So it came down to this. After two years of competition, the final round of the European Nations Cup (Six Nations B) was to decide the winner.
Going into this match, both Romania and Georgia were undefeated. The game they played in the first round resulted in a dour 9-all draw in Bucharest.
Both teams beat the other four nations (Russia, Spain, Portugal and Belgium) quite easily, though Georgia struggled a little against Spain last month. As a result, they missed out on a bonus point so the Romanian Oaks were one point ahead on the table.
The European Nations Cup is controlled by FIRA and matches in this top division doubled as Rugby World Cup2015 qualifiers. Romania and Georgia had already qualified for the finals, but this match would decide which pools they would contest.
Played in bright sunshine in Tbilisi, the big game between Georgia and Romania was a fast, open spectacle with both teams running the ball. Both are renowned for their defence, though, and their attack lacks flair or variety.
It was mostly played between the two 22-metre lines as each team, when they could not break the line, kicked ahead and then that team ran it back.
Georgia’s Lelos made three breaks, one of which saw prop Davit Zirakashvili score wide out for the game’s only try in the 25th minute.
The Oaks were leading 9-6 at the time and the Lelos led 16-9 at half time. The Oaks made two clear breaks, one in which they were unfortunate to have a try disallowed.
The second half ebbed and flowed between the two 22s and although Georgia dominated both territory and possession, they could not crack the determined Oaks defence.
They sill added two penalty goals to win the game 22-9 and become the 2014 European rugby champions, retaining the title they won in 2012.
None of this deterred the raucous official crowd of 27,517, though some believed it to be closer to 55,000. The local supporters loved every minute and stayed on for the presentations.
For the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Georgia will play in pool C with New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga, while Romania will be in the easier pool D with France, Ireland and Italy.
The president of the Georgian Rugby Union has already stated that Georgia and Romania have outgrown the European Nations Cup and want to go a step higher.
He intimated that he would be lobbying at the next Rugby World Cup for these two countries to be included in the Six Nations. I can’t see the Brits agreeing to either a larger competition or Scotland and Italy being relegated.
There is no doubt, though, that Georgia and Romania are of a much higher standard than the rest of the FIRA nations. The major disappointment has been the fall of Russia, once mooted as the next big thing in world rugby.
Russia have qualified for the repechage as they have defeated the other three nations who have now been eliminated. Russia will now play Netherlands in the next stage.
Belgium has been relegated to the European B division for the next European Championships. It is not known yet who will replace them as the B division have not played all their second round games.
At the moment, it is a three-horse race between Germany, Poland and Moldova.
Scrumpoacher
Guest
Cash! The only reason they are being held back. If that's the case the ARU need to be kicked out of SANZAR as they are broke...cue whining
Anglo-Scot
Guest
Unfortunately for Romania and Georgia they are very poor countries who won't add any value to the TV rights of the 6Ns. If Germany and Spain were as good as them, then they would probably be in.
Tane Mahutam
Guest
Unrealistic Johnno.
Johnno
Guest
nos good points, many Sooutherners don't appreciate the 5 nations, 6 nations, or scotish rugby or NH rugby. Many also in the SH naively think, people in NH don't value there clubs, very wrong. SH rugby fans should look in there own backyards about the decling crowds in many of the super rugby teams, and the lack of feeling or connection to the brand. Many fans now are upset with SANZAR, and there cheap suit culture. They just wnna go to the highest bidder short term, and players and fans come 2nd. Turning alot of fans away from the game. Spain joining SANZAR, please! Spanish rugby's actually expanding, would be good to see them have a team in the rabodirect playing from Barcelona. There now ranked about 20 or 21 Spain, play on the sevens circuit, the game's getting bigger. And if depth's an issue just have foreigin imports, done.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Good post johnno. Like you, am also not against Argentina being in the RC although I would prefer if we were helping our neighbours first. What I don't like its when I see some southerners telling us to drop Scotland because they aren't performing as well as they used to. What SH ppl forget is that Scottish rugby is very important for us and we have a strong rugby history with them. I want to believe that Old Europe isn't like the new world (yet!) who is more pragmatic and go where the money is without any scruples (see SANZAR). As English twizz said they have been playing the Scots for over 140 years, I grew up with the 5 Nations in the 80s with Andy Irvine then Gavin Hastings and many other great Scottish players, with Murrayfield which is one of the best rugby stadium on earth. Playing Scotland has always been a highlight of my rugby season. So now some ppl from the SH would like us to ditch them and let them rot? Well I think what the Scots need is their neighbours to stay with them. Things go quickly in rugby and who knows what Vern Cotter will do with them. Maybe one day the 6N can expand, or will disappear and a Euro championship will arise, that's ok. But I hope I never see the day a rugby country like Scotland is ditched from the 6N. There are many things that I don't like about Europe but something they try to keep is values and traditions and although money is running the show like here in the SH, no one is going to say to Scotland or villages like Oyonnax or Bayonne that they don't have a place in today's pro rugby.
