Georgian Rugby

[Toko_11]

you not keen on playing Fiji?

I like most think it would be good if both teams are at full strength, but given that is highly unlikely it could be a waste of time



why do you doubt Jgenti will ever play for the Lelos? he's been great in the Top 14, and has improved his discipline



he had a decent game, didn't get much opportunity with ball in hand, but made some hard tackles, especially one on Chris Masoe who was running at full pace from receiving a kick, I really rate Kolelishvili, he will be Georgia's first choice flanker no doubt now

The fiji fixture is very exciting but you answered it yourself. only good enough reason for toulon and clermont to let their starters leave would be a fixture against a real heavyweight(no disrespect to fiji at all, they are awesome) but reserve side games are getting boring :|

Kolelishvilis debut is a great news indeed had i known he was playing I wouldn't have missed the game. but the downside i that GRU has one more player they have to fight for before every test match(*sarcasm*) if it continues like this we will be sending our 3rd choice team to the USA..... and i really want to beat the Americans, we need to get back the points we lost during this ENC :|

I honestly don't know what the problem is with Jgenti, there are many rumors thrown around. I hope we see him in the near future(fingers crosssed for the summer tests) but if we don't then I don't know what to expect anymore.

 

[psychic duck]

this is the Georgian squad for the North America tour to play USA and Canada

Loosehead Prop: Mikheil Nariashvili, Irakli Mirtskhulava
Hooker: Akvsenti Giorgadze, Rezo Belkania, Shalva Mamukashvili
Tighthead Prop: Davit Zirakashvili, Beka Sheklashvili, Levan Chilachava
Lock: Vakhtang Maisuradze, Giorgi Chkhaidze, Davit Chitidze, Beka Bitsadze
Flanker: Shalva Sutiashvili, Givi Berishvili, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili
Number 8: Zviad Maisuradze

Scrum Half: Irakli Abuseridze, Bidzina Samkharadze, Giorgi Begadze
Fly Half: Merab Kvirikashvili, Lasha Khmaladze, Lasha Malaghuradze
Centre: Davit Kacharava, Tedo Zibzibadze, Merab Sharikadze
Wing: Irakli Machkhaneli, Lexo Gugava, Sandro Todua, Beka Tsiklauri
Full Back: Irakli Kiasashvili

Probable Team:

1. Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier)
2. Akvsenti Giorgadze (Toulouse)
3. Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont)
4. Giorgi Chkhaidze (Saint Junien)
5. Vakhtang Maisuradze (Albi)
6. Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy)
7. Givi Berishvili
8. Zviad Maisuradze
9. Irakli Abuseridze (Auxerre, captain)
10. Merab Kvirikashvili (Saint Junien)
11. Sandro Todua (Albi)
12. Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College/Gloucester U19)
13. Davit Kacharava (Nice)
14. Irakli Machkhaneli (Saint-Etienne)
15. Irakli Kiasashvili

16. Rezo Belkania (La Seyne)
17. Levan Chilachava (Toulon)
18. Beka Bitsadze (Brive)
19. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili
20. Giorgi Begadze
21. Lasha Khmaladze
22. Tedo Zibzibadze (Périgueux)

Players missing:
Vasil Kakovin (prop, Toulouse)
Davit Khinchagishvili (prop, Brive)
Anton Peikrishvili (prop, Castres)
Irakli Natriashvili (hooker, Brive)
Jaba Bregvadze (hooker, Toulouse)
Davit Kubriashvili (prop, Toulon)
Giorgi Jgenti (prop, Montpellier)
Levan Datunashvili (lock, Aurillac)
Giorgi Nemsadze (lock, Tarbes)
Vito Kolelishvili (flanker, Clermont)
Mamuka Gorgodze (number 8, Montpellier)
Dimitri Basilaia (number 8, Edinburgh)
Giorgi Shkinin (wing)

so in short, it's basically the reserve forwards and first choice backs

the Lelos are down to the fourth choice loosehead prop and third choice hooker, as well as two of the three best tightheads missing, and the two best scrummaging ones

but the reserve front row is okay, the main concern is the reserve back row, the loss of Gorgodze, Kolelishvilli and Basilaia is most important as the reserves there are not so strong, there's a big gap between Gorgodze or even Basilaia compared to Zviad Maisuradze

 

[Toko_11]

just read the lineup -_- really bummed

 

[psychic duck]

