The Georgian national rugby union team was close to winning the second test-match of November but at the last minute the New Zealander referee rewarded the Americans with penalty. Adam Siddall took a penalty from 40 meters and the guests won the match 25:23.
“We have watched this episode several times and there were not violations of the rules” – Milton Haig, head coach of “The Lelos”, stated after the match. This episode turned out decisive but overall, all those mistakes which the Georgian national team made caused this failure and the opponent scored three tries.
Everything started well. The Rustavi new stadium was crowded. “The Lelos” won the first scrum and Merab Kvirikashvili scored penalty from 55 meters. The Georgian national team won its line-outs and it brought result at the 13th minute.
Giorgi Begadze changed the direction of the offence. Lasha Khmaladze assisted Tedo Zibzibadze who assisted Kvirikashvili and scored a try. “Meko” used conversion and the score became 10:0.
The first danger showed up after 20 minutes. The Americans threw the ball out. After some short shots Siddall kicked the ball on the right. After winning a 5-meter line-out Chris Wyles scored a try but could not use a conversion.
Kvirikashvili and Siddall exchanged penalties in the next 5 minutes. Then, Kvirikashvili tried to score another penalty but missed the target. The Georgian team gained a territorial advantage and won a right to take a penalty at the 36th minute. However, Kvirikashvili could not use this chance. The both teams started playing with feet. Blaine Scully scored a try which was followed by the conversion. The Americans advanced 15:13 and about 200 American fans felt happy on the tribune.
In the first 20 minutes of the second half “The Lelos” could not manage to play well and the Americans used it. The Georgians could not control the ball. At the 55th minute Nick Wallace scored a try and Siddall used conversion. The guests attacked us but the Georgian team defended itself and scored a try at the 65th minute.
Mamuka Gorgodze won a line-out. Begadze assisted Khmaladze who assisted Sharikadze and scored a try. Kvirikashvili used conversion and the difference was only 2 points.
This revived the tribunes. At the 76th minute Kvirikashvili scored a penalty – 23:22. Now the Georgians needed to keep the ball. At first they did it great. At the third overtime Kvirikashvili threw the ball out near the center and the boys started celebrating victory but referee pointed time was not up and the opponent started the last offence. The referee awarded the Americans with penalty and Siddall scored it.
Press conference
Mike Tolkin (head coach of the American team): “It was the match we expected. Georgia has a physically strong team and they fought for the whole 80 minutes. Thanks god we did not stop and the boys fought till the end. Three years ago we lost to Georgia at the last second. Now we won at the last second. The Georgian team deserves respect”.
Todd Clever (captain of the American team): “Georgia is a country of rugby and your team always plays with heart. A lot of our rugby players gained injuries in this match and perhaps, they will miss the next match. We made right decisions and that is why we won. I liked the atmosphere on the tribunes. I want to mention that I have never seen such hospitality and I thank Georgian Rugby Union. You are the best fans and the best hosts”.
Milton Haig (head coach of the Georgian team): “The rugby players make decisions on the field and as time was up on the scoreboard Kvirikashvili threw the ball out. I think we did our best but were not lucky. Mamuka Gorgodze carried out his duty well and I take responsibility on this loss. There was the opponent who wanted to win like us.
Samoa has a strong team and plays technical rugby but let us wait for the final whistle. We will fight till the end and if we had a chance against Argentina in June, I think, we can achieve success in this case as well”.
Mamuka Gorgodze (captain of the Georgian team): “The Canadians play faster rugby than the USA but our tackles did not work in this match and it caused our failure. We made many mistakes but overall, I think we did not play badly. We win match all together and now we lost all together. So, do not blame any particular rugby player”.
16 November
Rustavi. “New”. Test-match. 3 000 spectators
Georgian – USA 23:25 (13:15)
Georgia: 15. Merab Kvirikashvili, 11. Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13. Davit Kacharava, 12. Merab Sharikadze, 14. Tedo Zibzibadze (23. Beka Tsiklauri 68), 10. Lasha Khmaladze, 9. Giorgi Begadze; 1. Davit Khinchagashvili (17. Mikheil Nariashvili 56), 2. Shalva Mamukashvili (16. Simon Maisuradze 68), 3. Dudu Kubriashvili (18. Levan Chilachava 56), 4. Kote Mikautadze, 5. Levan Datunashvili (19. Giorgi Nemsadze 63), 6. Shalva Sutiashvili (20. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili 73), 7. Mamuka Gorgodze, 8. Giorgi Chkhaidze.
Substitutes: 22. Lasha Malaguradze, 21. Vazha Khutsiashvili
2 tries: Kvirikashvili, Sharikadze
2 conversions: Kvirikashvili
3 penalties: Kvirikashvili
USA: 15. Chris Wyles, 14. Blaine Scully, 13. Folau Niua, 12. Andrew Suniula, 11. Tim Maupin (23. Luke Hume 58), 10. Adam Siddall, 9. Mike Petri; 1 Nick. Wallace (17. Olive Cilif 77), 2. Phil Thiel, 3. Eric Fry, 4. Graham Harriman, 5. Samu Manoa, 6. Todd Clever, 7. Derek Esbun (20. John Cvile 69), 8. Cameron Dolan.
Substitutes: 22. Seamus Kelly, 21. Shaun Davies, 16. Zach Fenoglio, 18. Titi Lamozitele, 19. Inaki Basauri
3 tries: Wyles, Scully, Wallace
2 conversions: Siddall
2 penalties: Siddall
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Linesmen: Ian Davies, Martyn Lewis (Wales)
Zura Ksovreli
