What a season! Firstly we want to extend a massive thank you
to all the players, supporters, coaches, match officials and very patient
family members for making this a highly enjoyable year of rugby. Rugby in
Finland is very much a blossoming community and with all your help we are
becoming bigger, better and bolder every year.
We are hoping to produce a report on the Women’s
Championship with the help of some women’s players but we realise that many of
them are preparing for the unprecedented Moose on the Loose tour to Botswana.
Likewise we hope to produce a separate report for Division 1 and we would like
some volunteers to contact us to help with information from the Northern and
Eastern divisions, please.
(Photo by Rod McCracken - GAME DAY: bigger crowds and passionate supporters have given games an atmosphere)
In the Men’s Championship, the standard of rugby on show has
easily been the highest in domestic competition. Many congratulations to Warriors
RC of Helsinki, who have achieved something pretty exceptional in winning the
Championship for the 5th time running. With only one bump in the
road on their way to success, they have produced some complete team
performances to come out on top again.
Eagles RFC in Turku have managed to smash almost every club
record on their 10th anniversary, including making the semi-final
and final for the first time. Despite conceding the biggest defeat of the
season, they were the only team to beat Warriors and, like Warriors, they
earned an undefeated record at home. Keeping the momentum going over the winter
will be crucial to avoid this being a flash in the pan.
Tampere RC have proved that on their day they are capable of
devastation on a frightening scale, with a bulldozing home performance over
Turku. Yet consistency has been their stumbling point and player absences have
hindered what is always a dangerous squad. As individuals, both Mikko Luopio
and Petri Virrankoski deserve huge credit for the points they earned their
club.
Jyväskylä RC continued their progress and showed signs of
developing a back line that could soon rival their enviable pack. With several
key players returning from injury in the near future and some impressive new
discoveries, next year could be a turning point for them. Still only the one win but
not finishing bottom will give them a big boost.
Helsinki RC were a somewhat puzzling case: on paper they
have such a strong squad to choose from, but on match day either the players
were missing or final-quarter collapses let matches slip away. The men from the
Capital will take heart, though, in finding some real gems in terms of new
players and with the success of their 2nd team the future is far
from bleak.
(Photo by Rod McCracken - No easy way out: Warriors were pushed all the way but more than earned their title)
The Stats:
(The text format may differ on different screen sizes so apologies if this appears untidy!)
Men’s champions 2012: Warriors
RC
Most tries: 8, Petri
Virrankoski (Tampere RC) (league phase and final)
Most points:
89,
Thomas Finell (Warriors RC) (final)
85,
Mikko Luopio (Tampere RC) (league phase)
Golden Boot:
72,
Mikko Luopio (Tampere RC) – 21 conversions, 10 penalties
Biggest win/defeat: Tampere
RC 66 - 0 Eagles RFC
Tightest game: Tampere RC 33 - 34 Warriors RC
Most tries in a match: 3,
Petri Virrankoski (Tampere RC)
Most points in a match: 23
(1T, 3C, 4P), Mikko Luopio (Tampere RC)
You can view the complete points rankings on the page Who Scored The Points?! on the right tab.
Ruck Tales Suomi’s Team of the Season:
This is a team of players that we feel all had fantastic
seasons. It is by no means anything official – just our opinions based on match videos, consistency and points rankings.
1. Juha
Rainvuori (Warriors)
Warriors'
resident tank seems to have benefited from recent American football training,
using his
considerable bulk to good effect and seeming to pop up everywhere on the field.
2. Semu
Salmivalli (Eagles)
Mr.
Reliable. Another solid season from the Eagles hooker has seen better accuracy
in line-outs and the scrum has gone from strength to strength. He might lack
the open play impact of others but his control at close range make him very valuable.
3. Tatut
Rantakokko (Eagles)
Started the
season as an unknown quantity after moving to the front row, but has beaten one
scrum after another. A combination of
technique, raw power and aggression have earned him a National team place.
4. Stuart
Reynish (Warriors)
The Warriors
veteran has showed no signs of slowing down, bagging 5 tries this season. More importantly, he has put his experience
to good use to disrupt and overturn rucks as well as playing his part in
line-outs.
5. Fred
Harrison (Tampere)
Always a
potential game-changer, despite the occasional trouble with cards. He continues to cause headaches with his
speed, agility and love of the contact side of things, plus his ease in the
line-outs is still yet to be matched here.
6. Ari
Tikkanen (Jyväskylä)
A big season
from the JRC talisman: charging, tackling and jumping often until body parts
ceased to work. 4 well-earned tries and clearly still hungry for more.
7. Sean
Shields (Eagles)
A sharp runner
who seems to find gaps which aren't there. Added speed to Turku's back row for
most of the season but also enjoyed causing havoc in the centres.
