Georgian national rugby union team defeated Portugal and remains a favorite to win the qualifying round of Nations Cup and World Cup 2015.

It is good that the Georgians played open game. They played it for the first 7-8 minutes but then we had to be nervous. It is good that the head coach made experiments and made right decision. This time the team played better than against Belgium.

Milton Haig put Merab Kvirikashvili as a fullback and Lasha Khmaladze played on his position. Before that, only Tim Lane put Lasha Malaguradze as a fly-half. I think, Haig must think about this combination. This combination work in the match against Portugal and the coach mentioned it.

Tedo Zibzibadze played well. He scored two tries. We hope, the Georgians will play better against our opponent of principle Russia and the main opponent Romania.

The Georgian team started the match perfectly. Lasha Khmaladze scored the first try and Merab Kvirikashvili used conversion.

The first 10 minutes passed so beautifully but unfortunately, the opponent took advantage and minimized the score with penalty at the 8^th minute. The Portuguese team had the second chance too but Pedro Leal missed it. After that, the Portuguese rugby players tried to attack. The Georgians also attacked and Kvirikashvili tried to score penalty but missed it. After the scrum the Georgians advanced – 7:3.

The second half started and Portugal had organized defense which caused troubles to the Georgians. At the 5^th minute Kvirikashvili scored penalty but in three minutes the guests scored penalty too. Soon, Portugal had a chance to advance but its penalty touched goalpost.

Zibzibadze scored try but Kvirikashvili missed conversion. We had 6-point advantage till the last minutes. Soon, Tedo scored the second try and Kvirikashvili used conversion. The match finished 25:12.

We could not score four tries and get bonus point but fans were satisfied. Now it is important to beat Russians in Sochi on February 23.

As French referees could not arrive in Tbilisi on time, Georgian referees served the match. Not only commissars, but representatives of the guest team were satisfied with them.
 
Press conference
Milton Haig (head coach of Georgian national rugby union team): “In the first 10 minutes we showed the play which we wanted. Perhaps, we were self-confident but it is fact: we played terribly in the last 20 minutes before the break. The rugby players played individually. That is why, I made substitutions. We can achieve success with such play. We need time to play good style well. I hope, everything will be settled and we will surprise the whole world for 80 minutes.

I am excited with the play of Tedo Zibzibadze. After the match, I hugged and congratulated him on good play. I told him, he found a new position. I am satisfied with the fullback of Kvirikashvili and I think, we can use this combination. Khmaladze and Kvirikashvili play with different legs and we used it well. Lasha had some problems but never mind”.

Irakli Machkhaneli (captain of the Georgian team): “As a captain of the team, I am responsible for all decisions of the team. I think when you have a chance to take a point, you must kick the ball in goal. The team made mistakes but we can understand it because we had many new rugby players. The fact is that we improved our play after Japan and Fiji. New tactic worked and I hope we will advance. We were favorites and deserved this victory”.

Errol Brain (head coach of Portuguese team): “We wanted to play open game and to break Georgian defense in the center but we attacked on wings and made mistake. I am satisfied with referees. I cannot blame them anything”.

Pedro Leal: “In the match against Romania chances were 50-50. Here was the same and we did not deserve loss. We will play better in the next match”.

European Nations Cup 2013. Qualifying round of World Cup 2015

February 9. Tbilisi. Mikheil Meskhi. 6 000 spectators

Georgia – Portugal 25:12 (7:3)

Georgia: 15. Lasha Khmaladze (23. Irakli Kiasashvili 79), 14. Tamaz Mchedlidze (22. Davit Kacharava 63), 13. Tedo Zibzibadze, 12. Merab Sharikadze, 11. Irakli Machkhaneli (cap.), 10. Merab Kvirikashvili, 9. Giorgi Begadze; 1. Mikheil Nariashvili (17. Davit Khinchagishvili 57), 2. Shalva Mamukashvili (16. Revaz Belkania 57), 3. Davit Zirakashvili (18. Irakli Mirtskhulava 63), 4. Giorgi Chkhaidze (19. Vakhtang Maisuradze 48), 5. Konstantine Mikautadze (20. Beka Bitsadze 71), 6. Shalva Sutiashvili, 7. Mamuka Gorgodze, 8. Dimitri Basilaia.
Substitute: 21. Vazha Khutsishvili
3 tries:  Khmaladze, Zibzibadze (2)
2 conversions: Kvirikashvili
2 penalties: Kvirikashvili
Head coach: Milton Haig (New Zealand)
Coaches: Ilia Maisuradze, Ilia Zedginidze

Portugal: 15. Nuno Penha e Costa, 14. Aderito Esteves, 13. Frederico Oliveira, 12. Carl Murray, 11. Goncalo Foro, 10. Pedro Leal, 9. Francisco Magalhaes (23. Jose Lima 71); 1. Anthony Alves (17. Jorge Segurado 48), 2. Joao Correia (cap.), 3. Juan Mure (18. Tony Mertis 48), 4. David dos Reis (19. Tiago Girao 63), 5. Goncalo Uva, 6. Vasco Uva (21. Laurent Balangue 71), 7. Julian Bard, 8. Juan Severino.

Substitutes: 16. Miguel Vilas, 20. Rafael Simoes, 22. Francisco Aplton.

4 penalties: Leal

Head coach: Errol Brain (New Zealand)

Referee: Gia Amirkhanashvili

Assistants: Ucha Narimanidze, Nodar Robitashvili

Romania - Russia 29:14
Belgium - Spain 21:21

February 23
Russia - Georgia
Spain - Romania
Portugal - Belgium

March 9 
Georgia - Spain
Portugal - Russia
Belgium - Romania

March 16
Romania - Georgia
Spain - Portugal
Russia - Belgium

Zura Ksovreli