TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 25 June

25.06.2011
Zimbabwe 42, Kenya 24 in Harare (Victoria Cup)
Senegal 15, Cameroun 6 in Younde (CAR Div.1B, Final)
Zambia 17, Botswana 12 in Younde (CAR Div.1B, Playoff 3^rd-4th)
China 28, Guam 18 in Jakarta (Asia Nations Div.3, Final)
Indonesia 20, Pakistan 19 in Jakarta (Asia Nations Div.3, Playoff 3^rd-4^th)

Firstly, an apology. I incorrectly listed Uganda as the visiting team to Zimbabwe. No excuses!

Briefly
Zimbabwe now has a strangle hold on the Victoria Cup after easily accounting for Kenya in Harare. Kenya are the current holders of the Cup.

Senegal has gained promotion to CAR Division 1A for 2012 after defeating hosts Cameroun in Younde. Zambia squeezed Botswana out 17-12 to send the ‘Vultures’ packing off to CAR Division 1C for 2012 (that is providing CAR doesn’t change the structure).

China returns to Asia Nations Division 2 for 2012 and celebrate the stop of their decline over the past few years. Pakistan lost by a point to Indonesia but apparently are not relegated according to this… ‘There will be no relegation from this year’s Division III competition’. from http://www.asian5nations.com/node/417, thanks to ‘Paratus’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3675&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=135

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 18 June

18.06.2011
England Saxons 37, Canada 6 in Gloucester (Churchill Cup, Final)
Italy ‘A’ 27,Tonga 18 in Gloucester (Churchill Cup, Playoff 3^rd-4^th)
United States 32, Russia 25 in Gloucester (Churchill Cup, Playoff 5^th-6^th)
Uganda 58, Madagascar 30 in Kampala (CAR Division 1B)
Reunion v Mauritius in Port Louis (Indian Ocean Championship)-no result yet

Briefly
England Saxons took out the Churchill Cup for 2011. Sadly, it has been announced that this will be the final year that the Churchill Cup will be played. It begs the question what happens to test rugby for United States and Canada? Their will certainly be a void in the North American calendar for 2012 unless something happens.

Italy ‘A’ grew in confidence as the tournament progressed. They defeated a disappointing Tong in the 3rd-4th playoff. This was not the top team Tonga could have produced. Many top players were not included in the Churchill Cup squad. It will be interesting to see how many Italians and Tongans from these two teams make the World Cup squads.

The USA finally got a win and left the Russian’s rueing their chances of a win at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The Russians gained confidence as the tournament progressed and would be pleased with some of their performances but losing this final game would be a blow.

Uganda completed Madagascar’s horror run at the CAR Division 1B tournament. Uganda led 48-7 at half time so the ‘Makis’ came back strongly in the second half. According to reports the ‘Makis’ lack height and extra muscle in the forwards but they are all magnificent runners with ball in hand, from 15 to 1. Madagascar survives to play in Division 1B again next year.

The result of the CAR 1B tournament is the Zimbabwe is promoted to CAR Division 1A for 2012. Ivory Coast was an automatic relegation to Division 1C for 2012 as they ‘no showed’ for this tournament.

LATEST TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Wednesday 15 June

My apologies for the lack of previews and reviews of matches. I’m using this holiday time to work on the new RugbyInternational.net web site

15.06.2011
Georgia 14, Argentina Jaguars 13 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
South Africa Kings 27, Romania 24 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
Namibia 29, Portugal 23 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
Zimbabwe 49, Madagascar 0 in Kampala (CAR Division 1B)

TEST RUGBY FIXTURES AHEAD

I regret I am unable to provide previews of test matches over the next week as my focus is to upgrade from the old www.rugbyinternational.net web site over to the new site. Fingers crossed!

15.06.2011
Georgia v Argentina Jaguars in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
Romania v South Africa Kings in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
Portugal v Namibia in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
Zimbabwe v Madagascar in Kampala (CAR Division 1B)