Germany national rugby union team
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| Union | Deutscher Rugby-Verband | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | German National Team | ||
| Coach(es) | Torsten Schippe | ||
| Captain(s) | Alexander Widiker | ||
| Most caps | Horst Kemmling (50) | ||
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| First international | |||
France  30 – 5  Germany(17 April 1927) |
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| Largest win | |||
Serbia and Montenegro  0 – 108  Germany(12 November 2005) |
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| Largest defeat | |||
Russia  89 – 6 Germany(16 April 2000) |
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| World Cup | |||
| Appearances | none | ||
Germany is a third-tier Rugby Union playing nation. Germany currently plays at the second level of European rugby but has never managed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. The national team first played in 1927, with Rugby Union in Germany being administered by the Deutscher Rugby-Verband.
The German national team regularly competes in the European Nations Cup, the senior men's rugby tournament for European nations below the Six Nations. Following victory in Division 2A of that tournament in 2007–08, Germany competed in Division One, the top tier of the European Nations Cup, where it suffered defeat in every game and relegation.[1] With the exception of some players who play in France, the German team is still largely an amateur side.[2]
Germany's greatest achievement in men's rugby is arguably the silver medal won at the 1900 Olympic Games.
Germanys declared aim was originally to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England,[3] but it has since lowered this ambition to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.[4]
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Beginnings
The German rugby union team's history began on 17 April 1927, when it played France in Paris but lost 5–30. The team established itself in its early years as number two in continental Europe, behind the French. It played 14 tests against its neighbour before the Second World War, but won only two of those. However, as an indication of the team's strength, it did not lose to any team but France until 1937, when Italy beat them 9–7. Because Germany never played any of the Home nations, a rating of the team of that period on the world rugby scale is difficult.
With the outbreak of the war in 1939, rugby came to a halt and Germany only played one more game, against Italy, in 1940. Germany lost almost a complete first XV in the war, and thus came out of it as a much weaker side, never able to repeat its pre-war successes.[5]
[edit] Post-Second World war
After an absence of 12 years, Germany, now considerably reduced in size and under the name of Federal Republic of Germany, played its first post-war international in 1952, beating Belgium 16–9. At the same time, in the Eastern part of the country, the German Democratic Republic, the German Democratic Republic national rugby union team was formed. The DRV continued to offer the East German DTSB to play a rugby friendly, but this was always declined by the East.[6]
Until 1965, Germany played friendlies only as there was no European rugby competition it could take part in.
The team also made an appearance at England's home ground, Twickenham Stadium, in 1956, losing 8–26 to Harlequin F.C. on 8 September of that year.[7]
From 1965, it became part of the second tier of FIRA rugby, effectively the third tier of European rugby, the Five nations tournament being outside the FIRA structure. In 1975, it played its first international against a non-European nation, beating Morocco in Hannover.
The team's greatest success in the second half of the 20th century was promotion to the A group of FIRA rugby in 1981. From 1981 to 1983, Germany played ten games at this level, but won just one and were relegated back to the B level. After this, the team dropped briefly to the C level in 1985 but promptly returned to the second tier.
[edit] German reunion
With the German reunion, in 1991, the German Democratic Republic national rugby union team was dissolved and became part of the Federal Republic's team. In 1994, Horst Kemmling, Germany's long-standing captain, ended his international career, having played a record number of 50 games for Germany from 1976 onwards.[8]
With the reorganisation of the European Nations Cup in 2000, Germany became part of the second division.
[edit] Centenary and Barbarians Tour
In 2000 the German Rugby Federation celebrated its centenary. Centenary celebrations included a banquet in the Heidelberg Castle and the hosting of the European leg of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Heidelberg, in which the German team came close to upsetting Ireland, who had Gordon D'Arcy in their line-up. The tournament was won by the Welsh team, which featured Andy Marinos and Arwel Thomas.
The highlight of the Centenary season was the Centenary Match against the famous Barbarians. The Barbarians included a host of internationals including Scott Hastings, Peter Stringer, Shaun Longstaff, Jeff Probyn, Frankie Sheahan, Russell Earnshaw, Shaun Connor, John Langford and Derwyn Jones and won 47-19 against a determined German team.
