Georgia national rugby union team
Nickname(s) | Borjgalosnebi Lelos | ||
---|---|---|---|
Emblem | Borjgali | ||
Union | Georgian Rugby Union | ||
Head coach | Richard Cockerill | ||
Captain | Merab Sharikadze | ||
Most caps | Davit Kacharava (122) | ||
Top scorer | Merab Kvirikashvili (838) | ||
Top try scorer | Aka Tabutsadze (35) | ||
Home stadium | Various | ||
| |||
World Rugby ranking | |||
Current | 14 (as of October 2023) | ||
Highest | 11 (2016, 2019, 2023) | ||
Lowest | 23 (2004) | ||
First international | |||
Georgia 16–3 Zimbabwe (Kutaisi, Georgia; 12 September 1989) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Georgia 98–3 Czech Republic (Tbilisi, Georgia; 7 April 2007) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
England 84–6 Georgia (Perth, Australia; 12 October 2003) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 6 (First in 2003) | ||
Best result | Pool stage (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023) | ||
Website | rugby.ge/nationalteam |
The Georgia national rugby union team (
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 Rugby Europe Championship, winning the tournament in
Honours
- Rugby Europe International Championship
- Winners (16): (record)
- Antim Cup
- Winners (18): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (1), 2023 (2), 2024 (record)
History
Soviet era
There were several unsuccessful attempts to introduce a rugby union into Georgia, the earliest known being in 1928, with subsequent attempts also in 1940 and in 1948. Rugby was introduced to Georgia by
Rugby's popularity in Georgia might be explained by its resemblance to the traditional Georgian game named
The first teams appeared in 1959. The
In 1988 Georgia produced their first national sevens side, while still a Soviet republic. 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
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. Saurel went on to work with the Georgia national 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: World Cup play
After France and Italy dropped from the reborn European Nations Cup, Georgia became a major force in the tournament. In 2000, Georgia finished second in the competition, finishing behind Romania. 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 2001–02 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
In October 2002 Georgia faced Russia, 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. 50,000[2] spectators turned out to the national stadium. 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 lost to Italians 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 46–9 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.
In the 2007 Rugby World Cup Georgia were drawn against Argentina, Ireland, Namibia and tournament hosts France in Pool D. The team 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 victory was laid by Georgia's experienced forward pack who wore down their opponents at the breakdown. The 2007 world cup campaign is also well remembered for Georgians by a brilliant display against Ireland, where Georgia narrowly lost the match 10–14. The tournament was over with 7–64 defeat to hosts France on 30 September.
2010–2019
At
In the 2015 Rugby World Cup Georgia played against Tonga, Argentina, title holders New Zealand and the top African qualifier Namibia in Pool C. The group opener finished with Georgia's 17–10 victory against Tonga. their third win in a World Cup match. Georgia lost their second match against Argentina 9–54, after trailing 14–9 at half-time. In the third match Georgia were defeated by New Zealand 43–10 in Cardiff. Again in the first half The Lelos held very well against the All Blacks, trailing the world champions 22–10. In the last match Georgia defeated Namibia 17–16 to finish third, their highest in a world cup, and securing their qualification for 2019 Rugby World Cup at the same time.
In 2016, Georgia once again cemented its claim to be the seventh best national rugby team in Europe, when they won the
2019 World Cup
Georgia is approaching the 2019 World Cup with confidence, it has just won three of the four European Nations Championship and has a squad that combines youth (Abzhandadze, Kveseladze) and experience (Mamukashvili, Chilachava, Bregvadze). The Georgian federation aims to reproduce the same performance as in 2015 by finishing third in the group. However, Georgia inherits a strong field made up of Australia, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay. On September 23, the Lelos began the competition by facing Wales with a 43-14 for the British. Six days later, Uruguay faced the Georgians, four days after the South Americans created the feat by beating the Fijians 30-27. Final score for the Lelos 33-7. Georgia then meets Fiji, their rival for third place which means automatic qualification for 2023 in a 10-45 match for the islanders where we will see 3/4 Georgians. Georgia ended up with an honorable 27-8 defeat against the already qualified Australians. The results are disappointing for the Georgians. The team finished fourth behind Fiji and will have to go through the qualification box for 2023. During this Cup, Georgia showed progress but still lacks organization from an offensive point of view, individual and collective quality for three quarters. and often breaks down during the hour of play on a physical level.
