Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Russia Got past Belgium in a RWC 2019 qualifier today, winning 48-7 in Krasnodar. The result improves the Eastern European country’s chances of qualifying for a second Rugby World Cup.
Last week, also in Krasnodar, Russia lost against Spain. The result altered the trajectories of the Rugby Europe Championship. With Spain winning on the road Russia’s task was made more complicated. However by virtue of getting past Belgium today Russia have improved their prospects.
Not only did Russia defeat Belgium but they did so by scoring seven tries to one. It means the Bears collected a bonus point.
RWC Qualifiers continue tomorrow in Europe. Spain host Romania in a vital match. The winner of the fixture will all but certainly qualify for RWC 2019.
Russia’s win takes the Bears up to 15 points in the Rugby Europe Championship standings. Romania have 20 and Spain 17. In other words Spain’s win last weekend means Los Leones have a game in hand over the Russians.
The winner of the Rugby Europe Championship qualifiers will qualify for RWC 2019 directly. This country will be Europe 1 and will play against Ireland, Japan, Scotland and the Europe / Oceania Play-Off Winner (Samoa or Europe 2) in Japan 2019.
Canada Await
Waiting to see who qualifies as Europe 1 is Canada. The North Americans RWC qualifying losses to Uruguay sent them into repechage. Canada await three other countries, whom they will face in the global repechage tournament in November.
The successful team will qualify for RWC 2019, entering Pool B. That pool contains Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Africa 1. The Africa 1 spot will be confirmed mid-year.
The Africa runner-up will be Africa 2 and will enter repechage, joining Canada, the Europe / Oceania play-off loser and the winner of the Asia/Oceania play-off.
For Canada the path to repechage has already began. The first match was last weekend’s away ARC game against the USA in California. Tonight the Canadians host Brazil, a match they simply must win.
