Colombia national rugby union team

Colombia
Union Colombian Rugby Federation
Coach(es) Raul Vesga
Team kit
Change kit
First international
 Mexico 10 - 10 Colombia 
(1996-01-08)
Largest win
 Ecuador 0 - 112 Colombia 
(2014-08-31)
Largest defeat
 Brazil 74 - 0 Colombia 
(2004-10-13)

The Colombia national rugby union team represents Colombia in the sport of rugby union. The team is classified as a tier three nation by the International Rugby Board (IRB). They have thus far not qualified for a Rugby World Cup, but have participated in qualifying tournaments. Colombia made their debut against Ireland in 1996.

History

Colombia attempted to qualify for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, participating in the Americas qualifying tournaments during November 2001. They contested matches in the Round 1 (South) group, against nations including Brazil, Venezuela and Peru in Round 1.

Colombia was involved in qualifying for the World Cup (France 2007) in 2004 when they contested Round 1b (CONSUR 2nd division). They finished fourth in the final standings which knocked them out of contention, though their fixtures against Peru and Venezuela were close, losing 15-10 and 27-31 respectively.

Rugby has little support by the government or media, as football (soccer) has a stronger tradition in the country. The Colombian rugby team is called Los Tucanes.

The team has competed in the B Division of the South American Rugby Championship since its second edition in 2001. It won the competition in 2009, and again, three times in a row in 2014, 2015 and 2016. However, there is no direct promotion to the A Division; to win promotion it must beat the lowest-place team in the A Division in a playoff.[1]

In an attempt to qualify for the 2019 edition of the Rugby World Cup, Colombia showed some progress. Colombia easily beat Ecuador 75-5 then went on to defeat Peru 41-14 and Venezuela 35-10 progressing the team to the next round. This involved Colombia playing Mexico in a Pan-American qualifier, which Colombia won 29-11. Colombia's final qualifying match was played against Paraguay who had come in last place in 2015 South American championship Division A. This was the end of the road for Colombia as they gallantly lost this match 39-27.

World Cup record

Current squad

The following squad was selected to play the 2015 South American Rugby Championship repechage against Brazil.[2]

Head Coach: Raul Vesga

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Colombia, tri-campeón del Mayor B". Sudamerica Rugby. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  2. ↑ 2015 South American Championship
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