Volcanoes ready to explode, target No. 2

MANILA, Philippines - After capping their maiden campaign in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Elite Division with a morale-boosting 24-8 triumph over United Arab Emirates at home, the Philippine Volcanoes have set loftier goals for themselves.

Now ranked fourth in Asia, the Volcanoes are targeting the top 2 of the next tournament, optimistic the initial experience in the top-flight group will make them better and wiser when they face champion Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong again, as well as newly promoted Division champ Sri Lanka, for the 2014 edition.

“Our immediate goal is to push into the top 2. That will be the realistic goal, instead of seeking to beat Japan in 12 months’ time. The Japanese are simply head and shoulders above everyone,” coach Jarred Hodges said during yesterday’s PSA Forum.

He added that with better preparations and hard work, this is achievable.

A top 2 placing will give the Volcanoes a shot at a slot in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The A5N Elite Division champion in 2014 will get automatic qualification to the World Cup while the second-placer will play in an inter-continental qualifying meet among runners-up for the final World Cup berth.

The Pinoy aces will enter the next top 5 tourney carrying the confidence they got from their last game against UAE, which finally saw a Volcanoes’ eruption to the delight of a record 5,700 fans at the Rizal Memorial football stadium last Saturday.

“It’s fantastic, the support was great. The guys absolutely loved it that every time they’d come back to the team, they want to play at Rizal. Next year, I believe we’ll have two more home games and we can’t wait to play again here,” said captain Michael Letts.

It’s not only the men’s 15s squad that’s looking to make an impression in the international scene. The Volcanoes’ seven-a-side squad will do battle in 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens on June 28-30 in Moscow and in 2014, it has set its sights on landing a podium finish in the Asian Games in Korea.

“Our first target is to win one match in the World Cup Sevens,” said Hodges, whose wards are bunched in Pool C with Samoa, Kenya and Zimbabwe. 

“It will be a difficult group. We have Samoa regularly in the top 4, Kenya won a tournament this year and there’s also Zimbabwe.”

The Volcanoes’ Sevens crew is ranked third in Asia behind Japan and Hong Kong, which according to Philippine Rugby Football Union general manager/head of commerical operations Matt Cullen, augurs well for a medal bid in the Asiad.

“Being in the top 3 in Asia, we’re already competing at the medal level so we’re confident our rugby sevens will be a medal contender in the Asian Games,” said Cullen.