Guam v Philippines Rugby International

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http://www.prfu.com/content/view/85/160/

Philippine National 15s Squad Announced

The selection panel have chosen the following squad of 25 players for the Guam Test match on 20th May 2006.

It will be decided tonight whether we will travel with 25 or with 22. In the event that it is 22 the last three on the list will be on standby in case of injuries, failure to obtain visas etc. Of course, with over 2 weeks to go before the match there could be all manner of reasons why some players may not travel and therefore those who have not made the squad should not lose heart and should keep fit.

The board of the PRFU would like to congratulate those selected and know that you will make every effort to be prepared for the game and once on the pitch will perform to your highest levels both as individuals and as a team.

Please note the squad list was updated on 11th May 2006

Philippine National 15s Squad
1. Dave Thomas Nomads, 2. Chris Hettel Eagles, 3. Jerry Echter Nomads, 4. Dean Nelson Nomads, 5. Justin Puiu Chiefs, 6. Bryan Feldkamp Nomads, 7. Eric Savina Nomads, 8.Romain Barberis Nomads, 9. Chris Hartley Nomads, 10. Tom Egerton Eagles, 11.Evans Maina Nomads, 12. Max Stewart Nomads, 13. Jeffrey Betinol USA, 14. Noel Flowers Cebu, 15. Clay Lurasci USA, 16. Sean Redpath Chiefs, 17. Charles Jarvis Eagles, 18. Rener Paul MAAP, 19. Carlos Reporas MAAP, 20. Marlon Mardraso Eagles, 21. Carlito Abono Eagles, 22. Alvin Sandiego Eagles, 23. Jerry Branzuela Cebu, 24. Pauline Padayhag Cebu, 25. Jay Hilario Eagles

Note added 11th May:
It was decided on 7th May by the national selectors to include Chris Hettel in the national squad. Chris learnt all his rugby here in the Philippines at Brent International School. He was the Captain of the first Philippine National U19 team that played against the United Emirates. He can playhooker, prop and flanker. Chris was unable to attend the trials but after training on Saturday he made himself available for selection. As the team lacks depth in the forwards, the selectors decided to include him in the touring squad for Guam.

http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll...=2006605170318

Welcome to The Pacific Daily News on Guam.
Chamorro Standard Time: 9:04 PM 5/17/2006

Guam looking to improve international record Saturday

By Akash Shringi
For Pacific Daily News

First it was India, now it's the Philippines.

Nearly a year after tying India 8-8 in its first-ever rugby international test match, Guam will get a chance to compete against another international team.

So what does Guam need to come out on top this time around? "I think the Philippines' team will come out very strong -- just like how Guam did in its international test match debut against India," Guam captain Robb Malay said. "For us to win, really, we just need to stick to our own patterns. We also need to work on all the little things in practice to fine-tune ourselves for Saturday's game. I think everybody improved from last year's game. The good thing is the guys now have a significant understanding of the game." Win or lose Saturday, Guam will travel to Manila next month to face Pakistan. That game is scheduled for June 7. Right now, Guam is ranked 82nd in the International Rugby Board world rankings; the Philippines and Pakistan are unranked.
"The Philippines is very similar to Guam, with a mix of experienced expatriates and younger local Filipino players," said Stephen Grantham, president of the Guam Rugby Football Union. "They do not get much opportunity to play as a national squad, and this will be their first full international match ... they will need to control the ball in the forwards and then use their speedy backline to score the points."

Fiji native Peniasi Uluiviti is the head coach for the 22-member Guam team. Among the 22 players, there are 12 returnees: John Arceo, Kristian Berg, Leonard Calvo, Vinson Calvo, Paul Claros, Tim Clements, Steven McManus, Malay, James Oelke, Brett Railey, Steven Sablan and Chris Sgro. The nine first-timers are Andrew Artero, Paul Eustaquio, Junior Haro, Eric Kelly, Conrad Kerber, Vern Lokeijack, Jared Quichocho, Mike Rothermich and Tim Wendon. Eddie Calvo, the 22nd member, was supposed to play against India last year but suffered a leg injury."

We've started training together for about over a month now," Uluiviti said. "We've been good, but we'll see how good we are on Saturday. This team has a mix of older players and young ones. One of our goals here is to protect the future development of rugby."

The coach is inviting the entire island to come out and support the Guam team.

"And I'm sure it'll be a great game," he added.

Originally published May 17, 2006

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WE WONNNNNNNNN!!!!
YES WE DID IT!

It was 7-5 to Guam at the 34th minute - one converted and one unconverted try and now we scored again in the last few minutes of the first half so its 10-5 to Philippines.

Two tries to us - Dean Nelson - Nomads 2nd Row and Clay Luraschi our Phil/Am import.

