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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 942 days ago

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

t
t 989 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 990 days ago

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

A
Andrew 990 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 990 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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H
Hellhound 26 minutes ago
South Africa will beat England at a canter

You forget that this was the 3rd Test between the AB's and the English this year. They were prepared and they knew how to keep NZ quiet. The Boks is not NZ.


The Boks is a whole other level. You overestimate England and underestimate the Boks. Clearly you haven't really looked at the teams. Besides the Irish games earlier this year, the Boks have mainly used experimental sides, even against the AB's.


Now they have chosen their best team available. They have targeted this game. The Boks mean business. Man for man, this Bok team is better. In strategy and player abilities there is no comparison and they are outmatched.


There isn't just monster strength, but unreal speed. In broken play there is currently no better team as well as defensively, not to even talk about the attacking threat, both from front and the back.


I'd say read between the lines, see what everyone is seeing, but clearly you are wearing blinders and is also putting too much emphasis on an AB's team the Boks beat twice this year, the same AB's that beaten England 3 times this year.


When Rassie gets serious, the players become machines. There is no stopping them. That bench is loaded with players that is fast, strong and have exceptional skills. This is a team not many teams will face before the 2027 WC, because the Boks doesn't use their best between WC's in one game. All experimental.


You will be proven wrong on Saturday and then you will wonder how you could have been so wrong. This Bok team means serious business. They came to conquer and not just by a close score. They want to demolish and they will. This England team at most is a 60 min team. Against the Boks that just won't cut it

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H
Hellhound 42 minutes ago
South Africa will beat England at a canter

Not bizarre, but needed. Everyone usually lifts their game against the Boks. Now instead of facing reality, they prefer to live in the past and look hopefully toward the score of the WC semi, hoping they can recreate that result and by some miracle snatch a victory.


It's better than the alternative knowing what is going to happen. Especially looking at the experimental squads the Boks put up against the Wallabies in the RC, not using their best team. That same Wallabies beat them last week.


Now the Boks isn't using an experimental squad. They put out as close to the strongest team the Boks have available at the moment. That must scare the pants off of them. If an experimental squad can destroy the Wallabies, what would the strongest team be able to do to the English?


Instead of sinking into dispear, they prefer to hope that their players can match the Boks. Even though they know what is coming. The English are scared and they won't show it.


Now imagine how Wales must feel knowing they are up next weekend? They don't even have the dubious record of at least close losses like the English. It's a complete nightmare for these 2 countries and rightly so.


The Boks usually take the pedal of the medal post WC's, but not this Bok team. They are better than the WC winning Boks of both '19 and '23. They are stronger up front. They are faster at the back. They can hit front and back. In broken play they are the most dangerous team. They have the best defence and attack also scoring the most tries.


In a way I feel sorry for both the English and Wales. Only those with blinders on expects a close game. Looking at both teams man to man, strategy to strategy, play to play, they are so outmatched it would be a joke if it wasn't so serious. We need the NH to be strong and we need the gap to become closer in rugby so the game stay exciting because runaway scores sometimes is fun, but it doesn't bring as much joy as a close game won.

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