# 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 | Tournament |
| 31.07.1968. | Stara Zagora | RomaniaXV | 3–11 | World Youth Games |
| 02.08.1968. | Stara Zagora | Bulgaria | 6–29 | World Youth Games |
| 29.12.1968. | San Dona di Piave | Italy | 3–22 | 1968–1969 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 01.05.1969. | PANCEVO | Bulgaria | 22–6 | 1968–1969 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 21.12.1969. | Madrid | Spain | 3–14 | 1969–1970 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 05.04.1970. | S.PALANKA | Poland | 12–9 | 1969–1970 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 18.10.1970. | SISAK | Poland | 19–15 | Friendly |
| 24.10.1970. | Havirov | Czechoslovakia | 3–19 | 1970–1971 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 29.11.1970. | ZAGREB | Czechoslovakia | 0–9 | 1970–1971 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 05.12.1971. | Madrid | Spain | 4–26 | 1971–1972 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 30.04.1972. | SPLIT | Spain | 7–21 | 1971–1972 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 15.11.1972. | Brussels | Belgium | 0–3 | Friendly |
| 19.11.1972. | Hague | Netherlands | 3–9 | Friendly |
| 26.11.1972. | Aosta | Italy | 12–13 | 1972–1973 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 08.04.1973. | MAKARSKA | Portugal | 3–3 | 1972–1973 FIRA Nations Cup |
| 21.10.1973. | Prague | Czechoslovakia | 3–32 | 1973–1974 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 11.11.1973. | ZAGREB | Italy | 7–25 | 1973–1974 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 01.05.1974. | MAKARSKA | West Germany | 8–20 | 1973–1974 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 26.10.1975. | Gottwaldov | Czechoslovakia | 3–28 | 1975–1976 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 25.04.1976. | SPLIT | Switzerland | 31–4 | 1975–1976 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 08.12.1976. | Brussels | Belgium | 6–8 | 1976–1977 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 11.12.1976. | Lausanne | Switzerland | 18–6 | 1976–1977 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 14.05.1978. | SARAJEVO | Soviet Union | 3–18 | 1977–1978 FIRA Trophy |
| 18.05.1978. | TRAVNIK | Soviet Union | 6–16 | 1977–1978 FIRA Trophy |
| 15.10.1978. | Enkoping | Sweden | 7–3 | 1978–1979 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 02.12.1978. | SPLIT | Netherlands | 11–30 | 1978–1979 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 16.09.1979. | SPLIT | Tunisia | 23–0 | Mediterranean Games |
| 20.09.1979. | SPLIT | France | 6–86 | Mediterranean Games |
| 22.09.1979. | SPLIT | Morocco | 7–22 | Mediterranean Games |
| 17.11.1979. | SPLIT | RomaniaXV | 6–32 | 25th Anniversary of Yugoslavia RU |
| 16.12.1979. | LJUBLJANA | Netherlands | 10–6 | 1979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 22.12.1979. | Madrid | Spain | 3–25 | 1979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 03.05.1980. | Hannover | West Germany | 6–6 | 1979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 17.05.1980. | SPLIT | Sweden | 14–4 | 1979–1980 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 30.11.1980. | KARDELJEVO | West Germany | 0–16 | 1980–1981 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 14.12.1980. | Hilversum | Netherlands | 0–17 | 1980–1981 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 25.04.1981. | SPLIT | Morocco | 0–13 | 1980–1981 FIRA Trophy – Group B |
| 27.11.1981. | Lausanne | Switzerland | 10–0 | 1981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 29.11.1981. | Liege | Belgium | 0–9 | 1981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 08.05.1982. | LJUBLJANA | Sweden | 9–17 | 1981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 15.05.1982. | ZENICA | Denmark | 46–4 | 1981–1982 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 18.09.1982. | SPLIT | Tunisia | 4–0 | Friendly |
| 14.11.1982. | Prague | Czechoslovakia | 9–17 | 1982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 27.11.1982. | SPLIT | Switzerland | 36–19 | 1982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 30.04.1983. | LJUBLJANA | Belgium | 23–3 | 1982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 14.05.1983. | Tunis | Tunisia | 6–41 | 1982–1983 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 05.11.1983. | SPLIT | Czechoslovakia | 16–20 | 1983–1984 FIRA Trophy Pool B |
| 13.11.1983. | Hannover | West Germany | 0–38 | 1983–1984 FIRA Trophy Pool B |
| 05.05.1984. | SPLIT | Tunisia | 12–22 | 1983–1984 FIRA Trophy Pool B |
| 07.12.1985. | ZENICA | Switzerland | 13–6 | FIRA Grp C |
| 25.05.1986. | Pernik | Bulgaria | 4–10 | FIRA Grp C |
| 16.11.1986. | Geneve | Switzerland | 4–3 | FIRA Grp C |
| 10.05.1987. | VRANJE | Bulgaria | 32–15 | FIRA Grp C |
| 29.11.1987. | SPLIT | West Germany | 6–15 | 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2 |
| 14.04.1988. | Liege | Belgium | 11–18 | 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2 |
| 16.04.1988. | Hilversum | Netherlands | 10–31 | 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2 |
| 08.05.1988. | SPLIT | Portugal | 9–22 | 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2 |
| 13.11.1988. | SPLIT | Belgium | 4- 31 | 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2 |
| 20.11.1988. | Hannover | West Germany | 6–29 | 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2 |
| 27.11.1988. | SPLIT | Netherlands | 6–0 | 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2 |
| 22.04.1989. | Lousa | Portugal | 9–13 | 1987–1989 FIRA Trophy – Group B2 |
| 09.09.1989. | Vyskov | Czechoslovakia | 6–23 | WCQ Europe |
| 13.05.1990. | Luxembourg | Luxembourg | 28–6 | 1989–1990 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 26.05.1990. | SPLIT | Andorra | 3–9 | 1989–1990 FIRA Trophy Third division |
| 11.11.1990. | Kostinbrod | Bulgaria | 0–3 | 1990–1992 FIRA Trophy |
| 21.04.1991. | BEOGRAD | Czechoslovakia | 22–6 | 1990–1992 FIRA Trophy |
In total 66 test games (20 won, 2 drawn, 44 lost)

