United Adaikes

Results of the Medal Matches of Rugby World Cup V Bronze Medal Match Ryxtylopia 10–10 Teralyon (1–4 pen.) Gold Medal Match Overthinkers 19–20 Zoran Bracketing of the Knockouts Round of Rugby World Cup V

IT'S THE FINAL

Results of the Semi-Finals of RWC 5 Overthinkers 27–9 Ryxtylopia Teralyon 6–27 Zoran Bracketing of the Knockouts Stage of RWC 5

Results of the Quarterfinals of Rugby World Cup V Overthinkers 10–10 (13-10 AET) United Adaikes Ryxtylopia 33–10 Giovanniland Teralyon 17–7 Cambria Dalimbar 12–29 Zoran Bracketing of the Knockouts Round of RWC V

Results of the Round of 16 of RWC 5 Overthinkers 19–18 Mygrdiyah United Adaikes 14–7 Nouveauterra Ryxtylopia 18–14 Sekiya Giovanniland 6–0 Larxia Teralyon 25–20 Saint Mark Cambria 20–6 Ostronia Dalimbar 7–6 Hertfordshire and Jammbo Zoran 8–6 Fujai Bracketing of the Knockouts Stage of RWC 5

July 5, 1424 2:16 PM Polaris Eastern Time (IAT-2) At the entrance of the Millenium Hall Red Palace, Adaikes Central, Adaikes Luke Salazar just finished accepting the credentials of the honorable ambassadors from Greiya, Candelu, and Nalibia in the Reception Hall of the Red Palace. When one of the agents of the Presidential Security Service opened the door for the Millenium Hall, he was not surprised by the presence of Foreign Affairs Secretary Anne Duncan, who reached for his hand upon entering and shaking her hand, and the Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretaries for Aura, Andolia, Doll Guldur and Nur. While Salazar was less surprised by the presence of Justice Secretary Jeffrey Searle, the President needed clarification as to why Education Secretary Zeeshan Cannon was present at the event. "Why are you here?" Salazar pointed to Cannon before taking his hand and shaking it, smiling. "We have a meeting with Anne and Jeffrey after this, Mr. President. They just invited me to join them here," Cannon scratched his head. "Is it about that International Education Summit you proposed?" Salazar asked. Cannon nodded. Salazar tapped Cannon's arm and replied, "Hey, no problem, glad you could join us." Duncan then ushered the President and the Secretaries to their seats, shaking hands with everyone they passed in the Hall. The Secretaries found their way to their seats, still standing, but when the President saw the ambassadors he just received a while ago on the opposite side of the room, Salazar went to them and shook their hands. It was only when Salazar returned to where the Secretaries were and sat down in his assigned seat that everyone in the room followed to take their seats. An officer of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) went to Duncan and asked if the Foreign Affairs Secretary could introduce the guest of honor and speaker of the event. Duncan nodded and stood up, with the PMS officer ushering her to the unmarked podium on the right side of the rostrum in front of them. Duncan briefly read the clean paper on the podium. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce you to the President of the Federal Republic of the United Adaikes, President Luke Wilfrid Salazar." Everyone stood up and clapped. Salazar rolled his eyes at the Secretaries in jest before standing up and proceeding to the left side of the rostrum where his Podium was, the podium with the Seal of the Office of the President. "You may sit down," Salazar asked the guests of the event, "well, not really 'may', but I implore you to see reason to sit down, when I see everyone standing up and I look at my right, we have Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Auran Affairs Ariel Gladwin still standing." Everyone chuckled. "He's already a dual citizen, at that," Salazar continued, shaking his head while smiling. Everyone knew the President would like to start talking casually at events. "He's an Adaikesian citizen, and he just became a senior citizen last week, reached the age of 60, so he's a dual citizen now!" Everyone chortled again. "But on a serious note, I'd like to thank everyone for your presence this afternoon. A while ago, I just received the credentials of Ambassador Mitake Ryoma of Greiya, Ambassador Lucchetto Parin of Candelu, and Lord Dimnah Nkechi of the Chinelo Family from Nalibia. While we wait for their own embassies to be put up, they will be holding office at our International Assembly Office we have always provided to all our ambassadors in the absence of their embassies in the country and world leaders when they are in our country for official matters. I may have to invite everyone here again next week, after I received confirmation from [House] Speaker [Kramnit-Ram] Patneg this morning that our ambassadors to be assigned to Larxia and Min-Su have been confirmed by the Commission of Appointments. "But for now, may I ask Ambassador Socorro Rowland, to be assigned in Greiya, Ambassador Thomas Sutton, to be assigned in Candelu, and Ambassador Rosalie Beck, to be assigned in Nalibia, to join me here so that I can administer your oath of office," asked Salazar, as he asked the ambassadors to stand rank in file while facing the crowd. Secretary Duncan also stood up and took the microphone another PMS officer gave her. She stood next to the President, holding the microphone near Salazar's mouth, with Salazar holding a copy of the Oath of Office. "Please repeat after me," Salazar started. "I, state your name," the President waited until the ambassadors finished speaking. "Of the Department of Foreign Affairs," "Having been appointed to the position of Ambassador of, state the country where you will be stationed," "Hereby solemnly swear," "That I will faithfully discharge to the best of my ability," "The duties of my present position and of all others," "That I may hereafter hold under the Federal Republic of the United Adaikes," "That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same," "That I will obey the laws, legal orders, and degrees promulgated," "By the duly constituted authorities of the Federal Republic of the United Adaikes," "And that I impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily," "Without mental reservation or purpose of evasion," "So help me God," Salazar ended, congratulating the ambassadors. Everyone is then asked to proceed to the adjoining Banquet Hall for refreshments.