2020–present
For this post-World Cup year, Georgia faces two significant changes. Milton Haig, who left after a positive record, has been replaced by his deputy Levan Maisashvili. Additionally, the squad must undergo a renewal process following the retirement of key players such as Mamukashvili, Begadze, and Malaguradze.
On February 1, Georgia clashed with their Romanian rivals in the 2020 European Nations Championship, concluding with a 41-13 victory for the Lelos. Subsequent matches included a 10-23 loss to the Spaniards, a dominant 78-6 victory against the Belgians, and a close 24-39 battle against Portugal. Despite their promising performance, the Lelos' journey in the competition was abruptly halted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In October, the Georgian federation received an invitation to participate in the Autumn Nations Cup, which brought together the six teams from the Six Nations Tournament, Fiji, and Georgia. Placed in a pool with England, Ireland, and Wales, the Georgians finished last in the competition after conceding a classification match against Fiji. In July 2022, Georgia beat a Tier 1 nation for the first time, Italy, 28-19. In November 2022, Georgia beat Wales 13-12 in Cardiff. During the European Rugby Championship 2023, Georgia again dominated its opponents and clinched the 15th title.
2023 World Cup
During the 2023 rugby world cup Georgia dramatically underperformed to what was expected again they were aiming to cause an upset and guarantee automatic qualification, however came last in their pool having not won a game.
They got off to a rocky start with a 35-15 loss to Australia on the 9th of September though not expected to win they were thought they would put up a better fight. Next, on the 23rd of September they drew with Portugal 18-18 though they were expected to win this; 7 days later they put up a strong fight against Fiji but were eventually defeated 17-12 before finishing on the 7th of October getting battered by Wales 43-19.
Lelo
Lelo or lelo burti (Georgian: ლელო ბურთი), literally a "field ball [playing]", is a Georgian folk sport, which is a full contact ball game, and very similar to rugby.[4] Within Georgian rugby union terminology, the word lelo is used to mean a try, and the popularity of rugby union in Georgia has also been attributed to it.[5] In 2014, lelo burti, along with khridoli, a traditional martial art, was inscribed by the government of Georgia as a "nonmaterial monument" of culture.[6]
It appears in the 12th century Georgian epic poem The Knight in the Panther's Skin in which the characters play lelo burti.
Kits
Kits timeline
RWC 2003
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RWC 2007
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RWC 2011
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RWC 2015
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2017–18
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RWC 2019
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2020–21
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2022–23
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RWC 2003
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RWC 2007
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RWC 2011
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RWC 2015
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2017–18
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RWC 2019
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2020–21
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2022–23
|
Record
Wins against Tier 1 nations
10 July 2022 | Georgia | 28–19 | Italy | Batumi Stadium, Batumi
|
|
20:00 UTC+4 )
|
Try: Todua 11' m Abzhandadze (2) 13' c, 36' c Con: Abzhandadze (2/3) 14', 37' Pen: Abzhandadze (2/3) 55', 78' Aprasidze (1/1) 71' |
Try: Menoncello 20' c Con: Allan (1/1) 21' Pen: Allan (4/5) 27', 33', 51', 72' |
Attendance: ~20,000 Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand) |
19 November 2022 | Wales | 12–13 | Georgia | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff | |
13:00 UTC+0 )
|
Try: Morgan (2) 20' c, 24' m Con: Priestland (1/2) 21' |
Report | Try: Todua 59' c Con: Abzhandadze (1/1) 60' Pen: Abzhandadze (1/2) 2' Matkava (1/1) 78' |
Attendance: 63,585 Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy) |
Overall
[7] | Top 20 as of 18 March 2024|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Change* | Team | Points | ||
1 | South Africa | 94.54 | |||
2 | Ireland | 90.69 | |||
3 | New Zealand | 89.80 | |||
4 | France | 87.92 | |||
5 | England | 85.75 | |||
6 | Scotland | 82.82 | |||
7 | Argentina | 80.68 | |||
8 | 1 | Italy | 79.41 | ||
9 | 1 | Australia | 77.48 | ||
10 | 2 | Wales | 77.26 | ||
11 | Fiji | 76.38 | |||
12 | Japan | 74.27 | |||
13 | Georgia | 74.02 | |||
14 | Samoa | 72.23 | |||
15 | 1 | Tonga | 71.57 | ||
16 | 1 | Portugal | 70.28 | ||
17 | United States |
67.94 | |||
18 | Uruguay | 67.39 | |||
19 | Spain | 64.37 | |||
20 | Romania | 61.66 | |||
* Change from the previous week | |||||
Georgia's historical rankings | |||||
See or edit source data. | |||||
Source: World Rugby[7] Graph updated to 4 March 2024 |
Georgia has won 173 of their 277 representative matches, a winning record of 62.45%. Since World Rankings were introduced by World Rugby in September 2003, Georgia have occupied below number ten the majority of the time.
Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Georgia national team at test level up until 18 March 2024.[8]
Opponent | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % | For | Aga | Diff |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Argentina | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.00% | 66 | 186 | −120 |
Argentina XV | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50.0% | 78 | 91 | −13 |
Australia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 23 | 62 | −39 |
Barbarians | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 19 | 28 | −9 |
Belgium | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 332 | 37 | +295 |
Bulgaria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 70 | 8 | +62 |
Canada | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 57.14% | 145 | 141 | +4 |
Chile | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 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 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00% | 16 | 165 | −149 |
Fiji | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5.88% | 97 | 179 | −82 |
France | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 22 | 105 | −83 |
French Barbarians |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 16 | 15 | +1 |
French Universities | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 24 | 20 | +4 |
Germany | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 521 | 64 | +457 |
Ireland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.00% | 41 | 219 | −178 |
Ireland Wolfhounds | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 5 | 40 | −35 |
Emerging Ireland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 27 | 65 | −38 |
Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33.33% | 39 | 59 | −20 |
Italy XV | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 7 | 51 | −44 |
Italy A | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 40.00% | 71 | 83 | −12 |
Emerging Italy | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00% | 44 | 36 | +8 |
Japan | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 16.67% | 96 | 150 | −54 |
Kazakhstan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 17 | 5 | +12 |
Latvia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 28 | 3 | +25 |
Luxembourg | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 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 | 0 | 1 | 80.00% | 112 | 73 | +39 |
Netherlands | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 87.5% | 355 | 107 | +248 |
New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 10 | 43 | −33 |
Poland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33.33% | 81 | 78 | +3 |
Portugal | 27 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 70.37% | 677 | 372 | +305 |
Romania | 29 | 19 | 1 | 9 | 65.52% | 660 | 452 | +208 |
Russia | 26 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 92% | 621 | 273 | +348 |
Samoa | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 60.00% | 110 | 135 | −25 |
Scotland | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.00% | 54 | 219 | −165 |
Scotland A | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00% | 25 | 90 | −65 |
South Africa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 28 | 86 | −58 |
South Africa A | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 17 | 31 | −14 |
Southern Kings | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00% | 41 | 51 | −10 |
South Africa President's XV | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 16 | 21 | −5 |
Emerging Springboks |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 10 | 35 | −25 |
Spain | 25 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 84% | 790 | 340 | +450 |
Switzerland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 22 | 21 | +1 |
Tonga | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43% | 119 | 141 | −22 |
Ukraine | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 281 | 63 | +218 |
United States |
7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 57.14% | 139 | 153 | −14 |
Uruguay | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 66.7% | 152 | 97 | +55 |
Wales | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 20% | 52 | 129 | −77 |
Zimbabwe | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 66.67% | 58 | 35 | +23 |
Total | 277 | 173 | 10 | 94 | 62.45% | 6670 | 4973 | +1697 |
World Cup
Georgia has competed in six 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 Bollaert-Delelis. The Lelos best performance was in 2015, where they finished third in a group for the first time. Georgia have to date won five World Cup matches, drawn one and lost eighteen.
