It’s a familiar scene – players on the field in Algeria’s green and white singing the national anthem. But not for a football game this time but for the very first game of Algeria’s brand new rugby team.More than half a century after the country’s independence, the national team was made official on December 18th. For supporters watching from the stands, it’s an important day.
The team’s first challenge was against Tunisia, ranked 38th in the world.Final score: 16 to 6 for the men in green and white.A proud moment for these players, many of whom grew up abroad.
“All the players, whether they’re in Europe or New Zealand, or Australia, or France, or England, they wanted to come play in Algeria, that was their priority.” Faisal Bentyeb, Captain, Algeria rugby team
The idea for an Algerian rugby team originated in 2007, when a group of French-Algerian players living in France set out to bring the sport back to their country of origin.A first club was founded in the coastal city of Oran shortly after, followed by a dozen others all over Algeria.9 yeater later, the Algerian Rugby Federation was recognised worldwide and the national team officially created.
“Our goal is to instill a culture and to go through schools. We have a programme put in place with each school and each province by the international rugby federation, World Rugby and Africa Rugby, so we can start training sports managers. Today, we want to establish rugby in Algeria step by step so we can eventually, in 10 years from now, have our own rugby culture in the country.” Sofiane Benhassen, President, Algeria Rugby Federation
