The Lelos of Georgia "Square" Guide
Why the Lelos?
2
Georgia National Rugby Side is nick-named the Lelos for a very obvious reason: Lelo-burti (Lelo-ball) is an ancient, free-for-all form of folk football, still alive in the Western part of the country and from time to time, being codyfied and supported by sports authorities Lelo has its roots in pagan times as the ball symbolized the Sun, one of the seven cesestial bodies worshipped throughout the Middle East
Shukhuti Temple Priest presents the ball at Easter 2011
Then the game which, by the way, still is a tested form of military training, was adopted by the Orthodox Church to such an extent that the Priest used to bless a red - the most revered Christian colour - ball at Easter and throw it up to the players Village vied with village, Uppies (Zemourebi) with Downies (Kvemourebi, married men with betrotheds and bachelors, and sometimes teams were selected even on tribal lines, esp in a sea-side town of Poti The goal of the Lelo-burti was to bring the ball to a pre-marked place, that is Lelo. Hence, it is almost by default that both an in-goal area and a try in contemprorary Georgian are referred to as Lelo The folk game got its first - written by scholars rules in 1930s and 40s. According to them, when played on a modern, 100m long pitch, Lelo is a13-aside contest. The ball is too heavy to be throw afar Carrying, passing and kicking are unlimited but as in Georgian wrestling, one can only tackle opposing ballcarrier above the waist. Lelo is scored by carrying, throwing, kicking or rolling the ball over the opposition end-line and it counts for a single point
3
How it all started?
There have been several quasi-successful attempts to launch rugby here until it finally got foothold in 1959 According to chemistry professor Davrichachvili's recollections, who later fled Bolsheviks to France, in about 1919, during brief spell of Independence, there were three teams in Georgia Democratic Republic. They regularly played on the site of present Vake Gardens, just across the road from the Union' Offices Circa 1930 rugby was played by dockers of Poti, a Black Sea town. Then kid, soccer-star-in-making Boris Paitchadze used to join them and since then kept such affection to the Game that in mid 1960s was elected as first Chairman of Soviet Georgia Rugby Federation
Dynamo - Tbilissi premiers of 1940
Once Soviet State adopted rugby in mid 1930s, a Georgian student, Guiga Dvali was sent to a workshop held in Moscow in spring 1937. Due to bloody purges he managed to found four teams on his return to Tbilissi only three years later and arranged a week-long comp, won by Dynamo which actually was a military unit moved to Caucasus with the onset of WWII After the war, in 1947, a rugby enthusiast Vlad Tsyganov of Burevestnik Moscow, hastely essembled a team at Tbilissi Sports Technicum. Georgian students lost all three games during an inter-city tournament held at Dynamo stadium, and never played again And finally, in late 1950s, a native of Marseille, Jacques Haspekian, who temporarily settled in Tbilissi, formed teams at Polytechnical and Agricultural Institutes and footware-makers Isani. This was followed by inaugural Tbilissi Championship in 1961 and return from Moscow of Guivi Mrelashvili, a founder of first local governing body, Tbilissi Rugby Section
Tbilissi Sports Technicum playing Dynamo Moscow in 1947
Polytechnical Institute - Tbilissi premiers of 1962
