It is a shame that the Georgian fans do not appreciate the national rugby union team so that they cannot crowd the stadium, capacity of 2 000. The other issue is whether the most successful team of the country play on such small stadium but it is a reality.

According to the yesterday’s information, all tickets are already sold and the stadium will be crowded on February 1. The rugby players stated they prefer playing on small crowded stadium than on large empty one.

The rest depends on “The Lelos”. The Belgians proved they deserve playing at his level and fought the Georgians in Brussels. Finally, the team of Milton Haig won 17:14 but it was not the result which the fans expected. The Georgians are preparing for the upcoming match and do not make prognosis.

“The Lelos” do not expect an easy match and it is good. The 204 Nations Cup is the second circle of the 2015 World Cup qualifying and each point is important. As Mamuka Gorgodze will not play, Givi Berishvili and Levan Gogolashvili joined the team.

These 29 rugby players are ready for the match and hopefully, nothing will change till February 1.

Milton Haig: “If it rains or snows and the field gets soft, we will try to play more with foot. Our goal is to control the ball but we will be depended on the weather. Last year our opponent played very well. We analyzed everything and are ready”.

Jaba Bregvadze: “We are fully mobilized. We are working on combinations. We forgot victory over Samoa and are concentrated on Belgium. Do not think it is a weak opponent. They say they are coming to win in Tbilisi. The Belgians proved that they can fight at “Nations Cup”.

We know the weather will not be good on Saturday and it will make the match tougher. We must use our strong sides. I missed a lot of time due to injury but I have been practicing for two months. I am in good physical condition. If the coaches trust me, I think, I will show my possibilities”.

Giorgi Chkhaidze: “I think we have a serious opponent on Saturday. Last year they played at this level for the first time but played well. The most important is to play our game and to carry out the instructions of the coaches. A lot depends on the weather. If it rains, we will try to achieve success by scrum. If it is good weather, we will try to open the ball.

Last year we had many new players in our team and we were not organized. We seemed not to be in a playing mood. The opponent’s coach knew all nuances about us. We cannot say that we will defeat Belgium on Saturday. Everything will be decided on the field”.

Vito Kolelishvili: “The reason of last year’s result is that we did not appreciate the opponent. It is a good lesson for us. The match will take place in Tbilisi and we must start this stage so that there must not be a question mark about going through to World Cup”.

Shalva Mamukashvili: “We often find it hard to achieve success in the first match of the season and the match of Brussels showed it. After the November test matches we must play even better”.

Davit Kacharava: “We are ready to start the 2014 “Nations Cup” which is the 2015 World Cup qualifying. I think all matches will be tough. Perhaps, the fans remember last match against Belgium. Each match is important and we will try to improve playing quality. I think a lot of fans would not come to the match against Belgium and it is better to play on the small stadium”.

The Georgian national rugby union team: Mikheil Nariashvili (“Montpellier, France), Zurab Zhvania (“Stade Francais”, France), Jaba Bregvadze (“Toulousain”, France), Shalva Mamukashvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), Irakli Mirtskhulava (“Tarbes”, France), Davit Kubriashvili (“Stade Francais”, France), Levan Chilachava (“Toulonnais”, France), Levan Datunashvili (“Aurillac”, France), Kote Mikautadze (“Toulonnais”, France), Giorgi Nemsadze (“Tarbes”, France), Giorgi Chikhradze (“Tarbes”, France), Shalva Sutiashvili (“Massy”, France), Mamuka Gorgodze (“Montpellier”, France), Vito Kolelishvili (“Lyon”, France), Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), Dimitri Basilaia (“Edinburgh”, Scotland), Giorgi Begadze (“Kochebi”, Tbilisi), Vazha Khutsishvili (“Kharebi”, Rustavi), Lasha Khmaladze (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Lasha Malaghuradze (“Bagneres”, France), Merab Kvirikashvili (“Vienne”, France), Davit Kacharava (“Yenisey”, Russia), Tedo Zibzibadze (“Perigueux”, France), Tamaz Mchedlidze (“Bourg-an-Bresse”, France), Irakli Machkhaneli (“Armazi”, Tbilisi), Giorgi Shkinini (“Armia”, Tbilisi), Merab Sharikadze (“Bourg-an-Bresse”, France), Beka Tsiklauri (“Lokomotivi”, Tbilisi), Levan Gogolashvili (“Kochebi”, Tbilisi).

The 2014 Nations Cup. The 2015 World Cup Qualifying

II circle. I round

February 1. Saturday

Tbilisi. “Avchala”. 15:00

Georgia – Belgium

Romania – Portugal

Spain – Russia 

Zura Ksovreli