Rugby in the Philippines

[Headroom]

Philippine Volcanoes...great players but still need some improvement to face better opponents.

 

Very true but please understand that the Volcanoes only played their first game in 2006 against Guam.

 

The structure of the Asian Rugby Competition changed into the levels that now exist the Philippines were ranked in the 2nd last division. In the last 5 years they have moved into Asian Rugby's Premier division. A great achievement in itself.

 

The other thing to remember is that both Japan and Hong Kong are comprised of professional players - guys that do nothing but play rugby. The Volcanoes now have 7 professional players but that is only half a team. The other guys all have regular jobs and play rugby in club sides because they love it.

 

As the sport gains more attention here in the Philippines and also amongst overseas Filipino players the standard of the team will keep on rising.

[Headroom]

Match Report - Volcanoes v Hong Kong by Jon Morales

 

 

 

A5N Match Report: Philippines vs. Hong Kong

 

One half to remember, and one to forget. That was what the Philippine Volcanoes gave to the hometown crowd at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Sunday against Hong Kong as they came roaring out of the gates to shake the heavily-favored visitors for a half and then some.

 

Rookie fly-half Alex Aronson gave the Volcanoes a quick start by kicking a penalty to give the underdog Volcanoes an early 3-0 lead. The team’s confidence soared as they stymied Hong Kong in the midfield and on the fringes, buoyed by a fervent home crowd.

 

 

The early returns also carried signs of what would ultimately be the team’s undoing, as the Philippine scrum struggled to deal with Hong Kong up front. Hong Kong’s first try was awarded as a penalty try after a collapsed scrum on the 5-meter line.

 

Nothing summed up the team’s first-half confidence though than the passage of play directly off the kick-off following Hong Kong taking their first lead. A long kick-off by Aronson to just in front of the visiting 22 was recovered by the Volcanoes and lock forward David Feeney, captain of the local Manila Nomads, first made spectators cover their eyes then drop their jaws as he chipped a perfectly placed kick on the blind side over the winger, into the 22 for winger Patrice Olivier to run onto and into the try zone, sending the crowd into rapture and the home-side into the lead.

 

A famous upset seemed to be in the works as Hong Kong produced some sloppy ball inside the Volcanoes’ 22-meter that was picked up by the outside backs of the Philippines and run back for a sparkling coast-to-coast try and an apparent 17-7 lead going into the half. Fortune didn't favor the Philippines as the referee produced a shaky offside call to nullify the try, and then almost immediately awarded another penalty try for another collapsed scrum to Hong Kong. Despite not having kicked a penalty nor crossed the try line, and rarely crossing the gain line in the first-half, the visitors entered the half with a 14-10 lead and breathing room to regain their footing.

 

For 10 more minutes the Volcanoes looked undaunted by the bad luck and questionable calls. while another Aronson penalty brought the home-side to within 1 point before Hong Kong’s overwhelming advantage in the scrum and a regrouped Hong Kong backline began to cut apart the Volcanoes defense. An already thin Filipino frontline, struggling with the loss of loose forward Jake Ward to broken ribs, took another hit as lock Steve Howorth continued to struggle with a knock suffered in pre-season and had to leave the game. Blindside Flanker Terry Carroll was forced into the lock position while Daniel Rodriguez was brought on at blindside.

 

When a nice Hong Kong backline move in the midfield sprung Jonny Rees for his first try of two up the middle, the first-half 14-point swing began to look like a backbreaker. The try signalled the beginning of the end as Hong Kong began to pour in try after try as defensive breakdowns and set-piece difficulties for the Volcanoes piled up. Captain Michael Letts provided a brief moment of solace for the home crowd with a late try and Aronson kicked the conversion to finish a perfect day of kicking, going four from four, but by then, Hong Kong had already run away with the game.

 

The Volcanoes can take a large measure of comfort from their first-half performance against one of the top Asian teams with a much improved showing over their opener. The team will have to combine their sparkling attacking potential with a consistent eighty minutes of defense and produce some solution to their continuing struggles against larger teams in the scrum.

 

The upcoming weeks will see the arrival of veteran forwards Josh Sutcliffe, Phil Abraham, and Michael de Guzman to shore up an injury-depleted forward pack as the team goes into their last two critical matches in a fight for top-division survival in Korea on May 11th, and what may be a relegation battle against visiting UAE at Rizal stadium on May 18th.

