Rugby World Cup: Uruguay book showdown with Russia for place in Pool A at tournament
Sunday 3 August 2014 09:07, UK
Uruguay defeated Hong Kong 28-3 in Montevideo to set up a playoff against Russia for the final berth at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Fly-half Felipe Berchesi scored a try and also kicked two penalties while scrum-half Agustin Ormaechea kicked 12 points to lead Uruguay past the number two-ranked side in Asia.
Openside flanker Diego Magno also touched down for the hosts, who grabbed both their tries in the final seven minutes after wearing down their opponents.
"We had trouble with our lineouts because of a lack of height and physique but I think we held the ball more," Uruguay hooker and captain Nicolas Klappenbach said.
"Most of them are sevens players, who often tried to intercept our moves. We decided to carry the ball more and fight in the scrums."
Russia, meanwhile, beat Zimbabwe 23-15 in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk to move a step closer to appearing in the tournament for a second time in their history.
The winner of the repechage final will join host nation England, Australia, Wales and Fiji in Pool A.
