Nations Cup
Encyclopedia
The Nations Cup is a rugby union
competition that was first held in 2006 at Estádio Universitário
in Lisbon
with Argentina A, Italy A
, Portugal
and Russia
taking part. The tournament is part of the International Rugby Board
's US $50 million Strategic Investment programme, which also includes the Pacific Nations Cup, the Pacific Rugby Cup
and the Americas Rugby Championship
(as well as the ARC's predecessor, the North America 4
).
, Russia
, Namibia
, Uruguay
, Georgia
and Romania
. The Nations Cup is an important tournament for both Italy and Argentina; at the time of the inaugural competition in 2006, the two sides combined had only nine players that did not play in their respective domestic competitions. The inaugural tournament was won by Argentina A.
The Nations Cup was expanded in 2007, with six teams instead of four. Argentina A and Italy A
returned, along with Namibia
, Georgia
, Romania
and the Emerging Springboks
. This was in part to allow Namibia, Georgia and Romania to warm up for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
. All fixtures were played at the Tineretului Stadium in Bucharest
, with the Emerging Springboks
being crowned champions.
In 2008 Argentina A, soon to be rechristened as Argentina Jaguars, left the tournament to play in the Churchill Cup
, Namibia
also withdrew. Uruguay
and Russia
took their places. The Emerging Springboks
were crowned champions for the second time with a 100% record.
2009 saw the addition of Scotland A
and France A
to the tournament at the expense of the Emerging Springboks and Georgia, which both had other commitments that year. The Emerging Springboks played the British and Irish Lions
during the Lions' tour of South Africa
, while Georgia accepted an invitation to the Churchill Cup. Scotland A won that year's edition.
The 2010 edition was held at Arcul de Triumf Stadium in Bucharest
. Romania and defending champions Scotland A returned from 2009, as did Italy A. France A, Russia, and Uruguay instead played in the 2010 Churchill Cup
. Their places were taken by Georgia, returning after a one-year absence, and Namibia and Argentina Jaguars, returning for the first time since 2007. Namibia emerged as winners.
Arcul de Triumf hosted again in 2011. This edition effectively served as a 2011 Rugby World Cup
warm-up for host Romania, defending Nations Cup champion Namibia, and Georgia. The Argentina Jaguars also returned from the 2010 edition. Portugal returned for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2006. South Africa made their first appearance since 2008 a successful one, with a team billed as the "South African Kings"—in reality, the Southern Kings
, the country's planned future Super Rugby franchise—winning the event.
Last updated: 21 June 2011
Source: irb.com
Last updated: 21 June 2011
Source: irb.com
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
competition that was first held in 2006 at Estádio Universitário
Estádio Universitário de Lisboa
Estádio Universitário de Lisboa is a multi-use stadium in Lisbon, Portugal. It is used as the home stadium of Portugal national rugby union team matches. The capacity of the stadium is 8,000 spectators. It also hosted the 1994 World Junior Championships in Athletics....
in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
with Argentina A, Italy A
Italy A national rugby union team
The Italy A national rugby union team are the second national rugby union team in Italy after the national side. They compete every year in the IRB Nations Cup.-Fixtures:IRB Nations Cup 2010...
, Portugal
Portugal national rugby union team
The Portugal national rugby union team is a third tier rugby union side representing Portugal. They first played in 1935 and now compete in the European Nations Cup. Rugby union in Portugal is administered by the Federação Portuguesa de Rugby. Portugal qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in...
and Russia
Russia national rugby union team
The Russian National Rugby Union Team, is the national team representing Russia at the sport of rugby union.Rugby union in Russia is administered by the Rugby Union of Russia . The RUR is the official successor union of the Soviet Union and the combined CIS team which played in the early 1990s...
taking part. The tournament is part of the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
's US $50 million Strategic Investment programme, which also includes the Pacific Nations Cup, the Pacific Rugby Cup
Pacific Rugby Cup
The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup is an annual rugby union development competition. First held in 2006, it features representative teams from the three Pacific rugby union unions - Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.The participating teams are:*Samoa A from Samoa...
and the Americas Rugby Championship
Americas Rugby Championship
The Americas Rugby Championship is a rugby union competition contested by national and regional teams from North and South America. The league has replaced the IRB's previous North American competition, the North America 4....
