Yugoslavia national rugby union team

The Yugoslavia national rugby union team used to represent Yugoslavia at Rugby union until the 1990s.

History

SFR Yugoslavia made their debut as early as 1968 against a Romanian XV, losing 3 points to 11 in World Youth Sports Games in Stara Zagora (Bulgaria). They made their full Test debut on 29.December 1968, in FIRA competition against Italy. Till the 1991 SFR Yugoslavia national rugby team played in total 66 Test games and regularly participated in FIRA Nations Cup and FIRA Trophy. The last game SFR Yugoslavia played in April 1991 against Czechoslovakia and won the first time against this opponent.

The best result SFR Yugoslavia gained in season 1979–1980. After wins against The Netherlands and Sweden, drawn against West Germany and defeat versus Spain SFR Yugoslavia finished second in B group, eight in total ranking in FIRA competition.

National managers were Branimir Alaupovic from Zagreb (twice), Mihovil Radja from Split, Dusan Novakov from Pancevo, Marko Protega from Split and Suad Kapetanovic from Zenica.

Yugoslavia affiliated to the IRB in 1988 and played in the 1988 World Cup qualification.

Due to the links between many Yugoslav and New Zealand families, the side also toured there.

Notable players

The longest serving and the most capped players were Nikola Stancevic and Dragan Kesic from Dinamo Pancevo, Ante Zekan, Branko Radic, Damir Buzov and Vinko Labrovic from Nada Split, Tihomir Vranesevic and Dubravko Gerovac from Zagreb, Damir Uzunovic, Sreto Cadjo, Nasir Vehabovic and Jasmin Deljkic from Celik Zenica, Drago Lulic from Energoinvest Makarska, Zlatko Zver from Koloys LJubljana, Dragan Grujic from Partizan Belgrade.

In the second half of the 1980s, many SFR Yugoslavia representatives came to France to play rugby as semi-pro players in lower-level clubs. Drago Lulic from RK Energoinvest Makarska was the first, joining Montchanin in 1986. In 1987, Midi-Olympique rugby magazine voted Lulic as The Player of the Month for November. Lulic was also voted twice as Player of the week. In the 1987–1988 season, Damir Uzunovic, Ibrahim Hasagic and Pero Barisic joined Lulic at Montchanin Rugby Sportif. Lulic later played for Union Sportive Bourg-en-Bresse and Rhone-Alpes and finished his career in 1996 with Lons les Saunier.

Damir Dimitrijevic, Nikola Scepanovic, Renato Jukic and Muharem Gafurovic played for RC Dijon. Jasmin Deljkic played for Chalon Rugby. Pavle Grubisic, Vinko Labrovic and Dusan Jerotijevic for Plaisir Rugby. Boro Karaman played for Union Sportive Bourg-en-Bresse.

The highest individual achievement was by Dzoni Mandic, a 1.95 m and 110 kg, lock/backrow player. After a couple seasons in Club Olympique Creusot Bourgogne he joined Grenoble and in 1993 he played in the finale of the French Rugby Championship. He later played for Nice Rugby Club also.

Successor teams The rugby teams of Yugoslavia's successor states have had varying success, but none have yet qualified for the World Cup.

