Merab Sharikadze, player of the Georgian national rugby union team and “Aurillacois”, is the best rugby player of 2014!

The 21-year-old rugby player showed up in the national team in 2012 and became one of the best players during last two seasons. He earned 28 caps and scored 7 tries in “The Lelos”. Sharikadze scored 1 try in 9 matches in “Aurillacois”.

Lasha Khmaladze, player of “Lelo Saracens” and the national team, was named the best player of the Georgian Championship. He earned 4 tries in 34 matches.

Levan Maisashvili, head coach of “Lelo Saracens”, was named the best coach of the season. He was awarded with hunting gun.

Nika Amashukeli became the best coach of the previous season. Ana Pogosiani was named the best female rugby player. Aleksi Tuchashvili, player of “Armia”, gained the title of top try scorer with 9 tries. Irakli Kiasashvili was named the top scorer with 223 points.

The 2013/2014 season symbolic team was traditionally named: 15. Beka Tsiklauri, 14. Irakli Gegenava, 13. Giorgi Pruidze, 12. Giga Gagoshvili, 11. Levan Gogolashvili, 10. Lasha Khmaladze, 9. Giorgi Begadze; 1. Giorgi Sanikidze, 2. Davit Khidesheli, 3. Davit Gurgenadze, 4. Mikheil Archuashvili, 5. Sandro Koiava, 6. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 7. Guja Surguladze, Beka Bitsadze.

The ceremony started with benediction of priest Ilia who blessed everybody and the Georgian rugby family. Then there was a minute of silence due to late Davit Vartaniani, head coach of “Armazi” and the youth team. Ministry of Sport named the Georgian Rugby Union the best federation and GRU president Giorgi Nizharadze made a speech:

“It is the award to all people who work in the Georgian rugby. 2014 was a good year but 2015 will be a turning point. I am sure the Georgian national team will make the Georgian people happy in October”.

The Georgian Rugby Union awarded 80-year-old veteran rugby player Nodar Kacharava.

In the end Giorgi Nizharadze said Irakli Machkhaneli, captain of “The Lelos” is saying goodbye to the national team. Machkhaneli made this decision. He held 73 matches, captained 13 matches and scored 24 tries in the national team. Nizharadze stated Machkhaneli will work for the Georgian Rugby Union and awarded him with Saint Giorgi medallion.

The farewell match of Machkhaneli is planned in the match against Russia at the 2015 Nations Cup. The 33-year-old rugby player stated: I made a decision and finished the national team career. I am a happy man that I have played for the national team. I will support “The Lelos” at the upcoming World Cup. I wish the boys good luck”.