The expusion was based on a Spanish claim that three South African-born players don't have Russian citizenship. Spain will take on Tunisia in the reprechage playoff with dates to be determined. The winner will face the US for a spot in RWC 2003 Poll B.
I saw that, and I have to say I think Russia kind of got screwed. They were apparently at the airport on their way to Tunisia for the match when they got the news. Also, the 3 players in question had already played several times for Russia and while questions were raised regarding their eligibility, they were allowed to play. They don't have to be citizens, though. Rugby has about the loosest eligibility requirements of any major international sport. If you have one grandparent born in a country, you are eligible to play for that country. That was the deal here - all 3 players were born and raised in South Africa, but claim to have Russian grandparent(s) who emigrated there. If that's true, they would be eligible. It's the same rule that's allowed a number of Aussies and Kiwis in recent years to represent Wales and Scotland. In addition, if you live in a country for a fairly short time (I think it's only 3 years) you can play for that country with only some minor stipulations. Strangest of all to me, you can also represent 2 different countries, as long as there's a gap of, I think it's 3 years since you last played for the previous country.
Hell, a couple ex-All Blacks played for Japan in the last RWC. How did they explain that one? "Well, I'm part Maori, and, well, asiatics migrated south thousands of years ago, so technically my great-great-great grandparents could've been part 'Japanese'..." Seems pretty inconsistent to me. Then again, I don't think anyone expected Russia to get past quals anyway.
I wouldn't expect the Americnas to get by either. Especially how they played in the Americas qualifiers.
Traditionally th erule in rugby was that you didn't represent the country, you represented th erugby union in that country - therefore you could play for pretty much anyone that you wanted to. It has been tightened a lot in recent years.