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2007 Asian Nations Series-
Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, Thailand
| 20/05/2007 |
Thailand |
3 - 22 |
Chinese Taipei |
Bangkok |
Chinese Taipei VS Pakistan
The Chinese
Taipei team proved too good for Pakistan rugby team, the match was
played under humid and hot conditions and on a wet ground at the
Police academy stadium
Bangkok,
the Chinese Taipei team mostly consisting of players for
universities were very well drilled and at top fitness level, The
pack and the back line combined very well and was able to keep
moving the ball forward in phases , most of the ball possession and
terrorist was enjoyed by Chinese Taipei and despite Pakistan having
bigger boys and a heavier pack were reduced to defending for
most of the game , the half time scores were 31-0 in favor of the
Chinese Taipei with the final score at 72-3 , Pakistan only being
able to convert a penalty obtained in the Chinese
Taipei
22. Skill level and fitness both ware a distinct difference in both
the teams.
Match referee
was Jamal from Sri Lanka and Adisac secretary of Thai rugby union
was the commission. Chinese Taipei will now play Thailand on May
19th at the same venue and are expected to be winners of the Asian
Nation Series 2007 division IV championship.
Thailand inflicts
heavy defeat on Pakistan in rugby Test
Lahore: Pakistan
suffered a heavy defeat in the first international rugby Test ever
held in the country, losing 44-0 to Thailand at the Defence Stadium
Saturday evening.
Before the game,
Thai team manager Adisak Hemyoo said, "Your players are much bigger
than us, by at least 100 kilos in the front row." Asked how the Thai
team would counter the weight and size disadvantage, Adisak said,
"we will use our speed; spin the ball out to the backs, spread the
game out to the wings."
This is exactly
what happened. The
Pakistan
team was unable to capitalize on its heavier pack as well as
opportunities that came their way. They made repeated mistakes,
allowing Thailand to score in the corner in the sixth minute, then
again in the 14th. Another converted try saw the score move to 24-0
at half time.
Pakistan was
not out of the game at this stage, and played that way for the first
sixteen minutes of the second half. But then the Thai backs exerted
too much pressure, despite some dogged advances up the field by
Pakistan,
and scored another two tries and two penalties. One of these
penalties the Thai flyhalf slotted from the halfway line, to which
the crowd reacted with awe. The game ended at 44-0.
Pakistan team
coach Rizwan Malik said, "The boys didn't believe in themselves on
the day. They had not played together for a year, and they made very
basic mistakes. Two tries in the first half and we would have been
in it. We have the core of a really good side, some very talented
individuals. They just need to play together a lot more to play as a
team." The overall fitness of the Pakistan team was also an issue,
he added.
International
Rugby Board (IRB) referee from Sri Lanka Dilroy Fernando, echoed the
Pakistan coach's comments and put the defeat in perspective: "The
Pakistan team has really improved. Thailand is very good. This is a
big step up. Holding them under 50 points is a good show." He also
pointed out that
Pakistan missed
three big scoring opportunities in the first half, and made unforced
errors, otherwise the match could have been closer. He singled out
Pakistan player Mani (Rehan Mansoor) as having played an outstanding
game.
Mani, one of two
Pakistan boys who flew over from England for the match, said,
"Experience won the day. We were too lateral in our play. They had
superior fitness and speed, we were always up against it."
Thailand team
Captain Pathomrat Sirisab said, "Our coach went to New Zealand and
learnt new techniques there. We trained very hard. We had not tried
these techniques in a match situation before. The
Pakistan
team is very big, but they were not quick enough. We were aware they
are much heavier, so we used our backline. We spread it to the
wings."
About 150 Lahore
citizens witnessed the match, mostly students and families, along
with the rugby fraternity, turned up to watch the match. "It was a
good match, but they were too good for us," said one spectator. For
Match results
Click
Here.
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TRIALS FOR
PAKISTAN NATIONAL
TEAM
The
Pakistan Rugby Union held trials on April 21st, and 22nd,
2007 to select the Pakistan National Rugby Team for the year 2007.
The players were called from Pakistan Army, Wapda, Police and from
the four Provincial Rugby Associations i.e. Sindh, Balochistan,
Punjab, N.W.F.P and from capital zone Islamabad to give trials for
the selections of the Pakistan National Rugby Team. Almost sixty
players given trials with all zeal and vigor. The players were gone
through fitness tests, skill tests and match playing. The thirty
possible players were selected out of the whole lot. These thirty
players will attend National Camp later on. for more information
please
Click Here
COACHING CLINIC BY "MR. BRUCE MORTON"
Pakistan Rugby
Union through the auspices of the International Rugby Board and the
Asian Rugby Football Union arranged for a rugby coaching clinic -
train the trainers, this was a three full days training program (may
2-4 2007) involving theory and practice about 50 coaches
from departments, provinces, schools, colleges, districts, clubs
were provided lessons in the classroom along with video displays on
the various aspects of the game along with physical training on the
field. Mr Bruce Morton a New Zealander and development officer for
the IRB conducted the program
Coaches from the
Pakistan Army, and from such diverse districts as Okara, Kasur,
Bahawalnagar, Multan, and Layyah, along with LUMS, Lahore RFC, and
Trust School, City School, ICAS, Garrison School system etc.
participated in this level I Coaching Course which is
internationally recognized.
The participants
exhibited great enthusiasm and involvement in the course by asking
questions at various stages and expressed a deep appreciation and
satisfaction for being part of the Program
The final session
was attended by the President Pakistan Rugby Union, the Chairman
Punjab Rugby Association Maj Gen ® M Ashraf Chaudhry and the
National Team Coach; certificates were given out to the participants
at the conclusion of the course.
The Pakistan Rugby
Union as part of its objectives will continue to provide such
training opportunities for the development of the sport.
Pakistan wins
The South Asia Division 5 League
Philipines 3 - 24 Pakistan
, 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 18-14 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.
Pakistan 27-22
Guam, in Manila
Pakistan won a fine match in Manila
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.
Big second row
sair alsam 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
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