2011 Rugby World Cup team profile - Georgia
The Georgian national rugby union team, also known as ‘The Lelos’, find themselves in Pool B of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC). Others teams in the Pool B besides Georgia include Argentina, England, Romania and Scotland. The 2011 RWC will be the Lelos third consecutive RWC appearance.
Georgia is currently ranked 14th in the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) World Rugby Ranking. In the 2003 and 2007 RWC campaigns, Georgia had won just a single game which came during the 2007 World Cup against Namibia. They also had some great match moments against the top test playing nations Argentina and Ireland; however they failed to deliver an upset.
Keeping in view their recent form, Georgia will start as favourites to win their game against Romania in the upcoming 2011 RWC. It is unlikely that they can beat the other members of their pool including Argentina, England or Scotland.
Georgia qualified for their third consecutive spot in the RWC as they beat Spain in the semi-finals of the 2010 European Nations Cup. Later, Georgia confirmed their place in Pool B after they comprehensively defeated their rivals Russia.
Georgia finished second in the recently concluded IRB Nations Cup. The Lelos won two of their three games in the tournament and finished the tournament with eight points. They won their matches against the Jaguars and Namibia while losing a game against the South African provincial rugby union side, Southern Kings.
Additionally, Georgia has won their last eight European Nations Cup matches. They have won the title four times and are constantly knocking the door for inclusion in the Six Nations championship.
Georgia’s World Cup announced squad is actually much stronger than the other lower ranked teams. The Lelos squad has more exposure of playing professional rugby when compared to the Canadian and the Romanian teams.
The Georgian provisional 32-man squad announced for 2011 RWC includes 23 France based players. Eight of the 23 players represent their clubs in the French top-tier rugby union championship, French Top 14.
Brave’s 25-year-old prop, Davit Kubriashvili, is Georgia’s star player and one to watch out for in this version of the RWC. He has made a name for himself in the European circle and was part of the Barbarians squad for their 2011 summer season where he played against England at Twickenham.
Akvsenti Giorgadze and Merab Kvirikashvili are the Georgia’s most capped man as they both have eight international caps. Merab Kvirikashvili with his 23 points which includes 5 penalties and four conversion is Georgia’s highest point scorer and will be a player the team will be looking towards to score points.
Georgian 32-man provisional squad for their 2011 RWC includes:
Vasil Kakovin (Brive, Top 14, France), Davit Khinchagashvili (Brive, Top 14, France), Goderzi Shvelidze (Montpellier, Top 14, France), Jaba Bregvadze (Army, Premier Division, Georgia), Akvsenti Giorgadze (unattached - played for Castres last season will retire after the World Cup), Davit Kubriashvili (Toulon, Top 14, France), Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont, Top 14, France), Levan Datunashvili (Aurillac, ProD2, France), Vakhtang Maissuradze (La Seyne, Fédérale 1, France), Giorgi Nemsadze (Montauban, Fédérale 1, France), Ilia Zedginidze (Carqueiranne-Hyères, Fédérale 2, France), Givi Berishvili (Locomotivi, Premier Division, Georgia), George Chkhaidze (Montpellier, Top 14, France), Viktor Kolelishvili (Clermont, Top 14, France), Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy, Fédérale 1, France), Dimitri Basilaia (Aubenas, Fédérale 2, France), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier, Top 14, France), Zviad Maissuradze (Locomotivi, Premier Division, Georgia), Irakli Abusseridze (Auxerre, Fédérale 3, France), Giorgi Begadze (Kochebi, Premier Division, Georgia), Bidzina Samkharadze (Army, Premier Division, Georgia), Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo, Premier Division, Georgia), Merab Kvirikashvili (Figeac, Fédérale 2, France), Lasha Malaguradze (Béziers, ProD2, France), Revaz Gigauri (Figeac, Fédérale 2, France), Sandro Todua (Lelo, Premier Division, Georgia), David Kacharava (Nice, Fédérale 1, France), Tedo Zibzibadze (Périgueux, ProD2, France), Irakli Chkhikvadze (AIA, Premier Division, Georgia), Lexo Gugava (Lelo, Premier Division, Georgia), Irakli Machkhaneli (Mâcon, Fédérale 1, France), Malkhaz Urjukashvili (Figeac, Fédérale 2, France)
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