Russian Rugby (Churchill Cup)

dromdrom

On Babysitting duty tonight as herself is gone out (so unfortunately stone cold sober!) so decided to watch the Russia USA Match in the C Cup to see how Eddie is getting on, absolute cracker of a game have to say that am absolutely amazed (correction flabbergasted) at the standard of the Russians, never knew there was a fully professional league in Russia and it shows, gritty pack and some outstanding backs, leading the USA by a point at half time and should be a lot more ahead, if anyone can watch the highlights on YouTube I would recommend have a look even good old Dewey Morris can't believe what he is watching, could definitely be an interesting development in European Rugby if the game gains more traction among the growing middle class serious serious potential to be a competitive team in European rugby.

chupacabra

dromdrom wrote: »

On Babysitting duty tonight as herself is gone out (so unfortunately stone cold sober!) so decided to watch the Russia USA Match in the C Cup to see how Eddie is getting on, absolute cracker of a game have to say that am absolutely amazed (correction flabbergasted) at the standard of the Russians, never knew there was a fully professional league in Russia and it shows, gritty pack and some outstanding backs, leading the USA by a point at half time and should be a lot more ahead, if anyone can watch the highlights on YouTube I would recommend have a look even good old Dewey Morris can't believe what he is watching, could definitely be an interesting development in European Rugby if the game gains more traction among the growing middle class serious serious potential to be a competitive team in European rugby.

How did the Russian full back do? Used to play for Blackrock in the schools cup and was in the Leinster Academy at one stage.

dromdrom

chupacabra wrote: »

How did the Russian full back do? Used to play for Blackrock in the schools cup and was in the Leinster Academy at one stage.

Having a cracking game , scored a great try and made some very good breaks, Eagles are starting to pull away now scores were level pegging till the 55 min mark and the heat starting to sap the Russians.

Kiwi_knock

Have to say I am very impressed by these two teams, they deserve to be playing top teams more often.

B0X

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Have to say I am very impressed by these two teams, they deserve to be playing top teams more often.

Wasn't there plans for a pacific rim cup at one stage? (With the US, Canada, Russia, Japan and Fiji.) It'd be a good development competition.

Podge_irl

Russia are in our group along with USA for the RWC. I think the USA-Russia game could do wonders for the sport on a global scale as it's a game both sides can get behind in a massive way and is not a foregone conclusion by any means.

By all accounts Russian rugby is on the rise. It certainly seems like a sport that would suit them and we can only hope that they continue their progress.

gally74

i get images or rocky 4 all through this thread

dromdrom

Rocky 4 Rocky solves communism,
In a bizzarre way the Georgian Russian war is doing wonders for Rugby in the region, pulling in a crowd of over 40000 last time the Georgians played the Russians in Tblisi (1.5 million watching on T.V)and also seeing thousands of Georgians travel to an away game in Turkey against the Russians last March (president made a 15 minute speech about the game on t.v afterwards praising the lelos), the game was prime time viewing in both countries.

Brilliant article on it here
http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/03/26/turning-turtle-in-georgia/

toomevara

Rugby League also growing exponentially in Russia. What happens if an Abramovich style Oligarch gets on board? The oval ball game could be huge in Russia.

LeeroyJones

While I love the 6 nations and Tri Nations, the rugby world is a very exclusive place. Without exposure to the game or regular high-profile fixtures, it must be very difficult for the likes of Russia, Georgia, USA etc to develop their game.

LeeroyJones

LeeroyJones wrote: »

While I love the 6 nations and Tri Nations, the rugby world is a very exclusive place. Without exposure to the game or regular high-profile fixtures, it must be very difficult for the likes of Russia, Georgia, USA etc to develop their game.

And as a result, when we see a boom in a country not in the top tier, we should be absolutely over the moon. Rugby has fought hard to lose the air of exclusivity about the game, it is no longer viewed as snobbishly as before in Ireland.

Hopefully we could be seeing Russia playing some decent ball in future years. I think the 7s game is certainly helping this lower seeded countries develop their games, and the profile of the game too.

LeeroyJones

Deleted User wrote: »

And as a result, when we see a boom in a country not in the top tier, we should be absolutely over the moon. Rugby has fought hard to lose the air of exclusivity about the game, it is no longer viewed as snobbishly as before in Ireland.

Hopefully we could be seeing Russia playing some decent ball in future years. I think the 7s game is certainly helping this lower seeded countries develop their games, and the profile of the game too.

I'd imagine though with the current system in place, any development by 'lesser rugby nations' is limited.

LeeroyJones

LeeroyJones wrote: »

I'd imagine though with the current system in place, any development by 'lesser rugby nations' is limited.

absolutely, and its a shame.

Is there an adequate competition for these teams to play in? They would benefit from a Two Tier World Cup games, perhaps a World Shield or something similar?

I'm only asking as I have no idea myself.

Risteard

Deleted User wrote: »

absolutely, and its a shame.

Is there an adequate competition for these teams to play in? They would benefit from a Two Tier World Cup games, perhaps a World Shield or something similar?

I'm only asking as I have no idea myself.

They only play the European Nations Cup over a two year basis. But they won't improve unless the play games against the top sides, and most of their players play at a high level.

LeeroyJones

I've often thought of the idea of having some sort of promotion-relegation system with the 6 Nations and the European Nations Cup, but not that straight forward.

What I would suggest is that the winner of the Nations Cup plays the team who comes last in the 6Nations in a promotion-relegation process.

While I would be confident that currently the 6Nations team would always come out on top in this playoff match, it would give the likes of Georgia, Russia etc a target to play for each season whilst at the same time means that if you lose your opening 2 fixtures in the 6Nations you still have something to fight for.

