Road to the World Cup

[Wolfie33]

Hiya all,
Thought I would try a test run for the upcoming rugger tourney . . .

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[Wolfie33]

Bledisloe Cup Match Saturday 15 August 2015

The AB's welcomed the Aussie's to Eden Park last night and repaid the favour of last week with a wake up call.
Fortress Eden Park is secure !!

Here's my thoughts
The first 20 minutes had me nervous, looked like a a bit of deja vu, a fair bit of twitchy error ridden play.
I was beginning to think our "old" guys were beyond their use by date.
Just as that thought gelled in my mind, the master DC came up with a gem of a step & break to put Dane Coles into a raking run for a try.

Lessons learned:
Don't panic, our "old" guys are just better at picking when to burst into action to effect maximum impact.
Our opposition always come out firing at kick off, I always forget we usually have to spend some time absorbing the pressure & then building a platform of momentum from which to attack.

Observations
Ma'a Nonu is vital for our backline. He consistently gets over the advantage line putting the opposition on the back foot. He is also superb at sniffing out try scoring opportunities.

Half back Smith is superb when he concentrates on his core responsiblities, shifting the ball & marshalling the forwards. His kicking is ponderous & telegraphed, & when under pressure is prone to getting swamped. I see him consistently making 2/3 silly decisions each game. Saturday nights game saw him try a silly behind the back reverse pass & a box kick that gave our guys no chance of challenging for possession, both within metres of the tryline.

Our forwards did a great job, hard to single out anyone in particular, but one has to acknowledge a certain No 7. Richie has performed to such a high standard over such a long period. A knighthood is plainly not enough, maybe a deity ??

Milner-Skudder had a brilliant debut in Aus, 2 tries, and a decent effort in Auck, he looks  totally at home in the AB environment.

Ben Smith amazes me, he's sorta slight, but so strong in the tackle, another vital cog.

Match Report     New Zealand 41-13 Australia: All Blacks run rampant against Wallabies to retain Bledisloe Cup | Live Rugby Match Pack | ESPN Scrum

Match Card     Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - New Zealand v Australia at Auckland

Cheers     

[Martin4Jay]

Up the English 

[Wolfie33]

This years World Cup begins in a little over 3 weeks with 4 pools of 5 teams.

Qualification for this years Cup began in the 2011 tournament.
The top 3 place getters in each pool from 2011 all received automatic berths in 2015, they were . .

Pool A New Zealand France Tonga

Pool B England Argentina Scotland

Pool C Ireland Australia Italy

Pool D South Africa Wales Samoa

Since then, a series of continental regional qualifying tournaments have been held to find the remaing 8 participants.

So, back on 24th March 2012, kicking off the qualifying matches, Mexico hosted Jamaica as part of the NACRA series.
The NACRA series is part of the Americas qualification series, one of many mini series, & all rather convoluted really.
Anyway, Mexico thumped Jamaica 68-14 and Jamaica were eliminated, and on it went !!

Nations involved were                
Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Columbia, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, USA, & Venezuela.

So, after 26 games and nearly 18 months later . . . .
Canada and the USA had a home & away series to establish direct entry to the cup.
Canada won away at Charleston 27-9 & then just got home at Toronto in the return match 13-11.

So, Canada won direct entry to the cup as America 1.
And the USA had another chance in a repecharge against Uruguay to decide who qualified as America 2.

The USA team travelled to Montevideo on 22 March 2014 to face Uruguay & came away with a 27 all draw.
The return match in Georgia saw the USA winning comfortably 32-13 & securing the America 2 qualifying spot.

So Canada & the USA secured berths in World Cup 2015.

It wasn't yet over for Uruguay as they have one more chance in a repecharge against the winner of Asia 2.

For those interested, there is more info at . .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Americas_qualification

Cheers     

[Wolfie33]

The Asian qualification games kicked off on 15th April 2012,
with Chinese Taipei facing Sri Lanka in Manilla, Sri Lanka prevailing 36-8.
Again, a series of mini competions ensued with divisional winners being promoted
to contest at the next level, and so on.

Nations involved were . .
China, Chinese Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea,
Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, & UAE.

So, after 31 games and some 2 years later . . . .
The final Asian Five Nations series began 26th April 2014 involving . .
Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka.

There were a couple of big scores in this series . .
Hong Kong beat the Philippines 108-0, and Japan accounted for the Philippines 99-10, and then Sri Lanka 132-10.

Japan has had a bit of a stranglehold on this championship for many years,
only occasionally being upset by South Korea.
It was Japan, coached by Eddie Jones, with 4 straight wins to grab a World Cup berth

Hong Kong as runner up with 3 wins would have another chance in a repecharge facing up to Uruguay.
Hong Kong travelled to Montevideo to face Uruguay on 2nd August 2014.
Unfortunately for Hong Kong, Uruguay proved to strong to win 28-3.