World Cup record | World Cup Qualification record | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A | P | W | D | L | F | A | |
1987 | Part of USSR: Not an independent country | - | ||||||||||||
1991 | Part of USSR: Not an independent country | Part of USSR: Not an independent country | ||||||||||||
1995 | did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 38 | |||||||
1999 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 131 | 221 | ||||||||
2003 | Pool Stage | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 200 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 76 | |
2007 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 50 | 111 | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 426 | 182 | |
2011 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 90 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 326 | 132 | |
2015 | Pool Stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 53 | 123 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 286 | 106 | |
2019 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 122 | Automatically Qualified | ||||||
2023 | Pool Stage | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 113 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 325 | 146 | |
2027 | to be determined | Qualification not started | ||||||||||||
2031 | ||||||||||||||
Total | 6/10 | 24 | 5 | 1 | 18 | 326 | 759 | 56 | 41 | 4 | 11 | 1540 | 901 |
Rugby. Georgian all tournament games
Season | G | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts | Pos |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1992–94 |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 60 | 34 | 8 | 1st |
1995 Rugby World Cup qualification | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 38 | 2 | 3nd |
1995–96 |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 40 | 61 | 10 | 2nd |
1996–97 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 87 | 84 | 6 | 4nd |
1999 Rugby World Cup qualification | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 74 | 60 | 10 | 2nd |
1999 Qual. Play off | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 64 | — | DNQ |
Rugby European Championships
Georgia compete annually in the
.
Results correct up until 7 July 2021
Season | G | W | D | L | PF | PA | +/− | Pts | Pos |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 145 | 105 | +40 | 11 | 2nd |
2001 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 167 | 68 | +99 | 15 | 1st |
2002 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 184 | 84 | +100 | 12 | 2nd |
2003–04 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 193 | 148 | +45 | 21 | 3rd |
2005–06 |
10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 353 | 125 | +228 | 26 | 2nd |
2007–08 |
10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 292 | 114 | +178 | 28 | 1st |
2009–2010 |
10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 328 | 130 | +198 | 27 | 1st |
2011–2012 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 316 | 83 | +233 | 42 | 1st |
2013–2014 |
10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 286 | 106 | +180 | 41 | 1st |
2015–2016 |
10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 346 | 75 | +276 | 45 | 1st |
2017 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 44 | +123 | 19 | 2nd |
2018 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 188 | 35 | +153 | 24 | 1st |
2019 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 162 | 34 | +128 | 24 | 1st |
2020 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 197 | 60 | +137 | 24 | 1st |
2021 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 153 | 73 | +80 | 24 | 1st |
2022 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 172 | 73 | +99 | 20 | 1st |
2023 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 225 | 41 | +184 | 15 | 1st |
2024 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 82 | +94 | 14 | 1st |
Total | 125 | 107 | 5 | 13 | 3779 | 1391 | +2388 | 419 | – |
Antim Cup
The Antim Cup is contested between Georgia and Romania each time the teams meet in a senior international match other than World Cup matches or qualifiers. The holder retains the cup unless the challenger wins the match, and there is no extra time in case of a draw. It is named after the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Anthim the Iberian, who came from Georgia.