(as well as the ARC's predecessor, the North America 4
North America 4
North America 4, also known as IRB North America 4 often abbreviated to NA4, was a North American rugby union competition launched in 2006...
).
History
The Nations Cup is aimed at providing more competition for tier one A sides, as well as offering opportunities for second and third tier nations such as PortugalPortugal national rugby union team
The Portugal national rugby union team is a third tier rugby union side representing Portugal. They first played in 1935 and now compete in the European Nations Cup. Rugby union in Portugal is administered by the Federação Portuguesa de Rugby. Portugal qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in...
, Russia
Russia national rugby union team
The Russian National Rugby Union Team, is the national team representing Russia at the sport of rugby union.Rugby union in Russia is administered by the Rugby Union of Russia . The RUR is the official successor union of the Soviet Union and the combined CIS team which played in the early 1990s...
, Namibia
Namibia national rugby union team
The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias or Biltongboere, represents Namibia at rugby union. Although they are a tier-three nation in the International Rugby Board tier system, the team have participated in all three Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999...
, Uruguay
Uruguay national rugby union team
The Uruguay national rugby union team is the representative side of Uruguay, governed by the Unión de Rugby del Uruguay. They have been playing international rugby since 1948. Their jersey is blue and black and they are known as Los Teros. They qualified twice for the Rugby World Cup, in 1999 and...
, Georgia
Georgia national rugby union team
The Georgia national rugby union team represents Georgia in rugby union. The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try"...
and Romania
Romania national rugby union team
The Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
. The Nations Cup is an important tournament for both Italy and Argentina; at the time of the inaugural competition in 2006, the two sides combined had only nine players that did not play in their respective domestic competitions. The inaugural tournament was won by Argentina A.
The Nations Cup was expanded in 2007, with six teams instead of four. Argentina A and Italy A
Italy A national rugby union team
The Italy A national rugby union team are the second national rugby union team in Italy after the national side. They compete every year in the IRB Nations Cup.-Fixtures:IRB Nations Cup 2010...
returned, along with Namibia
Namibia national rugby union team
The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias or Biltongboere, represents Namibia at rugby union. Although they are a tier-three nation in the International Rugby Board tier system, the team have participated in all three Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999...
, Georgia
Georgia national rugby union team
The Georgia national rugby union team represents Georgia in rugby union. The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try"...
, Romania
Romania national rugby union team
The Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
and the Emerging Springboks
Emerging Springboks
The Emerging Springboks are the second national rugby union team in South africa after the national side. They compete every year in the Nations Cup alongside the full national teams of Namibia, Romania and Georgia as well as Argentina Jaguars and Italy A. Now and again they also play touring sides...
. This was in part to allow Namibia, Georgia and Romania to warm up for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
. All fixtures were played at the Tineretului Stadium in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, with the Emerging Springboks
Emerging Springboks
The Emerging Springboks are the second national rugby union team in South africa after the national side. They compete every year in the Nations Cup alongside the full national teams of Namibia, Romania and Georgia as well as Argentina Jaguars and Italy A. Now and again they also play touring sides...
being crowned champions.
In 2008 Argentina A, soon to be rechristened as Argentina Jaguars, left the tournament to play in the Churchill Cup
Churchill Cup
The Churchill Cup was an annual rugby union tournament, held in June, contested by representative men's teams from Canada, England, the United States, and other invited teams from a wide array of countries....
, Namibia
Namibia national rugby union team
The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias or Biltongboere, represents Namibia at rugby union. Although they are a tier-three nation in the International Rugby Board tier system, the team have participated in all three Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999...
also withdrew. Uruguay
Uruguay national rugby union team
The Uruguay national rugby union team is the representative side of Uruguay, governed by the Unión de Rugby del Uruguay. They have been playing international rugby since 1948. Their jersey is blue and black and they are known as Los Teros. They qualified twice for the Rugby World Cup, in 1999 and...
and Russia
Russia national rugby union team
The Russian National Rugby Union Team, is the national team representing Russia at the sport of rugby union.Rugby union in Russia is administered by the Rugby Union of Russia . The RUR is the official successor union of the Soviet Union and the combined CIS team which played in the early 1990s...
took their places. The Emerging Springboks
Emerging Springboks
The Emerging Springboks are the second national rugby union team in South africa after the national side. They compete every year in the Nations Cup alongside the full national teams of Namibia, Romania and Georgia as well as Argentina Jaguars and Italy A. Now and again they also play touring sides...
were crowned champions for the second time with a 100% record.
