The work of coaching staff and those rugby players who were in extended composition of the Georgian national rugby union team must be described in this one word.
The boys who were in the extended composition could not get in the list but they increased competition and we have the best-prepared team. 15 rugby players were in lineup and the others strengthened game of “The Lelos” from the bench. The Georgian people have waited for such game of their team for 4 years.
Many said it was a sensation but I think it was not the sensation for the Georgians. This unexpected result is an outcome of the hard work and patience of the Georgian Rugby Union and the coaching staff.
When “The Lelos” failed to Canada and Japan, many said the Georgians lost 2,8 ranking points and fame. But combinations and experiments which were made in these matches helped us at World Cup and the Georgian national team earned 3,866 ranking points. If France and the USA cannot win their matches, “The Lelos” will take the 13th place in world ranking on Monday.
As for beating Tonga 17:10, the Georgian national team showed unbelievable self-discipline in defence. Tonga possessed the ball but the Georgians made 4 times more tackles (213) than the opponent.
Mamuka Gorgodze was named the best player of the match. He is a captain of the Georgian national team, a real leader and played hard in defence and offence. Gorgodze made 27 tackles and scored the first try of his team. However, others were the bests as well – Giorgi Tkhilaishvili who made incredible tackles and scored the second brilliant try; Vasil Lobzhanidze, 18-year-old boy who became the youngest player in history of World Cup; Merab Kvirikashvili who missed two penalties but played a key role in the second try; the whole first line and scrum, back line which did not let Tonga use its advantages.
Tonga gained advantage at the beginning of the match and Kurt Morath scored a penalty at the 9th minute. Kvirikashvili was to restore balance from 22 meters but missed it. However, he scored a penalty at the 20th minute. The Georgians had advantage in lineout and scrum, also incredible self-discipline. Then, Gorgodze scored a try and Kvirikashvili used a conversion.
At the end of the half Tonga scored a try but video referee showed a forward pass and the first half ended up 10:3.
The Georgian national team held the best 20 minutes in the second half. Kvirikashvili missed another penalty but Giorgi Tkhilaishvili used territorial advantage and scored the second try. Kvirikashvili used a conversion – 17:3.
The longest 20 minutes started after that. The Georgian rugby players restrained Tonga’s offences. At the 72nd minute Tonga managed to score a try and a conversion. Besides that, Kvirikashvili was sin-binned. The Georgians earned a penalty but Lasha Malaguradze could not score it. “The Lelos” fought till the end and made the whole nation happy!
At the post-match press conference Milton Haig stated it was not a maximum of the Georgian national team: “This has been four years of planning and it has been four years of work from everybody involved. It has obviously been a focus we have had in the last two years since we qualified for Pool C. There is still a long way to go in this group but, as you can see, we are delighted by the result".
“I think this was the best victory in our history because we are a very small team. Maybe we have players that play in good teams, but we have never had a win like this. I do not think about my performance today. I am the captain and I took man of the match but all the players were the same today. We are friends and brothers” – stated Mamuka Gorgodze, captain and the best player of the match.
2015 Rugby World Cup. Pool C
Gloucester. Kingsholm Stadium.
Georgia - Tonga 17:10 (10:3)
Tonga: 15. Vunga Lilo, 14. Telusa Veainu, 13. Viliami Helu, 12. Siale Piutau, 11. Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10. Kurt Morath, 9. Sonatane Takulua; 1. Tevita Mailau, 2. Elvis Taione, 3. Halani Aulika, 4. Lua Lokotui, 5. Steve Mafi, 6. Sione Kalamafoni, 7. Nili Latu, 8. Vili Ma’afu.
Substitutes: 16. Paul Ngauamo, 17. Sona Taumalolo, 18. Sila Puafisi, 19. Hale T-Pole, 20. Jack Ram, 21. Samisoni Fisilau, 22. Latiume Fosita, 23. Sione Piukala.
1 try: Vainikolo
1 conversion: Morath
1 penalty: Morath
Georgia: 15. Merab Kvirikashvili, 14. Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13. Davit Kacharava, 12. Merab Sharikadze, 11. Giorgi Aptsiauri, 10. Lasha Malaguradze, 9. Vasil Lobzhanidze; 1. Mikheil Nariashvili, 2. Jaba Bregvadze, 3. Davit Zirakashvili, 4. Kote Mikautadze, 5. Giorgi Nemsadze, 6. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 7. Vito Kolelishvili, 8. Mamuka Gorgodze.
Substitutes: 16. Shalva Mamukashvili, 17. Karlen Asieshvili, 18. Levan Chilachava, 19. Levan Datunashvili, 20. Shalva Sutiashvili; 21. Giorgi Begadze, 22. Giorgi Pruidze, 23. Muraz Giorgadze.
Did not play: 22. Giorgi Pruidze, 23. Muraz Giorgadze
2 tries: Gorgodze, Tkhilaishvili
2 conversions: Kvirikashvili
1 penalty: Kvirikashvili
1 sin-bin: Kvirikashvili