## Overall

| Nation | Games | Won | Lost | Drawn | Percentage of wins |
| Andorra | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Belgium | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 16.67% |
| Czechoslovakia | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 12.5% |
| Denmark | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| France A | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Italy | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% |
| Morocco | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Netherlands | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 33.33% |
| Poland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Romania A | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Spain | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Soviet Union | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Sweden | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67% |
| Switzerland | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Bulgaria | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40% |
| Tunisia | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 50% |
| West Germany | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0% |
| Portugal | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0% |
| Luxembourg | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Total | 66 | 20 | 44 | 2 | 30.3% |

## SFR Yugoslavia XV (unofficial games)

| Date | Venue | Opposition | Result | Tournament |
| 30.11.1968. | SPLIT | CzechoslovakiaXV | 10–12 | Friendly |
| 31.12.1968. | Rovigo | Northern Italy | 9–19 | |
| 22.11.1972. | Koeln | Nord Rhein (GER) | 46–3 | |
| 24.10.1974. | ZAGREB | Waitemata Rugby Club (NZL) | 3–33 |
| 25.11.1977. | Timișoara | RC Universitatea Timișoara (ROM) | 0–4 |
| 27.11.1977. | Timișoara | Timișoara Selection (ROM) | 19–0 |
| 29.11.1977. | Timișoara | RC Elektrotemis (ROM) | 22–06 |
| 26.02.1978. | ZAGREB | NZL Yugoslav Rugby Club (NZL) | 0–10 |
| 08.09.1978. | KASTEL STARI | University of Victoria (CAN) | 9–16 |
| 10.09.1978. | MAKARSKA | RC Universitatea Timișoara (ROM) | 7–23 |
| 12.09.1978. | SINJ | RC Universitatea Timișoara (ROM) | 19–03 |
| 30.09.1978. | BEOGRAD | RC Partizan | 48–3 |
| 03.10.1980. | PANCEVO | RC Valencia (ESP) | 15–20 | Kup oslobodjenja Panceva |
| 05.10.1980. | PANCEVO | Yugoslavia U23 | 58–6 | Kup oslobodjenja Panceva |
| 18.10.1980. | BEOGRAD | Hrvatska | 10–24 | Kup oslobodjenja Beograda |
| 19.10.1980. | BEOGRAD | Ljubljana | 30–10 | Kup oslobodjenja Beograda |
| 09.04.1982. | SIBENIK | London Scottish RFC U23 (ENG) | 21–12 |
| 15.10.1983. | BEOGRAD | Beograd | 40–4 |
| 15.05.1984. | SPLIT | Middlesex County Clubs (ENG) | 0–36 |
| 21.10.1984. | BEOGRAD | Beograd | 48–4 | Kup oslobođenja Beograda |
| 22.10.1984. | BEOGRAD | RC Stiinta Baia Mare (ROM) | 8–12 | Kup oslobođenja Beograda |
| 20.10.1985. | BEOGRAD | Beograd | 40–0 | Kup oslobođenja Beograda |
| 21.10.1985. | BEOGRAD | RC Stiinta Baia Mare (ROM) | 10–26 | Kup oslobođenja Beograda |
| 05.12.1985. | Pordenone | Northern Italy | 6–10 |
| 16.10.1986. | SPLIT | NZ YUG Sports Club (NZL) | 3–43 |
| 13.03.1988. | SPLIT | Dalmacija XV | 23–14 |
| 20.03.1988. | PALIC | Srbija XV | 60–3 |
| 02.04.1988. | SINJ | RK Sinj | 46–0 | Cetinska krajina |
| 03.04.1988. | SINJ | Becket Haus RFC (ENG) | 13–0 | Cetinska krajina |
| 03.05.1988. | MAKARSKA | RK Energoinvest | 47–4 |
| 04.05.1988. | MAKARSKA | Selection Bourgogne (FRA) | 13–13 |
| 20.05.1988. | SPLIT | Surrey County Clubs (ENG) | 6–32 |
| 10.09.1988. | SPLIT | RK Nada II | 80–0 | Turnir povodom Dana mornarice |
| 11.09.1988. | SPLIT | RK Nada | 16–8 | Turnir povodom Dana mornarice |
| 01.10.1988. | PANCEVO | RK Nada | 10–6 | Kup oslobođenja Pančeva |
| 02.10.1988. | PANCEVO | RK Partizan | 8–4 | Kup oslobođenja Pančeva |
| 13.10.1988. | Crawley | North Sussex XV (ENG) | 9–39 | England Tour |
| 16.10.1988. | Southand | Southand RFC (ENG) | 9–13 | England Tour |
| 18.10.1988. | London | London Welsh RFC (ENG) | 6–46 | England Tour |
| 20.10.1988. | Esher | Surrey County Clubs (ENG) | 12–23 | England Tour |
| 26.03.1989. | SPLIT | Calder Vale RFC (ENG) | 36–3 |
| 17.04.1989. | Creusotin | Club Olimpique Creusotin (FRA) | 9–10 | France/Spain Tour |
| 24.04.1989. | San Sebastian | Gipuzkoa XV (ESP) | 36–3 | France/Spain Tour |
| 18.05.1989. | SPLIT | Old Emanuel RFC (ENG) | 26–4 |
| 03.06.1989. | ZAGREB | RK Mladost | 82–9 |
| 06.09.1989. | LJUBLJANA | RK Bežigrad | 69–9 |
| 06.05.1990. | Pontarlier | France Universitaire | 19–42 | France Tour |
| 08.05.1990. | Digoin | Sel.Bourgogne (FRA) | 7–24 | France Tour |
| 10.05.1990. | Plaisir | Plaisir Rugby Club (FRA) | 21–18 | France Tour |
| 14.10.1990. | SPLIT | NZ YUG Sports Club (NZL) | 0–30 |

