Rugby Union World Cup 26-EVERYTHING

[Neu Engollon]

NEU ENGOLLON NATIONAL RUGBY UNION SQUAD
'THE MOUNTAIN GOATS'

Coach: Giuseppe Cosento
Assistant Coach: Rolf Mertzen

First Team
Forwards:
1: Bartolomeo Fendini - Loosehead Prop (Monaco Racers)
2: Rocco Gondino - Hooker (San Remo Ospreys)
3: Andino Paticci - Tighthead Prop (San Remo Ospreys)
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 (Dronero Periglios)
8: Felix Marten - Number Eight (Torino Terrors)

Backs:
9: Horst Emmett - Scrum Half (Ludenthal Wolves)
10: Wilhelm Hoerner - Fly Half (Sept-Iles Chanteclairs, Nova Anglicana)
11: Julien Latrent - Left Wing (Genève Gargoyles)
12: Carsten Lichtmann - Inside Center (Ludenthal Wolves)
13: Ernst Urbach - Outside Center (Burgunden Brawlers)
14: Andre Callenzo - Right Wing (Menton Crushers)
15: Marino Riazzi - Fullback (Panoli Dockers)

Subs
Forwards:
16: Louis Katz-Savrin (Enbrun Saisers)
17: Silvio Usadino (Ciavno Alpenhawks)
18: Arvin Frankenheim - (Enbrun Saisers)
19: Guillaume Venmont (Genève Gargoyles)

Backs:
20: Johann Dorff (Burgunden Brawlers)
21: Giannaro Caravolo (Panoli Dockers)
22: Izzy Parsignolo (Torino Terrors)
23: Hugo Koernsoff (Schwartzgarten Warriors)

Style: + 1.2

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HOME

AWAY

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Group G

Xasnep
New Doltania
Neu Engollon
Banija
United States of Devonta

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RP Permissions:
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: No career ending, 1 per match
Godmod injuries to my players: TG me first
Hand out yellow cards (sin bin) to my players: Y
Hand out red cards (sending off) to my players: TG me first
Godmod other events: Y

[Hutanjia]

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

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: Grendel Lintanu - 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: Janson Paqate
22: Thompson Bishulo
23: Manchester Paloktu

HOME

AWAY

RP PERMISSIONS
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: 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: Please TG me first

[Alice Bay]

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The Crux, Rugby World Cup 25 General Info

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Modifier: +1

MATCHES

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Group Stage
MD1: 20-10 vs. Velstrania
MD2: bye
MD3: vs. Barunia
MD4: vs. New South Munster
MD5: vs. Kopyk

UNIFORMS

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The Kiaser Colonies uniforms were produced by Valls Rugby.

ROSTER

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1. Betrand RHETT (PR)
2. Yorick LINTE (HK)
3. Casey DARRIN (PR)
4. Arlan MIKLOS (SR) (Captain)
5. Pierce MARKIS (SR)
6. Marian WEBSTER (FL)
7. Keaton TEL (FL)
8. Athan VALERIAN (N8 ) (2nd. Captain)
9. Nick BENZ (SH)
10. Skylar COHEN (FH)
11. Leo VALERIAN (WG)
12. Chris GAUTHIER (CT)
13. Harry McCANN (CT)
14. Mathieu GROVER (WG)
15. Hartley WELDON (FB)

16. Aiden LEVAN
17. Aston COLE
18. Victor SARIAN
19. Giorgios PETROS

20. Ferdinand FARON
21. Joffrey DALEY
22. Scott MOLTEN
23. Giannis VERSIDIS

Coaches:
Coach: Cyrus ANDRIJA
Assistant Coach: Darin CAELAN
Team Doctor: Jesse REYNARD

You are free to do anything, following this principles:
1. Godmod is okay, if funny enough.
2. If one of my players is injured, expect one injury in your team.
3. Something in mind, TG Lisander. You know, me and Lisander player are the same player.

[Copper Cuprum]

To say that rugby league is much more popular than the other code of rugby in the Chiefdom of Copper Cuprum would be a massive understatement. League was, is, and always will be the most popular form of rugby in the tiny island nation; the recent success of the Rugby Coalition (a union competition organized by the APOC Coalition of Abanhfleft, Pridnestrovia, Oontaz Dert Li Ng, and Copper Cuprum) notwithstanding. But when the chance to participate in the Rugby Union World Cup came rolling, there was simply no way that this rugby-mad nation was going to pass it up.

The problem for Copper Cuprum lay in the fact that the Copperites did not have any sort of national rugby union team to speak of. The best that they could come up with was their rugby sevens team, and even though the sevens team that had participated in the latest sevens cycle numbered at fifteen, many of them played in the same positions. Even Hiram Massoudoglu, dubbed the utility player of the Copperite sevens side, was most comfortable as a lock in a standard fifteen-a-side team like the San Seriffe Bad Hombres of the Rugby Coalition. In the end, this was where Copper Cuprum drew most of their pool of players for the coming Rugby Union World Cup. This meant that the team would have a valuable pool of experience to rely on for their coming games against the other rugby-mad nations of the multiverse.

Most of that experience came in the sevens side's participation in the AVBF 7s in Neu Engollon and the URSA 7s in Lisander. Copper Cuprum have a good accounting of themselves in the AVBF 7s, winning two games out of five before losing in spectacular fashion against Darmen in the Bowl quarterfinals. Over in Lisander, the Copperites improved their record to 3-0-2 and a plate quarterfinals appearance, but once again they were unable to move past this stage, this time following a very close defeat at the hands of Mattijana.

On a related note to the URSA 7s, this event, which was part of the Lisander Rugby Festival, also included a sevens tournament for club sides. Copper Cuprum, in a moment of impulsiveness, announced that two Copperite Rugby League sides, Sub Gon Raiders and South Ons Gon Rabbitohs (specifically their under-23 teams), would be Copper Cuprum's representatives in the International Linville Athletic Rugby Football Club Lions Sevens, the club companion to the URSA 7s. The Raiders and the Rabbitohs went into the tournament believing that they were going to be playing league sevens. To their complete surprise, this sevens tournament was played under regular sevens rules, meaning that they were playing by union rules. The players barely had any time to adapt, and the Rabbitohs weren't able to completely adapt, getting eliminated from the competition by a side known as the Volcane Knights. The Raiders were able to survive the Knights and advance to the group stage, where they were drawn against sides from Lisander, Darmen, and Elejamie. The Raiders were unable to truly distinguish themselves in the group stage though as they were a rugby league side by heart and playing union was too much of a challenge for them.

But that wouldn't matter in the Rugby Union World Cup. Copper Cuprum had learned its lesson, and the chickens were already ready for the coming sacrifices. It was time to soak the fields of Darmen with the blood of Copperite chickens for the luck and success of the Copperite rugby union team.

[Lisander]

Catarina Scott, from Chuckio, Darmen.
The TRZ Guide to Rugby World Cup

And here comes the most anticipated tournament of the year! I'm already here in Chuckio, Darmen, where the lisanderian national team will play their first four matches of the Rugby World Cup 26. It's a team with high hopes and why not say big surprises, starting with the two changes in starter XV for this competition. With excellent performances by the Barbarians and having been prominent names in the good campaigns of Saracens and Harlequins, Mis Morian and Milo Holstein join the first team. Now there are two pairs of brothers in the field (besides the Gear brothers), since Mis is brother of Guilherme, Left Wing of the Irises. Apart from these two rookies, the XV is the same that took Lisander to the quarterfinals in the Free Republics. Will we go further this time?

Olympic Stadium in Chuckio, home of Southwestern
Blue Tigers (photo), will host Group E matches.

Before we think about it, let's look at the games in Group E, which will eventually take us to the Knockout Stage. Our first match will be against Nexus OD Corporations, a nation that seems to be finding problems even to set up its team. There were rumors that their team would not be in the competition. Whether they will appear or not, I do not know. But it's a good opportunity to put Daniel Alfyn, who is returning from injury, as Wing, his alternative position, to gain pace. It would also be nice to allow younger players, such as Cesc Gasteiz who is becoming frequent after being promoted from Junior Irises, and Milen Brandet, who played well for the Baa-baas and has potential to reach Arno Florian soon. I believe we will have an easy victory.

The second match will be against Islana Lunigo. The team reached the Plate Quarterfinals at URSA Sevens playing an organized, but still not very creative rugby. They are hiding the game well, so much so that by the time I write this story, they still had not announced their squad for the World Cup. But I don't believe it will be a tough match for the Irises. It is likely that Bernauer will continue the rotation of players. Keep testing the options is good.

Matchday 3 will be a bye of the World Cup, but the ball won't stop. The Irises, who are doing their preparation at the Southwestern RFU facility, will face the Southwestern Blue Tigers (NRC Team based in Chuckio) in a practice game. The Blue Tigers already know Lisander fast and attacking Lisanderian Rugby, since they have faced Harlequins twice in the quarterfinals of the first Dwile Tournament. It has everything to be a very interesting meeting for Arno Florian, Damian Skye, Milo Holstein, Afonso Leenvrouw and Eran Lasses. Unfortunately this match will not be broadcast, unless LRU allows me to transmit the match through MyFace.

At the end of the rest, we have the most important game of the group. Lisander faces Ko-oren and then, the team needs to be 100%. See you. It has to be 130%. It will be two world titles in the field (and of course, none of them are from Lisander, that is, we have to respect). We'll have a lot of work to break the ko-orenite bolt. All eyes are on the Backs team led by Matthew White. If Lisander wins this match, we will have practically the first place in the guaranteed group. But you know ... talk is cheap. If Lisander wins, even by 5-3 or 8-7, it will be madness.

And since I have absolutely no information on the fourth opponent, Daghvir (A brief internet search reported that the country is currently in anarchy), so I'll just say I believe in a 55-3. My guess would be more, but I will not put my hand in the fire. I want to believe that Lisander ranks first, with Ko-oren second. But more likely it is the opposite.

