Georgia national rugby union team

Georgia
Nickname(s) Lelos
Emblem Borjgali
Union Georgian Rugby Union
Head coach Milton Haig
Captain Mamuka Gorgodze
Most caps Merab Kvirikashvili (88)
Top scorer Merab Kvirikashvili (669)
Top try scorer Mamuka Gorgodze (26)
Home stadium Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current 12 (as of 13 March 2016)
Highest 12 (2016)
Lowest 23 (2009)
First international
Georgia 16–3 Zimbabwe
(Kutaisi, Georgia; 12 September 1989)
Biggest win
Georgia 98–3 Czech Republic
(Tbilisi, Georgia; 8 April 2007)
Biggest defeat
Georgia 6–84 England
(Perth, Australia; 12 October 2003)
World Cup
Appearances 4 (First in 2003)
Best result 3'd in the pool in 2015
Website www.rugby.ge

The Georgia national rugby union team nicknamed The Lelos or Men of Borjgali represents Georgia in international rugby union. Rugby union in Georgia is administered by the Georgian Rugby Union. The team takes part in the annual European Nations Championship and participates in the Rugby World Cup, which takes place every four years.

Georgia is currently considered a second tier rugby union nation and is one of the world's fastest growing rugby nations. The Lelos participate in the European Nations Cup, winning the tournament in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons. The bulk of the national squad are based in France, in both the Top 14 and lower divisions. This is a practice that was popularized by former national team coach, Claude Saurel, a Frenchman, who later coached neighbouring rivals Russia.

Rugby is one of the most popular sports in Georgia. The full national team qualified for the 2003 Rugby World Cup – playing against rugby powers such as Ireland and France. The Lelos also qualified for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, where they beat Namibia 30–0 for their first ever World Cup win. As of 21 March 2016, Georgia are ranked 12th in the world by World Rugby. Since 2013, Georgia has played host to the IRB Tbilisi Cup.[1][2]

The Georgian national sevens team became the first national side from Georgia to compete in a major tournament, playing in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Cup 2001 in Argentina. Georgia also has a Georgia A national rugby union team.

History

Soviet era

There were unsuccessful attempts to introduce rugby union into Georgia in 1928 and also in 1940 and in 1948.

Rugby's popularity in Georgia might be explained by its resemblance to the traditional Georgian game named "Lelo" or "Lelo Burti" (meaning "Field Ball"). This game was played in Georgia from ancient times and is still played on occasions in rural areas. A field ("Lelo") was selected between two river creeks which represented a playing ground. Two teams, usually consisting of the male population of neighboring villages, would face each other. The number of players from each side was not set, but included any able men each village could summon. A large, heavy ball was placed in the middle of the field and the goal of the game was to carry it over the river creek of the opposing side.

The Georgia Rugby Union was founded in 1964, but until the late 1980s it was part of the Soviet Union's rugby federation. The rugby union connection between France and Georgia started as links were established by the then powerful French Communist Party and many other left-wing organisations. Georgia initially did not have its own team and its best players would play for the USSR team.

In 1988 Georgia produced their first national sevens side. In September 1989, Georgia got together with other FIRA countries to host a tour by Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's first match on the tour was in the wet against Georgia in Kutaisi, west of Tbilisi, which Georgia won 16–3. The next year Georgia went to Zimbabwe where they played two tests, losing the first in Bulawayo and winning the second 26–10 in Harare.

1990s

On 9 April 1991 Georgia declared independence from the Soviet Union. Georgia was now a rugby union nation but getting matches was not easy: the old Soviet team continued under the name Commonwealth of Independent States. Georgia were limited to the odd game against Ukraine until they gained membership of the IRB in 1992.

French coach, Claude Saurel, first arrived in Georgia in 1997 with a brief to assess the standard of sport; he and his development team have helped boost the profile of the sport to the extent that it is now considered the country's most popular team sport, even ahead of football. Saurel went on to work with the Rugby Sevens team, until he was appointed as the national coach in the summer of 1999.

Georgia's 1998 loss to Romania saw them play a two legged repechage play-off against Tonga to qualify for the 1999 World Cup. On that occasion Georgia lost the first leg 37–6 in Nukuʻalofa before a 28–27 win in Tbilisi. This was not enough and Georgia failed to qualify.

2000s

Georgian team

After France and Italy dropped from the reborn European Nations Cup, Georgia became a major force in the tournament. In the 2000, Georgia finished second in the competition, finishing behind Romania. The following year, Georgia improved upon this, winning all five of their matches during the 2000/1 tournament, and thus finishing at the top of the table. They clinched the title by beating Romania away 31–20 on the final day. Rugby union took off in the country, the travel and opportunities to land lucrative contracts in France made rugby union a glamorous pursuit in Georgia. Georgia placed second in the 2001–2002 tournament. When Georgia played Russia in the European Nations Cup 65,000 people crammed into the national stadium in Tbilisi.

