The Samoan team is stronger than the Georgian one. In order to beat such opponent, we need luck along with fulfilling instructions of the coach.

Tomorrow is St George’s Day and “The Lelos” will face Samoa. The Georgian team is on a fighting mood. Head coach Milton Haig hopes that “The Lelos” will manage to beat first level team for the first time in the history of Georgian rugby.

Only devoted playing and luck will not be enough for the boys. The Georgian fans must support the boys who have never disgraced Georgia. The tribunes must be crowded, especially when ticket price is 1 and 3 GEL.

Unfortunately, dynamic is not good yet – more tickets were sold before the match against Canada…

Milton Haig (head coach of the Georgian team): “Unlike the previous match, there are some changes in the team due to micro-traumas. Besides that, there is selection and it also caused rotation. For example, Giorgi Shkinini will replace Tedo Zibzibadze on the wing. We want to observe “Gosha”. Injury of Tedo is not serious and he will be a substitute.

We had Givi Berishvili on the list but when we lacked Vito Kolelishvili, we added Giorgi Tkhilaishvili. Berishvili did not play because he is under rehabilitation process. Givi has not played for one year. So, we decided to call up Tkhilaishvili. We need such rugby player against Samoa who can make low tackles and Giorgi can do it. Besides that, he regularly plays at the Georgian Championship and does not lack playing practice.

Samoa has one of the strongest teams. The Samoan team has some rugby players who can break the line. Despite losing the last two matches, they played well in both of them. The team is not in world Top 10 accidentally.

Besides that, we are not without a chance. Tomorrow we will play for victory. I think our defense will have a lot of work to do. Our defense played well against Canada. The boys must try to fulfill the instructions well. We must control the ball. If we can do it, we will win for sure.

Even the coach of “All Blacks” sees some problems after each match and we are not an exception. Hopefully, we will beat the first level team for the first time. It is not just a test-match for us. It is very important. I hope we will often play such teams in the future. We must carry out the instructions, fight and our work will be paid off”.

November 23. 16:30

Tbilisi. “Mikheil Meskhi”

Georgia - Samoa

Georgia: 15. Merab Kvirikashvili, 14. Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13. Davit Kacharava, 12. Merab Sharikadze, 11. Giorgi Shkinini, 10. Lasha Khmaladze, 9. Giorgi Begadze; 1. Mikheil Nariashvili, 2. Shalva Mamukashvili, 3. Levan Chilachava, 4.Konstantine Mikautadze, 5. Levan Datunashvili, 6. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 7. Mamuka Gorgodze (cap.), 8. Giorgi Chkhaidze.

Substitutes: 16. Simon Maisuradze, 17. Zurab Zhvania, 18. Davit Kubriashvili, 19. Giorgi Nemsadze, 20. Shalva Sutiashvili, 21. Vazha Khutsishvili, 22. Tedo Zibzibadze, 23. Beka Tsiklauri.

Head coach: Milton Haig

Samoa: 15. Fa’atoina Autagavaia, 14. Alapati Leiua, 13. Isaia Tuifua, 12. Johnny Leota, 11. Brando Va’aulu, 10. Tusi Pisi, 9. Kahn Fotuali’i (cap.); 1. Sakaria Taulafo, 2. Ti’i Paulo, 3. James Johnston, 4. Piula Faasalele. 5. Teofilo Paulo, 6. Ofisa Treviranus, 7. Jack Lam, 8. Faifili Levave.

Substitutes: 16. Wayne Ole Avei, 17. Viliamu Afatia, 18. Anthony Perenise, 24. Joe Tekori, 20. Taiasina Tuifu’a, 21. Jeremy Su’a, 22. Sinoti Sinoti, 23. Ken Pisi.

Head coach: Stephen Betham

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Touch judges: Andrew Mcmenemy (Scotland), Vlad Iordachescu (Romania)

Zura Ksovreli