Russia create history with RWC qualification

[Bullitt]

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/ne...20qualification

Russia may not have got the victory they were searching for against Romania on Saturday, but the 21-21 draw in Sochi was enough to qualify for a Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history.

The draw takes Russia to 21 points in the European Nations Cup 2010 standings, two points behind neighbours Georgia who also confirmed their place at Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand this weekend with a 17-9 victory over Spain.

With two matches still to play in the top tier, Russia will post a minimum of 23 points even if they lose to both Germany and Georgia, with a point awarded for a loss in the European Nations Cup which spans two seasons.

This is a tally reachable by either Portugal or Romania if they win their remaining games, but Russia would still finish second if they did end up level on 23 points as they have the superior record, having beaten Portugal twice and the Romanians once.

Russia, though, do not yet know their opponents at Rugby World Cup 2011 and may not whether they qualify as Europe 1 or Europe 2 until they meet Georgia on neutral soil in the Turkish city of Trabzon on 20 March.

The European Nations Cup champion will qualify as Europe 1 and join Argentina, England, Scotland and the Play-off winner in Pool B in New Zealand, the runner-up slotting into Pool C with Australia, Ireland, Italy and USA.

Two places remain at RWC 2011

Alexander Gvozdovskiy was the hero for Russia with two tries against the Oaks, Yuri Kushnarev converting one of the wing's tries and kicking three penalties in the draw which puts Romania's ever-present attendance at Rugby World Cups at threat.

With Georgia and Russia claiming the region's two direct places to Rugby World Cup 2011, the battle is now on to finish third in the European Nations Cup to keep alive hopes of making the trip to New Zealand.

Romania currently lie fourth with 14 points, three behind Portugal although they do have a game in hand after their match with Spain earlier this month was postponed due to snow and freezing conditions in Bucharest.

The Romanians had briefly climbed above Portugal in the standings on Saturday, but their emphatic 69-0 victory over Germany at the Kultur-und Sportzentrum Martinsee in Heusenstamm took Tomaz Morais' charges back into third.

Whoever finishes third, be it Portugal or Romania, will then meet either Lithuania or the winner of Division 2A on a home and away basis for the right to enter the cross-continental play-off to determine the 20th and final qualifier for RWC 2011.

This European side will first have to overcome Tunisia and then the winner of Uruguay's encounter with the HSBC Asian Five Nations runner-up. Portugal are no stranger to this route, having qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in 2007 with a one-point aggregate win over Uruguay.

The other place at Rugby World Cup 2011 - the Asian qualifier - will be determined by the end of May with the HSBC Asian Five Nations winner to join hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and Canada in Pool A.

 

[erwanseb]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bullitt @ Mar 1 2010, 02:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/ne...20qualification

Russia may not have got the victory they were searching for against Romania on Saturday, but the 21-21 draw in Sochi was enough to qualify for a Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history.

The draw takes Russia to 21 points in the European Nations Cup 2010 standings, two points behind neighbours Georgia who also confirmed their place at Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand this weekend with a 17-9 victory over Spain.[/b]

This just an unbelievable result, who would have though 10 years ago that Russia could qualify for the rwc.

I watched closely one of their player , the fly-half as he used to play for Lyon in French pro D2 and he had every qualities a fly half could need.

 

[alexrugby]

after finishing 21:21 against Romania, host Russian team has gained the coooolest chance to make history for getting RWC pool-stage

Georgia is going to beat Romania next match and also plans victory over Russia on March 20th in Trabzon, Turkey

Romania has chance to get RWC only as a Repchage and chance to get Australia's pool

 

[roscommon guy]

I only kow two russian players Sergey Trishin and the lock who played for Blackrock.

 

[Fa'atau82]

Kirill Kulemin plays lock for Castres, i believe, and i know Ostroushko from iRB 7's. He was in a for a great solo try, and dived over the whitewash, only to somehow throw the ball in the crowd..

