Rugby Union World Cup XXI

[Some Village]

“In the name of the government of the Some Village ark and the Some Village Sports Council, we would like to welcome the thirty-six nations participating to the greatest rugby tournament of the multiverse. We ourselves have had the honour to discover the hospitality of the Confederacy of Neu Engollon over the past few years and we’re sure they are the perfect hosts for this tournament.”

King Zedekiah hesitates for a second, looking up to the wall of photographers’ flashes. The true man behind the Some Village support of this organisation was Elmer Rubnov, of course, but a king sounded more appropriate for an official welcome than a nationless merchant.

“We are sure that the cooperation between the AVRU and the SVSC will ensure a smooth tournament. I myself am looking forward to witness this rugby at the highest possible level. To see if Rhodesiah can keep up their reign, to witness how Uitbregen and the hosts try to turn last time’s medal into gold, to support those giants of the sport and to root for the many new nations that will try to make their mark on the international stage. Good luck to all!”

The royal Villagean stepped away from the microphone and honorary chairman Franz Toft took the word.

“Rugby fans, visitors, fellow citizens of the Confederacy and Astyria! I welcome you to the twenty first Rugby Union World Cup!”

The Neu Engollian minister clearly was more experienced when it came to handling the press.

“I would like to stress how honoured we, as the Ministry for Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Confederacy, are to welcome you all to our nation. First of all, we would like to underline the importance of this tournament for us. It not only gives us the occasion to present our beautiful country to you all, but also to emphasise the special and warm bond we have built up with Some Village over the years. Dear participants, welcome to Neu Engollon and welcome to Astyria!”

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Nations participating in this tournament may now post their rosters and RP. When posting a roster, please include a RP permissions box, where you may place certain restrictions for the event that your opponent RPs first. Participants are expected to respect their opponents’ RP permissions. Below is an example of a RP permissions box:

Code: Select all

[box]Should my opponent RPs first, he/she may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Y/N
Godmod scoring events: Y/N
RP injuries to my players: Y/N
Godmod injuries to my players: Y/N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y/N
Hand out red cards to my players: Y/N
Godmod other events: Y/N[/box]

Cutoffs are set between 1300 and 1400 UTC, unless an announcement is made regarding changes in the scorination time.

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Schedule

30 January (Thu): Matchday 1 (1 vs 6, 2 vs 5, 3 vs 4)
31 January (Fri): Matchday 2 (6 vs 4, 5 vs 3, 1 vs 2)
1 February (Sat): Matchday 3 (2 vs 6, 3 vs 1, 4 vs 5)
3 February (Mon): Matchday 4 (6 vs 5, 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3)
4 February (Tues): Matchday 5 (3 vs 6, 4 vs 2, 5 vs 1)
5 February (Wed): Play-off game
6 February (Thu): Round of 16
7 February (Fri): Quarterfinals
9 February (Sun): Semi-finals
10 February (Mon): 3PPO
11 February (Tues): Final

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Group 1 @Konstanz City Stadium – Burgen Stada de Konstanz

UR. Super-Llamaland
UR. Lzherusskia
24. Apox
UR. Cata Larga
4. Polar Islandstates
UR. The Royal Barangay

Group 2 @Schwartzgarten Municipal Stadium – Burgen Stada de Schwartzgarten

UR. Patistan
13. Hutanjia
UR. Wesleyia
UR. Ingla Terra
UR. San Jose Guayabal
2. Uitbregen

Group 3 @Panoli Anchors Bank Stadium – Ankora Banc Stada de Panoli

5. Saugeais
UR. Buyan
15. The Fair Republic
30. Saintland
UR. New Koln
UR. The Serbian Empire

Group 4 @Capital Center Pitch – Terrfel Centra Capitala

UR. Nova Anglicana
UR. Some Village
1. Rhodesiah
UR. Democratic Peoples Republic of Britain
UR. Jeckland
18. Estope

Group 5 @Toft Stadium – Stada de Toft

12. Darmen
UR. Noburu Taiyou
UR. The Knox Valley
UR. Pey
11. Neu Engollon
79. Aquitayne

Group 6 @Rhone Alpen Stadium – Stada Alpen de Rhone

UR. Costa de Ouro
UR. Riysa
UR. Lunar Republic Isands
7. Ko-oren
23. The Licentian Isles
UR. The Sarian

The six groups of six were drawn out of the following pots.

1. Rhodesiah
2. Uitbregen
4. Polar Islandstates
5. Saugeais
7. Ko-oren
11. Neu Engollon

12. Darmen
13. Hutanjia
15. The Fair Republic
18. Estope
23. The Licentian Isles
24. Apox

30. Saintland
79. Aquitayne

UR. Buyan
UR. Cata Larga
UR. Costa de Ouro
UR. Democratic Peoples Republic of Britain
UR. Ingla Terra
UR. Jeckland
UR. Lunar Republic Isands
UR. Lzherusskia
UR. New Koln
UR. Noburu Taiyou
UR. Nova Anglicana
UR. Patistan
UR. Pey
UR. Riysa
UR. San Jose Guayabal
UR. Some Village
UR. Super-Llamaland
UR. The Knox Valley
UR. The Royal Barangay
UR. The Sarian
UR. The Serbian Empire
UR. Wesleyia

---

Important links:
Bid for this World Cup
OOC Thread
Current ranks
Rugby World Cup XX

[Neu Engollon]

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Sportsmen, Visitors, Astyrians and citizens!

Bien-Welk! I welcome you to the Confederacy of Neu Engollon!
I am Franz Toft, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport in this collection of cantons we call home.
We are thrilled to have you here in the Confederacy and to see you exhibit the sport that we hold most dear to our hearts, rugby.
As you begin to arrive in your host cities, I offer you this guide so that you may find your way in a small and humble, yet vibrant and bustling nation, in the diverse, puzzling and striving region of Astyria.

