Yugoslavia national rugby union team

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

SFR Yugoslavia
UnionRagbi Savez Jugoslavije
Nickname(s)Plavi
Most capsNikola Stancevic (44)
Top scorerNasir Vehabovic (48)
Team kit
First international
 Romania 11–3 Yugoslavia 
(31 July 1968)
Largest win
 Yugoslavia 46–4 Denmark 
(15 May 1982)
Largest defeat
 Yugoslavia 6–86 France 
(20 September 1979)
World Cup
Appearancesnone

History
Further information: Rugby union in Yugoslavia

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
Main article: List of SFR Yugoslavia national rugby union 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 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, as first, joined in 1986 Montchanin. In 1987, Midi-Olympique rugby magazine voted Lulic as The Player of the Month November. Lulic also was voted twice as Player of the week. In season 1987–1988, Damir Uzunovic, Ibrahim Hasagic and Pero Barisic joined Lulic in Montchanin Rugby Sportif. Lulic later played for Union Sportive Bourg-en-Bresse and Rhone-Alpes selection and finished career 1996 in Lons les Saunier.

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

The highest individual achievement made DZoni Mandic, 1.95 m and 110 kg, lock cum backrow player. After a couple seasons in Club Olympique Creusot Bourgogne he joined Grenoble and in 1993 played in finale of French Rugby Championship. He played for Nice Rugby Club, too.


