It is not know how that Georgian rugby players always were distinguished with their determination, ambitiousness. During playing they always used to do their best. Those components were the secret of “The Lelos” success. Their playing against Canadian National Team also was not exclusive and they were playing with the following components.
Before this match, a day before a new head coach of Georgian National Rugby Team Richard Dixon stated that he was not going to change playing style in team and the most attention would be paid to the final result. “The Lelos” also did their best for justifying hopes of the coach staff and beat Canadian National Team 22:15. After loosing at “Cherchil Cup” they took quite good revenge on them. This victory will bring quite well points to Georgian National Team in rating. On Sunday they will have more chance of advance, Georgian Team plays against National Team of the U.S. Attack line of Georgia is one of the bests in the world, but back liners also are very distinguished.
Exactly the back liners managed to save the match, especially I the last 20 minutes. Hosts did the best to justify fans’ hopes and made them happy. It is noteworthy that the back liners scored the all 3 tries in this match.
Supposedly this match was the best way to inform a new coach of National Team Richard Dixon about Georgian players’ opportunities, advantages and disadvantages, because the opponent was one of the strongest national team all over the world. Exactly against such team is visible plus and minus sides of teams. Now the aim of the coaches is how to balance attack and back liners playing. In such case we will have chance to win over one of the leading team from top 10.
New coaches of Georgian National Team have one week before meeting against the National Team of the U.S.A. and maybe they offer us some changes. It is difficult to demand them changes in such short period, but supposed changes are clear. The aim of “The Lelos” still will have the same aim- to win over the opponent. The changes will be caused due to some injuries also. It is already known that Malkhaz Urjukashvili got injury against Canadians and will not be able to play against National Team of the U.S.A. Lasha Malaghuridze also has some problems but will try to play on November 27.
Georgian National Team met Argentine Team last year and lost the match 19:28, since that match they did not lose any matches in Tbilisi. We hope that they will continue doing the same in the next matches. The most surprising thing is that in spite of such devotion of Georgian players tribunes are not even half full and those guys really deserve strong support.
About 12 000 spectators attended the match against Canadian National Team.
“The Lelos” had complete advantages during in 20 minutes in the first half. They were ahead with solid points but after quarter of the match they advanced and activated. The referee’s decision played big role in it and Canadians managed to score one more responsive try. But Georgian defense did it best and finally won this match.
Hosts advanced with the first try which was scored by Malaghuradze in average distance at the beginning of the match and then their attack became more active. Canadians stopped opponent’s attack several times but finally they were punished with tactic try, Malaghuradze realized well 10:0.
After the renewed of the math opponent used the mistake of hosts and scored responsive try. Fortunately Pridchar could not realize, after this Georgian National Team started attack and in a result of it Zirakishvili scored try, but this time Malaghuradze could not realize. Soon Prichard scored free kick in average distance and the first half finished 15:6.
In the second half Georgian started strong attack and got right of performing free kick, but Malaghuradze could not score. At the 53rd minutes Canadians were attacking, Machkhaneli saved the situation assisted to Urjukishvili entered in penalty area and scored a try. Referee recognized it after talking with wing referee, but this try was doubtless. Kvirikashvili realized well.
Conclusive 20 minutes guests had playing advantages. Referee did not let Georgians to perform two outs kicks and then Chkhikvadze was sinbined. Canadians used it and Carpenter scored a try and as for Prichard, he realized quite well. Canadians had chance to win but Georgian defense did their best and managed to win honorable.
Kieran Crowley(a head coach of Canadian national team): “Our opponent gave us chance of showing our possibilities only in last 20 minutes, but there was not enough time for solving point difference”.
Ric Dixson (a head coach of Georgian National Team): “ I am satisfied with playing of my team, but there is still much work to do for terminating out playing. It is difficult, to change playing style in such short period”.
Irakli Abuseridze ( a captain of Georgian National Team):“ Canadian National Team held several matches before meeting with us. We were having problems in combination playing, because we had 5-day training. We are ready for the next match. Canadian National Team is ahead us in rating and is one of the best teams in the world. We will be more determined against next rival. The national teams of the U.S.A and Canada are equal teams and there is very little difference between them. We have much more time now and will get ready better for this match and will play better”.
Irakli Machabeli ( a back liner of Georgian National Team):“we trained hard in five days, we were determined and that’s why reached our goal. We won over strong opponent. They are fast, but we were playing collectively against them. We will increase readiness for the next rival and I believe that we will be able to win over any of the opponents in the future”.
Georgian National Team holds the next match on November 27, again at “Boris Paichadze” stadium. The match starts at 14:00 and the rival of “The Lelos” will be the national team of the U.S.A., which beat Scottish A National Team 0:25.
November 20 . International test match
Tbilisi. “Boris Paichadze”. 12000 spectators
Georgia- Canada 22:15 (15:8)
Georgia: 15. Urjukishvili (20.Samkharadze 68), 14. Machkhaneli, 13. Chkhikvadze, 12. Zibzibadze (21. Kacharava 56), 11. Gugava, 10. Malaghuridze (22. Kvirikashvili 49), 9. Abuseridze (cap.); 1.Khinchigashvili , 2. Giorgadze, 3. Zirakishvili (17. Shvelidze 68), 4. Sutiashvili, 5. Datunashvili, 6. Labadze (19. Maisuradze 68), 7. Chkhaidze, 8.Udesiani .
Reserves: 16.Natriashvili , 18. Nemsadze.
3 Trie: free kickსა, Zirakishvili , Urjikishvli.
2 Conversions: Malaghuridze, Kvirikashvili
1 penalty: Malaghuridze
2 Sinbin: Machkhaneli, Chkhikvadze
A head coach: Richard Dixon (Scotland)
Canada: 15. Ciaran Hearn, 14. Justin Mensah-Coker, 13. Van Der Merve, 12. Phil Mackenzie (22. Nick Blevins 44), 11. James Pritchard 10. Connor Braid, 9. Sean White 1. Kevin Tkachuk (16.Tom Dolezie 61), 2. . Pat Riordan (c) (17. Andrew Tiedemann 72), 3. Jason Marshal, 4. Josher Jackson (19. Taylor Hotson 50), 5. Jebb Sinclair, 6. Chauncey O'Toole (20. Sean-Michael Stephen 58), 7. Adam Kleeberger, 8. Aaron Carpenter
Reserves: 18. John Phelan, 21 Jamie Mackenzie
2 tries: Marshal, Carpenter
1 Conversion: Prichard
1 penalty:Prichard
1 sinbin: Kleeberg
A head coach: Kieran Crowley(Mew Zealand)
Referee: Paskal Gozer (France)
Wing referees: Ucha Narimanidze, Gia Amirkhanashvili
Zura Ksovreli
