ASIA NATIONS TEST RUGBY: Division 5

30.06.2012
Laos v Cambodia in Phnom Phen (Asia Nations Div.5; Mekong Cup)

Venue:

Referee:

Preview
Laos comes into this game on the back of a huge 70-7 win over Brunei on Thursday. Brunei defeated Cambodia 19-15 in a hard fought tournament opener but the Cambodians have had more time to recover. I can see this being a close game.

The game also doubles as a Mekong Cup clash, held between Laos and Cambodia. Laos holds the cup as the scored a better aggregate over the two test matches.

The Mekong Cup was first played for in 2008. Laos won it the first year, Cambodia in 2009, but Laos has prevailed in the last two years.

Last Five Encounters
30.07.2011 Laos 14-7 in Vientiane (Mekong Cup)
16.07.2011 Laos 21-19 in Phnom Phen (Mekong Cup)
26.06.2010 Laos 12-3 in Phnom Phen (Asia Reg.Tournament; Mekong Cup)
15.05.2010 Laos 16-14 in Vientiane (Mekong Cup)
23.05.2009 Cambodia 26-8 in Phnom Phen (Mekong Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Laos 18th, Cambodia 19th

IRB Ranking points do not apply as neither nations is on the IRB rankings.

Prediction: Laos by 3 points

Teams are not available

WEEKEND TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 29-30 July

30.07.2011
New Zealand 40, South Africa 7 in Wellington (Tri Nations)
Laos 14, Cambodia 7 in Vientiene (Mekong Cup)-unconfirmed score
Mali 13, Niger 3 in Bamako (CAR Africa Cup Division 2, North, Final)
Burkino Faso 15, Ghana 3 in Bamako (CAR Africa Cup Division 2, North, Playoff 3^rd-4th)
Mali ‘A’ 3, Benin 0 in Bamako (CAR Africa Cup Division 2, North, Playoff 5^th-6^th)
Chad 13, Togo 0 in Bamako (CAR Africa Cup Division 2, North, Playoff 7^th-8^th)

29.07.2011
Mauritius 41, Nigeria 12 in Johannesburg (CAR Division 1D, Final)
Tanzania and Swaziland withdrew

Briefly
South Africa were severely bounced by the All Blacks on Saturday but nobody really seems to be too worried in the Republic. 21 top players are out of the ‘rehab’ and ready to take on Australia and New Zealand at home. Hmmmmmmm.

Laos retained the Mekong Cup although score is yet to be confirmed. They obviously won but the score is uncertain.

Mali are the reigning CAR Division 2, North champion. I’m not sure where that takes them. With some considerable luck they may get to meet the winner of CAR Division 2, South.

Finally on Friday Nigeria re entered the test rugby arena after a few very wobbly administrative years out of circulation. They lost but it’s good to see them back.

RUGBY TEST MATCH: Mekong Cup Laos v Cambodia

The Mekong Cup is the symbol of rugby supremacy between Cambodia and laos. The Cup began in 2008. This is the first year that both matches are being played away from other regional tournaments. Laos and Cambodia were originally to play in Asia Nations Division 5, with Brunei and Mongolia. The last two teams pulled out.

30.07.2011
Cambodia v Laos in Vientiane (Mekong Cup)

Venue: Chao Anouyong Stadium

Preview
Laos, the Cup holder, won the first leg 21-19 in Cambodia earlier in the month. This gives them a vital 2 point lead on aggregate going into the second leg which is played in Laos.

More previews here plus a summary of the first game  http://laorugby.com/Lao_Rugby_Federation/Mekong_Cup_2011.html

From Cambodia http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2011072950704/Sport/cup-hangs-in-the-balance.html

Previous Encounters
16.07.2011 Laos 21-19 in Phnom Phen (Mekong Cup)
26.06.2010 Laos 12-3 in Phnom Phen (Asia Regional; Mekong Cup)
15.05.2010 Laos 16-14 in Vientiene (Mekong Cup)
23.05.2009 Cambodia 24-8 in Phnom Phen (Mekong Cup)
28.03.2009 Laos 8-3 in Savannakhet (Asia Regional; Mekong Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Laos 18th, Cambodia 20th

No IRB Ranking Points

Prediction: Laos by 14 points

Teams

Laos squad

FORWARDS (from):
Phanavanh BOUTTHAVONG
Damlongsack CHANTHASOUK
Phetthanousone CHITTHAPHONG
Soukhata CHALUNGLANGSY
Phayphisit MANISENG
Garry WRIGHT
Somphone VONGVILAY
Somxainoy PHOKHAM
Phouphet PHOTTHAVONG
Sompavanh KHETTIYA
Matsumoto HIDEAKI
Ekkasan SENGCHANPHENG
Phonphasit SANSAIYA
Mit Oudone KEOHANAM