In the other groups the situation may be different, as in Group A, where Apox and The Kiaser Colonies will fight for one of two spots. The other, for sure, will be the owners of the house.The Kiaser Colonies has, however, history in their favor, after all they were champions here right on RWC18. In Group B, an easy path is expected for Elejamie, who despite not having Davenport, should go through without problems for all four matches. Savojarna, emerging power, should take second place. And the same goes for Group C, with Abanhfleft in first place and Mattijana in second. In Group D, Nova Anglicana is a mystery. about to start the championship, the third placed in the Rankings NSRB nor presented his team. I believe it must pass first, no surprises. Second place is in the hands of Alpine Union, which since the days of Prusy Krolewskie has been deserving this vacancy.

Group F will have an even better match than Group B. Three teams for two places. Barunia even has the advantage, but our brothers from Alice Bay have been growing a lot and may surprise. New South Munster is another nation that will soon bother the big ones. It may even be now. Group G has Neu Engollon and I honestly can not say who should qualify second. Devonta or Banija? Last but not least, the H group. I'll be rooting for South Covello, now that they've gotten that freak out of power. But I think Hutanjia and Natanians and Nosts will qualify.

• More from TRZ.ls:

What can we learn with Darmeni Rugby?
Far from the spotlights, Super 8 is already threatened to fold
World Cup doesn't mean total interruption. Keep track of local games!
Is it THE TIME for Lisander and Alice Bay?
Matias Beaudelaire: The daily life of the Lisanderian in Elejamie Universities XV

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© 2018 TRZ Alice Bay and TRZ Lisander are brands of Newport Rugby Media Holdings. Alice Bay and/or Lisander laws may apply. Dale a tu cuerpo alegria macarena. For further information and commercial contracts, contact promo(at)trz.ls or ad(at)trz.ab.

[Mattijana]

Mattijana Drawn With Abanhfleft and Filindostan For Union World Cup

MFO SPORT

It's a busy time for Mattijanan sport as the build up to the Winter Olympics continues with the Sliding World Cup and Skiing World Tour, whilst the NSTT season also gets underway on the clay in Albergaria. However there's another event you shouldn't miss this weekend, albeit one with a slightly different vibe to its competitors for the ultimate sporting limelight. That is the Rugby Union World Cup, and for the second year, Mattijana will be sending a team to Darmen.

Their group draw has been announced too, with third-ranked Abanhfleft the biggest challenge in the group. In addition, the team will face Filindostan, Latrovia and the United Republic Empire in their bid for glory, or at least a decent result. As always before a relatively sizeable sporting event, what we need is a preview of the sides we'll face in the group stage, and any others of remote importance to the competition.

Abanhfleft:

Pot: 1
World Rank: 3rd

Awkward to spell and even more awkward to play, the Fleftics are in their 5th tournament and have used their time at the tournament productively, rising to 3rd in the overall rankings. Captain and winger Dev Nasuggi is the linchpin of an attack-focused side that were beaten in last tournament's round of 16 in extra time by Bvriana.
The fact that Abanhfleft made it no further than Mattijana last time out is encouraging for Marko Vinzanic and his cohort, but the relative circumstances of each team at that tournament must also be considered. For an unranked side, Mattijana did well whilst the Fleftic team were bitterly disappointed to go out so early.

Many of that side to go out in the Free Republics will be back in Darmen and they'll be hungry to beat everything in their path. Also watch out for the bench. The starting 15 has a more experienced feel, but there are a number of young faces amongst the replacements, including 18 year old Lee Jae-sang.

Mattijana:

Pot: 2
World Rank: 17

Rugby sevens is the nation's favourite code and although there are obvious differences between full-sized union and its understaffed and steroid-enhanced counterpart, it's good to see that our team have happily ignored them.
Free flowing rugby is the way to go for Head Coach Marko Vinzanic, himself a former centre. Lots of quick short passes, dainty footwork and quick running are common to see amongst the team and their attacking approach was vindicated in their debut tournament as they came through a tense play-off with Juvencus to reach the round of 16, eventually losing to then 7th-ranked team Nova Anglicana, putting up a fight right to the death.
The Mattijanan backs were therefore the most dangerous players and will likely be the most threatening again. Winger Matej Campagnaro was especially excellent, but was closely backed up by Sanja Cevnik, Andreas Sainz and Julia Hermann.
Should Mattijana end up in a hefty rolling maul, they'll be keen to get out of it as soon as possible. There are weight deficiencies and the occasional piece of frantic play to exploit, but if allowed to play, there's no reason why Mattijana can't have another good tournament.

Filindostan:

Pot: 3
World Rank: UR

Many will be happy that Mattijana managed to pick out an unranked side from pot 3 rather than the more experienced South Covello, Banija or Vakolicci Haven. However, as unranked sides go, Filindostan are the ones to be most wary of.
Their Rugby pedigree mainly covers sevens, but they have a team to send and it may well prove to be an attacking one, matching the offense-based tactics of Mattijana and Abanhfleft.

Latrovia:

Pot: 4
World rank: UR

Latrovia are the first side in group C that most of even the most studious Union fans will never have heard of.
That means that we haven't heard of them either and not much information has been disclosed about the debutants, so if the team's performances match the level of organisation shown by their board, they will be struggling.
Despite that there's always room for a shock and the group's two ranked sides will be keen to get a professional job done.

United Republic Empire:

Pot: 5
World Rank: UR

The second of the group's unheard-of sides, the United Republic Empire will need to live up to their name if they are to make progress at the tournament.
Once more, not much has been revealed about the team, but if the name is anything to go by, they will be a defensive outfit, play for a low scoreline and Mattijana will beat them.

Others To Watch:

The tournament's Pot 1 sides will be the ones most keen to make their mark in Darmen. Neu Engollon are the highest-ranked side at the competition and are arguably favourites, despite only making the Round of 16 last time out. Nova Anglicana, who beat Mattijana in the round of 16 in the Free Republics will also be a threat.
Further down, a number of sides are looking to move up the order and guarantee themselves pot 1 rugby for the future. Elejamie have a good sevens record but are yet to move any further up than 11th in the union standings whilst Rugby nuts Lisander are the top-ranked side in pot 2 and will want to displace a higher-ranked side by having a good tournament under Leonard Assen.

Mattijana get their tournament underway this evening in Romanopolis at 20:00 Mattijanan time this evening against the United Republic Empire.

[New Doltania]

New Doltanian Rugby Federation Roster for the World Cup

Coach: Falix Vochs
Assistant Coach: Patrick Astor

Forwards:

Props: Starters: Josep Astari (Loose head), Andy Peterson (Tight head)
Subs: Roald Castro (Either)

Hooker: Starter: David Malins
Sub: Roald Castro (Also a prop)

Locks: Starters: Finley Handish, Joe Malai
Sub: Christof Voulk

Flankers: Starters: Scott Christy (Blindside), Paddy Ascott (Openside)
Sub: Andrew Strauss (Either)

No 8: Starter: Christian Valkan
Sub: Andrew Strauss (Also a flanker)

Backs:

Scrum Half: Starter: Peter Voulkes
Subs: Simon Pown

Fly Half: Starter: Dominic Westerner
Sub: Simon Pown (Also a scrum half)

Wingers: Starters: Sam Sabat (Left), Andy O'Connor (Right)
Subs: Petroc Wiener (Left), Albert Morrison (Right)

Centres: Starters: Sebastian Nash, Calum Malins
Sub: Kieran Malins

Full Back: Starter: Alistair Sity
Sub: José Luis Asri

RP Permissions: I say the same thing for every tournament I enter: Just don't kill my players!

[Elejamie]

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Dave Carrey's Slightly-Shorter-Than-Normal Guide to the 26th Rugby World Cup
Dave Carrey - Liverpool, Darmen

I won't say the last one was a disaster. A slight step down in quality, yes, but it wasn't as bad as people made it out to be. The loss to Nova Anglicana was to be expected to be perfectly honest but you have to give us props for making it as close as it was. Not to mention we still managed to qualify for the next round despite the loss, which came as a small relief. But I'm talking about the 8-7 defeat to our new old rivals Lisander. Yes, we were trailing 5-0 at the break but Gates managed to get us equal and Westwood put us in front. And then Matthew Gear gave Lisander another three points thanks to a drop goal and, eventually, the win. But, as I've said, Lisander is shaping up to be one of the best rugby teams in the multiverse so if we had to lose to anyone, I'm glad it was them.

Now that's that cleared up, let's concentrate on this tournament. Yes, the Rugby World Cup is back, ladies and gentlemen. After two sevens tournaments, which currently see us at the top of the R7WC qualification table, we're now back to the full 15-a-side. And, indeed, virtually all of the Elejamie squad heading over to Darmen is the same as the team who took past at the last one. However, there have been a few differences. As Gregory Miller retired at the end of last season, his spot has been taken over by new Commandos lock Logan Mankiewicz. And Doug Westwood is currently out with a broken ankle, meaning that Paul Debenham had to take his place as a starter and Guinho, who scored a number of points for us at the EUXV tour of Bvriania last Summer, will be on the bench. We here at DG wish Westwood a speedy recovery.

"But who are we playing?" I hear you ask. Well, first up we have Savojarna for a rematch of our RUWC25 bash. The last time we met, we managed to sneak a 20-10 win after leading 6-3 at half-time, thanks to a penalty and a drop goal from Doug Westwood. Then they'd score a try not long after the second half began, with Savojar centre Harald Akeson scoring the try and nailing the conversion. Fortunately, luck seemed to be on our side when Nilsson got sin-binned for a particularly bad tackle on Peguero. This lead to a try each from Adam Gates and Brandão; both tries were converted by Westwood. Eventually, they finished third in the pool and, as a result, had to settle for a play-off game against Darmen to see which one of the two (alongside the winner of Mattijana vs Juvencus) would be going through to the knockout stage; Darmen won the match 7-3 and, as a result, went through to the Round of 16 Either way, they're back, we're against them in the pool stage again and they're pretty much our toughest opponents so don't be surprised if we lose.

