Friday, May 1, 2009

Rugby Test: Russia v Germany

02.05.2009
Russia v Germany in Hannover (WCQ Euro.R5; ENC 1)


Preview
With not a lot hinging on this game both teams are looking to the future. For Russia it will be their games coming up for the Rugby World Cup qualifying process. For Germany it will be a desperate lunge at the opposition for a win which will ease their relegation worries in 2010.


Last Five Encounters
16.04.2000 Russia 89-6 in Moscow (FIRA B)
04.05.1994 Russia 67-5 in Bucharest (WCQ Europe)
24.10.1992 Russia 13-10 in Moscow (FIRA A1)
25.06.1983 USSR 37-9 in Heidelberg (Friendly?)
24.10.1982 USSR 31-9 in Moscow (FIRA A)


These two teams first met in 1977 with USSR winning 22-16 in Hannover. Not a lot can be read into these results. More recent results in common are from 2008-10 FIRA Division A.


Germany has lost to Spain 11-22, Georgia 5-38, Romania 0-22 and Portugal 6-44.

Russia defeated Spain 42-15, Portugal 18-14, Romania 28-19 and lost to Georgia 21-29.


GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Russia 9th, Germany 12th


Prediction: Russia by 25 points


Teams not available

3 comments:

  1. Final score was 53-0 to Russia. Sorry no team lists but I ran out of time due to technical hitch, ie my screen died!!

    Germany are really going to struggle next season now that everybody has defeated them and comfortably.

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  2. A good game Germany the first 15 minutes. German players do not have enough experience playing in prof clubs

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  3. Good point Nick. Mohr their No.8 was unavailable (plays for La Rochelle, France)Without that depth that say Russia, Romania and Georgia has they are really going to miss one player.

    Also, looking at the team list for Germany, many players have been shuffled around in and out of position in both back and forwards. That won't help combinations and continuity.

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