And it still wasn't over for Uruguay, they now had to face another repecharge from the Europe series.

So Japan is through, Hong Kong misses out, and Uruguay have another life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Asia_qualification

Cheers     

[Wolfie33]

The African qualification games began on 4th July 2012 in a Division 1B tournament with Madagascar hosting at Antananarivo.

Again, a series of mini competitions ensued with divisional winners being promoted to contest at the next level, and so on.

Nations involved were . .
Morocco, Senegal, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, Mauritius, Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, & Zimbabwe.

17 games and some 2 years later . . . .
The final Africa Cup series began late June 2014, again in Madagascar,  with  . .
Namibia, Kenya, Madagascar, & Zimbabwe facing off.

They were mostly close games, and Namibia, Zimbabwe & Kenya all finished on the same 10 points,
all winning 2 games each. Namibia claimed the Africa 1 qualification berth due to their better for & against
points ratio, and Zimbabwe won a repechage chance & would eventually face Russia.
Madagascar unfortunately lost all 3 of their games.

So, Namibia through & Zimbabwe have a second chance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Africa_qualification

Cheers     

[Wolfie33]

The European qualification games began on 6th October 2012 with 3 games.

Europe is by far the largest of the qualification series with 31 Nations involved in 100 games.
They were Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemborg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, & Ukraine. (pause for breath)

Again, a series of mini competitions ensued with divisional winners being promoted to contest at the next level, and so on.

The premier series (European Nations Cup Division 1A) began early February 2013, and involved . .
Belgium, Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Russia, & Spain.

The series was played on a home & away basis, so each team payed 10 times.
Georgia won 9 & drew 1 to top the table, while Romania was W8 - D1 - L1 to take second,
being comfortably bettered by Georgia in the final game 9-22  after drawing 9 all in the first round.

So, Georgia goes through as Europe 1 & Romania as Europe 2.

Russia placed third with a 10-6-4 record & played off against Germany who won Division 1B.
Germany hosted Russia in Hamburg on 24th May 2014, losing 20-31 two tries to four.
Russia now advances to the world repechage play off series.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Europe_qualification

Cheers     

[Wolfie33]

The Oceania qualification games  took place in Papua New Guinea at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby from 6th to 13th July 2013.
The Island Nations involved were the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, & Tahiti.
With NZ, Aus, Samoa, & Tonga all qualifying automatically and Fiji effectively given a bye, this conference was by far the smallest.

With a 3 from 3 record, the Cook Islands won this competition from Papua New Guinea, and earned the right to a play off against Fiji.

So, come 28 June 2014, Fiji hosted the Cooks at the National Stadium in Suva.
Fiji had a field day & kept their composure to hold on for the win by 108-6.   

Fiji-Cooks Match Report:  Fiji 108-6 Cook Islands - Fiji thrash Cook Islands to qualify for World Cup | Live Rugby Match Pack | ESPN Scrum

So, Fiji qualifies as Oceania 1.
And with that, one spot remains to be filled & the final repechage series will decide who goes to the cup.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Oceania_qualification

Cheers     

[Wolfie33]

The final stanza in the qualification games occurred from 2nd August to 11th October 2014.
Four nations were vying for the one remaining spot in the Cup in a repechage series. They were . . .

Confederation Africa Americas Asia Europe

Placement Round Three runner-up Round Three third Round Three runner-up Round Six winner

Team  Zimbabwe  Uruguay  Hong Kong  Russia

Ranking 27th 20th= 23rd 20th=

Uruguay was drawn to play Hong Kong & Russia against Zimbabwe, and hosting was granted according to ranking.
On 02/08, Uruguay hosted Kong Kong at Montevideo and proved too strong, emerging 28-3 victors.
The same day, Russia hosted Zimbabwe at Krasnoyarsk and prevailed 23-15.
So Hong Kong & Zimbabwe fell by the wayside & Uruguay & Russia were set for a battle royal for that prized final spot.

The final two matches were a home & away series, the first at Krasnoyarsk where Russia scraped home 22-21, one try to all penalties.
The return match at Montevideo saw Uruguay emerge with a 36-27 win, 3 tries to two.
And with that Uruguay snaffled the final spot with a better aggregate score 57 to 49.

