It’s been an extraordinary start to the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Japan’s upset of South Africa an obvious headline grabber, but Georgia’s brave win against Tonga full of drama too.
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Tonga has had six wins at the World Cup and have beaten France twice, along with Australia, Italy and Scotland in their history. They are far more accomplished than Georgia.
Already ‘unknown’ names are becoming ‘household’ names. Here are some early Rugby World Cup heroes.
Ayumu Goromaru
There are eight ‘Tier 2’ countries: Canada, Fiji, Japan, Georgia, Romania, Samoa, Tonga and the USA. Goromaru with 674 points in 53 Tests is the leading ‘Tier 2’ points scorer in rugby history.
He made his debut against Uruguay in 2005 and was the third youngest player of all time to represent his country.
He has been involved in 37 victories which incidentally is the highest number of points he has scored in a match – against Sri Lanka in May 2014.
He didn’t feature in World Cup 2011, but was recalled in 2013. He missed three crucial kicks when Japan narrowly lost 22-18 to Wales in June that year.
Sound defensively and boasting plenty of attacking flair his 24 points against the Springboks was the most against South Africa in a World Cup match and the seventh most in history against the two-time World Champions.
Most Points In A Test Against South Africa
Stirling Mortlock: 29, Australia, 2000
Rob Andrew: 27, England, 1994
Jonny Wilkinson: 27, England, 2000
Gérald Merceron: 27, France, 2001
Charlie Hodgson: 27, England, 2001
Carlos Spencer: 25 New Zealand, 1997
Daniel Carter: 25, New Zealand, 1997
Karne Hesketh
A 78th minute replacement for former Force rep Ahihito Yamanda, Hesketh became a household name in Japan with his try to secure victory against the Springboks.
The 30-year-old was educated at Napier Boys’ High School and was a member of one of the best first fifteens in New Zealand.
In 2002 Napier shared the National title and in 2003 finished runners up, going 45 games unbeaten. Other luminaries to feature in the team were All Black Bryn Evans and New Zealand Maori Colin Bourke.
Between 2006 and 2010 Hesketh played 35 games for Otago. He was a reliable winger, but never set the world on fire so pursed greater chances in Japan.
He plays for the Munakata Sanix Blues. His partner is Carla Hohepa, a Black Ferns winger. She has scored 15 tries in 11 Tests and was a member of the 2010 World Cup winning team.
Mamuka Gorgodze
“We are a small country with big hearts” exclaimed the Georgian captain after his team upset Tonga.
Gorgodze is not a small man standing 196cm and 119kg.
Georgia made 213 tackles to defuse the fiery Tongans and Gorgodze was responsible for 27 of them.
Gorgodze is an inspirational figure in Georgian rugby.
Since 2001 Georgia have won eight European Nations Cup titles and qualified for the last four World Cups. Gorgodze has been involved in three of those World Cups and played in Georgia’s two previous victories in the tournament (v Namibia 30-0 and Romania 25-9)
He has played 62 Tests and scored 25 tries. His nickname is Gulliver for his imposing play.
While at Montpellier between 2007 and 2009, he has received 16 yellow cards and was twice banned for fighting.
Vasil Lobzhanidze
Became the youngest player to play in the World Cup aged 18 years and 340 days old, passing American Thretton Palamo’s previous record set in 2007.
The Georgian halfback was a key figure in his teams’ victory. He kicked effectively for territory, made his tackles around the ruck and retained composed in a brutal, scrappy and historic game.
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