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Algeria national rugby union team

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Algeria
Shirt badge/Association crest
NicknameLes Lionceaux (The Lion Cubs)
EmblemTwo Lions
UnionAlgerian Rugby Federation
Head coachOusmane Mané
CaptainRabah Abdelkader
Most capsRabah Abdelkader (13)
Top scorerJohan Bensalla (59)
Top try scorerRémi Cardon (4)
Home stadiumAhmed Zabana Stadium
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current58 (as of 29 July 2024)
Highest58 (2024)
Lowest92 (2021)
First international
Unofficial
 Tunisia 7–8 Algeria
(Nabeul, Tunisia; 24 February 2007)
Official
 Kazakhstan 5–26 Algeria
(Merlimau, Malaysia; 6 June 2015)
Biggest win
Unofficial
Algeria 50–0 Libya 
(Cairo, Egypt; 26 October 2010)
 Egypt 0–50 Algeria
(Cairo, Egypt; 29 October 2010)
Official
 Zambia 0–31 Algeria
(Mufulira, Zambia; 20 October 2018)
Biggest defeat
Official  Zimbabwe 29-3 Algeria
(Kampala, Uganda; 29 July 2024)

The Algeria national rugby union team represents the Algerian Rugby Federation (FAR) in men's international rugby union. The first match they competed in was on 24 February 2007, in a game in Tunis against the Tunisia national rugby union team (to which Algeria won by 8–7). While almost all current national team players play for clubs in the French championship, there are some national players who practice the sport in Australia, New Zealand, Romania and England. The first coach of the Algeria national rugby union team was Morad Kellal.

History

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Before 2015

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Rugby was played on Algerian territory during French colonization. After this period, its practice decreased rapidly, until disappearing in 1972.[1] At the invitation of the Tunisia national rugby union team, Algeria brought together Nabeul a selection of the best Algerian players from rugby and started on the international stage On 27 February 2007 against Tunisia, a match that they won 8 to 7 Algeria,[2] the Fennecs dream of having a federation with an attempt of Samir Khamouche playing at Castres and a penalty Of Nadir Boukhaloua playing Lyon OU. Later, the Algerians won 20 points to 17 against the hopes of the Stade français at the Villeneuve stadium of the commune of Clichy, department of Hauts-de-Seine, As well as against other African teams, including the Ivory Coast team.,[2] in the absence of a federation recognized by the Algerian State, it does not appear in the World Rugby Rankings and has not yet played an official meeting.[2]

2015: return of rugby union in Algeria

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Preparation of the setting up of official bodies

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Disappeared in the early 1970s, rugby found its place in Algeria. On 1 January 2015, after eight years of discussions and exchanges, the Ministry of Sports, assisted by the Algerian Olympic Committee, validates the creation of the National Algerian Rugby Association which will become the rugby union current 2015.

The objectives of this new body are the Rugby World Cup in 2019 in Japan, not forgetting the Africa Cup. With the recognition of the Federation, the selection can now appeal to players who play in the Top 14 to build a highly competitive national team. For Sofiane Abdelkader Benhassen, founder of the pilot club Stade Oranais in 2008, who has been appointed president, priority is also and above all to popularize the discipline in Algeria and to make this sport known to the youth of the country through the creation of schools.

Crescent Cup Rugby Championship

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On 1 June 2015, the Algerian Rugby Union team flew to Malaysia for the Crescent Cup Rugby Championship, their first official international competition.,[3] The Algerian rugby union team started its tournament with a 26–5 victory against the Kazakhstan team, ranked 39. He is victorious for the first official match in the history of the Algerian selection of rugby. Confirmation that the Algerian potential is indeed there. after the piece and against the same team again won 15–0 to qualify to the final to face the owner of the land shed Malaysian team stopped due to riots between the players.[4]