BACKS (from):
Vannaxay SOMSUTHI
Chris MASTAGLIO
Thit Outhone THIRAKHOUN
Pisa VONGDEUANPHENG
Saysana VINAVONG
Soukthavi SOULIYACHACK
Savanhxay XAYYASONE
Phoudthasi THAMMAVONG
Phakkham SENSOULIVONG
William LUANGRATH
http://laorugby.com/Lao_Rugby_Federatio ... _2011.html

Cambodian Squad not available

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND 30 JULY

30.07.2011
South Africa v New Zealand in Wellington (Tri Nations)
Cambodia v Laos in Vientiene (Mekong Cup)
Mali v Niger in Bamako (CAR Africa Cup Division 2, North, Final)
Ghana v Burkino Faso in Bamako (CAR Africa Cup Division 2, North, Playoff 3^rd-4th)
Mali ‘A’ v Benin in Bamako (CAR Africa Cup Division 2, North, Playoff 5^th-6^th)
Chad v Togo in Bamako (CAR Africa Cup Division 2, North, Playoff 7^th-8^th)

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 16 July

16.07.2011
Uganda 32, Kenya 18 in Kampala (Victoria Cup, Elgon Cup)

Laos 21, Cambodia 19 in Phnom Phen (Mekong Cup)
Point scoring details at http://twitter.com/#!/Laorugby

Briefly
Uganda caused a major upset by toppling neighbours Kenya at home. Uganda very nearly scored a better aggregate, Kenya finally taking the Elgon Cup 45-42. The result also handed Zimbabwe the Victoria Cup, Kenya needing to win today to have a chance.

Laos, up 13-5 at halftime, had to withstand a Cambodian comeback to hold on to win the first leg of the Mekong Cup. They go into the second leg, to be held in Vientiane 30 July, with a 2 point lead.

TEST RUGBY: Mekong Cup

16.07.2011
Laos v Cambodia in Phnom Phen (Mekong Cup)

Venue: RCAF Old Stadium

Preview
For the first time the Mekong Cup is being contested as a separate competition, away from Asian regional or division fixtures. Originally set down as Asia Nations Division 5, Brunei and Mongolia withdrew, leaving Laos and Cambodia to play international test rugby in 2011.

Laos is the present holder of the Cup, winning both test matches last year. The Cup is decided on points aggregate over the two matches.

Previous Winners
2008-Laos
2009-Cambodia
2010-Laos

Last Five Encounters
26.06.2010 Laos 12-3 in Phnom Phen (Asia Regional; Mekong Cup)
15.05.2010 Laos 16-14 in Vientiene (Mekong Cup)
23.05.2009 Cambodia 24-8 in Phnom Phen (Mekong Cup)
28.03.2009 Laos 8-3 in Savannakhet (Asia Regional; Mekong Cup)
12.07.2008 Laos 33-0 in Djakarta (Asia Regional; Mekong Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Laos 18th, Cambodia 20th

IRB Rankings do not apply

Prediction: Cambodia by 7 points

Teams

Laos
15. Anousith Chaleunsouk
14. Thit Outhone Thirakhoune
13. Saysana Vinavong
12. Pisa Vongdeuangpheng
11. Soukthavi Souliyachack
10. Chris Mastaglio
9. Vannaxay Somsuthi
8. Phouphet Phoutthavong
7. Somsay Phokham
6. Somphone Vongvilay
5. Phayphisit Maniseng
4. Garry Wright
3. Phettanousone Chittaphong
2. Damlongsack Chanthasouk
1. Phanavanh Bouuthavong, Capt.
Replacements
16. Sompavanh Khettiya
17. Matsumoto Hideaki
18. Ekkasan Sengchanpheng
19. Mit Oudone Keohanam
20. Phonphasit Sansaiya
21. Savanhxay Xayyasone
22. Phoudthasi Thammavongsa

Head Coach: Ian Melhuish

Cambodia Squad
Chro Kim Seng (Sisowath Knights)
Koeut Sovan Raksmey (S Knights)
Mom Samrach (S Knights)
Tun Sopha (PSE Garudas)
Nong Sovanrado (S Knights)
Ut Vuthy (PSE Garudas)
Vong Vannak (PSE Garudas)
Dan Wetherall (S Knights)
Phorn Bophan (PSE Garudas)
Pich Ratana, Capt. (PSE Garudas)
Mout Sarom (Stade Khmer)
Luke Wilkie (Sisowath Knights)
Khoeun Sangsa (Stade Khmer)
Dul Khemrin (Stade Khmer)
Nhab Rotha (PSE Garudas)
Uk Dara (PSE Garudas)
Dul Khemararaingsey (S Knights)
Pen Sophea (Stade Khmer)
Loem Bonpuv (PSE Garudas)
Em Ratana (Stade Khmer)
Lach Sopeara (PSE Garudas)
Man Salida (Stade Khmer)
Head Coach; Richard Flanagan

