RWC 2015 Qualifiying

[LittleGuy]

 

[Black_Magic]

Black Magic,

Can you tell us a little more about the game in Poland? I've read they got 7k to the club final and their results make it seem like they may be the favorite to go up to 1A in 2014.

Well, I have to admit I don't follow rugby in my own country too much... Which I should be ashamed of as I live in the city where our national rugby stadium is situated and the region is the country's strongest.

Generally rugby is a niche sport in Poland, far far far (...) far behind football, volleyball and many others. But there are places where it is more popular, like the region I live in - Trojmiasto, which could be translated into "TriCity", as it is three cities (by the sea) situated right next to each other and really forming one - Gdynia (where I live), Gdańsk (where I work) and Sopot (where everyone parties )

As I wrote earlier, a national rugby stadium is located in Gdynia (actually I pass close to it every day) and it was the first ever stadium in Poland built specifically for rugby (in 2009). Each of the three cities has its rugby team, and every one of those is a multiple club champion of Poland, actually between them they won 19 titles in the last 24 years and there were quite a few years when we had a 1-2-3 in the region! In Gdynia rugby is quite well supported by municipal authorities (though still way behind football etc.), but it is a very rare case in Poland I think. What's interesting and very uplifting, is that although the rugby clubs in Gdynia (Arka) and Gdańsk (Lechia) are the namesakes of football teams from these cities, both the teams and supporters get well together, organize common events, while the footballers and especially their "fans" are as bitter rivals as you can imagine. When football Arka plays football Lechia, the city gets very dangerous (luckily the teams are in different divisions now), while at the same time rugby players from Arka and Lechia are touring schools together, promoting rugby and fair play values... Well just another point for rugby vs. football I guess...

Apart from Polish players, there are some Georgians playing for Polish club teams, I'm not sure but I think there were/are even some who represented the Lelos first team. We also "import" a few French players with Polish roots (there's a lot of French of Polish origin).

Whether we are favourites to go to 1A I don't know, but we are the highest ranked team in 1B now, and that first away victory against the Czechs gives us some promise. However, probably Ukraine and Germany will be the most dangerous teams for us. If it happens and we do advance, maybe I'll get a chance to see Georgia or Romania in my home city

And a funny thing - the home kits of Arka Gdynia are yellow and blue, but the away kit is all black!

 

[Black_Magic]

I just checked the new IRB rankings - Poland climbed one place to 27 (switching places with Hong Kong), and we are now just one place and only 0,2 points below Portugal! Well well

 

[norcalbuff]

Thanks for the info Black Magic. Have you seen this?

http://trojmiasto.tv/Widowiskowy-debiut-rugby-na-PGE-Arenie-3967.html

 

[Black_Magic]

Two more games in Europe played yesterday, both in 2B division, but very different, judging by the scorelines. Israel beat Serbia in a try-scoring fest featuring 11 tries in total! The score: 48-22, 8 tries to 3. In the other game, between Andorra and Denmark, a 6-6 draw, just two penalties each.

 

[usausa]

Didn't see it posted here, but this is the full match video from the Finland-Luxemborg game. Not exactly high level, bit sloppy, disorganized and a ton of scrums. Nonetheless, that is why this is Division 2D, and the bottom teams at that.

 

[usausa]

Andorra 6-6 Denmark *first game in RWC 2015 Qualifying to have no tries scored and first official draw. Namibia and Madagascar were also drawn at full time, but extra time was played to determine winner.

 

[Melhor Time]

I am going to Brazil v Paraguay next Saturday. It will be in São Paulo and the Webb Ellis Cup is in town. First time ever! Hopefully I can get my face on tv for Total Rugby. I am likely to be the only blond there.. look out for me. . BTW... I miss TRF so much and you guys!

First home test match in 4 years.

And... should be massive as the players are great guys.

 

[Draggs]

I am going to Brazil v Paraguay next Saturday. It will be in São Paulo and the Webb Ellis Cup is in town. First time ever! Hopefully I can get my face on tv for Total Rugby. I am likely to be the only blond there.. look out for me. . BTW... I miss TRF so much and you guys!