Players
Current squad
On 28 January, Georgia announced their 35-player squad for the 2024 Rugby Europe Championship.[9]
Head Coach: Richard Cockerill
- Caps updated: 18 January 2024
Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vano Karkadze | Hooker
|
25 June 2000 | 7 | Montpellier |
Luka Nioradze | Hooker
|
6 April 1999 | 2 | Aurillac |
Nika Sutidze | Hooker
|
1 September 2003 | 0 | Stade Rochelais |
Tengiz Zamtaradze | Hooker
|
2 January 1998 | 7 | Black Lion |
Davit Abdushelishvili | Prop
|
25 February 2001 | 0 | Black Lion |
Giorgi Akhaladze | Prop
|
13 April 1999 | 0 | AS Béziers |
Irakli Aptsiauri | Prop
|
23 February 2003 | 2 | FC Grenoble |
Beka Gigashvili | Prop
|
17 February 1992 | 36 | Toulon
|
Luka Japaridze | Prop
|
6 September 1998 | 8 | Montpellier |
Alexsandre Kuntelia | Prop
|
26 June 2002 | 2 | Stade Rochelais |
Giorgi Mamaiashvili | Prop
|
26 February 2003 | 0 | FC Grenoble
|
Mikheil Babunashvili | Lock
|
31 May 1996 | 2 | Black Lion |
Nodar Cheishvili
|
Lock
|
13 November 1990 | 51 | Black Lion |
Guram Ghaniashvili | Lock
|
30 January 2003 | 0 | Grenoble Espoirs
|
Giorgi Javakhia | Lock
|
24 September 1996 | 8 | FC Grenoble
|
Grigor Kerdikoshvili | Lock
|
15 November 1994 | 10 | Black Lion |
Luka Ivanishvili | Back row
|
25 November 2001 | 8 | Black Lion |
Otar Giorgadze | Back row
|
2 March 1996 | 35 | Montauban |
Beka Gorgadze | Back row
|
8 February 1996 | 40 | Pau |
Giorgi Kervalishvili | Back row
|
15 November 2002 | 0 | Black Lion |
Ioane Iashaghashvili | Back row
|
23 April 2000 | 0 | Valence Romans |
Tornike Jalaghonia
|
Back row
|
12 December 1998 | 27 | Biarritz |
Beka Shvangiradze | Back row
|
12 June 2002 | 1 | Aurillacois |
Ilia Spanderashvili | Back row
|
10 September 1997 | 2 | Black Lion |
Giorgi Tsutskiridze | Back row
|
26 November 1996 | 34 | Stade Français |
Mihkeil Alania | Scrum-half
|
19 November 2000 | 7 | Aurillacois |
Davit Khuroshvili | Scrum-half
|
2 November 2003 | 0 | ASM Clermont Espoirs |
Vasil Lobzhanidze | Scrum-half
|
14 October 1996 | 78 | Toulon
|
Tengiz Peranidze | Scrum-half
|
6 April 1998 | 1 | Black Lion |
Tedo Abzhandadze | Fly-half
|
13 June 1999 | 46 | Montauban |
Luka Matkava | Fly-half
|
5 October 2001 | 14 | Black Lion |
Tornike Kakhoidze | Centre
|
16 August 2003 | 3 | Black Lion |
Giorgi Kveseladze | Centre
|
11 November 1997 | 52 | Black Lion |
Merab Sharikadze (c) | Centre
|
17 May 1993 | 98 | Black Lion |
Demur Tapladze | Centre
|
18 March 2000 | 31 | Black Lion |
Shalva Aptsiauri | Wing
|
28 February 2003 | 0 | Lelo Saracens |
Aka Tabutsadze | Wing
|
19 August 1997 | 34 | Black Lion |
Alexander Todua | Wing
|
2 November 1987 | 108 | Black Lion |
Luka Khorbaladze | Fullback
|
10 March 2004 | 0 | Lyon Espoirs
|
Mirian Modebadze | Fullback
|
27 October 1997 | 27 | Black Lion |
Davit Niniashvili | Fullback
|
14 July 2002 | 26 | Lyon |
Luka Tsirekidze | Fullback
|
10 August 2004 | 0 | Black Lion |
Recent call-ups
Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nika Abuladze | Prop
|
20 August 1995 | 12 | Exeter Chiefs |
Guram Gogichashvili | Prop
|
4 September 1998 | 39 | Racing 92 |
Guram Papidze | Prop
|
16 June 1997 | 12 | Pau |
Lado Chachanidze | Lock
|
14 May 2000 (aged 23) | 13 | Nevers |
Lasha Jaiani | Lock
|
21 April 1998 | 19 | Nevers |
Beka Saghinadze | Back row
|
29 October 1998 | 36 | Lyon |
Gela Aprasidze | Scrum-half
|
14 January 1998 | 48 | Bayonne |
Notable former players
