Emerging Nations: Rugby Europe Championship (5)
Road to Paris Finals
GEO VS ROU
Tabutsadze opened the semi finals weekend with a powerful try for Georgia, beating two defenders to make the first statement of the game. Georgia continued to dominate throughout the first half as play was predominantly spent with Romania defending but the Oaks held fast, even managing to bleed scrum penalties out of the Georgians. Uncharacteristically Matkava missed a penalty kick directly in front of the posts as Georgia endeavoured to extend their lead. They’d rely again on Tabutsadze to close the half as he opened it, with another try in the corner, this time through a scattered defence from halfway. Matkavas poor luck from the tee would continue as he missed his third kick of the game and the half ended 10-0.
It took the Georgians ten minutes of the second half to pick apart the Romanian defence, eventually creating the space for fullback Modebadze to score another try in the corner for the backs. Understandably frustrated with the kicking, decisions were made to give the responsibility to Lobzhanidze who gleamed the desired results. Clearly feeling left out, the forwards were to make their mark on the score board as the next two trys came from well organised lineout mauls. Hoping for experience to steer the ship around Romania brought on veteran scrumhalf, Alania, who managed to guide his team to a consolation try but not much more. Tabutsadze had an unstoppable performance as he earned his hatrick with five minutes to go but the Georgians were not done yet as they squeezed in another just before full time.
Georgia progress to the final of the Rugby Europe Championship having faced very little in way of a challenge. This could be detrimental as being undercooked is a real danger in knockout rugby but they have displayed that they’re a calm team with a multifaceted game plan that can solve most problems they encounter. Romania on the other hand seem to lack an identity that you can clearly define as their playing style. Often looking confused and rudderless in attack. They have a spirited defence but poorly organised and struggle to keep up with an attack past four or five phases of play. Unless something changes immediately they’re likely to miss out on the next World Cup spot that they’ve held on to for so long.
GEO 43 - 5 ROU
NED VS POL
Five minutes into the first ranking final of the day and the Nederlands redeployed their nine man lineout that worked so well in their last fixture. Poland had clearly failed to do their homework as they couldn’t keep Hooker, Bennie-Coulson, from getting his first try of the game, sat at the back of the rolling Orange machine. Play continued in the Polish half where the Dutchmen strung phases together well but eventually settled for a penalty kick to drag the lead to 10 points. Poland hung on to the game to begin with but a serious lack of ability to exit their own twenty two became their biggest weakness. Eventually a hidden Van Dyke got put through a hole then offloaded out the back door for Limmen to add the try. Poland started to crack at the seams and the ref saw fit to offer Loboda a yellow for repeated infringements. A five meter lineout to the Dutch and they deployed what is now their signature nine man lineout, this time Van Dyke got the try for his efforts. Their next try came from a quick thinking Schoonraad who after getting stripped of the ball managed to reclaim it then dance through a static Polish defence, frozen in confusion. An easy extra two for kicker, Meijer, and that ended the half at 32-0.
Polands Woes continue as the second half started with them kicking the ball out on the full. Their sparse defence allowed captain Bloeman, to charge through to the five meter line where 8-man, Rayment, picked and powered the ball over the line. It took several reset scrums until the next Dutch try came, a first phase, set piece move which offered Meijer the chance to add a try to his personal score count. The one way traffic was relentless as Noorman and Van Hilst showed the fans that the wingers would not be left off the scoreboard, both chalking up consecutive scores. At seventy three minutes, Poland have their first attacking visit to the Dutch twenty two and eager to rectify the yellow, Loboda scores the solitary try for his nation.
There are great things building in the Netherlands, a team making improvements in leaps and bounds compared to their previous campaigns. They command enough talent now to be ambitious with their game plans and with the Delta squad involved in the Super Cup they’re getting the depth and experience that’s vital for these emerging nations to evolve. Poland sit on the other end of the spectrum. Their best score this tournament was an 8 point loss at the start then they struggled to impress from there on. A look into their higher domestic league set up would be necessary to see how they streamline talent progression. Getting a franchise team into the Super Cup is now proving vital for national team success. Looking at on field issues, a more pragmatic approach to gameplay needs to be applied. Clearing your lines, running holding lines in attack and staying connected in defence is vital for even the most amateur of teams.
