As expected, Georgia brushed past a rather inept Russia in their latest European Nations Cup game and with just a re-arranged match against the Ukraine to play, the Georgians now head the table in group 1a.

The result itself came as no surprise but the Bears would have been disappointed with the manner and margin… Read the rest

In the latest round of European Nations Cup games, Russia grabbed their opportunity to turn in a winning performance over the Ukraine as they attempt to climb the 2011 European Nations Cup table. However, the most impressive performance of the weekend came in Bucharest where a physical encounter saw Georgia edge past their Romanian hosts.… Read the rest

While Russia would have been buoyed by their performance against Portugal in the last round of European matches, coach Kingsley Jones will have been bitterly disappointed with the manner in which they surrendered to a strong but beatable Romanian side at the weekend.

Georgia however rebounded from their own setback against Spain last time out… Read the rest

Portugal 32-33 Russia

Coach Kingsley Jones was indebted to the kicking qualities of Anton Ryabov and Yuri Kushnarev whose collective boots saw Russia scrape home by a single point in their European Nations Cup Tie on the 11^th of February. Portugal actually outscored their opponents in the tries department by 4 to 3 but by… Read the rest

Georgia led this match by seven points to five at half time but ultimately couldn’t contain the superior quality of their opponents. For long periods of time this was a physical encounter where both teams cancelled each other out until the Pumas’ backs were allowed to dominate in the last period.

The game was scoreless… Read the rest

Russia’s rugby union heroes departed from the 2011 World Cup with a stunning performance against Australia in Nelson. At one stage it looked as if the Bears would be heading for their record defeat but tries from Ostroushko, Simplikevich and Rachkov kept the score to a respectable 68 – 22 to Australia at the end… Read the rest

Having overcome early pressure to record an emphatic win over Romania in Palmerston North, Richie Dixon’s Georgian side will be approaching their last game of the 2011 World Cup with renewed optimism and the feeling that if they play to the top of their game, there is just the chance of an upset.

Despite Georgia’s… Read the rest

This was always destined to be a physical encounter and not the most attractive game of rugby you’ll ever see but you can’t blame Georgia for playing to their strengths as they powered to a 25 points to 9 victory in Palmerston North.

As they prepared to face a team that they routinely beat in… Read the rest

As Russia head towards their final game of this 2011 World Cup campaign, supporters will definitely argue that they have been a worthy addition to the tournament. While detractors will suggest that the so called minnows of world rugby have no place at this event, the lower ranked sides have shown that improvement is guaranteed… Read the rest

Although the final margin of defeat may have seemed heavy, Russia only capitulated in the last ten minutes of each half and conceded the majority of their tries in these periods. Stamina may therefore have been an issue but for parts of the game, the Bears defence withstood their opponents’ onslaught while in attack, slick… Read the rest

After the promising signs shown by this Russian rugby side in their opening two matches, the real hard work for Nikolay Nerush and his men starts with this game in Rotorua on September the 25^th. This is a point where any hope of a positive result has gone but Russia should be looking for more… Read the rest

The disappointment on Russian faces at the end of this game underlined the mixed emotions that will be felt in the camp after this loss. On the positive side, there were three excellent tries that came about as a result of effective attack and there were some fine individual performances, notably from the replacement scrum… Read the rest

After winning many new fans with their impressive display against the English in Dunedin, Georgia will be targeting this match as a real opportunity to turn their collective efforts into something more tangible. As winners of the European Nations Cup for the last four years, Richie Dixon and his side will know that they are… Read the rest

Although England undoubtedly deserved their victory, the final score in this match didn’t exactly flatter them. Georgia dominated possession for large periods of the game and Martin Johnson’s side will know that they have been in a battle. Crucially, this England team made their chances count by running in six tries while Georgia managed to… Read the rest

Russia have little time to consider their bitter disappointment at the many wasted opportunities in their game with the USA before they face a tough challenge against Italy in Nelson next week.

Prior to the start of the tournament, Nikolay Nerush and his side will have been aware of the threat posed by this ever… Read the rest

As both teams approach their second match in this rugby world cup, all the attention is on England and their team selection ahead of this tie in Dunedin on September 18^th.  The big news in this respect is the axing of Jonny Wilkinson who had what is being claimed as his worst performance in an… Read the rest

Ultimately, the result of this game was probably the right one but this Russia side will feel that they had enough chances to secure a historic victory in their first ever appearance at a Rugby World Cup final.

The pre-match optimism that surged through the Russian camp was justified right from the start when a… Read the rest