Philippines national rugby union team

Last updated

Philippines
Philippine Rugby emblem.png
Nickname(s)Volcanoes
Emblem Volcano
Union Philippine Rugby Football Union
Head coachStu Woodhouse
CaptainDavid Smith
Most caps Jake Letts (27)
Top scorerOliver Saunders
Top try scorerMatthew Saunders
Home stadium Rizal Memorial Stadium
Philippine Sports Stadium
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
First colors
World Rugby ranking
Current40 (as of April 15, 2024)
Highest40 (April 2024)
Lowest72 (March 2012)
First international
Flag of Guam.svg  Guam 14–18 Philippines Flag of the Philippines.svg
(May 20, 2006)
Biggest win
Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines 101–0 Brunei  Flag of Brunei.svg
(July 2, 2008)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 121–0 Philippines Flag of the Philippines.svg
(April 20, 2013)
World Cup
AppearancesNone
Website https://www.philippinerugby.com

The Philippines national rugby union team, nicknamed the "Volcanoes", represents the Philippines in international rugby union. The Philippines have been playing in the Asia Rugby Championship since 2006 when the team was first created. In 2012 they won the Division I championship and were promoted to the top 5 for the 2013 tournament where they earned 4th place and again in the 2014 tournament. The Philippines have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup.

Contents

In the March 19, 2012 World Rugby 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).

The national side is ranked 40th in the world (as of April 15, 2024). [1]

History

The national team at the 2009 Asian Five Nations Division 3 Final. Manila 031 (3709699957).jpg
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 on May 20, 2006, but was later defeated by Pakistan in a match held on June 11, 2006, and failed to secure the sole slot for promotion to the next division. [2] [3] 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. [4]

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.

Tournaments

TournamentYearDivisionPlaceNational Ranking
ARFU Asian Rugby Series 2006 52ndNA
ARFU Asian Rugby Series 2007 52ndNA
Asian Five Nations division tournaments 2008 Pacific—Asia Region1stNA
Asian Five Nations division tournaments 2009 31stNA
Asian Five Nations division tournaments 2010 21stNA
Asian Five Nations division tournaments 2011 13rdNA
Asian Five Nations division tournaments 2012 11st72
Asian Five Nations 2013 Top4th56
Asian Five Nations 2014 Top4th57
Asian Rugby Championship division tournaments 2015 12nd52
Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments 2016 13rd54
Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments 2017 13rd57
Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments 2018 11st56
Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments 2019 11st53

Nickname and emblem

Insignia of the 1st Philippine Regiment Filipino Infantry Regiment Insignia.png
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. [5]

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. [6]

Players

Current squad

Squad for 2019 Asia Rugby Championship: [7]

Coaches

Honours

Asia Rugby Championship

Overall record

The Philippines vs Iran, 2009 Asian Five Nations Division 3 Semifinal. Manila 024 (3709699819).jpg
The Philippines vs Iran, 2009 Asian Five Nations Division 3 Semifinal.

Their test match record against all nations: [8]

NationPlayedWonDrawnLost % Won
Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei 1100100%
Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei 1100100%
Flag of Guam.svg  Guam 4400100%
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 20020%
Flag of India.svg  India 210150%
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1100100%
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 20020%
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 320166.7%
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 10010%
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 650180%
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 30030%
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 630350%
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 1100100%
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 2200100%
Total352101460%

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References

  1. ↑ "Men's Rankings | World Rugby".
  2. ↑ David, Greg (May 21, 2006). "Philippines take First International scalp". Philippine Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  3. ↑ Scott, Jamie; Gallagher, Jarrad (June 14, 2006). "Pakistan finish Asia Nations Series with win". Philippine Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  4. ↑ Fopalan, Reneé. "Mission accomplished: PHL Volcanoes erupt at Asia 5 Nations, beat Sri Lanka". GMANetwork.com. GMA Network. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Welcom to the Philippine Volcanoes' blog!". Team Philippine Volcanoes. September 23, 2011. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  6. ↑ "California and Second World War - California's Filipino Infantry". MilitaryMuseum.org. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Volcanoes select top 26". PRFU. May 27, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Philippines - head-to-head summary". Rugby Data. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
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