About 7 000 Georgian fans applauded captain Irakli Abuseridze several times on “Mikheil Meskhi”. There were three important episodes. First it was at the 9^th minute, second time it was when young Vazha Khutsishvili substituted him and third time – at the end of the match when boys picked the former captain and carried him.

The teammates respected Abuseridze with good play and gained bonus point. “The Lelos” did not show the best game but everything went well. The match showed problem in lineout again. Before the match Milton Haig stated he made choice on Revaz Belkania because he passes ball well but we lost both our lineouts.

Unlike the match against Portugal, the team played chaotically at the beginning. But the situation has improved in 20 minutes. The guests advanced at the 5^th minute when nobody guessed the plan of Mamuka Gorgodze. Corey Simpson scored penalty but after 4 minutes Merab Kvirikashvili gained point from 40 meters. Soon Simpson advanced his team for the last time.

“The Lelos” needed some time for the mobilization. After several attempts, Kvirikashvili gained 3 points and equalized the score. It happened at the 22^nd minute. After two minutes the first try was scored. The Spanish rugby players decided to start attack with hand from their half. The Georgians won the ball. Abuseridze assisted Davit Kacharava who assisted back to Abuseridze. He could have scored try but did not take a risk and assisted Dimitri Basilaia. Kvirikashvili used conversion – 13:6. At the 29^th minute young “Lelos” scored the second try. Tamaz Mchedlidze started the attack from our half. Merab Sharikadze followed him and scored try. Kvirikashvili used conversion again.
Kvirikashvili increased advantage from 22 meters at the 33^rd minute. The third try was scored in two minutes and Kvirikashvili used conversion – 30:6.

In the second half the Georgian team played better in offence but there were some mistakes in defense. At the 46^th minute the back line played good combination and Irakli Machkhaneli scored try as a result of it. Kvirikashvili could not score conversion this time but the Georgian team already had bonus point (for four tries). Vasil Kakovin scored the fifth try in four minutes. Kvirikashvili missed conversion again.

When substitutions were made in the Georgian team, the team needed some time to mobilize and the opponent used it. Matias Tudela scored the first try and Simpson used conversion. But soon after Basilaia scored his second try and Kvirikashvili used conversion.

The Georgians lost concentration in defense and the Spanish team used it. Jaike Carter scored try but conversion was missed. In three minutes the Georgians scored the 7^th try. Beka Tsiklauri used conversion. At the end of the match the Spanish rugby player was sin-binned. “The Lelos” chose attack but could not score try. Tsiklauri scored conversion and the match finished – 61:18.

Press conference

Bryce Bevin: “We were winning the match for 20 minutes but then lost. We could have played more with hand but we chose leg and were punished for that. I think the Georgian team is stronger than us”.

Milton Haig: “We played badly in the first 10 minutes but I am satisfied with the rest. We could have done more. Some rugby players were injured and I cannot say about the changes in the future.

I know Jaba Bregvadze can bring positive charge to our team. I am satisfied with the play of the young rugby players. We are not going to add anyone now. I want to thank Abu who played very well. Our work is to find his substitute. We won three matches without him and we must achieve success in the future.

We have progress but we are far away from the ideal play”.

Future opponent of the Georgians Romania beat Belgium 32:14 in Brussels and gained bonus point. The Romanians scored two tries in the first half and advanced 15:9. Two tries were scored at the beginning of the second half and the score was 29:9 by the 55^th minute. Then, the hosts scored one try and the guests – penalty.

Russian team won and gained bonus point too. Portugal won the first half 18:10 but by the 49^th minute the score was 18:24. The hosts minimized the score with try. The guests scored the 4^th try at the 65^th minute and used conversion.

European Nations Cup 2013. Qualifying stage of World Cup 2015

March 9. Saturday

Tbilisi. “Mikheil Meskhi”. 7 000

Georgia – Spain 61:18 (30:6)

Georgia: 15. Lasha Khmaladze, 14. Irakli Machkhaneli, 13. Davit Kacharava, 12. Merab Sharikadze, 11. Tamaz Mchedlidze, 10. Merab Kvirikashvili (23. Beka Tsiklauri 69), 9. Irakli Abuseridze (21. Vazha Khutsishvili 64); 1. Vasil Kakovin (17. Zurab Zhvania 54), 2. Revaz Belkania (16. Iuri Natriashvili 54), 3. Davit Kubriashvili (18. Davit Zirakashvili 48), 4. Konstantine Mikautadze (19. Giorgi Chkhaidze 64), 5. Levan Datunashvili, 6. Vito Kolelishvili, 7. Mamuka Gorgodze (20. Shalva Sutiashvili 58), 8. Dimitri Basilaia.

Substitutes: 22. Tedo Zibzibadze.

8 tries: Basilaia (1, 6), Shariakdze, Khmaladze, Machkhaneli, Kakovin, Mchedlidze (7, 8)

6 conversions: Kvirikashvili (4), Tsiklauri (2)

3 penalties: Kvirikashvili

Head coach: Milton Haig (New Zealand)

Spain: 15. Cesar Sempere, 14. Jiulan Goia (19. Jaike Carter 41), 13. Carlos Blanco (20. Nicholas Marshall 30), 12. Jaime Nava, 11. Matias Tudela, 10. Corey Simpson, 9. Juan-Pablo Sereto (22. Pablo Feijoo 41); 1. Davit Gurgenidze (17. Joe Hutchinson 53), 2. Unai Lasa (18. Juan Anaya 58), 3. Jesus Moreno (16. Agustin Ortiz 53), 4. Matthew Cook (23. Tom Parker 58), Jesus Recuerda, 6. Jon Magunazelaia (cap.), 7. Glen Rolls, 8. Lionel Pardo (21. Juan Tudela 80).

2 tries: M. Tudela, Carter

1 conversion: Simpson

2 penalties: Simpson

1 sin-bin: Ortiz

Head coach: Bryce Bevin (New Zealand)

Portugal - Russia 23:31
Belgium - Romania 14:32

March 16
Romania - Georgia
Spain - Portugal
Russia - Belgium

 

Zura Ksovreli