 

report: Jon Morales

[Headroom]

Volcanoes play 2 crucial matches in next 2 weeks

By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) | Updated May 9, 2013 - 12:00am

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Volcanoes play two crucial matches in the next two weeks, hoping to do well as they visit Korea Saturday and on home front against UAE on May 18 to avoid relegation from the HSBC Asia Five Nations (HSBC A5N).

 

In partnership with FILA, the Volcanoes are inviting Filipino rugby fans to support them as they tangle with their UAE rivals at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

 

The Volcanoes, made up mostly of Fil-foreign rugby players recruited from around the world, are also gearing up for a first-ever stint in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, Russia next month.

 

“This year marks a new era for the Philippine Volcanoes as they bring the Philippine flag to the World Cup. Pride truly burns deep as this athletic feat is a big first for the country – even deeper for Fila Philippines which will accompany the Volcanoes to the prestigious competition as their official sponsor,” said Fila Philippines owner Chris Albert.

 

Among the team’s leading players are team captain Michael Letts, Jake Letts, Gareth Holgate, Patrice Olivier, Matt Saunders, Andrew Wolff, Harry Morris, Ben Saunders, Juntine Coveney and Alex Aronson.

 

The coming days will see the arrival of veteran forwards Josh Sutcliffe, Phil Abraham, and Michael de Guzman to beef up the team’s injury-depleted forward lineup.

 

Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

 

 

In a press conference at the Cocoon Boutique Hotel in Quezon City, Letts and his teammates expressed great pride and honor playing for the Philippines.

 

“I play for my heritage, and it feels great to be appreciated,” said Coveney, the 27-year-old Fil-Australian inside center.

 

“What unites us is the opportunity to play for our heritage,” said Aronson, the 20-year-old Fil-Am fly-half.

 

“It’s really a privilege and honor to represent the Philippines. Every time we play, it’s for the Philippines,” said Fil-British Wolff.

 

The Volcanoes are out to redeem themselves after a rout in Japan and a humbling defeat versus Hong Kong at the Rizal Football Stadium Saturday.

 

Before the loss to Hong Kong, the Volcanoes had a proud record of a perfect home game record in the HSBC Asian Five Nations.

 

Next to Japan, the Volcanoes are the most successful team in the Asian Five Nations. Last year, the Phl team stormed into the Top Five with an unbeaten run, besting Chinese Taipei, Singapore and Sri Lanka in a round-robin series.

[Headroom]

The team against Korea:

 

The Philippine Rugby Football Union is proud to announce the players who have been selected for the HSBC Asian 5 Nations match against South Korea.

 

Number Name

1 Dacanay, Austin Garnica

2 Hagan, Graeme Santillan

3 Bellenie, Matthew Orag

4 Perry, Nicholas Ergina

5 Feeney, David

6 Carroll, Terrence Javier

7 Hitch, Christopher Baltazar

8 de Guzman, Michael

9 Price, James Carandang

10 Aronson, Alexander Noroña

11 Matthews, Joseph Bembo

12 Coveney, Justin Villazor

13 Holgate, Gareth dela Rosa

14 Olivier, Patrice Ortiz

15 Letts, Michael Robrigado ©

16 Robinson-Polkey, David

17 Duhig, Michael Estrada

18 Ingram, Paul

19 Rodriguez, Daniel

20 Seeto, Darran Centillas

21 Letts, Jake Robrigado

22 Saunders, Benjamin Abalos

23 Gregson, Jeffrey Blanco

[Headroom]

2013 Volcanoes

[Janja]

Baket di na naglaban ang south korea at phils?

[Headroom]

Baket di na naglaban ang south korea at phils?

 

They played South Korea last Saturday - Volcanoes lost 62 - 19.

 

I'll get a Match Report out when I see it.

[Headroom]

Come and support the Volcanoes this weekend at Rizal Stadium.

 

It's free admission to the General seating areas so come down and see what the game is about!!

[hugocortina]

go go go volcanoes!

[Headroom]

Volcanoes fight to stay in top 5 of Asia

 

 

Bruised but not broken. The embattled National Men’s Rugby Team, known as the Philippine Volcanoes will face the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, May 18 in the closing match of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations competition. Both teams are winless in the series, making Saturday the battle against relegation, with the winner remaining in Asia’s top 5, and the loser relegated to Division 1.

 

It has been a challenging debut for the Philippines in the Elite Division after practically cruising through the lower divisions since the Volcanoes began competing in the Asian 5 Nations series. Before 2013, the Volcanoes had lost only once (in 2011 to South Korea), a record bested only by perennial A5N champions and still unbeaten Japan.