No National Side, just Soviet Clubs Mr Mrelashvili managed to stage in Tbilissi first allSoviet comp, Trade Unions' Champs in autumn 1963. Gantiadi (Dawn) which was a Georgian national side in all but name, finished creditable third out of six Since then all-Soviet tournaments have been held on annual basis till USSR's dramatic break-up in 1991. From 1970 there were two divisions with promotion, relegation and lately, Top Six/Eight as well Georgia used to delegate two or three multi-sport society clubs to all-Soviet summit whilst mostly highschool teams served as feeders to them and were competing in neglected championships of the Capital and the Socialist Republic of Georgia For alomost three decades Georgia fared admirably at Soviet arena. Gantiadi was followed by Mrelashvili's Dynamo for whom fly-half Irakli Kiziria stood out. Then Locomotivi (Railways) came to the fore, coached by Gogui Tonia, Nodar Qipiani and fielding Zaur
4
Mgueladze, Zurab Kharshiladze, Guela Mikaberidze, Temur Bendiashvili (player-coach) and David Kilassonia Eventually Aia has emerged from the principal Western town of Kutaissi. First under Shalva Kurtsikidze and then Douglas Kavtelashvili, they ruled the roost from mid 1980s, winning three Soviet Championships in a row and adding a couple of Cups. The team featured Nugzar Dzagnidze, Oleg Liparteliani, Bessik Liluashvili, Mamuka Lossaberidze, Misha Kharshiladze, Sasha Natchqebia and was de facto professional Georgian Clubs in Soviet Comps Aia Kutaissi
Locomotivi Tbilissi
Dynamo Tbilissi Gantiadi Tbilissi
Gold 1987 1988 1989 Silver 1984 Bronze 1985 Cup 1987 1990 Silver 1967 Bronze 1968 1972 1978 1981 Cup 1978 Silver 1966 Bronze 1963
Halfback David Kilassonia launches Locomotivi Tbilissi attack in 1981 * Kutaissi club from the West - Winners of Soviet Cup in 1987
5
Inaugural Test & Joining the iRB
By the end of 1980s a lot has changed in the world. The Soviet Empire began to reform itself but crumbled instead. Georgian rugby folks pre-empted this inevitable outcome and approached on their own the iRB which was trying to convince USSR sports authorities to allow Soviet Rugby Federation into its membership and send a team to the RWC, but all in vain In July 1989 David Kilassonia, in the capacity of reformed Georgia Rugby Union CEO (according to Soviet tradition, the Game was called rEgbi until then) met the iRB Secretary, Keith Rowlands of Wales, and presented the case iRB welcomed Georgia's motion but nevertheless took a cautious stance and waited until political developments had made it feasible to recognize former Soviet Republics as separate entities This happened in February 1992 when Mr Rowlands issued a decree on behalf of the Board and accepted newly independent Georgia as iRB's 52nd member Union. The fact was conveyed to rugby community via Kilassonia's successor, Tamaz Andghuladze, and allowed the Lelos to participate in RWC 1995 Qualifiers By that time Georgia had already played five tests: firstly hosting and defeating (16-3) and then touring inaugural RWC African participant, Zimbabwe, and entertaining Ukraine with whom Georgia used to play at club level since establishment of all-Soviet comps The newly formed selection wore claret (dark red) jerseys with a pair of black and white stripes on the chest. Golden Shevardeni (Falcon) was chosen as a mascot and logo
