http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/international/USA_Russia_Showdown.shtml Georgia beat Russia 36-8 in Trabzon, Turkey on Saturday to retain the European Nations Cup title and confirm their position in Pool B as Europe 1 for Rugby World Cup 2011. Both teams had already qualified for rugby’s showpiece tournament and despite playing the match on neutral soil a capacity 6,000 fans, mostly from Georgia, filled the Akçabaat Fatih Stadium. Georgia can now look forward to an opening match against Scotland in Dunedin on September 14, 2011 before facing Argentina, 2003 winners England and the playoff winner in Pool B. Russia, as European Nations Cup runners-up, qualify as Europe 2 for their first ever Rugby World Cup and set up an historic encounter with USA in their opening match in New Plymouth on September 15. Australia, Ireland and Italy provide their other Pool C opposition. Georgia, roared on by their passionate supporters, overwhelmed their neighbors in a five-try performance to end the European Nations Cup with 27 points, two more than Russia having only lost one match across the two-year competition. In the weekend's other match in the top tier, Spain ran out 21-17 winners over Germany in Heidelberg to condemn their hosts to an immediate return to Division 2A with Ukraine taking their place.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/3511607/The-Russians-are-coming-for-the-RWC Mail Last updated 13:00 26/03/2010SharePrint Text Size Relevant offers The Russians are coming to Nelson – for the Rugby World Cup. Despite losing to Georgia 36-8 in their European Nations Cup match at the weekend, Russia have secured their position as the second-ranked team from the European qualification group, and with it a place at next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. It is the third team Nelson is to host for the tournament, joining Italy and the US. The news comes as Nelson MP Nick Smith was to present Nelson Mayor Kerry Marshall with a cheque this afternoon for $1.69 million as a government contribution to improvements at Trafalgar Park. The money is being spent on an upgrade of the sports field lighting and a permanent media space in front of the existing pavilion. The council is spending $5.9m on the upgrade, which includes upgrading the turf, drainage and pavilion, a new electronic scoreboard, new toilets, shaping the northern embankment and replacing the perimeter fence. Dr Smith said today the Government was committed to ensuring the World Cup was not just an Auckland event. "It's a real opportunity for us to showcase Nelson, not just to Italy, USA and Russia, but to the world. This funding will give a shot in the arm to the infrastructure upgrade that our community needs to do to successfully host our share of the event next year." Russia will play in Group C with Australia, Ireland, Italy and the United States, with their match against Italy to be played at Trafalgar Park on September 20 next year. Nelson will host the Russian squad the night before and on the night of the match. RWC 2011 Nelson steering group chairman Aldo Miccio said he knew little about the Russian team, but was sure they would be excited about qualifying and playing in Nelson, the birthplace of rugby in New Zealand. "It was down to Russia and Georgia. From a marketing point of view and getting Nelson on the radar point of view, it was definitely a win getting Russia over Georgia. And to have the combination of hosting USA and Russia, it has a lot of potential spinoffs." The World Cup steering group would meet next month, and now that it was known which teams would visit Nelson, more planning could take place, he said. "Now that we know that Russia's here, we can put the whole suite of all the different activities and strategies into play to number one, drive people to Nelson, and number two, get Nelson exposure around the world." The tournament will be Russia's first appearance at the Rugby World Cup, the Bears having only played their first international match in 1992. Ad Feedback They compete regularly in the European Nations Cup, finishing third in 2001 and 2002 and second in 2007 and this year. Nelson's Russian community is naturally delighted with their compatriots' success and looking forward to welcoming the team to Nelson. Nailya Sixtus, who has lived in Nelson for eight years, said she was a little surprised to learn of their qualification, as ice hockey and football were the major sports in her homeland, but she was confident that the Bears would give a good account of themselves. "All over the world, Russian people are really welcome because they are good professionals, they work hard, they know how to do things, and they are very good company. "In terms of sportsmen, our demands on professionals are very high, extremely high in every area." She estimated that there were about 60 Russians living in the Nelson region, all of whom would be looking forward to showing off their homeland come World Cup time. By coincidence, the Nelson Multicultural Council will hold a Russian-themed pot luck dinner on April 9. A week after Russia play Italy, the Italians will take on the USA at Trafalgar Park on September 27. RUSSIAN RUGBY Nickname: The Bears World Ranking: 19 Players: 20,000 Clubs: 105 (12 in top professional competition) Coach: Nikolay Nerush Captain: Vladislav Korshunov
http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/national/Rugbytalk_USA_v_Russia.shtml There is a really good podcast on Rugbytalk this week about the American vs. Russian sports rivalry. We play the Russians first in the Churchill Cup and then first in the World Cup. Apparently they want to beat us really bad and showing the game on tv will draw huge ratings! USA Rugby should really ham this up!