11.06.2015
World XV v South Africa in Capetown (Non test)
Fiji v New Zealand Maori in Suva (Friendly)
Namibia v Russia in Windhoek (1st test)
Ivory Coast v Senegal in Kampala (Africa Cup 1B)
Uganda v Botswana in Kampala (Africa Cup 1B)
Madagascar v Mauritius in Kampala (Africa Cup 1B)
Regret unable to review test rugby this weekend due to other commitments.
21.06.2015
Spain v Namibia in Bucharest (Nations Cup)
Argentina XV v Romania in Bucharest (Nations Cup)
Georgia v Emerging Ireland in Tbilisi (Tbilisi Cup)
Uruguay v Emerging Italy in Tbilisi (Tbilisi Cup)
Zambia v Nigeria in Lusaka (Africa Cup, 1C)
16.04.2015
Iran v Jordan in Beriut (ARC Div.3, West)
18.04.2015
Japan v Korea in Seoul (Asia Rugby Championship, Top 3)
Uruguay v Brazil in Montevideo (CONSUR A)
Poland v Belgium in Brussels (REC 1B)
Malta v Israel in Netanya (REC 2A)
Croatia v Switzerland in Monthey (REC 2A)
Austria v Serbia in Serbia (REC 2C)
Luxembourg v Slovenia in Ljubliana (REC 2C)
Br. Virgin Is. v St Vincent & Gren. in Kingstown (NACRA Carib.Cup, South)
Bahamas v Turks & Caicos Is in Providenciales (NACRA Carib. Cup, North)
28.03.2015
Sweden v Belgium in Brussels (REC 1B)
29.03.2015
Cyprus v Hungary in Hungary (REC 2B)
All this weekend’s games will receive less coverage than normal due to other commitments I have.
21.03.2015
Wales v Italy in Rome (6 Nations)
Ireland v Scotland at Murrayfield (6 Nations)
France v England at Twickenham (6 Nations)
Georgia v Romania in Bucharest (REC 1A)
Portugal v Russia in Sochi (REC 1A)
Germany v Spain in Madrid (REC 1A)
Cayman Islands v USA South in Atlanta (Caribbean Champ., North)
Trinidad Tobago v Barbados in St Michael (Caribbean Champ.,South)
Bermuda v Bahamas in Nassau (Caribbean Cup, North)
St Vincent & Grenadines v St Lucia in TBA (Caribbean Cup, South)
29.11.2014
South Africa v Wales in Cardiff
Australia v England at Twickenham
Brazil v Paraguay in Sao Jose Dos Campos
Briefly
South Africa and Australia come to the end of their Northern Tours, with neither having the happiest of times. Both test matches will be especially important as all four teams will want to salvage something ahead of next years Rugby World Cup.
Predictions:
Wales by 5 v South Africa
England by 4 v Australia
Brazil by 3 v Paraguay
21.11.2014
Fiji v United States in Vannes
22.11.2014
New Zealand v Wales in Cardiff
Argentina v France in Paris
Australia v Ireland in Dublin
South Africa v Italy in Padova
Samoa v England at Twickenham
Tonga v Scotland in Kilmarnock
Romania v Canada in Bucharest
Portugal v Namibia in Lisbon
Moldova v Sweden in Chisinau (ENC 1B)
Brazil v Uruguay ‘A’ in Volta Redonda
23.11.2014
Japan v Georgia in Tbilisi
South Africa by 6 v England
Australia by 6 v France
New Zealand by 12 v Scotland
Wales by 4 v Fiji
Tonga by 5 v USA
Japan by 6 v Romania
Russia by 18 v Hong Kong
Moldova by 9 v Poland
Belgium by 12 v Ukraine
Latvia by 6 v Cyprus
NZ Heartland by 50 v Cook Islands
14.11.2014
Samoa v Canada in Vannes
French Barbarians v Namibia in Toulon (non-test)
New Zealand Heartland XV v Cook Islands in Rarotonga (2nd test)
15.11.2014
South Africa v England at Twickenham
Australia v France in Paris
New Zealand v Scotland at Murrayfield
Argentina v Italy in Genoa
Fiji v Wales in Cardiff
Tonga v United States in Gloucester
Romania v Japan in Bucharest
Russia v Hong Kong in Hong Kong (2nd test)
Moldova v Poland in Chisinau (ENC 1B)
Ukraine v Belgium in Irpin (ENC 1B)
16.11.2014
Georgia v Ireland in Dublin
07.11.2014
Canada v Namibia in Colwyn Bay
08.11.2014
New Zealand v England at Twickenham
Australia v Wales in Cardiff
South Africa v Ireland in Dublin
Argentina v Scotland at Murrayfield
Fiji v France in Marseilles
Italy v Samoa in Ascoli Piceno
New Zealand Maori v Japan in Tokyo
Tonga v Georgia in Tbilisi
Romania v United States in Bucharest
Russia v Hong Kong in Hong Kong
Moldova v Ukraine in Chisinau (ENC 1B)
Czech Republic v Malta in Prague (ENC 2A)
Croatia v Israel in Croatia (ENC 2A)
Luxembourg v Austria in Luxembourg (ENC 2C)
Briefly
This is the first of three huge test rugby weekends in November. Sadly it is also my busiest time of the year with school work. One of these days, when I retire’, I’ll be able to cover November tests fully.