It was replaced in 1995 by Borjghali - Caucasian sign - a rotating cross which symbolizes Eternity of Life and adorns tops of mainstays in traditional Georgian houses, arm chairs, sword handles etc from times immemorial First notable success to the re-branded team came in October 1996 when former rulers, Russia arrived for the very first time as a national side to play a FIRA pool game at the National stadium. The Lelos, comprised mostly of guys belonging to the 'Lost in Transition' Generation - Guia Rapava, Merab Besselia, Dimitri Oboladze, Kakha Machitidze, Niko Iurini, Archil Kavtarashvili, Guia Guiunashvili, Kakha Alania, Kakha Kobakhidze - and coached by Guram Modebadze, won by 29-20, three tries to one This was followed by another epic in May 1998 when school-boy Malkhaz Urjukashvili kicked four penalties in torrential rain, the team repelled Siberian giants' late assault, won by 12-6 and advanced to the next round of RWC Qualifiers
ENC and Antim Cup The Lelos of Georgia have an annual competiton to play in: 7-tier European Nations Cup (ENC) conducted by FIRA AER since early 1960s Georgia joined the fray at then the lowest, 5th tier in autumn 1993 and drew away with Luxembourg but have relentlessly moved up every season and finished overall 4th by spring 1997 When the Lelos just missed on the qualification for RWC 1999 Finals, they have still gained a berth in 6-team Division One as a reward, and in 12 years since then never finished outside the Top Three Albeit Romania was perceived as a leader of the fold at the turn of the century, now it is Georgia who better their Black Sea neighbours on almost every count To spice-up the rivalry, a guilded Antim Cup was created in 2002 and is being contested annually on lines similar to famous Calcutta and Bledisloe Cups. It is branded after Antimoz Iverieli, a saint revered by both Georgian and Romanian Orthodox Churches
6
Official ENC Champions Romania 4 2000 Georgia 4 2001 Portugal 1 2003/4
2002 2007/8
2005/6 2010 2009 2011
Informal Annual 6N*B Winners
(^ Slam)
Georgia 6 2001 ^ 2005 2007 2008 ^ 2009 2011^ Romania 5 2000 2002^ 2004 2006 2010 Portugal 1 2003^ 12 Year (2000-2011) Aggregate
Georgia Romania Morocco Russia Portugal Spain Czechia Holland Germany Ukraine
Pt%
yr
p
80.0 75.8 60.0 59.7 54.2 28.0 20.7 6.7 0.0 0.0
12 12 1 11 12 10 6 3 2 3
60 60 5 54 60 50 29 15 10 15
W-L*D$bp 46-11*3$2 44-15*1$4 3-2 30-21*3$3 31-27*2$2 13-36*1$2 6-23 1-14 0-10 0-15
enc 6nb slam 4 4 1 -
Pt% = (4*W+2*D+bp) / (4*p) *100
First Lelo winners over Russia in 1996 * Irakli Abusseridze has lifted Antim Cup and ENC Champions Shield several times
6 5 1 -
3 1 1 -
At RWC this far
7
This is fifth World Cup for the Lelos and only third Finals but taking into account that no other ball-game (team sport) Georgian selection ever made the same stage - Shvidkatsa (Sevens) being the exception, achivements in Rugby stand alone and prove how gifted the Caucasians are, well ... in International Lelo Georgia lost out to ex-rulers, Russia and hosts Poland in 1995 RWC Qualifiers, and came second to Romania and Tonga for 1999 berth In October 2002 the Lelos beat Russia by 17-13 in an epic and made it to Australia. The debutants, led by French guru Claude Saurel, became crowd favourites for their garish clothing, and valiantly fought Bokke's second string but ended empty handed after going down to more experienced Uruguay Four years later, under tutelage of home-grown Malkhaz Tcheishvili, after shrugging off challenges of Spain and Portugal in the Qualifiers, Georgia came within a whisker (TMO decision) of upsetting Ireland, nearly undermining the credibility of keeping the holy Six Nations in-tact and even debunking the established qualifying structure for this year's edition - but world rugby pecking order survived for the time being
(clockwise) Victor Didebulidze, Irakli Abusseridze, David Katcharava
Guia Labadze dodges opponent whilst Merab Kvirikashvili kicks for goal
