THE U19 Philippine Volcanoes, the national rugby team, finished the year on a high after defeating the Hong Kong Junior Warriors, 49 points to 0, to win the annual 2015 First Pacific Cup.
More commonly known as the Junior Volcanoes, the national team overcame horrid typhoon conditions on Saturday to outplay and outskill the touring Hong Kong team, scoring six unanswered tries in the opening half.
Key players for the Philippines were team captains Robert Villaluz McCafferty and Rhys Jacob Mackley, along with outside back Dan O’Rielly. Hamish Roxas McWilliam also secured a hat trick of tries proving to be too strong for the opposition
“The U19s national team is a platform for our next batch of future Volcanoes, this program helps develop and identify the next generation of elite athletes. It provides a pathway so our men’s national team can continue to be successful on the world stage,” said Assistant Coach and current Philippine Volcano Jake Letts.
Letts also said the coaching staff identified up to two players that will most likely get to graduate to the men’s program as early as next year.
“Robbie McCafferty had a great series, he showed real maturity at this level and is no doubt pushing for selection in the National Men’s Squad,” said Letts.
The Philippine Development Team, however, was dealt a final blow in their second match after winning the opening game just three days earlier.
The Hong Kong Senior Warriors took out the Transcom Shield in a close encounter 13 points to 0 to hand the home team a one all record in the series.
The year has been a mixed one for the Volcanoes after securing both a bronze and gold medal at the South East Asian games earlier in June.
