Rugby League World Cup XII-Darmen (Everything)

[Mapletish]

The All Reds Roster for RLWC XII

Mapletish Team Kits





Preview
The team's previous outing to Green Jello Salad ended disappointingly with Mapletish failing to get past the opening six rounds of the tournament. It was clear essentially that the team was not up to task with that mediocre performance, however confidence was soon restored back to the team. Zachariah Jeff would once again be given the ultimate task to bring the team further this time round.

Head Coach: Zachariah Jeff, 46
A former rugby league player for Mapletish and the current head coach of Golden Phoniex, Jeff lead the Mapletish team in the 11th Rugby League World Cup in his first stint as the national team coach. Jeff often modeled his coaching style with Mapletish's most successful Rugby League coach, Stephen Columban who brought the All Reds to several URA Rugby League Championship victories. As a slicker for discipline and excellence there was no doubt that the team well.

Assistant Coach: Konnor Abner Keaton, 43

Starters

Backs

Full Back - Francisco Dean
Right Wing Three-quarter - Christmas Eldred
Right Centre Three-quarter - Leith Derick
Left Centre Three-quarter - Shaw Casimir
Left Wing Three-quarter - Danny Denali
Stand-Off Half or Five-Eighth - Jay Gerry
Scrum Half - Desmond Roshallow

Forwards

Prop - Hewie Sigmund
Hooker - Quinton Cuthbert
Front Row Forward - Haydn Redd
Second Row Forward - Wallace Owen
Second Row Forward - Nicky Royce
Lock Forward - Everett Basilio

Interchange

All Rounder - Billie Haroldo
All Rounder - Layton Scottie
All Rounder - Gerald Zache
All Rounder - Julio Trey

Reserves

Utility Back - Wilton Keshaun
Utility Back - Jorge Grady
Utility Back - Tyrrell Celso
Utility Forward - Nico Barrie
Utility Forward - Kurtis Goyo
Utility Forward - Cliff Harding
Hooker - Diffile Timothy
Front Row Forward - Walter Timothy
Utility Centre - Conor Marcus
Right Wing Three-quarter - Talbot Rishaw

Style Modifier: +3

RP Permissions
Choose my pointscorers Y
Godmod scoring events Y
RP injuries to my players Y
Godmod injuries to my players Y
Hand out yellow cards (bad box) to my players Y
Hand out red cards (sending off) to my players Y
Other: Pretty much anything goes. TG me before you try to attempt something crazy.

[Sangti]

Sangti National Rugby League Team
Dalandan (The Oranges)
Roster for the Rugby League World Cup XII

STARTERS

No Name                 Age  Position
 1 Edgardo Avancena      25  Fullback
 2 Heinrich Panimdim     31  Right Wing
 3 Elliot Bandol         19  Outside Centre
 4 Cush Lapore           30  Inside Centre
 5 Linn Ruiz             28  Left WIng
 6 Darryl Racoma         22  Stand-Off Half
 7 Luke Minguez          25  Scrum Half
 8 Nickcy Jungao  (c)    33  Prop
 9 Harry Quiambao        29  Hooker
10 Kimver Sermeno        20  Prop
11 Reymar Pino           26  Second Row
12 Rennel Samoza         32  Second Row
13 Rodgie Dimasuhid      22  Loose Forward

RESERVES

No Name                 Age  Position
14 Ellis Veloso          24  Centre
15 Guiller Cruel         19  Wing
16 Armando Ombac         35  Fullback
17 Bon Fangonil          26  Prop
18 Boo Ayon              28  Second Row
19 Roderaid Ambanloc     27  Centre

KIT

Courtesy of Queso Sportswear
Shorts color is orange; Socks colors are orange and black hoops.
Alternate color is black/orange invert, and only used if needed.

RP PERMISSIONS
Any godmodding is permissible, bar injuries and deaths.
Style mod: -4.97

[Saugeais]

"2-nil? Did I just read that right, a final of 2-nil against Lymantatia? Is that even possible in rugby?"

