RWC 2015 Qualifiying

[Nielsch]

Belgium has a slim chance of making it to the RWC 2015. They won't win first place, no that spot is reserved for Georgia. The logical contenders for place 2 (direct qualification) will be Russia, Romania and Spain. However I do believe Belgium can beat some of them, definitely at home. I'm not saying it's going to happen but they do stand a chance of making it to the repache round by taking third place.

 

[norcalbuff]

A lot of things are working in Belgium's favor like improvement each year (they dominated ENC 1B last year) and strong age grade results but it's pretty unlikely they'd qualify for the 2015 RWC. 2019 is a distinct possibility, though.

 

[psychic duck]

Hopefully Belgium are more competitive than the past newly promoted ENC sides.

The past three relegated sides Czech Republic, Germany and Ukraine, between them won just 1 game out of 40 (by Ukraine against a weakened Portugal side), and endured some disastrous thrashings (Georgia beat Czech Republic 98-3, Germany 77-3, and Ukraine 62-3).

I think Belgium should do better than them, but I don't think they have any chance of qualifying for the 2015 World Cup. Remember the lineups of for a several of the games in the ENC this year (especially the teams who qualified for the RWC) were understrength, but they will be looking to strengthen up this year and next year as World Cup qualification is at stake.

I wonder whether Belgium will do what Spain did, as Belgium is close to France there may be a number of French players of Belgian descent available. Spain basically have filled most of their team with these players over the past couple of years. However they have the advantage of being on the border to French rugby heartland in the South, so maybe there may not be so many French rugby players with Belgian grannies as there are Spanish.

 

[norcalbuff]

Luckily for Belgium, they had much better results at the level below than the other teams did. If you look at Ukraine, they went 5-3 with an average margin of victory of less than 4 ppg to get promoted. Germany, the 2 year cycle before them, were a little better going 6-2 with an average margin of victory of 8 ppg. However, they had the exact same record and margin of victory as Belgium that year so they weren't far and away the best team. The 2010-2012 Belgium team went 9-1 with an average margin of victory of 15 ppg, far and away the best team in their division. Additionally, for the most recent season, they went 5-0 with an average MOV of 24 ppg, showing improvement. They have the results at the age grade levels to show they can be competitive in the future with the ENC 1A teams as well. None of this means that they'll avoid relegation in 2 years or qualify for the 2015 RWC, but it does show substantial improvement and means they are likely to be far more competitive in the top level of ENC than Ukraine and Germany were and they have a shot at staying up.

 

[welshglory]

Thanks for the info guys this is great stuff

 

[usausa]

Cote d'Ivoire 24-18 Zambia
Botswana 25-14 Mauritius

Now I believe Cote d'Ivoire advances, despite Botswana having a better point differential (+18 CIV vs. +19 Botswana). I think Cote d'Ivoire were assured promotion as long as they won both matches no matter if another team did the same. We'll see what comes over out over the coming days.

 

[Black_Magic]

Now I believe Cote d'Ivoire advances, despite Botswana having a better point differential (+18 CIV vs. +19 Botswana). I think Cote d'Ivoire were assured promotion as long as they won both matches no matter if another team did the same. We'll see what comes over out over the coming days.

According to info on CAR website*, the final classification looks like this:
1. Botswana
2. Ivory Coast
3. Mauritius
4. Nigeria
5. Zambia

Botswana are therefore promoted to Division 1B (which is also explicitly stated on CAR website) and keep their chance to qualify for RWC2015. The other four teams are eliminated from contention, which leaves us with 8 African teams fighting for 1 qualifier place and 1 repechage place.

* http://www.confederation-africaine-...ategorised/576-africa-cup--division-1c--day-3

 

[usausa]

According to info on CAR website*, the final classification looks like this:
1. Botswana
2. Ivory Coast
3. Mauritius
4. Nigeria
5. Zambia

Botswana are therefore promoted to Division 1B (which is also explicitly stated on CAR website) and keep their chance to qualify for RWC2015. The other four teams are eliminated from contention, which leaves us with 8 African teams fighting for 1 qualifier place and 1 repechage place.