Davit Zirakashvili - originally came from a wrestling background, but switched to rugby in 2000. He moved to France in 2002 to play with Fédérale 1 side Aubenas. He moved up the leagues to the Top 14 in the 2004/05 season to play with Clermont where he joined his Georgian compatriot Goderdzi Shvelidze. He also made his debut for Georgia in 2004 against Uruguay. He soon became an important member of both the Clermont and Georgia side. He played in all four of the consecutive Top 14 finals Clermont reached between 2007 and 2010, he scored a try in the 2008 Top 14 final against Toulouse and in 2010 became the first Georgian player to win the Top 14, and represented Georgia in both the 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cups. In 2010, Zirakashvili was voted Georgian sportsman of the year after some crucial performances for both club and country. He was part of a Georgian scrum which scored three penalty tries and also a pushover try in the calendar year, he also a memorable solo try from 45 metres out against Russia in Trabzon and an important try against Canada. His scrummaging was a key factor in Georgia recording wins against both Canada and USA for the first time, whilst at club level he was part of Clermont's Top 14 winning side. Zirakashvili was also mentioned as one of the best tighthead props of the year in world rugby by The Daily Telegraph.
Malkhaz Urjukashvili – Moved to France, where he has been playing. He is one of the best players and scorers for Georgia, holding currently 65 caps for his National Team, with 18 tries and 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 9 points. In the game against England, 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.[citation needed]
Award winners
The following Georgia players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:[11]
Year | Nominees | Winners |
---|---|---|
2015 | Vasil Lobzhanidze | — |
Coaches
Current coaching staff
The current coaching staff of the Georgian national team:[12]
Name | Nationality | Role |
---|---|---|
Vasil Abashidze | GEO | Manager |
Lekso Iordanishvili | GEO | Manager |
Richard Cockerill | ENG | Head coach |
Conor McPhillips | IRE | Attack coach |
Shaun Sowerby | RSA | Defence coach |
Irakli Chkonia | GEO | Strength & conditioning coach |
Davit Nemsadze | GEO | Strength & conditioning coach |
Dr. Nutsa Shamatava | GEO | Team doctor |
Abesalom Abramishvili | GEO | Physiotherapist |
Edward Barry | ENG | Physiotherapist |
William Lavis | ENG | Rehabilitation specialist |
Nika Pinaishvili | GEO | GPS-analyst |
Davit Ramishvili | GEO | Video-analyst |
Player records
Most caps
# | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Won | Lost | Draw | % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Davit Kacharava | Centre |
2006–2020 | 122 | 104 | 18 | 79 | 40 | 3 | 65.98 |
2 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Fullback |
2003–2018 | 115 | 94 | 21 | 72 | 40 | 3 | 63.91 |
3 | Alexander Todua | Wing |
2008– | 110 | 98 | 12 | 70 | 37 | 3 | 61.82 |
4 | Shalva Mamukashvili | Hooker |
2011-2023 | 103 | 64 | 39 | 65 | 35 | 3 | 64.45 |
Merab Sharikadze | Centre |
2012- | 103 | 101 | 2 | 65 | 33 | 5 | 62.82 | |
6 | Giorgi Chkhaidze | Flanker | 2002–2017 | 100 | 78 | 22 | 65 | 32 | 3 | 66.50 |
Lasha Malaghuradze | Fly-half |
2008–2023 | 100 | 52 | 48 | 68 | 30 | 2 | 68.68 | |
8 | Lasha Khmaladze | Centre |
2008-2023 | 97 | 73 | 24 | 63 | 30 | 3 | 66.66 |
9 | Giorgi Nemsadze | Lock |
2005–2019 | 95 | 71 | 24 | 62 | 32 | 1 | 65.78 |
10 | Konstantin Mikautadze | Lock |
2010–2023 | 87 | 76 | 11 | 47 | 37 | 3 | 62.94 |
Most tries
# | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Pts | Tries |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aka Tabutsadze | Wing |
2020– | 40 | 40 | 0 | 185 | 37 |
2 | Mamuka Gorgodze | Lock |
2003–2019 | 75 | 69 | 6 | 135 | 27 |
3 | Davit Kacharava | Centre |
2006–2020 | 122 | 104 | 18 | 125 | 25 |
4 | Irakli Machkhaneli | Wing |
2002–2014 | 73 | 68 | 5 | 115 | 23 |
Tedo Zibzibadze | Centre |
2000–2014 | 77 | 65 | 12 | 115 | 23 | |
6 | Merab Sharikadze | Centre |
2012– | 103 | 101 | 2 | 95 | 19 |
7 | Alexander Todua | Wing |
2008– | 110 | 98 | 12 | 90 | 18 |
8 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Fullback |
2003–2018 | 115 | 94 | 21 | 840 | 17 |
Malkhaz Urjukashvili | Wing |
1997–2011 | 70 | 66 | 4 | 320 | 17 | |
