Russia national rugby league team
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| Nickname | The Bears | ||||||||||||||||
| Association | Russian Rugby League Federation | ||||||||||||||||
| Confederation | Europe | ||||||||||||||||
| Head coach |  Eugene Klebanov |
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| Captain | Roman Ovchinnikov |
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| RLIF ranking | 13th | ||||||||||||||||
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First international France 26 - 6 USSR  (Villeurbanne, France; September 1991) |
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Biggest win Ireland 6 - 64 Russia (Dublin, Ireland; 16 May 2004 |
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Biggest defeat Australia 110 - 4 Russia (Hull, England; 4 November 2000) |
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| World Cup | |||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 1 (First in 2000) | ||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Round 1, 2000 | ||||||||||||||||
The Russia national rugby league team (also known as The Bears) represent Russia in international rugby league tournaments and other rugby league fixtures. The Bears, played their first fixtures against two British club sides: York and Fulham. In 2004, Russia became a full member of the Rugby League International Federation.
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[edit] History
The Russia Bears were formed in 1991 for the tour of two English teams, the York Wasps and Fulham F.C.
The Bears played their first overseas match in 1991 against the French national team in Villeurbanne. Later that year the Bears toured South Africa and to play a three match series against South Africa. France continued to assist the game in the former Soviet Union by touring in 1993, winning 30-14 in Moscow against the Bears and 34-14 against Moldova.
1994 was the most important year to date for The Bears, marking their first international victory against the USA Tomahawks, in San Francisco. In 1995 Russia competed in the Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament but only managed to win one game during the tournament, defeating the Americans 28-26.
Overseas teams would not return to Russia until 1998, when a youth tournament was held in Moscow. The Bears would had to wait 2000 to play another international, when they played France in the lead-up to the 2000 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC).
The 2000 RLWC provided the Bears with the opportunity to competed with the international heavyweights of rugby league: England and Australia. Also in their group was Fiji, who the Bears played first up in Barrow. Lead by Sydney Roosters prop Ian Rubin, who was born in Odessa, Ukraine, the Bears were involved in a tight struggle and it was Fiji Captain winger Lote Tuquri who proved to be the difference between the two sides, Fiji winning 38-12. The next two games were beyond the Russians, with two big defeats at the hands of the English national team and a record defeat by the Australians.
In 2002 Russia hosted Moscow's first rugby league international. The match was shown in full on national television, and was the first league international to be played on artificial turf in front of American football posts. Their opponents, the USA Tomahawks, were outclassed 54-10, in front of a crowd of 25,000.
[edit] 2008 World Cup Qualifying
See also 2008 Rugby League World Cup qualifying
In 2006 Russia was involved in Europe Round One, defeating Netherlands national rugby league team and Serbia national rugby league team to finish second and keep their World Cup dream alive. They will now be involved in Europe Pool Two with Ireland and Lebanon. The winner of the pool will qualify for the 2008 World Cup, with the runner up entering the Repecharge round.
[edit] Competitions
Russia has participated in:
- Emerging Nations Tournament (1995)
- World Cup (2000)
- World Sevens (1992 as the "Red Arrows", 1994-2003)
- Victory Cup (2003, 2004)
[edit] Results
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- Lebanon def. Russia 22-8 (28 October 2006)
- Russia def. Serbia 44-6 (4 June 2006)
- Russia def. Netherlands 40-14 (28 April 2006)
- France def. Russia 80-0 (15 October 2005)
- England A def. Russia (24 October 2004)
- France def. Russia 58-10 (16 October 2004)
- Russia def. Ireland 64-6 (16 May 2004)
- Russia def. USA 64-8 (12 May 2004)
- England A def. Russia 102-0 (2 November 2003)
- Wales def. Russia 74-4 (26 October 2003)
- France def. Russia 29-12 (9 May 2003)
- Russia def. USA 44-12 (6 May 2003)
- Russia def. USA 54-10 (13 September 2002)
- Australia def. Russia 110-4 (4 November 2000)
- England def. Russia 76-4 (1 November 2000)
- Fiji def. Russia 38-12 (29 October 2000)
- France def. Russia 82-0 (3 July 2000)
- Russia def. USA 28-26 (20 October 1995)
- Cook Islands def. Russia 58-4 (18 October 1995)
- Scotland def. Russia 34-9 (16 October 1995)
- Russia def. USA 19-12 (1994)
- France def. Russia 30-14 (1993)
COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS):
- CIS def. South Africa 22-19 (1992)
- CIS def. South Africa 30-26 (1992)
- France def. CIS 38-4 (1992)
- France def. CIS 28-8 (1992)
SOVIET UNION (USSR):
- France def. USSR 26-6 (1991)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Russian Rugby League Federation - (in English)
- Bears vs USA article
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