This year, Georgian national rugby union team held 4 matches and won all of them. As a result of it, “The Lelos” won “Nations Cup” one round earlier before the end of the tournament. Though, Gia Nijaradze, president of Georgian Rugby Union, does not make a summary yet. The team of Richard Dixon will play against Russians in the last round. It is obvious why the match between these two teams always causes great interest of people.

It is worth mentioning that Georgia used “Nations Cup” as a preparation stage for World Cup. Selecting candidates will continue by the end of March when Georgian A team will hold two friendly matches in England – the first match will be against British Army and the second one will be against Oxford and Cambridge universities. It must be said that Georgian A team will not leave for England with optimum staff because French clubs do not set most players free.

IRB “Nations Cup” which will be held in June in Bucharest is also considered as a preparation stage for World Cup. Georgia will play there with A team. Now, negotiations are carried on not to participate in the tournaments in the name of the national team because in case of loss, the rating will be the same. South African Kings, Argentine “Jaguars” and Namibian national team will be opponents of Georgians in Bucharest.

“World Sport” talked about these issues to Gia Nijaradze at “Mikheil Meskhi” stadium.

- Georgian national team won last 4 matches and became winner of “Nations Cup” one round earlier. Are you satisfied with this work?

- Full summary will be made after the match against Russia. Of course, I am satisfied with previous matches. Everything is going on as it was planned. Advantage and disadvantage of our team have showed up. Besides that, we are selecting optimum staff which will play at World Cup. Winning the cup is great but one match of principle is left. It would be better if we talk about satisfaction and dissatisfaction after the match against Russia.

- Does it mean that this last match is equal to 4 won matches?

- Match against Russia is always important. We must beat Russians and make Georgians happy. We became champions and it means that we did our work well but one match of principle is left and after this match we will summarize the tournament.

- “Nations Cup” was considered as a preparation stage for World Cup. How will this process continue?

- On March 19, Georgian experimental A team will leave for England where we will hold two friendly matches against strong opponents. Experimental A team will compete in Bucharest IRB “Nations Cup”. Some candidates will be tested there and after this coaches will name those 30 rugby players who will hold a 3-week meeting in Tbilisi. At this meeting, fitness coach Gareth Adamson will join the team. Then, we are planning a meeting in France where we will hold 3 friendly matches against French elite division clubs. After this, preparation stage will end up and we will arrive in New Zealand on September 5.

- According to the agreement which was concluded last year, Georgian A team was to hold meeting in South Africa. Why did you change the plan?

- We were not satisfied with this plan because South Africa did not offer us serious sparring opponents. Besides that, we want to learn English base. Don Caskie, assistant of our head coach, did a great job and persuaded English clubs to play with us. Our team will have a great condition there. Also, we will conduct talks with rugby academies and we will try to send young Georgian rugby players to study there.

- According to the agreement of Africans, young Georgian rugby players were to leave for Africa for internship.

- We are not going to break the agreement and rugby players will leave for Africa for internship but sending them to England will be much cheaper.

- Is not it a great risk to compete in IRB Nations Cup with A team?

- It is known that the main staff will not be able to leave for Bucharest. We are carrying on negotiations with IRB to let us play there with A team. The team will be experimental and it will be difficult for us to achieve a good result. But we will see new candidates and it is very important for the national team.

Zura Ksovreli