthony Nyandigisi - SDV Cheetahs
Vincent Mose - SDV Cheetahs
Mathew Musita – Lions
Curtis Lilako – Lions
Daniel Kiptoo - UAP Rhinos
Dennis Mwanja – Lions
Kevin Umbuge - SDV Cheetahs
Peter Mutai – Lions
Isaac Adimo - UAP Rhinos
Kelvin Omiyo - UAP Rhinos

Head Coach: Michael Otieno -

Adapted from http://www.kenyarfu.com

See also: http://www.nation.co.ke/sports/rugby/Ta ... index.html

And thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3660&start=255

Tunisian Squad not available