31 January 2003 12:13
RL: Russians just happy to be here
"It's my game," he said with a laugh.
AAP djp/vm e
SYDNEY, Jan 31 AAP - Two weeks ago in Russia it was minus 37 degrees. Yesterday, the Russian sevens rugby league team
was sweltering in 34 degree heat in Sydney. It's a tough ask but the Russian players are used to adversity. For
them, just competing in this weekend's World Sevens tournament at Aussie Stadium is a major achievement - winning a
match will be a bonus. Grouped in pool B alongside NRL premiers the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney, Russia is not
expected to cause an upset. But its presence can only be good for the game at an international level. It was only in
September when 35,000 people turned up to the Moscow Olympic Stadium to watch Russia thrash the American Tomahawks
54-10. "It's our victory that we've come here," said Russian captain Petr Sokolov today. Interpreter
Nick Chipizubov chipped in to further explain Sokolov's comments: "They're thankful that they're
here and they're thankful that they've already achieved goals by getting here. "But obviously
they'll be doing their best to play and perform on the field." The trip to Sydney has been plagued with
problems, ranging from Russian officials failing to gain visa clearances for Australia and the side being denied access
to train at Randwick Army Barracks for security reasons. The squad spent a few days in England with temperatures at
least above zero before arriving in Sydney on Wednesday night. They enjoyed a surfing lesson at Bondi Beach yesterday
before a training run at Aussie Stadium today. "It's a very long way to Australia and the hot weather makes it
difficult for us but I think we'll do our best," said Sokolov. "We need more time (to adjust to
conditions) but we just don't have it." Chipizubov pointed out the Russians were playing football on a
"dole-like salary" and must find other jobs simply to survive in a poverty-stricken country. Sokolov, 33, has
been playing rugby league since 1990 after his rugby coach invited him to take up the game. His side gets by on
sponsorship from a casino and grants from the International Rugby League board. "I think it's getting
better," the Muscovite said of the state of the game in his home country. "We're getting more sponsors
but we still need more money." And why does Sokolov play a sport in which most Russians know nothing about?
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