 

[alexrugby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Fa'atau82 @ Mar 2 2010, 09:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Kirill Kulemin plays lock for Castres, i believe, and i know Ostroushko from iRB 7's. He was in a for a great solo try, and dived over the whitewash, only to somehow throw the ball in the crowd..[/b]

They have good guys, but still unknown reason makes them outsiders (until this season) which I think will last no more than a day of two

They will play on high level next season

Progress is striking

 

[Melhor Time]

Russia has a lot of money invested in the sport. It is interesting to see the different ways in which Russia and Georgia have developed. Russia have developed by having a semi-professional group of players based in Russia while Georgia have sent all the their players to France. Both systems have had sensational results. A failure to do either, ala Spain or Portugal, has had clear results as has the Romanian idea of only picking Romanian based players - something that got them into deep trouble in the World Cup qualifying matches in 2009. Lucky for them they have reversed this policy but they were still only able to draw with Russia.

The World Cup is not to be messed with. Romania are likely to miss out for the first time ever and should really learn from their mistakes. Russia will go from strength to strength with a return to the nuclear stand off in their first ever World Cup matchs vs the USA in Pool C. It is bound to get superb attention and tv coverage in Russia.

 

[alexrugby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Melhor Time @ Mar 3 2010, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Russia has a lot of money invested in the sport. It is interesting to see the different ways in which Russia and Georgia have developed. Russia have developed by having a semi-professional group of players based in Russia while Georgia have sent all the their players to France. Both systems have had sensational results. A failure to do either, ala Spain or Portugal, has had clear results as has the Romanian idea of only picking Romanian based players - something that got them into deep trouble in the World Cup qualifying matches in 2009. Lucky for them they have reversed this policy but they were still only able to draw with Russia.

The World Cup is not to be messed with. Romania are likely to miss out for the first time ever and should really learn from their mistakes. Russia will go from strength to strength with a return to the nuclear stand off in their first ever World Cup matchs vs the USA in Pool C. It is bound to get superb attention and tv coverage in Russia.[/b]

Russians have great cash and finally they started to use these dollars in a smart way (and not to spend for restaurants and such a stupid things as they traditionally used to spend money)

Investing money in sports has very close results and striking results

I don't know whether these guys will continue in a field of Rugby but today they look very attractive among FIRA AER ENC CUP teams

The only team beating them anytime they face off is Georgia, and this tradition will last forever

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I read a few months ago that Russia hope to qualify for the 2019 World Cup quarter final. They would only be possible with significant investment in the sport. With Sevens earning Olympic status and now Russia qualifying for 2011, it should ensure a stream of funding from the federal government.

This is a great opportunity for Russia to establish themselves as a strong tier 2 nation. Hopefully we'll see the 6 Nations play tests against them more frequently.

 

[Fa'atau82]

I fear the gap between Georgia and Russia and the 6 Nations is the same as the ENC and the bottom team, Germany. Russia though, is on the crest of a sporting wave at the moment. The football team is doing very well, Russia is starting to enjoy success in Rugby. Can only be good for World Rugby.

 

[alexrugby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Fa'atau82 @ Mar 3 2010, 10:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I fear the gap between Georgia and Russia and the 6 Nations is the same as the ENC and the bottom team, Germany. Russia though, is on the crest of a sporting wave at the moment. The football team is doing very well, Russia is starting to enjoy success in Rugby. Can only be good for World Rugby.[/b]

If IRB is going to DIVIDE lower and higher nations in the same way as they used to do until today no eruptions in rugby teams will happen and nobody will rise in a sensible progressive way

If lower teams are going be enclosed in their own low level tournaments, and have no opportunity to play against giants no progress is going to happen

So we need IRB to start thinking about the real development of rugby and not licking asses of that super teams

What about Russia, they'd rather first beat our team and start dreaming about higher aims then

among 12 plays between Russia and us, Georgia won 10 and lost one

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunio...orld-stage.html


Sale old boys putting Russia on world stage


Former Sale chief executive Howard Thomas, who also served in that role with Premiership Rugby, is now running the game in Russia, Sale stalwart and former captain Steve Diamond is coaching the forwards â€" in fluent Russian as it happens â€" and Josh Baxendell has been drafted in since Christmas to look after the backs.