Georgian first made an impact at Rugby Sevens by finishing a respectable 10th in the 2001 edition of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Argentina.

World Cup

In 2003 Georgia would face Russia, the two nations would contest another match at the same venue in October 2002, in what was at the time one of the most important clashes ever between the two national sides. The victorious nation would head to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and the loser would be relegated to fight it out for a repechage position. Neither nation had ever been to a World Cup, though Georgia had come close in 1999. 45,000 turned out to the national stadium, with another one and a half million Georgians watching it on national television. Both nations kicked penalty goals in the first half, but Russia moved ahead with a 13–9 lead through a try, but Georgia were able to score a try of their own just before half time, with Levan Tsabadze putting them in front 14–13 at the break. Georgia held on, winning 17–13, a victory which sparked celebrations throughout the capital.[3] Three of the 75 French-based Georgian players were denied permission to play in the tournament and were suspended. Another five were sacked and arrived in Australia as free agents. In a warm-up game held in Asti the Georgians held the Italians to 31–22.

In the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Georgia were grouped into pool C alongside giants – South Africa and England. They suffered their heaviest ever defeat when beaten by England 84–6 in their opening game. In their second match, Samoa comfortably eased to a 9–46 victory. Although they performed well against the Springboks (losing 46–19) they were disappointingly defeated by Uruguay 24–12, in a match that they were expected to win. They lost all four of their matches but had impressed against South Africa. Despite the sad financial state of their union, qualification has seen the sport's profile rise throughout Georgia.

Lineout for Georgia during their loss to Ireland in the 2007 World Cup.

In 2007 Georgia recorded their first win in the rugby world cup with a 30–0 win over Namibia in their Pool D match at Stade Felix-Bollaert. The foundation for the three-tries-to-none victory was laid by Georgia's experienced forward pack who wore down their opponents at the breakdown. Dominating territory and possession in the first half it took 37 minutes for Georgia to break Namibia's defensive line, hooker Akvsenti Giorgadze, pushing his way over. Two penalties and a conversion from fly half Merab Kvirikashvili contributed to Georgia's 13–0 lead at the break, becoming Georgia's record point-scorer in rugby world cups. It was another Kvirikashvili penalty in the 68th minute that got the scoreboard ticking over again. Wing Irakli Machkhaneli then scored in the 70th minute after knocking the ball loose in a tackle. Centre Davit Kacharava put the finishing touches on the win intercepting a pass to score on the final whistle. Namibia's RWC 2007 campaign was over with the Georgia 7–64 defeat to hosts France on 30 September.

Georgia began their 2011 Rugby World Cup preparations with a two-match tour in France, the playing base of most of its World Cup player pool, against sides in the country's second-tier league, Pro D2. They won 28–24 against Stade Aurillac on 13 August, followed by a 28–15 win over CS Bourgoin-Jallieu on 19 August.

The pool included England, Argentina and Scotland, as well as local rivals Romania. Despite the close nature of their pool, Georgia were impressive in all matches, including a tight match against Scotland which was lost 15–6, thus missing a bonus point narrowly, and a 41–10 loss against England, which featured a man-of-the-match performance by flanker Mamuka Gorgodze. Georgia went on to record only their second ever Rugby World Cup win against Romania, winning 25–9 with another man-of-the-match performance by Mamuka Gorgodze. Georgia finished their campaign with a strong showing against Argentina, leading 7–5 at half time before conceding 20 unanswered points to lose 25–7. Thus Georgia finished their campaign with 1 win and 3 losses.

Aftermath of the World Cup

In 2008, Georgia augmented its claim to be the seventh best national rugby team in Europe, when it won, for the second time, the European Nations Cup, with nine wins and a single loss over a two-year campaign. Since there is no system of promotion and relegation between the Six Nations Tournament and the ENC, Georgia remained in the ENC for the 2008–10 campaign.

Lelo

The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try" (the highest-valued score in rugby). One standard cheer of Georgian rugby union fans is Lelo, Lelo, Sakartvelo (Try, Try, Georgia).

Lelo has its roots in pagan times; the ball symbolized the Sun, one of the cesestial bodies worshipped throughout the Middle East. The game used to be a proven form of military exercise, it was adopted by the Orthodox Church to such an extent that the Priest used to bless a red – the most revered Christian colour – ball at Easter and throw it up to the players. Village vied with village, Uppies with Downies, married men with betrotheds and bachelors, and sometimes teams were selected on tribal lines. The goal of the Lelo-burti was to bring the ball to a pre-marked place, that is Lelo. Hence, both an 'in-goal area' and a 'try' in contemporary Georgian are referred to as 'Lelo'.

