First Pacific Volcanoes Set for End of Year Internationals

The 2018 international season for Philippine Rugby continues this December as both the Women’s National Development Team, and the U19 Junior Volcanoes take the field to once more before the years end. 

2018 for Philippine Rugby has been one of the most successful seasons to date, the Men’s National Program has achieved success across all levels. The Men’s Residents XV team defeated Guam in April in a one off international exhibition match, the Men’s 15s team were crowned Champions over Singapore in the Division 1 Asia Rugby Championships, the U19 National Development Team defeated the Hong Kong Junior Warriors in the First Pacific Cup, and lastly the Men’s National Sevens Team finished with a Bronze Medal in the 2018 Asia Sevens Series, making them the 3rd highest ranked team in Asia. 

Not only success in the Men’s Programs, national success was achieved with the Women’s also. A silver medal finish in the Division 1 Asia Rugby Women’s Championships in June and an additional Silver Medal finish in the 2018 Asia Trophy Series in October capped off a remarkable  international season for the Lady Volcanoes. 

“It’s been a positive year for our international programs, we hope to add two more successful campaigns to finish off 2018” shares Jake Letts of Philippine Rugby. ​

Rassiel Sales will as always be threat for the Philippine attack

​This Saturday sees the Lady Volcanoes development program take on the Singapore Bedoks at Faith Academy. Both teams traditionally set for a close encounter. “Last year the Bedoks got away with a close win, hopefully this year our ladies can get one back. We are currently playing in top form, so hopefully we can finish on another high” shared Letts.

The U19 JunIor Volcanoes are also in preparation for an international competition. The youth program also backed by First Pacific and the MVP Sports Foundation are preparing for the 2018 Asia Rugby Division 1 U19s Championships in Bangkok, Thailand next week. The Volcanoes will face hosts Thailand on Tuesday in the hope to secure a place in the final either against China or Singapore on Friday, December 14. Letts sees it as more of an opportunity to scout future talent.

“The U19s program is very important to what our future holds, these players will be the basis of our National Teams in the future. It’s a great opportunity for our athletes to impress our current national coaches at an international level”

The U19s will be coached by Stu Woodhouse and David Johnston. Philippine Rugby have been fortunate enough to have First Pacific and MVP Sports Foundation as headline investors for these programs, as they help support and pave the future for Rugby development in the Philippines.

Craig Bayer Wallace will return in a key role for the U19 Junior Volcanoes