Some of you may want to just ruck, dropkick and maul your way to glory without regard to your surroundings, and that's accorzu (okay). The following stadiums await you to continue on your journey to possible gold. For those of you, though, that may explore beyond and in-between matches, pay attention to the links for the respective cities you will find yourselves in as you try to dominate your groups ~

GROUP 1
Constance City Stadium – Burgen Stada de Konstanz (Frandit); Градски стадион Констанца (Nikolian)
Capacity: 56,347
Typical Weather Conditions: Heated during winter with a retractable roof; maritime, moderate climate in warmer months

Info about Konstanz

GROUP 2
Schwartzgarten Municipal Stadium – Burgen Stada de Schwartzgarten (Frandit)
Capacity: 87,452
Typical Weather Conditions: Heated during winter with a retractable roof; cool weather in spring/summer

Info about Schwartzgarten

GROUP 3
Panoli Anchors Bank Stadium – Ankora Banc Stada de Panoli (Frandit)
Capacity: 77,785
Typical Weather Conditions: Mederano coastal; balmy to mildly cool climate year round

Info about Panoli

GROUP 4
Capital Center Field – Terrfel Centra Capitala (Frandit)
Capacity: 92,791
Typical Weather Conditions: Heated during winter with pedestal mounted heaters, occasional snow on pitch; warm to humid in spring/summer

Info about Telleursville

GROUP 5
Toft Stadium – Stada de Toft (Frandit)
Capacity: 114,788
Typical Weather Conditions: Domed, controlled climate

Info about Burgunden

GROUP 6
Rhone Alpen Stadium – Stada Alpen de Rhone (Frandit)
Capacity: 105,853
Typical Weather Conditions: Heated with a retractable roof in winter; balmy to warm in spring/summer

Info about Albertville

[Neu Engollon]

What you need to know about Neu Engollon

LAWS & CUSTOMS

First, it might be wise to figure out how to not get into trouble when getting to the stadium. Truthfully, this is not too difficult, as gendarmes have better things to do then pick on wayward visitors. Still, it might be helpful to read up on the most important laws, codes and regulations of the Confederacy.

Navigating the Distance & The Politics

MAP of ASTYRIA

MAP of NEU ENGOLLON

MAP of KONSTANZ

There are several airlines and ocean lines that go directly into the Confederacy, or indirectly into Astyria, almost all offer varying levels of luxury. While it is relatively safe to travel, due to several flaring conflicts in the region, you may be redirected and rerouted around hot zones.

Neu Engollon, being strictly neutral, is not directly at war and has a firm clamp on potential terrorism with the vigilence of Pine Park, the Criminal Investigations Division and homeland security organization of the Confederacy, and NESA (Neu Engollon Security Agency). There are several troops of the NEDF (Neu Engollon Defense Forces) committed to peacekeeping missions in Lorecia (Northern Astyria) and far southern Astyria in order to restore the security of the region. One needn't worry as any conflict in the region is thousands of kilometers from the Confederacy in either direction and there is no danger of it spreading to the stable center.
There are some issues with distribution of goods from outside of the region due to the recent conflicts, so stores and hotel lobby shops might be out of stock of that certain comfort of home you seek.
Much of the conflict has to do with two competing alliances, the ATO (Astyrian Treaty Organization), and the EATA (Eastern Astyrian Treaty Alliance). The former is made up of Western, capitalist, democratic nations in the region, while the latter is led by the Blackhelm Confederacy, and consists of a majority of developing, imperial, authoritarian nations and empires. Currently, the two organizations work together to reign in rogue nations, but that cooperative spirit isn't bound to last. Neu Engollon, while neutral, tends to have sympathies with the ATO, and helps them in security duties, as well as having stronger economic ties with ATO nations. Neu Engollon currently sits on the board of the E10, the economic council that makes major decisions for the region.

History, Culture and Language

Neu Engollon is an English speaking nation, but the second language is Frandit, a blend of French, German and Italian that has evolved over 5 centuries in the cantons of the Confederacy, becoming mandated as an official second language in the 17th Century. Other than the farthest rural reaches of Neu Engollon, most travelers to most areas should be able to get by in English. However, attempts at speaking Frandit, or even using a few key phrases, are liable to get your bar tab picked up for the night by appreciative, proud citizens. Calling into question their extreme, looney inebriation and the drunken raucousness of urban Neu Engollian nightlife is liable to get you pummeled in an alleyway.

Besides sports, brewing culture is a way of life in the Confederacy, with the most popular breuerie (brewery) in Neu Engollon, Astyria, and many parts of the multiverse being Burgunden Breuerie. Burgunden Breus are prevalent everywhere, and should you desire an easy-going pilsner, you can't go wrong with a Chateaux, or if stout is your flavor, Schiele Stout will hit the spot. There are many beers and ales in between, in their repertoire and most beer lovers will find something to their liking. Wine and liquor can be acquired, if that is your desire as well, but the selection is not as vast as microbrews.

Neu Engollon has been an established Federal Democracy for over seven centuries. For more than half that time, they have seen mostly peace, other than an attempted takeover by Napoleon and border conflicts with the Austrog Empire. It isn't until recently that they decided that regional security should be a priority in order to secure homeland security. Economics and sports have always been large focuses of the Confederacy and its citizens, and that won't change anytime soon.

The Some Village Ark

Docked usually at Pier 14 in Panoli harbor in the canton of Liguria, this special ark came to us over the waves of the Mederano Sea and connecting waterways of the multiverse, as well as through a portal of time. The residents of the ark have had fleeting contact with modern society and are struggling to adapt from a medieval mentality that has run their microcosm society for generations. They seem to be doing well enough, and to help them along, the Confederacy has taken them under their wing. Residents of the Ark carry papers on shore that proclaim them as honorary, protected citizens of the Confederacy. Still, it tends to be more than obvious when a Some Villagean is ashore to any but the most dense of Neu Engollians.
Most notably in recent events of the Ark, a squad has been fielded to compete in the AVRU, called the Wanderers, and somehow, they have triumphed against all odds to keep to the top 4 of the Union, becoming the heroes of Panoli, to the envy of the traditional AVRU hometown heroes, the Dockers. A new, lively rivalry has ensued. It is still comical to citizens, how Some Villageans attempt to find their way in the Confederacy and the modern world, in general.

Media in Neu Engollon

The Rugby World Cup will be covered by the NETV Sports 7 channel, part of the state funded NETV network. Magda Wertauer and Karl Demais are the anchor team for the Sports 7 Update and have an avid following of half the nation or more most nights.

The most popular rugby columnist in the Confederacy is a staff writer for the Telleursville Times, Jean Marc Charjan. This is what rugby fans wake up to with their morning coffee or tea...that or grueling punishment drills.

More information about Neu Engollon

Before going out of business in the originating nation of Wight, the Lonely Multiverse guidebooks company printed one last helpful edition in 2013 about Neu Engollon. You should read it.

Several other tracts have been printed over the years, that a traveler might avail themselves to study.

Wiki has always been a good source for information for those that travel the net as well as trot the globe.

Contact with authorities is sometimes helpful when you cannot find the information, hi or lo, that you seek.