[edit] ENC 2006–08
It remained at this level until 2008, when it achieved promotion to the top level, facing Europe's number 7 to 11 teams in 2009 and 2010. Its declared aim at this level was to avoid relegation; qualification for the 2011 Rugby World Cup was not really expected from the team.[9]
With over 8,000 spectators, Germany's home game against the Netherlands in Hanover, at the Rudolf-Kalweit-Stadion in April 2007, achieved the best crowd figures for a rugby match in Germany since the pre-Second World War days.[10]
Germany was unbeaten at home from 12 November 2000, when it lost to Ukraine, until 8 November 2008, when it lost to a Welsh selection.[11]
[edit] ENC 2008–10
In March 2009, coach Mark Kuhlmann stepped down after three and a half years in office, while the other two coaches Rudolf Finsterer and Bruno Stolorz, remained in the job. Stolorz was seconded to the German team by the Fédération française de rugby to improve Germany's performance in the sport.[12]
After five losses in the European Nations Cup in 2009, Germany achieved a win in a friendly against Hong Kong late in the year. Germany also managed a 15–12 victory over Switzerland but, as the German team had only one regular player in its side, captain Kehoma Brenner, the team was referred to as Germany A.[13] Mustafa Güngör became Germany's new captain on 8 December 2009, after the retirement of the previous captain Jens Schmidt, and played his first game in this role four days later, against Hong Kong,.[14] Germany fielded eight uncapped players in this game.[15] A planned game against the British Forces in Germany in January 2010 had to be called off twice because of bad weather.
Despite disappointing results on the field and the distinct possibility of Germany being relegated, the sport made some progress in the country in 2009–10. With the admittance of sevens rugby to the Olympic Games, rugby in Germany is now eligible for federal grants. Additionally, the Bundeswehr, the German army, has agreed to admit eight to ten players per year to its sports program, making those players effectively professionals.[16]
In October 2009, the DRV decided to set its aim at playing two friendlies every year in November at home and two in January abroad. It also plans to organise a 10-day tour in Europe every year from 2013.[2]
After disappointing results against Georgia, Portugal and Romania in spring 2010, the teams performance improved against Russia. In its final ENC game against Spain, where a victory by eleven points was needed, Germany played their best game in the campaign yet but nevertheless lost and was relegated. As a consequence, coach Rudolf Finsterer resigned after ten years of service.[1] He was replaced by Torsten Schippe in July 2010,[17] with South African Jakobus Potgieter as Schippes assistant.[18]
[edit] ENC 2010–12
Germany suffered a defeat in its opening game of the 2010–2012 European Nations Cup First Division, losing to Poland 17–22 after leading 17–9 at half time. The defeat was seen as unnecessary by the President of the German Rugby Federation, Claus-Peter Bach, but he also considered Poland's victory as deserved. Germany went into the match with a new coach and assistant, a new captain, Alexander Widiker and five uncapped players.[19]
Germany finally achieved its first win in the ENC since 26 April 2008, when it beat the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 27 November 2010. Its last victory in the European competition had come at the same place against the same opposition, just over 31 month earlier.[20]
[edit] Recent seasons
The performance of the German team since introduction of the European Nations Cup in 2000:
| Year | Division | Position |
| 2000 | European Nations Cup Second Division | 5th |
| 2001 | European Nations Cup Second Division | 3rd |
| 2001–2002 | 2003 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification – Round 2 – Pool A | 2nd |
| 2002–2004 | European Nations Cup Second Division | 2nd |
| 2004–2006 | 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification – Round 3 – Play-off | Losing finalist |
| 2006–2008 | European Nations Cup Second Division | 1st – Promoted |
| 2008–2010 | European Nations Cup First Division | 6th – Relegated |
| 2010–2012 | European Nations Cup First Division – Division 1B | ongoing |
[edit] List of matches
The matches of the German national team since 2006:[21][22]
- German wins in bold.
- Locations of German home games in bold.
[edit] Squad
The following players are part of the German team during its 2010-12 campaign:[23][24]
- Clubs listed are the club or clubs a player played for while playing for Germany in 2010-12, not current club.
