The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Georgia leapfrogs Italy on the WB Rankings - is it time for relegation in the Six Nations?

30th March, 2015
Advertisement
Roar Guru
30th March, 2015
27
1121 Reads

While the Six Nations were being played by Europe’s best, the Six Nations B was played at the same time.

This tournament was run by Rugby Europe (formally FIRA-AER) annually, with a two year home-and-away format and promotion/relegation at the end.

This year’s teams were Georgia, Romania, Russia, Spain, Portugal and newly promoted Germany.

Playing its first game in the top division, Germany was at home and with a crowd of 3,000 on hand took on the previous champions, Georgia. As expected, the Lolos took control immediately and ran in ten tries to one to destroy Germany, 64-8.

On the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal took on Romania. Los Lobos had no answer to the Oaks’ attack. Romania scored four tries to one, winning 37-10.

At Madrid University ground, a 6,500-strong vocal home crowd caused an upset by beating Russia. Russia had no reply to the speed of Spanish, who linked in fast open passing movements to score seven ties to two. Russia’s last try in the last minute to make the score (43-20) a bit more respectable.

In the next round, Germany was again at home but only 1,300 turned up to watch them play Russia. This was a different German side. With two tries each at half time, Germany led 15-12 and scored again after the break to lead 22-12 with 20 minutes remaining.

With only two professional players in the German side, their stamina and teamwork were not enough. Despite their early promise, they allowed Russia to add another five tries for a lopsided, misleading and undeserved 46-22 win.

Advertisement

In Bucharest, Romania easily beat a lethargic and disjointed Spanish side, 29-8, scoring five ties to one. You would not believe it was the same Spanish team as in the previous game. Similarly, the match in Tbilisi between Georgia and Portugal was dreadful. Georgia scored the only try to win 20-15 in a lacklustre and disappointing contest.

The third round had some intrigue. Russia was to play Romania at home in Krasnodar. As is commonplace, Russia refused visas to the Romanian coaching staff who had to travel without them.

The teams scored one try each and Romania led 10-3 at the break, then it all fell apart as the Oaks began to give away penalties. Russia capitalised and beat Romania 16-13.

At home, Spain held the strong Lelos to 13-all at the break but could not maintain this defence in the second as Georgia won 26-13 scoring two tries to one Germany travelled to Lisbon to play Los Lobos. It was a dismal match though played in good conditions with Portugal winning 13-3, and scoring the only try.

Georgia then hosted Russia in Tbilisi’s major football stadium. Over 20,000 crammed in to the ground with security police shoulder to shoulder next to the playing area.

There were several placards and the one in English that I could read said “we respect you guys but not your government”. Outside of that, there were no incidents and the game was completely clean. The game was fast and open, both sides using its backs.

The Lelos had 66 per cent of possession but the Russian defence was solid with Georgia leading 6-nil at the break. The Russians started to wilt and Georgia scored three tries in the last 10 minutes.

Advertisement

One feature of the game was that there was not one reset scrum. Spain made heavy weather when it played its Iberian neighbours in Lisbon. It was 8-all at half time but Spain’s superior fitness allowed them to score again in the second half to win, 19-8.

It was the same in Heidelberg, where Romania made heavy work of it against Germany. The Oaks did not seem interested, scoring a try in the first half then went to sleep. Romania finally won 17-12 but were not happy with the way it was won.

In the final round, Spain finally woke up at home to Germany. Once again, the Germans played well in the first half and were behind only 3-8 at the break. Again the Germans ran out of puff to let Spain score six tries in the last 20 minutes to win 48-16.

At least Germany scored two second-half tries. In Sochi, Russia went through the motions to beat Portugal in a not to be remembered two tries to one encounter, 21-8. The last match was the series decider between Romania and Georgia in Bucharest.

What an anticlimax! In a tryless game that never reached any great heights, Georgia remained undefeated, winning the dour encounter 15-6. All points came from penalty goals.

The final table has Georgia, undefeated on top, Romania, Spain and Russia (in that order due to the bonus points) then Portugal with one win and Germany last without a win.

As a result of this and then the Six Nations, Georgia now moves in the 14th place in the world rankings, leapfrogging Italy.

Advertisement

Already in Europe, there are questions being asked should the Six Nations have promotion and relegation, or should it be expanded to seven or even eight nations to accommodate Georgia and Romania. Clearly, these two nations are too strong for the European nations and many want to see them pitted against the big boys.

There is no way that any of the Six Nation ruling bodies would agree and risk being relegated, so it will remain a pipe-dream for the time being.

close