Rugby News from unexpected places

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Don't know if this belongs in this thread or aus player exodus, Ian Prior is playing for Zimbabwe

Rugby Africa cup starts this weekend

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

So, we can say that Spain should be ranked as high as 16th at least. They've just rolled Tonga 29-20. Score made to look better than it could have with Tonga scoring in the 49th minute of the 2nd half according to the time on the feed.

 

[Omar Comin']

Great win for them. Hopefully they're also making progress in their ability to verify the eligibility of their players!!

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Lol. Yeah, if they stuff that up again they might as well just quit trying. It's been a solid month for Spanish Rugby. Almost rolling Samoa and now finishing the job against Tonga. Backed up by their U20s putting in respectable performances in the JWC. Fiji will need to take them seriously otherwise they could find easily find themselves in the JWT next season. Still could seeing as Spain is apparently in the running to host the JWC next year.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

To add to their senior sides win today. The Spanish U20s have just beaten Fiji to stay in the JWC. The final score 24-19 to Spain. Not a reflection of the game with Spain bombing multiple scoring opportunities and suffering from early nerves where they found themselves down 0-14.

 

[Omar Comin']

Zimbabwe had a big 32-10 win over Namibia in the semi-finals. Namibia missing some of their professional players, but still a great sign for Zimbabwe heading into next year's World Cup qualifiers.

They'll play Algeria in the final after the Algerians upset Kenya 20-12.

There are a few additional players in the Top 14 and Pro D2 that are eligible for Algeria, and I'm sure there's several other pros who would be eligible for Zimbabwe. Next year's qualification may come down to who can convince the most top tier pros to play for them.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

There's definitely appears to be a shift occurring in African Rugby. Namibia have managed to sit atop for a long time (for the most part) but looking at junior results over the past 5 years they are firmly 3rd behind Zimbabwe and Kenya.

The Algerian result is a surprise but not a huge one as they benefit from their French diaspora. In fact if both Tunisia and Morocco could get themselves sorted the African scene at least within itself could be a far more competitive region.

Similar for Nigeria.

 

[Omar Comin']

I was surprised the first round of the tournament had no large blow outs. Zimbabwe were very close to losing to Uganda, while Senegal, Ivory Coast and even Burkina Faso were reasonably competitive. These teams are clearly a step or 2 below the tier 2 European and South American nations, but there's a lot of potential there.

Do you know if the likes of Morocco, Tunisia and Nigeria are competing in a 2nd tier tournament this year to fight for promotion to next year's Africa Cup/World cup qualifiers?

 

[KOB1987]

Just as plans come together for Papua New Guinea to enter the NRL in 2027, the country has been booted from rugby union over governance issues.
PNG Rugby Union has been suspended from all men’s, women’s and sevens competitions due to “noncompliance” following a series of issues regarding the conduct of their board.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/rugby-news-2024-papua-new-guinea-kicked-out-of-rugby-following-questionable-board-conduct/news-story/bec2bb44f89dad1d2bd47c908505292d

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die from Netflix Korea has dropped a teaser trailer. Apparently from the producers of Physical 100.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

For anyone interested Korea is currently playing Zimbabwe in Seoul. Score is 10-20 to the visitors. Prior is playing at 10 for the Sables.