Honors

Notable Wins

Record

Overall

Top 30 rankings as of 1 May 2016[4]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1 Steady New Zealand 96.10
2 Steady Australia89.33
3 Steady South Africa 87.66
4 Steady England 83.98
5 Steady Wales 83.10
6 Steady Argentina 82.59
7 Steady Ireland 80.33
8 Steady France 78.36
9 Steady Scotland 78.32
10 Steady Japan 77.05
11 Steady Fiji 76.96
12 Steady Georgia 72.62
13 Steady Tonga 71.60
14 Steady Italy 70.78
15 Steady Samoa 70.36
16 Steady Romania 67.52
17 Steady United States 65.68
18 Steady Canada 64.27
19 Steady Russia 63.56
20 Steady Uruguay 63.23
21 Steady Namibia 61.75
22 Steady Spain 60.87
23 Steady Belgium 57.94
24 Steady Germany 57.71
25 Steady Hong Kong 57.17
26 Steady South Korea 56.70
27 Increase 1 Kenya 55.89
28 Decrease 1 Chile 55.73
29 Steady Ukraine 55.51
30 Steady Portugal 54.29
*Change from the previous week
Georgia's Historical Rankings
Source: World Rugby - Graph updated to 1 November 2015[4]

Georgia have been beaten by twenty-three Test nations, and have beaten twenty-six. They have won 115 of their 190 representative matches (see table), and have lost 69 times. Since World Rankings were introduced by World Rugby in October 2003, Georgia have occupied below number ten the majority of the time.

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Georgia national XV at test level up until 19 March 2016.[5]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Argentina 4 0 4 0 0.00% 37 141 −104
Argentina Argentina XV 3 2 1 0 66.67% 54 61 −7
 Barbarians 1 0 1 0 0.00% 19 28 −9
 Belgium 2 2 0 0 100.00% 52 13 +39
 Bulgaria 1 1 0 0 100.00% 70 8 +62
 Canada 5 2 3 0 40.00% 78 119 −41
 Chile 2 1 1 0 50.00% 53 36 +17
 Croatia 1 1 0 0 100.00% 29 15 +14
 Czech Republic 8 8 0 0 100.00% 310 58 +252
 Denmark 1 1 0 0 100.00% 19 8 +11
 England 2 0 2 0 0.00% 16 125 −109
England Newcastle Falcons 1 0 1 0 0.00% 7 27 −20
 Fiji 1 0 1 0 0.00% 19 24 −5
 France 1 0 1 0 0.00% 7 64 −57
France French Universities 1 1 0 0 100.00% 24 20 +4
 Germany 5 5 0 0 100.00% 252 26 +226
 Ireland 4 0 4 0 0.00% 31 196 −165
Ireland Ireland Wolfhounds 1 0 1 0 0.00% 5 40 −35
Ireland Emerging Ireland 2 0 2 0 0.00% 27 65 −38
 Italy 2 0 2 0 0.00% 29 82 −53
 Italy A 5 2 3 0 40.00% 71 83 −12
 Emerging Italy 2 1 1 0 50.00% 44 36 +8
 Japan 4 1 3 0 25.00% 74 94 −20
 Kazakhstan 1 1 0 0 100.00% 17 5 +12
 Latvia 1 1 0 0 100.00% 28 3 +25
 Luxembourg 1 0 0 1 0.00% 10 10 +0
 Moldova 1 1 0 0 100.00% 47 5 +42
 Morocco 1 1 0 0 100.00% 20 10 +10
 Namibia 5 4 1 0 80.00% 112 73 +39
 Netherlands 4 3 1 0 75.00% 164 64 +100
 New Zealand 1 0 1 0 0.00% 10 43 -33
 Poland 2 0 2 0 0.00% 29 52 −23
 Portugal 20 14 4 2 70.00% 469 268 +201
 Romania 20 11 8 1 55.00% 385 348 +37
 Russia 20 18 1 1 90.00% 500 231 +269
 Samoa 2 1 1 0 50.00% 25 61 −36
 Scotland 1 0 1 0 0.00% 6 15 −9
 Scotland A 2 1 1 0 50.00% 25 90 −65
 South Africa 1 0 1 0 0.00% 19 46 −27
South Africa South Africa A 1 0 1 0 0.00% 17 31 −14
South Africa Southern Kings 1 0 1 0 0.00% 17 31 −14
South Africa South Africa President's XV 1 0 1 0 0.00% 16 21 −5
South Africa Emerging Springboks 2 0 2 0 0.00% 10 35 −25
 Spain 17 13 3 1 76.47% 547 260 +287
  Switzerland 1 1 0 0 100.00% 22 21 +1
 Tonga 4 2 2 0 50.00% 60 97 −37
 Ukraine 9 9 0 0 100.00% 281 63 +218
 United States 4 1 3 0 25.00% 75 109 −34
 Uruguay 5 3 2 0 60.00% 85 72 +13
 Zimbabwe 3 2 1 0 66.67% 58 35 +23
Total 190 115 69 6 60.52% 4381 3468 +913

World Cup

Georgia has competed in three Rugby World Cup tournaments. Their first appearance was in 2003 when they were placed in Pool C with England, South Africa, Uruguay and Samoa. In 2007 Georgia recorded their first win in the Rugby World Cup with a 30–0 win over Namibia in their Pool D match at Stade Felix-Bollaert. Georgia have to date won three World Cup matches and lost ten.

