Milton Haig, head coach of the Georgian national rugby union team, made seven changes in the team for the match against Spain. The match will take place in Madrid on March 8.
After beating Russia 36:10, “The Lelos” guaranteed playing at the 2015 World Cup and are fighting for the first place in the qualifying round. The decisive match will be held against Romania in Tbilisi on March 15. Before that, it is important to take revenge over Spain.
The decisive of Haig is caused by some factors. One of the factors is that he wants the leaders to rest for the principal and decisive match against Romania. Mikheil Nariashvili and Davit Zirakashvili are not on the list due to mild injuries. The reserve players will play from the beginning of the match.
Tedo Zibzibadze replaced Davit Kacharava. Zibzibadze is a kind of joker for our team. This time Kacharava is not on the list. Vazha Khutsishvili substituted Giorgi Begadze. Khutsishvili played in lineup of “The Lelos” only once, against South Africa at “Tbilisi Cup” last time. Now he has the second chance.
Chilachava and Zhvania replaced Zirakashvili and Nariashvili in lineup.
Levan Datunashvili has always been in the second line but now he is not even a substitute. Giorgi Nemsadze will start the match. Vito Kolelishvili is not on the list but his substitute Giorgi Tkhilaishvili has proved that he deserves playing for “The Lelos”. Giorgi Chkhaidze is an experienced universal. He will play in scrum instead of Dimitri Basilaia.
The Georgian national team arrived in Madrid on March 6. The team prepared in France. The match will be held on March 8, at 19:00 Tbilisi time and the Georgian Public Broadcaster will broadcast live.
The 2014 European Nations Cup. The 2015 World Cup qualifying
II circle. IV round
March 8
Spain – Georgia
Georgia: 15. Merab Kvirikashvili (“Vienne”, France, 75 matches, 524 points), 14. Irakli Machkhaneli (“Armazi”, Tbilisi, 70, 120), 13. Tedo Zibzibadze (“Perigueux”, France, 74, 105), 12. Merab Sharikadze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France, 21, 35), 11. Tamaz Mchedlidze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France, 13, 15), 10. Lasha Khmaladze (“Lelo”, Tbilisi, 29, 15), 9. Vazha Khutsishvili (“Kharebi”, Rustavi, 9, 0); 1. Zurab Zhvania (“Stade Francais”, France, 6, 0), 2. Jaba Bregvadze (“Toulousain”, France, 22, 5), 3. Levan Chilachava (“Toulonnais”, France, 13, 15), 4. Giorgi Nemsadze (“Tarbes”, France, 36, 35), 5. Kote Mikautadze (“Toulonnais”, France, 18, 5), 6. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi, 9, 0), 7. Mamuka Gorgodze (“Montpellier”, France, 55, 115), 8. Giorgi Chkhaidze (“Tarbes”, France, 73, 50).
Substitutes: 16. Shalva Mamukashvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi, 19, 5), 17. Karlen Aseishvili (“Brive”, France, 5, 0), 18. Anton Peikrishvili (“Castres”, France, 10, 0), 19. Shalva Sutiashvili (“Massy”, France, 40, 5), 20. Givi Berishvili (“Lokomotiv”, Tbilisi, 14, 0), 21. Giorgi Begadze (“Kochebi”, Tbilisi, 20, 0), 22. Lasha Malaghuradze (“Bagneres”, France, 44, 107), 23. Beka Tsiklauri (“Lokomotiv”, Tbilisi, 13, 52).
Not on the list: Levan Datunashvili (“Aurillac”, France), Vito Kolelishvili (“Lyon”, France), Dimitri Basilaia (“Edinburgh”, Scotland), Davit Kacharava (“Yenisey”, Russia), Irakli Kiasashvili (“Lelo”, Tbilisi).
Russia – Portugal
Romania – Belgium
1 |
Georgia |
8 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
240-80 |
33 |
2 |
Romania |
8 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
204-74 |
33 |
3 |
Russia |
8 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
151-211 |
18 |
4 |
Portugal |
8 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
103-160 |
11 |
5 |
Spain |
8 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
114-195 |
10 |
6 |
Belgium |
8 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
104-196 |
6 |
Zura Ksovreli