We follow it up with the Greater Vakolicci Haven, who were in the last tournament over in the Free Republics. And to say they had a poor pool run would be a bit of an understatement. Not only did they lose all of their games but they also only grabbed six points throughout the entire tournament, thanks to a 21-3 defeat to the Furby Islands and a 13-3 opening day loss to eventual champions the Iron Syndicate. So, natch, they're looking to bounce back from that shoddy display. They're also competing as the Greater Vakolicci Haven and Celeria, which is an interesting tidbit to know. Either way, not much else to say other than a definite win, it's just a question of how much by.

After a bye day we step into the great unknowns. The newcomers. And they'll all be explained in a single paragraph, mostly to save space but mostly so I don't have to write a whole ton of filler just to make two separate paragraphs. The first team will be Tomure and the second will be Aji No Moto. There really isn't much to say about either of these teams yet, other than the fact that they could possibly be easy wins. Not exactly monster blow-outs that would see us get a try bonus point (should this tournament have them), such as the 62-30 thrashing the Iron Syndicate gave the Furby Islands back in Wortana back at the last edition, but still a decent enough scoreline to see us through. Still, as always, we shouldn't underestimate them since they could pull off a shocker but I doubt that will happen.

So where do I think we'll finish? First or second, to be honest with you. Savojarna are the only real threat here and even then I can imagine a very narrow victory for either side, if not a draw. Everyone else is either new or too unknown to cause any real problems for us. I'm not saying we're going to thrash them, I'm just saying they won't be very difficult opponents. That being said, who do I think will top the pool? Call me biased but I think Elejamie have got what it takes to win the pool. Sorry, Savojarna.

As for everyone else? Neither the reigning champions or the runners-up from last time (or fourth-placers Racao for that matter) will be making an appearance so let's talk about the bronze medallists Barunia. They'll be in Pool F, alongside Alice Bay, New South Munster, Kopyk and Velstrania. The Savojar media said that Pool D seems to be the pool of death and I have to agree; you've got Nova Anglicana, the Alpine Union and Copper Cuprum, alongside minnows such as Quantilia and Northwest Kalactin. And the hosts seem to have a relatively easy pool, with the Kiaser Colonies and maybe Apox being their biggest challenges, as well as Kita-Hinode and the Kejri Islands to round things off.

As for the other pools? Pool C's made up of RWC regulars Abahnfleft and Mattijana, as well as Filindostan (whose sevens team were Bowl runners-up back in Lisander), Latrovia and the United Republic Empire. Speaking of Lisander, they're in Pool E alongside Ko-oren, Islana Lunigo, Daghvir and the Nexus OD Corporations. Pool G sees Neu Engollon up against Banija, the United States of Devonta, New Doltania and Xasnep. And to round things off, we've got Pool H, made up of the Natanians and Nosts, Hutanjia, Azadeshia, South Covello and Soviet Vietussia (or Vietrussia if you're like me and you stick extra letters into things). Sounds fun.

Also, before I go, apologies for the briefer than normal article, as well as the complete lack of pictures, but jet lag's a real pain. Especially if you've got a deadline. Either way, here's hoping for a great tournament and I bet you can't wait for it to kick off. I know I can't.

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More from Dave Carrey:

• Dave's Blog: Darmeni Men on the Pitch
• Dave's DG B'Day Story: My Uni Rugby Days
• Happy 20th Birthday dropgoal.ej (with the rest of the team)
• Will the ERC Expand to 13 Teams? Probably Not.

[Filindostan]

FILINDOSTAN
National Rugby Union Team
Rugby Union World Cup 26

About the National Team

After a fairly successful run in the URSA Sevens, the Filindostani Rugby Board have decided to field a team for the Rugby Union World Cup to be sent to Darmen for the tournament. It will be a new squad altogether, with none of the players from sevens participating.

COACH: Prisca "Prisca" Sitinjak (43, hailing from Gurunsing)
ASSISTANT: Abram "Abram" Matondang (54, hailing from Yogyakulta)

Style modifier: +4

Playing Squad

In Filindostan, people are often called by their nickname. Some players opt to put their nickname instead of the customary last name in their kits.

Playing Lineup

No   Position         Name                                 S   Age   Hometown
 1   Loosehead Prop   Isaac "Sak" Mano                     M   31    Kabanalan
 2   Hooker           Nikita "Nikita" Serhalawan           M   26    Bogo
 3   Tighthead Prop   Dwi Liani "Dwiliani" Indrajaya       F   17    Yogyakulta
 4   Lock             Yuliana Widyawati "Yulie" Agusalim   F   17    Bonjing
 5   Lock             Virgilio "Berj" Ayang-ang            M   31    San Marco
 6   Flanker          Adrianne "Addy" Dimayuga             F   31    San Mameng
 7   Flanker          Thomas "Thom" Akarbejadi             M   26    Yogyakulta
 8   Number 8         Ann "Ann B." Biogos                  F   18    Bagtasan
 9   Scrum-Half       Azriel "Azriel" Detran               M   34    Sinukabang-Kambing
10   Fly-Half         Tad "Tad" Barrios                    M   32    Buenavista
11   Left-Wing        Astrud "Astrud" Asilum               M   19    San Marco
12   Inside-Center    Rikka "Rix" Fuerte                   F   26    San Rafael
13   Outside-Center   Mavericks "Mav" Enage                M   24    San Rafael
14   Right-Wing       Ravin "Ravin" Moncada                M   22    Bagtasan
15   Fullback         Agus Harta "Harta" Hardja            M   34    Bandariyan
16   Prop             Dinah "Dinnie" Sibero                F   33    Bandaroon
17   Hooker/Prop      Edna "Edna" Rumasondi                F   26    Jakulta
18   Lock             Lazarus "Lazar" Napitupulu           M   29    Massakar
19   Flanker          Rubylyn "Ruby" Ayap                  F   30    San Mameng
20   Half             Myra "Mye" Kabak                     F   28    Menodo
21   Center           Carmel "Car" Florida                 M   31    Birdinuguan
22   Wing/Fullback    Dian Sukarno "Johan" Johan           M   25    Gurunsing
23   Wing/Fullback    Yves "Yves" Dela Reyna               M   22    San Marco

Kits

The FRB commissioned the help of local kit makers No Nonsense to produce the first kits for the Rugby Teams (all codes). The primary kit will be red tops, with white sleeves and red trim, black shorts, and white socks. If necessary, red socks and white shorts are available in case of color clashes. The change strip is all black top, white shorts, and red socks.

As customary with the other national teams, the Coat of Arms of Filindostan must be present in the kits, and will take the place of the logo of the FRB.

Team RP and Permissions

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes - I'll determine the severity.
Godmod injuries to my players: No - Absolutely no death here please.
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod other events: No

[Aji No Moto]

味の素のラグビーユニオンチーム
AJIAN EMPIRE
National Rugby Union Team
Ajinomoto no ragubīyunionchīmu
Rugby Union World Cup 26

COACH: Yayoi Mushanaokoji (F, 44)
ASSISTANT: Chōei Hiro (M, 65)

Style modifier: -1
Playing Squad

No   Position         Name                  S   Age   Hometown
 1   Loosehead Prop   Shunkichi Akamatsu    M   20    Kyouka
 2   Hooker           Haruko Arai           F   35    Serizawa
 3   Tighthead Prop   Mimori Ayugai         F   28    Joshuyo
 4   Lock             Taketo Miyake         M   35    Yokai
 5   Lock             Toshiharu Takahashi   M   17    Joshuyo
 6   Flanker          Reiko Ki              F   20    Yokai
 7   Flanker          Kesao Oinuma          M   31    Harajuku
 8   Number 8         Madoka Etsuko         F   29    Yokai
 9   Scrum-Half       Eiko Takaki           F   21    Joshuyo
10   Fly-Half         Sumiko Fukunaka       F   28    Serizawa
11   Left-Wing        Otome Hirota          F   36    Sankyoku
12   Inside-Center    Ryūsei Itagaki        M   21    Yokai
13   Outside-Center   Naoki Kagabu          M   18    Asawa
14   Right-Wing       Mitsuhira Kunikida    M   30    Kyouka
15   Fullback         Yoritsugu Tansho      M   33    Joshuyo
16   Prop             Sachie Watnabe        F   19    Serizawa
17   Hooker/Prop      Gen'ichi Anami        M   21    Serizawa
18   Lock             Masataka Shibasaki    M   22    Joshuyo
19   Flanker          Mayako Kudara         F   32    Sankyoku
20   Half             Issei Kyubei          M   17    Kyouka
21   Center           Akari Kitao           F   19    Asawa
22   Wing/Fullback    Shinpei Hasegawa      M   34    Yokai
23   Wing/Fullback    Mitsuhide Iitaka      M   37    Joshuyo

Kits

Kits courtesy of Filindostan's No Nonsense. (L-R; Primary, Change)

Team RP and Permissions

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes - I'll determine the severity.
Godmod injuries to my players: No - Absolutely no death here please.
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod other events: No

[Filindostan]

The national rugby union team headed to Darmen without much fanfare from the homeland. The Filindostani media was so much focused on basketball and football that the rugby union team had not so much following despite the seven's runners-up finish in the bowl section at the recently concluded URSA Sevens held in Lisander, an oh, which only warranted a space at the most unseen part of Filindostani tabloids: Page 11 of 12, bottom left corner. Some media outlets had a blackout of the sevens team's performance abroad. Maybe the bowl itself was the cause, as it was the lowest value of the three prizes contested? Hell yeah, they still have to be proud of them as they were one of the six teams to make it to the final day.

