Russia national rugby league team

Russia

Team information
Nickname	The Bears
Governing body	Russian Rugby League
Region	Europe
Head coach	Denis Korolev
Captain	Sergey Konstantinov
Home stadium	Naro-Fominsk
IRL ranking	45th
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First international
France 26–6 USSR (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
Appearances	1 (first time in 2000 )
Best result	Group 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

1990s

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

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

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

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

Main article: List of Russia national rugby league team results

Overall

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

IRL Men's World Rankings v t e
Official rankings as of December 2024
Rank	Change	Team	Pts %
1		Australia	100
2		New Zealand	86
3		England	84
4	1	Tonga	63
5	1	Samoa	54
6	1	Papua New Guinea	53
7	1	Fiji	44
8		France	30
9	2	Serbia	23
10		Cook Islands	22
11	1	Netherlands	22
12	5	Wales	18
13	2	Malta	17
14	6	Ukraine	13
15	1	Greece	12
16	7	Lebanon	12
17	4	Italy	11
18	2	Ireland	9
19	1	Jamaica	8
20	1	Czech Republic	8
21	2	Chile	8
22	3	Scotland	7
23	4	Philippines	7
24	7	United States	7
25	1	Poland	5
26	2	South Africa	5
27	5	Germany	5
28	3	Norway	5
29	4	Brazil	4
30	4	Kenya	4
31	10	Canada	4
32		Montenegro	4
33	2	North Macedonia	3
34	15	Argentina	3
35	5	Albania	2
36		Bulgaria	2
37	7	Ghana	2
38	9	Nigeria	2
39	5	Turkey	1
40	3	Cameroon	1
41	2	Japan	1
42	4	Spain	1
43	1	Colombia	1
44	1	El Salvador	0
45		Russia	0
46	1	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0
47	3	Hong Kong	0
48	3	Solomon Islands	0
49	8	Vanuatu	0
50		Niue	0
51	1	Latvia	0
52	2	Denmark	0
53	2	Belgium	0
54	4	Estonia	0
55	9	Sweden	0
56	12	Morocco	0
57	9	Hungary	0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

See also

• Russia portal
• Sports portal

• Rugby league in Russia
• European Nations Cup
• Emerging Nations Tournament
• World Cup

References

1. "France vs. Russia - Rugby League Project".
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". March 2022.
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. "'Half-cut from drinking 50 beers on the plane': How Russia took on the Aussies in the most one-sided league Test in history". ABC News. 16 November 2024.
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". March 2022.

External links

• Official website
• Russia national rugby league team on Facebook
• Russia: European Rugby League