Was it the victory cup or just a tour? As far as I know the VC was played in the 90's... but you never know it may have been briefly revived that year. Either way am not surprised they enjoyed it. Everyone who goes to russia seems to love it.

---

For all The latest Rugby League scores from around the world:
http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
Contact
info@rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
-------------------------------------

In regards to the comment about Rugby League being the 14th most popular sport in New Zealand.

Rugby Union is New Zealand's most popular sport, however it isn't the nation's most commonly played sport.  Only 158,100 adults played Rugby Union over the last 12 months.  Far more adults played outdoor cricket and basketball during the same period, (224,900 and 167,300 respectively).  Around 70,000 adults played Rugby League.  It's because Rugby Union and Rugby League are contact sports that involve lots of hard-hitting action.  The majority of people aren't brave enough and/or strong enough to play a contact sport such as Rugby League/Union.

Source of Information: http://www.sparc.org.nz/research-policy/research/participation/participation-nz-adults/participation-nz-adults

I'd be curios to see if its anything similar in Australia?

---

For all The latest Rugby League scores from around the world:
http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
Contact
info@rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
-------------------------------------

England 3 Lions:

In regards to the comment about Rugby League being the 14th most popular sport in New Zealand.

Rugby Union is New Zealand's most popular sport, however it isn't the nation's most commonly played sport.  Only 158,100 adults played Rugby Union over the last 12 months.  Far more adults played outdoor cricket and basketball during the same period, (224,900 and 167,300 respectively).  Around 70,000 adults played Rugby League.  It's because Rugby Union and Rugby League are contact sports that involve lots of hard-hitting action.  The majority of people aren't brave enough and/or strong enough to play a contact sport such as Rugby League/Union.

Source of Information: http://www.sparc.org.nz/research-policy/research/participation/participation-nz-adults/participation-nz-adults

I can tell you know that is incorrect, we would be lucky to have 20,000 playing adults. I know my Rugby League very well when it is to do with NZ and i can promise you there is no way in the world that 70,000 adults played Rugby League in one or even three years!!

Rowly:

Some very good points by Marv and I agree wholeheartedly with most. My only point of difference is that I expect the RLWC08 to sell between 70 and 100% of tickets at all venues. My leaning is closer to 100% at most from which a good profit should be made.

i see your points and belive me mate, i would like nothing more than for the group games to be close to selling out, we are a group of people with the interests of the International game at heart, most fans dont share our vision

 

Rowly:

I strongly concur with the view that at present World Cups can only be conducted in Oz and the UK with matches from those World Cups taken to NZ and France respectively to ensure bigger gates at home venues. If Russia qualifed for a UK based World Cup I would also provide them with home games in Russia.

yeah theres no doubt France or NZ could stage their own group games, having the whole comp there would not work, there just isnt the number of fans in either country.

Games in Russia is a great idea but Rowly, they have never qualified for a WC, by stating that we would give them home games if they qualified, for me is another instance of running before walking, lets get the russians to a standard where they CAN qualify before giving them the right to play games at home and as druzik says lets get their two English challenge cup entrants to a standard wherte they can beat Ameteur opposition

Rowly:

The only way a RLWC is sustainable is by making a profit and that should not be risked. Hopefully some profits will be disseminated to minnow and smaller nations to assist them in developing and growing the game.

 

well wrapped up rowly, good post mate

Marv:

yeah theres no doubt France or NZ could stage their own group games, having the whole comp there would not work, there just isnt the number of fans in either country.

Games in Russia is a great idea but Rowly, they have never qualified for a WC, by stating that we would give them home games if they qualified, for me is another instance of running before walking, lets get the russians to a standard where they CAN qualify before giving them the right to play games at home and as druzik says lets get their two English challenge cup entrants to a standard wherte they can beat Ameteur opposition

yeh i think co-hosting is a good idea, only England/France and Aus/NZ could pull it off IMO. Getting into Russia though, it's all very well to say it would be great for russia to have some WC games played there, but this leads me to think that there would be alot of other countries that would also want WC games. For example, If Russia qualifies for a WC, why should they get home games and teams like Wales, Ireland, Scotland etc. miss out. Also i think PNG would be capable of hosting a WC game or 2 aswell as NZ.