When all seems lost, at the bottom of the page, one might find the clues needed to navigate around.
(Pssst! Check my signature! Many of these links are in there.)

OOC: Contact me if you are interested in doing collaborative RP, with your players or team entourage interacting with Neu Engollians. I would be more than happy to have some interactive RP and it is Win-Win as far as RP bonus goes for both me and you. (Citizens, night life denizens, hotel clerks, reporters, you name it, I'm game for about any scenario.)

[Some Village]

Some Village Sports Federation

proudly presents the

VILLAGERS NATIONAL RUGBY TEAM

Some Village is not a nation in the usual meaning of the word. Most nations can be described by indicating their population, geography and location. At the time of this tournament, late August 462 A.D. for us, there are 231 inhabitants. All of them reside on board of the Some Village, a ship which constitutes their only territory. Said ship is usually anchored in Panoli, the major coastal town of Neu Engollon or drifts on the shores of Astyria, the region where we can be found. In exceptional cases, we leave this region for sports tournaments or in order to find the Islas Fortunas, the destined land indicated in the writings of Malachi, the prophet which teachings we follow.
In 36 B.C., a small group of insurgents left the land of Judea in order to find territory to live in peace and happiness. So far, they haven’t found it, despite numerous attempts. For those interested in more about our history and nation, I’m glad to point you towards our factbook.
So far I would only add that our elected king is named Zedekiah, our ship is navigated by Rabah, our council head and village eldest is Sem, our national doctor is Evei and our responsible for entertainment and president of the Sports Federation is named Erastos.

Squad

Coach: Nikodemus (40), national responsible for Education in Some Village
Assistant: Daniilu (42)
Colours: red and blue stripes, with a white star on the heart
Style: +2

Forwards:
1. Zaccheus (32), son of Erastos and Edna - Loosehead Prop
2. Zaboulon (27), son of Cenan and Salome - Hooker
3. Simeon (33), son of Zadok and Candace - Tighthead Prop
4. Abdias (34), son of Lewi and Delilah - Lock
5. Aaron (22), son of Enosh and Vashti - Lock
6. Ittai (22), son of Iakobos and Zilpah
7. Jubal (23), son of HIrah and Miriam - Openside Flanker
8. Obed (29), son of Timothei and Tabitha - Number Eight

Backs:
9. Avner (30), son of Zedekiah and Martha - Scrum Half
10. Iob (24), son of Iakobos and Zilpah - Fly Half
11. Ananias (27), son of Zedekiah and Martha - Left Wing
12. Iepthae (26), son of Heridion and Huldah
13. Aser (27), son of Iakobos and Zilpah - Outside Centre
14. Ozihel (21), son of Saoul and Magdalene - Right Wing
15. Prochoros (30), son of Erastos and Edna - Fullback

Subs
Forwards:
16. Ohad (21), son of Timothei and Tabitha
17. Thaddeus (20), son of Pontius and Tamar
18. Isaak (27), son of Abram and Cassia
19. Nethanel (24), son of Zedekiah and Martha

Backs:
20. Phineas (35), son of Ofir and Loise
21. Jairus (30), son of Iakobos and Zilpah
22. Jehiel (24), son of Abram and Cassia
23. Tzidki (20), son of Enosh and Vashti

[Neu Engollon]

NEU ENGOLLON NATIONAL RUGBY UNION SQUAD 'THE GOATS'

Coach: Giuseppe Cosento
Assistant Coach: Rolf Mertzen

First Team
Forwards:
1: Bartolomeo Fendini - Loosehead Prop (Some Village Wanderers)
2: Rocco Gondino - Hooker (San Remo Ospreys)
3: Conrad Gemmel - Tighthead Prop (Ludenthal Wolves)
4: Marius Joos - Lock (Burgunden Brawlers)
5: Dino Sobaccia - Lock (Fram Kallsmudden, Buyan)
6: Marcel Donette - Blindside Flanker (Northern Urbanista, Apox)
7: Jean Semmes - Openside Flanker (R.K. Mhozt'sevhyar i 'yhuug, Commune-PDT.v2)
8: Salvatore Guerrero - Number Eight (Panoli Dockers)

Backs:
9: Horst Emmett - Scrum Half (Ludenthal Wolves)
10: Wilhelm Hoerner - Fly Half (Schwartzgarten Warriors)
11: Julien Latrent - Left Wing (Telleursville Gargoyles)
12: Carsten Lichtmann - Inside Centre (Ludenthal Wolves)
13: Alexander Renvier - Outside Centre (Telleursville Gargoyles)
14: Friedrich Reitzbach - Right Wing (Burgunden Brawlers)
15: Marino Riazzi - Fullback (Panoli Dockers)

Subs
Forwards:
16: Felix Marten (R.K. Svhobodha, Commune-PDT.v2)
17: Silvio Usadino (Ciavno Alpenhawks)
18: Andino Paticci (San Remo Ospreys)
19: Guillaume Venmont (Telleursville Gargoyles)

Backs:
20: Johann Dorff (Burgunden Brawlers)
21: Giannaro Caravolo (Panoli Dockers)
22: Ernst Urbach (Burgunden Brawlers)
23: Hugo Koernsoff (Schwartzgarten Warriors)

Style: + 2.2

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HOME

AWAY

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GROUP 5
Darmen (12)
Noburu Taiyou (UR)
The Knox Valley (UR)
Pey (UR)
Neu Engollon (11)
Aquitayne (79)


GROUP 5 MATCHES

Matchday 1
Noburu Taiyou vs Neu Engollon

Matchday 2
Neu Engollon v The Knox Valley

Matchday 3
Pey v Neu Engollon

Matchday 4
Aquitayne v Neu Engollon

Matchday 5
Neu Engollon v Darmen

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RP Permissions:
Choose my point scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y, please TG first
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards (sin bin) to my players: Y
Hand out red cards (sending off) to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y, Please TG me first for OK
Really, I'm down for most anything, just get in touch with me first.

