Leadership of Georgian Rugby Union started negotiations with British, French and Italian colleagues to participate in the newborn tournament in “The Black Sea Cup” in the future. Certainly, negotiations are not with elite rugby clubs, but to increase geography and quality helps to form Georgian rugby players as professionals. Simultaneously, GRU negotiates with International Rugby Board to make “The Black Sea Cup” as qualifying cycle of Challenge Cup.
As far as it is known two Romanian, one Ukrainian and three Georgian clubs participated in “The Black Sea Cup”. Winner of the tournament became “Batumi XV”, which beat “Lelo” Tbilisi in final match. Ukrainian “Credo 63” beat Romanian “Arad” but head coach of “Credo 63” let disqualified player to play and that’s why “Arad” announced as a winner. Georgian “Lokomotive” beat “Bucharest” and won the 5th place. The best bombardier became Irakli Kaisashvili from “Lelo” and the best player was called Ferku from “Arad”.
Leadership of Rugby Union, organizers of this tournament and head coach of “Batumi XV” Levan Mgeladze met journalist at press-conference hall of stadium named after “Mikheil Meskhi”. They talked about tournament and future plans.
Giorgi Chumburidze ( Technical Director of Georgian Rugby Union): “ Georgian Rugby Union does its best to establish regional tournament for a long time. We succeed much this year and hope that this tradition will last in the future also. Our clubs need to play against other rugby clubs for see what kind are our possibilities. We were thinking that Romanian clubs were better than we are, but this tournament showed that we are doing quite well. Since that time was such opinion that Romanians are ahead us but “The Black Sea Cup” showed everything and failure was painful for them.
Four members from Romanian National Team played in “Arad” but Georgians managed to beat them. We are going to form this tournament more representatively. We negotiate to British, French and Italian clubs. It is necessary Russia to participate in this tournament with Romanians. This year they had strong wish to take place in “The Black Sea Cup” but Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not let them leave for Georgia. Hope that Romanians also will send strongest clubs of their countries. We want this tournament to become one of the qualifying tournaments of Challenge Cup”.
Chumburidze also informed us that International Rugby Board proposed playing against Tonga National Rugby Team in November. On November 20, 27 National Teams from Canada and the U.S.A arrive in Tbilisi. On November 13 Tonga National Team wants to play. We should reply soon, but everything depends on if French clubs let Georgian legionaries to leave clubs for such a long time.
Lasha Khurtsidze ( Director of “The Black Sea Cup”):” This tournament showed us that, our club’s level is not very low and now want to check or possibilities with French and British clubs. Next year we will improve infrastructure condition. “Shevardeni” and “Sinatle” will be built for this time and to organize tournament will be easier. We want 2Georgian, 2 Russian, One Ukrainian and One Romanian to take place in it and add British and French clubs. Next year will be held World Cup and we will hold this tournament approximately from August 1 to 16. After this tournament Romanian clubs showed interest of transferring Georgian players. They are ready to pay double price than French clubs are paying for Georgian legionaries, but according to sport standpoint it is better to send Georgian players to France”.
Lasha Mgeladze:”Thir tournament was very important. After Georgia’s independence “Batumi” and “Lokomotivi” took place in several European Tournaments, but this tradition ended. All matches were tense.75 players from Georgian Team participated in this tournament and head coaches of Georgian National Team had chance to observe them.” Lelo” and “Batumi XV” were formed quite well and that’s why we watch quite well final. Final result found out in final minutes. We were trying to play in a beautiful way and played with different tactic against all clubs. We gained every try to Romanians after strong attack. Our players’ experience increase and that’s the most important”.
Zura Ksovreli
