Get Newsletter

Georgia plead for tier one opposition

The "Lelos" notched up a narrow 17-16 victory over Namibia on Wednesday to all but secure third place in Pool C, guaranteeing automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Their berth will be confirmed should New Zealand beat Tonga on Friday.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was a milestone day for a country that continues to produce a steady stream of top-notch players, particularly amongst the forwards, many of whom ply their trade at top French clubs.

Coach Haig, a likeable New Zealander who took over Georgia in 2011, is adamant that his team need to play more higher-calibre teams than they do on a regular basis in the European Nations Cup, the European championship for tier two and three nations sometimes dubbed the Six Nations 'B' tournament.

Finishing in the automatic qualifier spot, Haig said, "allows us to be a bit more comfortable… and certainly look at different ways of trying to get as much competition as possible at a high level".

"Obviously that means playing against tier one nations as often as we can," he said, his team having won seven of the last eight Nations Cup tournaments dating back to 2007.

"Whether that's us touring there or whether that's getting teams over to Tbilisi, I'm not sure, but certainly if we don't take this opportunity with both hands, we're mugs really."

Since the 2011 World Cup, Georgia's sole tier one competition has been against Argentina in 2013 and Ireland a year later. They have also played Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga in that time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Haig added that the coming four years would entail "a lot of hard work firstly, and an enormous amount of planning".

Georgia plead for tier one opposition"Obviously we need to look at our player development plan going forward for the next four years. We think we're in a pretty good place now with our player development with our Under-18s and U20s being successful this year."

There is certainly a solid base, with the sevens team an ever-present on the world circuit and the U18s last season finishing runners-up in the European championships behind winners France, but ahead of established nations such as England, Italy, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The U20 side won the world trophy in Lisbon to qualify for the 2016 world championships, the 2017 edition of which will be hosted by Georgia in a major coup for the east European country.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This tournament is a perfect way to further promote rugby in our country and we're delighted to be chosen to host this event," said Georgian Rugby Union president George Nijaradze.

"This is an acknowledgement of the level which Georgian rugby has reached and shows what has been done to develop rugby here."

World Rugby head of competitions and performance Mark Egan added: "The awarding of the World Rugby U20 Championship 2017 to Georgia marks a significant milestone in the development of the game there."

Following Georgia's Pool C defeat by New Zealand, gamely hanging on before going down 10-43, Haig called for an expansion of the traditional Six Nations.

"It's certainly something that I've been speaking publicly about every opportunity I get," the Invercargill-born coach said.

"Something like that is absolutely crucial for our development because in the long run if we are consistently a competitive national side, that's the kind of competition we need to be in."

Haig cited Argentina's progression following their inclusion in the Rugby Championship, where they now play against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

"You can see how far their team has come along. We'd love that opportunity," he said.

"We understand it's a very difficult decision for the six partners to make."

Haig added: "But there are lots of good reasons why tier one nations should come to Tbilisi. Number one is that they'd help grow the game globally if they did.

"They'd be hosted like never before, I'm pretty sure, and they'd certainly enjoy the food and wine and hospitality!

"We'd encourage any tier one nation that is of the mind to certainly talk to us because we'd love to have them."

Clermont prop Davit Zirakashvili bowed out after 12 years of international service following the victory over Namibia, and there is no one better placed to comment on Georgia's rise.

"Georgia came along to the World Cup for the first time in 2003, and now in 2015 we're in the top 12 teams at the World Cup. It's really something beautiful for a small country like Georgia," Zirakashvili said.

"I hope that Georgia in the coming years will climb into the top 12, top 10 or top eight. I wish and hope for this."

Agence France-Presse

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment