Russia’s next generation of players made a winning debut as they overpowered Hong Kong 31-10 at King’s Park in the first of the two-Test Ustinov Cup series on Saturday.
Disappointed at failing to qualify for the World Cup, Russia has rung in the changes and has included seven new faces as they look at bringing in new blood with an eye on qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. They did not disappoint in the opening test as they ran in three tries in a comfortable victory that was all but sealed in the first-half after they led 23-3.
“We are going through a change of generation with the failure to get to the World Cup in England next year. We are now looking to 2019 (in Japan) and in order to make a smooth transition we have brought seven new players to give them game time and I’m pleased with the overall result,” said Russian fullback and captain Vasily Artemyev.
Hong Kong also blooded a number of new caps including props John Aikman and Jack Parfitt as well as fullback Jimmy Richards and fly-half Reece Hamon. But the home team suffered a blow when skipper and No 8 Nick Hewson was stretchered out early in the second half with an ankle injury.
Russia was too powerful in the set pieces, especially in the first-half when they dominated territory and possession to run in two tries from wingers Andrei Otrokov and Igor Galinovskiy. Both tries were opportunistic as Otrokov finished off a super solo effort from flanker Pavel Butenko who stepped his way past a flailing Hong Kong defence 30 metres out before offloading to his wing just short of the line.
Russia’s second try was off another defensive breakdown for Hong Kong with Galinovskiy reacting well to a charged down clearance kick from full-back Richards to touch down shortly before half-time.
Fly-half Iurii Kushnarev was in fine kicking form as he knocked over both conversions as well as three penalties to underline Russian dominance as they entered half-time with a 23-3 lead.
Hong Kong failed to make any impression in the first period with a solitary penalty from Jamie Hood. “We are bitterly disappointed. I don’t think we gave a good account of ourselves and what we can do. There were glimpses in the second half, but not enough,” said Hong Kong head coach Andrew Hall. “The boys know that with a bit of hard work this week, the errors can be fixed. So we are disappointed that we didn’t give a better account for ourselves, but now there is an opportunity for us to right that next week. And that’s the message I’ve left the boys with,” Hall added.
Hong Kong picked up their game in the second half and looked more dangerous, especially in broken play. The infusion of substitutes Reece Hamon and Charles Cheung Ho Ning in the backs also added a bit more bite, resulting in a try for winger Rowan Varty.
It came late in the match with Russia down to 14 men after Otrokov had been sin-binned. They lost a lineout inside their own half and Hong Kong scrumhalf Cheung craftily used the short-side, spinning a pass to Varty who took full advantage of the fact that his opposite number was not on the field to cover 35 metres and score.
“I just saw a gap and it was a good pass from Charles. In broken play we showed we can be dangerous,” Varty said. “I hope we can improve on this performance for next Saturday.” Hamon added the extra points, but Russia hit back immediately to stretch the lead when Mikhail Sidorov crossed over by the left corner to score his side’s third try.
“We took our foot off the gas a bit in the second half. This has been a problem for us always, as we tend to relax. We have to brush up on that as well as few other mistakes. Our job is not over. We have taken a first step but to finish this visit on a high note we need to get the other win,” said Artemyev, who was also celebrating winning his 50th cap.
Hong Kong will face Russia in the second test at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday, November 15 2014 (kick-off 18.00).
