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Finland: Officially, World's Worst Rugby Team
Source: Agencies |
September 22, 2011, Thursday
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AS the world's best rugby teams continue their quest for World Cup glory in New Zealand, spare a thought for players on the other side of the globe, and at the other end of the skills level.
Make that Finland, officially the worst rugby team in the world.
The International Rugby Board ranks qualified national teams from leading New Zealand at No. 1 to 93. Finland props up the bottom of the table, languishing behind even lesser rugby nations such as Cameroon, Guam and Peru.
Team captain Steve Whittaker, a 35-year-old Englishman who's lived in Finland for more than a decade, however, begs to differ.
"Is it fair to say we're the worst team in the world? No. Quite clearly not," says Whittaker.
"Yes, we are ranked last in the IRB rankings, but there are many countries that are not ranked, so therefore technically, theoretically below us."
Finland plays in the European Nations Cup (ENC) tournament with Bulgaria, Greece, Luxembourg and Cyprus. But the country can only advance in the IRB standings by beating other IRB-ranked teams, and in its ENC group only Bulgaria fits that criteria. So a recent win against Greece, and wins against non-ENC, non-IRB Estonia don't do the Finns any good.
Make that Finland, officially the worst rugby team in the world.
The International Rugby Board ranks qualified national teams from leading New Zealand at No. 1 to 93. Finland props up the bottom of the table, languishing behind even lesser rugby nations such as Cameroon, Guam and Peru.
Team captain Steve Whittaker, a 35-year-old Englishman who's lived in Finland for more than a decade, however, begs to differ.
"Is it fair to say we're the worst team in the world? No. Quite clearly not," says Whittaker.
"Yes, we are ranked last in the IRB rankings, but there are many countries that are not ranked, so therefore technically, theoretically below us."
Finland plays in the European Nations Cup (ENC) tournament with Bulgaria, Greece, Luxembourg and Cyprus. But the country can only advance in the IRB standings by beating other IRB-ranked teams, and in its ENC group only Bulgaria fits that criteria. So a recent win against Greece, and wins against non-ENC, non-IRB Estonia don't do the Finns any good.
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