Georgian rugby team will held their last match of 2013 against Samoa on November 23 (St. George’s Day). After winning over Canada 19:15 and losing to USA 23:25, Georgia will host one of the strongest teams in its history.

On November 19, “Lelos” had traditional open practice at the “Shevardeni” base. Fortunately, none of the Georgian rugby players injured in the match against USA and the team trains with the same lineup. Irakli Machkhaneli, captain of the team, trained individually. He injured his ankle still in the match against Canada, but his participation in the next match is virtually impossible.

The team of Samoa, which at first lost to Ireland 9:40 and then to “French Barbarians” 19:20, arrived in Tbilisi today. Like our team, they also have a lack of some leading players and due to this situation, we are equal. Next meeting will be held at “Mikheil Meskhi” and will start at 16:30, ticket price is 1 and 3 GEL.

Merab Sharikadze: “Losing to USA is one of the most dramatic in Georgian rugby history. In fact, we lost the won game. As for our next opponents, rugby players of Samoa are distinguished with their physical strength and aggressive style of play. Our trump is the physical strength, we must use it and act quietly and judiciously”.

The composition of the Georgian team for the next match is following:

Scrum: Davit Khinchigashvili (“Racing Metro”, France), Mikheil Nariashvili (“Montpellier”, France), Zurab Zhvania (“Stade Francais”, France), Simon Maisuradze (“Bagnerais”, France), Shalva Mamukashvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), Revaz Belkania (“Lelos”, Tbilisi), Davit Kubriashvili (“Stade Francais”, France), Levan Chilachava (“Toulonnais”, France), Konstantine Mikautadze (“Toulonnais”, France), Giorgi Chkhaidze (“Tarbes”, France), Levan Datunashvili (“Aurillac”, France), Giorgi Nemsadze (“Tarbes”, France), Mamuka Gorgodze (“Montpellier”, France), Shalva Sutiashvili (“Massy”, France), Givi Berishvili (“Lokomotive”, Tbilisi), Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi);

Back Line: Giorgi Begadze (“Kochebi”, Bolnisi), Vazha Khutsishvili (“Kharebi”, Rustavi), Merab Kvirikashvili (“Vienne”, France), Lasha Malaguradze (“Bagnerais”, France), Lasha Khmaladze (“Lelos”, Tbilisi), Merab Sharikadze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France), Davit Kacharava (“Yenisey”, Russia), Tedo Zibzibadze (“Perigueux”, France), Tamaz Mchedlidze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France), Irakli Kiasashvili (“Lelos”, Tbilisi), Beka Tsiklauri (“Lokomotive”, Tbilisi).

Head coach: Milton Haig (New Zealand)

Zura Ksovreli