Creation of the national federation

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Former logo of the NT

On 17 November 2015, the federation was formally established in Algiers at a general assembly meeting chaired by Mustapha Larfaoui, Honorary President of the Algerian Olympic Committee Olympic and Sports Algerian and in the presence of 18 clubs representing 16 wilayas. Sofiane Benhassen is elected the first president of the Algerian rugby union (FAR).[5][6] Membership in the continental federation Rugby Africa is planned in December 2016.[7]

The first official match played under the auspices of the Algerian federation on 18 December 2015 Oran against the Tunisia. Salim and Djemaï Tebani are breeders of this first official meeting on Algerian soil.[8] In Ahmed Zabana Stadium of Oran, Algeria won this game 16–6 with a team consisting mainly of players based in France and two players trained in Algerian clubs.[9]

Launch of the Maghreb Tri-Nations

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In December 2016, the Algerian Rugby Federation in collaboration with Rugby Africa will organize the first edition of a Maghreb Tri-nations grouping Algeria, Tunisia national rugby union team and the Morocco national rugby union team. World Rugby has validated it, and the event will take place at Oran, Algeria.[10][11]

Africa Cup

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The Algerian team, in their first participation in the tournament, signed in the North Group with Cameroon and Nigeria, but the Cameroonian team had been postponed through lack of organization that Rugby Africa disqualified Cameroon and suspended the activity of the country's federation for three months.[12] which made the organizing committee to play a home-and-home series matches against Nigeria in Zambia, but the latter also withdrew to be a final Winner North vs Winner South against Zambia 4 November 2017 at Mufulira Leopards Rugby Club. in a historic match as the first official match to enable the Algerian team to win a 30–25 in the first defeat to Zambia in its home since 2002.[13] the Algerian national team will play next season in the Rugby Africa Silver Cup.

Home grounds

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Ahmed Zabana Stadium in Oran, the home ground rugby and football (soccer) teams.

Algeria play internationals since it first receives match on 2015 at Ahmed Zabana Stadium in Oran.

Record

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Overall

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Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by the Algeria national XV at test level up until 29 July 2024:

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Egypt 1 1 0 0 100% 50 0 +50
 Ivory Coast 3 3 0 0 100% 79 43 +36
 Ghana 1 0 1 0 0% 20 22 −2
 Kazakhstan 2 2 0 0 100% 41 5 +36
 Kenya 2 1 1 0 50% 53 48 +5
 Libya 1 1 0 0 100% 50 0 +50
 Malaysia 1 0 1 0 0% 11 19 −8
 Morocco 2 0 2 0 0% 24 32 −8
 Senegal 3 3 0 0 100% 92 42 +50
 Tunisia 4 3 1 0 75% 73 53 +20
 Uganda 1 1 0 0 100% 22 16 +6
 Zambia 2 2 0 0 100% 61 25 +36
 Zimbabwe 2 1 1 0 50% 23 41 -18
Total 25 18 7 0 72% 599 346 +253

Rugby World Cup

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World Cup record World Cup Qualification record
Year Round P W D L F A P W D L F A
AustraliaNew Zealand 1987 Not invited -
United KingdomRepublic of IrelandFrance 1991 did not enter did not enter
South Africa 1995
Wales 1999
Australia 2003
France 2007
New Zealand 2011
England 2015
Japan 2019
France 2023 did not qualify 5 3 0 2 130 98
Total 0/9 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 0 2 130 98

Rugby Africa Cup

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Rugby Africa Cup record
Year Round P W D L F A
2000 to 2016 did not enter
2017 Champions Bronze Cup 1 1 0 0 30 25
2018 Champions Silver Cup 3 3 0 0 76 31
2019–20 canceled
2021–22 Third place 5 3 0 2 130 98
2024 Runners-up 3 2 1 0 55 53
Total 5/20 12 9 0 3 291 207

African Development Trophy

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African Development Trophy record
Year Round P W D L F A
2004 to 2009 did not enter
2010 Champions North Section 2 2 0 0 100 0
Total 1/7 2 2 0 0 100 0