World Cup record World Cup Qualification record
Year Round P W D L F A P W D L F A
AustraliaNew Zealand 1987Not invited-
United KingdomIrelandFrance 1991Did not enterDid not enter
South Africa 1995Did not qualify20021538
Wales 19998404131221
Australia 2003Pool Stage40044620021013176
France 2007Pool Stage410350111141013426182
New Zealand 2011Pool Stage4103489010811326132
England 2015Pool Stage42025111010910286106
Japan 2019Automatically qualifiedAutomatically qualified
Total 4/8 16 4 0 12 201 504 46 32 3 11 1215 755

European Nations Cup

Georgia compete annually in the European Nations Cup. They won the tournament nine times in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016

Nation Champs Games Won Draw Lost Win/Lose Percentage
 Georgia 9856941287%
 Romania 4856222173%
 Portugal 1703534737.25%
 Russia 0855133559.02%
 Spain 0852845733.07%

Georgia On European Nations Cup

ENC champions
Season G W D L PF PA +/− Pts Pos
20005302145105+73112nd
2001550016768+99141st
2001–0210811351152+199272nd
2003–0410514193148+45213rd
2004–0610802353125+228262nd
2006–0810901292114+178281st
2008–09541017080+90141st
2010540115850+108132nd
2011550016835+133221st
2012540114848+100201st
2013541013561+74191st
2014550015145+106221st
2015550015842+116211st
2016550018833+155241st

Results against Russia

The Georgian national rugby team has a successful series of results against the Russian rugby team. Georgia and Russia have played 18 games, out of which Russia managed to win only once, with one match ending in a draw.

Tensions between Russia and Georgia remained high after a brief war in August 2008, resulting in the scheduling of head-to-head rugby matches on neutral soil during 2009 and 2010.

Tournament Location Date Home Team Score Away Team
European Nations Cup 2016 Russia Sochi 12.03.2016  Russia 7-24  Georgia
European Nations Cup 2015 Georgia (country) Tbilisi 14.03.2015 Georgia (country) Georgia 33–0  Russia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 2015 Georgia (country) Tbilisi 22.02.2014  Georgia 36–10  Russia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 2015 Russia Sochi 23.02.2013  Russia 9–23  Georgia
European Nations Cup 2012 Georgia (country) Tbilisi 17.03.2012  Georgia 46–0  Russia
European Nations Cup 2011 Russia Sochi 19.03.2011  Russia 9–15  Georgia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 2011 Turkey Trabzon 20.03.2010  Georgia 36–8  Russia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 2011 Ukraine Mariupol 22.03.2009  Russia 21–29  Georgia
European Nations Cup 2008 Russia Krasnoyarsk 12.04.2008  Russia 12–18  Georgia
European Nations Cup 2007 Georgia (country) Tbilisi 24.03.2007  Georgia 31–12  Russia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 2007 Georgia (country) Tbilisi 4.02.2006  Georgia 46–19  Russia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 2007 Russia Krasnodar 20.11.2004  Russia 15–27  Georgia
European Nations Cup 2004 Georgia (country) Tbilisi 6.03.2004  Georgia 9–3  Russia
European Nations Cup 2003 Russia Krasnodar 9.03.2003  Russia 17–23  Georgia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 2003 Georgia (country) Tbilisi 13.10.2002  Georgia 17–13  Russia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 2003 Georgia (country) Tbilisi 3.03.2002  Georgia 12–12  Russia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 2003 Russia Krasnodar 4.03.2001  Russia 23–25  Georgia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 1999 Georgia (country) Tbilisi 20.05.1998  Georgia 12–6  Russia
1996-1997 FIRA Tournament Georgia (country) Tbilisi 20.10.1996  Georgia 29–20  Russia
Rugby World Cup Qualifying 1995 Poland Sopot 25.05.1993  Russia 15–9  Georgia
Georgian rugby players celebrate beating Russia

Players

Current squad

On 27 January, Head Coach Milton Haig named a 30-man squad for the 2016 European Nations Cup.[6]

Head Coach: New Zealand Milton Haig
Assistant Coach: France Didier Bès
Assistant Coach: Republic of Ireland Michael Bradley
Assistant Coach: Georgia (country) Levan Maisashvili
Assistant Coach: Georgia (country) Ilia Maissuradze