The Southern Hemisphere ‘big names’ do battle aginst their Northern counterparts. After an historic warm up match against the USA New Zealand gets down to business against England at Twickenham.Australia face perennial foe Wales (again!), South Africa face up to Ireland whist Argentina face Scotland. Ireland and Wales could cause upsets.
To the next tier of test rugby. France should account for Fiji but Samoa could repeat their June victory over Italy. The New Zealand Maori should easily account for Japan but expect an improved showing from the Japanese.
Tonga face Georgia in Tbilisi in what should be an enthralling and bruising encounter. Romania and the USA square off in Bucharest. USA’s recent test against the All Blacks should have them well prepared.
In an interesting cross-continental clash Russia take on Hong Kong in the first of two tests in Hong Kong.
The European Nations Cup competition continues whilst the big guns of world rugby square off. The always improving Moldova takes on the Ukraine in what should be an even contest. The Czech Republic should win at home against Malta. Israel could struggle away against Croatia whilst Luxembourg could have the edge against Austria at home.
A bucket load of test rugby awaits us this weekend.
25.10.2014
Switzerland v Israel in Netanya (ENC 2A)
Lithuania v Hungary in Vilnius (ENC 2B)
Thailand v Malaysia in Bangkok (1st Test)
Serbia v Luxembourg in Belgrade (ENC 2C)
Denmark v Slovenia in Odense (ENC 2C)
Turkey v Bosnia Herzegovina in Erdine (ENC 2D)
18.10.2014
New Zealand v Australia in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)
Poland v Netherlands in Watsaw (ENC 1B)
Sweden v Ukraine in Enkoping (ENC 1B)
Andorra v Lithuania in Andorra La Vela (ENC 2B)
Slovenia v Serbia in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
Finland v Norway in Oslo (ENC 2D)
22.06.2014
Georgia v Emerging Italy in Tblisi (IRB Tblisi Cup)
Argentina Jaguars v Spain in Tblisi (IRB Tblisi Cup)
Russia v Uruguay in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
Romania v Emerging Ireland Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
Uzbekistan v Lebanon in Lahore (Asia Nations Div.3, West, Final)
India v Pakistan in Lahore (Asia Nations Div.3, West, Playoff 3rd-4th)
Predictions
Georgia by 6 v Emerging Italy
Jaguars by 43 v Spain
Russia by 9 v Uruguay
Emerging Ireland by 11 v Romania
Lebanon by 3 v Uzbekistan
Pakistan by 7 v India
07.06.2014
France v Australia in Brisbane (1st Test)
South Africa XV v World XV in Capetown (Non test)
England v New Zealand in Auckland (1st test)
Scotland v United States in Houston
Ireland v Argentina in Resistencia (1st test)
Italy v Fiji in Suva
Japan v Canada in Vancouver (Pacific Nations Cup; North Conf.)
Samoa v Tonga in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup; South Conf.)
Austria v Bosnia Herzegovina in Tešanj (ENC 2C-2D Playoff)
Bermuda v Cayman Islands in Hamilton (Caribb. Champ.;League, North)
Guyana v Trinidad Tobago in Georgetown (Caribb. Champ., League, South)
Mexico v Jamaica in Kingston (Caribbean Champ.,Cup, North)
St Vincent & Grenadines v Curacao in Kingstown (Caribb. Champ.,Cup, South)
British Virgin Islands v St Lucia in Tortola (Caribbean Champ., Cup, South)
Briefly
There is the saying about ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen..’. For the international test rugby calendar the month of June is madness but delightful madness. June is one of the windows for international test rugby and so there are dozens of fixtures around the globe.
France, England, Ireland and Wales tour down under whilst Scotland tours Canada, USA and Argentina. Italy tours the Pacific Islands and Japan. In addition Japan, Samoa, Fiji, Canada and the USA play for the Pacific Nations Cup.