[edit] Germany captains
The following players have captained Germany in the recent past:
| Captain | Years |
| Horst Kemmling | –1994 |
| Dirk Kuhnen | 1995–1998 |
| Mark Schulze | 1998–1999 |
| Mark Kuhlmann | 1999–2003 |
| Colin Grzanna | 2007–2008 |
| Jens Schmidt | –2009 |
| Mustafa Güngör | 2009–2010 |
| Alexander Widiker | 2010–present |
[edit] Germany coaches
The following coaches have led Germany in the recent past:
| Captain | Years |
| Peter Ianusevici | ????–2000 |
| Torsten Schippe | 2000–2001 |
| Rudolf Finsterer | 2001–2010 |
| Torsten Schippe | 2010 – present |
[edit] Silver medal team 1900
The following players were part of the team that won the silver medal at the 1900 Summer Olympics:[25]
- Albert Amrhein
- Hugo Betting
- Jacob Herrmann
- Willy Hofmeister
- Hermann Kreuzer
- Arnold Landvoigt
- Hans Latscha
- Erich Ludwig
- Richard Ludwig
- Fritz Müller
- Eduard Poppe
- Heinrich Reitz
- August Schmierer
- Adolf Stockhausen
- Georg Wenderoth
[edit] Rugby positions: German terms
In German, the English language terms for rugby positions are not commonly used. The German equivalents are:
| Number | English | German |
| Forwards | ||
| 1 | Loosehead Prop | Linker Pfeiler |
| 2 | Hooker | Hakler |
| 3 | Tighthead Prop | Rechter Pfeiler |
| 4 | Lock | Zweite-Reihe-Stürmer |
| 5 | Lock | Zweite-Reihe-Stürmer |
| 6 | Blindside Flanker | Linker Flügelstürmer |
| 7 | Openside Flanker | Rechter Flügelstürmer |
| 8 | Number 8 | Nummer Acht |
| Backs | ||
| 9 | Scrum Half | Gedrängehalb |
| 10 | Fly-half | Verbindungshalb |
| 11 | Left Wing | Kurzer Außendreiviertel |
| 12 | Inside Centre | Erster Innendreiviertel |
| 13 | Outside Centre | Zweiter Innendreiviertel |
| 14 | Right Wing | Langer Außendreiviertel |
| 15 | Fullback | Schlussmann |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Deutschland steigt ab / Finsterer tritt zurück Rugby-Journal, published: 20 March 2010, accessed: 20 March 2010
- ^ a b German champagne on ice IRB website – Report after the Netherlands game (2008), accessed: 10 January 2009
- ^ Germany launch quest to reach 2015 World cup worldcupweb.com, published: 15 April 2008, accessed: 27 December 2008
- ^ Der DRV-Arbeitsplan “Rugby auf dem Weg nach Olympia 2016” (German) totalrugby.de, author: Claus-Peter Bach, published: 19 October 2009, accessed: 27 March 2010
- ^ Rugby zwischen den beiden Weltkriegen (German) DRV website – History between the wars, accessed: 26 December 2008
- ^ Post SV Berlin Rugby – Archiv (German) Chronik 30 Jahre – History of Post SV Berlin Rugby, accessed: 11 April 2010
- ^ Take a trip down memory lane courtesy of our historian John Griffiths scrum.com, accessed: 27 December 2008
- ^ 100 Jahre Endspiel der deutschen Rugby-Meisterschaft: Stuttgart – Hannover (German) totalrugby.de, published: 9 August 2009, accessed: 9 March 2010
- ^ Finsterer: “Werden andere deutsche Mannschaft sehen” (German) Rugby Journal – Preview for the 2009–10 season, accessed: 9 January 2009
- ^ Germany – Netherlands report (German) totalrugby.de, accessed: 28 March 2010
- ^ Deutschland vor Rückkehr in Division 1 (German) Rugby Journal – Match report, accessed: 7 January 2009
- ^ Mark Kuhlmann nicht mehr DRV-Nationaltrainer (German) Rugby-Journal, published: 9 March 2009, accessed: 25 February 2010
- ^ Nationalteams holten den Alpencup zurück (German), Rugby-Journal, published: 27 September 2009, accessed: 21 February 2010
- ^ Güngör neuer Kapitän der National-XV (German) Rugby-Journal, published: 8 December 2009, accessed: 21 February 2010
- ^ Deutschland besiegt Hongkong mit 24:14 (16:0) (German) Rugby-Journal, published: 12 December 2009, accessed: 21 February 2010
- ^ DRV XV: Bundeswehr löst die großen Rugby-Probleme (German) Interview with Claus-Peter Bach, totalrugby.de, published: 26 February 2010, accessed: 26 February 2010
- ^ Torsten Schippe wird Trainer des 15er-Nationalteams (German) Rugby-Journal, published: 11 July 2010, accessed: 26 July 2010
- ^ Kobus Potgieter neuer Co-Trainer der Nationalmannschaft (German) Rugby-Journal, published: 16 July 2010, accessed: 26 July 2010
- ^ DRV XV: Unnötige Auftaktniederlage gegen Polen (German) Rugby-Journal, published: 21 November 2010, accessed: 21 November 2010
- ^ DRV XV: Verdienter Sieg in Amsterdam (German) Rugby-Journal, published: 28 November 2010, accessed: 28 November 2010
- ^ List of Germany results (German) DRV website, accessed: 19 March 2011
- ^ Statsguru / Team analysis / Germany / Test matches scrum.com, accessed: 19 March 2011
- ^ DRV-Kader für Spiel gegen Polen nominiert (German) Rugby-Journal, published: 19 November 2010, accessed: 21 November 2010
- ^ ENC Division 1B 2010-2012 - Mannschaftskader Deutschland (German) totalrugby.de, accessed: 21 November 2010
- ^ Die Gründerjahre des deutschen Rugbysports (German) DRV website – Foundation years, accessed: 27 December 2008
[edit] External links
- (German) Deutscher Rugby-Verband – Official Site
- (German) TotalRugby.de German rugby website with news and results
- Germany at RugbyData.com Statistics and results
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