Caps updated: 29 March 2016

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Mamukashvili, ShalvaShalva Mamukashvili Hooker (1990-10-02) 2 October 1990 40 Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Bregvadze, JabaJaba Bregvadze Hooker (1987-12-01) 1 December 1987 34 England Worcester Warriors
Zhvania, ZurabZurab Zhvania Hooker (1991-09-14) 14 September 1991 23 France Stade Français
Asieshvili, KakhaKakha Asieshvili Prop (1987-04-21) 21 April 1987 21 France Brive
Nariashvili, MikheilMikheil Nariashvili Prop (1990-05-25) 25 May 1990 36 France Montpellier
Chilachava, LevanLevan Chilachava Prop (1991-08-17) 17 August 1991 27 France Toulon
Peikrishvili, AntonAnton Peikrishvili Prop (1987-10-18) 18 October 1987 21 France Bayonnais
Melikidze, GiorgiGiorgi Melikidze Prop (1996-04-21) 21 April 1996 1 France Stade Français
Chkhaidze, GiorgiGiorgi Chkhaidze Lock (1982-06-24) 24 June 1982 91 France Lille MR
Nemsadze, GiorgiGiorgi Nemsadze Lock (1984-09-26) 26 September 1984 59 France Tarbes
Mikautadze, KonstantinKonstantin Mikautadze Lock (1991-07-24) 24 July 1991 42 France Toulon
Tcheishvili, NodarNodar Tcheishvili Lock (1990-11-13) 13 November 1990 1 Georgia (country) Lelo Saracens
Gorgodze, MamukaMamuka Gorgodze Flanker (1984-07-14) 14 July 1984 66 France Toulon
Kolelishvili, ViktorViktor Kolelishvili Flanker (1989-10-09) 9 October 1989 36 France Clermont
Sutiashvili, ShalvaShalva Sutiashvili Flanker (1984-01-24) 24 January 1984 57 France Soyaux-Angoulême
Shubitidze, SabaSaba Shubitidze Flanker (1994-04-07) 7 April 1994 5 Georgia (country) Academy
Gorgadze, BekaBeka Gorgadze Flanker (1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 7 France Stade Montois
Mchedlishvili, GiorgiGiorgi Mchedlishvili Flanker (1993-01-13) 13 January 1993 0 Georgia (country) RC Jiki
Tkhilaishvili, GiorgiGiorgi Tkhilaishvili Flanker (1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 27 Georgia (country) Batumi
Lomidze, LashaLasha Lomidze Number 8 (1992-06-30) 30 June 1992 20 France Béziers
Lobzhanidze, VasilVasil Lobzhanidze Scrum-half (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 15 France Brive
Begadze, GiorgiGiorgi Begadze Scrum-half (1986-03-04) 4 March 1986 45 Georgia (country) Kochebi Bolnisi
Khutsishvili, VazhaVazha Khutsishvili Scrum-half (1992-09-02) 2 September 1992 20 Georgia (country) Rustavi Kharebi
Khmaladze, LashaLasha Khmaladze Fly-half (1988-01-20) 20 January 1988 44 Georgia (country) Lelo Saracens
Malaghuradze, LashaLasha Malaghuradze Fly-half (1986-01-02) 2 January 1986 67 Russia Krasny Yar
Jinchvelashvili, RevazRevaz Jinchvelashvili Fly-half (1995-08-18) 18 August 1995 2 Georgia (country) AIA Kutaisi
Kacharava, DavitDavit Kacharava Centre (1985-01-16) 16 January 1985 92 Russia Yenisey-STM
Sharikadze, MerabMerab Sharikadze Centre (1993-05-17) 17 May 1993 40 France Aurillac
Aptsiauri, GiorgiGiorgi Aptsiauri Wing (1994-01-20) 20 January 1994 19 Georgia (country) AIA Kutaisi
Giorgadze, MurazMuraz Giorgadze Wing (1994-06-28) 28 June 1994 10 Georgia (country) Armazi Tbilisi
Mchedlidze, TamazTamaz Mchedlidze Wing (1993-03-17) 17 March 1993 39 France Agen
Pruidze, GiorgiGiorgi Pruidze Wing (1994-06-02) 2 June 1994 8 Georgia (country) AIA Kutaisi
Todua, AlexanderAlexander Todua Wing (1987-11-02) 2 November 1987 55 Georgia (country) Lelo Saracens
Kvirikashvili, MerabMerab Kvirikashvili Fullback (1983-12-27) 27 December 1983 92 France Montluçon Rugby
Tsiklauri, BekaBeka Tsiklauri Fullback (1989-02-09) 9 February 1989 24 Georgia (country) Locomotive Tbilisi

Notable players

Ilia Zedginidze

Ilia Zedginidze – He played as a Number 8 and was a lineout specialist. A member of their inaugural World Cup side in 2003, he captained Georgia in the 2007 tournament, but was forced out of the squad because of an injury. This injury ultimately led to him announcing his retirement from international rugby, after gaining 48 caps.[7] He returned to the squad in late 2008, playing against Scotland A and taking part in the 2009 European Nations Cup, where he scored a game-saving try against Portugal on 14 February 2009.