North African Tri Nations

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North African Tri Nations record
Year Round P W D L F A
Algeria 2016 Third place 2 0 0 2 26 28
Morocco 2017 Second place 2 1 0 1 49 33
Tunisia 2018 canceled
Total 2/2 4 1 0 3 75 61

Crescent Cup

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Crescent Cup record
Year Round P W D L F A
Malaysia 2015 Second place 3 2 0 1 52 24
Total 1/1 3 2 0 1 52 24

Current squad

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The following 45 players were called up for the 2021–22 Rugby Africa Cup matches against Ghana Ghana and Uganda Uganda.

Head coach: Algeria Boumedienne Allam

  • Caps Updated: 30 July 2021

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Issam Hamel Hooker (1997-06-18) 18 June 1997 (age 27) 3 France USO Nevers
Adam Mokhtari Hooker (1995-12-11) 11 December 1995 (age 28) 2 France Drancy
Youssef Saaidia Hooker (1995-02-09) 9 February 1995 (age 29) 0 France Colomiers
Fayçal Tourek Hooker (1988-10-24) 24 October 1988 (age 36) 3 France Foyer Laïque du Haut Vernet
Bekada Belhaouari Prop (1991-08-19) 19 August 1991 (age 33) 8 France Lannemezan
Reda Benlebbad Prop (1992-07-18) 18 July 1992 (age 32) 5 France Appaméen
Yasin Boutemmani Prop (1990-07-12) 12 July 1990 (age 34) 0 France Montauban
Sofiane Chellat Prop (1990-01-12) 12 January 1990 (age 34) 9 Monaco Monaco
Malik Hamadache Prop (1988-10-17) 17 October 1988 (age 36) 3 France Montpellier
Yanis Hebal Prop (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 23) 1 France Bourg-en-Bresse Espoirs
Thomas Mamou Prop (1994-12-02) 2 December 1994 (age 29) 5 France Oloron
Mehdi Mérabet Prop (1985-06-21) 21 June 1985 (age 39) 6 France La Seyne
Bilal Abed Lock (1989-07-30) 30 July 1989 (age 35) 8 France Avenir Castanéen
Johan Aliouat Lock (1993-01-22) 22 January 1993 (age 31) 0 France Biarritz
Jonathan Best Lock (1983-08-02) 2 August 1983 (age 41) 7 France Béziers
Yakine Djebarri Lock (1995-12-16) 16 December 1995 (age 28) 8 France Suresnes
Samir Doukbi Lock (1985-11-10) 10 November 1985 (age 39) 4 France La Seyne
David Medjebeur Lock (1996-01-22) 22 January 1996 (age 28) 4 Scotland Boroughmuir
Enzo Zaitri Lock (2001-06-10) 10 June 2001 (age 23) 2 France Colomiers Espoirs
Rabah Abdelkader (c) Back row (1987-06-21) 21 June 1987 (age 37) 13 France Millau
Walid Batchali Back row (1990-01-09) 9 January 1990 (age 34) 5 France Castelnaudary
Kamil Bouregba Back row (1999-07-10) 10 July 1999 (age 25) 0 France Narbonne
Rémi Cardon Back row (1991-01-30) 30 January 1991 (age 33) 7 France Beaune
Saïd Hireche Back row (1985-05-27) 27 May 1985 (age 39) 1 France Brive
Jordan Lavocat Back row (1993-05-01) 1 May 1993 (age 31) 2 France Hyères
Frédéric Medves Back row (1984-08-27) 27 August 1984 (age 40) 5 France Blagnac
Gauthier Saieb Back row (1994-05-07) 7 May 1994 (age 30) 2 France Stade Métropolitain
Marvyn Youcef Back row (1996-10-21) 21 October 1996 (age 28) 0 France Marcquois
Johan Bensalla Scrum-half (1991-04-01) 1 April 1991 (age 33) 8 France Lombez Samatan
Mathieu Lorée Scrum-half (1987-06-18) 18 June 1987 (age 37) 3 France Valence Romans
Lucien Maman Scrum-half (1994-02-26) 26 February 1994 (age 30) 2 France Paris Université
Enzo Kralfa Fly-half (1996-04-11) 11 April 1996 (age 28) 3 France Marmande
Alexis Renou Fly-half (1995-09-16) 16 September 1995 (age 29) 2 France Valence d'Agen
Yoan Saby Fly-half (1995-07-13) 13 July 1995 (age 29) 5 France Tyrosse
Mohamed Belguidoum Centre (1994-01-24) 24 January 1994 (age 30) 10 France Saint-Denis
Nabil Djalout Centre (1989-03-28) 28 March 1989 (age 35) 2 France Céret
Maxime Meneghini Centre (1993-11-27) 27 November 1993 (age 30) 10 France Gruissan
Meddy Moussaoui Centre (1994-01-30) 30 January 1994 (age 30) 2 France Rumilly
Mehdi Chouchane Wing (1990-09-08) 8 September 1990 (age 34) 7 France Bédarrides
Yanis Guitoune Wing (1994-01-21) 21 January 1994 (age 30) 2 France Appaméen
Nadir Megdoud Wing (1997-03-26) 26 March 1997 (age 27) 3 France Beauvais
Djamel Ouchene Wing (1988-01-31) 31 January 1988 (age 36) 10 France Appaméen
Sami Shahba Wing (1994-05-29) 29 May 1994 (age 30) 2 France Vienne
Benjamin Caminati Fullback (1989-10-20) 20 October 1989 (age 35) 2 France Albi
Julien Caminati Fullback (1985-10-28) 28 October 1985 (age 39) 0 France Stade Niçois