Test games Date Venue Opposition Result Tournament31.07.1968. Stara Zagora XV 3–11 World Youth Games02.08.1968. Stara Zagora 6–29 World Youth Games29.12.1968. San Dona di Piave 3–22 1968–1969 FIRA Nations Cup01.05.1969. PANCEVO 22–6 1968–1969 FIRA Nations Cup21.12.1969. Madrid 3–14 1969–1970 FIRA Nations Cup05.04.1970. S.PALANKA 12–9 1969–1970 FIRA Nations Cup18.10.1970. SISAK 19–15 Friendly24.10.1970. Havirov 3–19 1970–1971 FIRA Nations Cup29.11.1970. ZAGREB 0–9 1970–1971 FIRA Nations Cup05.12.1971. Madrid 4–26 1971–1972 FIRA Nations Cup30.04.1972. SPLIT 7–21 1971–1972 FIRA Nations Cup15.11.1972. Brussels 0–3 Friendly19.11.1972. Hague 3–9 Friendly26.11.1972. Aosta 12–13 1972–1973 FIRA Nations Cup08.04.1973. MAKARSKA 3–3 1972–1973 FIRA Nations Cup21.10.1973. Prague 3–32 1973–1974 FIRA Trophy – Group B11.11.1973. ZAGREB 7–25 1973–1974 FIRA Trophy – Group B01.05.1974. MAKARSKA 8–20 1973–1974 FIRA Trophy – Group B26.10.1975. Gottwaldov 3–28 1975–1976 FIRA Trophy – Group B25.04.1976. SPLIT 31–4 1975–1976 FIRA Trophy – Group B08.12.1976. Brussels 6–8 1976–1977 FIRA Trophy – Group B11.12.1976. Lausanne 18–6 1976–1977 FIRA Trophy – Group B14.05.1978. SARAJEVO 3–18 1977–1978 FIRA Trophy18.05.1978. TRAVNIK 6–16 1977–1978 FIRA Trophy15.10.1978. Enkoping 7–3 1978–1979 FIRA Trophy – Group B02.12.1978. SPLIT 11–30 1978–1979 FIRA Trophy – Group B16.09.1979. SPLIT 23–0 Mediterranean Games20.09.1979. SPLIT 6–86 Mediterranean Games22.09.1979. SPLIT 7–22 Mediterranean Games17.11.1979. SPLIT XV 6–32 25th Anniversary of Yugoslavia RU16.12.1979. LJUBLJANA 10–6 1979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B22.12.1979. Madrid 3–25 1979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B03.05.1980. Hannover 6–6 1979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B17.05.1980. SPLIT 14–4 1979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B30.11.1980. KARDELJEVO 0–16 1980–1981 FIRA Trophy – Group B14.12.1980. Hilversum 0–17 1980–1981 FIRA Trophy – Group B25.04.1981. SPLIT 0–13 1980–1981 FIRA Trophy – Group B27.11.1981. Lausanne 10–0 1981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division29.11.1981. Liege 0–9 1981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division08.05.1982. LJUBLJANA 9–17 1981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division15.05.1982. ZENICA 46–4 1981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division18.09.1982. SPLIT 4–0 Friendly 14.11.1982. Prague 9–17 1982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division27.11.1982. SPLIT 36–19 1982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division30.04.1983. LJUBLJANA 23–3 1982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division14.05.1983. Tunis 6–41 1982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division05.11.1983. SPLIT 16–20 1983–1984 FIRA Trophy Pool B13.11.1983. Hannover 0–38 1983–1984 FIRA Trophy Pool B05.05.1984. SPLIT 12–22 1983–1984 FIRA Trophy Pool B07.12.1985. ZENICA 13–6 FIRA Grp C25.05.1986. Pernik 4–10 FIRA Grp C16.11.1986. Geneve 4–3 FIRA Grp C10.05.1987. VRANJE 32–15 FIRA Grp C29.11.1987. SPLIT 6–15 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B214.04.1988. Liege 11–18 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B216.04.1988. Hilversum 10–31 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B208.05.1988. SPLIT 9–22 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B213.11.1988. SPLIT 4- 31 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B220.11.1988. Hannover 6–29 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B227.11.1988. SPLIT 6–0 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B222.04.1989. Lousa 9–13 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B209.09.1989. Vyskov 6–23 WCQ Europe13.05.1990. Luxembourg 28–6 1989–1990 FIRA Trophy Third division26.05.1990. SPLIT 3–9 1989–1990 FIRA Trophy Third division11.11.1990. Kostinbrod 0–3 1990–1992 FIRA Trophy21.04.1991. BEOGRAD 22–6 1990–1992 FIRA Trophy

In total 66 test games (20 won, 2 drawn, 44 lost)

Overall Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Yugoslavia national XV at test level up until 11 May 2002, updated after match with .