Back to the union team, they were placed in Pool B along with Abanhfleft, Mattijana, Latrovia, and United Republic Empire. The Fleftics are the favorites to win the group, and Mattijana is also sure to occupy the other qualifying spot, but we just hope coach Prisca can make the stops to possibly snatch the second spot away from them.

The team will face Latrovia and then the URE, before having matches with Abanhfleft and closing their schedule against Mattijana. Unluckily for them, they'll have a bye day on the last day, so by then, they might have to pack their belongings immediately and go back to Filindostan... or travel around Darmen's cities first. Anyway, we expect coach Prisca to have something up her sleeves and make a surprising statement at this competition.

LABAN PILINDOSTAN!

[Barunia]

Barunian National Rugby Team
"The Waves"

Rugby is growing in popularity in Barunia, almost certainly because of the successes of the national team. The Waves are still searching for their first championship, but their rank certainly suggests that they are capable. The team itself has plenty of familiar faces, but has expanded and also includes plenty of rising new talent from a growing pool of local talent. The ten teams in the National Rugby Championship have each expanded their rosters and introduced youth programmes as Barunia Rugby looks to grow the next generation of superstars. For now though, the 25th Rugby World Cup looms, and the Waves are ready to crash through the competition.

#  Name                 Position        Club
---Starters---
1 Glenn MacDonald 	Loose. Prop 	Newland Power
2 John Crawford 	Hooker 		South Havenia Bucks
3 Dominic Fraser 	Tight. Prop 	Western Storm
4 Kane Romilly 		Lock 		South Havenia Bucks
5 Mitchell Harper	Lock		Haven City Hurricanes
6 Findlay Martin	Blind. Flanker 	Avon Knights (Elejamie)
7 Andrew Mortlock 	Open. Flanker 	South Havenia Bucks (captain)
8 Nathan Stanley	Number 8	South Havenia Bucks
9 Lachlan Stirling	Scrum-half 	South Havenia Bucks
10 Monty O'Shea    	Fly-half   	Haven City Hurricanes
11 Joel Murray		Left Wing 	Western Storm
12 Adam Burns 		In. Centre     	South Havenia Bucks
13 Nathan Babcocke 	Out. Centre 	Sheppardton Knights
14 Tim Groundman   	Right Wing     	South Havenia Bucks
15 Mike Rogers 		Full Back 	South Havenia Bucks
---Reserves---
16 Jeremy Sale      	Loose. Prop     South Havenia Bucks
18 Billy Taylor		Tight. Prop	Newland Power
17 Lyndon Fox      	Hooker     	Dropshort Commodores
19 Ollie Bell 		Lock 		Newland Power
10 Graham Peers 	Lock 		Western Storm
21 Ross Wood		Blind. Flanker	Western Storm
22 Alex McInross    	Open. Flanker   Haven City Hurricanes
23 Matt Neachtain 	Number 8 	Newland Power
24 Andy Cullen 		Scrum-half 	Newland Power
25 Ben Woodward 	Fly-half 	South Havenia Bucks
26 Rob Lydell		Left Wing	Dropshort Commodores
27 Dominic O'Guinn  	In. Centre     	Dropshort Commodores
28 Leo Marconi		Out. Centre	Porthaven Lions	
29 George Moore 	Right Wing 	Western Storm
30 Tom Bramford	        Full Back	Haven City Hurricanes
31 William Blair	Forward	        Sheppardton Knights
32 Emmanuel Ngobe	Back		Porthaven Lions

Coach: Jack Strutton

Kits
Home: Blue and white
Away: Red and white


Play style
Barunian players tend to look for the gaps rather than plow through the opposition. They'll use the full width of the pitch, and will often use long passes to catch opposing players out of position. They favour a kicking game too, and will take any opportunity for a field goal. Penalty kicks are preferred over a scrum, and they'll also chase after balls kicked forward in regular play.

Style: +1.5
Should my opponent RPs first, he/she may do the following:
Godmod scoring events: N
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Sin bin my players: Y
Send my players off: N
Godmod other events: N

[Darmen]

And with that, I think its time for our first cutoff of the competition. Scores in a bit!

Group A
Kejri Islands 0–44 The Kiaser Colonies
Darmen 20–10 Apox

  Group A                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 The Kiaser Colonies           1   1  0  0   44   0 +44    4
2 Darmen                        1   1  0  0   20  10 +10    4
3 Apox                          1   0  0  1   10  20 −10    0
4 Kejri Islands                 1   0  0  1    0  44 −44    0

Group B
Elejamie 17–0 Savojarna
Tomure 0–26 Aji No Moto

  Group B                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Aji No Moto                   1   1  0  0   26   0 +26    4
2 Elejamie                      1   1  0  0   17   0 +17    4
3 Savojarna                     1   0  0  1    0  17 −17    0
4 Tomure                        1   0  0  1    0  26 −26    0

Group C
United Republic Empire 13–29 Mattijana
Filindostan 12–3 Latrovia

  Group C                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Mattijana                     1   1  0  0   29  13 +16    4
2 Filindostan                   1   1  0  0   12   3  +9    4
3 Latrovia                      1   0  0  1    3  12  −9    0
4 United Republic Empire        1   0  0  1   13  29 −16    0

Group D
Northwest Kalactin 20–25 Copper Cuprum
Alpine Union 0–7 Nova Anglicana

  Group D                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                1   1  0  0    7   0  +7    4
2 Copper Cuprum                 1   1  0  0   25  20  +5    4
3 Northwest Kalactin            1   0  0  1   20  25  −5    0
4 Alpine Union                  1   0  0  1    0   7  −7    0

Group E
Lisander 36–14 Nexus OD Corporations
Ko-oren 14–0 Daghvir

  Group E                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Lisander                      1   1  0  0   36  14 +22    4
2 Ko-oren                       1   1  0  0   14   0 +14    4
3 Daghvir                       1   0  0  1    0  14 −14    0
4 Nexus OD Corporations         1   0  0  1   14  36 −22    0

Group F
Kopyk 0–25 Barunia
Velstrania 10–20 Alice Bay

  Group F                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Barunia                       1   1  0  0   25   0 +25    4
2 Alice Bay                     1   1  0  0   20  10 +10    4
3 Velstrania                    1   0  0  1   10  20 −10    0
4 Kopyk                         1   0  0  1    0  25 −25    0

Group G
New Doltania 0–13 United States of Devonta
Neu Engollon 18–3 Banija

  Group G                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Neu Engollon                  1   1  0  0   18   3 +15    4
2 United States of Devonta      1   1  0  0   13   0 +13    4
3 New Doltania                  1   0  0  1    0  13 −13    0
4 Banija                        1   0  0  1    3  18 −15    0

Group H
South Covello 10–21 Hutanjia
United Vietussia 6–13 Azadeshia

  Group H                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Hutanjia                      1   1  0  0   21  10 +11    4
2 Azadeshia                     1   1  0  0   13   6  +7    4
3 United Vietussia              1   0  0  1    6  13  −7    0
4 South Covello                 1   0  0  1   10  21 −11    0

[Barunia]

Barunia started their World Cup campaign against debutants Kopyk, and the unranked side were no match for the world number eight, who stormed to a 25-0 victory.

The Waves, in their scarlet away kits, started strongly, winning the ball on the third ruck of the game after Kopyk received first use of the ball. It was only about five minutes later that Andy Cullen was flying across the line for the first score of the game. Rogers sliced the conversion, making it 5-0 for the Barunians. Kopyk tried to come back, and managed to get into the Barunian 22 several times, but each time they were let down by either poor discipline or silly errors. The worst mistake was on a lineout, when Ogrisson threw the ball right over the top and straight into the arms of the Barunian number 8, Nathan Stanley. Stanley, in his first international game, took off for the line before offloading to Babcocke for the try. This time Rogers was bang on with the conversion, 12-0.

Once again it didn’t take long for Kopyk to give up the ball, and Barunia threatened as they drove forward. The Kopyk defence looked like they were trying just to hold on to halftime as they slowed the Barunians down. It looked like they might succeed to, but they didn’t know Barunian Rugby. In a pinch, toss the ball to Mike Rogers for a field goal. Which is exactly what the veteran fullback did, 15-0.

Barunia started with the ball after the break, and once again the pressure was on Kopyk, and once again, they caved into the pressure with a horrendous mistake. Adolf Pederssen threw Groundman in a dump tackle, the Barunian winger’s head making contacting the ground first. Pederssen was shown a yellow card (much to the chagrin of Waves captain Andrew Mortlock, who wanted a red), while Groundman was helped off the field and took no further part in the match. The Barunian camp would later confirm that he suffered a concussion, and is no in some doubt for the next fixture against Velstrania. After the furore had died down, Mike Rogers calmly slotted the penalty between the uprights, 18-0.

After that, in what was their best period of play, Kopyk tested the Barunian defence, and for the most part the Waves were up to the task. There was one moment of panic, when Steingrimsson was inside the five-metre mark with Meldgaard open on his left, but the Kopyk number 13 couldn’t catch the pass and knocked on.
The Kopyk team had another chance not long after, but even a Barunian foul didn’t help them. Declining the penalty, they elected for a scrum, only for the Barunian scrum pack to force a turnover. Then it was over to the backs, whose fast passing play opened up huge holes in the Kopyk line. When George Moore (replacing Groundman) did get tackled, he kept his feet, and the resulting maul was only ever going to be heading in one direction: straight into the Kopyk scoring zone. Rogers put the finishing touches on the third try, and the scoreline of Barunia 25, Kopyk 0 remained to the final whistle.

