TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: 1-2-3 November

01.11.2013
Poland v Sri Lanka in Colombo (IRB Serendib Tri-Nations)

02.11.2013
England v Australia at Twickenham
New Zealand v Japan in Tokyo
Ukraine v Sweden in Kiev (WCQ Europe R4: ENC 1B)
Belgium v Tunisia in Tubize (Friendly)
Lithuania v Malta in (Vilnius) (ENC 2A)
Croatia v Switzerland in Split (ENC 2A)
Denmark v Israel in Odense (ENC 2B)

03.11.2013
New Zealand Maoris v Canada in Toronto

Briefly
The crazy world of test rugby in November begins on Saturday with the England-Australia test kicking off at Twickenham. New Zealand plays Japan in Japan on their way to Europe. Belgium plays Tunisia in a friendly whilst the other games are all ENC matches.

I will be away on a short holiday this weekend. The next update will be Monday evening.

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: Friday 1 Nov-Sunday 3 Nov.

01.11.2013
Poland v Sri Lanka in Colombo (IRB Serendib Tri-Nations)

02.11.2013
England v Australia at Twickenham
New Zealand v Japan in Tokyo
Ukraine v Sweden in Kiev (WCQ Europe R4: ENC 1B)
Lithuania v Malta in (?) (ENC 2A)
Croatia v Switzerland in Split (ENC 2A)
Denmark v Israel in (?) (ENC 2B)

03.11.2013
New Zealand Maoris v Canada in Toronto

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 26 October

26.10.2013
Germany 28, Ukraine 16 inKomsomolsk (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Madagascar 17, Sri Lanka 12 in Colombo (IRB Serendib Tri-Nations)
Netherlands 52, Israel 8 in Netanya (WCQ Europe R3 Playoff)
Andorra 22, Latvia 19 in Riga (ENC 2B)
Hungary 35, Slovenia 3 in Esztergom (Venue TBA) (ENC 2C)

MADAGASCAR v SRI LANKA: IRN Serendib Tri-Nations

26.10.2013

Venue: Colombo Racecourse Ground

Referee:

Preview
This tournament is another Cross-Continental clash of nations who have a similar IRB ranking. We have seen in 2012 such tournaments in Namibia and for the last two years in the United Arab Emirates. The other nation competing is Poland. That means Europe, Africa and Asia are represented.

The IRB Ranking points are Poland 55.64, Sri Lanka 49.88 and Madagascar 48.04.

Needless to say that none of these nations has played the other previously. All three nations are in which a chance still to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Madagascar were promoted to the Africa Cup 1A division in 2012 and retained its place in that division in 2013, losing to Zimbabwe 18-38 but defeating Uganda 48-32. By remaining in Division 1A they have a chance at grabbing the Africa 2 place at the World Cup Finals.

Sri Lanka were promoted to Asia 5 Nations in 2014 after emphatically winning the Asia Nations Division 1 this year, defeating Chinese Taipei 39-8, Thailand 45-7 and Kazakhstan 49-18. By this promotion they now have a chance at obtaining the Asia 2 position.

Poland plays in the European Nations Cup Division 1B which is the second Tier in European rugby. They are at present battling for the top place in ENC 1B which would mean a World Cup playoff against either Netherlands or Israel.

So to this match. It will be difficult to predict but the home side will have a definite advantage.On paper neither side has been able to call upon their full squad for this tournament so it could go either way.

Prediction: Sri Lanka by 7 points

TEAMS

Sri Lanka Squad

Front Row
Namal Rajapaksa (Navy SC) (Captain)
Eranga Swarnathilake (Navy SC)

Achala Perera (Kandy SC)

Bilal Hassan (Navy SC)

Henry Terance (Havelock SC)

Ananda  Jayalal (Army SC)

Duminda Pullikuttiarachi (Navy SC)

Dushmantha Priyadarshana (Havelock SC)

 

Second Row

Hasitha Perera (Up Country Lions)

Sajith Saranga (Navy SC)

Sathya Ranatunga (Navy SC)

 

Flankers

Sharo Fernando (Havelock SC)

Danushka Perera (Navy SC)

Ishan Noor (Colombo Rugby & Football Club)

Rohitha Rajapaksa (Navy SC)

 

Scrum Halves

Rehan Weerakoon (Navy SC)

Kavindu de Costa (?)

 

Fly Halves

Niroshan Fernando (Havelock SC)

Fazil Marija (Kandy SC)

Dave Anand (Navy SC)

 

Centers

Lavanka Perera (?)

Dinusha Chathuranga (Navy SC)

Pradeep Liyanage (Kandy SC)

Lee  Keegal (?)

 

Wingers

Sadun Herath (Havelock SC)

Chamara Dabare (Havelock SC)

 

Fullback
Riza Mubarak  (Navy SC)                

Nuwan Hettiarachi (Kandy SC)

 

Adapted from http://www.rugby.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=421:sl-squad-announced&catid=28:serendib-cup&Itemid=352 and http://www.rugby.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=373&Itemid=345

Madagascar Squad

Marson Vonjiniaina Andriamananjara (FT Manjakaray)
Christian Andrianjaka (US Ankadifotsy)
Nirina Jacky Bayard (Iarivo RC)
José Rakoto Harison (3FB)
Juliot Mahavy (UASC)
Dimbiniaina Jean Willy Rabemanjara (UASC)
Romuald Rafaralahy (3FB)
Michale Raharijaona (TFM Ankasina)
Serge Rajoelina (FT Manjakaray)
Benjaniaina Rakotoarivelo (TFM Ankasina)
Hasina Rakotoarivelo (US Ikopa)
Alain Rakotonirina (3FB)
Tolotra Mampionontsoa Rakotoson (COSFA)
Deraniaina Rakotozafy (STM)
Tolotra Ramaromiantso (3FB)
Rodolphe Randriamanantena (COSFA)
Guy Rolland Randriamiarana (US Ikopa)
Tahiana Hery Zo Randrianarisoa (3FB)
Haja Randrianambinina (3FB)
Herizo Rasoanaivo (Iarivo RC)
Tiana Nirina Ravelomanantsoa (Iarivo RC)
Tolotra Claudio Ravelonomenjanahary (US Ankadifotsy)
Bernard Razafindranaivo (3FB)
Maminandrasana Solomampionona  (US Ankadifotsy)

3FB = Ministère de la Santé et du Planning
COSFA = Club Omnisports des Forces Armées

 

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: Saturday 26 October

26.10.2013
Ukraine v Germany in Kharkov (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Madagascar v Sri Lanka in Colombo (IRB Serendib Tri-Nations)
Netherlands v Israel in Netanya (WCQ Europe R3 Playoff)
Latvia v Andorra in Riga (ENC 2B)
Hungary v Slovenia in Hungary (Venue TBA) (ENC 2C)

Briefly
The big game this weekend is the Netherlands-Israel clash in a World Cup qualifier. Israel are the hosts and are not without a chance. The Netherland’s IRB Ranking points are 51.53 whilst Israel is not far behind at 46.84. The winner progresses to play the winner of WCQ Europe Round 4.

And speaking of Round 4 in the World Cup qualifying, Germany will face Ukraine away.

Another IRB cross-continental tournament gets underway in Sri Lanka. Poland and Madagascar will travel to Sri Lanka for a week-long tournament.

In other ENC matches Latvia face Andorra at home in Division 2B whilst Slovenia travel to Hungary in their Division 2C match.