Singapore Women's Rugby

Singapore Squad Announced for WRWC Qualifiers

26 August 2013

Singapore have announced their squad that will be travelling to Almaty, Kazakhstan next week for the Asian Qualifiers for the Women's Rugby World Cup.

The islanders, who earned their promotion to division one of ARFU last year will face first seed, Kazakhstan, on 4 September 2013. Third seed, Hong Kong, which ousted China in last year's tournament will be playing Japan on the same day. The winners of both fixtures will vie for the one spot allocated to Asia in the Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 in Paris.

Singapore Team for Women's Rugby World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Players:

Forwards - Chan Jiahui (Bedok Kings), Vanessa Chang (Blacks), Krystle Huan (Blacks), Priscilla Humphries (Blacks), Koh Mei Giet (Bedok Kings), Lee Taojing (Blacks), Lee Yi Tian (Bedok Kings), Charis Lim (Bedok Kings), Low Yuhui (Blacks), Victoria McColl (Blacks), Jacquline Sng (Blacks), Teo Siew Huai (Blacks), Wang Shao Ing (Blacks), Annabel Woo (Bedok Kings)

Backs - Chan Jiayu (Blacks), Esther Goh Xinyi (Bedok Kings), Christabelle Lim (Blacks), Angelina Liu (Bedok Kings), Radika d/o Palanisamy (Blacks), Elly Syzwani (Blacks), Sim Chiew Hong (Blacks), Michelle Teo (Blacks), Samanta Teo (Blacks), Wong Yilin (Blacks), Angela Zheng (Bedok Kings)

Management: Danny Tauroa (Head Coach), Ross Martin (Coach), Bob Liu (Team Manager), Sue Parry & Joy Walter (Team Physiotherapists)

Japanese spoil early Chinese celebrations

photos courtesy of www.nanjing2013.org

19 August 2013

The Nanjing heat finally gave way to some brief heavy showers in the afternoon which provided some relief for the teams.

Based on the performances of the past two days, any punter would have been hard-pressed to bet against the Japanese who had swept all their games so far. Japan had elected to bring just 10 players and would be down to 9 after Yuko Ito sustained a knee injury on day two of the tournament. Failing fatigue, they would likely steamroll their way past Hong Kong and to the finals for the coverted gold medal. China, also favoured to make the finals would have to get past the Thais who could probably match them for speed but not physicality.

Japan dominated the match against Hong Kong from the start taking just under a minute to score two tries through the prolific Fukushima Wasana and Sakurai Ayono. Oyokawa Yuki was nearly in for a third Japanese try through an intercept but was stopped before the posts. Ayono got on the score board again after her own chip chase whilst Hong Kong struggled to get create any breaks and rarely left their half. Oyokawa Yuki made it four to Japan right before half-time to put Japan up 26-0.

Photo courtesy of www.nanjing2013.org

18 August 2013

Thailand put their two losses yesterday behind them to edge Hong Kong out in the first game of day two. Speedy Thai winger Wandee Thanachporn turned on the gas to put Thailand up within a minute of the kickoff. Thanachporn added to her first minute effort just before the half to put Thailand in the lead 12-0, even if the Nanjing heat was beginning to get to her team.

It looked like it was all going Thailand's way early after the break when scrumhalf Nanthaka Kunnika ran the blindside for a 60m breakaway try but the islanders rallied to come back with two tries by Rachel Fong and Victoria Robertson. Hong Kong will rue the handling errors which cost them plenty of possession and eventually the game which was won by Thailand 17-10.

Japan rarely missed a step in their 38-0 victory over Kazakhstan. Fukushima Wasana adding to her haul from day one with a try and three conversions. Ugawa Shiho and Niihara Hibiki crossed the line twice each with Oyokawa Yuki including herself to the try scorers list. Their crisp handling and nifty footwork kept the patient Japanese side on course to top the table.

Japan off the blocks against Thailand

17 August 2013

The first game of rugby sevens at the 2013 Asian Youth Games was fittingly won by the hosts. China started nearly unsure of themselves but Liu Xiaoqian’s efforts once in the first half and early in the second against Thailand were enough to seal her side’s win against the unlucky Thais were not able to capitalise on their chances.

In the second women’s game, Hong Kong struck first through Elenor Rose Ngan Kee against Japan to put the score up 5 -0 but once the Japanese settled into the game, they demonstrated why they are the force to be reckoned with these games. Japan replied in emphatic fashion with six tries - Noka Yumeno and Yamamoto Minori finding the line twice each. Fukushima Wasana hardly missed with her boot and Japan finished the game 38-5.

Singapore Squad Announced for WRWC Qualifiers

Japanese spoil early Chinese celebrations

Japan favorites to take Gold at AYG

Japan come out firing on day one of AYG