Madagascar national rugby union team

Last updated
Madagascar
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Nickname(s)Les Makis
UnionFédération Malagasy de Rugby
Head coachBerthin Rafalimanana
Captain José Rakoto
Most caps Gabriel Rajaonarison
Top scorer José Rakoto
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First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current43 (as of 20 March 2023)
Highest43 (2023)
Lowest51 (23 November 2020)
Biggest win
Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 97-3 Zambia  Flag of Zambia.svg
(26 August 2006)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 112-0 Madagascar  Flag of Madagascar.svg
(15 June 2002)
World Cup
Appearances0

The Madagascar national rugby union team represents Madagascar in the sport of rugby union. Although rugby is popular in Madagascar, the country has not yet qualified for a Rugby World Cup. It does compete annually in the Africa Cup, and was runner-up to Uganda in 2007. The national team's nickname is the Malagasy name for the ring-tailed lemur.

Contents

Madagascar defeated Namibia 57 - 54 in extra-time to win Group 1B final match at the 2012 Africa Cup; they have now jumped up 14 places to their current 42nd rank. [1]

History

Madagascar played their first ever international rugby match in 1970, where they met Italy, losing 9 points to 17. The second of the series of two games was also won by Italy, 6 points to 9. The team got their first international win during 1987 when they defeated Kenya 22 to 16.

During 2001 Madagascar competed for the first time in the Africa qualification tournaments for the 2003 Rugby World Cup to be held in Australia. They started off in Pool B of Round 1, where they contested matches against Botswana and Swaziland. They won both their games and finished at the top of the pool to advance to the next round. In Round 2 they defeated Kenya and Cameroon to secure the top finish and advance to Round 3, which took place in 2002. Madagascar made their exit in Round 3, losing to Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Madagascar attempted to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. They started off in Pool 2 of Round 1b of the qualifying tournament, where they were grouped with Kenya and Uganda. After drawing with Kenya, they lost to Uganda and finished third in the standings. They were semi-finalists at the 2006 Africa Cup, and losing finalists in 2005 and 2007.

Madagascar also failed to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It is currently involved in the 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifyings. Madagascar was the surprise winner of the 2012 Africa Cup, defeating Namibia 57–54 in an historical final. In 2013 the Makis avoided relegation from the top flight of African rugby and remain in Division 1A of the Africa Cup for 2014, which will serve as the African qualification for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Madagascar wins serendib cup 2013 in Sri Lanka, beating Sri Lanka on a score of 17-12 and dominating Poland on 25–21 score, José Rakoto won the player of the tournament.

Squad

Madagascar squad for the 2014 Africa Cup. [2]

Overall Record

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Madagascar national XV at test level up until 12 July 2021

TeamMatWonLostDraw %ForAgaDiff
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 4400100.0018768+119
Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 1100100.003024+6
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 20200.001526-11
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 3300100.008654+32
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 4211507394-21
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 413033.33110190-80
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 514020.0094362-268
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 1100100.00633+60
Flag of France.svg  Réunion 12111091.6678265-187
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Amateurs 321066.666079-19
Flag of Eswatini.svg  Swaziland 1100100.002621+5
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 615016.66125204-79
Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 221075.0010169+32
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 725028.57115273-158
Total543223059.2611631698-535

[3]

World Cup Record

World Cup record World Cup Qualification record
YearRoundPWDLFAPWDLFA
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 1987 Not invited-
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of Ireland.svg Flag of France.svg 1991 did not enterdid not enter
Flag of South Africa.svg 1995
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1999
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2003 did not qualify6402117240
Flag of France.svg 2007 20113842
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2011 21016747
Flag of England.svg 2015 7304190332
Flag of Japan.svg 2019 310281102
Total0/9------209110493763

See also

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References

  1. IRB (9 July 2012). "Madagascar climb rankings after shock win". Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  2. "Madagascar team". Madagascar Rugby Union. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  3. "Teams played by Madagascar". www.rugbydata.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.