Malkhaz Urjukashvili – Moved to France, where he has been playing in Stade Toulousain, RC Nîmes, US Tours, in 2003, RC Cannes-Mandelieu, from 2003/04 to 2006/07, in the Fédérale 2, Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne, from 2007/08 to 2008/09, in the Rugby Pro D2 and Groupe Sportife Figeacois, since 2009/10, in the Fédérale 2.

He is one of the best players and scorers for Georgia, holding currently 65 caps for his National Team, with 18 tries, 42 conversions, 41 penalties and 1 drop goal, in an aggregate of 300 points. His first match was a 29–15 win over Croatia, in Tbilisi, at 12 October 1997, aged only 17 years old. This made him one of the youngest players ever to be capped at international rugby level.

He was present at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, playing three matches and scoring 2 penalties and 1 drop goal, 9 points in aggregate. In the game against England at Perth, he kicked a long range penalty that registered as Georgia's first Rugby World Cup points (England eventually won the game 84–6).

He was called once again for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, playing in all the four matches and scoring one conversion. He continued to be a valuable player in the 2011 Rugby World Cup qualification, the third Georgia gained in a row.

Mamuka Gorgodze

Mamuka Gorgodze – Switched to rugby from basketball aged 17. His first club was Lelo in the Georgian Top League, he was soon selected for the Georgia national team and made his debut in 2003 against Spain, at the age of just 18 and not long after he started playing rugby. However he wasn't selected for Georgia's first appearance at the 2003 Rugby World Cup later that year.

In 2004 he became a regular fixture for the Georgia side and then signed for Montpellier in 2005. Gorgodze started his career at Montpellier mainly as a reserve in the side and didn't get much game time. He was still a regular in the Georgia side though and was selected for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Gorgodze started three of Georgia's four matches at the World Cup, and was one of Georgia's star players.

After the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Gorgodze started playing for Montpellier a lot more regularly and was their first choice lock. Gorgodze was signed by Brive for the 2009/10 season but Gorgodze changed his mind and decided to stay at Montpellier, who were forced to pay Brive 200,000 euros to keep him.[8]

A known weak spot for Gorgodze is his indiscipline, he has received 16 yellow cards for Montpellier since 2007. During 2010 he was banned twice for fighting, once with Sébastien Pagès against Albi[9] and the other time with Alex Tulou against Bourgoin.[10]

Gorgodze changed position for Georgia to the back row, and when Fabien Galthié and Eric Béchu became the new Montpellier coaches before the 2010/11 season they also converted him to the back row. Gorgodze became a revelation at flanker during this season, and halfway through the season French newspaper L'Équipe commented that he improved his technique and became a mobile and unstoppable player.[11] Gorgodze played a big role in Montpellier finishing the 2010/11 Top 14 as runners up, and had a particularly massive match in the Top 14 semi final against Racing-Métro.[12] At the end of the season L'Équipe named him as the best foreigner in the league.

Gorgodze was selected for the Georgia squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and played all the Georgia matches and was named man of the match in two matches, against England and Romania.

Individual all-time records

Most caps

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
1. Merab Kvirikashvili Fly-half 2003– 92 75 17 709 14 126 126 3 57 33 2 61.36
2. Davit Kacharava Centre 2006– 92 76 16 85 18 0 0 0 61 29 2 65.51
3. Giorgi Chkhaidze Flanker 2002– 91 74 17 35 10 0 0 0 59 30 2 63.95
4. Irakli Abuseridze Scrum-half 2000–2013 85 76 9 40 8 0 0 0 52 30 3 62.94
5. Tedo Zibzibadze Centre 2000–2014 77 65 12 115 23 0 0 0 48 25 4 64.93
6. Levan Datunashvili Lock 2004– 75 47 28 20 4 0 0 0 46 26 3 63.33
7. Irakli Machkhaneli Wing 2002–2014 73 68 5 115 23 0 0 0 41 29 3 58.21
8. Malkhaz Urjukashvili Wing 1997–2011 70 66 4 320 17 47 46 1 40 30 0 57.14
9. Gia Labadze Flanker 1996–2012 67 64 3 60 12 0 0 0 39 25 3 60.44
10. Ilia Zedginidze Lock 1998–2011 66 64 2 65 13 0 0 0 38 24 4 60.60
Last updated: Georgia vs Namibia, 7 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[13]

