MOSCOW, November 28 (R-Sport) - Russia must not be overawed by leading rugby countries at the Dubai Sevens and cannot afford to play “like schoolboys,” the country’s rampaging forward Victor Gresev said Wednesday.
Russia are keen to establish themselves as rugby heavyweights, especially in sevens, ahead of hosting next year’s World Cup in the smaller form of the game, and also have their eyes on the Olympic debut for sevens in 2016.
“We play against New Zealand, Wales and Argentina and must play very well and show how we can play and not be like schoolboys, we must play well and we can do this,” ex-London Wasps player Gresev said on the tournament website.
“Hope we will win.”
Gresev made his name as a No. 8 for the Russian national team in the 15-man form of the game, winning the country’s player of the year award for a second time after impressing at the 2011 World Cup.
He added the whole Russian team was looking forward to the World Cup Sevens in Moscow.
“We’re very pleased about it. We hope that everything will go well and that all teams that come will like it,” he said.
Gresev has had spells in England with Nottingham and Wasps, but failed to make much impression at the latter, where he was hampered by quotas on foreign players in the matchday squad.
Russia start their Dubai Sevens campaign Friday with their three pool games against Argentina, New Zealand and Wales.
Russia are to make occasional Sevens World Series showings this season after failing to secure a permanent place on the tour at the Hong Kong Sevens in March.
