Russia lose to New Zealand side

NELSON (New Zealand): The Tasman Orcas beat Russia 32-16 Monday in the visitors’ opening game of a four-match rugby league tour of New Zealand’s South Island.

Second rower Aidar Akhmetshin scored from 60 meters in the 10th minute to give Russia the early lead, but the local side came back with two tries to lead 14-6 at halftime. Trailing 20-6 with just 13 minutes left, tries to Rafael Yakubov and Alexander Lysenkov against a tiring Orcas defense had the Russians close at 20-16. But the Orcas broke loose with final tries to Maika Matekohi and Villiami Maea in the last four minutes. —AP

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