## Managers (Test games only)

| Name | Period | Games | Wins | Draws | Lost | Win Ratio |
| Branko 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 STANCEVIC | RK Dinamo Pancevo | 1973–1990 | 44 | 34 |
| Dragan KESIC | RK Dinamo Pancevo | 1968–1980 | 30 | |
| Branko RADIC | RK Dinamo Pancevo | 1968–1980 | 29 | 13 |
| Tihomir VRANESEVIC | RK Sisak/RK Zagreb | 1979–1990 | 29 | 16 |
| Vinko LABROVIC | RK Nada Split | 1980–1990 | 27 | 33 |
| Nasir VEHABOVIC | RK Celik Zenica | 1982–1991 | 22 | 48 |
| Damir UZUNOVIC | RK Celik Zenica | 1980–1991 | 22 | 12 |
| Ante ZEKAN | RK Nada Split | 1970–1981 | 20 | 8 |
| Damir BUZOV | RK Nada Split | 1979–1988 | 20 | |
| Dusan PANIC | RK Zagreb | 1979–1985 | 19 | 12 |
| Jasmin DELJKIC | RK Celik Zenica | 1982–1991 | 18 | 4 |
| Ante STAGLICIC | RK Nada Split | 1968–1974 | 17 | 5 |
| Dubravko GEROVAC | RK Zagreb | 1975–1982 | 16 | 28 |
| Zlatko ZVER | RK Koloys LJubljana | 1975–1981 | 16 | |
| Sreto CADJO | RK Celik Zenica | 1976–1982 | 16 | 4 |
| Ranko ARMANDA | RK Nada Split | 1968–1976 | 15 | |
| Marko PROTEGA | RK Nada Split | 1968–1973 | 15 | |
| Goran TRKULJA | RK Zagreb | 1978–1984 | 13 | |
| Nikola TEPIC | RK Dinamo Pancevo | 1983–1981 | 13 | 13 |
| Ilija BJELANOVIC | RK Nada Split | 1968–1979 | 13 | 3 |
| Drago LULIC | RK Energoinvest Makarska | 1978–1989 | 13 | 8 |
| Tonci IVANISEVIC | RK Nada Split | 1969–1975 | 12 | 8 |
| Dragan GRUJIC | RK Partizan Beograd | 1988–1991 | 12 | 8 |

### 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