20 mins into 2nd half Edgerton scored a penalty. So it was 13 - 7 to the Volcanoes!!!!

In the 30th minute - Dean Nelson scored his 2nd try. So it was 18 - 7 to the Volcanoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then they came back and scored one about 5 mins from end so it was 18-14.

But we held them off and WON OUR FIRST INTERNATIONAL TEST MATCH!!!!!!

18 - 14

WOW!!!

GO THE PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES

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Click onto the site for a picture of Clay who is the one in the middle.

http://americanrugbynews.com/2006/05...ts-philippines

New Yorker represents Philippines

New York, NY – (May 29, 2006) – Clay Luraschi, a winger for the Village Lions RFC in New York, recently was given the opportunity of a lifetime and made the most of it. The American-born Luraschi played for the Philippines in a World Cup qualifier against Guam.

His playing status was questionable after he tore a pectoral muscle at his first training in the Philippines, but he played hurt and scored a crucial try from fullback. The Philippines eventually hung on to defeat Guam 18-14.
“It was such an unbelievable experience,” Luraschi said after returning to New York. “Playing in an international Test match is so intense, because you’re not just playing rugby, but you’re representing an entire country. It was an absolute honor to play for the Philippines and I can’t wait to do it again.”

Luraschi was discovered when officials from the Philippines Rugby Union were made aware of an “A Pint With” interview with him on the Village Lions website. Luraschi qualified to play for the Philippines by virtue of his father being Filipino.

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Now this should make Saturdays match interesting:

http://www.irb.com/EN/News/Regional+...+nations+2.htm

Pakistan 27-22 Guam, in Manila

By Jarrad Gallagher in Manila

Pakistan won a fine match in Manila as brave Guam fell to their second close defeat in a matter of weeks.

The game started with two quick tries to winger Edwood Calro of Guam and then to veteran hooker, Sulman Majeedwain. The difference came from the impressive blindside flanker and kicker for Pakistan, Kashif Khawaja, who converted for Pakistan to take his side to an early 7-5 lead. The game quietened down after this opening spell as the players began to feel the humid temperatures.

Pakistan extended their lead just before half time through number 8, Azmat Khan, exploiting some sloppy defence by Guam from a quick tap. This was converted by Kashif – 14 points to 5 in favour of Pakistan at the break. Guam had several lapses in concentration throughout the match, which cost them three tries and they will also be disappointed by the many unforced errors that let scoring opportunities go begging.

Pakistan put Guam under real pressure in the second half by scoring a try and a penalty to Kashif Khawaja and push the score out to 22 points to 5.

However as Guam started to hold their passes and utilise the ball better the game became exciting and with six minutes to go unbelievably the scores were locked up at 22-22 after Guam scored two tries. Guam did, though, miss five kicks at goal, which proved crucial as they had the fitness and displayed the skills as Pakistan tired.

However, on the rare occasion that Pakistan was in Guam’s half, they scored. Big second row Mohsin Khan packed down at number 8 and fooled everyone by picking the ball up from the base of the scrum, giving a small dummy pass and ran 25 metres for what was the final score of the match – 27 to 22 to Pakistan.

Kashif Khawaja was outstanding for Pakistan. The team would be very happy with the win and sets up an interesting encounter against the other unbeaten team in Division 5 – Philippines on the 10 June. Guam would be disappointed with their performance.

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This article is from the IRB website.

Congratulations to all the Volcanoes players you've done yourselves & the nation proud. A credible result against a team with a bigger more experienced pack.

I will post any official reports from the PRFU as soon as I receive it from them.

For all those Filipino-heritage rugby players out there in the diaspora your support is important for the development, expansion and improvement of Rugby Union in the Philippines.


http://www.irb.com/EN/News/Regional+...+nations+3.htm

Pakistan finish with win

11 JUNE 2006

By Jamie Scott and Jarrad Gallagher, in Manila

Pakistan wrapped up their 2006 Asian Nations Series group five campaign with a well earned 24-3 victory over the Philippines in Manila.

The Philippines had the upper hand in the first half, bottling their opposition up in their own 22 for the opening quarter but Pakistan were able to soak up the pressure.

With half time looming they scored a fine try, wing Arslan Zahid crossing the line. A tight first half ended with the score at 7-3 in favour of Pakistan.

Much improved from their 27-22 mid-week victory over Guam, Pakistan
showed strong defence and good organisation and were able to establish territorial advantage, which in turn placed the Philippines under pressure.

Two further tries came for Pakistan in the second half, a second for Zahid and one for flanker Rehan.

Earlier, in Singapore on Thursday, Kazakhstan beat Singapore 29-0.