FIJI v IRELAND XV

17.11.2012

Venue: Limerick

Fair amount of controversy over the Irish side to play in this match. The gossip is that Ireland didn’t want to play Fiji in fear that if they lost then they would dip out of the top 8 IRB rankings. The top 8 are seeded for the first allotment of pool teams for the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals. Never mind. Fiji are taking this game seriously. They are awarding ‘test caps’ even if Ireland aren’t.

GWC Rugby Rankings and IRB rankings do not apply.

Prediction: Ireland XV by 7 points

Rugby Test Match: Tongans take on Ireland 'A'

13.11.2009
Tonga v Ireland 'A' in Belfast

Venue: Ravenhill

Referee:

Preview
This may not even be a test match. Players for Ireland 'A' don't receive a test match credit, and usually Tonga will only award a 'cap' for matches against full international IRB rating sides. For example, Tonga does not award 'caps' against New Zealand Maori or Juniors in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Ireland 'A' were the successful 2009 Churchill Cup winners, the tournament held in Denver, USA. What looks like a young Tongan side will struggle against this Irish side.

Previous Encounters
Tonga has only ever played the full Irish side in previous tests
The last time was in 2003 when Ireland won 40-19 in Nuku'alofa, and prior to that in the first Rugby World Cup in 1987. That game was played in Brisbane, with Ireland winning 32-9.

GWC Rugby Rankings do not apply.

Prediction: Ireland 'A' by 20 points.

Teams

Ireland 'A'
15. Gavin Duffy (Connacht)
14. Shane Horgan (Leinster) (capt)
13. Darren Cave (Ulster)
12. Fergus McFadden (Leinster)
11. Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
10. Ian Humphreys (Ulster)
9. Peter Stringer (Munster)
8. Chris Henry (Ulster)
7. Sean O'Brien (Leinster)
6. Neil Best (Northampton Saints, England)
5. Devin Toner (Leinster)
4. Donnacha Ryan (Munster)
3. Mike Ross (Leinster)
2. John Fogarty (Leinster)
1. Brett Wilkinson (Connacht)
Replacements:
16. Denis Fogarty (Munster)
17. Bryan Young (Ulster)
18. Daniel Tuohy (Ulster)
19. Kevin McLaughlin (Leinster)
20. Isaac Boss (Ulster)
21. Ian Keatley (Connacht)
22. Johne Murphy (Leicester Tigers, England)
Head Coach: Michael Bradley

http://www.irishrugby.ie/283_18824.php

Tonga
Vungakoto Filimone Lilo
Latu Nagashima
Alipate Fatafehi
Sukanaivalu Hufanga
Joseph Vaka
Poakikaifano Vakaloa
Kurt Morath
Kilifi Fangupo
Toma Toke
Semisi Telefoni
Mosese Moala
Kelekolio Paino Hehea (capt)
Emosi Kauhenga
Seti Filo
Uelenitoni Fono
Samiu Vahafolau.
Replacements From
Willam Mosaati Hafu
Po'alo'i Taula
Penisimani Fakalelu
Lisiate Faaoso
Rodney Mahe
Mahe Fangupo
Raymond Pierre Hola
Manu 'Ahota'e'iloa
Head Coach: Isitolo Maka

http://www.irishrugby.ie/283_18855.php

Test Rugby Results: Churchill Cup

21.06.2009
Ireland 'A' 49, England Saxons 22 in Denver (Final)
Argentina 'A' 46, Canada 29 in Denver (Playoff 3rd-4th)
United States 31, Georgia 13 in Denver (Playoff 5th-6th)

Reviews
Ireland 'A' surprised everybody by storming home to take the Churchill Cup from England. Argentina 'A' were too good for Canada whilst the USA registered their first win of the season (and for a while) against a disappointing Georgia. The results for Canada and the USA were better than last year's placings, which were 5th-6th respectively.

International Rugby: Churchill Cup

20.06.2009
England Saxons v Ireland 'A' in Denver (Final)


Preview
Both these teams deserve to be in the final. They have consistently put distance between themselves and their opponents who have mostly been full national teams. It must be of concern for the IRB that neither Canada nor the USA figured in this final.