Nation Games Won Lost Drawn Percentage of wins 4 2 2 0 % 1 1 0 0 % 7 1 6 0 % 1 0 1 0 0% 7 5 2 0 % 8 1 7 0 % 1 1 0 0 % 1 0 1 0 0% 1 1 0 0 % 3 3 0 0 % 3 0 3 0 0% 1 1 0 0 % 1 1 0 0 % 2 1 1 0 % 2 0 2 0 0% 6 2 4 0 % 2 2 0 0 % 3 0 2 1 0% 2 0 2 0 0% 1 1 0 0 % 2 0 2 0 0% 4 0 4 0 0% 3 2 1 0 % 9 8 1 0 % 5 2 3 0 % 1 0 1 0 0% 6 0 5 1 0%Total 87 35 50 2 %

SFR Yugoslavia XV (unofficial games) Date Venue Opposition Result Tournament30.11.1968. SPLIT XV 10–12 Friendly31.12.1968. Rovigo Northern Italy 9–19 22.11.1972. Koeln Nord Rhein (GER) 46–3 24.10.1974. ZAGREB Waitemata Rugby Club (NZL) 3–3325.11.1977. Timișoara RC Universitatea Timișoara (ROM) 0–427.11.1977. Timișoara Timișoara Selection (ROM) 19–029.11.1977. Timișoara RC Elektrotemis (ROM) 22–0626.02.1978. ZAGREB NZL Yugoslav Rugby Club (NZL) 0–1008.09.1978. KASTEL STARI University of Victoria (CAN) 9–1610.09.1978. MAKARSKA RC Universitatea Timișoara (ROM) 7–2312.09.1978. SINJ RC Universitatea Timișoara (ROM) 19–0330.09.1978. BEOGRAD RC Partizan 48–303.10.1980. PANCEVO RC Valencia (ESP) 15–20 Kup oslobodjenja Panceva05.10.1980. PANCEVO Yugoslavia U23 58–6 Kup oslobodjenja Panceva18.10.1980. BEOGRAD Hrvatska 10–24 Kup oslobodjenja Beograda19.10.1980. BEOGRAD Ljubljana 30–10 Kup oslobodjenja Beograda09.04.1982. SIBENIK London Scottish RFC U23 (ENG) 21–1215.10.1983. BEOGRAD Beograd 40–415.05.1984. SPLIT Middlesex County Clubs (ENG) 0–3621.10.1984. BEOGRAD Beograd 48–4 Kup oslobođenja Beograda22.10.1984. BEOGRAD RC Stiinta Baia Mare (ROM) 8–12 Kup oslobođenja Beograda20.10.1985. BEOGRAD Beograd 40–0 Kup oslobođenja Beograda21.10.1985. BEOGRAD RC Stiinta Baia Mare (ROM) 10–26 Kup oslobođenja Beograda05.12.1985. Pordenone Northern Italy 6–1016.10.1986. SPLIT NZ YUG Sports Club (NZL) 3–4313.03.1988. SPLIT Dalmacija XV 23–1420.03.1988. PALIC Srbija XV 60–302.04.1988. SINJ RK Sinj 46–0 Cetinska krajina03.04.1988. SINJ Becket Haus RFC (ENG) 13–0 Cetinska krajina03.05.1988. MAKARSKA RK Energoinvest 47–404.05.1988. MAKARSKA Selection Bourgogne (FRA) 13–1320.05.1988. SPLIT Surrey County Clubs (ENG) 6–3210.09.1988. SPLIT RK Nada II 80–0 Turnir povodom Dana mornarice11.09.1988. SPLIT RK Nada 16–8 Turnir povodom Dana mornarice01.10.1988. PANCEVO RK Nada 10–6 Kup oslobođenja Pančeva02.10.1988. PANCEVO RK Partizan 8–4 Kup oslobođenja Pančeva13.10.1988. Crawley North Sussex XV (ENG) 9–39 England Tour16.10.1988. Southand Southand RFC (ENG) 9–13 England Tour18.10.1988. London London Welsh RFC (ENG) 6–46 England Tour20.10.1988. Esher Surrey County Clubs (ENG) 12–23 England Tour26.03.1989. SPLIT Calder Vale RFC (ENG) 36–317.04.1989. Creusotin Club Olimpique Creusotin (FRA) 9–10 France/Spain Tour24.04.1989. San Sebastian Gipuzkoa XV (ESP) 36–3 France/Spain Tour18.05.1989. SPLIT Old Emanuel RFC (ENG) 26–403.06.1989. ZAGREB RK Mladost 82–906.09.1989. LJUBLJANA RK Bežigrad 69–906.05.1990. Pontarlier France Universitaire 19–42 France Tour08.05.1990. Digoin Sel.Bourgogne (FRA) 7–24 France Tour10.05.1990. Plaisir Plaisir Rugby Club (FRA) 21–18 France Tour14.10.1990. SPLIT NZ YUG Sports Club (NZL) 0–30