2009 saw the addition of Scotland A
Scotland A national rugby union team
The Scotland A team are the second national rugby union team behind the Scottish national side.-History:Scotland's status as one of the leading rugby nations in the Northern Hemisphere, made the SRU to field a second team, first known as Scotland XV, and currently as Scotland A, which can play at...
and France A
France A national rugby union team
The France A national rugby union team, known previously as France XV national rugby union team and France B national rugby union team, are the second national rugby union team behind the French national side.-History:...
to the tournament at the expense of the Emerging Springboks and Georgia, which both had other commitments that year. The Emerging Springboks played the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
during the Lions' tour of South Africa
2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa
The 2009 British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa was an international rugby union tour which took place in South Africa from May to July 2009....
, while Georgia accepted an invitation to the Churchill Cup. Scotland A won that year's edition.
The 2010 edition was held at Arcul de Triumf Stadium in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
. Romania and defending champions Scotland A returned from 2009, as did Italy A. France A, Russia, and Uruguay instead played in the 2010 Churchill Cup
2010 Churchill Cup
The 2010 Churchill Cup, the eighth edition of an annual international rugby union tournament, was taking place in the Denver and New York City metropolitan areas...
. Their places were taken by Georgia, returning after a one-year absence, and Namibia and Argentina Jaguars, returning for the first time since 2007. Namibia emerged as winners.
Arcul de Triumf hosted again in 2011. This edition effectively served as a 2011 Rugby World Cup
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
warm-up for host Romania, defending Nations Cup champion Namibia, and Georgia. The Argentina Jaguars also returned from the 2010 edition. Portugal returned for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2006. South Africa made their first appearance since 2008 a successful one, with a team billed as the "South African Kings"—in reality, the Southern Kings
Southern Kings
The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union franchise. The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 16 June 2009, in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa....
, the country's planned future Super Rugby franchise—winning the event.
Teams
The teams that participated in the IRB Nations Cup and their finishing positions are as follows:| Team Name | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 4th | 3rd | |||
| 1st | 1st | |||||
| 3rd | ||||||
| 3rd | 2nd | 5th | 2nd | |||
| 2nd | 5th | 4th | 2nd | 3rd | ||
| 6th | 1st | 4th | ||||
| 4th | 6th | |||||
| 4th | 3rd | 4th | 2nd | 5th | ||
| 3rd | 6th | 5th | ||||
| 1st | 6th | |||||
 South African KingsSouthern Kings The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union franchise. The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 16 June 2009, in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.... |
1st | |||||
| 5th | 6th |
Point scorers
| Rank | Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luciano Orquera Luciano Orquera Luciano Orquera is an Argentine-Italian rugby union player. He plays as a fly-half for Aironi, an Italian club in the Celtic League..... |
119 | |
| 2 | Dan Dumbrava | 70 | |
| 3 | Florin Vlaicu Florin Vlaicu Florin Vlaicu is a rugby union footballer who plays for Bucureşti Rugby in European club competition and for Romania internationally. Vlaicu plays mainly at wing and made his international debut in 2006 as a substitute against Ukraine... |
49 | |
| 4 | Santiago González Iglesias | 47 | |
| 5 | Valentin Calafeteanu Valentin Calafeteanu Valentin Niculae Calafeteanu is a Romanian rugby union footballer. His position on the field is scrum-half... |
46 | |
| 6 | Louis Strydom Louis Strydom Louis Strydom is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the .He was born in Welkom and started playing for the local team. His career saw him play for several different unions, representing the , , , and . He also played some Super Rugby for the Lions and Cheetahs... |
South African Kings Southern Kings The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union franchise. The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 16 June 2009, in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.... |
45 |
| Alexander Yanyushkin Alexander Yanyushkin Alexander Yanyushkin is a Russian rugby union player. He plays as a fly-half and as a scrum-half.He currently plays for VVA-Podmoskovye Monino, in the Russian Professional League.... |
45 | ||
| 8 | Peter Grant | 44 | |
