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Russia's World Cup hopes in tatters as World Rugby announce sanctions

(Photo by William West/ AFP)

Russia’s hopes of attending a second successive World Cup next year appears to be in tatters following a World Rugby statement issued on Tuesday [NZT].

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In line with recommendations put forward by the International Olympic Committee [IOC], World Rugby have placed sanctions on Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, as well as Belarus for its facilitation of the invasion.

As such, World Rugby have immediately suspended Russia and Belarus “from all international and cross-border club rugby activities until further notice”.

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    It has also suspended the Rugby Union of Russia “from World Rugby membership until further notice”.

    “World Rugby reiterates its condemnation of Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine and the facilitation of this action by Belarus,” World Rugby’s statement reads.

    “The global rugby family is united in standing in solidarity with everyone affected by these deeply disturbing events and joins the global community in calling for the restoration of peace.

    “The World Rugby Executive Committee has today decided to take immediate additional steps to protect the rugby family and take a strong stance against the conflict in line with recommendations by the IOC:

    • The full and immediate suspension of Russia and Belarus from all international rugby and cross-border club rugby activities until further notice
    • The full and immediate suspension of the Rugby Union of Russia from World Rugby membership until further notice

    “The decision has been taken with the interests of rugby’s values of solidarity, integrity and respect at heart.

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    “World Rugby also remains in contact with colleagues at the Ukraine Rugby Federation and has pledged its full support to the rugby community in the country.”

    News of Russia’s suspended membership from World Rugby severely endangers their hopes of competing at next year’s World Cup in France, which they are yet to have qualified for.

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    Russia attended the 2019 World Cup in Japan after Romania, Spain and Belgium were all found guilty of fielding ineligible players during the qualifying process, but their chances of qualification for next year’s tournament now appear slim at best.

    Russia, whose first World Cup appearance came in 2011, currently lie in fifth place in the Rugby Europe Championship, 15 points adrift from an automatic qualifying spot and 12 points astray from a berth in the Final Qualification Tournament.

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    That is all redundant, though, while their World Rugby membership remains invalid, especially after their two remaining qualifying fixtures against Georgia and the Netherlands were postponed by Rugby Europe last week.

    Russia’s suspended membership from World Rugby will also prevent the country from competing on the World Sevens Series, as well as the Sevens World Cup, which will be held in Cape Town this September.

    Neither of Russia’s men’s or women’s sevens teams are core members of the World Sevens Series, nor had they qualified for the Sevens World Cup, but neither team will feature in either event during Russia’s suspension.

    Earlier on Tuesday, European Professional Club Rugby issued a statement condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, following the lead of Rugby Europe and World Rugby, both of whom released similar statements last week.

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    Comments

    7 Comments
    V
    Vince 1068 days ago

    Its about bloody time! Sad for all the athletes but really what took so long, World Rugby??

    t
    t 1115 days ago

    Russian hopes weren't exactly buoyant b4 Putin invaded Ukraine. If war ended tomorrow (sadly unlikely) and they were reinstated they'd have to win last 3 games with BPs & hope Romania lost to Holland, just to get into the repechage...

    G
    GraemeJSimpson 1115 days ago

    Well done. A small gesture but it needs to be done. The sooner they're out of Ukraine the better.

    A
    Andrew 1115 days ago

    Gosh. If we're sanctioning fir war crimes and annexations at last we,'ll finally get bans on the Israelis and Saudis, or doesnt it apply to all wars and annexations...just those of designated enemies?

    i
    isaac 1116 days ago

    It is really unfair when sportspeople are on the receiving end of hand hands...as much as the actions of the government of russia are condemned, rugby players soccer players or any other athletes should not have to suffer the consequences of the action of a few

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    J
    JW 11 minutes ago
    'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

    You can translate here https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=websites


    Thanks for the link, but I can read it clearly and it says the… Top 14 features almost twice as many matches as Super Rugby Pacific, but is two and a half times longer.


    This article appears to be the basis of; https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/the-stats-show-the-club-v-country-wounds-may-never-heal/ which is the one that I referred to which refutes your perception.


    Were they both say..

    If we take the dominant clubs in each major championship, we see that Stade Toulousain, author of the Top 14 – Champions Cup double, only has seven players above 1000 minutes, far from the average previously cited.


    Furthermore, none of these players are full-time starters for the French national team: Toulouse are ahead of the competition at this level, and are far more effective than their domestic rivals in protecting their premium players.

    The premium players being treated best is clearly apparent. Is you’re player management as good as New Zealands, of course not. NZ players will obviously be more fresh, but if we take the total of each at the end of their seasons, theres not going to be much difference as I’ve said, LNR are already treating their players much better.


    I’m sorry, but as I alluded to, you are a fan rather than a researcher, your picture that you think has been painted is wrong. Your linked article says everything I did above.


    So while that article paints the French in a well rested light, however it’s not actually including EPCR, which in respect to Toulouse, is where they’ve put their stars minutes into. So I think it’s time to do your own research! Pick and player and lets see, one of each camp? An important player you think has played a lot, and an example of a fresh young lad. Then were can look to their minutes as see how close or far they are to examples of players who are going to play in July.


    Trust me, I have already done this research (but wouldn’t mind look at examples from this year to see if it’s still the case/same as previous years).

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