10 | Bessik Khamashuridze | Fullback |
1998–2011 | 61 | 51 | 10 | 75 | 15 |
Giorgi Nemsadze | Lock |
2005–2019 | 95 | 71 | 24 | 75 | 15 |
Most points
# | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Fullback |
2003–2018 | 115 | 840 | 17 | 148 | 150 | 3 |
2 | Tedo Abzhandadze | Fly-half |
2018– | 51 | 321 | 4 | 77 | 49 | 0 |
3 | Pavle Jimsheladze | Fly-half |
1995–2007 | 57 | 320 | 9 | 61 | 48 | 3 |
Malkhaz Urjukashvili | Wing |
1997–2011 | 70 | 320 | 17 | 47 | 46 | 1 | |
5 | Lasha Malaghuradze | Fly-half |
2008–2023 | 100 | 190 | 6 | 38 | 25 | 3 |
6 | Aka Tabutsadze | Wing |
2020– | 40 | 185 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
7 | Soso Matiashvili | Full-back |
2017–2021 | 32 | 159 | 8 | 25 | 23 | 0 |
8 | Mamuka Gorgodze | Lock |
2003–2019 | 75 | 135 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
9 | Davit Kacharava | Centre |
2006–2020 | 122 | 125 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
10 | Beka Tsiklauri | Fullback |
2008–2018 | 29 | 124 | 5 | 24 | 15 | 2 |
Most matches as captain
# | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | % | Pts | Tries |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Merab Sharikadze | Centre |
2014– | 52 | 32 | 17 | 3 | 57.14 | 50 | 10 |
2 | Irakli Abuseridze | Scrum-half |
2007–2012 | 36 | 25 | 10 | 1 | 70.83 | 15 | 3 |
3 | Ilia Zedginidze | Lock |
2002–2011 | 35 | 19 | 14 | 2 | 57.14 | 30 | 6 |
4 | Irakli Machkhaneli | Wing |
2013–2014 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 75.00 | 10 | 2 |
Shalva Sutiashvili | Flanker | 2014–2016 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 96.42 | 5 | 1 | |
6 | Mamuka Gorgodze | Flanker | 2013–2017 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 38.46 | 10 | 2 |
7 | Zurab Mtchedlishvili | Lock |
1997–2007 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 58.33 | 10 | 2 |
Levan Tsabadze | Prop |
2001–2002 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 79.16 | 15 | 3 | |
9 | Giorgi Nemsadze | Lock |
2018–2019 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 81.81 | 0 | 0 |
Dimitri Oboladze | Flanker | 1993–1998 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 59.09 | 5 | 1 |
Most points in a match
# | Player | Pos | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Opposition | Venue | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Soso Matiashvili | Full Back |
34 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | Canada | Tbilisi |
11/10/2017 |
2 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Full Back |
32 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | Germany | Tbilisi |
06/02/2010 |
3 | Luka Matkava | Fly-half |
25 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | Germany | Tbilisi | 05/02/2023 |
4 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Full Back |
24 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | Portugal | Lisbon | 08/02/2014 |
5 | Paliko Jimsheladze | Fly-half |
23 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | Russia | Krasnodar | 09/03/2003 |
Merab Kvirikashvili | Fly-half |
23 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | Czech Republic | Tbilisi |
07/04/2007 | |
7 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Fly-half |
22 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | Japan | Tbilisi | 17/11/2012 |
8 | Malkhaz Urjukashvili | Fly-half |
20 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | Czech Republic | Kutaisi | 12/06/2005 |
Lasha Malaghuradze | Fly-half |
20 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | Spain | Madrid | 28/02/2009 | |
Tedo Abzhandadze | Fly-half |
20 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Italy | Batumi |
10/07/2022 |
Most tries in a match
# | Player | Pos | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Opposition | Venue | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aka Tabutsadze | Wing |
20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Belgium | Kutaisi | 22/02/2020 |
