Germany have officially joined Canada and Hong Kong in Repechage. Germany’s home 42-28 defeat today against Samoa saw the Pacific Islanders qualifying for RWC 2019 as the Play-Off Winner. The result also sent Germany into the last-chance RWC qualifying opportunity against three other countries from around the world. Samoa’s qualification …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 4, Iss 3): Rugby’s U20’s Stock Exchange
Romania and Spain recently lost their RWC qualifying appeals. Both European countries and Belgium were disqualified from the RWC 2019 qualifying process by World Rugby for the fielding of ineligible players. Romania had fielded Sione Faka’osilea of Tonga in their matches only for it to be revealed that he was …
Read More »Kenya, Namibia Win RWC Qualifiers
Kenya and Namibia won their respective RWC qualifiers today in Africa. Their victories see them both very well placed in the Gold Cup – Rugby Afrique’s qualifying path to RWC 2019. Namibia wrote history, defeating Tunisia 118-0. The win sets a new national record, replacing Namibia’s 112-0 win over Madagascar …
Read More »Hourcade Had Been Set to Use Four Europeans in June Internationals
Daniel Hourcade had been set to use four Europeans in June Internationals. In his final day as Los Pumas Head Coach, Hourcade confirmed in an interview with Jorge Búsico that decisions had been made and players green lighted and spoken to about playing for their country. The ending of the …
Read More »The Misunderstood Pumas Struggles Post RWC 2015
Argentina’s struggles post RWC 2015 led to the downfall of Daniel Hourcade. The inability to win matches is well documented but what remains less commonly spoken about is the invisible leap from seasoned players to the test arena. Invisible Leap The invisible leap refers simply to a player learning his craft …
Read More »Daniel Hourcade Quits as Argentina Head Coach
Daniel Hourcade has quit as Argentina Head Coach. In the post match conference following today’s 30-12 defeat against Wales El Huevo confirmed his resignation. Argentina fell to a 2-0 home series defeat against Wales. It follows a 2-0 home defeat a year ago against England and losses across the board …
Read More »Namibia Kick-Off RWC Qualifying Campaign With a Bang
Namibia kicked-off their RWC 2019 qualifying campaign with a bang, downing Uganda 55-6 in Windhoek. The match was the second of what as the opening day of Africa’s regional qualifying for RWC 2019. Competing in the Gold Cup are Namibia, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The six African countries are …
Read More »Germany Advance to Face Samoa in RWC Play-Off
A 16-13 win today sees Germany advancing to face Samoa in a RWC 2019 Play-Off. The Germans booked themselves their trip to Apia by defeating Portugal in a nail-biter in Heidelberg. Trailing 6-3 at half time Germany went ahead before being caught by Portugal in the second half. Victory was …
Read More »Uruguay Above Expectations For 2019
Uruguay are above expectations for 2019. The results achieved on the field conclusively point to progress and they are actively seeing Los Teros being reevaluated as a Tier 2 side in terms of both actual and official status. The URU have been highly strategic in their use of test matches. …
Read More »Hourcade and Argentina Gambling Big on Jaguares
Props aside there is no chance of seeing a European-Based player pull on a Pumas uniform in 2018. Head Coach Daniel Hourcade and Argentina (UAR) are gambling big on Jaguares. This reality comes following prior confirmation that European-Based players were to be selected for Los Pumas this year. With 17 losses …
Read More »