The third CBRE Juniors Touch Rugby Tournament of the year was held last Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Eagles Nest in Southern Plains Subdivision, Laguna. The tournament featured the participation of 15 teams from various schools, clubs, and foundations. Over 180 players from the PRFU Juniors Development Program came together under the hot sun, vying for the title of best juniors’ team in their age group.

The newly formed SOS Children’s Village Rugby team made its debut in the Under 10s and Under 12s divisions. SOS Children’s Village Rugby team managed to show everyone that they have the skills to compete against the more experienced teams like Clark Jets Rugby Club, Bulacan Rugby Club, and Mavericks Rugby Club. In the end, they were able to dominate the opposition on both divisions, losing just once in the Under 12s division and winning all their games in the Under 10s division.

The U16s division featured the Mavericks Rugby Club, Clark Jets Rugby Club, and the Childhope Foundation. The games were evenly matched, with the teams winning by just 1 or 2 points. The CJRS victory over the Mavericks secured them first position in this age group.

The U14s division featured five teams.  All the matches were close, with some games resulting in draws. It was the much improved Bulacan Team 2 who had the most number of wins in this division. As a result Bulacan Team 2 came in first place with the Hapons and Clark Rugby Jets placing second and third, respectively. 

This tournament edition applied the new “set and rip” rule of Rugby. Traditionally, players were to put the ball down and step over it upon being touched. Under the new rule, players now have to turn their back on their opposition and present the ball to their teammates, who in turn will rip the ball from the touched player. This variation is more consistent with the rules of full contact rugby. All teams were instantly able to adjust to the new rule and were able to play fun, high-level games throughout the day.

The teams who participated were:


U10s

SOS Children’s Village Rugby Team

Mavericks Rugby Club

Bulacan Rugby Club


U12s

Clark Jets Rugby

Bulacan Rugby Club

SOS Children’s Village Rugby Team

U14s

Hapons Rugby Club

Bulacan Rugby Club 1

Bulacan Rugby Club 2

Mavericks Rugby Club

Clark Jets Rugby

U16s

Mavericks Rugby Club

Clark Jets Rugby

Childhope Foundation

After suffering defeat at the hands of Asian 5 Nations perennial champions Japan, the Philippine National Rugby Team have vowed to use the experience to their advantage in their match against Hong Kong on May 4 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The 121-0 trouncing was only the second loss for the Volcanoes since the Philippines joined the competition in 2008. Japan on the other hand, has never lost a match at the A5N.

It was a highly anticipated match between Asia’s Rugby superpower and the newcomers, but while the Volcanoes were praised for their skill and spirited play throughout the game, Japan’s superiority was simply too much.

“We worked very hard for the first 30 minutes,” said Philippine coach, Jarred Hodges. “But we missed a couple of kicks that could have made it 10-6. Japan played to their strengths. They were a class above.”

The Volcanoes have a week off to re-group before facing Hong Kong. After which they meet South Korea on May 11 in Ansan, South Korea. The final game of the competition, which is widely predicted to be a battle for relegation between fourth seeded UAE and fifth seeded Philippines, will be played on May 18 at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

“I can't fault the team’s effort,” said Volcanoes captain Michael Letts. “We will learn from this and I can tell you now we will be a completely different side for our next three games.”

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.

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

Head coach: Jarred Hodges
Team Manager: Phil Gittus
Asst coach: Stuart Woodhouse
Physiotherapist: Christopher Bailey

The match will be be played on Saturday, 20 April in Fukuoka, Japan at 1:00pm (Manila time). It will be telecast on Solar Sports and ESPN Star Sports Channels.

The Asian 5 Nations is an annual international Rugby Union competition held between the top five Asian national rugby sides. The Philippines will face Japan, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates and South Korea in a round-robin competition over five consecutive weekends throughout April and May 2013.

20 April 2013
Japan v Philippines: Fukuoka, Japan
Hong Kong v United Arab Emirates: Hong Kong 

26 April 2013
United Arab Emirates v South Korea: Al Ain, Abu Dhabi

27 April 2013
Hong Kong v Japan: Hong Kong

4 May 2013
Japan v South Korea: Tokyo, Japan
Philippines v Hong Kong: Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila

10 May 2013
United Arab Emirates v Japan: Dubai

11 May 2013
South Korea v Philippines: Ansan, South Korea

18 May 2013
South Korea v Hong Kong , Ansan, South Korea
Philippines v United Arab Emirates: Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila 

The Asian 5 Nations represents the highest tier of international rugby in Asia and is Asia's qualifying tournament for the Rugby World Cup 2015.

The Philippine National Rugby Team is in the thick of preparations for their debut in the Elite Division of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Rugby competition. The Volcanoes will face their biggest challenge to date, meeting number one-ranked Japan in the A5N opener to be held in Fukuoka on Saturday, April 20.

Zooming from the fourth to the top division in just five seasons, the Volcanoes have been hailed as the team to watch in Asian Rugby, having lost only once since joining the competition in 2008. Japan, who have been in the Elite Division since the A5N was founded, is the only team with a better win record than the Volcanoes, having never lost a match since the tournament’s inception.

The HSBC Asian 5 Nations is a grueling six-week long competition among the top 5 teams in Asia and is the qualifying competition for the Rugby World Cup 2015. Having been promoted from Division 1 in 2012, the Philippines are ranked fifth while Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates ranked first, second, third & fourth, respectively.

After Japan, the Volcanoes hope to gain home advantage when they face Hong Kong at Rizal Memorial Stadium on May 4, after which they meet South Korea on May 11 in South Korea. The Volcanoes end with a home match versus UAE on May 18, again at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

“We need to win at least one match during the A5N series to remain in the Elite Division for 2014,” explains team captain Michael Letts. “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” he adds.

The Volcanoes squad of 30, composed mainly of Filipino heritage players based in Australia, New Zealand, United States and United Kingdom, has been training under National Men’s 15s coach, Jarred Hodges, and will be trimmed down to 22 members that will travel to Japan on Thursday, April 18. 

Philippine Volcanoes Asian 5 Nations squad:

Watch the HSBC Asian 5 Nations 2013 Live: Japan vs. Philippines on STAR Sports S.E.A. 12:55PM-3PM on Saturday, 20 April.

Here are some photos from the Rugby 7’s exhibition match between the Philippine Volcanoes & NZ International Rugby Academy Team. It was held last March 20, 2013, at International School Manila. 

Photo credit: Prime Line Products Philippines, Inc.