International Rugby: Croatia v Latvia

24.10.2009
Latvia v Croatia in Riga (ENC 2B)

Venue: Stadionā Daugavas

Referee: Zeszustek (Poland)

Preview
Latvia is struggling to avoid relegation to ENC 3A. They lost 13-21 away to Croatia in April and has lost all their games in this division so far. Unavailable are Latvia’s semi-professionals, Uldis Saulīte & Jurijs Baranovs, who both play for the Russian club Enisei STM. This club has a match this weekend in the Russian professional league.

Croatia are one place behind Division leaders, the Netherlands, and they should defeat Latvia even though this is an away game for them.

Latvia struggled against Croatia when they last met. Image thanks to http://www.parsportu.lv/articles/24/30337/

Previous Encounters
25.04.2009 Croatia 21-13 in Makarska (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2B)
10.05.2008 Latvia 20-8 in Riga (ENC 2B)
31.03. 2007 Croatia 27-7 in Makarska (ENC 2B)
17.05.1997 Croatia 43-23 in Makarska (WCQ Europe Pool 1, Rnd A)
Data from www.rugbyinternational.net

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Croatia 21st, Latvia 23rd

Prediction: Croatia by 4 points

Teams

Croatia

Image thanks to www.irb.com

Vedran Antić (RK Nada)
Carl Banks (North Shore RFC, NZ)
Ante Blažević Bandov (RK Nada)
Mate Borozan (RK Nada)
Tonči Buzov (RK Nada)
Goran Čulić (RK Nada)
Josip Dedić (RK Makarska Riviera)
Dominik Draženović (RK Mladost)
Ante Dražina (Olympic Club Rugby, USA)
Tomislav Gomuzak (RK Zagreb)
Duje Grubišić (RK Nada)
Većeslav Holjevac (RK Zagreb)
Luka Jureško (RK Zagreb)
Nik Jurišić (RK Mladost)
Igor Letica (RK Makarska Riviera)
Špiro Matić (RK Nada)
Filip Mijić (RK Zagreb)
Milan Milanović (RK Nada)
Josip Mrkoci (RK Makarska Riviera)
Mališa Mucić (RK Makarska Riviera)
Ante Olujić (RK Nada)
Alek Osmanović (RK Makarska Riviera)
Vedran Pomper (RK Zagreb)
Ivica Rubelj (RK Nada)
Ivica Šimić (RK Makarska Riviera)
Saša Sljepčević (RK Nada)
Ivan Šuta (RK Mladost)
Marin Tvrdić (RK Nada)
Head Coach:

This is an extended squad for Croatia's next game which is against Malta at home.

http://www.rugby.hr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=151&Itemid=33 and thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3240

Latvia
15. Nauris Bērziņš (Eži)
14. Arvis Pilenieks (Eži)
13. Valters Raņķis (Miesnieki)
12 Nauris Kraupša (Eži)
11. Kristaps Bērziņš (Eži)
10. Ruslans Kotļevs (Eži)
9. Bruno Brods (Eži)
8. Mareks Larionovs (Eži)
7. Aldis Augstkalns (Miesnieki)
6. Māris Čeksters (Ovāls)
5. Māris Robežnieks (Miesnieki)
4. Uģis Rupainis (Miesnieki)
3. Jānis Skuja (Miesnieki)
2. Antons Oseļedko (Ovāls)
1. Āris Andersons (Miesnieki)
Replacements from:
Edgars Cīrulis (Miesnieki)
Sandis Barks (Eži)
Leno Bramanis (Miesnieki)
Vjačeslavs Tiško (Ovāls)
Andrejs Panasjuks (Ovāls)
Viesturs Punāns (Eži)
Andris Andersons (Miesnieki)
Guntars Brūveris (Jelgavas Alnis)
Vigo Valdavs (Livonia)

Head Coach:

Thanks to http://www.parsportu.lv/articles/24/30337/ and to ‘Quentin’ from http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3240