"Let me check the scoring guide. I know it's one of the lowest scores you can get in Gridiron football."

"That's just an insane final score though, dont'cha think? We're ranked in the top 5, correct?"

"#3 in the Multiverse."

"Then how in the hell did a team near the bottom of the world rankings stall us to only two lousy, stinkin' points?"

"Good defense, I guess...."

"Or a really bollocks offense."

"...Right, here we go. It says here there two ways you can reach 2 points in rugby league. You can either score off of a penalty kick, which will give you two points, or you can attempt a drop kick. A successful drop kick will net one point. I didn't notice any mention of penalty kicks in the paper, so the 'D.K.' on the box score has to mean 'drop kicks.' And there is only one name there, Ludwig Harden. Looks like he score two drop kicks in the 71st and 74th minutes."

"That seems really late in the match. Are you reading it right?"

"Yeah, and it does seem late. I wonder what the team was doing all that time. There has to be a reason.....lousy pitch, poor communication, something. You don't think a lowly team like Lymantatia could outmuscle Saugeais for 80 minute, do you think?"

"Well, whatever, a win is a win, as ugly as it may be. Better hope for a blowout against this Steelia team, whoever they are."

"Yeah, but if the offense is this awful, we may see another low scoring affair."

"Whatever, enough about rugby, flip over to the Bugny-Arçon match."

[Darmen]

Group A
Saugeais 22–2 The Equal Peoples State of Steelia
Lymantatia 0–6 Ko-oren

  Group A                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Ko-oren                              2   2  0  0   26   0 +26    4
2 Saugeais                             2   2  0  0   24   2 +22    4
3 Lymantatia                           2   0  0  2    0   8  −8    0
4 The Equal Peoples State of Steelia   2   0  0  2    2  42 −40    0

Group B
Preiva 8–24 Polar Islandstates
Patistan 6–12 The National Bocialist Party

  Group B                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Polar Islandstates                   2   2  0  0   52  24 +28    4
2 The National Bocialist Party         2   1  0  1   28  34  −6    2
3 Preiva                               2   1  0  1   23  32  −9    2
4 Patistan                             2   0  0  2   14  27 −13    0

Group C
Sangti 22–2 Atruria
Darmen 29–21 Baz Mat

  Group C                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Darmen                               2   2  0  0   39  27 +12    4
2 Sangti                               2   1  0  1   28  12 +16    2
3 Baz Mat                              2   1  0  1   29  31  −2    2
4 Atruria                              2   0  0  2    4  30 −26    0

Group D
Hutanjia 23–5 Ancharmunn
Saintland 22–2 New Federation Janistan

  Group D                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Hutanjia                             2   2  0  0   35   5 +30    4
2 Saintland                            2   1  0  1   22  14  +8    2
3 Ancharmunn                           2   1  0  1   18  23  −5    2
4 New Federation Janistan              2   0  0  2    2  35 −33    0

Group E
Cyborg Holland 15–6 Cadicarrech
Monfortia 20–8 Nassau-Hessen

  Group E                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Cyborg Holland                       2   2  0  0   37   6 +31    4
2 Cadicarrech                          2   1  0  1   21  16  +5    2
3 Monfortia                            2   1  0  1   20  30 −10    2
4 Nassau-Hessen                        2   0  0  2    9  35 −26    0

Group F
The Licentian Islands 8–0 Alynsyk
New Sideburn 2–0 Mapletish

  Group F                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 The Licentian Islands                2   2  0  0   38  12 +26    4
2 New Sideburn                         2   1  0  1   14  30 −16    2
3 Mapletish                            2   1  0  1   28   2 +26    2
4 Alynsyk                              2   0  0  2    0  36 −36    0