NED 54 - 7 POL
BEL VS GER
Germany opened proceedings with a fast and frenetic pace that the home team struggled to deal with. After a powerful scrum penalty Germany’s Stella got them ahead with a three pointer that was immediately responded with an equaliser for the Flemish. The emotion surrounding this fixture showed through early on as Belgium’s Bastin and the German Rodwell got sin binned for having a fracas. Due to the extra space the speed of the game ramped up for both teams yet the scores remained level until the delinquents returned to the field. It was Germany’s Hooker, Tyumemev, who took a direct line off the scrum half and tumbled through the Flemish defence to break the try drought. Stella missed his third kick of the game before the exciting last few minutes where we see visits to both teams try lines but to no avail. 3-8 for the visitors at half time.
Belgium came out of the sheds charged up and soon found their way to the corner, unfortunately for them, the assistant referee had his flag up for touch. Yet another flair up occurred between the two nations only, bizarrely, the ref decided against any punishments this time. Belgium kept the upper hand and after a series of rapid passes winger, Walraf, profited with a try. The Flemish took a lead for the first time from De Francq slotting a penalty. This panicked the German visitors as Stella misses another easy kick and then rushes a drop goal that also sails wide of the posts. Lammers came off the German wing to look for work and successfully so. He hit an inside line that cast the defence asunder, allowing him to score under the posts. Klewinghaus took over kicking responsibilities to make the German lead slightly more comfortable. German pressure on the goal line caused Belgium to give up a penalty and with five minutes to go in the game and Klewinghaus striking accurately they choose three points. Belgium were only 7 behind but their hope to glean any success would be difficult as scrum half Berger is sin binned for back chat to the ref. Germany close the game intelligently as an extended tight play in the Belgium half culminates in a drop goal for Klewinghaus taking the game out of reach for the Flemish.
Easily the most exciting game of the day, Germany finally getting their first win and against a worthy opponent, on the road. This game was a great example of why the competition should involve eight teams, not six. Germany, now safe from relegation, still have to face the Netherlands again in a ranking fixture. Belgium, after beating potential winners Portugal in the opening round will now have to play Poland in a relegation match. The Flemish are favourites but Poland are unlikely to roll over to lose their seat at the table.
BEL 11 - 21 GER
POR VS ESP
Sunday we were treated to an Iberian derby to discover who was going to face Georgia in the final of the Rugby European Championship. Scores remained level as both teams chalked up a penalty each until an error by Portugal allowed Spain to retain possession and work the ball to the edge, Matej claiming the first try. The Spanish executed a smothering defence throughout the first half which resigned Portugal to accepting a safer penalty kick over attempts of a try. Spain returned in kind moments later to nullify Portugals approach however before halftime the home team found the key to unlocking the Spanish defence. A double miss pass and Martins scored with a dangerously early celebration. Riled by the display of disrespect and with still two minutes on the clock Spain hit back with a first phase scrum move putting their own winger on the score sheet. As expected this game was promising to go right to the wire as the half ends at 13-20.
Spains rush defence started to become their Achilles heel as they began to leak several penalties for offside. The pressure was increasing on the visitors and Portugal took full advantage, scoring two first phase trys from scrums, Lima and Cardoso respectively tallying up the points. Aubry hits another penalty kick and Portugal have their 7 point lead. Excitement goes into overdrive as Martins catches an intercept and runs the length to score in front of his home crowd. He and the fans are devastated though when it’s not only called back for an earlier knock on but he’s also pulled his hamstring in the effort and has to be replaced. Spains discipline deteriorates further as they give Aubry a chance to put his team over a scores lead, which he relishes. A high tackle from Portugueses Torgal meant he was going to miss the closing minutes of the game which gave Spain their glimmer of hope. A lineout maul got them over the line and the conversion was good, but with the clock in the red and a long restart, Spain just didn’t have the legs to return.
An impressive display of rugby with both nations looking like they have World Cup appearance potential for 2027, a different day could see either of these neighbouring teams taking the win. Portugal now have a shot at glory with the challenging task of toppling the giants of Georgia. In days gone by, when facing the Lelos, you’d be expecting to get demolished in the scrum and not much else but with their biggest threats out wide, Portugal will need to bolster every aspect of their defence while being absolutely clinical in attack. Spain have a different task ahead for the third place playoff. the individual Romanian players are, man for man better than individual Spaniards however the Spanish come with a team greater than the sum of its parts. If they come to play ambitiously and at their own tempo then they’ll overcome the brute force of the Oaks.
POR 33 - 30 ESP
