World Cup Qualifier Weekend Preview

It’s a massive weekend in World Cup Qualifier action with four games having direct implications as to who advances either directly or for November’s Repechage series in France. In Apia it’s the first leg of the Europe/Oceania Play-Off between Samoa and Germany with the latter earning their spot by defeating Portugal in the European Play-Off just two weeks ago. The winner of the two-leg series qualifies direct for RWC 2019 with the loser headed to the Repechage.

Meanwhile in Rarotonga the Cook Islands host Hong Kong in the first leg of the Asia/Oceania Play-Off. The Cooks were upset by Tahiti in their qualifier but were handed a reprieve after Tahiti was found guilty of fielding ineligible players. Hong Kong earned their place in a conventional manner, finishing first in the Rugby Asia Qualifiers.

The Rugby Africa Gold Cup continues with two important contests on Saturday. First up it’s Kenya against Zimbabwe in Nairobi, a match with massive implications with the winner odds-on favorites to advance to the Repechage. Namibia will play Morocco in the second match and can take a step closer to World Cup qualification with a win.

 

EUROPE/OCEANIA PLAY-OFF

The Manu Samoa have selected a strong team led by Bristol lock Chris Vui. Leiceter prop Logovi’i Mulipola returns from injury and Newcastle flyer Sinoti Sinoti is a danger man on the wing. Only New Zealand-based scrumhalf Melani Matavao comes from outside European club rugby in the starting XV.

Germany will not be pushovers, having recently reached an agreement that sees their top professionals returning. Julius Nostadt of Pro D2 side Aurillac is named captain with Eric Marks of La Rochelle and Vannes goal kicker Christopher Hilsenback key players. Jarrid Els is surprisingly left on the bench after his try-scoring effort against Portugal in the European play-off.

The second leg of this play-off takes place two weeks from now in Germany.

SAMOA
1 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 Motu Matu’u, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 4 Josh Tyrell, 5 Chris Vui (capt.), 6 Piula Fa’asalele, 7 Jack Lam, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 9 Melani Matavao, 10 Tusi Pisi, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 12 Alapati Leiua, 13 Paul Perez, 14 Ed Fidow, 15 Ahsee Tuala

Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Viliamu Afatia, 19 Joe Tekori, 20 TJ Ioane, 21 Dwayne Polataivao, 22 Patrick Fa’apale, 23 Alofa Alofa

GERMANY
1 Julius Nostadt (capt.), 2 Mika Tyumenev, 3 Samy Füchsel, 4 Timo Vollenkemper, 5 Eric Marks, 6 Marcel Henn, 7 Jaco Otto, 8 Sebastian Ferreira, 9 Sean Armstrong, 10 Christopher Hilsenbeck, 11 Nikola Klewinghaus, 12 Raynor Parkinson, 13 Steffen Liebig, 14 Marcel Coetzee, 15 Maxime Oltmann

Replacements: 16 Mark Fairhurst, 17 Jarrid Els, 18 Jörn Schröder, 19 Antony Dickinson, 20 Falk Duwe, 21 Tim Menzel, 22 Pierre Mathurin, 23 Pascal Fischer

Date: Saturday, June 30
Venue: Apia Park, Apia, Samoa
Kickoff: 15:10 local (04:10 Germany, Friday 22:10 Eastern)
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)
Assistants: Matthew Carley (RFU) & Cam Stone (NZRU)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZRU)
Broadcasts: World Rugby, Facebook

 

ASIA/OCEANIA PLAY-OFF

The Cooks are led by hooker Sam Anderson-Heather who boasts significant experience in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup. Second row Shahn Eru plies his trade for Perpignan, newly promoted to the French Top 14, and loose forward Tyrone Viiga was a standout for Béziers this season after leaving Sydney’s Shute Shield competition.

Hong Kong enter as significant favorites having risen to number 21 on the World Rugby Rankings, some 33 spots above 54-ranked Hong Kong. They have a well-rounded side brimming with expats including French import Thomas Lamboley and Ontario Arrows hooker Alex Post.

The second leg of this play-off takes place next weekend in Hong Kong.

