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History will be made tonight as Russia make their Rugby World Cup debut tonight when they face the USA in New Plymouth in a clash dubbed ‘World War III’. Join us from the commencement at 5.30pm AEST for live scores.
As the 20th and final team to play at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Nikolay Nerush’s men come into this clash very much an unknown quantity.
Their 2011 has not been spectacular, but a narrow 32-25 Churchill Cup loss to the USA recently will certainly provide the Russians with the belief that they can notch up a maiden Rugby World Cup victory here.
They’ll face a USA outfit who come into this one off the back of a solid defensive effort in a 22-10 loss to the highly-fancied Ireland on Sunday.
The Eagles will be heartened by that performance and will look to repeat the dose here tonight against a side who are far less threatening than the Irish.
Eddie O’Sullivan has made three changes from the side who started on Sunday, with prop Shawn Pittman and hooker Phil Thiel replaced by Matekitonga Moeakiola and Chris Biller respectively, while Chris Wyles replaces Blaine Scully in the backline.
Australian interest will be high in this one, and not just because of the Pool C repercussions with both sides fielding an Australian-born player.
Melbourne Rebels forward Adam Byrnes will come off the bench for the Russians, while Hayden Smith will start at lock for the USA after an impressive performance against the Irish.
Like their Georgian and Romanian neighbours, Russia’s strength lies in their forward pack, and if they are any chance at springing and upset tonight it will be by unsettling the Americans up front.
Like Tonga and Canada yesterday, two relatively evenly-matched teams line up tonight and this has all the makings of another early-round classic.
World superpowers on the rugby field they may not be, but motivations will be high for what promises to be a hard-fought battle. Join us from 5.30pm AEST for live scores.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.