Baxendell, who learnt at the feet of Paul Turner at Sale, might have lacked a yard in pace but was as clever and innovative a back as any in England during the past 20 years, with a vast array of sevens-style tricks, not to mention a few borrowed from basketball.

Russia drew 21-21 with Romania on Saturday to qualify for the finals with two games to spare. They will complete their qualifying campaign this month with an 'away' match against Georgia on neutral territory in Turkey because technically the two nations are still at war, although the rugby teams have always been particularly close â€" off the field â€" with many players sending emails of support to each other during the hostilities of 2008. The winners of that match will line up in Pool B with England, the losers will meet Australia, Ireland, Italy and the United States in Pool C. The prospect of a World Cup match between the US and Russia would have rugby's marketing men drooling.


"It's been an absolutely brilliant experience," Diamond says. "When we got back into Moscow on Saturday night all the bars were showing the Romania match. What with Russia not being in the football World Cup finals and a poor Winter Olympics for Russia in Vancouver, the rugby team is beginning to attract a following.

"You can feel the sport taking off. This is a country that loves ice hockey and wrestling, and the Russian sports fan instantly get the physical element of rugby.

"The Russian team are a great bunch of lads who work their socks off and really fill the jersey. Working with them is a breath of fresh air. It reminds me of going right back to the early days of professionalism in 1995, everybody is mad keen and anything seems possible.

"They never seem to get injured or ill, which is a coach's dream. No whinging, excuses and very little ego. Even as semi-professionals they will be earning four or five times the average â€" out of Moscow â€" national wage and they know how good rugby can be for them if they work hard.

"Apart from a couple of players in France, they are all home-based. We have 11 semi-professional clubs in our national league and that is now our player base."

Russia has flirted with rugby for nearly a century, but Stalin's banning of all western sports derailed its progress, as did the break-up of the old Soviet Union when funding for non-Olympic sports became virtually impossible. They have always had the physique and aptitude for the game â€" getting a foothold in the Russian sporting system and becoming properly financed has been the problem.

Which is where Thomas and a certain Vyacheslav Kopiev come in. The latter is vice-president of the massive Russian conglomerate Sistema and a late but ardent convert to rugby who is now using his wealth, organisational skills and contacts in the Kremlin to get the sport on the map.

"Mr Kopiev invited me over to put new structures into the Russian game and is a massive supporter and help to the federation who argues our case at the very highest level," Thomas said.

"Russian rugby has gained other important supporters in recent years as well â€" the high-profile mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, is right behind us and the minister of sport, Vitaly Mutko, has become a fan and talks of rugby as being 'football's brother'.

"Back in October rugby won the Olympic vote and that has been massive for us. Already the Ministry of Sport has promised us nine new rugby stadiums around the country. Now this weekend we have qualified for our first ever World Cup and finally with the support of Yuri Luzhkov there is every possibility of Moscow being awarded the 2013 World Cup Sevens. Of the eight bidding countries we are the last one left standing and as long as the IRB rubber-stamp our tender the tournament will be coming to Moscow.

"Russian rugby has been riding the perfect wave recently. There is a long way to go but this has been a very good period for us."[/b]

 

[alexrugby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Mar 3 2010, 11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunio...orld-stage.html


Sale old boys putting Russia on world stage


Former Sale chief executive Howard Thomas, who also served in that role with Premiership Rugby, is now running the game in Russia, Sale stalwart and former captain Steve Diamond is coaching the forwards â€" in fluent Russian as it happens â€" and Josh Baxendell has been drafted in since Christmas to look after the backs.

Baxendell, who learnt at the feet of Paul Turner at Sale, might have lacked a yard in pace but was as clever and innovative a back as any in England during the past 20 years, with a vast array of sevens-style tricks, not to mention a few borrowed from basketball.

Russia drew 21-21 with Romania on Saturday to qualify for the finals with two games to spare. They will complete their qualifying campaign this month with an 'away' match against Georgia on neutral territory in Turkey because technically the two nations are still at war, although the rugby teams have always been particularly close â€" off the field â€" with many players sending emails of support to each other during the hostilities of 2008. The winners of that match will line up in Pool B with England, the losers will meet Australia, Ireland, Italy and the United States in Pool C. The prospect of a World Cup match between the US and Russia would have rugby's marketing men drooling.