First home test match in 4 years.

And... should be massive as the players are great guys.

I had to do a double take when I saw that avatar, nice to see you back, mate!
If you are on Total Rugby, you might qualify as one of TRF's most famous members.
Hope the project is going well for you, perhaps see you around again soon.

 

[Black_Magic]

Meanwhile, three more matches in European qualifying have been completed. The results:
Norway - Finland (Division 2D) 32-3
Bulgaria - Austria (2C) 12-7
Sweden - Ukraine (1B, therefore most interesting as Poland plays there ) 10-22

 

[Kjartan Pittúr]

Both wins for Poland and the Ukraine, which combat Germany on Saturday, finally after don'taskmeit'sbeenawhile years in my hometown Berlin in group 1B.
Legionnaires Robert Mohr and Mark Sztyndera from french club Stade Niortais joining the DRV-squad against the Ukraine and the few rugby-supporters in Germany hoping for a win for the talented team.

Black_Magic, any thoughts about Ukraine? Have you or somebody else already seen them? In Germany they say, they're the toughest opponent in 1B.

 

[Toko_11]

any thoughts about Ukraine? Have you or somebody else already seen them? In Germany they say, they're the toughest opponent in 1B.

Yes Ukraine is by far the best team outside 1A I watched Germany, Netherlands and Ukraine games while they were in top division and I thought Ukraine played the best but I don't know weather its just a good generation or more developed rugby .. I might be wrong though

 

[usausa]

Full match video from Finland-Norway match this past [video]http://www.norgesrugby.no/videos/834-enc-2012-14-norway-vs-finland-video[/video]

 

[usausa]

Some quick stats (finally I have updated my excel sheet!)
51 matches played
2353 points scored (46.14 per match)
299 tries (5.86 per match)
180 conversions (60.2% success)
151 penalties
15 drop goals

Scoring Leader: Warongkorn Khamkoet, Thailand: 63 pts in 3 matches (3 tries, 3 cons, 13 pens, 1 dg)
Tries Leader: Jose Lezcano, Paraguay: 6 tries in 3 matches
Conversions Leader: Vicente Amigo, Paraguay: 13 in 3 matches (not in lineup vs. Brazil this weekend)
Penalties Leader: Khamkoet, 13
Drop Goal Leader: Benoit Rieger, Morocco; Steve Saargos, Senegal; Emmanuel Bedoya, Columbia: 2

Anybody wants more posted message me or post here, I'll be glad to share!

 

[Kjartan Pittúr]

Thanks for the stats, usausa. I'd like to see more.

Anyway, Germany faces Ukraine at the moment, short before halftime it's 21:7 for GER.

 

[LittleGuy]

Brazil have defeated Paraguay 35-22 in blistering conditions to advance to play Uruguay and Chile in Consur A next year, the winner of which will play the loser of Canada vs. USA. for America's #2 spot.

A match report courtesy of a good friend of the forum ....http://rugbyworldcup-argentina2023.blogspot.com.br/

A highlght package.

 

[Kjartan Pittúr]

...and Germany won their game against Ukraine with 48:26 (24:14)
http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/5692/37/

 

[Nielsch]

Brazil have defeated Paraguay 33-22 in blistering conditions to advance to play Uruguay and Chile in Consur A next year, the winner of which will play the loser of Canada vs. USA. for America's #2 spot.

A match report courtesy of a good friend of the forum ....http://rugbyworldcup-argentina2023.blogspot.com.br/

A highlght package.

Looks like a very decent crowd! Well done Brazil, you already get more supporters than Russia!

 

[Nielsch]

...and Germany won their game against Ukraine with 48:26 (24:14)
http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/5692/37/

Wow, that's a big difference. Rugby in Germany is growing, that's for sure.

 

[psychic duck]

Wow, that's a big difference. Rugby in Germany is growing, that's for sure.

Ukraine were weakened by losing some of their better players (Russian based players were unavailable), I expect the return match to be a lot closer.