english twizz
Guest
thats about it
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Platini has an Italian background johnno (many Italians, Poles, Spaniards and Portuguese migrated to France in the first half of the 20th century)
chris
Guest
Either make it the 8 nations to keep TV happy or have 1 up/1 down 6 nation's A and B.
Johnno
Guest
I know nos, it's a joke. Good news for Georgia, there rugby is progressing as is Romania. don't forget the weekend match was in Tbilisi, not in Bucharest, Romania has a pro league now, Georgia doesn't, both have players in France, and Romania had already qualified so intensity wise were down. There's nothing in it between these 2 teams. I'd back Romania to beat Georgia in Bucharest, when something is do or die on the line, like 1 World Cup spot. So they have neautralised themselves, both van beat the other at home, but will lose away to each other. Romanian rugby is on the up. It's good Romania is not completley dependant now on French rugby, it's getting other coaching help. On a side note Michelle Platini's heritage is Romanian I believe. Hagi and Platini in the same team would of been sub-lime. Im still not against Argentina coming into the RC, but would prefer they were not. Samoa though should be much more included in the RC, and there players invited to play super rugby more. And they could be in the RC, and play out of Auckland and Sydney, same with Fiji play out of Suva,Auckland,and Sydney. I still think it was shameful that NZ didn't stage a test vs Fiji in Suva last year to commemerate 100 years of Fiji rugby. Tonga is a bit too small brand for me at this stage. We aussies should open up pacific islander spots like French and English and Japan rugby do in high numbers. Im happy the stormers showed some progress and signed a Samoan winger, was good. Im finding argentina too boring and far away to be honest. I read a good article in the NZ herald on the weekend, and it appears a Super rugby side in Argentina appears a way off yet. The costs and logistics, are gonna be tricky for SANZAR, and support is waning amongst the 3 nations for Argentina to have a super rugby side. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/gregor-paul/news/article.cfm?a_id=196&objectid=11220562
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
spot on E.T. Southerners want us to drop Scotland and include Georgia or Romania but don't want to play against Samoa and other P.I nations (preferring to look in South America or Asia to expand). right.
english twizz
Guest
you need to do the same with rugby champinship. also england have been playing scotland since 1871. what would the tv companeys say
MPC
Guest
I was thinking about the idea of promotion/relegation between the 6 Nations and the European Nations. This can help grow and develop the game of rugby.
@scrumpoacher
Guest
Breat to see some news from the 2nd tier-well done Harry. It's about time Georgia and Romania got some good press. With 2 abject seasons by Scotland and Italy, Georgia and Romania should be given a run at 6N now? They are consistently beating the others in ENC1a and do very well against touring sides. Time for some fresh blood? Absolutely!!!
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Thanks for all the details Harry. It looks like a pretty raucous crowd. As an aside I feel that pool D is a bit too European for my liking. 3 teams from the 6N (Fr, Ire and Ita) plus Romania and Canada doesn't look very exotic to me. So all teams are from the same hemisphere while in C for example you have 4 from the SH. I know its not the first time but I thought the IRB would have looked into this. As rugby grows worldwide I think it would be good if the IRB could try to ensure there is geographical diversity in each pool (the same way FIFA does for football) so that we don't get regional pools like we will have in 2015. To have 5 of the 6N in 2 pools and none in one group (NZ) is ridiculous. Am not talking about level of difficulty here but I think mixing styles and regions makes sense...at WORLD cup level. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPmKOP9ExGg
Shop
Roar Guru
Thanks for the report Harry. I think we are still many years off, but I'd like to think a team like Georgia can make a RWC quarter final appearance at some stage. 2023 maybe?