0
In the build up to the 2009 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in Kenya I will continue to put up feature articles in the one thread as they appear on the IRB site or media.
As we get closer, or if the thread gets hijacked, then I'll start to divide up the articles into seperate threads.
Competing Nations:
Cayman Islands
Chile
Kenya
Korea
Namibia
PNG
Romania
USA
Match schedule set for 2009 Junior trophy
(IRB.COM) Wednesday 10 December 2008
The International Rugby Board has announced the match schedule for the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2009, which is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from 21 April to 3 May.
The key international tournament, featuring teams at Under 20 level from eight Unions, will comprise two pools of four teams with matches played across two venues in the city.
The USA, relegated from this year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Wales, top Pool A and are joined by hosts Kenya and regional qualifiers Namibia (CAR) and the Cayman Islands (NAWIRA). It is the first time that the Cayman Islands, winners of the NAWIRA regional qualification tournament in Barbados, have qualified for an IRB 15-a-side tournament.
Chile, who were runners-up at the inaugural IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy on home soil in April 2008, top Pool B where they are joined by Romania (FIRA-AER), Korea (ARFU) and Papua New Guinea (FORU).
The action kicks off on 21 April with four mouthwatering matches. Oceania champions Papua New Guinea take on Romania at 12:00 local time in the first of a double-header of fixtures at the Impala ground, before Cayman Islands face the USA at 14:00.
At the nearby Rugby Football Union of East Africa Ground, Chile kick off their Pool B campaign against Korea at 14:00, while hosts Kenya will entertain Africa rivals Namibia at 16:00.
Two further rounds of pool matches will be played to determine the rankings for the final and positional play-offs on 3 May.
“The IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2009 in Kenya looks set to be a wonderful tournament. In addition to delivering a blend of superb playing and training facilities, the Kenya Rugby Football Union are committed to the activation of a dedicated legacy programme that will not only be of benefit to the Rugby Community in Kenya, but across the whole of Africa,” explained IRB Tournaments Manager Philippe Bourdarias.
“The IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy is now firmly established as a key player and coach development tool. The IRB looks forward to welcoming the teams and travelling fans to Nairobi in April for what promises to be an exciting tournament.”
Pools:
Pool A
USA
Namibia
Kenya
Cayman Islands
Pool B
Chile
Romania
PNG
Korea
Match Schedule:
MATCH DAY 1
TUESDAY APRIL 21, 2009
Match No./Kickoff/Group/Match/Venue
1. 12.00 B PNG vs. Romania Impala
2. 14.00 A Cayman Islands vs. USA Impala
3. 14.00 B Chile vs. Korea RFU of East Africa Ground
4. 16.00 A Kenya vs. Namibia RFU of East Africa Ground
MATCH DAY 2
SATURDAY APRIL 25, 2009
Match No./Kickoff/Group/Match/Venue
5. 12.00 A Cayman Islands vs. Namibia Impala
7. 14.00 B Chile vs. PNG Impala
6. 14.00 B Korea vs. Romania RFU of East Africa Ground
8. 16.00 A Kenya vs. USA RFU of East Africa Ground
MATCH DAY 3
WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 2009
Match No./Kickoff/Group/Match/Venue
9. 12.00 A Kenya vs. Cayman Islands Impala
11. 14.00 B PNG vs. Korea Impala
10. 14.00 A Namibia vs USA RFU of East Africa Ground
12. 16.00 B Chile vs Romania RFU of East Africa Ground
FINAL DAY
SUNDAY MAY 3, 2009
Match No./Kickoff/Group/Match/Venue
13. 12.00 4th Group A v 4th Group B Impala
14. 12.00 3rd Group A v 3rd Group B (or Kenya match) RFU of East Africa Ground
15. 14.00 2nd Group A v 2nd Group B (or Kenya match) RFU of East Africa Ground
16. 16.00 FINAL 1st Group A v 1st Group B RFU of East Africa Ground