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Hungary: RWC qualifying rounds from the Hungarian perspective
On September 22nd of 2004, there was a change in the position of Senior National Side Coach for the Hungarian Rugby Union. In spite former National Coach, Mr Andras Neuzers charge had not terminated yet, the latest performance of the national side inspired him to offer his resignation to the Presidential Board of the Union. The position soon was taken over by Mr Michael Cowen, a native New Zealander, has been to Hungary for 5 years now.
Due to its hard RWC pre-qualification group, the Senior National Side is being faced extreme challenges in the forthcoming matches. The hard group is the result of the unique logic of drawing RWC pre-qualification groups. Based on a European ranking list, national sides were drawn from various levels. Above all, a floating Andorra came to the picture that basically represents good strength, but as a result of their last inactive period they got to a lower ranking level.
The other teams in Hungarys group are: Spain, Slovenia, Croatia and the above mentioned Andorra. For a start, Andorra travels to Hungary, match to be held in Esztergom on October 23rd, 2004. The referee is Mr Petrescu from Romania. By this time we have met Andorra three times, and only one victory in 2000 is in our account . But regardless of statistics, Andorra should be beaten here. Our last victory in Esztergom is repeatable, provided the required concentration will be delivered by our national side players.
Croatia and Slovenia are roughly the same strength these days.
Croatia got its strength mostly by the included New Zealander first division players, however we do not forget that they represented superiority many years ago as well. Thanks to the development in our championship, this superiority has more or less melted away for the latest years. The remaining question: what is going to be added by returning New Zealanders.
In Slovenia also New Zealand the key, while brisk up-the-slope development did not come through tourist New Zealand players with Slovenian roots, but through brought in know how. Slovenian Union leaders and players have regularly been travelling to New Zealand for a decade. The breakthrough begin when a New Zealender coach made a thoroughly rejuvenescent side some years ago. The momentum still keeps up, they performed well even at higher European levels.
By some heaven-born hand our National Side will perform acceptably against both sides. Unfortunately it is fact that they are superior regarding raw material (i.e. number of players reading the game well and running 100 meters bellow 11 seconds).
Last, lets have a look at the Spanish Armada. They have been in the European upper class for decades. We experienced their strength when the Basque regional side played against our champion team, Esztergom, last year. To be realistic, a difference under 100 points shall be acceptable against them.
On September 22nd of 2004, there was a change in the position of Senior National Side Coach for the Hungarian Rugby Union. In spite former National Coach, Mr Andras Neuzers charge had not terminated yet, the latest performance of the national side inspired him to offer his resignation to the Presidential Board of the Union. The position soon was taken over by Mr Michael Cowen, a native New Zealander, has been to Hungary for 5 years now.
Due to its hard RWC pre-qualification group, the Senior National Side is being faced extreme challenges in the forthcoming matches. The hard group is the result of the unique logic of drawing RWC pre-qualification groups. Based on a European ranking list, national sides were drawn from various levels. Above all, a floating Andorra came to the picture that basically represents good strength, but as a result of their last inactive period they got to a lower ranking level.
The other teams in Hungarys group are: Spain, Slovenia, Croatia and the above mentioned Andorra. For a start, Andorra travels to Hungary, match to be held in Esztergom on October 23rd, 2004. The referee is Mr Petrescu from Romania. By this time we have met Andorra three times, and only one victory in 2000 is in our account . But regardless of statistics, Andorra should be beaten here. Our last victory in Esztergom is repeatable, provided the required concentration will be delivered by our national side players.
Croatia and Slovenia are roughly the same strength these days.
Croatia got its strength mostly by the included New Zealander first division players, however we do not forget that they represented superiority many years ago as well. Thanks to the development in our championship, this superiority has more or less melted away for the latest years. The remaining question: what is going to be added by returning New Zealanders.
In Slovenia also New Zealand the key, while brisk up-the-slope development did not come through tourist New Zealand players with Slovenian roots, but through brought in know how. Slovenian Union leaders and players have regularly been travelling to New Zealand for a decade. The breakthrough begin when a New Zealender coach made a thoroughly rejuvenescent side some years ago. The momentum still keeps up, they performed well even at higher European levels.
By some heaven-born hand our National Side will perform acceptably against both sides. Unfortunately it is fact that they are superior regarding raw material (i.e. number of players reading the game well and running 100 meters bellow 11 seconds).
Last, lets have a look at the Spanish Armada. They have been in the European upper class for decades. We experienced their strength when the Basque regional side played against our champion team, Esztergom, last year. To be realistic, a difference under 100 points shall be acceptable against them.