[Saugeais]

Saugeais Eagles Rugby Union

Head Coach:
Stephan Strauss - Age 54

Starting XV:
# - Name - Position - Age
1. Tayler Wegner - loose prop - 24 (Plude Red)
2. Terrence Florio - hooker - 25 (Riverside Sharks)
3. Addison Pettigrew - tight prop - 32 (Les Alliés Legion)
4. Jean Derni - lock - 23 (Gilley Wasps)
5. Brannon Dick - lock - 24 (Arçon Rugby)
6. Rigby Tobias - blindside flanker - 27 (Bugny Barbarians)
7. Jamar Jaeger - openside flanker - 26 (Bugny Barbarians)
8. Josef de Jong - eighth-man - 33 (Montbenoit Old Boys)
9. Stephan Morneau - scrum half - 24 (Portmore Wanderers)
10. Grier Young - fly half - 33 (Westbay Waves)
11. Tomas Perez - inside centre - 25 (Plude Red)
12. Stan Smith - outside centre - 34 (South City Coasters)
13. Charles Du Bois - left wing - 34 (Metalton RFC)
14. Claude Van Bomme - right wing - 32 (Ironshire Smitys)
15. Ron Burgundy - fullback - 33 (Gilley Wasps)

Reserves:
16. Jeremiah Bloxham - centre - 30 (Gilley Wasps)
17. Killian Christianson - centre - 31 (Middleview Tigers)
18. Christian Stueck - wing - 31 (Metalton RFC)
19. Kimball Hilton - prop - 29 (Montbenoit Old Boys)
20. Florian Bulle - flanker - 29 (Les Alliés Legion)
21. Prince Dean - half - 29 (Riverside Sharks)
22. Pierce Hackett - fullback - 26 (Ville-DuPont RFC)
23. Hiram Randall - lock - 28 (Gilley Wasps)
24. Arthur Combs - hooker - 33 (Pays de Croix Saints)

Uniform:


Choose my pointscorers: Y
Godmod scoring event:s Y
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards (sin bin) to my players: Y
Hand out red cards (sending off) to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y

[New Koln]

New Koln Rugby Union Info
Let's go and make us proud
Style modifier:1,8

Should my opponent RPs first, he/she may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: N
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y

Players
Fullbacks
John Madison
George Hendersson
Mark Jeferson
Right wings
Nick Jackson
Philip Johnson
Daniel Poppins
Left wings
Nick Jacques
Zander Robbinson
Centres
Daniel Dawson
Philip Malboro
Halfbacks
Nick Jacson
Sam Nickson
1,2 5/8
Frank Robbins
Zander Philipps
Nick Dickson
Number 8
Philip Karabatzakis
Garoud Mignak
Opensive and Blindside Flankers
Nick Minak
Nank Limenaz
Panagiotis Karabatzakis
John Daves
Locks
Mark Lackinson
Don Marks
Mark Davidson
Tightened Props
Nick Flankeston
Philip Hassels
Don Markoson
Hookers
David Markinson
John Johnson
Mark Markoson
Loosehead Props
Mark Davidson
John Jackson
Zack Robbinson
We are ready to fight with our kits

New Koln's biggest rugby union stadium the "Johnson Park" of 22.000 seats

There's the lineup

[Nova Anglicana]

Nova Anglicana Rugby Union World Cup XXI Roster

Nickname: Lions
Head Coach: Errol Anderson

Starting XV

1. Franck Terrot, loosehead prop, 29
2. Ben Brady, hooker, 27
3. Samson Abasi, tighthead prop, 24
4. Tim Poole, lock, 24
5. Dan Bridges, lock, 25
6. Myles Sheffield, blindside flanker, 26
7. Damien Clemens, openside flanker, 25, captain
8. Merlin St. Clair, eight-man, 27
9. Julian Lee, scrum half, 25
10. Quentin Foray, fly half, 24
11. Jean-Marc Aubert, weak-side (left) wing, 23
12. Roger Wood, inside centre, 26
13. Garrett Morgan, outside centre, 22
14. Eric Clark, strong-side (right) wing, 24
15. Graham King, fullback, 22

Subs

16. Alec Alba, centre, 22
17. Cole Fair, half, 21
18. Nate Jefferson, wing, 25
19. Roland Brady, fullback, 24
20. Kristopher Beard, front row, 27
21. Atticus Joiner, loose forward, 23
22. Jacob Grant, second row, 27




Kit (thanks to Fair Republic for link):

Schedule (group 4, @Capital Center Pitch – Terrfel Centra Capitala)

MD1: UR Nova Anglicana vs. #18 Estope
MD2: Nova Anglicana vs. UR Some Village
MD3: #1 Rhodesiah vs. UR Nova Anglicana
MD4: Nova Anglicana vs. UR DPR Britain
MD5: UR Jeckland vs. Nova Anglicana

Should my opponent RPs first, he/she may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: N
RP injuries to my players: Y, nothing serious
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: Y, only if you also give a red to one of your players
Godmod other events: N

[The Fair Republic]

Style Modifier: +1.5
Captain: Peter Lazarus
Coach: Gideon Patrick
Demonym: Republics
Uniforms:




Roster:

Starting Lineup
PR - Adam Jones
HK - Luke Smith
PR - Marcus Welton
SR - Wellington Archer
SR - Paul Weaver
FL - Henry Ferguson
FL - Tommy Davis
#8 - Ted Meyer
SH - Brett Adams
FH - Victor Peterson
IC - Timothy Hunter
OC - Nate Keizer
LW - Franz Williams
RW - Peter Lazarus
FB - Ross Lynch

Bench

FW - Edgar Hoover
FW - Percy Piturnus
FW - Patrick Ross
FW - Fabian Duncan
BK - Jamie Gawdye
BK - George Wood
BK - Peter Kanie



Choose my pointscorers: Y
Godmod scoring event:s Y
RP injuries to my players: N
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards (sin bin) to my players: Y
Hand out red cards (sending off) to my players: Y
Godmod other events: Y

[Saintland]

Saintland National Rugby Union Team

Style Modifier: +2
Captain: Marcus Desidenius
Colors: Red and White
Demonym: Sanctii
Stadium: Via Damascus Stadium
Stadium Location: St. Paulus
Stadium Capacity: 32,189

Roster

Starting Lineup

PR - Marcus Ennius
HK - Lucas Decianus
PR - Matthaeus Ennius
SR - Matthaeus Flavinius
SR - Paulus Flavinius
FL - Josephus Funisulanus
FL - Alessandro Funisulanus
#8 - Marcus Desidenius
SH - Paulus Norbanus
FH - Lucas Portius
IC - Silvester Spurius
OC - Petrus Spurius
LW - Nicolaus Opsius
RW - Ioannes Opsius
FB - Lucius Curius

Bench

FW - Lucas Fulvius
FW - Petrus Decimius
FW - Thomas Hispalus
FW - Lucius Didius
BK - Georgius Cipius
BK - Alessandro Belaeus
BK - Paulus Blandius

Notes

Saintland has a very rough style of play and very few fouls in our national league, so don't hesitate to card Sanctii players, especially if Saintland loses. Rugby is the 3rd most popular form of football in Saintland. It is nowhere near as popular as soccer or gridiron. It also is not as popular as baseball, ice hockey or basketball. Rugby is roughly as popular as handball in Saintland. A RL comparison would be soccer in the US. The Saintland rugby team doesn't have the high expectations that come with representing Saintland in any of the big 5 sports. The Saintland National Rugby Union Team has 5 brother combinations in the starting lineup. This team lacks a star player. Unlike the usual Sanctii captains, Desidenius is not a star player. He is a veteran who captains the St. Petrus rugby union team. Desidenius is known for his veteran leadership, but he is just a good player. Even Lucas Portius, the MVP last season, is not a superstar player. If the Sanctii perform well, it will be through team play, not through the dominance of any single player. They are relatively tall players and most of them have played gridiron at the youth levels.

