Georgian national rugby union team will play against Spain on “Mikheil Meskhi” on March 9 and will try to make another step toward World Cup 2015.
This day will be special for Georgian rugby fans. Captain Irakli Abuseridze will play for “The Lelos” for the last time. The 35-year-old “Abu” made us happy with his play for many times and he deserves a good farewell match. “Mikheil Meskhi” stadium must be crowded. A slogan is already chosen – “Thank you Abu!” – We hope, 20 000 fans will shout these words on March 9.
Irakli was born on November 25, 1977, in Tbilisi. He started playing rugby in “Kochebi”. He mastered in ASK and “Lokomotive”. Irakli spent most of his career in France where he played for “Aurillac”, “Orleans” and “Auxerre”. “Abu” spent 13 seasons (2000-12) in the national team. He participated in 12 “Nations Cup” and became champion five times. He won 84 caps and scored 7 tries. Abuseridze held 11 matches (2003 Australia, 2007 France, 2011 New Zealand) at three World Cups. Irakli was a captain of “The Lelos” since 2007. “Abu” led the team at two World Cups (2007 and 2011).
Tickets will be sold at “Mikheil Meskhi” box office at 11:00 on March 7. Prize is 5 GEL. I think, all members of the Georgian team and Abuseridze deserved to crowd the stadium. We must show the world how Georgians love rugby and our own rugby players.
Traditional open practice had to be held on Wednesday morning but Milton Haig asked not to shoot it. He prepares a surprise for the opponent and the Georgians fans. This time the Georgian team must play faster and open play. The list of candidates has increased up to 28 because Abuseridze practices with the team and he will play against Spain from the first minutes. Perhaps, Tedo Zibzibadze will not be able to play because he injured groin.
Milton Haig: “We prepare surprise for the next match and we did not want it to be shot. Nobody can say that Spain has a weak team. We will try to play better rugby against Spain”.
Iuri Natriashvili: “We do not prepare anything special against Spain. The coach wants us to be concentrated and mobilized while the practice. The Spanish team is an awkward opponent for us. It is the last chance for Spain to get at World Cup but we are also mobilized. We have watched the matches of Spain and we cannot say it is weaker than before. As for us, we have held three matches with new tactic this year.
Crowded tribunes will be the main gift for Abuseridze and all of us. If fans come and thank “Abu” for his career, we do not want anything else”.
Davit Kubriashvili: “It is an important match because this year’s Nations Cup is a qualifying stage of World Cup 2015. We have already won three matches and we want to continue successful series.
Rugby is such sport where you can use strength but it is developing and all nuances must be improved. Haig wants to do it and if we do not do everything well, it is our fault. We will play better soon. Our greatest gift to Abuseridze will be to play well and to win”.
European Nations Cup 2013. Qualifying stage of World Cup 2015
March 9
Georgia - Spain
Portugal - Russia
Belgium - Romania
| 1 | Georgia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 65-34 | 12 |
| 2 | Romania | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 73-42 | 12 |
| 3 | Portugal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 43-56 | 5 |
| 4 | Belgium | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 46-56 | 4 |
| 5 | Russia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 36-61 | 4 |
| 6 | Spain | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 45-59 | 3 |
March 16
Romania - Georgia
Spain - Portugal
Russia - Belgium
Zura Ksovreli