Group G
Estope 11–1 Callumackbar
Noburu Taiyou 10–4 Paradystopia

  Group G                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Noburu Taiyou                        2   2  0  0   30   4 +26    4
2 Paradystopia                         2   1  0  1   12  12   0    2
3 Estope                               2   1  0  1   11  21 −10    2
4 Callumackbar                         2   0  0  2    3  19 −16    0

Group H
The Fair Republic 2–4 Jamiha
Neu Engollon 9–7 Bloodbath Generation

  Group H                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Neu Engollon                         2   2  0  0   30   8 +22    4
2 Bloodbath Generation                 2   1  0  1   22  15  +7    2
3 Jamiha                               2   1  0  1   10  17  −7    2
4 The Fair Republic                    2   0  0  2    3  25 −22    0

[New Sideburn]

NEW SIDEBURN ROSTER

Sorry for not being able to RP and for this roster being dreadful, work has close to doubled and my weekends have halved for the forseeable future.

Fullback: Cliff Staunton
Right Wing: Flint Cathar
Right Centre: Gareth Pearce
Left Centre: Daniel Rass
Left Wing: Joss Dean
5/8: Grant Campbell
Halfback: Cheney Marsden
Prop: Jake Stubbs
Hooker: Gareth Buchan
Prop: Jack Brunt
Second Row: Rook Flynn
Second Row: Markus Slate
Lock: Max Brace

Substitute Forwards: Ross Neill and Bryce Kemp
Substitute Backs: Jack Finnan and Royce Blake

Manager: Lukas Rushden

Modifier: -1

Kits: Green home, terracotta away, black shorts and socks for both.

Largely used to Union, the League team is largely an experiment for New Sideburn; it's expected to fail for the most part, but should at least set some measure of precedent for the Union league attempted to be fully professionalised back home. At worst, it couldn't hurt as some measure of a way to dethrone the footballers...
By style, New Sideburn is true to form; aggressive in mindset, but defensive in skillset, and intensely physical without much in the way of technique.

Choose my pointscorers 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

[Preiva]

The Preiva Times

One Match, One Up

The Preivan rugby team took center stage last night at the Rugby League World Cup XII in Darmen. They were the underdogs coming into the match, but thanks to the fullback a stellar game was played. No injuries were inflicted upon Preiva, and Preiva outscored their opponent, Patistan, by seven points. When the game was over, Preiva had won, 15-8.

Preiva is now on the top of Group B in the Rubgy League World Cup, and are looking forward to their next match.

[Preiva]

The Preiva Times

After winning the first match, 15-8, Preiva was back at it yesterday, although not as glamourously as before. They were behind in the game in the early minutes and could not regain those points in time, as they lost 24-8 at the hands of Polar Islandsates.

Now in second place in their group, Preiva is looking to bounce back in the next game.

[Ko-oren]

Untouchable Two shutouts, final group game vs. Saugeais coming up

Two games in, and the Greenblues still haven't given a point to the opposition yet. It's not just impressive, it's insane for a team that is just new to the sport. We'll admit we've only played against unranked teams so far, but it still is impressive. Saugeais is probably going to end this record, but at least we got to enjoy our untouchable status for two days. Moreover, we also secured a spot with the last 16 as we are too far ahead for Steelia and Lymantatia to overtake us. With 26 points scored and zero conceded, we are above Saugeais for the time being. After the 20-0 thrashing of Steelia, the 0-6 victory over Lymantatia seems like a small feat, but it was not. The team already kept Saugeais to a 0-2 victory (!!) and therefore they now have 0 scored and 8 conceded. New teams look like they are owning the place, but on the other hand, Saugeais is third of the world and they are most likely going to beat us up bad. Anyway, with the two victories for us and Saugeais, there are only two teams sure of the second round. And that is worth something!

More than ever are we going to rely on our defense. Daniel, Baptista and Robert have been doing exceptionally well in the first two games, but the real test is tomorrow. But don't forget that every day that we stay in this tournament is a lucky day. As an unranked team, at least. And who would have thought that our teams are doing better in Darmen of all places?