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 Tournament
31.07.1968.Stara Zagora RomaniaXV3–11World Youth Games
02.08.1968.Stara Zagora Bulgaria6–29World Youth Games
29.12.1968.San Dona di Piave Italy3–221968–1969 FIRA Nations Cup
01.05.1969.PANCEVO Bulgaria22–61968–1969 FIRA Nations Cup
21.12.1969.Madrid Spain3–141969–1970 FIRA Nations Cup
05.04.1970.S.PALANKA Poland12–91969–1970 FIRA Nations Cup
18.10.1970.SISAK Poland19–15Friendly
24.10.1970.Havirov Czechoslovakia3–191970–1971 FIRA Nations Cup
29.11.1970.ZAGREB Czechoslovakia0–91970–1971 FIRA Nations Cup
05.12.1971.Madrid Spain4–261971–1972 FIRA Nations Cup
30.04.1972.SPLIT Spain7–211971–1972 FIRA Nations Cup
15.11.1972.Brussels Belgium0–3Friendly
19.11.1972.Hague Netherlands3–9Friendly
26.11.1972.Aosta Italy12–131972–1973 FIRA Nations Cup
08.04.1973.MAKARSKA Portugal3–31972–1973 FIRA Nations Cup
21.10.1973.Prague Czechoslovakia3–321973–1974 FIRA Trophy – Group B
11.11.1973.ZAGREB Italy7–251973–1974 FIRA Trophy – Group B
01.05.1974.MAKARSKA West Germany8–201973–1974 FIRA Trophy – Group B
26.10.1975.Gottwaldov Czechoslovakia3–281975–1976 FIRA Trophy – Group B
25.04.1976.SPLIT  Switzerland31–41975–1976 FIRA Trophy – Group B
08.12.1976.Brussels Belgium6–81976–1977 FIRA Trophy – Group B
11.12.1976.Lausanne  Switzerland18–61976–1977 FIRA Trophy – Group B
14.05.1978.SARAJEVO Soviet Union3–181977–1978 FIRA Trophy
18.05.1978.TRAVNIK Soviet Union6–161977–1978 FIRA Trophy
15.10.1978.Enkoping Sweden7–31978–1979 FIRA Trophy – Group B
02.12.1978.SPLIT Netherlands11–301978–1979 FIRA Trophy – Group B
16.09.1979.SPLIT Tunisia23–0Mediterranean Games
20.09.1979.SPLIT France6–86Mediterranean Games
22.09.1979.SPLIT Morocco7–22Mediterranean Games
17.11.1979.SPLIT RomaniaXV6–3225th Anniversary of Yugoslavia RU
16.12.1979.LJUBLJANA Netherlands10–61979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B
22.12.1979.Madrid Spain3–251979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B
03.05.1980.Hannover West Germany6–61979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B
17.05.1980.SPLIT Sweden14–41979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B
30.11.1980.KARDELJEVO West Germany0–161980–1981 FIRA Trophy – Group B
14.12.1980.Hilversum Netherlands0–171980–1981 FIRA Trophy – Group B
25.04.1981.SPLIT Morocco0–131980–1981 FIRA Trophy – Group B
27.11.1981.Lausanne  Switzerland10–01981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division
29.11.1981.Liege Belgium0–91981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division
08.05.1982.LJUBLJANA Sweden9–171981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division
15.05.1982.ZENICA Denmark46–41981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division
18.09.1982.SPLIT Tunisia4–0Friendly
14.11.1982.Prague Czechoslovakia9–171982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division
27.11.1982.SPLIT  Switzerland36–191982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division
30.04.1983.LJUBLJANA Belgium23–31982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division
14.05.1983.Tunis Tunisia6–411982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division
05.11.1983.SPLIT Czechoslovakia16–201983–1984 FIRA Trophy Pool B
13.11.1983.Hannover West Germany0–381983–1984 FIRA Trophy Pool B
05.05.1984.SPLIT Tunisia12–221983–1984 FIRA Trophy Pool B
07.12.1985.ZENICA  Switzerland13–6FIRA Grp C
25.05.1986.Pernik Bulgaria4–10FIRA Grp C
16.11.1986.Geneve  Switzerland4–3FIRA Grp C
10.05.1987.VRANJE Bulgaria32–15FIRA Grp C
29.11.1987.SPLIT West Germany6–151987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2
14.04.1988.Liege Belgium11–181987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2
16.04.1988.Hilversum Netherlands10–311987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2
08.05.1988.SPLIT Portugal9–221987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2
13.11.1988.SPLIT Belgium4- 311987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2
20.11.1988.Hannover West Germany6–291987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2
27.11.1988.SPLIT Netherlands6–01987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2
22.04.1989.Lousa Portugal9–131987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2
09.09.1989.Vyskov Czechoslovakia6–23WCQ Europe
13.05.1990.Luxembourg Luxembourg28–61989–1990 FIRA Trophy Third division
26.05.1990.SPLIT Andorra3–91989–1990 FIRA Trophy Third division
11.11.1990.Kostinbrod Bulgaria0–31990–1992 FIRA Trophy
21.04.1991.BEOGRAD Czechoslovakia22–61990–1992 FIRA Trophy

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

Overall
Nation Games Won Lost Drawn Percentage of wins
 Andorra10100%
 Belgium615016,66%
 Czechoslovakia817012,50%
 Denmark1100100%
 France XV10100%
 Italy30300%
 Morocco20200%
 Netherlands624033.33%
 Poland2200100%
 Romania XV20200%
 Spain40400%
 Soviet Union20200%
 Sweden321066%
  Switzerland6600100%
 Bulgaria523040%
 Tunisia422050%
 West Germany60510%
 Portugal30210%
 Luxembourg1100100%
Total662044230%

