JELGAVA, Latvia — Lithuania have become the unlikely holders of one of the more impressive records going in rugby.
By crushing Serbia 77-5 on Saturday, Lithuania have extended their winning run in rugby test matches to 18, overtaking a record previously held by a New Zealand teams of the 1970s and a South African team of the 90s.
It is a remarkable feat for a [private_supervisor]country in which rugby could still best be described as a minority sport.
The record run began back in May 2006 when they claimed an away win over Hungary 23-17. It should also be noted that Lithuania have also won a number of friendlies in the proceeding period but only games played in an International Rugby Board (IRB) sanctioned competition count towards the win. In the case of Lithuania this includes Rugby World Cup (RWC) qualifiers and European Division 3A games.
Perhaps more importantly the win brings the side within two games of qualifying for next year’s RWC set to take place in New Zealand. To achieve this they must first defeat Division 2A champions Ukraine and then win an inter-continental qualifying game.
Come what may following their game against Ukraine, it is difficult to see this record being broken any time in the near future. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]country in which rugby could still best be described as a minority sport.
The record run began back in May 2006 when they claimed an away win over Hungary 23-17. It should also be noted that Lithuania have also won a number of friendlies in the proceeding period but only games played in an International Rugby Board (IRB) sanctioned competition count towards the win. In the case of Lithuania this includes Rugby World Cup (RWC) qualifiers and European Division 3A games.
Perhaps more importantly the win brings the side within two games of qualifying for next year’s RWC set to take place in New Zealand. To achieve this they must first defeat Division 2A champions Ukraine and then win an inter-continental qualifying game.
Come what may following their game against Ukraine, it is difficult to see this record being broken any time in the near future. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]country in which rugby could still best be described as a minority sport.
The record run began back in May 2006 when they claimed an away win over Hungary 23-17. It should also be noted that Lithuania have also won a number of friendlies in the proceeding period but only games played in an International Rugby Board (IRB) sanctioned competition count towards the win. In the case of Lithuania this includes Rugby World Cup (RWC) qualifiers and European Division 3A games.
Perhaps more importantly the win brings the side within two games of qualifying for next year’s RWC set to take place in New Zealand. To achieve this they must first defeat Division 2A champions Ukraine and then win an inter-continental qualifying game.
Come what may following their game against Ukraine, it is difficult to see this record being broken any time in the near future. [/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]country in which rugby could still best be described as a minority sport.
The record run began back in May 2006 when they claimed an away win over Hungary 23-17. It should also be noted that Lithuania have also won a number of friendlies in the proceeding period but only games played in an International Rugby Board (IRB) sanctioned competition count towards the win. In the case of Lithuania this includes Rugby World Cup (RWC) qualifiers and European Division 3A games.
Perhaps more importantly the win brings the side within two games of qualifying for next year’s RWC set to take place in New Zealand. To achieve this they must first defeat Division 2A champions Ukraine and then win an inter-continental qualifying game.
Come what may following their game against Ukraine, it is difficult to see this record being broken any time in the near future. [/private_subscription 1 year]
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