Results of Match Day 7 of the Group Stage of RWC 5 Group A Varanius 12–14 Hertfordshire and Jammbo Larxia 6–13 Cambria Avadonialis 15–39 Overthinkers Group A Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Overthinkers 6 5 0 1 134 67 +67 4 24 2 Cambria 6 5 0 1 104 42 +62 2 22 3 Larxia 6 3 0 3 61 64 −3 1 13^ 4 Hertfordshire and Jammbo 6 3 0 3 56 70 −14 1 13^ 5 Avadonialis 6 2 0 4 81 89 −8 4 12 6 Rivalfiume 6 2 0 4 43 74 −31 2 10 7 Varanius 6 1 0 5 37 110 −73 2 6 ^tie broken by virtue of (a) Head-to-head record: Larxia 1-0 Hertfordshire and Jammbo Group B Sekiya 17–6 Nieubasria New Velka (NPC) 0–7 Teralyon Zhiznovsk 7–22 United Adaikes Group B Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Teralyon 6 6 0 0 89 34 +55 2 26 2 United Adaikes 6 5 0 1 98 34 +64 4 24 3 Fujai 6 4 0 2 81 41 +40 4 20 4 Sekiya 6 3 0 3 97 112 −15 2 14 5 Zhiznovsk 6 2 0 4 82 110 −28 1 9 6 Nieubasria 6 1 0 5 52 99 −47 2 6 7 New Velka (NPC) 6 0 0 6 34 103 −69 1 1 Group C Arifiyyah 19–10 Saint Mark Einherfell (NPC) 7–31 Zoran Nouveauterra 10–7 Ryxtylopia Group C Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Ryxtylopia 6 5 0 1 87 65 +22 2 22 2 Zoran 6 4 0 2 105 65 +40 3 19 3 Nouveauterra 6 3 1 2 53 42 +11 2 16 4 Saint Mark 6 3 0 3 67 63 +4 2 14^ 5 Peourouin 6 3 0 3 90 81 +9 2 14^ 6 Arifiyyah 6 2 1 3 69 66 +3 2 12 7 Einherfell (NPC) 6 0 0 6 32 121 −89 1 1 ^tie broken by virtue of (a) Head-to-head record: Saint Mark 1-0 Peourouin Group D Denieria (NPC) 0–15 Min-Su Mygrdiyah 13–25 Giovanniland Nalibia 0–0 Dalimbar Group D Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Dalimbar 6 4 1 1 109 76 +33 3 21 2 Giovanniland 6 4 0 2 78 70 +8 3 19 3 Ostronia 6 4 0 2 106 55 +51 2 18 4 Mygrdiyah 6 4 0 2 98 56 +42 1 17 5 Nalibia 6 3 1 2 44 71 −27 0 14 6 Min-Su 6 1 0 5 38 77 −39 3 7 7 Denieria (NPC) 6 0 0 6 39 107 −68 2 2 Bracketing for the Knockouts Round of RWC 5 Round of 16 Overthinkers v Myrgdiyah Grand Merchen Stadium, Cangham United Adaikes v Nouveauterra Valley Dome Arena, Cargan Ryxtylopia v Sekiya Glace Field, Occida Giovanniland v Larxia Welker Stadium, Anders Teralyon v Saint Mark Roller Field, Hestmere Cambria v Ostronia Len Condor Stadium, Cangham Dalimbar v Hertfordshire and Jammbo Liegen Star Stadium, Anders Zoran v Fujai Garner Swoop Stadium, Aurum

