Today was the first full training session for the ”Son’s of Lapu Lapu” on a good rugby training ground. At the intensive two hour session under Head Coach Rick Hartley, with support from Assistant Coach Alan MacDonald, the skills of the team, as they went through a system of set plays and drills were immediately evident.

Even though over the previous few days the team have had to train at a variety of less than favourable training sites (like the Athletes Village car park), they have already demonstrated their cohesion, speed, experience and skill levels – they are set to make an indelible impact on the tournament.

 Press Release - SEAG Rugby Squad has first good hit-out (566.92 kB)

The PRFU have selected thirteen (13) players to represent the Philippine National Rugby 7's Team at the 24th South East Asian Games (SEAG).

The 24th SEAG represents the first time Rugby will be an official sport in the games.  This after the ground breaking work by the PRFU in getting Rugby included as a ‘site’ sport in the 23rd SEAG - in Manila in 2005.  In fact the Philippines is the defending champions of the SEAG Rugby 7’s Gold.  So the 2007 team goes to the games fully focused and committed on defending its title against some very tough opposition.  The SEAG marks a significant departure from normal IRB tournaments, as only Filipino Citizens are eligible to be selected to represent the Philippines in the games.  So our Filipino Rugby Players will be donning the Navy uniform of the Philippine National Team to compete from December 09th and 11th 2007 in Korat, Thailand to try take home a coveted SEAG Gold.

The Board of the PRFU would like to congratulate those who have been selected and know that they will make every effort to be prepared for the games, and once on the pitch will perform to their highest levels both as individuals and as a team.  The PRFU has every confidence that the players selected will do their very best and will do their country, the PRFU, and themselves proud

 Notice - Philippine National Rugby 7's Team for South East Asian Games – 2007 (113.2 kB)

 Press Release - Philippine National Rugby 7's Team for SEAG Announced (363.34 kB) 

The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) will be conducting National Junior Rugby Trials for selection of players for the upcoming 2007 Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Junior Championships.

All rugby players:
    - who were born between 1 January 1989 and 31 December 1990 (Under 19s)
and
    - who were born in the Philippines; or
    - who have one parent or grandparent who was born in the Philippines; or
    - who have completed thirty six consecutive months of Residence
are invited to participate in the trials.

 Notice - National Junior Rugby Trials for 2007 ARFU Junior Championships (109.83 kB)

TRIAL DETAILS

More than 200 players participated in the Manila World Cup (MWC) held on a drizzling Saturday afternoon at the Nomad Sports Club, Paranaque.

The tournament, held last Oct. 20 served not only as a celebration of the 2007 Rugby World Cup being played in France but also as a prelude to the World Cup Finals game held the next day - 3am Philippine time.

The tournament showcased six teams who played Rugby Football for the men’s division. The teams were team Australia, Barbarians, France, Japan, Pacific, and team Philippines.  Team Barbarians was composed of players from all over the world such as US, Kenya and Europe; while Pacific was composed of players from New Zealand and Fiji.

Likewise, there were six teams who played Touch Football (Touch Rugby) for the women’s division. The teams were Australia, Commonwealth, France, Japan, Philippines Red, and Philippines Blue.

 Press Release - The Real Rugby World Cup (353.59 kB)

 Results - MWC 2007 - Mens Rugby Sevens (35.44 kB) 

 Results - MWC 2007 - Womens Touch Football (35.52 kB)

Three teams tied with four wins and one loss at the end of the Manila World Cup tournament held Oct. 20 at the Nomad Sports Club, Paranaque.

Team Pacific taking on the Aussie defense

 

Team Pacific, Manila World Cup’s (MWC) were declared champions, reigned supreme over six other teams with their superior For and Against score of 112.  It won against team Philippines 34-0, France 52-5, Japan 31-5, and Barbarians 12-5 points.  Pacific’s only loss came from a two-point deficit against Australia.

 Press Release - Team Pacific Manila World Cup Champions (352.92 kB) 

 Results - MWC 2007 - Mens Rugby Sevens (35.44 kB) 

France's Jackelyn Romquillo trying to slice through a swarming OZ defence

 

Narelle Hill leading an attacking raid

One was the deciding game between France and Australia in the Main Final.  Both teams were undefeated in the pool games, by virtue of a four wins one and one draw standing. The draw came from the game where they competed against each other. 

Scores in the finals game were locked 1-1 in regular time but Australia won in extra time with a 2-1 score.  Narelle Hill of Australia gave the team the winning score with her trademark dummy pass which allowed her to break the very close game between the two leading teams.  

 Press Release - Australia clinch tight Women’s final against France (352.08 kB)

 Results - MWC 2007 - Womens Touch Football (35.52 kB)

The Real Rugby World Cup, 20th October 2007

Nomad Sports Club, Merville Park

For a celebration of the real spirit of the Rugby World Cup in France, come along to a festival of rugby at Nomads Sports Club.

The Philippine Rugby Football Union will be conducting a Schoolboys Rugby Development Session.

The development session will be led by PRFU National Coach Matt Cullen (an accredited International Rugby Board (IRB) Level 2 Coach and Trainer) and PRFU Development Officer Murray Domb.

All schoolboy age Rugby players are invited to attend.

 Notice of Schoolboys Rugby Development Session (105.17 kB) 

 
Session Details

If you wish to participate in the session just come down to Nomads.
There is no charge for the session, it is absolutely free!!!

The team call of “Sons of Lapu Lapu” kick-started the Inaugural Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) National Trials in Australia on Saturday the 29th of September. 

Filipino-Heritage Rugby Union and Rugby League players coming from as far away as Bataan and Cebu City in the Philippines, Bundaberg and Brisbane in Queensland Australia, joined a host of players from Sydney Australia, to showcase their rugby talent.  This was the first step for some to being part of the Philippine National Team, for the South East Asian Games (SEAG) Rugby 7s in Thailand; Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) U20 World Cup qualifying tournament in Brunei; and 2008’s International Test matches.

Back L-R:   Peter Decarvalho, Mike Duhig, Juan Gabriel Castro, Jake Letts, Mike Letts, Francis Duhig, Charles Vicente, Oliver Saunders, Rupert Zappia, Rick Hartley, Murray Domb, Matt Saunders.

Front L-R:   Jasper Ching, Ben Saunders, Andrew Barbacetto, John Gardner & Noel Flowers.

With the inspiration of a Manny Pacquio presentation from SEAG Head Coach Rick Hartley and to the music of ‘Pinoy Ako’ ringing in their ears, the Inaugural PRFU Filipino-Australian Trial team stepped out from the Parramatta Two Blues Rugby Union Club dressing room, for Rugby 7s trial matches against the Parramatta Two Blues 1st Grade Professional Rugby 7s team.  The young squad of Filipino-heritage players were going out to do battle against a Parramatta Two Blues team fielding two Fijian National 7s players and an Australian School Boy Representative - a team that made the Finals of the prestigious Kiama Rugby 7s tournament from 2004 to 2006.

Press Release - Successful Inaugural Trials in Australia (362.14 kB)