[Neu Engollon]

RUGBY CORNER

VICTORY IN THE LAND OF THE GREENS!

By Jean Marc Charjan

Here in Tim City, Darmen, we see the Goats on top of the heap in their group during the start. I won't get into speculating and jinxing the team, only to say that we hope they can continue the energy into their next matches. The Fair Republic put up a decent fight but they were overpowered by the Neu Engollian veterans, many of who still play rugby in the league off season in any code they can. Scores were turned in by Julien Garmeaux, a bencher getting some play time in now, as well as Leo Uzecci and Cesar Bertadeno, regular first squadders. The extra points were drilled in by Du Plesse, keeping on target with his clockwork kicks.

We look next to the Bloodbath Generation match. A real squeaker with the Luc Tremault getting one try, a third of the way into the game, after a high tackle on lock Tremault, the Goats were able to get the conversion and penalty kicks for the famed '8 Point Try', much to the chagrin of the fuming Bloodbath squad.
Later, a drop kick through the sticks sealed the deal. Bloodbath was able to come up after the half and almost tip the scales, but they came up two points shy in the end.

I hope to have a longer update post Jamiha match, and hopefully less IG-2 shadows to distract me. Stay strong Goats!

** JMC **

[Darmen]

Group A
Ko-oren 0–9 Saugeais
The Equal Peoples State of Steelia 12–22 Lymantatia

  Group A                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Saugeais                             3   3  0  0   33   2 +31    6   Qual.
2 Ko-oren                              3   2  0  1   26   9 +17    4   Qual.
3 Lymantatia                           3   1  0  2   22  20  +2    2
4 The Equal Peoples State of Steelia   3   0  0  3   14  64 −50    0

Group B
The National Bocialist Party 8–13 Preiva
Polar Islandstates 25–18 Patistan

  Group B                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Polar Islandstates                   3   3  0  0   77  42 +35    6   Qual.
2 Preiva                               3   2  0  1   36  40  −4    4   Qual.
3 The National Bocialist Party         3   1  0  2   36  47 −11    2
4 Patistan                             3   0  0  3   32  52 −20    0

Group C
Baz Mat 4–18 Sangti
Atruria 6–11 Darmen

  Group C                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Darmen                               3   3  0  0   50  33 +17    6   Qual.
2 Sangti                               3   2  0  1   46  16 +30    4   Qual.
3 Baz Mat                              3   1  0  2   33  49 −16    2
4 Atruria                              3   0  0  3   10  41 −31    0

Group D
New Federation Janistan 1–7 Hutanjia
Ancharmunn 17–15 Saintland

  Group D                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Hutanjia                             3   3  0  0   42   6 +36    6   Qual.
2 Ancharmunn                           3   2  0  1   35  38  −3    4   Qual.
3 Saintland                            3   1  0  2   37  31  +6    2
4 New Federation Janistan              3   0  0  3    3  42 −39    0

Group E
Nassau-Hessen 0–36 Cyborg Holland
Cadicarrech 1–10 Monfortia

  Group E                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Cyborg Holland                       3   3  0  0   73   6 +67    6   Qual.
2 Monfortia                            3   2  0  1   30  31  −1    4   Qual.
3 Cadicarrech                          3   1  0  2   22  26  −4    2
4 Nassau-Hessen                        3   0  0  3    9  71 −62    0

Group F
Mapletish 2–0 The Licentian Islands
Alynsyk 1–5 New Sideburn

  Group F                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Mapletish                            3   2  0  1   30   2 +28    4   Qual.
2 The Licentian Islands                3   2  0  1   38  14 +24    4   Qual.
3 New Sideburn                         3   2  0  1   19  31 −12    4
4 Alynsyk                              3   0  0  3    1  41 −40    0

Group G
Paradystopia 12–0 Estope
Callumackbar 6–4 Noburu Taiyou

  Group G                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Noburu Taiyou                        3   2  0  1   34  10 +24    4   Qual.
2 Paradystopia                         3   2  0  1   24  12 +12    4   Qual.
3 Estope                               3   1  0  2   11  33 −22    2
4 Callumackbar                         3   1  0  2    9  23 −14    2