Results of Match Day 6 of the Group Stage of RWC 5 Group A Overthinkers 11–3 Larxia Cambria 36–7 Varanius Hertfordshire and Jammbo 16–0 Rivalfiume Group A Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Overthinkers 5 4 0 1 95 52 +43 3 19 q 2 Cambria 5 4 0 1 91 36 +55 2 18 q 3 Larxia 5 3 0 2 55 51 +4 0 12^ 4 Avadonialis 5 2 0 3 66 50 +16 4 12^ 5 Rivalfiume 6 2 0 4 43 74 −31 2 10 e 6 Hertfordshire and Jammbo 5 2 0 3 42 58 −16 1 9 7 Varanius 5 1 0 4 25 96 −71 1 5 e ^tie broken by virtue of (a) Head-to-head record: Larxia 1-0 Avadonialis Group B United Adaikes 11–0 New Velka (NPC) Teralyon 34–10 Sekiya Nieubasria 14–29 Fujai Group B Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Teralyon 5 5 0 0 82 34 +48 2 22 q 2 Fujai 6 4 0 2 81 41 +40 4 20 q 3 United Adaikes 5 4 0 1 76 27 +49 3 19 q 4 Sekiya 5 2 0 3 80 106 −26 2 10 5 Zhiznovsk 5 2 0 3 75 88 −13 1 9 6 Nieubasria 5 1 0 4 46 82 −36 2 6 7 New Velka (NPC) 5 0 0 5 34 96 −62 0 0 e Group C Ryxtylopia 21–17 Einherfell (NPC) Zoran 12–7 Arifiyyah Saint Mark 20–11 Peourouin Group C Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Ryxtylopia 5 5 0 0 80 55 +25 1 21 Q 2 Zoran 5 3 0 2 74 58 +16 2 14^ 3 Saint Mark 5 3 0 2 57 44 +13 2 14^ 4 Peourouin 6 3 0 3 90 81 +9 2 14^ 5 Nouveauterra 5 2 1 2 43 35 +8 2 12 6 Arifiyyah 5 1 1 3 50 56 −6 2 8 e 7 Einherfell (NPC) 5 0 0 5 25 90 −65 1 1 e ^tie broken by virtue of (a) Head-to-head record: Zoran 1-0 Saint Mark; Zoran 1-0 Peourouin; Saint Mark 1-0 Peourouin Zoran 2-0; Saint Mark 1-1; Peourouin 0-2 Group D Dalimbar 21–12 Mygrdiyah Giovanniland 17–10 Denieria (NPC) Min-Su 3–14 Ostronia Group D Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Dalimbar 5 4 0 1 109 76 +33 3 19 q 2 Ostronia 6 4 0 2 106 55 +51 2 18 q 3 Mygrdiyah 5 4 0 1 85 31 +54 1 17 4 Giovanniland 5 3 0 2 53 57 −4 2 14 5 Nalibia 5 3 0 2 44 71 −27 0 12 6 Min-Su 5 0 0 5 23 77 −54 3 3 e 7 Denieria (NPC) 5 0 0 5 39 92 −53 2 2 e e eliminated from contention in the Knockouts round q qualified to the Knockouts round Q secured group standing in the Knockouts round