Georgia team to play Ukraine

1. Mikheil Nariashvili (3 caps)
2. Revaz Belkania (7 caps)
3. Irakli Mirtskhulava (Uncapped)
4. Vakhtang Maisuradze (10 caps)
5. Bachuki Gujaraidze (1 cap)
6. Giorgi Chkhaidze (56 caps)
7. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Uncapped)
8. Zviad Maisuradze (30 caps)
9. Irakli Abuseridze (79 caps)
10. Lasha Khmaladze (10 caps)
11. Lekso Gugava (22 caps)
12. Lasha Malaghuradze (34 caps)
13. Merab Sharikadze (4 caps)
14. Irakli Machkhaneli (54 caps)
15. Irakli Kiasashvili (6 caps)

16. Shalva Mamukashvili (2 caps)
17. Davit Zirakashvili (31 caps)
18. Beka Bitsadze (Uncapped)
19. Giorgi Kalmakhelidze (1 cap)
20. Giorgi Begadze (3 caps)
21. Davit Kacharava (51 caps)
22. Beka Tsiklauri (2 caps)

bolded players are the first choice for a proper Georgian side

 

[Croket66]

Georgia U20 for the JWRT

Props
Vakhtang Akhobadze (SC Albi, France)
Archil Bezhiashvili (Kochebi Tbilissi)
Zaza Navrozashvili (Army Tbilissi)
Giorgi Tetrashvili (SC Albi, Fra)

Hookers
Giorgi Lomtadze (Bradford & Bingley, Eng/AIA Kutaisi)
Vazha Tagauri (Armazi Tbilissi)

Locks
Mindia Elgujauri (RC Massy, Fra)
Sandro Koiava (Lelo Tbilissi)
Lassa Lomidze (Montpellier, Fra)
Giorgi Mchedlishvili (Jikebi)

Back-Row
Saba Beradze (Hooligana)
Beka Mamrikashvili (Army Tbilissi)
Guram Shengelia (Jikebi)
Elgujauri Surguladze (Lelo Tbilissi)

Scrum-Halves
Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi)
Giorgi Misriashvili (Armazi Tbilissi)

Fly-Halves
Giorgi Basilaia (Kharebi)
Goderzi Chincharauli (Lelo Tbilissi)

Centres
Aura Dzneladze (AIA Kutaisi)
Giga Gagoshvili (Army Tbilissi)
Tamaz Mchedlidze (Army Tbilissi)
Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College/Gloucester, Eng)

Wings
Giorgi Bitsadze (Lokomotivi)
Levan Gogolashvili (Academy Tbilissi)

Fullbacks
Bakhva Kobakhidze (Army Tbilissi)
S'abat Nikolava (Army Tbilissi)

 

[psychic duck]

Georgia beat Ukraine 33-3

however reports suggest the performance was poor from Georgia, and considering last year the score was 62-3, that is a poor result for Georgia

there were quite a few weak players in the team, especially front five (Mirtskhulava), but that result does not look good for Georgia's chances in North America

 

[Toko_11]

This lineup was nowhere near the lineup against the Americans...... I hope

 

[psychic duck]

Georgian captain Irakli Abuseridze receiving the ENC winners trophy

 

[Nielsch]

Georgia beat Ukraine 33-3

however reports suggest the performance was poor from Georgia, and considering last year the score was 62-3, that is a poor result for Georgia

there were quite a few weak players in the team, especially front five (Mirtskhulava), but that result does not look good for Georgia's chances in North America

I highly doubt the team Georgia sent out against the Ukraine is any similar to the team they will send out against the USA and Canada. Georgia will win comfortably in North America.

 

[welshglory]

I don't know US and Canada have much better backs than Georgia, in fact i'd go as far saying the Georgian backs are rubbish. If they can at least gain parity in the scrum and contest the breakdown well i'd fancy Georgia to lose to both of them

 

[psychic duck]

I highly doubt the team Georgia sent out against the Ukraine is any similar to the team they will send out against the USA and Canada. Georgia will win comfortably in North America.

I don't know about that Nielsch.

Whilst you are right that the team played was understrength, so will be the one to play USA and Canada.

There should be at least 7 to 9 changes from this team for USA I would think, but it still won't be full strength.

USA showed yesterday against Canada they are an plucky side who won't make it easy, just like they didn't in 2010 when they travelled to Georgia. Canada are roughly on a similar level to Georgia, and just have Cudmore missing, plus Kleeberger and Monro injured from their first choice side. Georgia have their talisman, best front row, best flanker and best lock unavailable. I think it would be close not comfortable even if Georgia had a full team.

I would take one win and one close loss with the players unavailable to be honest, not too optimistic about Georgia's chances.

