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Information About

Russia National Rugby League Team




  Badge Russian Rugby Leaguejpg
  Badge Size 100px
  Nickname The Bears
  Association Russian Rugby League Federation
  Region Europe
  Coach Evgeniy Klebanov
  Captain Roman Ovchinnikov
  RLIF Rank 13th
  Pattern La1 _navylowerpattern_b1=_thindkbluesidespattern_ra1=_navylower
  Leftarm1 FFFFFFbody1=FFFFFFrightarm1=FFFFFFshorts1=FFFFFFsocks1=FF0000
  First Game France 26 - 6 USSR <br/>( Villeurbanne , France September 1991 )
  Largest Win Ireland 6 - 64 Russia <br/>( Dublin , Ireland 16 May 2004 )
  Largest Loss Australia 110 - 4 Russia <br/>( Hull , England 4 November 2000 )
  World Cup Apps 1
  World Cup First 2000
  World Cup Best Round 1, 2000


The Russia national rugby league team (also known as '''The Bears''') represent and Fulham . In 2004 , Russia became a full member of the Rugby League International Federation .


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.


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.


COMPETITIONS

Russia has participated in:



RESULTS









COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS):


SOVIET UNION (USSR):
  • France def. USSR 26-6 (1991)



SEE ALSO



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