adamkungl
Immortal
- Messages
- 42,955
Eh, sort of vaguely scrambled, split the higher ranks between the 2 groups and threw the rest wherever. I wasn't exactly meticulous, it's just an example of what we could/should have.
Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TOUGHNESS THE KEY FOR RUSSIANS
12th October 2011
Russia land in Italy on Thursday morning ahead of the opening tie of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup European Zone Qualifiers, in Padova on Saturday. The Bears arrive as something of an unknown quantity having undergone administrative change in 2010 but with input from, first, Stuart Wilkinson and now Rochdale coach and former St Helens favourite John Stankevitch, they feel ready for the fray.
There is no lack of confidence or sense of purpose within the squad after a series of training camps in Russia over the last few months which has focussed on physical and mental toughness. “We've developed, together with Stuart Wilkinson, a programme to enhance the physical and emotional condition of our players and to stabilize our offensive and defensive models,” says the Russian Association of Rugby League president, Edgard Taturyan. “Bearing in mind that there aren’t any pro players in Russia it has been a big job, but we think that mentally the team is ready for the qualifiers.”
The Bears will draw on the experience of a clutch of capped players led by 31-year-old player/coach Eduard Ososkov and their stylish captain, stand-off Alexandr Lysokon. Other than that duo only Vadim Fedchuck, Andrey Zdobnikov, Vladimir Vlasyuk, and Sergey Konstantinov have represented Russia before. Twenty four year old Lysokon must play well if Russia are to pose a threat to the Anthony Minichello-led Italians. He scored 24 of his side’s 36 points in Russia’s impressive victory over Ukraine last month and has a decade or more of rugby league behind him, having started playing in 1998 as a junior at Vereya, south of Moscow.
“We're feeling pretty intense; all the boys are working really hard and we have a high team spirit,” said Lysokon, who will win his seventh cap on Saturday. “We're determined to fight for victory in every game, but I think that a good achievement for us would be to make a real mark on the competition.”
MINICHIELLO: ‘IT’S GREAT TO BE IN THE BLUE AGAIN’
10th October 2011
Italy’s rugby league squad, arguably the strongest the Azzurri have ever fielded, has assembled in Padova a week before the launch of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup European Zone qualifiers. Led by 2005 Golden Boot winner Anthony Minichiello, Carlo Napolitano’s squad was presented to local dignitaries, the regional head of CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, and sponsors on board the MSC Musica cruise liner.
“It’s great to be putting on the blue jersey again,” said Minichiello, who started his senior representative career with Italy in 1999, during the qualifying tournament for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. Thirteen years later, he feels he’s here to finish what he started. “I played in 1999 and we didn’t get the job done; this time round we want to create history and make the World Cup.”
That tournament, which also featured France, Morocco and Lebanon, was won by the Lebanese, and the two seasoned nations are on a collision course to meet again in what could well be a winner-takes-all clash on 29th October in the Makis Stadium, Belgrade as part of a double header; the host Serbians facing Russia in what will also be the decider in the Milan Kosanovic Cup. Italy begin their campaign in the Stadio Communale del Plebiscito in Padova on Saturday against Russia, a game that will be broadcast live on Sportitalia and sponsored by San Marco Petroli.
“Being a captain is a very proud moment for me,” continued the Sydney Roosters full-back. “My job is just to make sure we all come together and do not get ahead of ourselves – we have to play each game to the best of our ability.”
The quality of the current vintage, which features players from the NRL, NSW Cup, Super League, French Elite leagues, and Italy’s Serie A, has certainly made an impression on Minichiello. “I think the squad that Carlo has assembled is one of the best. The next three games are going to be tough but we are confident we can get the job done. At this stage we are getting to know each other and we will be working out our style of play in the next few days.”
Following the Russia match Italy heads to Serbia for 11-days, during which Serbia and Italy will meet for the first time since the 2009 European Cup 5th / 6th place play-off, which created a considerable rivalry between the two nations. “We don’t know too much about the other sides at this stage,” Minichiello added. “But just listening to the boys talking about the other teams I think it will be a good challenge for us.”
The RL clips are under the 'Ostali Sportovi' tab. Will any of the matches be broadcast or highlights Srbin?