| Hernán Senillosa Hernán Senillosa Hernán Senillosa is an Argentine rugby union player, who plays for Argentina's national side. Senillosa rugby position is centre.His brother Santiago "Aguaviva" Senillosa, is also a destacated rugby player.... |
44 | ||
| 10 | Chrysander Botha | 41 | |
| Malkhaz Urjukashvili Malkhaz Urjukashvili Malkhaz Urjukashvili is a Georgian rugby union player. He plays as a wing.He moved to France, where he has been playing in Stade Toulousain, RC Nîmes, US Tours, in 2003, RC Cannes-Mandelieu, from 2003/04 to 2006/07, in the Fédérale 2, Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne, from 2007/08 to 2008/09, in... |
41 |
Last updated: 21 June 2011
Source: irb.com
Try scorers
| Rank | Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siyanda Grey Siyanda Grey Siyanda Grey is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the .He was included in the squad for the 2010 Vodacom Cup and have represented the team in the Under 21 Currie Cup competition.... |
South African Kings Southern Kings The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union franchise. The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 16 June 2009, in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.... |
6 |
| Joaquín Tuculet Joaquín Tuculet Joaquín Tuculet is a rugby union player who plays for Sale in the Aviva Premiership. Tucelet is capable of playing Fullback , Centre or Fly-half .... |
6 | ||
| 3 | Tomás de Vedia Tomás de Vedia Tomás de Vedia is an Argentine rugby union player, who plays for London Irish and Argentina.Born to back row Ricardo "Tacho" de Vedia, he trained at the San Isidro Club in Buenos Aires, debuting in the top league of Argentine rugby in 2003... |
4 | |
| Michele Sepe Michele Sepe Michele Sepe is an Italian rugby union player. Sepe, who is a wing, plays club rugby for Benetton Treviso. He made his debut for Italy against Japan on 11 June 2006.... |
4 | ||
| 5 | Tonderai Chavhanga Tonderai Chavhanga Tonderai Chavhanga is a South African rugby union player. Chavhanga has played for the national team, the Springboks, being capped once in 2005. He played for the Stormers in the international Super 14 competition... |
3 | |
| Marius Delport | 3 | ||
| Catalin Fercu Catalin Fercu Cătălin Fercu is a Romanian rugby union player. He has played in 19 international matches for Romania. Fercu plays on the fullback position.... |
3 | ||
| Juan Ignacio Gauthier Juan Ignacio Gauthier Juan Ignacio Gauthier is an Argentine rugby union footballer who plays at fullback and has represented the Argentina national rugby union team. He currently plays for club Rome.-External links:**-See also:... |
3 | ||
| Hernán Senillosa Hernán Senillosa Hernán Senillosa is an Argentine rugby union player, who plays for Argentina's national side. Senillosa rugby position is centre.His brother Santiago "Aguaviva" Senillosa, is also a destacated rugby player.... |
3 |
Last updated: 21 June 2011
Source: irb.com
Results
| Year | Winner | Host |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 2006 IRB Nations Cup The 2006 IRB Nations Cup was the first edition of the international rugby union tournament. The tournament took place between 13–24 June in Portugal. Argentina Jaguars were the overall winners.-Final standings:-Round 3:* 24 June Italy A 32 - 29 Russia... |
||
| 2007 2007 IRB Nations Cup The 2007 IRB Nations Cup was the second edition of the annual international rugby union tournament. The tournament took place in Romania. The Emerging Springboks were the overall winners.-Final standings:-Round 1:* 5 June Argentina A 27 - 20 Italy A... |
||
| 2008 2008 IRB Nations Cup The 2008 IRB Nations Cup was the third edition of the annual international rugby union tournament. It took place from 11 June – 20 June. The Emerging Springboks were the overall winners for their second consecutive year.-Final standings:-Round 1:... |
||
| 2009 2009 IRB Nations Cup The 2009 IRB Nations Cup was the fourth edition of the international rugby union tournament. Scotland A were the overall winners of the tournament.-Final standings:-Round 1:* 12 June Italy A 15 - 31 France A... |
||
| 2010 2010 IRB Nations Cup The 2010 IRB Nations Cup was the fifth edition of the international rugby union tournament. Scotland A were the overall winners of last year's event. Namibia were the overall winners of the tournament.-Standings:-Round 1:---------Round 2:----... |
||
| 2011 2011 IRB Nations Cup The 2011 IRB Nations Cup was the sixth edition of the international rugby union tournament. Namibia were the defending champions.-Players:The following players have been included in the 2011 IRB Nations Cup squads:-Standings:-Round 1:... |
South African Kings Southern Kings The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union franchise. The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 16 June 2009, in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.... |