The Barunians will now face Velstrania, in what is sure to be another chance for Jack Strutton to iron out some of the team’s wrinkles before they face Alice Bay, the only other ranked team in the group. Then it’s a bye day before they face the final team, New South Munster. It’s not a very tough group, and it’s likely the top spot will be fought between Alice Bay and Barunia. The challenge will increase dramatically in the knock-out rounds, with the teams advancing facing the victors of group G. That group includes world number 2 Neu Engollon, the highest ranked team in the tournament, as well as the United States of Devonta.

[Copper Cuprum]

Copper Cuprum's first game in the Rugby Union World was memorable to say the least. It was plenty enjoyable, definitely. Topsy-turvy and end-to-end were terms that could also be used to describe it. There were three lead changes throughout the game, and the final ten minutes were really a tense affair that left the fans on the edges of their seats.

To start off the game, the Copperites did what they always did at the start of their games: they sacrificed a chicken live and right in front of over 35,000 fans in King's Park in Scott City, Darmen. There will surely be calls to the Copperite Rugby Union to end this barbaric practice immediately, but after bowing to pressure back in their first ever foray into international sport in the form of the 60th Baptism of Fire, the Chiefdom of Copper Cuprum was this time determined not to let the opinions of non-understanding foreigners to impinge on their time-honored traditions. The blood certainly seemed to turn the stomachs of some of the Kalactinians, much as they tried to keep their composure while the team shaman sprinkled the chicken blood in a circle around the Copperite players.

The aftermath of the chicken sacrifice saw the Copperites energized and the Kalactinians green around the gills. The Copperites used their opponents' queasiness to apply some early pressure to the game, and while this didn't immediately result in a try, the Copperites did get a penalty right on the Kalactinians' 22 which they opted to kick at goal, and Namupo Ozorkow was called upon to make the place kick. Copper Cuprum converted successfully to start off the game with a 3-0 lead. But the Kalactinians then recovered from their uneasiness following the Copperite sacrifice, and after two scrums and over thirteen phases, Kalactinian fullback Keith Rivera was finally able to ground the ball for a Northwest Kalactin try, and Drew Nelson also completed the conversion to swing the lead in favor of Northwest Kalactin, 7-3. Thus was the first lead change of the game.

The Kalactinian lead wouldn't last long. Having seen that both sides were vulnerable, the crowd was now calling for even more blood on the pitch; figurative blood, at least. And the Copperites were more than happy to oblige. Their first try of the game came about after a flurry of kicks, one scrum, and nine phases before the Copperite number 8, Ismail Govore, scored the try under the black dot after forcing his way through three Kalactinian tacklers. Ozorkow scored the conversion as well to hand the lead back to Copper Cuprum, 10-7. Thus was the second lead change of the game.

Copper Cuprum didn't let up the pressure, and they soon found themselves on the scoreboard once again after Irakta Kasugna was somehow able to make his way past a packed Kalactinian defense to ground the ball just a few inches or so wide of the goalposts and make it an easy conversion for Ozorkow. 17-7 to Copper Cuprum. But Northwest Kalactin responded, and scrum half Levi Colon scored his first try of the game to put Copper Cuprum within touching distance of the Copperites once again, and while the angle was difficult, Drew Nelson successfully converted as well. 17-14.

Copper Cuprum started off the second half with a penalty kick from 25 meters away, and once again it was Namupo Ozorkow to do the kicking, and he made the penalty to put some more daylight between the Copperites and the Kalactinians. 20-14. This then resulted in the second half becoming a half of kicks, scrums, rucks, and mauls, but no real scores apart from penalties. Northwest Kalactin gained two penalties in a row, although the term "two in a row" only applies in the sense that they scored two consecutive penalties in the second half. The two penalties were actually separated by at least twenty minutes, but penalties was child's play for Drew Nelson, who scored both to put Northwest Kalactin back on level terms with Copper Cuprum with only ten more minutes left to play. 20-20.

Then, with only five minutes left, the youngest Copperite player participating in the World Cup, Naveen al-Harit, a product of the Rugby Coalition's Bytuch Feld Dinosaurs' youth academy and a Copperite by virtue of his mother, produced what was definitely the greatest debut ever for a Fleftic substitute. No one could really tell what had happened in the moments preceding young Naveen's try; all people could definitely say was that the ball had ended up loose in the in-goal area, and then Naveen was there with his hand on the ball and he was already wheeling away celebrating his try, which after a lengthy conference with the video referee, Aodhagán Chancello, the Darmeni referee, awarded Naveen and Copper Cuprum the try. This time, Namupo Ozorkow was unable to score the conversion, but nevertheless, with only five minutes or less to go, the result appeared to have gone the way of Copper Cuprum, which it did in the end. 25-20 to Copper Cuprum, the final score, and it showed the multiverse that the rugby league lovers could also be good at that damned union.

Northwest Kalactin (20)
Try: Rivera 15' c
Colon 35' c
Con: Nelson (2/2) 16', 36'
Pen: Nelson (2/2) 50', 70'

Copper Cuprum (25)
Try: Ismail 13' c
Kasugna 27' c
al-Harit 75' m
Con: Ozorkow (2/3) 14', 28'
Pen: Ozorkow (2/2) 3', 43'

[Filindostan]

FILINDOSTAN 12-3 LATROVIA (HT - 5-3)
Colosus Romanopolis, Romanopolis, Darmen
TRIES: Ravin (32'); Rix (66')
CONS: Tad (66')
PENS: none
DROPS: none

filindorugby.com
The go-to blogsite for Filindostani Rugby

RUWC 26
Filindostan 12-3 Latrovia - Ravin and Rix help Filindostan XV get opening win

ROMANOPOLIS, DARMEN --- Our rugby union team won their first game of the Rugby World Cup 26 against fellow unranked team Latrovia. While the FIlindostanis won by 9 points, it was the opponents who scored the first points via a drop goal in the sixteenth minute. Their lead lasted the same amount of time the teams were in deadlock though, as Ravin was able to run off Latrovian defenders and score a try. However, they failed to score the conversion after their kicker Tad just miskicked the ball just to the left side of the posts.

Tad made amends for his mistake later on as he scored a conversion off a try from Rix during the second half, making it 12-3 for the Filindos. The match was marred by both teams making a lot of mistakes and even playing offside more than the usual amount they see in a normal rugby union match.

Coach Prisca heaped praise to her players, but warned them of complacency against United Republic Empire, who were slaughtered by Mattijana in the other Pool C match here in Romanopolis. The top seed of the group, Abanhfleft, did not play in this matchday, and will face the group leaders next week. They will play their second match next week here at the same venue.

For us, we just hope that the Filindos continue their good run and LABAN PILINDOSTAN!!!

[Lisander]

The team, with many players from the reserves, made a good game. The 36-14 did justice to the team still unacclimated to the environment of Darmen. Some errors in the positioning, but nothing that awful. After the match, on the way back to the hotel, Eran Lasses got up and walked down the aisle of the bus to the seat where Assen and Bernauer were discussing something.

"Coach, take a look at that. They posted the Round of 16." He said and showed the tournament table on the smartphone.

"This can be fatal to our plans." Assen nodded. "Well, here's another reason to give Ko-oren a 300%. Thank you, Lasses, you can go back to your place, I'll discuss this with Bernauer now."

As soon as Eran Lasses sat down and put his headphones back on, Patricio Bernauer got up and caught everyone's attention.

"Gentlemen, congratulations to the great work today! You guys are the best team I could ever want." Cesc, the more strength in Scrum is not necessarily just to push in. Do not forget to keep the formation closed. And you, Livon, I'm happy to see you playing so well even after the injury..."

He paused, just to drink some water from the plastic bottle, and continued.

"Now, I have something new that's not very good to say. Everyone here already knows that we need to beat Ko-oren to reach the first place in the group, but ... There's more, and we just discovered that, thanks to Lasses. In the Round of 16 table, Group E is matched with Group H. If we qualify first, we will probably face Natanians and Nosts, but if we can't win against Ko-oren, our opponent will be Hutanjia. "

The players were silent, certainly thinking about the difference between facing Hutanjia or Natanians and Nosts. The captain, Linzmeyer, was the first to respond.

"So that means we'll have to give 100% of us to Ko-oren." "If it is, we already knew that." Linzmeyer paused and continued, this time with a half-sleepy expression. "This other piece of information is very important, let's do our best against Ko-oren, yes, guys, HEY!" He said, turned sideways and closed his eyes, trying to sleep. Not interested in that at all.

[The Kiaser Colonies]

4

BASE CAMP DAY 1

4

SERIES OF SHOTS with player's social media clips of the Great German Shepherd Hotel.

EXT. HOTEL - EVENING

Smartphone footage of hotel facade as bus pulls up out front, captioned "Home for the next 2 weeks" with peace hand, dog face and rugby ball emojis.

LIAM ELLA:
(Off screen)
Yes boyssss. Hotel at last!

Camera flips to show Liam grinning widely.

INT. HOTEL - EVENING

Smartphone footage panning around the hotel showing the art, lights etc. as team walk as a group through hotel.

CUT TO:

Another smartphone shot of a player filming his roommate, MICHAEL ARCHER, flopping back onto the bed.

ARCHER:
3, 2, 1... Ohhhh hoho hoooo yes...
(Player filming laughs)
Hello mattress. (Pause) Ok, beat it. You're blocking the TV

DISSOLVE TO:

5

PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE 1

5

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

Coach Angus Foley and captain Dural Cole enter from side and go to designated seats to the sound and sights of flash photography. Once seated, the shot is closed in on the two.

FOLEY:
Firstly I'd like to say a big Halorit to all of you, and a sincere Tanknasaghabhál du
to the fine staff at the Great German Shepherd Hotel here in Scott City. Lastly I'd
like to say Sotscuroran for my shoddy Legonian
(Soft laughter throughout the room)

Foley points at an out of shot REPORTER.

