Weekend Results 4-5 July

04.07.2009
British and Irish Lions 28, South Africa 9 in Johannesburg (3rd Test)
United States 12, Canada 6 in Charleston (WCQ America R2, 1st Leg)
Philippines 25, Guam in Manilla (Asia Nations Div.4, Final)
Iran 48, Indonesia 13 in Manilla (Asia Nations Div.4, Playoff 3rd-4th)

05.07.2009
Papua New Guinea 29, Cook Islands 21 in Port Moresby

Reviews
Finally and at last the British and Irish lions let loose and won comfortably against a South African side that struggled the whole match. The Springbox 'Second Fifteen', as they were labelled, were not allowed to play their usual game and found a fired-up Lions side determined to take something from this tour. There will be questions about the wisedom of the South African selectors decisions to rest players and to the depth of the South African squad that will face Australia and New Zealand in a few weeks time.

The USA gained the best birthday present ever. A win against canada on the 4th of July! Although no tries were scored it was a entertaining close, physical match. The USA now head for Edmonton, Canada next weekend where they will hope to win and place themselves directly into the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The Philippines won promotion to Asia Nations Division 2 with a convincing 25-0 win against Guam. Iran won 48-13 against Indonesia thus relegating the Indonesians to Division for 2010.

And last but not least Papua New Guinea won the Oceania Zone World Cup qualifier against the Cook Islands. They now head to Apia next weekend for a playoff against Samoa in the first leg of the Oceania R2 final.

Test Rugby. Asia Nations Division 3

04.07.2009
The Final
Guam v Philippines in Manilla

Preview
The host nation staked a claim to the title for this tournament with a convincing 15-0 win mid-week against previously undefeated Iran. Guam were also convincing in their 23-3 win over Indonesia.

Previous Encounters
05.07.2008 Philippines 20-8 in Guam (Asia Regions)
27.06.2007 Philippines 39-3 in Manilla (Asia Nations Div.5)
20.05.2006 Philippines 18-14 in Guam (Asia Tournament Div.5)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Philippines 12th, Guam 17th

Prediction: Philippines by 12 points.

Teams

Guam Squad
Paul Claros (Captain) , Steven Sablan (Vice captain), Anthony "TJ" Ada, Gerard Aguon, John Arceo, Nathan Baza, Edward Calvo, Vinson Calvo, Leonard Calvo, Jeremy Cepeda, Billy Chennaux, Ryan Claros, Paul Eustaquio, Kepueli Katoa, Conrad Kerber, Robert Leon Guerrero, Ryan McManus, Randy Mendiola, Brandon O'Mallan, Earl Pascual, Matthew Sgro, Matthew Toves, Anthony Villena, William Williams.

Coach: William Hetaraka

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index. ... &Itemid=18

and thanks to ‘Quentin’ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3003&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=150

Philippines team not as yet available

Playoff 3rd-4th
Indonesia v Iran in Manilla

Preview
This will be an interesting clash between the world's biggest Muslim nations. Their rugby community is as yet still very small but growing. Iran were undefeated in their short international rugby history until mid-week when they lost 0-15 to hosts Philippines. Indonesia lost 3-23 to Guam also mid-week and I would expect the Iranians to win, sending Indonesia to the 2010 Asia Nations Division 4.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Iran 13th, Indonesia 17th

Prediction: Iran by 28 points

Teams as yet unavailable

International Rugby Matches This Weekend 4 July

04.07.2009
British and Irish Lions v South Africa in Johannesburg (3rd Test)
United States v Canada in Charleston (WCQ America R2, 1st leg)
Guam v Philippines in Manilla (Asia Nations Div.3, Final)
Indonesia v Iran in Manilla (Asia Nations Div.3, 3rd-4th)

05.07.2009
Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands in Port Moresby (WCQ Oceania R1, Final)

Rugby Test Results: Asia Nations Div.3

01.07.2009
Guam 23, Indonesia 3 in Manilla
Philippines 15, Iran 0 in Manilla

Review
Day 1 of this tournament saw Guam win comfortably over Indonesia and the hosts, the Philippines inflict defeat upon Iran, Iran's first test loss.

This means that on Saturday Guam will play Philippines in the final, with the winner progressing to Division 2, and Indonesia to play Iran with the loser moving down to a new Division 4 in 2010.

Test Rugby: Philippines play Iran

01.07.2009
Iran v Philippines in Manilla (Asia Nations Division 3)

Preview
The second match in this tournament sees relatively newcomers Iran up against the home side, the Philippines.

Last year Iran defeated both Uzbekistan and Krygyzstan in a regional tournament played in Beshkek. As a result Iran was invited into Division 3. The Philippines made this grade by also bein undefeated against Brunei and Guam in Guam.

The winner of this match will play the winner of the Guam-Indonesia match.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-Iran 12th, Philippines 15th

Prediction: Home crowd will be a huge advantage but I expect the heavier Iranian team to pull through. Iran to win by 7 points.

Teams are not yet available.

Test Rugby: Mid-week Matches

01.07.2009
Guam v Indonesia in Manilla (Asia Nations Division 3)
Philippines v Iran in Manilla (Asia Nations Division 3)

02.07.2009
Tonga v Junior All Blacks in Suva (Pacific Nations Cup)

03.07.2009
Fiji v Japan in Suva (Pacific Nations Cup)