I don't know US and Canada have much better backs than Georgia, in fact i'd go as far saying the Georgian backs are rubbish. If they can at least gain parity in the scrum and contest the breakdown well i'd fancy Georgia to lose to both of them

The wingers Todua and Machkhaneli have stood up well against Tier 1 nations in World Cups, and would fit in around better teams

the fly half Kvirikashvili is very inconsistent, and error prone, even though he can now and again pull out a superb kick, he doesn't tackle, and doesn't create, and is inconsistent kicking, Khmaladze is an alternative but is also inconsistent

the full back is another problem at the World Cup Georgia played a centre at 15 in Gigauri who was exposed as awful there, as he was too slow, couldn't kick and couldn't handle the high ball well and has now been dropped totally after a poor match earlier this year, none of the options at 15 are that good, but the first choice Shkinin is injured so Kiasashvili is there for the moment, the only other options is playing a fly half or winger at 15

in the centres, most of them can at least hold their own in defence, Kacharava had a good ENC, Sharikadze is just 18 and adds creativity to Zibzibadze, but is still a rookie

scrum half was okay, Abuseridze has had some good matches including at World Cups, but he is 34 and now on the decline, and hasn't looked the same this year for Georgia apart from the Russia match

Canada have some good backs, but last time Georgia played their 10 Braid had a nightmare and Georgia dominated possession so they didn't get much chances, I'm not so sure about the USA backs though, they weren't that good at the World Cup

 

[welshglory]

You're right the American backs weren't that good in the world cup but against other tier 2 sides i expect it will be different, Russia was a dogged game so it wasn't going to be high scoring. They have some pedigree there in Wyles, Ngwenya, Emerick, Paterson and Petri.

I'd say that Canada don't have as much quality as the US but i really rate van der Merwe, Phil McKenzie is good, Matt Evans is also pretty good and Pritchard is very solid, especially against tier 2 teams.

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

You're right the American backs weren't that good in the world cup but against other tier 2 sides i expect it will be different, Russia was a dogged game so it wasn't going to be high scoring. They have some pedigree there in Wyles, Ngwenya, Emerick, Paterson and Petri.

I'd say that Canada don't have as much quality as the US but i really rate van der Merwe, Phil McKenzie is good, Matt Evans is also pretty good and Pritchard is very solid, especially against tier 2 teams.

How can you say that everytime we play the States our backs are the reason we win. Van der Merwe is easily the best back out of all the American and Canadian backs and Mackenzie is no slouch either. Not to mention our flyhalfs are usually better than their American counterparts as well. The Americans have decent runners who can break the gain line but their distribution is poor and decision-making ability downright atrocious at times.

I think our counter-attacking and solid defense is going to rip Georgia apart.

 

[psychic duck]

How can you say that everytime we play the States our backs are the reason we win. Van der Merwe is easily the best back out of all the American and Canadian backs and Mackenzie is no slouch either. Not to mention our flyhalfs are usually better than their American counterparts as well. The Americans have decent runners who can break the gain line but their distribution is poor and decision-making ability downright atrocious at times.

I think our counter-attacking and solid defense is going to rip Georgia apart.

yes Canada are favourites, in 2009 they easily beat a weakened Georgia team in the Churchill Cup

this Georgia team has stronger backs than that team, but the forwards are quite similar

Canada have better backs tan the USA, Ngwenya is only really useful in a team that can provide opportunities, he has little impact on the game at USA level often, Canada's backs pass better and get better ball for their good backs

 

[Toko_11]

Just as i feared. we have the same roster for the American tour that played Ukraine game. Which Is much closer to our A team than our regular team. Not even Basilaia will play instead they called Retired Gia Labadze back into the squad. Wow :|. That means only two players from our pack are actual first team forwards, Zirakashvili and chkaidze. Its basically the same lineup that lost to span this year

 

[psychic duck]

Just as i feared. we have the same roster for the American tour that played Ukraine game. Which Is much closer to our A team than our regular team. Not even Basilaia will play instead they called Retired Gia Labadze back into the squad. Wow :|. That means only two players from our pack are actual first team forwards, Zirakashvili and chkaidze. Its basically the same lineup that lost to span this year

so that's any hope of a win in these games pretty much gone then, Basilaia and Sutiashvili were the only decent back rowers left and now not in the squad

calling up a 38 year old out of retirement says it all, that pack is poor, and that would have been Georgia's advantage had it been full strength, some of those players (Nariashvili, Belkania, Z Maisuradze, Chitidze) would struggle to get into a Georgian 30 man World Cup squad if picked right now, never mind the first choice starting lineup

the difference between Kakovin to Nariashvili, Natriashvili to Belkania (who apparently was crap against Ukraine), Berishvili to Kolelishvili, Maisuradze to Gorgodze is too big to make up, Zirakashvili is the only regular Top 14 player left in the squad, I think this could be a similar game to the one in the Churchill Cup in 2009 where a poor Georgian side similar to this one lost 42-10

the fans on the Georgian forum are very pessimistic now

1: fourth choice (Mikheil Nariashvili)
2: fourth choice (Revaz Belkania)
3: first choice (Davit Zirakashvili)
4: second choice (Vakhtang Maisuradze)
5: third choice (Davit Chitidze)
6: first choice (Giorgi Chkhaidze)
7: second choice (Givi Berishvili)
8: third choice (Zviad Maisuradze)