Group H
Bloodbath Generation 14–2 The Fair Republic
Jamiha 0–14 Neu Engollon

  Group H                            Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Neu Engollon                         3   3  0  0   44   8 +36    6   Qual.
2 Bloodbath Generation                 3   2  0  1   36  17 +19    4   Qual.
3 Jamiha                               3   1  0  2   10  31 −21    2
4 The Fair Republic                    3   0  0  3    5  39 −34    0

And therefore, the Round of Sixteen matchups for Saturday:

@Tyger Stadium, Darmen City
Saugeais vs. Bloodbath Generation
Polar Islandstates vs. Paradystopia
Darmen vs. The Licentian Islands
Hutanjia vs. Monfortia

@Brady City Stadium, Brady City
Cyborg Holland vs. Ancharmunn
Mapletish vs. Sangti
Noburu Taiyou vs. Preiva
Neu Engollon vs. Ko-oren

[Hutanjia]

"Good Day, Hutanjia. I am Shirley Golaru broadcasting once again from Scott City, Darmen after the last of the triumphant matches for the Spiders at Muffin Park. Finally, we were able to get our permits in order to broadcast to you on delay as we are around the globe and hitting later evening here while folks in Chastille, Molnitha and Vesselle start their morning commutes. It has been a real roller coaster ride, but we were able to get some great highlights that we will now review.
The Saintland match was a well fought battle with the Spiders not able to gain much ground but two trys were put across the goal line by Samson Wakala and Vlad Sokota on the second with both conversions successful, thanks to Monty Apegku. The second match was against Ancharmunn and a real upsetter. From the start, after the Panehu tribal dance on the field, the Spiders dominated, only letting through one try near the half and a drop goal, kicked out of frustration by the Red & Green squad's scrum half. Here again, Samson led the way, but tries were also touched down by Fengelu and Nepedku. Harrison Fengelu impressively broke a tackle to drive the last ten meters.

Finally, they played New Federation Janistan, a relative unknown. The maroon and green wearing boys once again performed the Panehu and continued to bring the tribal warrior spirit the rest of the match. Janistan surprisingly had a good defense and were able to keep our Spiders to 7 points, a try, conversion...and one last lucky drop goal. Tomorrow they travel to Darmen City to take on Monfortia and Elijah Bruce's squad. We hope to get some more good highlights to brighten your day and carry you through your next commute, Hutanjia! Back to the studios in Chastille..."

[Neu Engollon]

RUGBY CORNER

EIGHT PLUS EIGHT = ONWARD

By Jean Marc Charjan

The Goats were able to knock down unranked Jamiha, 14 to nil and lock in to the next phase of the Cup, the Round of 16. Gottfried Vanger was able to punch down the rock and earn his first cap with the Goats. The rest of the team played flawlessly and ran some clockwork plays that we know so well, along with the staples of solid rucking and mauls.

They head to Brady City to take on the Greenblues of Ko-oren, a nation that has quite a storied tradition in sports, but is newer to the League code. The Goats need to remain confident but not get overly cocky. The new leadership under Devlin McHaraigh seems to have done them well and I hope to see him keep leading them on further through the Cup. The highlights of McHaraigh dancing his little bits, clipboard swinging in hand have entertained many back home here in the Alpen lands and should the Maltropian choose to stay, he is sure to become a popular figure.

A fellow group H contender, Bloodbath Generation, will also travel on with them. So they need to face that tough squad again. Keep chargin' Goats!

** JMC **

[Sangti]

It was proving that Sangti is a rising force in Rugby League.

After their narrow 10-6 loss to the hosts Darmen in matchday 1, the Dalandan found a way to crush their next two opponents Atruria and Baz Mat, with an average winning margin of 17, and allowing just 1 try in their matches (against Baz Mat).