Uruguay qualified for the 1999 & 2003 World Cups & claimed a win in each tournament.
They were perhaps unfortunate in just falling short in the repechage stages for the 2007/2011 Cups.
It would be wonderful to see a little more success this year.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup_qualifying#Qualifiers

Cheers     

[Wolfie33]

So here's a wrap up of the qualification games:

Qualifiers
 Namibia    (Africa 1)
 Canada    (Americas 1)
 United States    (Americas 2)
 Uruguay    (repechage)
 Japan    (Asia 1)
 Georgia    (Europe 1)
 Romania    (Europe 2)
 Fiji    (Oceania 1)
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Total number of matches:    206
Number of Nations Involved:    85
Most matches played:    14 (Russia)
Least Matches Played:    1 (Fiji)
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Matches By Region:

Confederation AMERICAS ASIA AFRICA EUROPE OCEANIA

Matches 32 41 23 103 7

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And just for interest, here's where matches took place:

Country Andorra Austria Bahamas Barbados Belgium Belgium Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bulgaria Canada Cayman Islands Chile Chile Croatia Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Denmark Dubai Fiji Finland USA Georgia Georgia Georgia Germany Germany Germany Germany Greece Greece Hong Kong Hungary Indonesia Israel Jamaica Japan Japan Japan Japan Latvia Lithuania Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malaysia Malta Mexico Moldova Netherlands Norway Norway Papua New Guinea Philippines Philippines Poland Poland Poland Poland Portugal Romania Romania Romania Russia Russia Russia Saint Vincent Senegal Serbia Slovenia South Korea South Korea Spain Spain Spain Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Sweden Sweden Switzerland Thailand Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uruguay USA Venezuela

Stadium M.I.C.G. Sportanlage Dirnelwiese Winton Rugby Centre Garrison Savannah Stade Roi Baudouin King Baudouin Stadium National Sports Center Stadion Tosk Bilino Polje UB Stadium National Sports Academy BMO Field Truman Bodden Sports Complex Mahuida Parque Reina Estadio Municipal Germán Becker City Stadium Stadion Josefa Kohouta Tatra Smichov Stadium CE Group Rugby Arena Stadion Mladeži Odense Atletikstadion The Sevens Stadium Churchill Park Myllypuro Sports Park Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Kennesaw Mikheil Meskhi Stadium Avchala Stadium Dinamo Arena SC Siemensstadt Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark Wolfgang-Meyer-Sportanlage Sportforum Kavtantzoglio Stadium Dasos Haidariou Municipal Stadium Hong Kong Football Club Stadium Széktói Stadion Haji Agus Salim Stadium Wingate Institute Utech Sports Field Level-5 Stadium Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Mizuho Rugby Stadium National Olympic Stadium Daugava Stadium Radviliškio miesto centrinis stadionas Academy of Rugby Stade Josy Barthel Stade Mahamasina Royal Selangor Club Hibernians Ground La Ibero Santa Fe Dinamo Stadium National Rugby Centre Bislett Stadion Fana Stadion Lloyd Robson Oval Rizal Memorial Stadium Eagles Nest Stadium MOSiR Stadium Stadion GOSiR Polonia Stadium Municipal Stadium Estádio Universitário de Lisboa Stadionul Arcul de Triumf Cluj Arena Stadionul Farul FGUP Yug-Sport Gazprom Yamal Health Resort Central Stadium Arnos Vale Cricket Stadium Iba Mar Diop Stadion Milicionar Oval Stanezici Ansan Wa~ Stadium Incheon Munhak Stadium Las Mestas Estadio San Lazaro Estadio Nacional Complutense Havelock Sports Club Colombo Racecourse Kristinebergs IP Enköpings RK Stade de Colovray Thephasadin Stadium Meteor Stadium Spartak Stadium Metalist Stadium Uni. of Tax Service Yunist Stadium Al Ain RFC Estadio Charrúa Blackbaud Stadium Estadio Arístides Pineda

City/Area Andorra la Vella Vienna Nassau Bridgetown Brussels Brussels Hamilton Tešanj Zenica Gaborone Sofia Toronto George Town Santiago Temuco Makarska Rícany Prague Prague Zlín Odense Dubai Lautoka Helsinki Georgia Tbilisi Tbilisi Tbilisi Berlin Heidelberg Hamburg Berlin Thessaloniki Athens Hong Kong Kecskemét Padang Netanya Kingston Fukuoka Tokyo Nagoya Tokyo Riga Šiauliai Vilnius Luxembourg Antananarivo Kuala Lumpur Paola Mexico City Chisinau Amsterdam Oslo Bergen Port Moresby Manila Laguna Gdansk Gdynia Warsaw Siedlce Lisbon Bucharest Cluj Constanta Sochi Tuapse Krasnoyarsk Arnos Vale Dakar Belgrade Ljubljana Ansan Incheon Gijón Santiago de Compostela Madrid Sri Lanka Colombo Stockholm Enköping Nyon Bangkok Dnipropetrovsk Odessa Kharkiv Kiev Lviv Al Ain Montevideo Charleston Valencia

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Cheers