Russia national rugby league team

The Russia national rugby league team, nicknamed The Bears (Russian: Медведи), represents Russia in international rugby league tournaments and other rugby league fixtures. The Bears, played their first fixtures against two British club sides: York Wasps and Fulham RLFC. In 2013, Russia became a full member of the Rugby League International Federation.

Russia
Badge of Russia team
Team information
NicknameThe Bears
Governing bodyRussian Rugby League
RegionEurope
Head coachDenis Korolev
CaptainSergey Konstantinov
Home stadiumNaro-Fominsk
IRL ranking45th
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First international
 France 26–6 USSR Soviet Union
(Villeurbanne, France; September 1991)
Biggest win
 Lebanon 0–80 Russia 
(Moscow, Russia; 28 September 2008)
Biggest defeat
 Australia 110–4 Russia 
(Hull, England; 4 November 2000)
World Cup
Appearances1 (first time in 2000)
Best resultGroup Stages, 2000

After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Rugby League and European Rugby League banned Russia from all international rugby league competitions.[1]

History

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1990s

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The Russia Bears were formed in 1991 for a tour of two English teams, the York Wasps and Fulham RLFC.[citation needed] The Bears played their first overseas match in 1991 against the French national team at the Stade Georges Lyvet, Villeurbanne on Sunday, 27 October 1991. The Bears were beaten 26-6 by France. Later that year, the Bears toured South Africa to play a three-match series against South Africa.[citation needed]

2000s

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The 2000 RLWC provided the Bears with the opportunity to compete with the international heavyweights of rugby league: England and Australia. Also in their group was Fiji, who the Bears played first up in Barrow. Led by Sydney Roosters prop Ian Rubin, who was born in Odesa, Ukraine, the Bears were involved in a tight struggle and it was Fijian captain, winger Lote Tuquri, who proved to be the difference between the two sides, with Fiji winning 38-12. The next two games were against opponents who proved to be beyond the Russians, with two big defeats at the hands of the English national team and a record 110-4 defeat by the Australians.[citation needed]

The Russian side went on a four-match tour of New Zealand's south island in 2004.[2]

In 2006, Russia were 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 then went through to Europe Round Two in Europe Pool Two with Ireland and Lebanon. Russia lost all 4 games against them and did not qualify on those grounds.[citation needed]

2010s

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In 2010, after a year out of competition, the Bears competed in the Rugby League European Shield, topping the table after wins against Ukraine and Latvia.[citation needed] In 2011 Russia were involved in the European qualifying group that featured Russia themselves, Italy, Serbia, and Lebanon. They lost both of their games against Italy and Lebanon ultimately ending their dreams for a second world cup tournament.[citation needed] In 2012-2013, the Bears competed in the Rugby League European Shield winning five games out of six to take the shield.[citation needed]

Russia participated in the qualification for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. In the final round of qualification, Russia took on Spain at Fili Stadium in Moscow, and Ireland in Bray, in a bid to qualify for their second World Cup appearance.[citation needed]

2020s

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After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Rugby League and European Rugby League banned Russia from all international rugby league competitions.[3]

Players

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Current squad

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Squad selected for the 2021 World Cup qualifying fixtures;[4]

  • Nikolai Zagoskin
  • Iustin Petrushka
  • Kirill Bozhko
  • Sergei Muntian
  • Kirill Kosharin
  • Petr Botnarash
  • Ivan Troitskii
  • Igor Abramov
  • Vladislav Lesnikov
  • Denis Tiulenev
  • Dmitrii Leskov
  • Aleksandr Lysokon
  • Alexandr Naumov
  • Dmitry Bratko
  • Viacheslav Eremin
  • Viktor Ariutkin
  • Andrey Kuznetsov
  • Ilia Danilov
  • Pavel Mrachkovskii
  • Denis Chuprin
  • Igor Chupin
  • Boris Voloskov
  • Sergey Konstantinov
  • Sergei Zhigan
  • Anton Kuklin
  • Evgenii Orlov
  • Andrei Lavrushin
  • Andrei Perin
  • Nikita Kuznetsov
  • Dmitrii Tarasenkov
  • Aleskei Leonov
  • Egor Shustov
  • Ivan Kazantsev
  • Vsevolod Gusev

Competitive Record

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Overall

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Below is table of the official representative rugby league matches played by Russia at test level up until 6 October 2021:

Team First Played Played Win Draw Loss Last Meeting
  Australia 2000 1 0 0 1 2000
  Cook Islands 1995 1 0 0 1 1995
  England 2000 3 0 0 3 2004
  France 1991 8 0 0 8 2005
  Fiji 2000 1 0 0 1 2000
  Germany 2012 2 2 0 0 2013
  Georgia 2008 2 2 0 0 2008
  Ireland 2004 4 1 0 3 2016
  Italy 2011 6 2 0 4 2016
  Latvia 2010 1 1 0 0 2010
  Lebanon 2006 3 1 0 2 2008
  Netherlands 2006 1 1 0 0 2006
  Scotland 1995 1 0 0 1 1992
  Serbia 2006 8 6 0 2 2021
  South Africa 1992 2 2 0 0 1992
  Spain 2016 2 2 0 0 2018
  Ukraine 2010 5 4 0 1 2021
  United States 1994 5 5 0 0 2004
  Wales 2003 1 0 0 1 2003
Total 1992 41 26 0 14

IRL Rankings

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Official rankings as of 30 June 2024
Rank Change Team Pts %
1     Australia 100
2     New Zealand 82
3     England 80
4     Samoa 67
5     Tonga 49
6   1   Fiji 49
7   1   Papua New Guinea 47
8     France 28
9     Lebanon 22
10     Cook Islands 20
11     Serbia 19
12     Netherlands 17
13     Italy 15
14   1   Greece 15
15   1   Malta 14
16     Ireland 14
17     Wales 13
18     Jamaica 10
19     Scotland 9
20     Ukraine 7
21     Czech Republic 7
22     Germany 6
23   3   Chile 6
24     Poland 6
25   3   Norway 6
26   1   Kenya 5
27   4   Philippines 5
28   3   South Africa 4
29     Nigeria 4
30     Ghana 4
31   2   United States 4
32   4   Montenegro 4
33   2   Brazil 3
34   2   Turkey 3
35   7   North Macedonia 3
36   2   Bulgaria 3
37   2   Cameroon 2
38   1   Spain 2
39   1   Japan 1
40   1   Albania 1
41   5   Canada 1
42   2   Colombia 1
43   2   El Salvador 1
44   1   Morocco 1
45     Russia 0
46   2   Sweden 0
47   2   Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
48   2   Hungary 0
49   3   Argentina 0
50     Hong Kong 0
51   3   Solomon Islands 0
52   5   Niue 0
53   1   Latvia 0
54   1   Denmark 0
55   6   Belgium 0
56   1   Estonia 0
57   6   Vanuatu 0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Russia banned from international rugby league competitions".
  2. ^ AP (13 April 2004). "Russia lose to New Zealand side". Daily Times. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Russia banned from international rugby league competitions".
  4. ^ https://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/2021-rlwc/russia-serbia-and-spain-name-squads-for-rlwc-qualifiers Russia Squad
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