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'Russia is not Georgia, and Georgia is not Russia' - World Rugby apologise after Russian song gaffe

'Russia is not Georgia, and Georgia is not Russia' - World Rugby apologise after Russian song gaffe

World Rugby has issued an apology to Georgia after a Russian song was played to celebrate their win over Uruguay yesterday.

Georgia's Kiwi head coach, Milton Haig, voiced his players' frustrations at the gaffe which soured the bonus-point win over Uruguay.

"The song they were playing a song after the match, it was a Russian song sung by a Georgian singer. We want to make it clear Russia is not Georgia, and Georgia is not Russia,” he said.

"We have a different language, different culture, different everything, so World Rugby, please make sure you get these sort of things ironed out for us."

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Haig also said that the song choice was culturally insensitive.

Georgia fought and lost a short war with Russia in 2008, prompting the countries to sever diplomatic ties.

A spokesperson for World Rugby offered "sincere apologies" to Georgia for "any embarrassment caused."

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