2 | Paliko Jimsheladze | Wing |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bulgaria | Sofia | 23/03/1995 |
Archil Kavtarahvili |
Wing |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bulgaria | Sofia | 23/03/1995 | |
Mamuka Gorgodze | Number 8 |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Czech Republic | Kutaisi | 12/06/2005 | |
David Dadunashvili | Hooker |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Czech Republic | Tbilisi |
07/04/2007 | |
Malkhaz Urjukashvili | Centre |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Czech Republic | Tbilisi |
07/04/2007 | |
Mamuka Gorgodze | Number 8 |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Spain | Tbilisi |
26/04/2008 | |
Zurab Zhvania |
Hooker |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Germany | Heusenstamm | 07/02/2015 | |
Giorgi Kveseladze | Centre |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Germany | Offenbach | 17/02/2018 | |
Davit Niniashvili | Fullback |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Netherlands | Telavi | 26/06/2021 | |
Otar Giorgadze | Flanker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Netherlands | Amsterdam | 12/02/2022 | |
Beka Gorgadze | Flanker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Uruguay | Tbilisi |
06/11/2022 | |
Aka Tabutsadze | Wing |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Germany | Tbilisi | 05/02/2023 | |
Giorgi Tsutskiridze | Flanker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Germany | Tbilisi | 05/02/2023 | |
Aka Tabutsadze | Wing |
15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Romania | Tbilisi | 02/03/2024 |
Coaches
Years | Coach |
---|---|
1989–1990 | David Kilasonia |
1991–1993 | Temur Bendiashvili |
1994–1996 | Guram Modebadze |
1997 | Ross Meurant |
1997–2003 | Claude Saurel |
2004–2007 | Malkhaz Cheishvili |
2008–2009 | Tim Lane |
2010–2011 | Richie Dixon |
2012–2019 | Milton Haig |
2020, 2023 | Levan Maisashvili (Interim) |
2021–2023 | Levan Maisashvili |
2024–present | Richard Cockerill |
See also
- Rugby union in Georgia
- Georgia U20
- Georgia U18
- Georgia XV
- Georgia 7s
- Antim Cup
- Soviet Union national rugby union team
- List of Georgia national rugby union players
References
- ^ Lelos is from the still-popular ancient traditional Georgian folk-sport of Lelo burti, a sort of rugby played with a pumpkin-shaped ball). Nicknamed The Borjgalosnebi (The Men of the Borjgali i.e. the traditional Georgian seven-armed solar symbol)
- ^ "Georgia v Russia". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ^ "When Georgia's XV came of age". International Rugby Board. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 29 November 2006.
- ISBN 1-86200-013-1) p67
- ^ Louis, p39
- ^ Kalatozishvili, Georgy (16 April 2014). "Khridoli and leloburti are nonmaterial monuments of Georgia". Vestnik Kavkaza. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Test matches – Team records". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ^ ბორჯღალოსნები
- ^ Lopez, Julien (3 June 2011). "Gorgodze percute, tamponne, caramélise, retourne. En plus, il franchit". Le Rugbynistère (in French). Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ^ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "Georgia Rugby's Coaching Staff". rugby.ge. Georgian Rugby Union.
- ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most matches | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual tries | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual points | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most matches as a captain | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual points in a match | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual tries in a match | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.