Madagascar national rugby union team explained

Madagascar
Badge:FMR3.png
Badge Size:200px
Union:Fédération Malagasy de Rugby
Nickname:Les Makis
Captain:José Rakoto
Coach:Berthin Rafalimanana
Most Caps:Gabriel Rajaonarison
Top Scorer:José Rakoto
Pattern La1:_white
Pattern So1:_whitetop
Leftarm1:FF0000
Body1:FFFFFF
Rightarm1:FF0000
Shorts1:007733
Socks1:FF0000
World Rugby Rank:43
World Rugby Rank Date:20 March 2023
First Game: 9-17
(24 May 1970)
Largest Win: 97-3
(26 August 2006)
Largest Loss: 112-0
(15 June 2002)
World Cup Apps:0
World Rugby Min:51
World Rugby Min Date:23 November 2020
World Rugby Max:43
World Rugby Max Year:2023

The Madagascar national rugby union team represents Madagascar in the sport of rugby union. Although rugby is popular in Madagascar, the country has not yet qualified for a Rugby World Cup. It does compete annually in the Africa Cup, and was runner-up to Uganda in 2007. The national team's nickname is the Malagasy name for the ring-tailed lemur.

Madagascar defeated 57 - 54 in extra-time to win Group 1B final match at the 2012 Africa Cup; they have now jumped up 14 places to their current 42nd rank.[1]

History

Madagascar played their first ever international rugby match in 1970, where they met Italy, losing 9 points to 17. The second of the series of two games was also won by Italy, 6 points to 9. The team got their first international win during 1987 when they defeated Kenya 22 to 16.

During 2001 Madagascar competed for the first time in the Africa qualification tournaments for the 2003 Rugby World Cup to be held in Australia. They started off in Pool B of Round 1, where they contested matches against Botswana and Swaziland. They won both their games and finished at the top of the pool to advance to the next round. In Round 2 they defeated Kenya and Cameroon to secure the top finish and advance to Round 3, which took place in 2002. Madagascar made their exit in Round 3, losing to Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Madagascar attempted to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. They started off in Pool 2 of Round 1b of the qualifying tournament, where they were grouped with Kenya and Uganda. After drawing with Kenya, they lost to Uganda and finished third in the standings. They were semi-finalists at the 2006 Africa Cup, and losing finalists in 2005 and 2007.

Madagascar also failed to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It is currently involved in the 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifyings. Madagascar was the surprise winner of the 2012 Africa Cup, defeating Namibia 57–54 in an historical final. In 2013 the Makis avoided relegation from the top flight of African rugby and remain in Division 1A of the Africa Cup for 2014, which will serve as the African qualification for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Madagascar wins serendib cup 2013 in Sri Lanka, beating Sri Lanka on a score of 17-12 and dominating Poland on 25–21 score, José Rakoto won the player of the tournament.

Squad

Madagascar squad for the 2014 Africa Cup.[2]

Backs
PlayerPositionClub
Jacky BayardScrum-half 3FB
Bienvenue Mananja RasoaScrum-half IRC
José Rakoto (c)Fly-half 3FB
Rakotoarivelo BenjaniainaFly-half TFMA
Rija RakotoarimananaCentre 3FB
Sidonie RakotoarisoaCentre 3FB
Randriananbinina HajanirinaCentre 3FB
Rakotonirina AlainWing 3FB
Harinirina JacquotWing TAM
Ralaimidona HeryWing 3FB
Razafindranaivo BernardFull-back COSFA
Rasoanaivo HerizoFull-back 3FB
Forwards
PlayerPositionClub
Rakotomialoha DonaldHooker COSFA
Andrianjaka ChristianHooker United States
Rakotoarivelo HasinaProp 3FB
Randriamanantena RodolpheProp COSFA
Razafindratsimba AnthonyProp 3FB
Rabemananjara Jean WillyProp UASC
Tolotra RamaromiantsoLock 3FB
Claudio RavelonomenjanaharyLock 3FB
Rakotonirina Jean de DieuFlanker UASC
Rabearilala Toussaint BonifaceFlanker IRC
Rakotoson MampiononaFlanker United States
Ravelomanantsoa TianaFlanker TFMA
Rakotoarisoa HerizoNumber eight 3FB

Overall Record

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Madagascar national XV at test level up until 12 July 2021

TeamMatWonLostDraw%ForAgaDiff
4 4 0 0 % 187 68 +119
1 1 0 0 % 30 24 +6
2 0 2 0 0% 15 26 -11
3 3 0 0 % 86 54 +32
4 2 1 1 % 73 94 -21
4 1 3 0 % 110 190 -80
5 1 4 0 % 94 362 -268
1 1 0 0 % 63 3 +60
12 11 1 0 % 78 265 -187
3 2 1 0 % 60 79 -19
1 1 0 0 % 26 21 +5
6 1 5 0 % 125 204 -79
3 2 1 0 % 101 69 +32
7 2 5 0 % 115 273 -158
Total54 32 23 0 % 1163 1698 -535
[3]

World Cup Record

World Cup recordWorld Cup Qualification record
YearRound
1987Not invited-
1991did not enterdid not enter
1995
1999
2003did not qualify6402117240
200720113842
201121016747
20157304190332
2019310281102
Total0/9------209110493763

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Madagascar climb rankings after shock win . IRB . International Rugby Board . 9 July 2012 . 11 July 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120712120930/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/news/newsid=2063227.html#madagascar+climb+rankings+after+shock . 12 July 2012 .
  2. Web site: Madagascar team . Madagascar Rugby Union . 26 June 2014 . 26 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041412/http://www.nru.com.na/?p=273 . 4 March 2016 . dead .
  3. Web site: Teams played by Madagascar . www.rugbydata.com . en-US . 2020-01-20.