Lekso Gugava, player of "The Lelos" Tbilisi, was one of those three players who played against American rugby team. A 29-year-old player scored a decision try at the last minute and "The Lelos" won. Gugava thinks that this try was due to scrum and boys did impossible. Before that, Lekso played against Canada and played devotedly.
This year is not special for Gugava only because of team matches. Playing at Georgian national championship and "Black Sea Cup" caused that Dixon decided to let him play in the main staff. "World Sport" talked to Gugava about team matches, new coaches and the season at "Shevardeni" rugby academy base.
- How can you estimate last year?
- This season turned out quite good. Georgian championship has never been so tense. There was no obvious leader. Four teams were fighting for the championship and no one could say who would be a winner. As for me, I played well and that's why I was called up in the team. I am going to play in the same way and I hope I will always play for the national team.
- How has the national team changed?
- Boys are the same and we have been friends for a long time. But we have not played together for a long time. I have played several matches in the national team when Tim Lane was head coach. But the situation of Richie Dixon and his coaching staff is another. I like that discipline and mutual understanding among coach and players are very good. It was important for Georgian team and we were lack of such relationships.
- Can you say what does this mutual understanding mean?
- There is no obstacle between coach and player. We, players also participate in planning the process. When we have a question to the coaches, we ask them and receive exhaustive answer. Nothing like this happened when Tim Lane was head coach - he was locked in room and we might not have seen him before the match.
- What can you say about matches against Canada and the USA?
- Both are good teams. I think, Canada is stronger than the USA. We played well against Canada and won. The match against the USA was tense but we achieved victory.
- Yes! And you scored a decisive try.
- This was result of devoted play of the boys. Let us say that I easily scored try but before that, the boys did impossible while scrum. Such things seldom happen in modern rugby and this try was their merit.
- You won over Canada but last twenty minutes were difficult for you.
- After two tries in the first half, the third one was scored in the second half. The score increased and then we were confused. We started playing individually. I am sure that nothing like this will happen in future.
- Playing quality against the USA was worse than against Canada, lineouts were not won...
- What we did well against Canada, we could not do it against the USA. The opponent was prepared well and I think, their main purpose was not to let us use our strength.
- You played against these teams at "Churchill Cup" last year. Is there a difference between those and these teams?
- They are the same but we were weak team and that's why we were beat with a big difference.
- Playing level of scrum and back players is very different. Only scrum players get in top 14 and Georgian back players are not demanded. What do you think, why does it happen?
- Georgians players are strong and after improving techniques, they get in good teams. I think, a good back player should be raised since childhood. Now when rugby academy is established, children's rugby is paid more attention. I believe, that back players will play on high level after 5-6 years.
- This year was special because Georgia hosted "Black Sea Cup" international tournament...
- This was a very good tournament and I hope, it will be held next year too. Perhaps, stronger teams will participate in it in future. Romanian fourth-fifth placed teams competed in the tournament and they lost. Perhaps, they will be more prepared next year. It was a very good tournament for Georgian rugby because the boys get experience and they can use it in team matches.
- This year "Lelo" gave the title of the championship to "Lokomotive". What was the reason of it?
- "Lelo" and "Lokomotive" was the reason of it. We lost against "Aia" and "Kochebi" but we beat "Lokomotive" and went through the final. Temur Bendiashvili knew how to beat us and they deserve to become champions.
- What plans do you have, are you going to stay in Georgia or will you continue your career in foreign club?
- It is late to go abroad and I prefer to serve Georgian rugby in Georgia.




Zura Ksovreli