Georgian national rugby union team made a lot of mistakes but the team showed such a good play that 2100 spectators who gathered on tribune were satisfied with victory.
Georgian rugby players played in different style. They fulfilled instructions of Zealander Haig and scored tries. Georgian rugby players have never played in this style but the fact is that they can do it and they proved it in the match against Portugal. What “The Lelos” did, fans of Georgian rugby have never watched before.
Georgians made mistakes on individual positions. Giorgi Shkinini could not catch the ball. The opponent was always ready for the offence of Mamuka Gorgodze. Despite these mistakes, the boys were so good at offence that nobody doubted who would have won the match.
It is fact that Georgians adopted a new, Zealander style well.
Georgians played like we are not used to play – “Hit and tear to pieces” is not our main trump. We play fast and beautiful rugby which pleases everyone. After losing to Spain, we gained victory against Portugal. Our team played that rugby which will help us to reach world level. In case of improving mistakes, Georgian team will be equal to such grands like Scotland and Italy. There were experiments and we made mistakes. Giorgi Shkinini was a weak player for the position of No.15. But he was good at offence. Giorgi Begadze could not justify on the position of No.9.
Wind had influence on the first half but Georgian team had such a big advantage that Portugal did not have even a little chance to win the match. It showed up at the 7th minute when Portugal could not score a penalty kick. Half hour later, Georgians made 2-3 try offences and it was logical that Merab Sharikadze scored try. Merab Kvirikashvili used conversation.
At the beginning of the second half, Vito Kolelishvili, one of the best rugby players of Georgian team, made such offence that Portugal was forced to make a mistake. “Meko” scored a penalty kick.
Soon, Georgian team scored another try. Kvirikashvili also scored conversation – 20:0. There was a chance to score the third try but Georgians could not use it. Esteves was sin-binned and after a quick out, Revaz Belkania scored try. Conversation of Kvirikashvili touched a goalpost.
Portugal scored only try. After a good play of Giorgi Chkhaidze, Davit Kubriashvili scored try and gained one premier point. Kvirikashvili scored this conversation and Georgian team celebrated victory.
Milton Haig (head coach of Georgian team): “Today, we gained a very important victory in a beautiful style. I will not estimate each rugby players. Experiments are underway. We are satisfied with captain Kacharava but when Abuseridze returns to the team, the team will make a decision”.
Davit Kacharava (captain of Georgian team): “I want to thank boys and coaching staff who supported me. I think I fulfilled instruction – I individually played well and headed the team”.
Errol Brain (head coach of Portuguese team): “We are disappointed with our playing. We did not expect failure but Georgian team played better and deserved victory”.
Goncalo Uva (captain of Portuguese team): “Georgians’ playing was not surprise. They beat us and deserved this victory. We could not do anything”.
Nations Cup 2012
February 4
Romania - Portugal 15:7 (5:7)
February 11
Spain - Georgia 25:18 (18:8)
Portugal - Russia 32:33 (20:16)
Romania - Ukraine (postponed)
February 25
Tbilisi. “Avchala”. 2100 spectators
Georgia - Portugal 32:7 (7:0)
Georgia: 15. Giorgi Shkinini, 14. Irakli Machkhaneli (21. Irakli Chkhikvadze 58), 13. Davit Kacharava, 12. Merab Sharikadze (22. Beka Tsiklauri 69), 11. Aleksandre Todua, 10. Merab Kvirikashvili, 9. Giorgi Begadze (20. Bidzina Samkharadze 64); 1. Vasil Kakovin (17. Mikheil Nariashvili 74), 2. Revaz Belkania (16. Shalva Mamukashvili 64), 3. Davit Kubriashvili, 4. Giorgi Chkhaidze, 5. Levan Datunashvili, 6. Shalva Sutiashvili (19. Givi Berishvili 69), 7. Viktor Kolelishvili (18. Dimitri Basilaia), 8. Mamuka Gorgodze.
Head coach: Milton Haig (New Zealand)
Coaches: Chris Gibbs (New Zealand), Ilia Maisuradze, Ilia Zedginidze
4 tries: Sharikadze, Shkinini, Belkania, Kubriashvili
3 conversations: Kvirikashvili
2 penalties: Kvirikashvili
Portugal: 15. Joseph Gardener (21. Francisco Magalhaes 58), 14. Aderito Esteves, 13. Carl Murray, 12. Bernardo Silveira (22. Jose Lima 34), 11. Antonio Aguilar, 10. Yannick Ricardo, 9. Pedro Leal; 1. Jorge Segurado (17. Jose Leal da Costa, 64), 2. Mike Tadjer (16. Vasco Marques 72), 3. Juan Murre (18. Joao Mateus 72), 4. David dos Reis (19. Rui D’Orey 64), 5. Goncalo Uva, 6. David Penalva (20. Luis Sousa 64), 7. Julien Bardy, 8. Vasco Uva.
1 try: Bardy
1 conversation: Ricardo
1 sin-binned: Esteves
Russia - Romania 0:25
Ukraine - Spain 6:41
1. Romania 2 2 0 0 40-7 9
2. Spain 2 2 0 0 66-24 9
3. Georgia 2 1 0 1 50-32 6
4. Russia 2 1 0 1 33-57 4
5. Portugal 3 0 0 3 46-80 2
6. Ukraine 1 0 0 1 6-41 0
March 10
Romania - Georgia
Portugal - Spain
Russia - Ukraine
March 17
Georgia - Russia
Spain - Romania
March 24
Ukraine - Portugal
May 19
Russia - Spain
June 9
Ukraine - Georgia
Nations Cup 2011-12
1. Georgia 7 6 0 1 218:67 28
2. Romania 7 5 0 2 206:76 25
3. Spain 7 4 0 3 158:199 19
4. Portugal 8 3 0 5 159:178 16
5. Russia 7 3 0 4 133:155 15
6. Ukraine 6 0 0 6 67:266 0
Zura Ksovreli