Austria and Bosnia Herzegovina play the first of the ENC promotion-relegation playoffs (Latvia and Croatia playoff on 21 June-Denmark forfeited to Hungary) whilst no less than ten Caribbean nations play for their glory in the sun.
It is not possible for me to cover every game in depth. As a school teacher June is an assessment and report writing month (I have the same dilemma in November!) so that has to come first. I hope to cover three games each weekend.
Regret I will not be able to cover any test rugby this weekend. My local rugby club is holding it’s 50th Anniversary celebrations this weekend, starting last night. We feature a whole day of rugby v Hobart Harlequins with whom we share top spot on the points table.
U14’s, U18’s and seniors play at our home ground. Big doo tonight and then family fun day Sunday. Golden Oldies (whose numbers will be swelled after a LOT of beer Saturday night), BBQ etc etc. So that’s me out all weekend.
10.05.2014
Japan v Sri Lanka in Nagoya (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
Korea v Hong Kong in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
Paraguay v Brazil in Asuncion (South American Championship)
Uruguay v Chile in Montevideo (South American Championship)
USA South v Bermuda in ? (NACRA Division 1; North)
Kazakhstan v Chinese Taipei in Hong Kong (Asia Nations Division 1)
Norway v Greece in Bergen (ENC 2D)
Finland v Luxembourg (ENC 2D)
Curacao v St Lucia in ? (NACRA Division 2, South)
Predictions
Japan by 120 v Sri Lanka
Korea by 7 v Hong Kong
Brazil by 7 v Paraguay
Uruguay by 7 v Chile
USA South by 20 v Bermuda
Kazakhstan by 7 v Chinese Taipei
Norway by 3 v Greece
Luxembourg by 15 v Finland
Curacao by 20 v St Lucia
12.04.2014
Moldova v Ukraine in Chisinau (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Netherlands v Croatia in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)
Switzerland v Malta in Winterthur (ENC 2A)
Israel v Andorra in Netanya (ENC 2B)
Serbia v Denmark in Belgrade (ENC 2B)
Hungary v Austria in Esztergom (ENC 2C)
Slovenia v Bulgaria in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
Briefly
The test rugby scene this weekend is solely focused in Europe. None of the games would appear to be crucial to the outcomes of the ENC Divisions involved but some will be interesting all the same.
In ENC 2B the Serbia-Denmark game could well determine which side is relegated to ENC 2C. Both teams are languishing at the bottom of the table.
The Moldova-Ukraine clash is interesting for more than just the outcome. With the upheaval in the Ukraine over the last month there is the possibility they may not field a side. Moldova needs to win and gain a bonus point if they are to have any chance of overtaking table leader Germany.
05.04.2014
Poland v Moldova in TBA (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Germany v Czech Republic in Heidelberg (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Malta v Netherlands in Valetta (ENC 2A)
23.11.2013
New Zealand v Ireland in Dublin
South Africa v France in Paris
Scotland v Australia at Murrayfield
Italy v Argentina in Rome
Samoa v Georgia in Tbilisi
Romania v Fiji in Bucharest
Japan v Spain in Madrid
Portugal v Canada in Lisbon
Russia v United States in London
Andorra v Denmark in Andorra La Vela (ENC 2B)
Slovakia v Turkey in Bratislava (ENC 3)
Regret unable to cover any test matches today due to work committments.
15.11.2013
Portugal v Brazil in Sao Paulo
Russia v Japan in Colwyn Bay
08.11.2013
Zimbabwe v Namibia in Windhoek (IRB Tri-Nations)
09.11.2013
South Africa v Wales in Cardiff
England v Argentina at Twickenham
France v New Zealand in Paris
Samoa v Ireland in Dublin
Italy v Australia in Turin
Canada v Georgia in Tbilisi
New Zealand Maoris v United States in Philadelphia
Fiji v Portugal in Lisbon
Romania v Tonga in Bucharest
Spain v Chile in Santiago
Germany v Poland in Berlin (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Moldova v Sweden in Chisinau (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Malta v Croatia in TBA (ENC 2A)
Netherlands v Lithuania in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)
Slovenia v Cyprus in TBA (ENC 2C)
Luxembourg v Bosnia Herzegovina (ENC 2D)
Briefly
One of the busiest weekends of the test rugby year. It’s also the busiest time of the year for us Australian and New Zealand school teachers. Near the end of the year and report writing time!
It is not going to be possible to cover every test match so I will concentrate on four of the more important games in my opinion.
The four test matches are, France v New Zealand; Canada v Georgia; Romania v Tonga and Germany v Poland. There are many more interesting games I could cover but I’ll try and do justice to these four.
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