Georgian revised squad for North American tour

Loosehead Prop: Mikheil Nariashvili, Irakli Mirtskhulava
Missing: Vasil Kakovin (Toulouse), Davit Khinchagishvili (Brive), Anton Peikrishvili (Castres), Goderdzi Shvelidze (Brive)

Hooker: Rezo Belkania, Shalva Mamukashvili
Missing: Jaba Bregvadze (Toulouse), Irakli Natriashvili (Brive), Akvsenti Giorgadze (Toulouse)

Tighthead Prop: Davit Zirakashvili, Levan Chilachava
Missing: Giorgi Jgenti (Montpellier), Davit Kubriashvili (Toulon), Beka Sheklashvili (Dax)

Lock: Vakhtang Maisuradze, Giorgi Chkhaidze, Davit Chitidze
Missing: Levan Datunashvili (Aurillac), Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes)

Flanker: Beka Bitsadze, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Givi Berishvili, Grigol Labadze
Missing: Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy), Vito Kolelishvili (Clermont)

Number 8: Zviad Maisuradze
Missing: Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier), Dimitri Basilaia (Edinburgh)

Scrum Half: Irakli Abuseridze, Giorgi Begadze, Bidzina Samkharadze

Fly Half: Merab Kvirikashvili, Lasha Khmaladze, Lasha Malaghuradze

Centre: Davit Kacharava, Tedo Zibzibadze, Merab Sharikadze

Wing: Irakli Machkhaneli, Lexo Gugava, Sandro Todua

Full Back: Irakli Kiasashvili, Beka Tsiklauri
Missing: Giorgi Skhinin

Players withdrawn from original squad: Akvsenti Giorgadze, Beka Sheklashvili, Bachuki Gujaraidze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Dimitri Basilaia
Players added to the squad: Grigol Labadze (out of retirement)

 

[Toko_11]

I understand all the youth development and need for depth. but this is too much. GRU should also consider that rugby fans are waiting for these games whole year and maybe they should at least consider calling a stronger squad. I know for sure that at least several ProD2 and Top14 Players were available. they could have gathered at least 3rd choice team instead of this Z side. no disrespect to any of these players I know they will try their best to represent the country and as a fellow young rugger I'm happy for them, but seriously what are the odds of winning away with this kind of squad.

 

[psychic duck]

I understand all the youth development and need for depth. but this is too much. GRU should also consider that rugby fans are waiting for these games whole year and maybe they should at least consider calling a stronger squad. I know for sure that at least several ProD2 and Top14 Players were available. they could have gathered at least 3rd choice team instead of this Z side. no disrespect to any of these players I know they will try their best to represent the country and as a fellow young rugger I'm happy for them, but seriously what are the odds of winning away with this kind of squad.

yes, a squad like this is acceptable (although not preferable) against Ukraine, but will lose easily to USA or Canada away, I don't know what the GRU are thinking, they need wins in matches like this to help add to their cause for some Tier 1 matches, but losing by around 30 points to USA or Canada isn't going to help and the Tier 1 nations aren't going to be looking at the players missing when they see Georgia's results

Fiji, Samoa, Tonga all have the same problem for internationals against each other, and other Tier 2 nations

the ones who don't seem to suffer so much is Canada (only lose Cudmore), USA (seem to get Ngwenya, Wyles, Clever available) and Japan (all players Japanese based)

 

[LittleGuy]

Even though this raises Canada's chances of winning, it dissapoints me that Georgia weren't able to bring over their first and second choice players in so many positions. I was hoping this game would be valuble to the Canadian forwards in learning how to handle themselves against an opponent that is superior in the set pieces. Now it looks like Canada will actually have a bit of an advantage up front, thankfully the Georgian backs are first choice which should keep Canada from running riot.

There could be the scenario that Canada might take this oppourtunity to put more of the younger guys out on the field though, which could keep this game close. Canada has a few people hurt which has meant some third choicers on the bench, if Crowley starts them it might not be a cake walk for Canada, especially for the first 40-60 minutes.

@Toko and Psychic, is this a case of the Top 14 not wanting to release players or was this the choice of the coach and selectors to field a younger side? As you said Psychic the only player that Canada consistently has trouble getting is Cudmore although Josh Jackson has been hard to access at times as well.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

20 year old Georgian prop Zurhab Zhvania was signed by Stade Français. Unlikely to get a lot of gametime this season, though. Have you guys seen him play?