SFR Yugoslavia XV (unofficial games)
Date Venue Opposition Result Tournament
30.11.1968.SPLIT CzechoslovakiaXV10–12Friendly
31.12.1968.RovigoNorthern Italy9–19
22.11.1972.KoelnNord Rhein (GER)46–3
24.10.1974.ZAGREBWaitemata Rugby Club (NZL)3–33
25.11.1977.TimișoaraRC Universitatea Timișoara (ROM)0–4
27.11.1977.TimișoaraTimișoara Selection (ROM)19–0
29.11.1977.TimișoaraRC Elektrotemis (ROM)22–06
26.02.1978.ZAGREBNZL Yugoslav Rugby Club (NZL)0–10
08.09.1978.KASTEL STARIUniversity of Victoria (CAN)9–16
10.09.1978.MAKARSKARC Universitatea Timișoara (ROM)7–23
12.09.1978.SINJRC Universitatea Timișoara (ROM)19–03
30.09.1978.BEOGRADRC Partizan48–3
03.10.1980.PANCEVORC Valencia (ESP)15–20Kup oslobodjenja Panceva
05.10.1980.PANCEVOYugoslavia U2358–6Kup oslobodjenja Panceva
18.10.1980.BEOGRADHrvatska10–24Kup oslobodjenja Beograda
19.10.1980.BEOGRADLjubljana30–10Kup oslobodjenja Beograda
09.04.1982.SIBENIKLondon Scottish RFC U23 (ENG)21–12
15.10.1983.BEOGRADBeograd40–4
15.05.1984.SPLITMiddlesex County Clubs (ENG)0–36
21.10.1984.BEOGRADBeograd48–4Kup oslobođenja Beograda
22.10.1984.BEOGRADRC Stiinta Baia Mare (ROM)8–12Kup oslobođenja Beograda
20.10.1985.BEOGRADBeograd40–0Kup oslobođenja Beograda
21.10.1985.BEOGRADRC Stiinta Baia Mare (ROM)10–26Kup oslobođenja Beograda
05.12.1985.PordenoneNorthern Italy6–10
16.10.1986.SPLITNZ YUG Sports Club (NZL)3–43
13.03.1988.SPLITDalmacija XV23–14
20.03.1988.PALICSrbija XV60–3
02.04.1988.SINJRK Sinj46–0Cetinska krajina
03.04.1988.SINJBecket Haus RFC (ENG)13–0Cetinska krajina
03.05.1988.MAKARSKARK Energoinvest47–4
04.05.1988.MAKARSKASelection Bourgogne (FRA)13–13
20.05.1988.SPLITSurrey County Clubs (ENG)6–32
10.09.1988.SPLITRK Nada II80–0Turnir povodom Dana mornarice
11.09.1988.SPLITRK Nada16–8Turnir povodom Dana mornarice
01.10.1988.PANCEVORK Nada10–6Kup oslobođenja Pančeva
02.10.1988.PANCEVORK Partizan8–4Kup oslobođenja Pančeva
13.10.1988.CrawleyNorth Sussex XV (ENG)9–39England Tour
16.10.1988.SouthandSouthand RFC (ENG)9–13England Tour
18.10.1988.LondonLondon Welsh RFC (ENG)6–46England Tour
20.10.1988.EsherSurrey County Clubs (ENG)12–23England Tour
26.03.1989.SPLITCalder Vale RFC (ENG)36–3
17.04.1989.CreusotinClub Olimpique Creusotin (FRA)9–10France/Spain Tour
24.04.1989.San SebastianGipuzkoa XV (ESP)36–3France/Spain Tour
18.05.1989.SPLITOld Emanuel RFC (ENG)26–4
03.06.1989.ZAGREBRK Mladost82–9
06.09.1989.LJUBLJANARK Bežigrad69–9
06.05.1990.PontarlierFrance Universitaire19–42France Tour
08.05.1990.DigoinSel.Bourgogne (FRA)7–24France Tour
10.05.1990.PlaisirPlaisir Rugby Club (FRA)21–18France Tour
14.10.1990.SPLITNZ YUG Sports Club (NZL)0–30

Managers (Test games only)
Name Period Games Wins Draws Lost Win Ratio
Branko STIMAC196830030%
Branimir ALAUPOVIC1969–197415311119,8 %
Mihovil RADJA1975–19791450935,5 %
Dusan NOVAKOV1980–1981721428,6 %
Suad KAPETANOVIC1982210150,0 %
Branimir ALAUPOVIC1982–19871250742,5 %
Marko PROTEGA1987–199113301023,1 %

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

ENC

The following successor teams are in the European Nations Cup:

References
    • 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
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