Georgia v. Japan, 17/11/2012

[Croket66]

Georgia :
1. Davit Khinchagishvili (CA Brive - ProD2)
2. Shalva Mamukashvili (Army Tbilissi - Georgian Premiership)
3. Davit Zirakashvili (ASM Clermont - Top14)
4. Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes PR - ProD2)
5. Levan Datunashvili (Stade Aurillacois - ProD2)
6. Shalva Sutiashvili (RC Massy - ProD2)
7. Vito Kolelishvili (ASM Clermont - Top14)
8. Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier HRC - Top14)
9. Irakli Abuseridze (c) (RC Auxerre - Federale2)
10. Merab Kvirikashvili (AS St Junien - Federale1)
11. Sandro Todua (SC Albi - ProD2)
12. Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College - British Universities Championship)
13. Davit Kacharava (Stade Rodez - Federale1)
14. Irakli Machkhaneli (Armazi - Georgian Premiership)
15. Irakli Kiasashvili (Lelo Tbilissi - Georgian Premiership)

16. HK Irakli Natriashvili (CA Brive - ProD2)
17. PR Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier HRC - Top14)
18. PR Davit Kubriashvili (RC Toulon - Top14)
19. LK Vakhtang Maisuradze (SC Albi - ProD2)
21. N8 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Army Tbilissi - Georgian Premiership)
20. SH Giorgi Begadze (Batumi XV - Georgian Premiership)
22. FH Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Tbilissi - Georgian Premiership)
23. CE Tedo Zibzibadze (CA Périgueux - Federale1)

Japan :
1. Yusuke Nagae (Ricoh Blacks Rams - Top League)
2. Shota Horie (Panasonic Wild Knights - Top League)
3. Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory Sungoliath - Top League)
4. Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus - Top League)
5. Luke Thompson (Kintetsu Liners - Top League)
6. Hendrick Tui (Panasonic Wild Knights - Top League)
7. Michael Leitch (Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus - Top League)
8. Takashi Kikutani (Toyota Verblitz - Top League)
9. Fumiaki Tanaka (Highlanders - Super Rugby)
10. Kosei Ono (Suntory Sungoliath - Top League)
11. Hirotoki Onozowa (Suntory Sungoliath - Top League)
12. Harumichi Tatekawa (Kobuta Spears - East League A)
13. Tomohiro Senba (Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus - Top League)
14. Tokiashi Hirose (Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus - Top League)
15. Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha Jubilo - Top League)

16. HK Haruki Ota (Kintetsu Liners - Top League)
17. PR Takuma Asahara (Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus - Top League)
18. PR Hiroshi Yamashita (Kobelco Steelers - Top League)
19. LK Michael Broadhurst (Ricoh Black Rams - Top League)
20. N8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani (Panasonic Wild Knights - Top League)
21. SH Atsushi Hiwasa (Suntory Sungoliath - Top League)
22. FH Yuu Tamura (NEC Green Rockets - Top League)
23. FB Go Aruga (Suntory Sungoliath - Top League)

 

[Big Ewis]

Haven't seen Japan play since the RWC against France or that monster blowout against NZ...
Should be an interesting matchup.

 

[Toko_11]

This is the kind of game that deserves vbookie

 

[Joony-k]

http://1tv.ge/live?lang=en Link of the match if any one wants to know.

 

[Toko_11]

first half was absolutely dominated by Georgia who were wining 9-0 after 15 minutes but the half ended 9-13 after they scored a last minute try hence georgia was left with 14 with Kolelishvili being sinbined... -_- awful

 

[Superalexmarket]

Georgian pack are bulldozers impressive!! Geo 22 Japan 13 ;15min of second half.

 

[Croket66]

Final score : Georgia 22-25 Japan
Japan won thanks to a drop goal at min.89

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Final score : Georgia 22-25 Japan
Japan won thanks to a drop goal at min.89

If Georgia could get some backs to compliment their monster forwards they would be a force to be reckoned with!

 

[norcalbuff]

If Georgia could get some backs to compliment their monster forwards they would be a force to be reckoned with!

They are starting to develop some backs. Tamaz Mchedlidze is a 19 year old center who is the first Georgian back to play top flight rugby in Europe, albeit with the worst team in the Top 14. It needs to be a point of emphasis for their development and perhaps 7s in the Olympics will help them in the backs.

 

[usausa]

Every test match I read about hosted by Georgia seems to last 89-90 minutes...when the US went there in Fall 2010, Georgia won when the match went on like 9 minutes into stoppage time.

 

[Toko_11]

they do a great job of keeping the possession when they really want.... and this time neither team wanted it to end since it was a tied til 89th

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Just finished watching, what a cracker of a game it was. Very intriguing was the battle between the contrast of styles. Japan, while being one of the lest physical teams in the IRB top 20, they make up for it with their high tempo, sharpe and quick handling style of play that they have made their own. Georgia.on the other hand are one of the most physically imposing teams in the tier 2 with their monster forward pack and like to bruise and bash their way past the gain line using their strength size and physicality. Their backline however is nowhere near the same level or as potent as their forwards.
Was a very entertaining affair deserving of a tie. But Japan played brave as per usual, able to march the ball up the field and complete the comeback with a drop goal for the win in injury time. Kudos to both teams as both were rightfully applauded coming of the pitch.
Very enjoyable match as are the rest of these tier 2 match ups. Hopefully more of the same in the coming years. Would love to see Georgia tour the southern hemisphere tier 2 nations as their skill and brand of rugby would make for good matchups with Japan and the Pacific Islands and Im sure would definatly welcome the challenge.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Just seen the winner. Is that the least dramatic winning drop-goal ever? When I think 89 minutes, nothing in it, one kick to win it, I think Ronan O'Gara, totally focused, forwards bearing down upon him, diving, giving everything, as if their lives depends on it, but then when the kick sails through, having hung in the air just long enough for both sets of fan to cheer, it's given, and the entire team explodes in ecstasy. I saw this. Some guy's doing something else then just gives the ball a little kick whilst under no pressure and it happens to go through. A couple of Asian blokes smile a bit. The end. Rubbish.