REPORTER 1:
How have you and your team settled into the facilities in Darmen?

FOLEY:
Yeah, we've settled just fine. We got a really friendly welcome from the Darmeni
people as well as our own fans and as I said there, the staff here are great.
They've got grounds to match too. We had a brief morning gym session today to
get the muscles right after the long flight over. It's perfect for what we need so
that's great to have that here in the hotel. I've checked out the pool facilities
myself and we'll be using them for recovery after today's field session later.

REPORTER 2:
Have you been started focusing on your first match against the Kejri Islands yet?

FOLEY:
We've been preparing since the draw was made last year. We're under no illusions
that the first game of a world cup is very important and as a team we are focused
on starting right.

COLE:
The boys and I are taking this game very seriously. The coaches have been doing
their research on all the teams in the competition since we knew who was in our
pool and as players we've been doing our homework so we're as prepared as we
can be for each game.

REPORTER 3:
You said you've done your home work on the Kejri Islands. What do you make of
them? Do you think it's going to be an easy win?

COLE:
No. It's easy for teams with a reputation to get ahead of themselves or let the
media speculation get into their heads, but that kind of complacency is a
dangerous thing. We're not making any assumptions about any of teams in the
competition. This is a competition for the best rugby teams in the World, so there
is no such thing as an easy win or a weak team. We'll focus on what we need to do
right to win, and if we can do that, we'll be confident that we can win games.

REPORTER 2:
Mr. Foley, there any games you've got singled out as tougher or that deserve your
attention in advance?

FOLEY:
Both Dural and I have made it clear that we're not getting ahead of ourselves. The
other games aren't the one we're playing in 2 days time. The other games will get
their chance to be the centre of attention but right now, we're giving our full
attention and the due respect to the Kejri Islands.

REPORTER 1:
The last time the Kiaser Colonies competed in a World Cup here in Darmen, they
won the tournament unbeaten. Have you been using this to inspire your side? Do
you believe that you can do it again?

FOLEY:
(Chuckles)
You're really trying to catch us out on the not getting ahead of ourselves point. I'd
be upsetting a lot of people back home if I said no. Just like that famous World Cup
winning squad, and any rugby team from the Kiaser Colonies, we're here to win.
Everyone here and back home wants us to bring the trophy back again, and the way
to do that is to win game. The best way to do that? By taking them one at a time,
respecting the opposition and going out with the right strategy for the game.

COLE:
I've nothing different to add on that one either. Of course we're inspired by the
legacy of the past champions, and every one of us want to win the World Cup too.
But wanting to win the final doesn't get you there so we need to take it one step
at a time. Any further questions?

No further questions, Foley and Cole thank the press and leave as they came in.

CUT TO:

6

KEJRI ISLANDS

6

SERIES OF SHOTS of from the match preparations, bus pulling into City Stadium, players entering dressing room, captain's run drills, fans entering stadium etc., over which a voice over plays.

COMMENTATOR (V.O.):
It's the big day, the start of Rugby World Cup 26. This is where it begins for the 40
teams vying for the Cup. Among them, the Kiaser Colonies and their opposition
today, the Kejri Islands. Former champions versus relative unknowns. The first step
on Angus Foley's road to regaining their former glory, or the start of a further fall
from it. The stage is set for a fine game of rugby either way.

CUT TO:

Game time shots including brief clips of both sides national anthems.

COMMENTATOR (V.O.):
Moments away from kick-off now. Beale has the ball in the centre of the pitch,
referee Lindsey Kendrick does the final checks
(Whistle blows)
And we're under way!

Slow motion side on shot of GEORGE BEALE, taking kick off. Revert to normal speed after a few seconds. Scene now inter-cut with shots of the game, the coaching panels and staff from various angles. Clips of commentary play over this.

COMMENTATOR (V.O.):
Fox takes at the line out. Straight down to Ainsley who runs through the split line!
Gunning for the try-line as the defence are closing in, BUT HE GETS THE PASS AWAY
TO WATSON IN SUPPORT AND HE IS OVER! The Kiaser Colonies have their first try of
the World Cup thanks to a clever move at the line out.

Scene continues as such showing highlights of the Kiaser Colonies 6 tries.

COMMENTATOR (V.O.):
The ball spills forward in the tackle and Lindsey Kendrick blows the whistle for the
final time tonight. An impressive win for the Kiasers with tries from Watson, Stewart,
Naisarani, Tu’ivakanō and a double from Beale. Final score, the Kiaser Colonies 44,
the Kejri Islands 0.

DISSOLVE TO:

[New South Munster]

With New South Munster's Delayed Start to the Rugby World Cup just hours away, we look into the team, their opposition in group F and the group as a whole.

Group F
New South Munster
Kopyk
Velstrania
Alice Bay
Barunia

New South Munster
Head coach Willie Britz has done a fine job in securing New South Munster's place at the World Cup with a strong performance in the qualification process for the competition. Battling performances and ground out results were the style of that stage of the competition, his charges showing themselves well capable of both going in search of a winning score and being able to bed in and soak up pressure in defence to hold onto narrow wins. Notable highlights include bonus point wins against Connachtistan and Leinsteria as well as the last minute drop goal from young fly-half Ronan O'Donnell to push New South Munster over the line to a crucial 19-18 win against Hendland. Much of what was good about New South Munster's play throughout the campaign came from a well drilled, strong pack. No doubt former legend Conor Tobin has so far successfully transferred his playing prowess to coaching without a hitch. The same can't quite be said of backs coach Peter Walsh. Much like the some of the backline moves we see on the pitch, there have clearly been some miscommunications between Walsh and attack coordinator Dan Maher which has lead to them, and the players, dropping the ball. Granted, when the moves click, they come off a beautifully.
Key to this is often getting the ten-twelve axis right. This has been an area that has seen significant experimentation, with 5 combinations being started. Towards the latter half of the campaign, Britz and co tended to opt for the pairing of Jospeh Egan and Stephen Wootton. While Egan lacks some of the creative flair of his understudy O'Donnell, his experience and game intelligence gives the side a stability that is at times lacking without him. Wootton offers both a carrying and playmaking option at inside centre which gives Egan and the rest of the backs more options to attack. If New South Munster are to make an impact in the group, several players will be key. In the pack, Sam Casey is an integral part of the scrum. The veteran has long been regarded as the best scrummager in the country and will be hugely important for setting an attacking platform off set-pieces. Similarly, captain Padraig O'Connell will be essential at lineout time and otherwise. His ability to read the opposition moves, win ball in the air, marshal the maul and his teammates is unparalleled. His high intensity, tackle busting carrying will also be needed. And while it sounds extreme, the loss of anyone of the starting backrow would be worrying. While Nolan and O'Callaghan are more than deserving of their places in the squad, the unit that Murray, Lynagh and Flannery form is like a precision engineered breakdown machine. As for ones to watch, young winger Niall Sweetnam has continued to impress with his skill, athletic abilities and finishing so could be set for a big tournament, all things going well. If not now, he will almost certainly be a big name in future New South Munster Squads.

Kopyk
New South Munster's debut foray into rugby's elite tournament will be against fellow newcomers Kopyk. This will be Kopyk's second game in the competition after playing in the opening round against group power-houses Barunia. Little could be gleamed from this fixture as Barunia we always odds on favourites to post a result like this. First impressions of the Kopyk team are that they are a defensively orientated team. At times their game plan almost looked like a damage limitation plan. While this may prove valuable somehow come the end of the group stage and points differential is a big factor, the 0 on their end of the scoreboard tells its own story. To say they had little to offer in attack would be unfair, as they did manage a number of visits to the opposing 22 and nearly scored a try on two occasions. What attacking play they did manage was frequently spoiled by handling errors and sloppy passing. For the most part, they seemed content to try kick the ball for territory, defend as far from their line as possible and let Barunia try to beat their defence. Unfortunately this played into the hands of an attacking minded, and far stronger, Barunia side. The final 25-0 looks unflattering in any language. But there were glimpses of a good defensive system in place. One notable example was in the early minutes of the second half where hooker Bjorn Vilmarsson and openside flanker Adolf Pederssen led by example making several crunching hits each in to force the Barunia team back 17 yards over the course of 15 phases before inside centre Stefán Steingrímsson latched onto the ball to force a penalty for holding on. However, Pederssen's ferocity later overstepped the mark and was shown a lenient yellow card for a dump tackle on Tim Groundman, which left the Barunia player concussed after landing on his head. If Kopyk could hold the same intensity (yet keep their discipline) against New South Munster, there would be fair cause to be worried at the possibility of them pulling off a win. As it stands, New South Munster should be looking to come out of this fixture with the 4 points if they are to make anything real of their World Cup hopes.

Group F
The remainder of group F is comprised of the aforementioned top seeds Barunia, second seeds Alice Bay and Velstrania. Barunia and Alice Bay both flexed their respective muscles with opening victories over their respective opposition, and would expect to continue doing so. Velstrania looked relatively solid in their 20-10 loss to the 15th ranked Alice Bay, but will more than likely find the task rather more difficult against Barunia in their next game. Conversely, Alice Bay never looked troubled in the game, with the reality being more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Captain Arlan Miklos will be hopeful that his side can keep their momentum rolling into their following games, especially as they face off against Barunia in their next match up after the bye, in what is likely to be a top of the table decider. In truth, it will be hard to look past Barunia and Alice Bay taking the two qualifying spots at the top, while New South Munster, Kopyk and Velstrania will have to battle it out for the consolation prize of third place. An expectation that Britz, O'Connell and company will be looking to fulfill as a minimum. In the contest between Velstrania and Kopyk, it's hard to predict which way it could go so early, and with both sides playing the top dogs, but there's something about the dogged Kopyk defence that leads me to believe they could have enough to see that game out.