* http://www.confederation-africaine-...ategorised/576-africa-cup--division-1c--day-3

Thanks for updating! When I had checked this morning before I went to work there had been nothing officially up although I read online Botswana advanced. It is a real shame that this tournament will be marred by the fact that Cote d'Ivoire won both matches and is still eliminated. Although the Ivorians may be upset, there was no real fair way to reconfigure the tournament on 2 days notice when Cameroon was forced to withdraw and still leave 2 games for every team. A lot of people have said a knockout would've been better, but the team losing on Day 1 would have only that one game, and with the real possibility that they would've already planned and paid for a weeks stay.
An Ivorian blogger is hoping the IRB and CAR will promote Ivory Coast as well, to bring Division 2B to 5 teams. With the format used and the lack of financial resources available, I doubt this will happen. Seeing how this 5 team turned out in addition to the fact that these teams barely have the funds to play 3 games in 1 week let alone adding a 4th match day in a round robin, or risk a team playing only 1 match while everyone else gets 3 which is truly unfair to the 5th place nation, I think next year Cote d'Ivoire will play in Division 1C.

Here is how next years tournaments will shape up:
2013 Division 1A
1. Zimbabwe
2. Uganda
3. Kenya
4. Madagascar

2013 Division 1B
5. Tunisia
6. Namibia
7. Senegal
8. Botswana

2013 Division 1C
9. Morocco
10. Cote d'Ivoire
11. Mauritius
12. Zambia
13. Nigeria
14. Cameroon

Divisions 1B and 1A teams are the only ones eligible for RWC2015. The winner from 1B will stay alive for it, while the last placed team from 1A will be eliminated from RWC2015.

 

[usausa]

Yes you are right Belgium has got their chance only in RWC 2019 because after losing many games they cannot qualify for RWC 2015.I think if they got chance then definitely take the second or third place in RWC 2015.Now it is great opportunity for Cameroon to take this place with hard work. Property in Cameroon

Belgium hasn't lost any qualification games yet, as a matter of fact there have been no games played for Euro qualifiers yet (although some teams cannot make it because they are in too low of division). Cameroon though cannot make it to RWC2015 since they pulled out of the African Cup this season and therefore cannot advance to Division 1A for 2014.

 

[Nielsch]

Belgium hasn't lost any qualification games yet, as a matter of fact there have been no games played for Euro qualifiers yet (although some teams cannot make it because they are in too low of division). Cameroon though cannot make it to RWC2015 since they pulled out of the African Cup this season and therefore cannot advance to Division 1A for 2014.

It's a spam message.

 

[usausa]

It's a spam message.

Didn't see the 'property in cameroon' end there...

 

[Black_Magic]

After a break of over a month, RWC qualifying will be back this weekend.
Since I wrote my summary of the qualifying process, five African teams (Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Zambia and Nigeria) were eliminated, which leaves us with 69 teams (what a nice number ) fighting for 8 spots.

The action this weekend will see three further teams eliminated, as only the winner of CONSUR B tournament in South America will keep their chances to qualify for RWC2015. The teams taking part are Venezuela, Paraguay, Colombia and Peru.

 

[LittleGuy]

I'll have to ask Paul(Melhor) who his tip is to won Consur B, I beleive it's a farily evenly matched group although the winner will be in tough next year vs. the Consur A pool.

 

[norcalbuff]

Paraguay seem like the favorite there. It pretty much goes Argentina>>>>Uruguay/Chile>>Brazil>>Paraguay>>the rest.

 

[LittleGuy]

I've heard that Colombia is quite an improved side during my reaserch/talking with Consur fans, in a short tournament, other factors like depth could be key though.

 

[Black_Magic]

Results of yesterday's matches in CONSUR B competition:
Paraguay 54 - 17 Colombia
Venezuela 28 - 17 Peru

Next matches on Wednesday, Paraguay play Peru and Venezuela play Colombia.

 

[Black_Magic]

In a second round of CONSUR B tournament, Paraguay beat Peru 69-3 and Colombia beat Venezuela 26-3.
As Peru lost both matches so far, they are effectively eliminated from RWC2015 qualification process. And after two convincing wins, Paraguay have virtually secured a top spot in the tournament, keeping their chances to qualify alive.
The last two matches take place on Saturday, Colombia play Peru and Venezuela play Paraguay.

 

[usausa]

Paraguay wins CONSUR B 2012 to advance to play Bermuda on September 29. The winner advances to play Brazil October 27 for the right to play in CONSUR A 2013.

