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Russia national rugby league team

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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

The Russia national rugby league team, nicknamed The Bears (Russian: Медведи), represents Russia in international rugby league tournaments and other rugby league fixtures.

The national team formed in 1991, with their first international against France a few months later.[1] The team, under the governance of the Russian Rugby League Federation gained observer status with the Rugby League International Federation in 1993, before being promoted to affiliate member ahead of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup and gaining full membership a three years later.

In 2010, Russia was expelled for a series of rule breaches and readmitted under the Association of Rugby League Clubs, they regained full member status three years later.[2] After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Rugby League and European Rugby League suspended Russia's membership thus preventing them from competing in all international rugby league competitions.[3] They were later downgrade to affiliate status.[4]

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] The following year, the team participated in the 1995 Rugby League Emerging Nations World Championship.[5]

2000s

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Russia gained affiliate member status with the Rugby League International Federation in 2000 allowing them automatic qualification to the expanded 2000 Rugby League World Cup. Russia was drawn into a group with Australia, England, and Fiji, and were captained by Sydney Roosters prop Ian Rubin, who was born in Odesa, Soviet Union. Rubin was one of two NRL experienced players in the world cup squad; the other being Robert Campbell who had played for Gold Coast Chargers. Russia lost all three group games, losing their opener to Fiji in Barrow-in-Furness 38–12, before back to back defeats in Kingston-upon-Hull to England and Australia, 76–4 and 110–4 respectively. The latter of these results is the largest defeat in test rugby league.[5]

In 2002, Russia hosted the United States in a test match at the Luzhniki Stadium in front of 30,000 spectators.[5]

The Russian side went on a four-match tour of New Zealand's south island in 2004.[6]

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.[7]

Competitive Record

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Main article: List of Russia national rugby league team results

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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IRL Men's World Rankings
Official rankings as of December 2024
Rank Change Team Pts %
1 Steady  Australia 100
2 Steady  New Zealand 86
3 Steady  England 84
4 Increase 1  Tonga 63
5 Decrease 1  Samoa 54
6 Increase 1  Papua New Guinea 53
7 Decrease 1  Fiji 44
8 Steady  France 30
9 Increase 2  Serbia 23
10 Steady  Cook Islands 22
11 Increase 1  Netherlands 22
12 Increase 5  Wales 18
13 Increase 2  Malta 17
14 Increase 6  Ukraine 13
15 Decrease 1  Greece 12
16 Decrease 7  Lebanon 12
17 Decrease 4  Italy 11
18 Decrease 2  Ireland 9
19 Decrease 1  Jamaica 8
20 Increase 1  Czech Republic 8
21 Increase 2  Chile 8
22 Decrease 3  Scotland 7
23 Increase 4  Philippines 7
24 Increase 7  United States 7
25 Decrease 1  Poland 5
26 Increase 2  South Africa 5
27 Decrease 5  Germany 5
28 Decrease 3  Norway 5
29 Increase 4  Brazil 4
30 Decrease 4  Kenya 4
31 Increase 10  Canada 4
32 Steady  Montenegro 4
33 Increase 2  North Macedonia 3
34 Increase 15  Argentina 3
35 Increase 5  Albania 2
36 Steady  Bulgaria 2
37 Decrease 7  Ghana 2
38 Decrease 9  Nigeria 2
39 Decrease 5  Turkey 1
40 Decrease 3  Cameroon 1
41 Decrease 2  Japan 1
42 Decrease 4  Spain 1
43 Decrease 1  Colombia 1
44 Decrease 1  El Salvador 0
45 Steady  Russia 0
46 Increase 1  Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
47 Increase 3  Hong Kong 0
48 Increase 3  Solomon Islands 0
49 Increase 8  Vanuatu 0
50 Steady  Niue 0
51 Decrease 1  Latvia 0
52 Increase 2  Denmark 0
53 Increase 2  Belgium 0
54 Decrease 4  Estonia 0
55 Decrease 9  Sweden 0
56 Decrease 12  Morocco 0
57 Decrease 9  Hungary 0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

See also

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References

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  1. ^ https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/dates/27-october-1991/france-vs-russia.html
  2. ^ "Rugby League's international body RLIF has welcomed Russia, Ukraine and Jamaica to full membership". SBS. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Russia banned from international rugby league competitions".
  4. ^ "IRL Membership: Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Scotland Reclassified". IRL. 15 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-04-16. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b c https://amp.abc.net.au/article/104606688
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Russia banned from international rugby league competitions".
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