RUGBY LEAGUE NATION

 

 

Foundation Year - 1993

International Team - The Bears

Highest finish in World Cup - Lost all games and finished bottom of Group (2000)

Top level domestic competition - Russian Championship - 5 Russian teams and 1 Ukrainian team play in the top league from April to October.

History - Russia first started playing rugby league under the USSR in 1991 with the establishment of the Russian Championship. The competition has slowly grown over time and now has 6 teams.

In the first major step for the developing Russian Rugby League Federation, Russia participated in the 1995 Emerging Nations World Cup. Grouped with the Cook Islands, Scotland and the United States. Russia only managed a narrow victory 28 - 26 against rivals the United States.

In 2000 Russia played in the Rugby League World Cup for the first time. They were grouped in the same pool as Australia, England and Fiji. In their first game Russia played another minnow nation Fiji. Even with Ian Rubin from the Sydney Roosters in the ranks the Lote Tuquri lead Fijian's had to much pace for the Russian's. Russia were defeated by Fiji 38 - 12. Russia went on to play England and Australia in the remaining pool matches. In both games the Russian's were out of their depth. Australia racked up a record score of 110 - 4. Russia learned some valuable lessons during the World Cup. This was the first time Russia had played international teams at the highest level of the sport.

In 2002 over 30,000 fans turned out in Moscow to see Russia take on the United States. In a game that was televised across Russia, the Bears were too strong for the Tomahawks coming out convincing winners 54 - 10. The media interest surrounding the game was a big shot in the arm for rugby league in Russia.

In 2003 Russia's rugby league growth was rewarded with teams invited to take part in the UK based Challenge Cup knockout competition. Teams from Russia have been taking part in the Challenge Cup competition ever since. One of Russia's strongest Rugby League clubs Lokomotiv Moscow are regular participants in the Challenge Cup. To date no Russian team has made it past the 3rd round of the Challange Cup.

In 2006 Russia started the journey to qualify for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. In the first round of European qualifiers Russia were grouped with Georgia, Netherlands and Serbia. They went through undefeated advancing to the second round of European qualifiers. The second round proved much harder with Russia grouped with Lebanon and Ireland. Even with the coaching assistance of Tim Sheen's Russia failed to win against stronger opponents. Russia had come close but failed to qualify for the 2008 World Cup.

In 2008 Russia were ranked 7th in European seedings by the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF).

Russia, Lebanon and Serbia took part in the Euro-Med Challenge in 2008. Russia took out the competition with convincing wins over Serbia 30 - 4 and Lebanon 80 - 0.

Russia were due to compete in the 2009 European Cup. Russia withdrew from the competition in September due to financial issues.

In early 2009 Russia were ranked 13th in World seedings by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).

In a big win for the continued growth and exposure of rugby league in Russia, NTV Plus Sport will broadcast Super League matches live for the first time in 2009.

Dear Readers, If you have first hand knowledge of the current Rugby League situation in Russia we would love to hear from you. Please email us at: webmaster@rugbyleagueplanet.com or join our international rugby league Forums at http://forums.rugbyleagueplanet.com and let us all know what's going on in your part of the world.