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Rugby Europe statement: Georgia versus Russia fixture

Russia claim a lineout against Portugal in front of 12,000 fans at Kaliningrad Stadium (Photo by Anastasia Osipova/Russian Rugby Union)

Rugby Europe has taken the decision to postpone the upcoming Georgia versus Russia fixture in the Rugby Europe Championship.

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Russia currently sit fourth in the Europe Rugby Championship log, having lost both of their opening games against Spain and Romania.

It is speculated that aside from the potential logistical issues due to the burgeoning conflict in Ukraine, there were concerns for the safety of Russian nationals entering the country.

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A statement reads: “Considering the current situation and to preserve the health and safety of all players and officials, Rugby Europe has decided to postpone the game between Georgia and Russia scheduled to take place on February 27th in Tbilisi, Georgia and to cancel the Snow Rugby Championship scheduled to take place on February 27th and 28th in Moscow, Russia.

“The game between Spain and Russia in the Women’s Rugby Europe Championship scheduled on February 26th in Madrid, Spain, is currently maintained.”

“We will be making no further comment at this time on this matter.”

Many online are calling for the Russian team to be removed from the competition altogether. The Russian Rugby Union have not yet commented on the matter.

Earlier in the day, the Georgian Rugby Union’s official Twitter account posted a promotion for the fixture, with the twist that it was written in the Ukrainian language. The post was quickly deleted.

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https://twitter.com/KasrashviliM/status/1496172062003666947

Georgian fans booed the singing of the Russian national anthem in 2010 in a match that relocated to Turkey following the 2008 Russo-Georgian war.

It is undoubtedly rugby union’s most legitimately bitter rivalry and one that is typically the most well-attended home fixture for Georgia, regularly attracting crowds of 60,000 people to Tblisi.

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B
BeamMeUp 3 hours ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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