Projected Outcome
1. Barunia
2. Alice Bay
3. New South Munster
4. Kopyk
5. Velstrania

[Darmen]

There were quite a few thrills during MD1. Hopefully there will be a few more for MD2. Cutoff!

Group A
The Kiaser Colonies 6–8 Darmen
Kita-Hinode 11–13 Kejri Islands

  Group A                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Darmen                        2   2  0  0   28  16 +12    8
2 The Kiaser Colonies           2   1  0  1   50   8 +42    4
3 Kejri Islands                 2   1  0  1   13  55 −42    4
4 Kita-Hinode                   1   0  0  1   11  13  −2    0
5 Apox                          1   0  0  1   10  20 −10    0

Group B
Savojarna 29–0 Tomure
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria 0–17 Elejamie

  Group B                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Elejamie                      2   2  0  0   34   0 +34    8
2 Aji No Moto                   1   1  0  0   26   0 +26    4
3 Savojarna                     2   1  0  1   29  17 +12    4
4 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria   1   0  0  1    0  17 −17    0
5 Tomure                        2   0  0  2    0  55 −55    0

Group C
Mattijana 15–12 Filindostan
Abanhfleft 25–7 United Republic Empire

  Group C                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Mattijana                     2   2  0  0   44  25 +19    8
2 Abanhfleft                    1   1  0  0   25   7 +18    4
3 Filindostan                   2   1  0  1   24  18  +6    4
4 Latrovia                      1   0  0  1    3  12  −9    0
5 United Republic Empire        2   0  0  2   20  54 −34    0

Group D
Copper Cuprum 11–5 Alpine Union
Quantilia 0–3 Northwest Kalactin

  Group D                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Copper Cuprum                 2   2  0  0   36  25 +11    8
2 Nova Anglicana                1   1  0  0    7   0  +7    4
3 Northwest Kalactin            2   1  0  1   23  25  −2    4
4 Quantilia                     1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0
5 Alpine Union                  2   0  0  2    5  18 −13    0

Group E
Nexus OD Corporations 0–30 Ko-oren
Islana Lunigo 17–30 Lisander

  Group E                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Ko-oren                       2   2  0  0   44   0 +44    8
2 Lisander                      2   2  0  0   66  31 +35    8
3 Islana Lunigo                 1   0  0  1   17  30 −13    0
4 Daghvir                       1   0  0  1    0  14 −14    0
5 Nexus OD Corporations         2   0  0  2   14  66 −52    0

Group F
Barunia 20–3 Velstrania
New South Munster 5–3 Kopyk

  Group F                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Barunia                       2   2  0  0   45   3 +42    8
2 Alice Bay                     1   1  0  0   20  10 +10    4
3 New South Munster             1   1  0  0    5   3  +2    4
4 Velstrania                    2   0  0  2   13  40 −27    0
5 Kopyk                         2   0  0  2    3  30 −27    0

Group G
United States of Devonta 3–29 Neu Engollon
Xasnep 14–27 New Doltania

  Group G                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Neu Engollon                  2   2  0  0   47   6 +41    8
2 New Doltania                  2   1  0  1   27  27   0    4
3 United States of Devonta      2   1  0  1   16  29 −13    4
4 Xasnep                        1   0  0  1   14  27 −13    0
5 Banija                        1   0  0  1    3  18 −15    0

Group H
Hutanjia 21–0 United Vietussia
Natanians and Nosts 23–10 South Covello

  Group H                     Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Hutanjia                      2   2  0  0   42  10 +32    8
2 Natanians and Nosts           1   1  0  0   23  10 +13    4
3 Azadeshia                     1   1  0  0   13   6  +7    4
4 South Covello                 2   0  0  2   20  44 −24    0
5 United Vietussia              2   0  0  2    6  34 −28    0

[Copper Cuprum]

Copper Cuprum tallied yet another victory in their first ever Rugby Union World Cup campaign, this time against the 23rd best rugby union nation in the multiverse, the Alpine Union. The Copperites had heard of the history of the Alpine Union, how they used to be separate nations before finally coming together for convenience, economy, or whatever reason, but the Copperites were not concerned about what had happened before. What they really cared about was what was about to happen right here and right now.

The Copperites performed their chicken sacrifice ritual once again, but this time this did not seem to have any effect on the Alpines, unlike the Copperites' last opponents, Northwest Kalactin, who seemed positively sickened by the ritual. The game started off strongly with Copper Cuprum nearly forcing their way to the in-goal after a flurry of strong attacks and energetic phasing, but the Alpine's defense held firm and prevented the Copperites from scoring a try. Copper Cuprum would eventually be able to put some points on the board after the Alpines' loose prop Nicola Lazzaroni was judged to have deliberately collapsed a scrum just 30 meters from their goal. Namupo Ozorkow opted to kick for goal, and despite the sudden onset of an unfavorable wind, Ozorkow powered through the conditions and sent the ball sailing between the posts. 3-0 to Copper Cuprum.

Copper Cuprum then were awarded a second penalty just three minutes after their first penalty kick after yet another scrum collapse adjudged to have been done deliberately by the Alpines, and Ozorkow once again had the tee brought out, and he scored this penalty as well to double the Copperite advantage. 6-0 to Copper Cuprum. That lead would only last until there was only three minutes left to play in the first half after Fiona Mac Leoid managed to elude the Copperite defense before finally landing the rock at the corner for the first Alpine try of the game and also the very first try in the game ever. The angle and wind conditions proved too tough for Philipp Schweinsteiger and he sliced the conversion wide of the posts. 6-5 was the score, still in favor of Copper Cuprum but only just.

Things were very much the same as both teams came out to play the second half. It was a game of few chances, with basically both teams excelling in their defense but not necessarily distinguishing themselves in offense. The wind was also a factor in both teams not going for penalty kicks after they both saw a Namupo Ozorkow botch a simple kick on the Alpine 22 because of the intense wind that was now blowing right at his face. The Alpine Union did try their luck from 55 meters out because the wind was blowing at their backs in the second quarter, but the ball dipped just below the bar before passing between the posts, in which case the kick was judged as not having been made.

Finally, the breakthrough came in the form of the Copperite captain, Banunu Honele, who received a pass from Vobeda Polema and then broke through a gap in the Alpine defense. The Alpines' Kyle O'Donnell and Nick Ford-Robinson initiated a foot chase with Honele but the Copperite fly half who plied his trade with the Red Gon Red Bulls of the Rugby Coalition was just too fleet-footed at this moment, and he finally scored the try after having been forced away from the posts by the chasing Alpines. But once again, the wind was not in favor of the Copperites, and Ozorkow sent his conversion wide as well. 11-5 to the Copperites; still very much a close game.

But that was how the game would end, and Copper Cuprum now found itself on top of Group D, above the Pot 1 team in the group, Nova Anglicana. The Nova Anglicana team is currently considered as the third-best rugby union team in the multiverse, tied with the Copperites' fellow coalition member Abanhfleft, and while their rugby union has been so secretive as to not even release at least the names, positions, or even just jersey numbers of their players, Copper Cuprum had gathered enough momentum that they could even start believing that they could pull of the upset against the Nova Anglicana team. And it wasn't an entirely unheard of thing, either; rugby union was still a game that can produce massive upsets. It was just a matter of the Copperites taking matters into their own hands and engineering the upset themselves, but whether they can actually do it is another thing entirely....

Copper Cuprum (11)
Try: Honele 65' m
Con: Ozorkow (0/1)
Pen: Ozorkow (2/3) 14', 17'

Alpine Union (5)
Try: Mac Leoid 37' m
Con: Schweinsteiger (0/1)
Pen: Schweinsteiger (0/1)

[Abanhfleft]

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Rugby Rundown
with Graham O'Doherty

RUGBY UNION WORLD CUP 26 RECAP: ABANHFLEFT VS. UNITED REPUBLIC EMPIRE
Oh, hello, there! I didn't even realize that Abanhfleft had a bye day until I turned up at Romanopolis in Darmen and saw that Abanhfleft's first match wouldn't be until today! I had all the time to recap Abanhfleft's participation in the URSA 7s yesterday and I didn't even know it, and now we'll all have to be stuck with recaps until the next Fleftic bye day rolls by, and who knows when that's going to be? Oh, all right, then; let's get on with Abanhfleft's first ever Rugby Union World Cup 26 game, which is against the somewhat schizophrenic nation of the United Republic Empire. I mean, I know that all the nations in the world get their names in all sorts of ways, but please, man! Decide for yourselves if you're a republic or an empire! It's enough to make this poor gay's mind bleed.

Oh, and there was also some sort of controversy involving the United Republic Empire as well. Apparently, there's some sort of crisis going on in the country which has forced them to attempt to cancel their participation in the Rugby Union World Cup. Well, tough luck, boys, you should have told the organizers about this before throwing your hat into the competition, and now you will have to play the game even if your country can't afford to keep up its rugby union program anymore. And these lads had already been schooled by Mattijana in the first day of the games, and they would have no respite yet as they faced our boys in blue, orange, and green for their second game and our first.

Abanhfleft started off this game very strongly. New guy Saladin Nursaladinov, who plays his club rugby with the Sasmuan Supermen of the Rugby Coalition, broke through at least three tackles by the Republican Imperials (from now on, that's what I'm going to call them) before finally landing his try right underneath the black dot. With Abanhfleft's regular kickers Till Solvermann and Nawwaz Shareef Wahhab now retired from international rugby, the duty of kicking fell to Abdulrahman al-Thabsi, who is a member of the Fleftic rugby sevens side that has participated in the AVBF 7s and the URSA 7s. He usually doesn't kick as a sevens player, but for the full fifteen-a-side experience, that was how Rahman should play. And he actually did pretty well for a first-time kicker, converting from a tight angle, considering that Saladin landed his try almost in the corner of the in-goal area.

