aren pilipinas: let's meet Philippines national rugby union team

The Philippine national rugby team, nickname the "Volcanoes" represents the Philippines in International rugby union. The Philippines have yet to make debut at the Rugby World Cup, but have been playing in the Asian 5 nations tournaments since its inception in 2008. Currently they are the reigning Division champions and are promoted to the top 5 for the 2013 tournament.

In March 19, 2012 IRB World Rankings, Philippines, along with Mexico and Pakistan, were listed for he first time, entering with the base rating of 40 points (which positioned the three national teams in 71st place). In April 16, 2012 IRB World Rankings, the Philippines ranked 62, their highest rank ever since the team was created. With their unbeaten record in the latest 5 Nations Division 1 tournament, and promotion to the Asian 5 Nations main tournament, the rank of the team rose 5th as they are about to be joining the best of all the Asian teams in 2013.

The Philippines played its first international match in 2006. Rugby union in the Philippines was introduced mainly through the large number of British, Australian and New Zealand expatriates living in the country. In 1998 the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), the national governing body for rugby union in the Philippines, was formed and in 2008 the PRFU gained full membership to the international governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB).

In December 2005, the Philippine national sevens rugby team captured the gold medal in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games rugby sevens tournament (AS demonstration sport). beating Indonesia, 32-5 in Manila.

On May 20, 2006, the Philippines won its international test match debut 18-14 against Guam with the majority of the squad ccomposed of long term expatriate residents and a small number of Filipino players. In December 2006, the Philippines Under-19 went undefeaed in the Asian Rugby Union (ARFU) Under-19 Second Division Tournament.

In December 2007, an all-Filipino rugby team was selected for the 24th South East Asian games in Thailand where they reached the Medal rounds after 2 days of hard fought pool matches. They defeated Malaysia in the semi-finals in golden point extra time, Thailand finally took control of the game late in the second half to win 29-14. The Silver Medal performance at the South East Asian Games had opened doors for the expansion and development of the game in the Philippines.

In 2008, the Philippines dominated the fourth-tier of the ARFU Asian 5 Nations Series and captured the inaugural Division 4 title. During the tournament, the Philippines demolished Brunei 101-0 and then defeated the home side Guam 20-8 to capture the division title.

In 2009 the Philippine won the inaugural Asian 5 Nations \Division 111 rugby tournament at the Nomads field in Paranaque City. Defeating Iran 15-0 and Guam 25-0 in their two matches, the Philippines were then promoted to the Asian Five Nations Division 11 rugby tournament.

In 2010 the Philippines competed in the Asian 5 Nations Division 11 tournament and won beating India in the final on a score of 44-12. Also in 2012 they played in ARFU Rugby 7s tournaments in Shainghai, Borneo and Asian Games in Guangzhou.

In 2012 the Philippines competed in the Asian 5 Nations Division 1 tournament and went unbeaten in the round-robin series against Singapore, Chinese taipei and Sri Lanka, therefore qualifying for the main division for the first time.

Meet the members of the Philippine Rugby Team (Volcanoes)

1. Andrew Wolf first appeared in Public as a local showbiz personality. Unknown to many, the former celebrity has been playing rugby since he was 10 years old.

2. Jon Morales had a cut on his upper lip during their training , but he doesn't stop him from training for the team, this is what he loves to do.

3. Harry Morris - was younger, he used to play different sports like athletics, gymnastics, and swimming.

4. Chris Everingham was one of the volacanoes members who posed for Bench's "men in briefs"billboard.

5. Justin Coveney- His a half Filipino (center)

6. Christopher Hitch - was born in Philippines but raised in Australia.

7. Jake Letts team captain of the team ( wing)

8. Kenny Stern - was really planning to play football when he was younger. But his coach asked him to play rugby for a while to keep in shape. Then he realized that he liked rugby better than football.

9. John Odulio -is the only member who learned about rugby here.

10. Mark Chatting - encourages Pinoys to try rugby. A lot of things that you need in 7's (rugby) like, agility, speed, and hand-eye coordiantion as well that they can get from basketball.