RP Permissions

I give my opponent permission to:
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
Give my players yellow cards: Y
Give my players red cards: Y
Give injuries to my players: N
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y

[Super-Llamaland]

Style Modifier: +5
Captain: Paul Remington
Coach: Michael Ennis
Colors: Maroon and lime green gold

Starting Lineup

PR - John Allen
HK - Garrett Arnold
PR - Jeff Gibson
SR - Alex Hernandez
SR - Ken Wang
FL - Paul Remington
FL - Cliff Mueller
#8 - Andrew Carlson
SH - Barry Artikis
FH - Sam Gray
IC - Tom Grey
OC - Jefferson Rosenwald
LW - Carlos Gonzales
RW - Michael Zhou
FB - Perry Kingston

Bench

FW - Edgar Hoover
FW - Percy Piturnus
FW - Patrick Ross
FW - Fabian Duncan
BK - Jamie Gawdye
BK - George Wood
BK - Peter Kanie

Choose my pointscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: N
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: Y
Hand out yellow cards (sin bin) to my players: Y
Hand out red cards (sending off) to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y (TG me)

[Democratic Peoples Republic of Britain (Ancient)]

Coach: Bill paul
Captain: Barry Bethel
Colours: Red and Green

PR - Terry Balla
HK - Theodoro Diamante
PR - Marcus Smith
SR - Matt Bertson
SR - Karl Fray
FL - Benny Bill
FL - Jimmy Gryll
#8 - Ken Llewelyn
SH - Barry Bethel
FH - Tim Evans
IC - Jamie Briggs
OC - Kim Hyung Saek
LW - Paulo Johnson
RW - Freddie Joseph
FB - Frank Wight

Bench

FW - Joseph Stalington
FW - Josh Briggs
FW - Phil Duncan
FW - Sam Clarkson
BK - Matty Hall
BK - Richard Head
BK - Bill Morrison

Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: Y
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y

[Riysa]

Should my opponent RPs first, he/she may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: N
Godmod other events: N

Riysian National Rugby Team
World Cup XXI

Nickname: "Ibexes"
Coach: A. Daraawi
Colors: Green, Black

Roster

Starting Lineup

PR - M. Jamal
HK - Z. Ghassan
PR - H. Çiçekli
SR - O. Erdoğan
SR - O. Tamam - Captain
FL - M. Ayyubi
FL - A. Tartusi
#8 - M. Latakai
SH - M. Qasioun
FH - Y. Rumi
IC - S. Tayr
OC - F. Genowi
LW - S. Baghdadi
RW - A. Abuzaid
FB - O. al-Mohri

Bench

FW - M. Mukhtar
FW - H. Masri
FW - K. Andalusi
FW - S. Lahaam
BK - J. Mumtaz
BK - Y. Sufyan
BK - G. Mumtaz

[Ko-oren]

Ko-oren - RUWC XXI
Ko-orenite National Rugby Team Roster | Ko-oreniet Nationaal Rugbyteam | Ko-orenische Rugby-Union-Nationalmannschaft | Ko-orenska Karlalandsliðið Í Ruðninguri | Seleção Ko-orenense de Rugby Union | Équipe de Ko-oren de Rugby à XV |
ラグビーコ・オレン代表 | 高欧仁國家橄欖球隊 | Ko-oren Millî Rugby Takımı | Ко-орэн улсын РЕГБИГИЙН шигшээ баг | 코오렌 럭비 조합 국가대표팀 | Tîm Rygbi'r Undeb Cenedlaethol Co-oren |
Ko-orenská Ragbyová Reprezentace | Сборная Ко-оpении по Pегби

Style mod: -5
Head Coach: Ishtun Makkarn
Backs Coach: Dadun Helkuran
Forwards Coach: Idrasil Jakranten

1 LP - Gaetan Thibaut
2 H - Ruud Spijker
3 TP - Nuno Araullo
4 L1 - Jonathan Grimault
5 L2 - Nigel Fletcher
6 BF - Loic Joseph
7 OF - Eusebio Nunes
8 N8 - Pascal Desbois

9 SH - Raphael Favre
10 FH - Ryan Savage
11 LW - Manuel Magalhães
12 IC - Sergio Santos
13 OC - Alex Dieudonné
14 RW - Flávio Pereira
15 FB - Florent Manceau

Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: N
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: Y
Godmod other events: Y, please

[Uitbregen]

Cyborg Holland roster to the 21st World Cup

Head Coach: Anders Clemensen (48 y/o)
Assistant Coach: Volya Kranz (53 y/o)

Team

Prop: Fred Gelen - 29 y/o - 6ft 2" - Gelk Niuestaad
Hooker: Milosz Abels - 28 y/o - 5ft 7" - 29 Denvargen
Prop: Vanya Skerdkjae - 24 y/o - 5ft 10" - Gelk
Second Row: Terenti Arntzenius - 33 y/o - 6ft 4" - Gelk
Second Row: Kliment Rasmussen - 28 y/o - 6ft 7" - Kerjissen Noord RC
Openside Flanker: Kain Bolgaard - 21 y/o - 6ft 3" - RV Herde 1996
Blindside Flanker: Johan Dreesens - 27 y/o - 6ft 4" - Varde Rugby VC
Number 8: Johannes Tholberg - 30 y/o - 6ft 1" - Gelk Niuestaad (c)