8. Petri
Virrankoski (Tampere)
The first
name on the team sheet. The big man made
his presence felt in open play, notching up 8 tries, including the season’s
only hattrick. Smart lines of running,
crunching tackles and seasoned confidence make him the back row to beat.
9. Jim
Wetterström (Warriors)
Although he
often filled the 10 jersey, the impact when he played scrum half was evident,
providing a reliable pass from the base of ruck and a lot of breakaway
speed. One of the key men in the final.
10. Drew
Myrie (Helsinki)
One of the
few bright lights in a dark season for Helsinki. Able to cover anywhere in the
back line, his
elusive
running and strong tackling often saved Helsinki's blushes. Poor health dogged
his season but we hope he will recover to lead Helsinki back to their
potential.
11. Lasse
Sariola (Warriors)
Unquestionably
still one of the best backs in Finland.
His versatility helped Warriors enormously in times of absent players.
Confident running, reliable tackling and good vision helped open up defences.
12. Mikko
Luopio (Tampere)
Returned to
the backs this year to cover the 10 and 12 positions. Plenty of power and good support
play earned
him 3 tries as well as taking the Golden Boot. A National call-up is well
deserved.
13. Tumppi
Finell (Warriors)
After a
shaky start, Warriors’ captain went to work and is re-approaching the top form
which
dazzled two
seasons ago. Improved defence and a determination to make his mark in the
centres again have done him credit. Top points scorer after the final.
14. Jim Rhoné
(Warriors)
The Warriors
speedster is a natural finisher, always seeming to be in the right place to cap
off one of their flowing backs moves. Dare we say a touch of je ne sais quoi!
15. James
Harrod and Ilkka Tuomaala (both Eagles)
We can't
pick them apart! Both men have enjoyed success with Eagles at fullback and both
have also covered in the centres. Ilkka's defensive play and tackle-breaking have
been crucial, while Jimmy has added the counter-attacking wide game that Eagles
have been previously missing.
(Photo by Rod McCracken - Eagles' first time in the Final epitomizes the improvements this year)
Challengers:
Antti
Pappila (Warriors)
Lots of very
effective work in the tight play and much-improved confidence in the contact
areas have earned him 2 tries. With Finland A team scheduled to play Estonia
next year, opportunities could come.
OP Tuomaala
(Vaasa Wolves / Eagles)
A powerhouse
performance for Turku against Jyväskylä showed what the NT regular can do when
given a chance in the Championship. His versatility in the front row is also a major asset.
Jussi
Tamminen (Eagles)
See below
Jani
Lehtinen (Tampere)
Tampere are
known for their physicality, so Lehtinen's return from injury fit right
in. He showed his raw speed in the 7s and
his comfort with big hits all season long.
Jan Airola
(Eagles)
Eagles'
captain has played a key role in organising play around the park to give his
continuity. The consistent passing is a
work in progress but no-one has matched his defensive commitment this year.
Antti Lammi
(Warriors)
This year
allowed him to concentrate on his preferred centre position and he took his
chances brilliantly. Only a stellar season
from Luopio kept him out of the main team.
Rasmus Kevin
(Eagles)
He's got
speed to burn, which he showed with a 65m try. Still not a polished player in
terms of all the tricks and skills but the raw components are there and he's
learning fast.
5 Players
to watch out for next season:
Finding new and developing talent is something that all clubs have been working hard on this year and here are 5 who caught our eye this season.
Teemu Elomaa
(Jyväskylä RC)
JRC's new
fly half hit the ground running, making a big impact as a running 10. 3 tries
came from a combination of deceptive speed and strong running. A move to the
centres could give JRC the backs game that they are so close to having.
Santeri
Hilli (Pori Bombers / Tampere RC)
The U20
fullback/wing impressed both for Pori in Division 1 West and also for Tampere
in the Championship, where he ran in 2 tries. Though still green in terms of
the technical aspects, he has bags of aggression and when he turns on the
afterburners he’s gone.
Kosti Eskola
(Warriors RC)
Warriors
have a lot of confidence in their utility forward, who appears usually as a
lock or back row. After a slow start he has developed to his core skills
(notably tackling and impact running) to provide the versatility that WRC thrive
on, culminating in a strong showing in the Final.
Jussi
Tamminen (Eagles RFC)
The Finland U20
forward has matured somewhat in his second season with the seniors, forming an
integral part of a successful scrum while also displaying improved skills in
open play. Physical attributes are still a shortcoming and development will be
the key to unlocking his potential.
Valtteri
Kallio (Tampere RC)
There's
serious potential here: an American football convert with speed, power and
fitness. Once he learns the ins and outs
of the game better he will be a considerable asset in the TRC backline.