Coaches

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Current coaching staff

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The current coaching staff of the Algerian national team:

Name Nationality Role
Ousmane Mané  SEN Head coach
Nasser Benamor  ALG Assistant coach (Forwards)
Boris Brahim Bouhraoua  ALG Assistant coach (Backs)
Nordine Badji  ALG Assistant coach (Backs)
Thomas Drouin  FRA Strength & Conditioning coach
Rouabah Nahim  ALG Strength & Conditioning coach
Mustapha Bouguendouz  ALG Physiotherapist
Yanis Hannouche  ALG Physiotherapist

Historical coaches

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On 31 August 2021, the Senegalese Ousmane Mané was chosen by the FAR as the coach of the national selection succeeding to Boumedienne Allam[14].
Below is a list of historical coaches of the Algeria rugby union national team.

Year Coach
2007–2011 Algeria Morad Kellal
2011–2017 Algeria Salah Rebadj
Algeria Djemaï Tebani
Algeria Foudil Youbi
2017–2021 Algeria Boumedienne Allam
2021– Senegal Ousmane Mané

Individual all-time records

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Most caps

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# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw Win %
1. Rabah Abdelkader Flanker 2015–present 13 5 1 0 0 0 9 4 0 69.23
2. Boris Bouhraoua Scrum-half 2015–present 12 11 1 3 0 0 8 4 0 66.67
3. Nasser Benamor Prop 2015–2018 11 5 1 0 0 0 7 4 0 63.64
4. Khaled Kahlouchi Flanker 2015–present 10 10 2 0 0 0 7 3 0 70.00
4. Mohamed Belguidoum Centre 2015–present 10 10 2 0 0 0 7 3 0 70.00
4. Djamel Ouchene Wing 2015–present 10 15 3 0 0 0 7 1 0 87.50
4. Maxim Meneghini Centre 2016–present 10 0 0 0 0 0 7 3 0 70.00
8. Lou Bouhraoua Scrum-half 2015–present 9 11 0 1 3 0 5 4 0 55.56
9. Johan Bensalla Scrum-half 2015–present 8 59 0 7 13 2 7 2 0 77.78
9. Sofiane Chellat Prop 2015–present 8 0 0 0 0 0 7 2 0 77.78
9. Yazid Chouchane Wing 2015–present 8 10 2 0 0 0 5 3 0 62.50

