Lithuania paid tribute to Australia for halting the All Blacks' unbeaten run, which threatened to end the Baltic nation's oddball record for the longest series of victories in the sport.
The Lithuanian Rugby Federation's general secretary Irmantas Kukulskis admitted they had been waiting with bated breath as the All Blacks edged ever closer to their 18-match record, recognised by the IRB.
New Zealand's 16-match run ended when the Wallabies held them 18-18 in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup hit-out in Brisbane.
"We were waiting for this moment and today we can only thank the Australian national team for helping us to keep this record," Kukulskis told AFP.
"Rugby is not very popular in Lithuania. We're amateurs and the federation's run by enthusiasts.
"So we're very glad and proud to have such a record," he added, although the Lithuanians are fully aware that their unbeaten run came against much smaller fry than the All Blacks' opponents.
Lithuania play in European rugby's third tier - not counting the top-flight Six Nations, from which promotion and relegation are not automatic.
In April 2010 they chalked up their 18th consecutive victory, in a European Nations Cup match against Serbia. Their four-year winning streak ended a month later when they lost to Ukraine in a Rugby World Cup qualifier.
"We are a small country, and this record attracts attention. It's a pleasure to hear the name of Lithuania among such greats as Australia or New Zealand," said Kukulskis.
"This is sport, and we understand the record may be broken one day," he added.
The sport is very much a minority interest in the republic of three million people, where basketball is king. But there are enough hardy souls to run a domestic league and a national team whose members include a handful who play in Sweden or English rugby's lower tiers.
Lithuania only returned to the global sporting fold after breaking free from five decades of Soviet rule in 1990.
Comments
ruckingkiwi says...
Given Lithuania are about 40th in the world I think their sequence is doubly impressive. To go 18 matches unbeaten when there are that many teams ranked above you is impressive. Look at Australia for example, they only have one team ranked above them and they can barely go 3 matches without a loss. Well played Lithuania.
Posted 23:25 28th October 2012
Trader2 says...
Yeah great work Lithuania, doesn't matter who you play a winning run like that is highly commendable and credible despite what @Isograford says, it is all relative and @Ferdie I loved how you put Australia in with the debatable opponents, very subtle.
and @RiverBlues77 and @whytheattitude just as churlish as @Isograford really.
Posted 14:38 24th October 2012
Ferdie says...
Isograford says... how credible that is is highly debatable given their opponents.
I'd disagree there (in semi-jest before I offend everyone)- if you look at some of the scores from New Zealand's run of games, an observer may well say the same about 'debatable given their opponents'
How about v Tonga 41-10, v Japan 83-7, v Canada 79-15, v Ireland 60-0, Australia 22-0, Argentina 54-15.
Looked at in isolation, one might say those matches were not fair contests?
In fact the average score for those 16 matches was 38-10. Many a hiding dished out.
Bravo Lithuania - I'm with you on this one. Well done.
Posted 12:35 24th October 2012
paulynz says...
@RiverBlues77
What are you on about?
Posted 12:32 24th October 2012
whytheattitude says...
well bloody said RiverBlues
Posted 11:20 24th October 2012
tweedledee49 says...
well said Andrewinkorea.
Posted 11:02 24th October 2012
RiverBlues77 says...
Only an All Black supporter could feel threatened enough by Lithuania's rugby exploits to diss them on this forum. Shame chaps, sometimes one really gets the impression that Kiwis wear extra-small cups, may even explain the need for a pre-game cabaret pep-up.
Posted 09:25 24th October 2012
Ferdie says...
a great stat for Lithuania and hope they keep it many more years; small Lithuanian community in NZ - I went to school with two (but there must be more!) including some top basketballers; hope this news has had as much publicity there as it has here.
Posted 08:36 24th October 2012
Andrewinkorea says...
Isograford, it's not like it is NZ playing against these opponents Lithuania recorded this run of wins against. They're playing their equals, like NZ often do, so the record is absolutely credible. A small country where rugby probably doesn't feature, no doubt playing against countries with a higher population and more registered players.
Posted 05:31 24th October 2012
thedan1000 says...
lithuania vs all blacks.illd pay to see that
Posted 22:37 23rd October 2012
runnrugby says...
Even though ABs dont get the record Im happy for Lithuania :)
Posted 20:08 23rd October 2012
paulynz says...
Congratulations Lithuania. You wear your world record with obvious pride.
Surely it's churlish to denigrate their achievement...
Posted 18:17 23rd October 2012
APV1 says...
Good on 'em!
Posted 12:08 23rd October 2012
Isograford says...
Technically they're still unbeaten and now probably have the record of the 1988-90 All Blacks for longest unbeaten run in their sights.
Lithuania have the longest winning run. Although, how credible that is is highly debatable given their opponents.
Posted 10:34 23rd October 2012