Managers (Test games only) Name Period Games Wins Draws Lost Win RatioBranko STIMAC 1968 3 0 0 3 0%Branimir ALAUPOVIC 1969–1974 15 3 1 11 19,8 %Mihovil RADJA 1975–1979 14 5 0 9 35,5 %Dusan NOVAKOV 1980–1981 7 2 1 4 28,6 %Suad KAPETANOVIC 1982 2 1 0 1 50,0 %Branimir ALAUPOVIC 1982–1987 12 5 0 7 42,5 %Marko PROTEGA 1987–1991 13 3 0 10 23,1 %

Most capped players (Test games only) Name Club Serving Test Games Points Nikola STANCEVICRK Dinamo Pancevo1973–19904434Dragan KESICRK Dinamo Pancevo1968–198030Branko RADICRK Dinamo Pancevo1968–19802913Tihomir VRANESEVICRK Sisak/RK Zagreb1979–19902916Vinko LABROVICRK Nada Split1980–19902733Nasir VEHABOVICRK Celik Zenica1982–19912248Damir UZUNOVICRK Celik Zenica1980–19912212Ante ZEKANRK Nada Split1970–1981208Damir BUZOVRK Nada Split1979–198820 Dusan PANICRK Zagreb1979–19851912Jasmin DELJKICRK Celik Zenica1982–1991184Ante STAGLICICRK Nada Split1968–1974175Dubravko GEROVACRK Zagreb1975–19821628Zlatko ZVERRK Koloys LJubljana1975–198116 Sreto CADJORK Celik Zenica1976–1982164Ranko ARMANDARK Nada Split1968–197615 Marko PROTEGARK Nada Split1968–197315 Goran TRKULJARK Zagreb1978–198413 Nikola TEPICRK Dinamo Pancevo1983–19811313Ilija BJELANOVICRK Nada Split1968–1979133Drago LULICRK Energoinvest Makarska1978–1989138Tonci IVANISEVICRK Nada Split1969–1975128Dragan GRUJICRK Partizan Beograd1988–1991128

ENC The following successor teams are in the European Nations Cup:

Bosnia and Herzegovina national rugby union team Croatia national rugby union team Serbia national rugby union team Slovenia national rugby union team Montenegro national rugby union team

References

External links European Nations Cup (rugby union)

Bibliography Proslo je 30 godina, anniversary book, 1985, published by SFR Yugoslavia Rugby Union 20 godina Ragbi kluba Zagreb, 1984, published by RK Zagreb 10 godina ragbija na Makarskoj rivijeri 1968–1978, published by RK Energoinvest Makarska 50 godina Ragbi kluba Nada 1959–2009, published by RK Nada Split