Last updated: Uganda vs Algeria, 18 July 2021. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries

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# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Yazid Chouchane Wing 2015–present 8 15 3 0 0 0
1. Rémi Cardon Flanker 2017–present 5 15 3 0 0 0
3. Yakine Djebbari lock 2016–present 6 10 2 0 0 0
3. Djamel Ouchene Wing 2015–present 8 10 2 0 0 0
3. Mohamed Belguidoum centre 2015–present 9 10 2 0 0 0
3. Walid Batchali Flanker 2018–present 3 10 2 0 0 0

Last updated: Algeria vs Zambia, 20 October 2018. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most points

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# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Johan Bensalla Fly-half 2015–present 7 59 0 7 13 2
2. Yoan Saby Fly-half 2017–present 5 22 0 5 4 0
3. Yazid Chouchane Wing 2015–present 8 15 3 0 0 0
3. Rémi Cardon Flanker 2017–present 5 15 3 0 0 0
5. Enzo Kralfa Scrum-half 2018–present 3 14 1 1 3 0
6. Lou Bouhraoua Scrum-half 2015–present 9 11 0 1 3 0
6. Boris Bouhraoua Scrum-half 2015–present 11 11 1 3 0 0
8. Mohamed Belguidoum centre 2015–present 9 10 2 0 0 0
8. Walid Batchali Flanker 2018–present 3 10 2 0 0 0

Last updated: Algeria vs Zambia, 20 October 2018. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most points in a match

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# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1. Johan Bensalla Scrum-half 15 0 0 5 0  Tunisia Algeria Oran 24 December 2016
2. Yoan Saby Fly-half 11 0 1 3 0  Ivory Coast France Toulouse 14 July 2018
2. Johan Bensalla Scrum-half 11 0 1 3 0  Tunisia Algeria Oran 18 December 2015
4. Johan Bensalla Scrum-half 10 0 2 2 0  Zambia Zambia Mufulira 4 November 2017
4. Rémi Cardon Flanker 10 2 0 0 0  Zambia Zambia Mufulira 4 November 2017
4. Enzo Kralfa Scrum-half 10 1 1 1 0  Senegal France Toulouse 8 July 2018

Last updated: Algeria vs Zambia, 20 October 2018. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries in a match

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "A l'ombre des Fennecs, les Lionceaux algériens de l'ovale veulent se faire les griffes". rugbyrama.fr. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "En Algérie, les Fennecs rêvent d'avoir une fédération". rugbyrama.fr. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Salim Tebani: "On n'est plus les oubliés du sport algérien"". rugbyrama.fr. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Malaysia v Algeria rugby union final abandoned after savage brawl". The Guardian. 16 June 2015.
  5. ^ "La Fédération algérienne voit le jour". lequipe.fr. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  6. ^ "La Fédération algérienne de rugby est née". lexpressiondz.com. 17 November 2015. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  7. ^ "L'Algérie ralliera le Rugby Afrique en décembre 2016". aps.dz. 16 December 2015. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  8. ^ "Première pour l'Algérie sur son sol". lequipe.fr. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Première réussie pour l'Algérie". lequipe.fr. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Zone Afrique : un Tri Nations au Maghreb en décembre". lequipe.fr. Paris. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  11. ^ "World Rugby donne son accord pour un Tri-nations à Oran !". lagazettedufennec.com. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  12. ^ "Pas de Coupe d'Afrique pour un rugby camerounais en crise". rfi.fr (in French). 25 May 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  13. ^ "FINALE DE LA BRONZE CUP 2017 : L'EXPLOIT ALGÉRIEN !". rugbyafrique.com. 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  14. ^ "le Sénégalais Ousmane Mané nouveau sélectionneur du XV d'Algérie". aps.dz. 31 August 2021.
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