With the All Reds of Mapletish awaiting them at the Round of 16, the Dalandan will be ready in their alternate black kits, because obviously, orange clashes colors with red, and that would be difficult for both sides to advance the ball past the opponent's goal line.

Mapletish won Group F after destroying Alynsyk 28-0 before bowing 2-0 to New Sideburn. They then beat The Licentian Isles by the same scoreline. Defense will be the name of the game here, and the side who can hold out their opponent and score themselves wins this matchup.

The Dalandan were not expected to make the Round of 16, but it would be a very big bonus if they win this match and march on to have a shot at the championship.

[Preiva]

The Preiva Times

Another Win, Another Round

Preiva won 13 to 8 yesterday against The National Bocialist Party and promptly advanced to the round of 16, along with Polar Islandstates and many more. With four points, and a 2-0-1 record, they finished second in their group.

Preiva will now face Noburu Taiyou in their first Round of 16 match.

[Noburu Taiyou]

Tohoko Sports

Rugby League World Cup: Taiyouese lose to Callumackbar, advance anyway

The third and final matchday of the Rugby League World Cup has taken place in Darmen, but the Taiyouese team ran into some unfortunate difficulties against a Callumackbar team that had already been eliminated. Leading 4-0 in the final minutes, Mr. Takahashi-san's Taiyouese National Team allowed James Pope to breach their defense and score a try to tie up the match. Aaron Wilson converted the try and Callumackbar won the match on this day.

The match had started out promisingly for Taiyou as Yamato Sakai broke through the Callumackbar defense and scored an early try. Most unfortunately, Sakai scored his try at a poor angle and Tensui Wada's conversion attempt sailed wide right. After this try, the Taiyouese team played a defensive-minded match. But, they would prove unable to hold onto that 4-0 lead.

The next opponent for Taiyou will be fellow newcomers to international sports Preiva. In the group stage, Preiva also won 2 out of 3 matches and scored 2 more points than the Taiyouese. More importantly, Preiva allowed 4 times as many points as Mr. Takahashi-san's team. It will be critical for the Taiyouese team to regroup and bounce back from the defeat against Callumackbar. Otherwise, it will be difficult for Noboru Taiyou to advance to the quarterfinals.

[Mapletish]

All Reds into the Round of Sixteen

The All Reds did well in the single-legged group stage this time round in Group F finishing with an impressive 2-0-1 record with the lowest points conceded with Saugeais. A final round 2-0 win against The Licentian Islands was all that was enough for the All Reds to advance to the knockout rounds. It was all that matter as the All Reds advanced to one of their best seasons in the running. The team seemed to be doing well together with a different approach to the game. An opening day victory for the All Reds with an impressive 28-0 win against Alynsyk, the following matchday saw a shock difficult to New Sideburn 2-0, however the group stage closed with a win over The Licentian Islands. Facing Sangti in the next match, the All Reds are expected to overcome them and race towards the quarter-finals.

[Paradystopia]

"Oh, for fuck's sake ... "
"What is it?"
"Just the Noburu game result, Callumackbar beat them."
"So, that's good right? We go through as group winners?"
"Sadly not. It was only 6-4. We still qualify, obviously but well ... for fuck's sake ..."
"Who who?"
"Remember the final last time?"
"Yeah, but ... oh ... not the Polarians? ... "
"Give that man ten points!"
"For fuck's sake ... "
"My thoughts exactly ... "
"So do we back our bags now? Shit! I was just starting to get the hang of Legonian 'Spra'"
"What?"
"The language, Dumbass"
"Oh, I just speak Paradystopi. That works. Though everyone calls it 'English' here."
"Yeah, I noticed that."
"I wonder where it comes from?"
"Englia?"
"or Englishland?"
"Maybe"
"So, any thoughts on how we approach this match?"
"Play hard, hope for the best?"
"The usual?"
"Indeed"

[Darmen]