The Saxons will be out to win this tournament for the second year in a row. Ireland 'A' has an unblemished record in its two matches so this final should be a cracker.

Prediction: Saxons by 7

Teams

England Saxons
15 Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)
14 Noah Cato (Saracens)
13 Dominic Waldouck (London Wasps)
12 Brad Barritt (Saracens)
11 Tom Varndell (Leicester Tigers)
10 Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
9 Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons)
8 Luke Narraway (Gloucester Rugby)
7 Ben Woods (Leicester Tigers)
6 Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons, captain)
5 Nick Kennedy (London Irish)
4 Stuart Hooper (Bath Rugby)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
2 Rob Webber (London Wasps)
1 David Flatman (Bath Rugby)
Replacements:
16 Tom Mercey (Saracens)
17 Joe Ward (London Wasps)
18 Dean Schofield (Sale Sharks)
19 Tom Guest (Harlequins)
20 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
21 Danny Cipriani (London Wasps)
22 Shane Geraghty (London Irish)
Head Coach: Stuart Lancaster

Adapted from http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.England_Detail/StoryID/22958

Ireland 'A' team not available at present

Canada v Argentina 'A' in Denver

Preview
Canada won well against Georgia but hten lost the crucial game against Ireland 'A'. Last year they played in the 5th-6th playoff so I guess you could say they have improved. Argentina 'A' pushed the Saxons in their first game and then won comfortable against the USA. This should be another fairly even contest

Prediction: Argentina 'A' by 7

Teams

Canada
15. James Pritchard (Bedford Blues, England)
14. Sean Duke (University of Victoria)
13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
12. Bryn Keys (Moseley, England)
11. Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Cowichan, BC)
10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)
9. Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates, England)
8. Aaron Carpenter (Coventry, England)
7. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers)
6. Stan McKeen (Oxford University, England)
5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens)
4. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers)
3. Dan Pletch (Niagara Thunder)
2. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians)
1. Frank Walsh (Vandals)
Replacements
16. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria)
17. Doug Wooldridge (Cowichan)
18. Stuart Ault (Moseley, England)
19. Chauncey O’Toole (Castaway Wanderers)
20. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria)
21. Dean Van Camp (Velox Valhallians)
22. Phil Mack (James Bay AA)
Coach: Kieran Crowley

Argentina 'A'
15 Lucas Barrera Oro
14 Francisco Merello
13 Matías Viazzo
12 Benjamín Urdapilleta
11 Tomás De Vedia
10 Ignacio Mieres
9 Martín Landajo
8 Tomás Leonardi
7 Leonardo Senatore
6 Alejandro Campos
5 Carlos Cáceres
4 Mariano Sambucetti
3 Pedro Ledesma
2 Agustín Creevy (capitán)
1 Juan Figallo
Replacements
16 Mauricio Guidone
17 Juan Gómez
18 Tomás Roan
19 Agustín Guzmán
20 Francisco Cubelli
21 Horacio San Martín
22 Belisario Agulla
Coaches: José Orengo, Raúl Pérez

Adapted from http://www.uar.com.ar/noticias4.asp?notcod=20090619201117

United States v Georgia in Denver (Playoff for 5th-6th)


Preview
Neither team has played well at this tournament and deserve this placing. It will make for an interesting first-ever encounter between these two nations. With their normal line-up Georgia would win but with some sixteen front-line players not here in Denver I'd expect a more even contest

Prediction: USA by 7

Teams

United States
15 Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)
14 Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz, France)
13 Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma, Italy)
12 Salesi Sika (Agen, France)
11 Colin Hawley (Univ. of California)
10 Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast, Australia)
9 Tim Usasz (Nottingham, England)
8 Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
7 Todd Clever, Capt. (Xerox Lions)
6 J.J. Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town, Sth Africa)
5 John van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)
4 Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club)
3 Shawn Pittman (Bayside)
2 Chris Biller (Univ. of California)
1 Matekitonga Moeakiola (Park City Haggis)
Reserves
16 Joe Welch (Belmont Shore)
17 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England)
18 Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
19 TBA
20 Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
21 Malenese Malifa (Belmont Shore)
22 Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)
Head Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan

Adapted from http://www.gainline.us/

Georgia Squad
Dimitri Bassilaia (Morlass, France) Aged 24, 11 Tests
Jaba Bregvadze () 23, 1 (07-08)
David Dadunashvili (Massy, France) 26, 21
Levan Datunashvili (Aurillac, France) 26, 27
George Elizbarashvili () 25, 16 (07-08)
David Gasviani () 28, 11
Lexo Gugava () 26, 10 (06-07)
Rezo Guigauri () 25, 21 (07-08)
Irakli Gundishvili , New Cap
George Jhghenti () 25, 7 (06-07)
Vassil Kakovini (University) ?, 1 (07-08)
David Katcharava (Enisey STM-Krasnoyarsk) 24, 26
Lasha Khmaladze () 22, 2
Merab Kvirikashvili (Massy, France) 26, 33
Guia Labadze [Capt] 36, 52
Simon Maissuradze (ASM Clermont-Auvergne, France) 22, 8
Zviad Maissuradze () 28, 23 (07-08)
Lasha Malaghuradze (Beziers, France) 23, 15
Irakli Machkhaneli (Agen, France) 28, 32
Irakli Natriashvili (Farul Constanta, Romania) 25, 17
George Nemsadze () 25, 8 (07-08)
Zero Petriashvili , New Cap
George Rokhvadze () 21, 20 (07-08)
Temur Sokhadze () 24, 8- (06-07)
Sandro Todua (Lelos) 22, 10
Kakhaber Uchava (Farul Constanta, Romania) 32, 14
Rati Urushadze [Vice Capt] (Enisey STM-Krasnoyarsk) 34, 36
Charles-Edouard Yachvili *
Head Coach: Tim Lane

Note: Stats as at beginning of tournament
* New cap
Years in () indicates when last played for Georgia
Not all stats complete

Churchill Cup Rugby: Ireland 'A' Makes Final

14.06.2009
Ireland 'A' 40, Georgia 5 in Denver

Review
Ireland 'A' will play England Saxons in the Churchill Cup final on Saturday. Georgia fielded an relatively inexperienced side due to the fact that sixteen top players could not be released from their French clubs.

Other matches on Saturday will be Argentina 'A' v Canada for 3rd-4th, whilst Georgia will face the USA for 5th-6th.

International Rugby Results:Churchill Cup

10.06.2009
Ireland 'A' 30, Canada 19 in Denver
Argentina 'A' 35, United States 14 in Denver

Test Rugby Coming Up 9-10 June

09.06.2009
Mongolia v Uzbekistan in Tashkent (Asia Regions 2)
Jordan v Kyrgyzstan in Tashkent (Asia Regions 2)

10.06.2009
Canada v Ireland 'A' in Denver (Churchill Cup, Pool A) Non-test
United States v Argentina 'A' in Denver (Churchill Cup, Pool B)

Previews
Mongolia and Jordan play their first international test rugby matches in Tashkent. The winner from this tournament will most likely be promoted to a new Asia Nations Division 4 in 2010.

In keeping with its test match policy from the past I expect Canada will not be awarding test caps for this match, important though it may be.

The Canadians got their tournament off to a good start with a convincing 42-10 over a Georgian side missing key players. They will find the Irish tougher. Only three weeks ago Canada lost to the full Irish side 6-25.

In the other Churchill Cup game the USA takes on Argentina 'A'. The USA Eagles will have had to have pulled up well from their heavy loss to Wales on Saturday to be competitive. They will the Jaguars just as tough as the Welsh.

Predictions:
Uzbekistan by 20 v Mongolia
Kygyzstan by 30 v Jordan
Ireland 'A' by 3 v Canada
Argentina 'A' by 15 v USA