Russian centre Sergei Trishin told RIA Novosti on Friday that he expected a livelier atmosphere at the Rugby World Cup, which feels more like a second-tier championship than the sport’s showcase event.
“It’s supposed to be the World Cup, but it doesn’t feel like it,” said Trishin, who only made the Russian squad after Igor Galinovsky pulled out at the last minute with an injury.
Trishin has played a bit-part role in Russia’s first-ever World Cup, featuring in the 62-12 defeat to Ireland but missing the opening 13-6 loss to the United States and the subsequent 53-17 thrashing at the hands of Italy.
“On the television they are permanently showing World Cup ads; all day they show the matches. But we don’t see any of the other teams, everyone is in different cities and it doesn’t feel like we are at the World Cup,” Treshin said, adding: “It’s as if we’ve come to the Churchill Cup.”
He was referring to the annual tournament held in June for developing rugby nations.
Trishin, who has been left out of Russia’s squad to face Australia in their final Pool C match on Saturday, also expressed disappointment at sitting out most of the tournament.
“I expected more, but that’s a decision for the coaching staff,” he said.
Russia coach Nikolai Nerush has opted for Alexei Makovetskiy, who scored a try against Italy, ahead of Trishin at No. 12.
Nerush included Adam Byrnes in the lineup to face his compatriots; the Sydney-born lock forward who plays for the Melbourne Rebels told RIA Novosti earlier this week he was desperate to face players he knew so well.
