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Philippines national rugby union team

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Philippines
UnionPhilippine Rugby Football Union
Nickname(s)Volcanoes
Ground(s)Rizal Memorial Stadium
Philippine Sports Stadium
Coach(es)Jarred Hodges
Captain(s)Oliver Saunders
Most capsJake Letts (22)
Top scorerOliver Saunders (161)
Most triesMatthew Saunders (13)
Team kit
First international
 Guam 14–18 Philippines Philippines
(May 20, 2006)
Largest win
 Philippines 101–0 Brunei 
(July 2, 2008)
Largest defeat
 Japan 121–0 Philippines Philippines
(April 20, 2013)
World Cup
Appearances1(first appearance 2013)

The Philippine national rugby union team, nicknamed the "Volcanoes" represents the Philippines in international rugby union. The Philippines have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup, but have been playing in the Asian 5 Nations tournaments since its inception in 2008. Currently they are the reigning Division I champions and are promoted to the top 5 for the 2013 tournament.

In the March 19, 2012 IRB World Rankings, Philippines, along with Mexico and Pakistan, were listed for the first time, entering with the base rating of 40 points (which positioned the three national teams in 71st place). In the April 16, 2012 IRB World Rankings, the Philippines ranked 62, their highest rank ever since the team was created.[1] With their unbeaten record in the latest Asian 5 Nations Division I tournament, and promotion to the Asian 5 Nations main tournament, the rank of the team rose to 55th as they are about to be joining the best of all the Asian teams in 2013.[2][3]

History

The national team at the 2009 Asian Five Nations Division 3 Final

In 1998 the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), the national governing body for rugby union in the Philippines, was formed. Rugby union in the Philippines was introduced mainly through the large number of British, Australian and New Zealand expatriates living in the country.

The Philippines made their first official international debut at the 5th division of the 2006 ARFU Asian Rugby Series. They won over Guam, 18 – 14, in its first match in May 20, 2006 but was later defeated by Pakistan in a match held in June 11, 2006 and failed to secure the sole slot for promotion to the next division.[4][5] In December 2006, the Philippines Under-19 went undefeated in the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Under-19 Second Division Tournament.

In 2008, the PRFU gained full membership to the international governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB). The Philippines dominated the fourth-tier of the ARFU Asian 5 Nations Series and captured the inaugural Division 4 title. During the tournament, the Philippines demolished Brunei 101-0 and then defeated the home side Guam 20-8 to capture the division title.

In 2009 the Philippines won the inaugural Asian 5 Nations Division III rugby tournament at the Nomads field in Parañaque City. Defeating Iran 15-0 and Guam 25-0 in their two matches, the Philippines were then promoted to the Asian Five Nations Division II rugby tournament.

In 2010 the Philippines competed in the Asian 5 Nations Division II tournament and won it beating India in the final on a score of 44-12. Also in 2010 they played in ARFU Rugby 7s tournaments in Shanghai, Borneo and the Asian Games in Guangzhou.

In 2012 the Philippines competed in the Asian 5 Nations Division I tournament and went unbeaten in the round-robin series against Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Sri Lanka, therefore qualifying for the main division for the first time.[6]

The Volcanoes suffered heavy defeats in the 2013 edition of A5N, however showed good signs with a competitive first half against Hong Kong in Manila, and a win to avoid relegations against UAE also in Manila.

Nickname and emblem

Insignia of the 1st Philippine Regiment

The Philippines national rugby union team is nicknamed the 'Volcanoes'. The name comes from the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment that fought under the command of the United States Army. It was made up of Filipino-Americans with a few Filipino veterans which fought in World War II. The PRFU thought the situation was similar to the first Philippines national team which mainly consisted of foreign expatriates with only a few Filipinos.[7]

The emblem of the team is based on the insignia of the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment. One of its features is a volcano which represents where the infantry units were located.[8]

Overall record

The Philippines vs Iran, 2009 Asian Five Nations Division 3 Semifinal.

Their test match record against all nations:[9]

Nation Played Won Drawn Lost % Won
 Brunei 1 1 0 0 100%
 Chinese Taipei 1 1 0 0 100%
 Guam 4 4 0 0 100%
 Hong Kong 3 0 0 3 0%
 India 2 1 0 1 50%
 Iran 1 1 0 0 100%
 Japan 2 0 0 2 0%
 Malaysia 1 1 0 0 100%
 Pakistan 1 0 0 1 0%
 Singapore 1 1 0 0 100%
 South Korea 3 0 0 3 0%
 Sri Lanka 2 2 0 0 100%
 Thailand 1 1 0 0 100%
 United Arab Emirates 1 1 0 0 100%
Total 24 14 0 10 58.33%