COOK ISLANDS (from)
Forwards: AJ Campbell, James Pakoti, Tuakana Paitai, Alex Matapo, Sam Anderson-Heather (capt.), Matthew Mullany, James Kora, Shahn Eru, Tokeru Raru, Robert Heather, Eruu Wano, Tyrone Viiga, Tai Marsters, Tamanui Nicholas
Backs: Othniel Joseph, Reece Joyce, Te Ara Henderson, Corry Tearoa, Walter Koteka, Gene Te Amo, Jamian Iroa, Greg Mullany, Josh Tinomana, Brynn Uriarau, Marnus Hanley, Matamanea Mapakia, Oisin Clarken

HONG KONG (from)
Dan Barlow, Jamie Tsang, Dylan Rogers, James Cunningham (capt.), Jack Delaforce, Nick Hewson, Toby Fenn, Thomas Lamboley, Liam Slatem, Matthew Rosslee, Yiu Kam Shing, Lex Kaleca, Max Woodward, Jack Neville, Alex Post, Adam Fullgrabe, Jack Parfitt, Michael Parfitt, Kane Boucaut, James Lauder, Max Denmark, Jamie Hood, Benjamin Roberts, Cris Pierrepont

Date: Saturday, June 30
Venue: Tereora Stadium, Avarua, Rarotonga
Kickoff: 15:00 local (21:00 Eastern, Sunday 09:00 Hong Kong)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZRU)
Assistants: Angus Mabey (NZRU) & Mike Winter (NZRU)
Broadcasts: Facebook

 

RUGBY AFRICA GOLD CUP

Despite their well-documented internal governance problems, the Kenyans were able to fight off distraction to beat Morocco in their opening match. Davis Chenge leads the side from his familiar No8 shirt and there are HSBC Sevens Series reps in Samson Onsomu, Darwin Mukidza, and the vastly experienced Biko Adema in the backs.

The Sables had high hopes entering the competition but have not managed to secure eligible professionals to boost their side. They tied Morocco in their opening match and must beat Kenya to keep their hopes alive. Denford Mutamangira leads the team from loosehead prop with the second row combination of Johannes Stander and Fortune Chipendu critical their success.

KENYA
1 Patrick Ouko, 2 Colman Were, 3 Joseph Oder, 4 Andrew Chogo, 5 Malcolm Onsando, 6 George Nyambua, 7 Elkeans Musonye, 8 Davis Chenge (capt.), 9 Samson Onsomu, 10 Isaac Adimo, 11 Edmund Anya, 12 Darwin Mukidza, 13 Peter Kilonzo, 14 Tony Onyango, 15 Biko Adema

Replacements: 16 Peter Karia, 17 Moses Amusala, 18 Curtis Lilako, 19 Oliver Mang’eni, 20 Dalmus Chituyi, 21 Martin Owilah, 22 Xavier Bett, 23 Max Kang’eri

ZIMBABWE
1 Denford Mutamangira (capt.), 2 David Makanda, 3 Farai Mudariki, 4 Johannes Stander, 5 Fortune Chipendu, 6 Takudzwa Mandiwanza, 7 Connor Pritchard, 8 Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, 9 Ernest Mudzengerere, 10 Lenience Tambwera, 11 Mathew McNab, 12 Brandon Mandivenga, 13 Kudzai Mashawi, 14 Takudzwa Kumadiro, 15 Shingirai Katsvere

Replacements: 16 Mathew Mandioma, 17 Cleopas Kundiona, 18 Lawrence Cleminson, 19 Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, 20 Brian Nyaude, 21 Jeremiah Jaravaza, 22 Tafadzwa Mhende, 23 Dylan Baptista

Date: Saturday, June 30
Venue: RFUEA Grounds, Nairobi
Kickoff: 15:00 local (08:00 Eastern)
Referee: Tual Trainini (FFR)
Assistants: Stéphane Rakotonirainy (FMR) & Ignace Ndri Kan (FICR)
Broadcasts: Kwesé Free Sports, Facebook, YouTube

 

Morocco have yet to confirm their team but will have their work cut out for them against a formidable Namibian side. Stade Francais winger Karim Qadiri and former Montauban lock Salim Boukanoucha are expected to be key players but strength in numbers is lacking.

The Namibians are taking no chances and have named a side not far off their best. Ruan Ludick and Tjiuee Uanivi will be unstoppable in the lineout with Cheetahs starter Aranos Coetzee anchoring the scrum. New captain Johan Deysel is a classy player in the midfield and former Exeter fullback Chrysander Botha a major threat on the counter attack.

MOROCCO
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NAMIBIA
1 Casper Viviers, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 4 Ruan Ludick, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 7 Janco Venter, 8 PJ van Lill, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 10 Cliven Loubser, 11 Justin Newman, 12 Darryl de la Harpe, 13 Johan Deysel (capt.), 14 Lesley Klim, 15 Chrysander Botha

Replacements: 16 Obert Nortjé, 17 Nelius Theron, 18 Desiderius Sethie, 19 Max Katjijeko, 20 Mahepisa Tjeriko, 21 Wian Conradie, 22 Damian Stevens, 23 PW Steenkamp

Date: Saturday, June 30
Venue: Stade de COC, Casablanca
Kickoff: 15:00 local (10:00 Eastern, 16:00 Windhoek)
Referee: Adrien Descottes (FFR)
Assistants: Sylvain Mane (FSR) & Heykel Bahroun (TRF)
Broadcasts: Kwesé Free Sports, Facebook, YouTube