 

Despite the losses, the Volcanoes have shown flashes of brilliance in each match, and have vowed to put the pieces together to get the win against fourth-ranked United Arab Emirates. The past week has seen the arrival of veteran players Phil Abraham, Michael de Guzman and Nick Perry to shore up an injury-plagued forward pack. The lessons learned from their first three matches and extended training time together, a challenge the Volcanoes face with players based in different parts of the world, should also serve the Volcanoes in good stead.

 

Philippines Coach, Jarred Hodges, maintains that the team has stayed positive and is in good spirits in the lead up to Saturday’s match. “It won’t be easy, as UAE have been in the top 5 for a number of years, but we are quietly confident”. Hodges added “We are playing in Manila, and the hometown support never fails to lift the boys’ performance.”

 

The team that finishes fifth after the end of the six-week long competition will be demoted to Division 1, while the top 4 teams’ remain in the Elite Division and continue their quest to qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2015.

 

The winner of the Elite Division in 2014 receives outright qualification to the Rugby World Cup 2015, while the Elite Division’s 2nd placer will face the 2nd placers from Africa, Europe and the Americas in a knock-out competition for the 20th & final Rugby World Cup slot.

 

Where to watch:

 

Philippines vs. United Arab Emirates

7pm | Saturday, May 18

Rizal Memorial Stadium, Adriatico Ave.

Malate, Manila

 

Bleachers: FREE OF CHARGE

Grand Stand: P 200 / P500

available at: http://www.ticketworld.com.ph

[Headroom]

The Philippines beats the UAE 24 - 8 and remains in the Asian Premier Rugby Division in 2014.

 

Match report to follow.

[Headroom]

A spot.ph segment on the Philippines v. UAE with pics:

 

 

http://www.spot.ph/peopleparties/53460/scenes-from-the-philippine-volcanoes-win-against-uae

[Headroom]

Volcanoes training camp for Rugby World Cup Sevens begins

06/03/2013

 

The Philippine Volcanoes begin their training camp in preparation for the Philippine National Team's debut at the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

 

An initial squad of 23 players has gathered at the Acacia Hotel, the team's official residence, under the guidance of National Men's Sevens Coach, Al Caravelli. The team will be trimmed down midway through the camp before they depart for Russia at the end of the month.

Philippine Volcanoes RWC Sevens Training Squad:

 

Alexander Aronson

Tim Bweheni

Mark Chatting

Adam Clarke

Ryan Clarke

Justin Coveney

Chris Everingham

Chris Hitch

Gareth Holgate

Robert Jones

Jake Letts

Michael Letts

Sean Lynch

Joe Matthews

Luke Matthews

Harry Morris

Patrice Olivier

James Price

Ben Saunders

Matthew Saunders

Oliver Saunders

Kenneth Stern

Andrew Wolff

 

Head Coach: Al Caravelli

Team Manager: Matt Cullen

Physiotherapist: Chris Bailey

Asst Physiotherapists: Rico Barin | Antonette Gambito

 

The Philippines qualified for the Rugby World Cup Sevens by defeating South Korea in the RWC7s qualifiers in November 2012. Other than the Philippines, Japan and Hong Kong are the only Asian countries participating in the RWC7s.

 

The Rugby World Cup Sevens will be held from June 28-30 in Moscow, Russia. It is the world's premier international rugby sevens competition organised by the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), and is contested by the world's top 24 men's national sevens teams every four years.

 

Rugby Sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of Rugby Union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is now recognized as an Olympic sport and will make its debut in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Edited June 3, 2013 by Headroom

[Headroom]

Match Report for the Test Match against UAE:

 

 

size="5"]Debutantes Philippines retain hold on Top 5 spot[/size]

05/20/2013

 

Asian5Nations.com: The Philippines maintained their coveted spot in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations (HSBC A5N) Top 5 competition today in Manila after beating the United Arab Emirates in a close-run encounter 24-8. The Volcanoes outscored the UAE by four tries to one to become one of the few teams to maintain their spot in a higher grade after being promoted as last season’s Division I champions.

 

The UAE will be relegated to next year’s Division I competition and be replaced by Sri Lanka, winner of the 2013 Division I tournament. Next year’s Top 5 will serve as the direct qualifier for Rugby World Cup 2015 with the overall winner advancing to the world championships, while the runners-up will take place in an inter-continental repechage match.

 

Playing in front of a record 5,700 people, the highest ever match attendance at a rugby game in the Philippines, the Volcanoes jumped out to a 5-0 lead after flanker Christopher Hitch scored the opening try in the 10th minute crashing over from a scrum at the five-metre line.