Scrum Half: Nicolaas Meeuweszen - 31 y/o - 5ft 9" - RV Herde 1996
Fly Half: Gabriël Simonis - 30 y/o - 5ft 10" - Gelk Nieustaad (kicker)
Inside Centre: Meindert Ziemniak - 24 y/o - 5ft 10" - RV Herde 1996
Outside Centre: Lukas Varden - 19 y/o - 6ft 4" - Klub Amslewijk
Left Wing: Sebastiaan Abrahamsen - 25 y/o - 6ft 3" - Kerjissen Noord RC
Right Wing: Laurits van Houte - 32 y/o - 6ft 2" - Varde Rugby VC
Full Back: Ivo van der Viel - 26 y/o - 5ft 9" - 29 Denvargen

Subs

Prop: Michael Sterner - 24 y/o - 5ft 7" - RV Herde 1996
Hooker: Aden Bekkering - 20 y/o - 5ft 7" - 29 Denvargen
Second Row: Sigurd Klerkx - 33 y/o - 6ft 6" - 29 Denvargen
Back Row: Vilfred Kristensen - 27 y/o - 6ft 2" - Ausweemer KC

Scrum Half: Lin Rodenijk - 23 y/o - 5ft 9" - Ausweemer KC
Fly Half: Marinus Thorn - 29 y/o - 5ft 8" - Gelk
Centre: Valentijn Arhaus - 33 y/o - 6ft - Klub Amslewijk
Wing: Vladilen Seegers - 24 y/o - 6ft 2" - Gelk Niuestaad (third kicker)
Full Back: Espen Luganov - 29 y/o - 5ft 10" - RV Herde 1996

Kit:
First: Silver Shirt & Shorts, Blue socks
Second: All Red
Third: White shirt, black shorts & socks

style mod (if applicable): +4

[Wesleyia]

Head Coach: Andrew Kaine, 52 y/o
Assistant Coach: Luke Wilson, 39 y/o

Team

Prop:Johnny Glasson- 27 y/o, Reds of Coxton FC
Hooker:Michael Willimeau- 23 y/o, Dargen Bats
Prop:Gary Ortaan, 31 y/o, Wainesley Dragons- Captain
Second Row:Sam Mabus, 29 y/o, Dargen Bats
Second Row:Ryan Ketter, 20 y/o, Point Grant Knights
Openside Flanker:Wayne Johnson, 33 y/o, Salisbury RFC
Blindside Flanker:Jack Ortaan, 26 y/o, Wainesley Dragons
Number 8:Howard Daniels, 24 y/o, Salisbury RFC

Scrum Half:Louis Gertrede, 30 y/o, Western Lions
Fly Half:Beau Henderson, 24 y/o, Eastriver Tigers
Inside Centre:Graeme Kruger, 18 y/o, Preston University SC
Outside Centre:Alexander Peters, 21 y/o, Western Lions
Left Wing:Jude Rudd, 23 y/o, Salisbury RFC
Right Wing:Joe Maine, 35 y/o, Haagensteede Blues RFC
Full Back:Wilson Brandt, 27 y/o, Colberry

Substitutes
Prop:Barry Newman, 38 y/o, Old Yorktown Boys RFC
Hooker:Simon Westel, 20 y/o, Eastriver Tigers
Second Row:Warren Davies, 25 y/o, Amstade Bombers
Back Row:Dick O'Connor, 29 y/o, Point Grant Knights

Half:Adam Bradley, 19 y/o Kelvin-Hawthorne RFC
Half:Robert Tongans, 23 y/o Haagensteede Blues
Centre:Bill Lucas, 28 y/o Port Lucan RFC
Wing:Thomas Clinton, 34 y/o Western Lions
Full Back:Sam Hewitt, 25 y/o Port Lucan RFC

Kit:
First: Gold, green and red stripes, white shorts and red socks
Second: White and green stripes, red shorts and black socks
Third: Black shirt, white shorts and green socks

RPing stuff
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
Give my players yellow cards: Y
Give my players red cards: N
Give injuries to my players: Yes but TG first. Try to avoid career ending ones or deaths
Godmod injuries to my players: Same as above.
Godmod other events: Y

[Darmen]

Darmen National Rugby Team

Manager: Taliesin Tracy
Assistant Manager: Jerald Fierro

Starting XV

POS  # NAME                  AGE CLUB
LP   1 Peppe Andrews         22  Darmen City Wasps
H    2 Gianmarco Marsden     34  Scott City AC
TP   3 Denholm Durant        31  Darmen City Wasps
L    4 Devyn Snyder          29  Darmen City Wasps
L    5 Douglass Janson       22  Tim City Ac
BF   6 Forest Gray           29  Tim City AC
OF   7 Adam Balboni          21  Darmen City Wasps
N8   8 Matías MacClellan     20  Sterling City Chiefs
SH   9 Seaghdh Boveri        30  CFR United Cotdelapomais
FH  10 Rodney Wembley        27  Sportklub Palerma
LW  11 Tristan Wilbur        32  Brady City Sharks
IC  12 Emmanuel Spencer      35  Darmen City Wasps        CAPTAIN
OC  13 Pánfilo Myers         25  Scott City AC
RW  14 Nash Kerr             22  Tim City AC
FB  15 Darío Courtney        33  CFR United Cotdelapomais

Substitutes

POS  # NAME                  AGE CLUB
P   16 Jools Hines           19  CFR United Cotdelapomais
H   17 Celestino Ó Domhnaill 25  Darmen City Irish
L   18 Kurtis Maynard        28  Vogler City AC
F   19 Piers Ambrosi         24  Scott City AC
HB  20 Shaun Merrill         19  Leicester Square Falcons
W   21 Miles Maxwell         32  Darmen City Wasps
C   22 Celio Tosi            20  Scott City AC
FB  23 Fergal Merritt        36  Tim City AC

Style Modifier: +3
RP Permissions: No killing or injuring, and no red cards, otherwise, have fun.

