RC Taganiy Rog recently concluded their participation in the Magnit Russian Rugby-7 Cup, securing a fifth-place finish. Head Coach Anton Levchenko offered his reflections on the team`s performance in the tournament and shared his perspective on the journey forward for the squad.
The Rugby-7 Cup represented a significant milestone for RC Taganiy Rog, approached with clear ambitions. As Levchenko noted, the team is relatively new, having been assembled and working together for approximately six months. Despite this short tenure, the early stages of the season saw the team demonstrate considerable potential, engaging in competitive matches against leading clubs and achieving notable victories. This initial form provided a significant boost to team confidence and morale.
While aspirations for a deeper run in the tournament were high, the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of Rugby-7 presented its own set of challenges. The team faced setbacks early on with the loss of two key players due to injury. Furthermore, a critical match saw RC Taganiy Rog playing a significant portion of the game with a numerical disadvantage, resulting from disciplinary infringements. This, the coach suggested, stemmed in part from an perhaps *overly* intense desire to secure victory.
Despite these considerable obstacles encountered during the competition, Levchenko expressed profound pride in his players. He commended their unwavering dedication, their persistent fight on the field, and their refusal to yield until the final whistle. The coach views this tournament experience as exceptionally valuable, providing crucial lessons for the developing team. He stated that important conclusions have been drawn, and the team has emerged from the competition feeling stronger.
Looking ahead, the focus remains firmly on the future. Levchenko described the current squad as a “powerful, ambitious collective.” With the experience gained and lessons learned from the Rugby-7 Cup, the coach conveyed a strong sense of confidence in the team`s trajectory, concluding with an optimistic outlook: “Our big victories are ahead.” The tournament, therefore, is seen not as the destination, but as a critical stepping stone on the path to future success.