"It's been an absolutely brilliant experience," Diamond says. "When we got back into Moscow on Saturday night all the bars were showing the Romania match. What with Russia not being in the football World Cup finals and a poor Winter Olympics for Russia in Vancouver, the rugby team is beginning to attract a following.

"You can feel the sport taking off. This is a country that loves ice hockey and wrestling, and the Russian sports fan instantly get the physical element of rugby.

"The Russian team are a great bunch of lads who work their socks off and really fill the jersey. Working with them is a breath of fresh air. It reminds me of going right back to the early days of professionalism in 1995, everybody is mad keen and anything seems possible.

"They never seem to get injured or ill, which is a coach's dream. No whinging, excuses and very little ego. Even as semi-professionals they will be earning four or five times the average â€" out of Moscow â€" national wage and they know how good rugby can be for them if they work hard.

"Apart from a couple of players in France, they are all home-based. We have 11 semi-professional clubs in our national league and that is now our player base."

Russia has flirted with rugby for nearly a century, but Stalin's banning of all western sports derailed its progress, as did the break-up of the old Soviet Union when funding for non-Olympic sports became virtually impossible. They have always had the physique and aptitude for the game â€" getting a foothold in the Russian sporting system and becoming properly financed has been the problem.

Which is where Thomas and a certain Vyacheslav Kopiev come in. The latter is vice-president of the massive Russian conglomerate Sistema and a late but ardent convert to rugby who is now using his wealth, organisational skills and contacts in the Kremlin to get the sport on the map.

"Mr Kopiev invited me over to put new structures into the Russian game and is a massive supporter and help to the federation who argues our case at the very highest level," Thomas said.

"Russian rugby has gained other important supporters in recent years as well â€" the high-profile mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, is right behind us and the minister of sport, Vitaly Mutko, has become a fan and talks of rugby as being 'football's brother'.

"Back in October rugby won the Olympic vote and that has been massive for us. Already the Ministry of Sport has promised us nine new rugby stadiums around the country. Now this weekend we have qualified for our first ever World Cup and finally with the support of Yuri Luzhkov there is every possibility of Moscow being awarded the 2013 World Cup Sevens. Of the eight bidding countries we are the last one left standing and as long as the IRB rubber-stamp our tender the tournament will be coming to Moscow.

"Russian rugby has been riding the perfect wave recently. There is a long way to go but this has been a very good period for us."[/b]

[/b][/quote]


Despite........ they have a lot to prove, first to themselves and next to whole world

I wish them good luck

 

[silva024]

Portugal out of world cup


unhappy for portugal,during the qualyfing had win their games and lose the final battle for romania.i don't understand what happened to portugal...

 

[alexrugby]

Georgia 36:8 Russia

This is for those who thought here on TRF that Russia is to be a best team of FIRA AER ENC Cup

and also for those people who thought as if there is a team better than Georgia in FIRA AER ENC Cup )))

 

[tommybear]

It's great to see new rugby nations having a measure of success. It can only be good for the game as it means that popularity is spreading and the grass roots, worldwide level is improving. Just so long as they don't beat England.

 

[alexrugby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tommybear @ Mar 25 2010, 06:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

It's great to see new rugby nations having a measure of success. It can only be good for the game as it means that popularity is spreading and the grass roots, worldwide level is improving. Just so long as they don't beat England.[/b]

hope this time is not far from today :lol:

 

[Rocket Singh]

Fiver says Putin will send Team Russia to the Gulag if they don't make the quarter finals...

 

[alexrugby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rocket Singh @ Mar 26 2010, 05:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Fiver says Putin will send Team Russia to the Gulag if they don't make the quarter finals...[/b]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: and at least Nuclear ballistic missiles to the countries who will dare and win Russians on RWC :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Fa'atau82]

Russia vs All Blacks, i can see it now in the Final.. two days before the game, all but a couple of the kiwis go down with polonium poisoning.