[Apox]

Apox National Rugby Team

Coach: Henry Monteforth (Aged 38)
Style: +1.03

Starters
Name              Age       Position    Club
Asha Mwada         22           Prop    JK Memorial Squad
David Jones        26         Hooker    Burgunden Brawlers RFC (NEU)
Jim Paisley        22           Prop    Northern Urbanista
James Hoolahan     30        2nd Row    Mandon Faithful
James Danbershan   20        2nd Row    JK Memorial Squad
Jacob Smith        28        Flanker    Gwinevra Saints
Percy Hughes       20        Flanker    Colesham City Blues (LCN)
Tom Tzion          35       Number 8    Mandon Faithful    CAPTAIN

Tim Harrikeh       21     Scrum Half    JK Memorial Squad
Iphitos Horne      26       Fly Half    Gwinevra Saints KICKER
Richard Jones      24  Inside Centre    Islanders (LCN)
James Lidgley      30 Outside Centre    JK Memorial Squad
Harry Organo       21     Right Wing    Dwile Jerseys
Alex Jones         24      Left Wing    Mandon Faithful
Wilfried Puskas    27      Full Back    Telleursville Gargoyles RFC (NEU)

Subs
Allan Beggar       25        Forward    Islanders (TLI)
Keif O'Brien       31        Forward    Mona Warriors
Ed Troichi         25        Forward    Manon Faithful
Chris Merchant     25        Forward    JK Memorial Squad
Trom Hollerstrom   27           Back    Northern Urbanista
Chris Donohue      29           Back    Dwile Jerseys
Carlton Webb       25           Back    Colesham City Blues (LCN)
Kyan Brown         19           Back    Dwile Jerseys

Notes
With the national team continuing to struggle internationally, there has been much change for this World Cup, with Henry Monteforth, past captain and hero of the national team taking over as head coach. He has brought about great change, with an enormous change of personnel in the team, bringing in a number of younger and hungrier players. The nation expects.

RP Permissions
No deaths, no career ending injuries without TG confirmation.

[Buyan]

After the poor results from the EAF, the Buyanese squad has been assembled for the second time. This time, they'll face their adversaries in the RUWC XXI, trying to qualify for the second round.

1.  Egidijus Budris         26   Jurbiskis Wisents
2.  Arvydas Petraitis       23   UTR Pajukas
3.  Theodor Eglitis         32   Zeimgava Warriors
4.  Jakob Solbakken         32   Fram Kallsmudden
5.  Ake Pulkkinen           30   Tikhovesi RK
6.  Sten Nordahl            23   Bengtsmark Braves
7.  Kjetil Dokken           27   RK Svhobodha, 
8.  Elmaras Vaskulkis       21   UTR Pajukas
9.  Edgaras Kacinskas       28   UTR Pajukas
10. Mart Aus                35   Tikhovesi RK
11. Jaan Kallemane          28   Panoli Dockers, 
12. Olmar Cesnauskis        28   San Remo Ospreys, 
13. Peter Aho               29   Sisu Siklapaa
14. Heikki Gunnarson        30   Bengtsmark Braves
15. Juris Freimanis         25   Zeimgava Warriors

16. Aslo Privalkis          27   Jurbiskis Wisents
17. Kalle Numinnen          32   Fortuna Harseni
18. Elmar Keskula           30   Fortuna Harseni
19. Nerijus Burczek         26   Teleursville Gargoyles, 

20. Jonas Rimsa             27   UTR Pajukas
21. Johan Ullevallsetter    29   Fram Kallsmudden  
22. David Hellermann        27   RK Hsluuchya, 
23. Gomar Kvist             22   Bengtsmark Braves

[Some Village]

24 hours left before the cut-off of the first match day of the RUWC XXI.

[Hutanjia]

NATIONAL RUGBY UNION SQUAD 'The SPIDERS'
of THE REPUBLIC OF HUTANJIA

Coach: Jaunders Malaptra
Assistant Coach: Bentley Reraptke
Trainer: Giancarlo Wziputala

First Team
Forwards:
1: Jean-Luc Tarepka - Loosehead Prop
2: Francis Yosepgka - Hooker
3: Emmett Jelego - Tighthead Prop
4: Manuel Edeptka - Lock
5: Harrison Fengelu - Lock
6: Rhys Pentagke - Blindside Flanker
7: Townsend Vagatu - Openside Flanker
8: Vladimir Sokota - Number Eight

Backs:
9: Monterrey Apegku - Scrum Half
10: Weston Ketsangu - Fly Half
11: Janson Paqate - Left Wing
12: Johannes Charopa - Inside Centre
13: Samson Wakala - Outside Centre
14: Harold Nepedku - Right Wing
15: Benson Vitagu - Fullback

Subs
Forwards:
16: Matthew Pitaga
17: Gregor Demagzu
18: Henson Imegka
19: Fernand Ranago

Backs:
20: Mitchell Zangaka
21: Grendel Lintanu
22: Thompson Bishulo
23: Manchester Paloktu

HOME

AWAY

RP PERMISSIONS
Choose my pointscorers: Y
Godmod scoring event:s Y
RP injuries to my players: Y, Please TG me first for OK
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards (sin bin) to my players: Y
Hand out red cards (sending off) to my players: N
Godmod other events: Y, Please TG me first for OK

[Saintland]

OOC: Just to clarify, this is my RP, not an actual WBC 29 bid, nor does it bear more than a superficial resemblance to an actual host bid by me. However, I'm probably going to continue this as my RP line for WBC 29 (possibly with some short comments on the "results") to make a point that needs to be made. Over the following days, I'll likely be doing a series of (very significant) RPs that I had planned for the World Bowl in this thread.

Saintland's Bid for the 29th World Baseball Classic
A Modest Proposal

The King's Government, praying that this doesn't lead to our impeachment, hereby submits the following bid for the consideration of the rest of the WBC Council:

About Saintland

Saintland is an island kingdom located in the polar portion of World Changers. Founded in 966 AD, Saintland has been governed by the same Royal Family ever since. The Church of Saintland is an international Church which traces itself back to the Church founded by St. Petrus, the rock upon which Iesus Christus built His Church. Saintland is home to an estimated 600 thousand people and is known internationally as an example of what a nation should be.

On the baseball field, Saintland's National Baseball Team has done little of note in the past. Their one significant accomplishment was their elimination of Cassadaigua from WBC 26. This occurred when they defeated Cassadaigua in the Round of 24 of that WBC, which was held in Cassadaigua.

Saintland has hosted the Saintland Triple Crown, the 9th edition of the Beach Cup and the 27th edition of the World Baseball Classic (with Maklohi Vai). The King's Government of Saintland is one of the leading advocates of the "Holy Casaran Format" and has hosted the first UWCFA Gold Cup and World Bowl XXII with that format. Additionally, Saintland's closest regional neighbor, the Federation of Free Republics, has hosted the 3rd edition of the World Korfball Classic and the 58th edition of the Cup of Harmony (with Falcus).

Format/Tiebreakers

Given that it is still early in the signup process, it is impossible to guess what the eventual signup numbers will be at this time. However, a format will be devised at a later point (OOC: I will use the exact format and tiebreakers used for the actual WBC 29.).