Most tries

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Mamuka Gorgodze Lock 2003– 66 61 5 130 26 0 0 0
2. Irakli Machkhaneli Wing 2002–2014 73 68 5 115 23 0 0 0
Tedo Zibzibadze Centre 2000–2014 77 65 12 115 23 0 0 0
3. Davit Kacharava Centre 2006– 92 73 16 85 18 0 0 0
4. Malkhaz Urjukashvili Wing 1997–2011 70 66 4 320 17 47 46 1
5. Bessik Khamashuridze Fullback 1998–2011 61 51 10 75 15 0 0
6. Merab Kvirikashvili Fly-half 2003– 92 73 17 709 14 126 126 3
7. Ilia Zedginidze Lock 1998–2011 66 65 2 65 13 0 0 0
8. Akvsenti Giorgadze Hooker 1996–2011 64 54 10 60 12 0 0 0
Gia Labadze Flanker 1996–2012 67 64 3 60 12 0 0 0
Giorgi Nemsadze Lock 2005– 59 50 9 60 12 0 0 0
Last updated: Georgia vs Namibia, 7 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[14]

Most points

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Merab Kvirikashvili Fly-half 2003– 92 73 17 709 14 126 126 3
2. Pavle Jimsheladze Fly-half 1995–2007 57 55 2 320 9 61 48 3
Malkhaz Urjukashvili Wing 1997–2011 70 66 4 320 17 47 46 1
4. Lasha Malaghuradze Fly-half 2008– 67 41 23 178 4 27 25 3
5. Mamuka Gorgodze Lock 2003– 66 61 5 130 26 0 0 0
6. Irakli Machkhaneli Wing 2002–2014 73 68 5 115 23 0 0 0
Tedo Zibzibadze Centre 2000–2014 77 65 12 115 23 0 0 0
8. Nugzar Dzagnidze Fly-half 1989–1995 12 12 0 104 3 9 22 3
9. Beka Tsiklauri Fullback 2008– 24 11 11 93 4 11 15 2
10. Davit Kacharava Centre 2006– 90 74 16 90 18 0 0 0
Last updated: Georgia vs Namibia, 7 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[15]

Most points in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1. Merab Kvirikashvili Full Back 32 2 11 0 0  Germany Georgia (country) Tbilisi 06/02/2010
2. Merab Kvirikashvili Full Back 24 1 2 5 0  Portugal Portugal Lisbon 08/02/2014
3. Paliko Jimsheladze Fly-half 23 1 0 6 0  Russia Russia Krasnodar 09/03/2003
Merab Kvirikashvili Fly-half 23 1 9 0 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Tbilisi 07/04/2007
5. Merab Kvirikashvili Fly-half 22 1 1 5 0  Japan Georgia (country) Tbilisi 17/11/2012
6. Malkhaz Urjukashvili Fly-half 20 0 7 2 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Kutaisi 12/06/2005
Lasha Malaghuradze Fly-half 20 1 6 1 0  Spain Spain Madrid 28/02/2009
8. Malkhaz Urjukashvili Full Back 19 1 4 2 0  Spain Georgia (country) Tbilisi 28/10/2006
9. 3 players on 18 points
Last updated: Georgia vs Namibia, 7 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[16]

Most tries in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1. Paliko Jimsheladze Wing 15 3 0 0 0  Bulgaria Bulgaria Sofia 23/03/1995
Archil Kavtarahvili Wing 15 3 0 0 0  Bulgaria Bulgaria Sofia 23/03/1995
Mamuka Gorgodze Lock 15 3 0 0 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Kutaisi 12/06/2005
David Dadunashvili Hooker 15 3 0 0 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Tbilisi 07/04/2007
Malkhaz Urjukashvili Centre 15 3 0 0 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Tbilisi 07/04/2007
Mamuka Gorgodze Lock 15 3 0 0 0  Spain Georgia (country) Tbilisi 26/04/2008
Zurab Zhvania Hooker 15 3 0 0 0  Germany Germany Heusenstamm 07/02/2015
8. 43 players on 2 tries
Last updated: Georgia vs Namibia, 7 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[17]

Most matches as captain

# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1. Ilia Zedginidze Lock 2002–2011 34 19 13 2 58.82 30 6 0 0 0
2. Irakli Abuseridze Scrum-half 2007–2012 31 21 9 1 69.35 15 3 0 0 0
3. Irakli Machkhaneli Wing 2013–2014 12 8 3 1 70.83 5 1 0 0 0
Zurab Mtchedlishvili Lock 1997–2007 12 7 5 0 58.33 10 2 0 0 0
Levan Tsabadze Prop 2001–2002 12 9 2 11 79.16 15 3 0 0 0
6. Dimitri Oboladze Flanker 1993–1998 11 6 4 1 59.09 5 1 0 0 0
7. Mamuka Gorgodze (Number 8) 2013– 8 3 5 0 37.50 10 2 0 0 0
8. Nugzar Dzagnidze Fullback 1991–1994 7 5 2 0 71.42 61 2 6 11 3
9 Gia Labadze Flanker 2000–2010 6 1 5 0 16.66 0 0 0 0 0
10. 3 players on 3 matches
Last updated: Georgia vs Namibia, 7 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[18]

