BIG RUGBY IN GEORGIA

Emzar Djgerenaia

There was a great day in November. First, the French team came to visit us, then the famous “Corsicans” from the South Africa.

The French team was remarkable for its perfect technique. It is natural, of course, because the team was strong enough. Nave (La Coste), Durti (Captain) , Vermi, Kassen (Bomfua), Bidare, Skrela,Kulina (Miku); Minasiani, Blini, Lekiuli, Kadiki, Rovani, Dio, Baltazar (Olivie), Azulei. The most remarkable member of the team was the coach’s son Skrela. In spite of fierce battle, the match ended in our favour 24:20. But for the additional four minutes, the difference in the score would be comparatively more.
Our boys fought with great bravery: Khamusharidze, Urjukashvili, Zibzibadze, Alania (Georgadze), Khekhelashvili (Bugianishvili), Jimsheladze, Iovadze (Modebadze), Shvelidze, Georgadze, Tsabadze (Capitain), Nikolaenko, Didebulidze (Magrakcelidze), Nadiradze (Udesiani), Bolgashvili (Javelidze), Labadze, Mchedlishvili.
There was a cold day on 10 November, but despite it the spectators admired their game.
“The Georgians beat us. My heart bleeds when I think that the French did not come to terms with their rivals and just acted as guests in this great sight. Yet, no one can say that we did not pay enough attention to the game. We were well aware of what type of rival we would have to deal with. But this sight leaked all our expectations”.
The Georgian team is headed by the world’s recognized French coach, Klod Sorieli. He was very pleased. Though, he said there were also mistakes in the game of our team. “At this moment I saw the way we should work in the future”.
On November 18, South Africans took part in the Rugby game. The President of the Georgian Rugby Union said: “As we see, the wish of Georgian Rugby team came true ? Tbilisi meets the South African grandees “.
Rugby in South Africa is a principal kind of game. The National team of the country “Springbokers” or “Corsicans” in Georgian was formed in 1891. This team won a positive balance with all world teams.
This was the first meeting of Georgians and Africans in the 15 men Rugby. In Argentine, the African team won the Georgians in 7 men Rugby with the score of 24:12. The
“Borjgalosnebi”, Georgians, were not obviously on shape at that time. The technical and physical training of the Africans was better than that of the Georgians. The “Corsicans” played unhesitatingly and easily. In spite of it, it was a great day ? the Georgians met the African team, though in a small team.
On June 24 1995 when in “Elis Park” the Johannesburg president Nelson Mandela who was dressed in green garments handed the world over to the captain Fransua Pinares, the South African team ” Corsicans” became 104 years old.
As for the winners in the Georgian championship, the team “Lelo” won the title if champion for the second time already. The leader of the club, Batu Keklishvili and the coach Levan Maisashvili lay great hopes for young rugby players: Mukhran Gagineishvili, David Kobeshavidze, Ruslan Jgerenaia, David Davitashvili, Mamuka Gorgodze, Malkhaz Goginava, Buka Sardanashvili, Vano Kafianidze, Merab Kvirikashvili, Otar Barkalaia, Dato Tskhakaia, Lasha Pirpilashvili, Temur Kobelashvili, George Ramazashvili, Lasha Shalikashvili, George Sanikidze, George Dvalishvili, George Ruashvili, David Zakareidhvili, Jemal Baramadze, Gela Ashadze, Edisher Jamrulidze. We congratulate them and we hope that Rugby will become a prestigious sport.