I think (providing the next WC is based in england) that france should get to host all france's home games aswell as maybe wales, ireland and scotland getting a game or 2. As for russia, it's not all that close to england and IMO to have them host WC wouldn't be a good idea. I think to solve this russia should host a big tournament say europe nations or something like that every year or two, this would grow popualrity aswell as pushing the Russian domestic comp with advertising etc. Hell maybe Russia will be the next country that we can say can host a WC aswell as AUS and england.

jim_57:

As for russia, it's not all that close to england and IMO to have them host WC wouldn't be a good idea. I think to solve this russia should host a big tournament say europe nations or something like that every year or two, this would grow popualrity aswell as pushing the Russian domestic comp with advertising etc. Hell maybe Russia will be the next country that we can say can host a WC aswell as AUS and england.

 

I think thats the best way forward, the euro nations would be great for Russia, the problem is the game in Russia is stagnating, and i fear for Russia. The game has stalled there in recent years and there is nothing on the horizon. they were soundly beaten by Ireland and Lebanon twice (who they have been playing league longer than BTW) sometimes i wonder why they bother they must really love the game or get paid a lot of money.

The big hope for Russia has always been getting their best players to play in England, France or Australia and it still hasn't happened and doesnt even look likely. If Ovchinnikov can't make it I don't think anyone can.

The biggest problem i see in Russia is the big cheese Klebanov (owner of Loko Moscow and RRL CEO) has used all the available funds to stack his team, Loko with all the best players, and thereby kill the domestic competition. Its as if hammering teams 100-0 is good for RRL to him  It was also his petty egotism and ambition which drove away the millionaire former benefactor, Akhmet Kamaldinov, then president of the RRL. Kamaldinov also took on role of financier to not just the federation, but the game of rugby league in Russia, providing money, referees’ kit and development work for the league and equipment for all of the RRL  AND  he funded major international events such as the Victory Cup. The game in Russia which had achieved steady gains since his arrival with junior numbers up and the national league looking strong. Without his money it has been difficult for the national team to improve further from 2004.

Klebanov was also reluctant to allow foreigners to coach the national team, though his power over that has changed recently (unfortunately Tim Sheens was denied the right to coach the Russian team by the Wests Tigers management). Klebanov's past insistence on him being the coach of the national team had ensured that the national team was poor. Klebanov has no qualifications to be a coach and again it seems to be his immense ego needing fuelling.

The OTHER problem of Russian Rugby League is it is only partly funded. It is also the power structure of the game in Russia. There is no point in the RLIF, after the 2008 World Cup, throwing away good money by giving it to Klebanov to spend as he wants (on loko). The best prospects for the game would lie in the establishment of new clubs. Until the RLEF and the RLIF shows a bit of courage, by setting criteria for the running of the domestic competition and for the national team set up, as conditions for Russia's continuing presence in the European Federation, there will be no progress for rugby league in Russia.

 
On the other hand i can see one bright point if Russia can overcome its problems, current players playing league in Russia will have grown up with the game, so would have a grounding in the basics. The potential is there.

Yeh i think russia should be given the right to host a major RL event every 2 years to help the game there. Europe nations would be great or even just a tournament involving a big team. Maybe even bring back the world 7's and have it based in russia every now and then.

As for russian players goin into the SL, NRL and french league, i don't think any of the russian players are quite up to the calibre of the NRL yet, maybe a few could cut it in SL. Certainly they should be looking at getting players into the french division. Not too many however that it weakens the national comp, because that is what should be focused on. what you say about Ovchinnikov is true but anyone would have had a hard time getting into the tigers line-up with prince and marshall there.

Jim mate don't think that the NRL is superior to the ESL. I have seen much of the ESL this year and let me tell you its up there with the NRL. The main issue with Ovchinnikov not staying was that he couldn't get a renewal on his visa.