 

Moments later, winger Gareth Holgate crossed over for the Volcanoes second try of the first half, which was successfully converted by flyhalf Alexander Aronson to bring the scores to 12-0.

 

The UAE quickly regained its shape and the momentum subtly shifted to the visitors as they forced the Volcanoes into making mistakes. The Philippines conceded three penalty chances within three minutes at the mid-way point of the first half, but UAE flyhalf Andrew Russell couldn’t convert on any of the long-range opportunities.

 

In the 39th minute, UAE captain and openside flanker Renier Els capped off a tireless first half with a well-deserved try to pull UAE back into the fray at 12-5.

 

The second half saw UAE continue pressing with positive results as Russell converted a penalty attempt in the41st minute to edge UAE closer at 8-12. Further opportunity for the visitors was created by a sin-bin to Volcanoes hooker Graeme Hagan but the UAE couldn’t make the man advantage tell.

 

The game remained tight at 12-8 until the 58th minute when Hagan returned to the field to score a vital try and put the Volcanoes ahead at 19-8 after Aronson’s conversion.

 

A tense final quarter was disrupted by a temporary power outage in the last five minutes with the game stopped for ten minutes before play could resume. When the match was re-started the Volcanoes closed out the scoring for good with a try in the 79th minute to reserve back Matt Saunders.

 

UAE coach Duncan Hall commented after the game saying, “We’re disappointed to be relegated for the first time since 2009 but fair play to the Philippines they did well. We suffered in the humid conditions as we are used to a dry heat in Dubai. The ball became hard for us to manage and we turned it over 14 times in the first half through handling errors. We gave them too much possession at the end of the day.

 

“We now need to review where we are at and plan how we return to the Top 5 from Division I next year. But with the average age of our squad at 33 years old, we are still going to face the same challenges we did this year. We will need to identify some new younger players now and work intensively with them over the next 12 months.”

 

A delighted Volcanoes coach Jarred Hodges credited the crowd for helping to give his team the edge in a tight match, saying: “the atmosphere was electric tonight and that really helped us lift our game. We are thrilled to be staying up in the top flight but most importantly we now know what it takes to compete at this level. We understand that we have a lot to work on in the coming 12 months to see how we can move one win in the campaign to two or three next year.”

 

Philippines captain and fullback Michael Letts was equally pleased with the result saying, “We did just enough to retain our spot which was the ultimate goal. Now we want to continue to build as a team. With the Volcanoes also taking part in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in June, and being the first Philippines team sport to play in a world championship, the profile and awareness of the game is going to grow from rapidly in the Philippines.”

 

In today’s other match, South Korea cemented their spot as number two in Asia behind Japan after they stormed to a 43-22 victory over Hong Kong in Ansan on Saturday. The Philippines will join HSBC A5Nchampions Japan, second placed side South Korea, third seeds Hong Kong and fifth seeds Sri Lanka for the kick-off of the Top 5 next April.

[Headroom]

Volcanoes training camp for Rugby World Cup Sevens begins

06/03/2013

 

 

The Philippine Volcanoes begin their training camp in preparation for the Philippine National Team's debut at the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

 

An initial squad of 23 players has gathered at the Acacia Hotel, the team's official residence, under the guidance of National Men's Sevens Coach, Al Caravelli. The team will be trimmed down midway through the camp before they depart for Russia at the end of the month.

Philippine Volcanoes RWC Sevens Training Squad:

Alexander Aronson

Tim Bweheni

Mark Chatting

Adam Clarke

Ryan Clarke

Justin Coveney

Chris Everingham

Chris Hitch

Gareth Holgate

Robert Jones

Jake Letts

Michael Letts

Sean Lynch

Joe Matthews

Luke Matthews

Harry Morris

Patrice Olivier

James Price

Ben Saunders

Matthew Saunders

Oliver Saunders

Kenneth Stern

Andrew Wolff

 

Head Coach: Al Caravelli

Team Manager: Matt Cullen

Physiotherapist: Chris Bailey

Asst Physiotherapists: Rico Barin | Antonette Gambito

 

The Philippines qualified for the Rugby World Cup Sevens by defeating South Korea in the RWC7s qualifiers in November 2012. Other than the Philippines, Japan and Hong Kong are the only Asian countries participating in the RWC7s.

 

The Rugby World Cup Sevens will be held from June 28-30 in Moscow, Russia. It is the world's premier international rugby sevens competition organised by the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), and is contested by the world's top 24 men's national sevens teams every four years.

 

Rugby Sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of Rugby Union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is now recognized as an Olympic sport and will make its debut in the 2016 Summer Olympics.