ASIA REGIONAL RUGBY TOURNAMENT

26.06.2010
Laos v Cambodia in Phnom Phen

Venue: Royal Cambodian AF Stadium

Referee:

Preview
Cambodia lost the opening game of this tournament to Brunei last Sunday. Laos defeated Brunei fairly easily Wednesday by 23-5. Laos will be the favourites to win this tournament on those results. However, Cambodia is playing at home. They also lost by only two points in the first match against Laos, in Vientiane back in late May. Laos may well find the Cambodians a handful in this test match which is also the return Mekong Cup fixture. Cambodia holds the Mekong Cup although Laos holds a two point aggregate advantage.

Last Five Encounters
15.05.2010 Laos 16-14 in Vietiane (Mekong Cup)
23.05.2009 Cambodia 24-8 in Phnom Phen (Mekong Cup)
28.03.2009 Laos 8-3 in Savannakhet (Asia Regional Tourn., Mekong Cup)
12.07.2008 Laos 33-0 in Jakarta (Asia Regional Tourn., Mekong Cup)
31.05.2008 Laos 15-14 in Vientiane (Mekong Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Laos 18th, Cambodia 20th
IRB Rankings do not apply

Prediction: Laos by 14 points

Teams

Laos
15 Anousith Chaleunsouk
14 Gregory Pham
13 Thit Outhone Thirakoun
12 Saysana Vinavong
11 Phakkham Sengsouliving
10 Chris Mastaglio
9 Savannhxay Xayyasone
8 Lee Sheridan
7 Somphone Vongvilay
6 Phouphet Phouttavong
5 Garry Wrigh
4 Phayphisit Maniseng
3 Phettanousone Chitthaphong
2 Damlongsak
1 Phanavan Boutthavong
Replacements
16 Soubin Phensomphu
17 Ekkasan Sengchanpheng
18 Anousith Phaipanya
19 Mit Oudone Keohanam
20 Matsumoto Hideaki
21 Soukthavi Souliyachack
22 Vannaxay Somsuthi
Head Coach: Maloo

4 players making test debut but which 4 not known.

http://www.laorugby.com/Lao_Rugby_Federation/A5N_2010_23_June.html

Cambodia Squad not available

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 15 May

15.05.2010
Japan 101, Kazakhstan 7 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia R2; Asia5Nations)
Slovenia 14, Denmark 12 in Ljubliana (ENC 3B)
Austria 19, Hungary 17 in Vienna (ENC 3B)
Laos 16, Cambodia 14 in Vientiane (Mekong Cup)

Briefly
Kazakhstan shipped a huge cricket score against Japan. A disaster for Kazakhstan rugby. They are not up to Rugby World Cup finals standard on that performance. My money for the 2nd Asia spot is now on Hong Kong. Next weekend's Korea v Kazakhstan will be interesting. How the Kazahks do and how Hong Kong deals with japan will determine 2nd place.

Slovenia pipped Denmark in the dying stages of this match keeping Slovenia's hopes of promotion well and truly alive. After Austria's shock 19-17 win over leaders Hungary all Slovenia has to do against Norway next weekend is win and they are in. Hungary must be wondering what they have to do to win in Vienna (They lost 6-9 back in 2008 under exact same circumstances).

TEST RUGBY COMING UP

13.05.2010
CONSUR A tournament begins Thursday in Santiago, Chile
Brazil v Uruguay
Paraguay v Chile

14.05.2010
Korea v Arabian Gulf in Dubai (WCQ Asia R2; Asia5Nations)
Lebanon v Jordan in Dubai (Friendly, first test match for both nations, curtain raiser to above)

15.05.2010
Japan v Kazakhstan in Tokyo (WCQ Asia R2; Asia5Nations)
Denmark v Slovenia in Ljubliana (ENC 3B)
Austria v Hungary in Vienna (ENC 3B)
Laos v Cambodia in Vientiane (Mekong Cup)

16.05.2010
Second round of CONSUR B in Santaigo, Chile
Paraguay v Uruguay
Chile v Brazil

Rugby Result: Brunei defeats Cambodia

25.03.2009
Brunei 21, Cambodia 10 in Savannakhet (Asia Regions 1)

Brunei defeated Cambodia 21-10. The final match on Saturday between Laos and Cambodia also sees the Mekong Cup up for grabs. Laos looks the favoured side going by the lastest results. If Laos wins then they could well qualify for a Division spot in the 2010 Asia Nations tournaments.