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The Russian Rugby team’s first visit to Georgia since the 2008 invasion ended in defeat for the visitors. This was a rugby match that was awaited with both great expectation and trepidation.
In 2009, the game between these two teams was played in Ukraine. In 2010 it was in Turkey and last year the fixture was held in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
This year’s game was scheduled for Tbilisi, Georgia’s rugby mad capital. The match was sold out a week ago and 25,000 were in attendance.
There was very tight security but no incidents occurred. A few jeers were heard as a tinny version of Russia’s anthem was played but then support as a Georgian baritone gave a passionate rendition of his country’s anthem.
Georgia kicked off and immediately threatened the Russian line but the Russian defence held. Georgia maintained pressure but bad handling by the back line prevented any try being scored.
Merab Kvirikashvili kicked a penalty and Russia mounted an attack from the kick-off but it was eventually snuffed out. The Georgian forwards seemed to be fed up with their backs errors and taking matters into their own hands, kept the ball to themselves by passing and marching the Russian scrum up to 30 metres to gain more territory.
The French referee allowed the game to flow, scrums did not collapse and there was no resetting of the scrums which was appreciated by both players and spectators. Quite a difference from the games here.
Eventually, the Russians faltered and Georgia’s number eight Mamuka Gorgodze scored and then lock Giorgi Chkhaidze crossed. Both were converted by Kvirikashvili and Georgia went to the break with a 17-0 lead.
The second half was all Georgia as Russia was a pale imitation of its World Cup team of last year. Georgia maintained pressure, running in four second half tries.
The Georgians taunted their opponents at times- Gorgodze crossed the tryline but kept running to the dead ball line, stopped, turned and passed to a support player, winger Irakli Machkhaneli who grounded to score.
The final scoreline of 46-0, six tries to nil, probably flattered the Russians who also went scoreless the previous week when beaten by Romania, 25-0.
The game was played in a great spirit and no untoward or spiteful incidents happened. After full-time, the Georgian players made a slow circuit of the ground to soak up the rapture of their 25,000 fans.
This win means that Georgia will win the European Nations Cup as with one game to go, they cannot be overhauled. Georgia suffered only one loss this year, their first in A European match since 2009. That was to the surprise team of the tournament, Spain, which has now jumped from fifth to third place.
Playing in Madrid in front of a record Spanish Rugby crowd of 10,000, both teams scored three tries but goal kicking made the difference. Also the heavier Spanish forwards held and sometimes out-muscled the vaunted Georgian pack. The Spanish crowd stormed the pitch after the win.
In a topsy-turvy couple of rounds, Spain went down by one point to their Iberian neighbours, Portugal who, in turn, lost to Russia by a solitary point. This week Spain beat second placed Romania 13-12 while Portugal lost 35-33 to Ukraine who were winless in the past two years.
This season marks the end of the two year cycle which means that Ukraine, despite beating Portugal will be relegated to the division 1B while Belgium will be promoted to the top division for the first time. Belgium beat second last placed Germany, 30-29, which means neither Poland nor Moldova can now overtake Belgium for promotion.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.