September 15 Results:
Columbia 49-9 Peru
Venezuela 8-73 Paraguay

Paraguay 3-0
Columbia 2-1
Venezuela 1-2
Peru 0-3

Will update my spreadsheet in the following days and try to provide more stats, have to fix the African stats as well since the IRB and CAR messed up the scorers of Nigeria. Communicated on twitter with one of the players to get the proper stats and lineups...be on the lookout within the next week!

 

[usausa]

FINAL NACRA STATISTICS:
427 points scored overall in 12 matches (35.6 avg.)
59 tries scored (4.92 avg.)
30 conversions (50.8% tries converted)
24 penalty goals (2 per match)
0 drop goals

Leading Point Scorer: FH Miguel Carner (MEX): 31 pts (1T, 7C, 4P)
Leading Points Scoring, Team: Barbados, 98 pts in 4 matches
Points Average: Mexico, 40.5 (81 pts. in 2 matches)
Least Points Allowed: Bermuda, 11 pts in 3 matches
PA Average: Bermuda, 3.67
Best Points Difference and average: Barbados, +53 in 4 matches (13.25)
Worst Points Difference: St. Vincent & the Grenadines, -82 in 2 matches

Leading Try Scorers: FL Dwight Forde (Barbados) and OC Venasio Tokatokavanua (Cayman Islands), 4
Team Tries: Barbados, 17 in 4 matches
Try Average: Mexico, 5.5 (2 matches)
Least Tries Allowed and Avg: Bermuda, 1 in 3 matches (.33 per match)
Best Try Difference and Average: Barbados, +10 in 4 matches (2.5 avg.)
Worst Try Difference: St. Vincent & the Grenadines, -15 (-7.5 per match)


TEAM W L T BPT BPL PTS PF PA DIFF TF TA TD
Bermuda 3 0 0 0 0 12 41 11 +30 4 1 +3
Guyana 1 1 1 0 0 6 30 28 +2 4 4 0
Cayman Islands 2 2 0 2 2 12 94 46 +48 13 4 +9
Trinidad & Tobago 1 1 0 1 0 5 32 23 +9 5 2 +3
Barbados 2 1 1 2 0 12 98 45 +53 17 7 +10
Bahamas 0 2 0 0 0 0 15 43 -28 2 5 -3
Mexico 1 1 0 1 0 5 81 60 +21 11 9 +2
Jamaica 1 1 0 0 0 4 33 86 -53 3 12 -9
St. Vincent & the Grenadines 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 85 -82 0 15 -15


Pos. Name T C P DG PTS
10 Miguel Carner MEX 1 7 4 0 31
10 Morgan Haywood CAY 0 7 5 0 29
10 Ian Henderson BER 1 3 5 0 26
6 Dwight Forde BRB 4 0 0 0 20
13 Venasio Tokatokavanua CAY 4 0 0 0 20
14 Ryan Grant JAM 0 3 4 0 18
9 Juan Pablo Andrade MEX 3 0 0 0 15
8 Ben Blair CAY 3 0 0 0 15
11 Kevin Carter BRB 0 5 1 0 13
8 Stephen Miller BRB 2 0 0 0 10
14 Jae Bowen BRB 2 0 0 0 10
14 James Phillip TTB 2 0 0 0 10
15 Dario Stoute BRB 2 0 0 0 10
9 Robbie Cribb CAY 2 0 0 0 10
9 Ryan Gonsalves GUY 0 2 2 0 10

 

[usausa]

Forgot to post this earlier...

As a warmup for the Bermudan squad, they played an exhibition match in Marietta, GA, USA against Life University. Life University is the premier club in the South, and one of the best clubs in the country. They field a men's squad, collegiate, 7s, and are a nationally renowned program. They finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference last spring in what was the last season of the Super League.
Life University will field a premier college/men's mixture side. Life coach Dan Payne said he wanted to give national team hopefuls a chance to more rugby (I don't believe USA South runs a fall league for 15s). This is probably the best side Life can put together. Bermuda wants to play with unlimited subs to get their players a chance to play as well. Also very important is that this match will be played using the OLD SCRUM CADENCE since they said that was the one used in previous qualifying matches.

Full article here:
http://www.rugbymag.com/international-news/5781-life-to-face-bermuda-national-team.html

Have not been able to find any result of the match yet. Life's website and twitter hasn't posted anything relating to match yet.

**EDIT** Score was 41-5 Life University over Bermuda. Only found the score on rugbymag and USA South Rugby Ref's page, no further information.