---

For all The latest Rugby League scores from around the world:
http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
Contact
info@rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
-------------------------------------

if no russian players are going to make it in NRL then they aint gonna make SL Jim as Druzik says they aint that far apart in terms of quality, your right in what you say here, their league needs to be brought up to scratch, but if players can make the transition to France, firstly then the UK or Aus the players will gain invaluable experience, like ovchinnicov has at wests.

Oh one other thing Ovchinnikov is a hooker not a halfback, not that that would have made any diffrence, i dont think he would have been taking robbie farahs place in the team either!

allthough i know he played reserve grade for the magpies no-one was really expecting him to play first grade, but premier league is a million miles off the Russian league, when he returned to Russia he played a cup game over in the UK against Swinton, Loko were beaten 60-20 something like that but Roman got some big pats on the back for his performances.

http://www.weststigers.com.au/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsId=369

 

http://www.weststigers.com.au/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsId=449

wanting russians to use the french league, super league and then nrl as stepping stones to make rugby league grow in russia doesn't make sense to me

how will this benefit the league in russia?

maybe a handful will make it abroad but the vast majority will be in russia and so thats where any funds and groundwork need to be put in

russia playing internationally is a must and while i realise that the visas are a problem i'm sure something could be done 

I agree partly with that one mate... getting some of their players out into the comps is good as it will boost their skills... they can then take those back to russia, but the most important thing is to get the locals exposure to the sport in russia up, get many more teams touring into russia, its probably easier to get into russia with VISAs than them to get out, have them be more involved in 9's tournies, at international and club level.

---

For all The latest Rugby League scores from around the world:
http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
Contact
info@rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com
-------------------------------------

Marv:

if no russian players are going to make it in NRL then they aint gonna make SL Jim as Druzik says they aint that far apart in terms of quality, your right in what you say here, their league needs to be brought up to scratch, but if players can make the transition to France, firstly then the UK or Aus the players will gain invaluable experience, like ovchinnicov has at wests.

Oh one other thing Ovchinnikov is a hooker not a halfback, not that that would have made any diffrence, i dont think he would have been taking robbie farahs place in the team either!

allthough i know he played reserve grade for the magpies no-one was really expecting him to play first grade, but premier league is a million miles off the Russian league, when he returned to Russia he played a cup game over in the UK against Swinton, Loko were beaten 60-20 something like that but Roman got some big pats on the back for his performances.

Yeh i can see what you are saying, he probably wouldnt have made it into either. Infact He Probably had a better chance in the NRL as there is 16 teams opposed to 12. However i still feel NRL is ever so slightly obove SL. I have watched both over the last few years and SL has made a massive rise and may one day soon even become better than NRL, but i dont see it yet.

As for him being a hooker, im sure i read that he ws a halfback/hooker and he played a bit of both in AUS, so you can see where i got halfback from, still as you say good luck getting in over Farah.

catalanc:

wanting russians to use the french league, super league and then nrl as stepping stones to make rugby league grow in russia doesn't make sense to me

how will this benefit the league in russia?

maybe a handful will make it abroad but the vast majority will be in russia and so thats where any funds and groundwork need to be put in

russia playing internationally is a must and while i realise that the visas are a problem i'm sure something could be done 

That really is a no brainer to me Catalanc, if players like Ovchinnikov can go abroad and train in the Uk or Aus then it will make them better players for when they do go back to Russia, and TBH Russia have been playing league for at least ten+ years and if anything they are going backwards, its all very well and good "putting funds in" but the fact is the guy who owns the Russian league also owns the Lokomotiv Moscow club as long as there is this conflict of intrest Russian RL will NEVER grow, the players only hope is to get out of there, or a complete re-structure of the RRL.

jim_57:

However i still feel NRL is ever so slightly above SL. I have watched both over the last few years and SL has made a massive rise...............

 Your right mate, i watch both myself and I agree the week in week out intensity of the NRL is higher than the SL, but we are getting better every year.

jim_57:

As for him being a hooker, im sure i read that he ws a halfback/hooker and he played a bit of both in AUS, so you can see where i got halfback from, still as you say good luck getting in over Farah.

 you could be right here too mate, I have only ever seen him line up at hooker for Russia and the Challenge cup game last year he played hooker for his club

I hope he did get a couple of games at halfback too, its all good