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A Room With A View
BA (G) Rugby - Italian Tour Diary 27 Aug - 4 Sep 09

BA (G) Italy Tour Day 7

After the defeat to Venice BA (G) regrouped and conducted three days of intense training at Petrarca Rugby Club. Our next opponents were Roma Rugby who will be given a place in the Magners league (Celtic League) from 2011. The video analysis showed the areas that needed to be rectified and after three days of intense training session's the players were happy that they could compete against Roma come Wednesday afternoon.

BA (G) XV v Roma

BA(G) Rugby XV v Roma
BA (G) Squad prior to the game against Roma

The game kicked off at 1600hrs at Petrarca Rugby Club. The early afternoon heat was a factor, however the team were prepared and waiting for the Romans to appear from the changing rooms. As expected they were a big side and looked the professional outfit. The game started at a furious pace and within 15 minutes the score was 7 all. BA (G) was showing the spectators that they could compete at this level and do it well. Team defence was tightened and controlled by team captain Lt Ben McNeil. Some crunching tackles by Tpr Bill Dakunimata and Tpr Roko Rokoduguni ensured that at half time the score was only 21 - 14 to Roma. The second half started just as the first half finished BA (G) pressed hard in defence and could have pulled back two tries through interceptions, however both were called as off side by the referee. There was only one try in it until the last quarter. Some strange referee decisions allowed Roma to score two more tries with only a penalty reply from BA (G). The game ended 33 - 17 in favour of Roma. The team and the players were disappointed in the loss however the performance was one of marked improvement.

 1. LCpl Baker – 9 Regt RLC
2. Rfn Chambers – 5 Rifles
3. LCpl Turaganivalu – QRH
4. LCpl Butterworth – ARRC Sp BN LAD
5. Pte Rabosea – 8 Regt RLC
6. Gnr Matakibau – 26 RA
7. Rfn Lakoisolomone – 5 Rifles
8. LCpl Korovata – 1LSR
9. Rfn Iranatora – 5 Rifles
10. Capt Gough – AMS
11. Cpl Komaiyasa – 1 Med Regt
12. Tpr Rokoduguni – SCOTS DG
13. Tpr Dakunimata – SCOTS DG
14. LCpl Vimataki – 4SCOTS
15. Lt McNeil – SCOTS DG
16. LBdr Datku – 3 RHA
17. Hldr Laveta – 4SCOTS
18. LCpl Rooney – SCOTS DG LAD
19. LCpl Waqa – 4SCOTS
20. LCpl Hagen – 6 Regt RLC
21. Cpl Bulanauca – 2LSR
22. Cfn Lee – 2 CS Bn REME
BA (G) Rugby XV Players - Italy 2009
Players enjoying the atmosphere in the main stadium "Petrarca v Viadana"
Petrarca v Viadana
Petrarca v Viadana
Petrarca v Viadana
Petrarca v Viadana
Petrarca v Viadana
Petrarca v Viadana

Day 5 & 6 - The early morning lineout session

BA (G) worked hard on their lineout technique. Individual skills such as Pod work was one area that needed to be addressed after the Venice game. The forwards also worked on options from the lineout.
BA (G) Lineout
Ba (G) lineout

Sat - 29 Aug 09

Saturday morning's training was designed to prepare the team for our first fixture against Venice Rugby Club (Italian super 10's side). A light ball handling session was run by Sgt George Kenrick and the final team run was conducted by WO1 (ASM) Phil Davies which the guys reacted well too. Final touches were completed and the team returned to the hotel for a rest before the journey to Venice.

BA (G) Team - Italian Rugby Tour 2009

"Saturday is game day" Our morning session went very well and players responded to the coaching team in order that they secure their starting position. After lunch the starting XV was named and to a few it was disappointment however the strongest team was selected to Represent BA (G) against Venice.

BA (G) XV v Venice RFC

The game kicked off at 2000hrs in Venice the pre-match warm up was just right and the atmosphere in the ground was very good. BA (G) was expecting a big, well drilled side and we were not disappointed. Venice being an Italian Super 10s team proved too strong throughout the game. Key areas such as the scrum, lineout and team defence were executed effectively; however the BA (G) team never took a backwards step and some crunching tackles by Tpr Bill Dakunimata and excellent ball skills by Lt Ben McNeil shown our friendly hosts that we could mix it with the big league. Throughout the 80mins our defence was tested time and time again and a number of unlucky bounces and mistakes by the players lead to scoring opportunities for the opposition. BA (G) lost the first fixture however they were highly complimented on by the head coach of Venice, which was pleasing to hear. A BBQ proceeded the match where the after match formalities took place. The next morning the squad conducted video analysis followed by rectification training.
BA (G) Rugby


1. LCpl Waqa - 4 SCOTS
2. LCpl Baker - 9 Regt RLC
3. LBdr Datku - 3 RHA
4. LCpl Butterworth - ARRC Sp BN LAD
5. Rfn Lakoisolomone - 5 Rifles
6. LCpl Rooney - SCOTS DG LAD
7. Hldr Laveta - 4 SCOTS
8. LCpl Korovata - 1 LSR
9. Rfn Iranatora - 5 Rifles
10. Lt McNeil - SCOTS DG
11. Tpr Rokoduguni - SCOTS DG
12. LCpl Thomas - 1 AAC LAD
13. Tpr Dakunimata - SCOTS DG
14. LCpl Vimataki - 4 SCOTS
15. Capt Gough - AMS
16. Rfn Chambers - 5 Rifles
17. LCpl Turaganivalu - QRH
18. Pte Rabosea - 8 Regt RLC
19. Gnr Matakibau - 26 RA
20. LCpl Hagen - 6 Regt RLC
21.Cpl Komaiyasa - 1 Med Regt
22. Cfn Lee - 2 CS Bn REME
23. Cpl Bulanauca - 2 LSR
27-28 Aug 09

Italian flagAfter an exhausting trip through Germany, Austria and Italy the team arrived in Padova late on Thursday evening. The tour party awoke Friday morning to 30 degrees plus and a clear blue sky, the tour party smiled and were happy to be there, however for training it was less than ideal, as they were to find out. The morning training went well and it was the ideal session to ensure the team got use to the humidity and heat. After the session the smiles that were there at 07.30 were now gone. The evening session started earlier than expected so that we could watch Petrarca (our hosts) play Rovigo in a pre-season friendly. After the game the team returned to the hotel for an early night.

See more about Petrarca Rugby Club

BA (G) Rugby Tour Itlay 2009
Squad's first contact session

Practice Makes Perfect - BA (G) rugby Itlay Tour 2009
Practice Makes Perfect
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