Lovel Ortiz opened his eyes when the alarm from his phone rang. Stretching, he got out of his bed and arranged it hurriedly. He thought of making a strawberry protein shake for his breakfast. Ortiz is one of the professional rugby union players in the United Adaikes. However, their league, formed and sponsored by private corporations, has yet to be recognized by the United Adaikes Rugby Football Union (UARFU). Also, with the World Cup happening, the start of their season was postponed until the end of the Knockouts round so that rugby football fans could watch and savor the World Cup. Standing at 6 foot and 1 inch, weighing 85 kilos, he is one of the top fly-halves in the league. He was one of the top players in their league who sent a position paper to the UARFU to look into drafting players from their league to the national pool. After preparing his strawberry protein shake, he went to the balcony of his apartment, overlooking the coastline in North Wrarnerbadshot, in the north of Thraproy, took his phone out, and browsed for the latest results and stories in the fifth Rugby World Cup happening in Overthinkers. The results of the coming match day will undoubtedly shape the future of the remaining 24 teams still playing for contention in the Knockouts round, he thought. Oh, how he wants to play for the national team. He was thinking that while he was looking at the stats from the performance of the United Adaikes national team from the previous match day. The Sharks are currently second in their group, with Teralyon, the team that beat them on the second match day of the tournament, sitting at the top, still undefeated in four matches. United Adaikes will play against the debutants of their group in the remaining match days. Next, they will play against the unknown Andolian team, New Velka, who have already been eliminated from contention in the Knockouts round and are still winless after playing four matches. Sans Teralyon, they held their AU allies, Nieubasria and Fujai, scoreless. They also won against Sekiya by 14 points despite allowing 10 points from their opponents. Ortiz thought they would be fine against this Andolian team. Still, they had to be wary of this Doll Guldurian debutant. They narrowly escaped with a win against Nieubasria, despite Nieubasria already having a sub-par performance this edition. While Teralyon, the United Adaikes, and Fujai already being stable at the top of the group, Nieubasria needs to win all their matches and hope that both Zhiznovsk and Sekiya lose all their remaining matches so that Nieubasria will make it through and have all of Polaris in their group advance to the Knockouts round. Ortiz does not care for the other groups. While he has reservations about not playing in the international scene, he still wants the best for the United Adaikes national team. As he finished his protein shake, his gaze fixed on the horizon, he felt a mix of anticipation and resolve. He might not be stepping onto the World Cup field this year. Still, his ambitions and commitment to making a name for himself, both in the United Adaikes and on the international stage, remained unshaken.

Results of the 5th Match Day of the Group Stage of RWC 5 Group A Rivalfiume 0–23 Cambria Varanius 3–36 Overthinkers Larxia 18–17 Avadonialis Group A Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Overthinkers 4 3 0 1 84 49 +35 3 15 2 Cambria 4 3 0 1 55 29 +26 1 13 3 Larxia 4 3 0 1 52 40 +12 0 12 4 Avadonialis 5 2 0 3 66 50 +16 4 12 5 Rivalfiume 5 2 0 3 43 58 −15 2 10 6 Hertfordshire and Jammbo 4 1 0 3 26 58 −32 1 5* 7 Varanius 4 1 0 3 18 60 −42 1 5* Group B Fujai 0–6 Teralyon Sekiya 10–24 United Adaikes New Velka (NPC) 13–34 Zhiznovsk Group B Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Teralyon 4 4 0 0 48 24 +24 1 17 q 2 United Adaikes 4 3 0 1 65 27 +38 3 15^ 3 Fujai 5 3 0 2 52 27 +25 3 15^ 4 Sekiya 4 2 0 2 70 72 −2 2 10 5 Zhiznovsk 5 2 0 3 75 88 −13 1 9 6 Nieubasria 4 1 0 3 32 53 −21 2 6 7 New Velka (NPC) 4 0 0 4 34 85 −51 0 0 e Group C Peourouin 14–32 Zoran Arifiyyah 10–16 Ryxtylopia Einherfell (NPC) 0–10 Nouveauterra Group C Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Ryxtylopia 4 4 0 0 59 38 +21 0 16 2 Peourouin 5 3 0 2 79 61 +18 2 14 3 Nouveauterra 5 2 1 2 43 35 +8 2 12 4 Zoran 4 2 0 2 62 51 +11 2 10 5 Saint Mark 4 2 0 2 37 33 +4 1 9 6 Arifiyyah 4 1 1 2 43 44 −1 1 7 7 Einherfell (NPC) 4 0 0 4 8 69 −61 0 0 e Group D Ostronia 24–3 Giovanniland Denieria (NPC) 12–22 Dalimbar Mygrdiyah 17–7 Nalibia Group D Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts 1 Mygrdiyah 4 4 0 0 73 10 +63 1 17 2 Dalimbar 4 3 0 1 88 64 +24 2 14^ 3 Ostronia 5 3 0 2 92 52 +40 2 14^ 4 Nalibia 5 3 0 2 44 71 −27 0 12 5 Giovanniland 4 2 0 2 36 47 −11 2 10 6 Min-Su 4 0 0 4 20 63 −43 3 3 e 7 Denieria (NPC) 4 0 0 4 29 75 −46 1 1 e ^tie broken by virtue of (a) Head-to-head record; United Adaikes 1-0 Fujai; Dalimbar 1-0 Ostronia *tie broken by virtue of (b) highest Point difference; no head-to-head record yet q qualified to Knockouts round e eliminated from contention in the Knockouts round