Scorination and RP Bonus

Xkoranate with the NSFS formula for baseball will be used. Given that this formula is extremely random to the degree that it would make it difference, no rankings will be used and no RP bonuses will be offered. Instead, the minimum skill points will be set to 0, the maximum skill points will be set to 1. All teams will be assigned a value of .5 in the scorinator, putting all of them on an equal footing. Then, the glorified Lottery that we call the WBC can commence. No restrictions will be imposed upon those who wish to post rosters or RPs, although they will not improve your chances of success. Linescores will be posted, but if you want to RP you can choose whether to follow them and whether to follow the number of innings. You can even contradict your opponent's RPs if you want, since I won't be reading your RPs anyway. We probably should set ourselves to 1 in the scorinator, since we deserve it, but we're not going to do that because we believe in a level playing field. We won't even set Cassadaigua, Equestrian States or Gregoryisgodistan to 0, because that wouldn't be fair.

Reason for the Bid

The reason behind this proposal is to (hopefully) prove that posting rosters and RPs has very little impact on your chances for success in the WBC as currently constituted. Results will be posted on a daily basis in the WBC thread (OOC: Meaning, of course, before the actual WBC cutoff for that MD) because I want to make everybody wait to find out who the champion is, even though I'll be scorinating at least the entire group stage in a single go.

I hope you like my bid and will vote for me as your next WBC host. If you have any questions or comments, please ask them on a relevant discussion thread, since we don't need to be cluttering up IC threads with OOC banter.

[Rhodesiah]

Rhodesiah Sables National Rugby Team Roster

Coach: Mikkel Van Der Merwe

Forwards
2 Tim Plaat
3 Steven van Heerden
4 Janus Wessels
5 Mitchell Hedberg
6 Ewald van den Bosch
7 Morne Swanepoel
8 Nik Ahrens
9 Paul Swanepoel
16 Nico Lichtenberg
17 Darren Simpson
18 Kyle Park
19 Victor Kolous
20 George Smythe

Backs
10 Tom van Zyl (c)
1 Koos Niederkamp
11 Tim van Koke
12 Piet Koondenstash
13 Armin Goedbaar
14 Ricky Louw
15 Marius Parow
21 Janus Paulus
22 Lloris van Dam
23 Linus Oberholzer

Code: Select all

Should my opponent RPs first, he/she may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: Y (don't kill them please)
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: Y
Godmod other events: Y (within reason)
Style modifier: -2.3

[Noburu Taiyou]

Noburu Taiyou National Rugby Union Team

Coach: Kouchi Miyanohara
Style Modifier: -3
Colors: Blue and Yellow
Demonym: Taiyouese

Roster

Starting Lineup

PR - Taishi Osaka
HK - Yoshifumi Kinjo
PR - Takahiko Iwasaki
SR - Hoshihito Yoneda
SR - Shinshuu Okumura
FL - Narushi Shirai
FL - Shigeatsu Taue
#8 - Junichi Kichikawa
H - Sou Taue
FH - Yasushi Sugimoto
IC - Tougo Ohira
OC - Yamahiko Kamei
LW - Naozumi Onodera
RW - Toshihiko Machida
FB - Kishin Hayashida

Bench

FW - Okita Chouno
FW - Kizashi Taketou
FW - Naruhiko Takamatsu
FW - Masaki Yokota
BK - Hidetaka Hirota
BK - Hisao Andou
BK - Sumito Ueno

RP Permissions

I give my opponent permission to:
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
Give my players yellow cards: Y
Give my players red cards: Y
Give injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: Y
Godmod other events: Y

[Rhodesiah]

"Holy shitballs!"

Yes. Thank you captain Ton van Zyl. We're well aware of your awe of Telleursville.

In fact, many Rhodesiah players in this edition of the World Cup have been far and few in between from any form of coastline in their lives. Being a landlocked nation and with limited access to some kind of major body of water, Telleursville was some sort of luxury to the Sables roster. Finally springing for a decent hotel at the Destination Downtown Hotel, it was a change in the lap of luxury that Rhodesiah players, both old and new, had not experienced before. Some had gone to Pub 15, some had gone to Burgunden BreuPub to try out the local flavours, but it was the immersion with local water that would prove some Rhodesiah players to the reduced to screaming children upon entering and splashing in the water.

Mikkel van der Merwe would have nothing of this.

In his 20th year of coaching and managing this Sable team he was clearly past the twilight years of his life. He has led a Rhodesiah team out of nowhere to a third, second, and two World Cup titles but he knew the euphoria would not last. His only motivation in coming back, perhaps even for living, was to win a third title in a row. He told himself and nobody else that there would be no more World Cups (god forbid he live so long) if he had won a third straight as coach and manager. Why not? He thought smoking a pipe and drinking what was surely not his fourth or fifth double scotch of the day on a lazy Salisbury afternoon. Rugby had been his life growing up, and having a ban on Rhodesiah rugby lifted in the past few World Cups he felt it was his obligation as a Sable to continue a proud tradition. He knew his days as a boy on a farm kicking and throwing a rugby ball about were reflective of many of his players. He didn't select the best players in Rhodesiah, he selected the RIGHT players in Rhodesiah. Famously cutting former captain Kyle Staak and several other players in order to field the best team possible. It was clear van der Merwe was not a coach to be f***ed around with in rugby.

He smoked his pipe and gazed upon the empty Capital Center Field whilst nodding in approval. Finally a preliminary round venue that would suit an appropriate amount of supporters. With well over 90,000 seats available there would almost be a sense of a "home match" for Rhodesiah with the amount of fans that lived for such a moment. There was no care for other sports such as gridiron or football in Rhodesiah, for it was all rugby that the nation lived for. Knowing there would be many Neu Engollon members of government at these matches, the Sables know the task at hand is not merely for sport but for diplomacy as well. Surely a dominant performance could lead to future endeavors between both nations.

Mikkel van der Merwe has shown some interest in touring Embassy Row, but the Sables have unfortunately been distracted by the task at hand for the World Cup... and the local (somewhat) nightlife. Let's look at the matchups!

MD1: Democratic Peoples Republic of Britain: Strong roster and one hell of a look. Unfortunately appearance doesn't win matches.
MD2: Jeckland: Wanted to host, fell short... hopefully much like their rugby team.
MD3: Nova Anglicana: A formidable roster and will not be taken lightly. Definitely a team to watch out for in the later rounds.
MD4: Some Village: Hosts who are yet to release a roster causing some concern. Regardless there will be some fierce competition.
MD5: Estope: Nothing yet from this nation, but should be a win.