Round of Sixteen

Round of Sixteen
Saugeais 28–6 Bloodbath Generation
Polar Islandstates 8–4 Paradystopia
Darmen 12–12 The Licentian Islands (12–12 AET) (4–5 pen.)
Hutanjia 23–1 Monfortia
Cyborg Holland 11–3 Ancharmunn
Mapletish 4–0 Sangti
Noburu Taiyou 0–2 Preiva
Neu Engollon 10–2 Ko-oren

And therefore, the Quarterfinals:

@Kalenda Stadium, Rogerton
Saugeais vs. Hutanjia
Polar Islandstates vs. The Licentian Islands

@Colosus Romanopolis, Romanopolis
Cyborg Holland vs. Neu Engollon
Mapletish vs. Preiva

[Saugeais]

"How long does this rugby event go on?"

"Well, we had the three group matches finish up, then it's however far they go in the knockout rounds which range from another 1 to 4 matches."

"Do you think we could win it all?"

"Well, Saugeais isn't ranked 3rd in the multiverse for nothing. They are, if not anything else, consistent at 'very good' results, just not enough to win the entire thing. I mean, after scoring just 2 points against Lymantatia, how can anyone consider this a strong team? Yes, Saugeais went undefeated in the group stage, big whoop, it's happened before. Now is when winning counts, and the team can't dink across a try, conversion, and three drop kicks over the course of 80 minutes. as seen against Ko-oren, and think they can win a championship."

"Well, looking at what happened against this Bloodbath Generation nation, they must've shared your thoughts. 28-6 is a good result, right?"

"for the most part, yeah. Saugeais had no trouble getting the ball past the try line this time around, and they gave Ludwig Harden great chances to hit the conversion, with the exception of the final try, but by that time the match was all but decided. Dion Appleton and Simon Payne have a real knack for running with the ball, and knowing when to dump it off at the right time to allow Saugeais continuity with their attacks. They may not have scored, but just allowing the flow of play to continue let Ansel Lindsay twice, Georges Bull, and Jonathan Marlow twice put the ball past the try line."

"Awesome stuff, so where does this put Hutanjia in the mix of everyone?"

"Well.....they have a right powerful offense, one that will definitely give the team trouble. And their defensive prowess of not letting opponents into double digits in all their matches combined....I'd say Saugeais will be in for a rough ride. Don't know if they'll pull out in time, but it'll certainly be a match to watch."

[Neu Engollon]

RUGBY CORNER

TENACIOUS WITH A CAPITAL G

By Jean Marc Charjan

Victory in Brady City as the Goats took on the Greenblues of Ko-oren and triumphed with two tries, plus a conversion to advance on to the Quarterfinals. They may not play sexy and fancy, but they are consistent and steady. So far, as we've seen, that's what gets the job done on the pitch. This match was no exception as they held a solid defense and the halfs fed the ball up as often as possible.

Luc Tremault breaks through a tackle from T. Menezes to dish the rock to Gabe Serza for the try.

After enough times, Serza was able to finally run the bundled pig into the try zone, with Pietro Jagenthul getting the angle right for the converting kick. After the half, and an attempted assault by the Greenblues led valiantly by Dupont and Lambert was stopped cold inside the 20 meter line, the counteroffensive began. Uzecci led the charge and the Goats were unstoppable as they slammed the ball deep into the Ko-orenite zone. This time Jagenthul's foot wasn't so golden and the kick was wide.
As the clock wound down, a penalty kick hammered in by Baptista took the big goose egg off the board for Ko-oren. It could never be a consolation prize, but hopefully it smoothed over some hurt.

Now we look to the Goats to bring down power house Cyborg Holland to claw their way into the semi-finals. Lock Benny Uzavarro squares off in the scrum across from his Frior Islander club teammate Brade Sanlier, prop for the Cyborg Dutch in this tension fraught match. I hope to get my dispatch out in time, as my strength fades with growing hunger. My IG-2 shadow is on me so tight, he seems to finish my meals before I get the chance. Eat Goats, er, I mean Beat 'em Goats!