Current squad

The following was the 23-man squad for the 2013 Asian Five Nations match against Japan.[10]

Head coach: Jarred Hodges Australia

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Franchise/province
Matt Bellenie Prop (1989-04-30) 30 April 1989 (age 35) 4 England Brighton RFC
Michael Duhig Hooker (1985-05-24) 24 May 1985 (age 39) 12 Australia Brothers RFC
Austin Dacanay Prop (1976-09-06) 6 September 1976 (age 48) 15 United States Tampa Bay Krewe
JC Bautista Prop (1975-08-31) 31 August 1975 (age 49) 2 United States Santa Rosa
David Robinson-Polkey Prop (1989-04-07) 7 April 1989 (age 35) 1 New Zealand Mount Wellington RFC
Jaime Urquijo Lock (1988-07-19) 19 July 1988 (age 36) 9 United States Kraken RFC
Jake Ward Number 8 (1989-08-14) 14 August 1989 (age 35) 4 New Zealand Clifton
Steven Howorth Lock (1990-09-09) 9 September 1990 (age 34) 10 England Cornish All Blacks
Chris Hitch Flanker (1988-12-24) 24 December 1988 (age 35) 6 Australia Warnervale
Terry Carroll Flanker (1991-05-04) 4 May 1991 (age 33) 5 Australia Wests Bulldogs
Jake Letts Scrum-half (1988-03-16) 16 March 1988 (age 36) 16 Japan Kaimashi SW RFC
James Price Scrum-half (1985-07-31) 31 July 1985 (age 39) 4 Japan Toyota Verblitz
Gareth Holgate Fly-half (1987-12-03) 3 December 1987 (age 36) 10 Japan Kyuden Voltex
Justin Coveney Centre (1985-05-02) 2 May 1985 (age 39) 9 Japan Coca-Cola West Red Sparks
Joe Matthews Wing (1982-08-09) 9 August 1982 (age 42) 4 Australia Queanbeyan Whites
Patrice Olivier Wing (1990-01-07) 7 January 1990 (age 34) 5 Japan Yamaha Jubilo
Matt Saunders Centre (1988-07-06) 6 July 1988 (age 36) 12 Japan NTT Shining Arcs
Michael Letts (c) Fullback (1983-02-15) 15 February 1983 (age 41) 15 Japan Kaimashi SW RFC
Alexander Aronson Fly-half (1990-06-15) 15 June 1990 (age 34) 1 United States Olde Gaels
Darran Seeto Flanker (1982-05-26) 26 May 1982 (age 42) 13 Australia Gordon Highlanders
Graeme Hagan Hooker (1987-06-13) 13 June 1987 (age 37) 1 Thailand Pattaya Panthers
David Feeney Lock (1985-03-21) 21 March 1985 (age 39) 1 Philippines Manila Nomads RFC
Jeff Gregson Wing (1988-08-16) 16 August 1988 (age 36) 1 England Coventry RFC

Last updated after Philippines vs Japan March 20, 2013. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Coaches

  • Australia Mike McMahon (2006)
  • Australia Matthew Cullen (2007–2009)
  • Philippines Expo Mejia (2009–2013)
  • Australia Jarred Hodges (2013–)
  • Australia Stuart Woodhouse (2013, caretaker)

Honours

Asian Five Nations
  • Pacific-Asia Regional Champions: 2008
  • Division 3 Champions: 2009
  • Division 2 Champions: 2010
  • Division 1 Champions: 2012
Magellan Cup
  • 2008
  • 2009

References

  1. ^ "IRB World Rankings - 16 April 2012". IRB.com. Retrieved April 23, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "Philippines to join Asia's elite in 2013". RugbyWorldCup.com. April 21, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Trio on rise after RWC 2015 qualifier wins". rugbyworldcup.com. International Rugby Board. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  4. ^ David, Greg (21 May 2006). "spacer.png, 0 kB Philippines take First International scalp". Philippine Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help); horizontal tab character in |title= at position 18 (help)
  5. ^ Scott, Jamie; Gallagher, Jarrad (14 June 2006). "Pakistan finish Asia Nations Series with win". Philippine Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Fopalan, Reneé. "Mission accomplished: PHL Volcanoes erupt at Asia 5 Nations, beat Sri Lanka". GMANetwork.com. GMA Network. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Welcom to the Philippine Volcanoes' blog!". Team Philippine Volcanoes. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
  8. ^ "California and Second World War - California's Filipino Infantry". MilitaryMuseum.org. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
  9. ^ "Philippines - head to head summary". Rugby Data. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  10. ^ "Philippine team named for A5N match against Japan". Philippine Rugby Football Union. 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
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