‘We look strong but inside I feel weak’: Ukraine rugby league’s heavy burden
Despite being bombed, the national players are a source of pride as they travel to France for World Cup qualifiers
By Gavin Willacy for No Helmets Required
A little over two weeks ago, Vitalii Puchkov’s mother was killed by a rocket that hit her home in Kharkiv. On Tuesday night Puchkov will line up at right-centre against a team of Super League stalwarts in a World Cup qualifier against France. Ukraine will be led by their captain, Oleksandr Skorbach, the Kharkiv Legion XIII five-eighth, who has moved his wife, young child and new baby to Kyiv and could be forgiven if he failed to be fully focused on rugby.
“Kharkiv is under attack every day – it is too dangerous to stay there – so it is very difficult to not pay attention to this,” says Skorbach via the team interpreter. “Some of the boys are not able to participate in the competition as they are protecting the Ukraine in our military and we are so thankful to them. We lost one player when his whole family were killed by a rocket. We are playing for them.”
Continue reading...Date: | |
Tag: | Ukraine |
Topics
-
Sports - ESPN
What happened between the Jets and Robert Saleh
October 15 -
Business - CNBC
We left New Orleans for an island in Japan and bought an abandoned house for $7,500: Take a look inside
3 days ago -
Business - CNBC
I bought a $54,000 abandoned house in Japan and turned it into a luxury Airbnb—take a look inside
October 16 -
World - The Guardian
‘I don’t care about looking weird’: are we finally listening to the dangers of hearing loss?
October 15 -
Top stories - CBS News
Inside look at New York Comic Con 2024
4 days ago - New York -
Business - Inc.
The Stock Market Looks as Strong as Ever, but History Warns of a Bubble
11 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Why do I feel a wave of sadness before breastfeeding?
4 days ago -
World - The Guardian
Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
5 days ago
More from The Guardian
-
World - The Guardian
Israel confirms killing of Hashem Safieddine, presumed next leader of Hezbollah
3 hours ago - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Putin returns to world stage hosting 36 leaders at Brics summit in Russia
2 hours ago - Russia -
World - The Guardian
Trump files extraordinary complaint claiming election meddling by UK Labour party
49 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
World - The Guardian
Doctors trial world’s first vaccine against vomiting bug norovirus
2 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Iranian general charged in plot to murder US-based dissident journalist
5 hours ago - Iran
Latest in World
-
World - ABC News
An Air New Zealand flight to Auckland diverts to Melbourne because of disruptive passenger
36 minutes ago - New Zealand -
World - The Guardian
Trump files extraordinary complaint claiming election meddling by UK Labour party
49 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
World - CBS News
10/21: CBS Evening News
52 minutes ago -
World - The New York Times
Middle East Crisis: Israeli Military Says It Killed Top Hezbollah Leader
1 hour ago - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Putin returns to world stage hosting 36 leaders at Brics summit in Russia
2 hours ago - Russia