Abanhfleft compounded the misery being felt by the Republican Imperials with yet another try in the first half; this time Dev Nasuggi scoring the try in almost the same place that Nursaladinov scored his. But despite the fact that he had already made a conversion from nearly the same spot before, Abdulrahman al-Thabsi failed to make this conversion, but this did give Abanhfleft a bigger cushion between themselves and the opponents by way of a 12-0 score. Things just got even worse for the Republican Imperials when Abanhfleft were awarded a penalty at the Republican Imperials' 22, and this time not even al-Thabsi could botch this. 15-0 and Abanhfleft was feeling pretty good about its return to rugby union action. That loss to Bvriania in the previous World Cup still stings, and I don't even know how to react to the fact that the winner of RUWC25, The Iron Syndicate, is now no longer among us as well. I feel kinda saddened, to be honest, but then again that's another rugby competitor out for the count though.

The Republican Imperials refused to bow to the pressure, however, and they were finally able to record their first score against us with a try by their fly half to put their first points of the game up on the board, and then it was the same fly half who also handled his team's conversion, and he slotted the ball right in between the posts to give us a 15-7 score coming into half-time. In the second half, it was more of the same, with Abanhfleft applying all the pressure and United Republic Empire doing their very best not to let us score even more than we had already had scored. Our pressure finally paid off deep in the middle of the second half with the teenager Lee Jae-sang, who was part of the Oshkosh Dnistrosh side that won the inaugural Rugby Coalition and also the inaugural Dwile International tournament. Lee Jae-sang juked his way out of a Republican Imperial tackle before offloading the rock to Abd al-Latif bin Khalifa, who then tossed the ball back to Lee Jae-sang and allowed the youngster to steam through and score his first ever international try for Abanhfleft. This will be certainly a game and a debut to remember for the youngster, and the fact that Rahman al-Thabsi was able to cap it off with a good conversion is most probably icing on the cake for Jae-sang.

al-Thabsi capped off his marvelous kicking game (the missed conversion on the second Fleftic try notwithstanding) with yet another penalty, this one from 45 meters out. He must have been feeling lucky if he thought that he could make that kick despite never having done so in an actual gameday situation, but nevertheless, he went for it, and the gamble paid off. Expect a highlight reel hyping up this 31-year-old scrum half to pop up on YouTube anytime soon.

And that does it for me for this edition of the Rugby Rundown. Next time, we'll be recapping Abanhfleft's second game in the Rugby Union World Cup, and then when time allows, I will finally run down Abanhfleft at the URSA 7s as well as the performances of the Fleftic sides in the accompanying Linville Athletic Rugby Football Club Sevens. But for now, I say goodbye, and I wish you guys all the best. XOXO from Graham....

Abanhfleft (25)
Try: Nursaladinov 6' c
Nasuggi 22' m
Lee Jae-sang 61' c
Con: al-Thabsi (2/3) 7', 62'
Pen: al-Thabsi (2/2) 35', 72'

United Republic Empire (7)
Try: Fly Half 38' c
Con: Fly Half 39'

[Savojarna]

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
RUWC 26 Opener leaves Savojars without luck

Following the rather tight 45 minutes in the match against Elejamie during the last RUWC in the Free Republics (the Elejamians eventually won 20-10, however), there was much hope for the team of Sigurdur Olausson that we could do better this time and beat the world's Number 11 in the rematch in Liverpool, Darmen. With Elejamie treated as a friendly rival by the fans of Savojarna and the game being the opener of the campaign, there had been a push for a Banging of Shields on social media, and the SSA had indeed followed suit. After the playing of the International, the Savojar fans followed up with a chant to Thor and Odin, joined by the players, and the Russian Holy XV Chant, which had been created and instated by the Orthodox Russican Church of Savojarna's Archbishop of St. Andrei. Elejamie's players seemed unmoved by the chants, however, and the fans of our opponents countered with hearty "Elejamie! Elejamie!" chants that could not crowd out the Savojars, but did their part to creating a spectacular athmosphere in the stadium.

The game started equally spectacular. Elejamie proved to be the faster and more skilled team, but Savojarna played up their size in a way that matched the predictions and demands by Sigurdur Olausson. The coach of our national team had repeatedly insisted that Savojarna had to punch forward with all their power when they could and try to grind Elejamie down, something that was emphasised by Alex Newarov with a giant tackle against Elejamian winger Armando Tavarez, who lost the ball to Niskanen in the process, but the following attack didn't get through a solid Elejamian defence. Our opponents, on the other hand, showed that they didn't take Savojarna as lightly as they did a year ago in the Free Republics. They performed very well, even if their teamplay was occasionally a bit lacking due to the limited time to train as a team. But Elejamie made up for it with its speed and individual moments of glory, such as when birthday man Ben Oldaker stood alone in front of fullback Lars Neyman and could pass the ball over to Peguero while falling, almost opening the way to Elejamie's first try. However, Akeson could just disturb Peguero enough to cause the winger to lose control of the ball and pushing it over the sideline.

However, the first points for the favourites came soon after this mistake. There was a slight misunderstanding between Lindberg and Eythorsson, causing Elejamie's centre Brandão to cut between them. This led to a situation in which the Elejamian attackers had an advantage in numbers and caught the Savojar defence in a hard spot. Following a bad tackle by Nilsson and a too aggressive play by Neyman allowed him to pass the ball over to Peguero, who was unopposed this time and could save the ball to score the first try of the game. Neyman could amend his mistake slightly by keeping Peguero to the outside, from where Paul Debenham had a tricky angle and narrowly missed the conversion. In the rest of the first half, Savojarna managed to minimise damage, giving up only one more goal following a penalty kick awarded against Kjell Arndtsen after the Savojar flyhalf had been a bit too late with a tackle. Thus, Savojarna was down 8-0 at the break.

The main problem of our XV after half time was that the Elejamian team managed to crack holes into the tight Savojar defence increasingly often, but also that our attempts to break through the tough Elejamians were increasingly frustrated. Following the second try of the game ten minutes into the game, caused by a very sloppy pass by Borisov that Captain Ben Oldaker could intercept and launch a counter, and a conversion by Debenham, Savojarna had mostly given up the game at the standing of 15-0. Sigurdsson substituted three of his players, including the young Milvanen (for Neyman) and Lavrov (for Arndtsen). After the match, he had confessed to wanting to save energy for the crucial upcoming matches against Tomure and Aji no Moto. Elejamie seemed to cut down on their efforts soon after as well, playing down the remaining 30 minutes with one more try, scored by the man of the match Ben Oldaker. As replacement kicker Guinho, who got some playtime on the highest level in the last 20 minutes, failed to convert the last try of the match, the game ended at 20-0 for Elejamie.

While Savojarna's fans seemed rather disappointed by the clear loss against the team that they largely perceived as the one to beat, the players seemed less affected by the loss. Captain Kristjan Niskanen emphasised the need for Savojarna to win against the unranked teams of their group, saying: "A victory over Elejamie was always just a nice-to-have thing. We saw that our system worked fairly well and Elejamie could only score on individual mistakes, which shows us that we are on the right track, and we did not waste too much energy for the next two games, which will decide our fate". Asked about the lack of offence, the team agreed that there was also a large amount of bad luck involved, as Niskanen hit the post once with a free kick and two tries were only averted by a very strong performance of Elejamian fullback Adam Gates. It is unlikely to see Savojarna facing equally strong defence against Tomure and Aji no Moto, thus we remain confident about our chances to qualify for the next round. Whether the Savojars can indeed bounce back from this loss will be seen in the next match, broadcast live on savojarsports.sj/livestreamer or STV2.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Citur Cronan: Rugby in the Haven 'objectively a disaster.' following embarrassing Elejamie defeat

Citur Cronan hit out at Havensport's rugby organisers today for destroying the sport and making Havenic rugby 'objectively a disaster,' following the teams defeat at the hands of Elejamie. The Havenic team, which failed to score a single point in the 17-0 loss, were crippled by unforced errors, turned the ball over several times and displayed a general lack of fitness.
The only departure from this, many pundits have stated, was Cronan: the 23-year old gridiron football running back was the highlight of the terrible performance, as he seemingly desperately attempted to get the game going for the Vakolicci.
"In gridiron I can't perform because Velstrania have taken our slot," he explained to the times of Iros today. "And in rugby, I can't perform because those around me are incapable. Something needs to change: other sports play in stadiums which seat 80, 90 thousand? In rugby we're lucky to get 10000 people max."

[Filindostan]

MATTIJANA 15-12 FILINDOSTAN (HT - 5-7)
Colosus Romanopolis, Romanopolis, Darmen
TRIES: Harta (21'), Astrud (49')
CONS: Ann B. (21')
PENS: none
DROPS: none

filindorugby.com
The go-to blogsite for Filindostani Rugby

RUWC 26
Sorry!!!

ROMANOPOLIS, DARMEN --- Apparently, I made a mistake.

I said earlier in my blog that Filindostan was facing the United Republic Empire, but it seems that I misread the schedule and alas, the team faced Mattijana, who I thought we will be facing in the fourth matchday. Well, we lost, by a freaking audacious late try by Dominik Kunikov, virtually the last play of the match.

The Mattijanan team missed all their conversions when Matej Campagnaro (12') and Sanja Cevnik (44') scored marvellous tries against the Filindostani defense, but the manner they scored their tries, all in the side, caused difficulty to convert their tries, thus missing them all. The misses could have costed them the match, after Filindostan scored their second try of the match. However, luck would not be on their side as unlike the first one, they failed to convert the second try for additional two points.

This gave an opportunity for Marco Vinzanic's troops to push for a winning play, and oh boy they got it. They didn't need to convert the last try as there were no much time left for our team to snatch the win. The result? Filindostan needing to win against Abahnfleft to have any chance to progress beyond the group stages.

Again, Sorry! And oh, LABAN PILINDOSTAN!!!