Youngest players

# Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date
1. Malkhaz Urjukashvili Wing 17 years and 18 days  Croatia Georgia (country) Tbilisi 12/10/1997
2. Irakli Chkhikvadze (Wing) 18 years and 38 days  Chile Georgia (country) Tbilisi 12/11/2005
3. Vasil Lobzhanidze Scrum-half 18 years and 116 days  Germany Germany Heusenstamm 07/02/2015
4. Mamuka Gorgodze (Number 8) 18 years and 223 days  Spain Georgia (country) Tbilisi 22/02/2003
Otar Barkalaia Fly-half 18 years and 223 days  Ireland Republic of Ireland Lansdowne Road 28/09/2002
6. Vito Kolelishvili (Number 8) 18 years and 255 days  Italy A Romania Bucharest 20/06/2008
7. Giorgi Elizbarashvili (Wing) 18 years and 265 days  Russia Georgia (country) Tbilisi 13/10/2002
8. Merab Sharikadze Centre 18 years and 270 days  Spain Spain Madrid 11/02/2012
9. Irakli Giorgadze (Centre) 18 years and 328 days France French Universities Georgia (country) Tbilisi 10/11/2001
10. Vasil Kakovin (Hooker) 18 years and 349 days  Scotland A Scotland Glasgow 14/11/2008
Last updated: Georgia vs Namibia, 7 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[19]

Oldest players

# Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date
1. Gia Labadze Flanker 38 years and 276 days  Canada Canada Vancouver 23/06/2012
2. Zurab Mtchedlishvili Lock 35 years and 343 days  France France Marseille 30/09/2007
3. Victor Didebulidze Lock 35 years and 330 days  France France Marseille 30/09/2007
4. Akvsenti Giorgadze Hooker 35 years and 120 days  Argentina New Zealand Palmerston North 02/10/2011
5. Irakli Abuseridze Scrum-half 35 years and 104 days  Spain Georgia (country) Tbilisi 09/03/2013
6. Ilia Zedginidze (Lock) 34 years and 255 days  Argentina New Zealand Palmerston North 02/10/2011
7. Rati Urushadze Flanker 34 years and 59 days  Italy A Italy Palmanova 20/11/2009
8. Giorgi Chkhaidze (Prop) 34 years and 43 days  New Zealand New Zealand Millennium Stadium 02/10/2015
9. Tedo Zibzibadze Centre 33 years and 316 days Argentina Argentina XV Georgia (country) Tbilisi 18/06/2014
10. Bessik Khamashuridze (Wing) 33 years and 309 days  Namibia Romania Bucharest 19/06/2011
Last updated: Georgia vs Namibia, 7 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[21]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Georgia national rugby union team.

Sources

References

  1. ↑ "Georgia to host IRB Tbilisi Cup in June". International Rugby Board. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  2. ↑ "Georgia to host Tbilisi Cup 2014". International Rugby Board. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "When Georgia’s XV came of age". rwc2003.irb.com. Retrieved 29 November 2006.
  4. 1 2 "World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Georgia statistics
  6. ↑ http://site.rugby.ge/ka-GE/news-view/?newsid=5080&callerModID=17364&Title=%E1%83%A0%E1%83%90%E1%83%92%E1%83%91%E1%83%98%20%E1%83%94%E1%83%95%E1%83%A0%E1%83%9D%E1%83%9E%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1%202016%20%E1%83%AC%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1%20%E1%83%A1%E1%83%94%E1%83%96%E1%83%9D%E1%83%9C%E1%83%98%20%E1%83%98%E1%83%AC%E1%83%A7%E1%83%94%E1%83%91%E1%83%90
  7. ↑ "Zedginidze calls time". rugbyworldcup.com. 19 September 2007.
  8. ↑ "Gorgodze à Brive ?". 18 November 2008.
  9. ↑ "Two French suspensions". 22 January 2010.
  10. ↑ "Gorgodze et Tulou s'échangent quelques amabilités". 9 November 2010.
  11. ↑ "Rétrospective 2010". 28 December 2010.
  12. ↑ "Gorgodze percute, tamponne, caramélise, retourne. En plus, il franchit". 3 June 2011.
  13. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches.html?id=81;type=team
  14. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_tries.html?id=81;type=team
  15. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points.html?id=81;type=team
  16. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points_match.html?id=81;type=team
  17. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_tries_match.html?id=81;type=team
  18. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches_captain.html?id=81;type=team
  19. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/youngest_appearance.html?id=81;type=team
  20. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/youngest_appearance.html?id=1;type=class
  21. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/oldest_appearance.html?id=81;type=team
  22. ↑ http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/oldest_appearance.html?id=1;type=class

External links

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