** JMC **

[Hutanjia]

"People of Hutanjia and the Wishton Sea, I'm Shirley Golaru and I bring you the best news possible!
While most of you were getting to sleep, the Spiders put paid to Monfortia, with 23 solid points on the board to a one pointer drop goal from Dominic Reid. Hutanjia will dance the Panehu next in the Quarterfinals as they face Saugeais, a squad that certainly must not be underestimated. The Hawks topped a decently ranked Bloodbath Generation by 22 points, tearing through them like a crab salad.

Pray in church, see your Asagi, do what you need to send strong vibes to the Spiders as they clash with the Hawks and fight their way to glory in the Cup. Reporting to you from Tyger Stadium in Darmen City, this was Shirley Golaru signing off, Hutanjia."

[Preiva]

"2-0? Did I read that right?"
"I know, it's a low score, in fact one of the lowest, but just be glad we were on the winning side of it."
"We should have better defeated that team."
"Hello? Grammar?"
"Here it is. The third lowest possible score, a 2-0 win has happened 5 times before, and once before in this tournament."
"I know."

[Mapletish]

All Reds in Quarter Finals

So in the Round of Sixteen clash against Sangti, the All Reds showed skill and patience on the pitch as they overcome their opponents in a 4-0 rout. Well this tournament would eventually go into the history books of the rugby league side that has been playing on of their best rugby in the past few years. There hasn't been some golden generation in Mapletish's rugby but this side could potentially make one, lets just hope that it will happen. It is always an advantage to be a team that has a more "senior" status in sport, more experience you see.

Experience indeed worked out well for the All Reds as Sangti failed to catch the All Reds on their offensive drives at times. It was rather promising for the All Reds and the standout performer in the clash would be Francisco Dean, the ever green veteran full back who caught the eye of Cyborg Holland rugby teams in RLWC 11. Awaiting the All Reds would be newcomers Preiva, who finished second in Group B, amassing a respectable 2-0-1 record, in a group that contained experienced heads Polar Islandstates. En-route to the quarter-finals, they beat fellow newbies Noburu Taiyou 2-0. The clash between Mapletish and Preiva will be played at the Colosus Romanopolis. On the same day, Cyborg Holland will face off against Neu Engollion in an exciting game, while two experienced sporting countries Polar Islanstates and The Licentian Islands face off at the Kalenda Stadium.

[Cyborg Holland]

(Because Ancharmunn hasn't posted a roster, and I'm not in the mood for a proper match RP, this is entirely fun. Feel free to ignore it if you wish)

Ancharmunn doesn't show, 11 a-side match with Cyborg Dutch squad takes place instead

DARMEN ~ It took 45 minutes before the captain of the Cyborg Holland team, who'd been standing on the outfield of the pitch in the pouring rain, realised that Ancharmunn weren't in fact having a long chat, but in fact hadn't shown. The changing room was empty, the Ancharmunn team bus hadn't arrived. 3,400 fans were pretty disgruntled, and were about to leave until the loudspeaker announced that some Rugby League was in fact about to happen.

Half the Cyborg Dutch squad had been given various coloured shirts and were going to play the other half, who were wearing the national team kit. Everyone thought this was cool and for the next 80 minutes, they just had a kick about.

5 yellow cards were handed out, there were 45 penalties, 39 kicks. The team wearing the National kit had a big advantage because they had the devastating pairing of giant centre Lambert Aikema and the freakishly big and fast winger Grig Jansen, who linked up twice to score two tries in the second half.

The Coloured-shirts points were secured by their fly-half Wjtek Gurn, who slotted three drop-goals, one of which was from 43m away.

The Dragons, hopefully against some proper opposition, will play Union rivals Neu Engollon in the next round.

[Polar Islandstates]

Yikes. Huge apologies to those I've beaten without noticing.
I'll edit a roster into this post later tonight.