Georgia v France
Tbilissi, Vake; Sun, 30 Oct, 2005
KO 19.00 GeoT = 16.00 CET = 15.00 GMT
The buzz is going around Georgian Capital Tbilissi: Les Chanticleers (Cockerels) are coming to play newly formed Tsameti Kartveli at Vake Stadium. Of course, nobody hopes that our boys will upset the fancied guests but local rugby loving public still looks forward to both great spectacle and master-class in Rugby League which should be delivered by ENC title favourites
The French have been playing league since 1934 whilst the Georgians took it up seriously only last year. Nevertheless, Tsameti Kartveli (Thirteen Georgians) won both qualifying games and made the non-Celtic pool of the ENC. They were overwhelmed and outplayed by well-experienced and drilled Russia at Lujhniki a week ago. That would serve as eye-opener for 13-man game's newest boys who until now were showing neither urgency nor enough will to start domestic league and kept playing just Union
The French Treizistes will front Georgian haka, Perkhuli on Sunday, win handsomely, have a drink and depart. As for defeated Georgians, their number one priority would be to organize a meaningful League competition once Union season is over by the end of November. Locomotivi/ Raindebi (Railways/ Knights) could provide two sides, versatile Hooligana would be the third party on their own and the fourth entrant, Barbarian Stars would be comprised of those guys from Lelo, Academy and Qochebi/ Rams who are open to new challenges and keen to try League
The French game will be played at 24-thousand modern facility, completed in the most affluent end of the Capital just five years ago. Since then Vake Stadium has been regularly used as home venue by Georgia Football/ Soccer Federation whilst Georgia Rugby Union prefer to host internationals at bigger and older National Stadium in the downtown, next to railway station and main market, where every time they get knowledgeable crowd of over 20 thousand
If weather stays fine around 10 thousand of those faithful surely will turn up to watch the French magicians and immerse themselves into the novelties of another, faster, more confrontational and less boring code of Rugby
This time the game will by broadcast LIVE not by state-owned TV1 but private MZE (The Sun) Channel which offered a bob or two to Georgia RL for the rights, are running ads with CEO-cum-hooker Nono yelling and red-clad guys circling and moving on opposition, and are even showing interest in screening the rest of the Gillette Tri Nations
The arrival of French Treizistes is a boon for the entire Georgian Rugby community. The Top Nations (Tiers One and Two) of iRB's fold have neither time nor desire to play emerging countries. Georgia have made the last RWC Finals in Australia but are still cold-shouldered by the Greats of The Union, 'the Game They Play in Heaven'
What we survive on are a biggie, the Antim Cup home fixture every second year against Romania, and visits of Russia and Portugal in ENC. This November Lelos entertain Uruguay and Chile as well but they are no crowd-pullers after all. The last time a decent team came to Georgia, it was South Africa 'A' back in 2001. So, the warmest of welcomes to Les Chanticleers!
On Friday noon team reps met local media. French manager Gilles Dumas said that they aim to lift the Cup and hope Georgia will try their best. In response GRL new chairman, Guia Gorgaslidze thanked the French for their visit, reminded journalists that Tsameti Kartveli are too young by general sporting standards and expressed sincere hope that the public will come in droves and witness spectacular game
Tsameti Kartveli = Thirteen Georgians
(* added for this match)
1 George Assatiani [Manager], 2 Zviad Koberidze, 3 Revaz Guigauri, 4 Sandro Guilauri, 5 David Jhamutashvili; 6 Fridon Udessiani, 7 Bidzina Samkharadze /
8 George Mtchedlishvili, 9 Nodar Andghuladze [CEO], 10 David Gasviani; 11 George Trapaidze, 12 Nicholas Mkheidze, 13 Vakhtang Akhvlediani CAPT;
(int) 14 Irakli Ghvinjilia*, 15 Mamuka Tskhadadze, 16 Beka Qurashvili, 17 Kakha Kobakhidze* / 18 Gregory Nishnianidze*
Coaches: Richard Ale (Samoa), Vinny Webb (England RLEF), Kakha Alania
Les Chanticleers = Cockerels
1 Adam Innes, 2 Olivier Charles, 3 Jerome Hermet, 4 Teddy Saddaoui*, 5 Frederic Zitter; 6 Maxime Greseque, 7 Julien Rinaldi CAPT /
8 Abdel Fellous, 9 David Berthezene, 10 Sebastien Raguin; 11 Laurent Carrasco, 12 Aurelien Cologni*, 13 Christophe Moly;
(int) 14 Gregory Mounis, 15 Cedric Gay, 16 Jean Christophe Borlin*, 17 Thomas Bosc* / 18 Mathieu Mayans*
Manager: Gilles Dumas; Coach: John Monie (Australia); Assistants: Daniel Divet, Scott Barker