Currently the 'lesser nations' play competitive matches against top opposition every 4 years which is not nearly sufficient

sock puppet

LeeroyJones wrote: »

I've often thought of the idea of having some sort of promotion-relegation system with the 6 Nations and the European Nations Cup, but not that straight forward.

What I would suggest is that the winner of the Nations Cup plays the team who comes last in the 6Nations in a promotion-relegation process.

While I would be confident that currently the 6Nations team would always come out on top in this playoff match, it would give the likes of Georgia, Russia etc a target to play for each season whilst at the same time means that if you lose your opening 2 fixtures in the 6Nations you still have something to fight for.

Currently the 'lesser nations' play competitive matches against top opposition every 4 years which is not nearly sufficient

No union would risk relegation though. A year in the ENC would be disastrous for a 6 Nations team.

LeeroyJones

sock puppet wrote: »

No union would risk relegation though. A year in the ENC would be disastrous for a 6 Nations team.

True but something needs to be done

Podge_irl

LeeroyJones wrote: »

I've often thought of the idea of having some sort of promotion-relegation system with the 6 Nations and the European Nations Cup, but not that straight forward.

What I would suggest is that the winner of the Nations Cup plays the team who comes last in the 6Nations in a promotion-relegation process.

While I would be confident that currently the 6Nations team would always come out on top in this playoff match, it would give the likes of Georgia, Russia etc a target to play for each season whilst at the same time means that if you lose your opening 2 fixtures in the 6Nations you still have something to fight for.

Currently the 'lesser nations' play competitive matches against top opposition every 4 years which is not nearly sufficient

Italy's slow progress in the 6N shows how difficult it would be for a team to do any good upon promotion though. It's a nice idea, but just not workable.

I do think that the tier 1 teams should play at least one tier 2 team a year though.

Podge_irl

Podge_irl wrote: »

I do think that the tier 1 teams should play at least one tier 2 team a year though.

+1

It would also give us a chance a la the Baa Baa's games to try and test out players in new spots. Something that we definitely need in our calendar!

Chucky the tree

Commentators during the recent 7s tournament said that only olmypic sports are coached in schools so with 7s now an olympic sports that could help boast it as well in the long term future.

duckysauce

chupacabra wrote: »

How did the Russian full back do? Used to play for Blackrock in the schools cup and was in the Leinster Academy at one stage.

he was their stand out player some amazing tackles and great breaks, cracking game

profitius

dromdrom wrote: »

Rocky 4 Rocky solves communism,
In a bizzarre way the Georgian Russian war is doing wonders for Rugby in the region, pulling in a crowd of over 40000 last time the Georgians played the Russians in Tblisi (1.5 million watching on T.V)and also seeing thousands of Georgians travel to an away game in Turkey against the Russians last March (president made a 15 minute speech about the game on t.v afterwards praising the lelos), the game was prime time viewing in both countries.

Brilliant article on it here
http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/03/26/turning-turtle-in-georgia/

Good to see that.

I heard about the Russians developing the game a few years back. They're intending to keep their players at home in their own league. This is bad for player development but in the long term the Russian league could develop to rival the 3 main European ones. Maybe we might see irish teams travelling to Russian for HEC games!

The game was entertaining. The Russians looked the more talented team but the Americans were fitter. If Russia get a good defense coach and improve their fitness levels they'll be a much better team.

Theres an interesting league below the top countries developing. USA, Canada, Georgia, Romania and Russia. You would think that in the next 10 years one of those countries will make the breakthrough and become a first class rugby nation.

You also have the likes of Germany, Spain and Portugal who are imporving at a rapid rate. 7's rugby is always on Portugese TV these days and the number of kids playing has exploded.

Germany has set up a national academy. A few months ago the Germans underage team were playing an underage tournament and lost narrowly to Ireland and beat Romania by 50 or 60+ pts. The problem they have like so many other teams is to have a strong domestic league. Russia are ahead in this regard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpVrw3ZDppg

Good standard played.

Artemiyev's try was beautiful

toomevara

Playing the England Saxons tonight. On Sky.

Kiwi_knock

They're putting in another good performance in against Uruguay. The skills level on show are much better than you would expect. Artemiev is supposely joining Northampton next year. Would be a good move, some of these Russian players have shown that they are good enough to play at a higher level.

thebaz

Deleted User wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpVrw3ZDppg

Good standard played.

Artemiyev's try was beautiful

good to see Artemiyev doing well - possibly one of the greatest schools player i have seen ....

also agree that losers of 6 Nations should play the winners of the next level - it would greatly aid competiveness for Scotland and Italy or whoever is bottom

thebossanova

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

They're putting in another good performance in against Uruguay. The skills level on show are much better than you would expect. Artemiev is supposely joining Northampton next year. Would be a good move, some of these Russian players have shown that they are good enough to play at a higher level.

Tyrone Howe mentioned he signed a professional contract in the match commentary, take it this is where he's gone?

Stev_o

thebossanova wrote: »

Tyrone Howe mentioned he signed a professional contract in the match commentary, take it this is where he's gone?

AFAIK Russia have their own completely professional league.

thebossanova

Stev_o wrote: »

AFAIK Russia have their own completely professional league.

Yea that's right, but Tyrone said he'd been spotted at the Cup or something, and given a contract based on these performances is what I took from that. Just putting Kiwi_knock's info and the commentary and putting it together.

Kiwi_knock

They mentioned it a few times during that match that an offer had been made to him by Northampton. I presume that he will take it, a great place for him to develop

thebossanova

Cool thanks, good to know! Himself, Foden and Chris Ashton in the back 3, awesome! Leinster produce too much talent, another one lost!

Oisinjm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrbmb8oPQB4

Look at that maul... some scarily big men in these countries