Georgia at RWC Finals 2003 Australia * Overall 19th 12/10 19/10 24/10 28/10
Perth Perth Sydney Sydney
England Samoa South Africa Uruguay
L L L L
6-84 9-46 19-46 12-24
L L W L
3-33 10-14 30-0 7-64
2007 France * Overall 13th 11/09 15/09 26/09 30/09
Lyons Bordeaux Lens Marseille
Argentina Ireland Namibia France
Irakli Machkhaneli, Irakli Abusseridze & George Chkhaidze hunt down the Puma
RWC 2011 Schedule
8
Pool Stages #
KO
Pool
Teams
Venue
Fri 9/09 0 1
07.30 08.30
A
Opening N Zealand - Tonga
Auckland Auckland
Sat 10/09 2 3 4 5
01.00 03.30 06.00 08.30
B D A B
Scotland Fiji France Argentina
-
Romania Invercargill Namibia Rotorua Japan Nth Harbour England Dunedin
Sun 11/09 6 7 8
03.30 06.00 08.30
C C D
Australia - Italy Ireland - USA Sth Africa - Wales
Nth Harbour N Plymouth Wellington
Wed 14/09 9 02.30 10 05.00 11 07.30
D A B
Samoa - Namibia Tonga - Canada Scotland - Georgia
Rotorua Whangarei Invercargill
Thu 15/09 12 07.30
C
Russia - USA
N Plymouth
Fri 16/09 13 08.00
A
N Zealand - Japan
Hamilton
Sat 17/09 Four 5-team Pools
A
B
C
D
New Zealand France Tonga Canada Japan
Argentina England Scotland Georgia Romania
Australia Ireland Italy Russia USA
South Africa Wales Fiji Samoa Namibia
14 03.30 15 06.00 16 08.30
B D C
Argentina - Romania Sth Africa - Fiji Australia - Ireland
Invercargill Wellington Auckland
Sun 18/09 17 03.30 18 06.00 19 08.30
D B A
Wales - Samoa England - Georgia France - Canada
Hamilton Dunedin Napier
Tue 20/09 Log Points: W 4, D 2, L 0 Scoring 4th try / Losing within 7 = 1 bonus each
20 07.30
C
Italy - Russia
Nelson
RWC 2011 Schedule
9
Pool Stages
Knock Out Stages
(continued)
Wed 21/09 21 07.30
A
Tonga - Japan
Sat 8/10 Whangarei
Thu 22/09 22 08.00
D
C
Australia - USA
Wellington
43 05.00 QF 44 07.30 QF
B A
England - Romania N Zealand - France
Dunedin Auckland
Sun 25/09 26 02.30 27 05.00 28 07.30
D C B
Fiji - Samoa Ireland - Russia Argentina - Scotland
45 08.00
D
Wales - Namibia
D1 - C2 A1 - B2
Wellington Auckland
C1/D2 - B1/A2
Auckland
Sun 16/10 46 08.00
Auckland Rotorua Wellington
SF
SF
D1/C2 - A1/B2
Auckland
Fri 21/10 47 07.30
BF
Mon 26/09 29 06.30
Wellington Auckland
Sat 15/10
Sat 24/09 24 06.00 25 08.30
C1 - D2 B1 - A2 Sun 9/10
Sth Africa - Namibia Nth Harbour Fri 23/09
23 08.30
41 05.00 QF 42 07.30 QF
Bronze
Auckland
Sun 23/10 N Plymouth
48 08.00
CF
Cup
Auckland
Tue 27/09 30 04.00 31 06.30
A C
Canada - Japan Italy - USA
Napier Nelson Pool
Wed 28/09 32 06.30
B
Georgia - Romania
Palmerston
Fri 30/09 33 07.30
D
Sth Africa - Samoa
Nth Harbour
Sat 1/10 34 02.30 35 05.00 36 07.30
C A B
Australia - Russia France - Tonga England - Scotland
Nelson Wellington Auckland
Sun 2/10 37 38 39 40
00.00 02.30 05.00 07.30
B A D C
Argentina N Zealand Wales Ireland
-
Georgia Canada Fiji Italy
Tie Breakers
Palmerston Wellington Hamilton Dunedin
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Head-to-head result F-A difference throughout the Pool TF-TA (tries) difference throughout the Pool Most points For (F) throughout the Pool Most tries For (TF) throughout the Pool Higher iRB Ranking on Mon 3/10
Knock Out (1) (2) (3)
Two 10-minute Extra Times Single 10-minute Sudden Death Place Kicking Shoot Out from 22 metres
KO times = UTC (GMT) = GEO - 4h
Staging International Competitons
10
The first team from abroad to visit Georgia in Soviet times was a French Trade Unions selection. They toured in summer 1967 and gave valuable lessons to local novices Sibiu of Romania followed in 1973, and then came the Penguins, fielding 16 full capped stars and seven fringe players from England, Ireland, Wales and even South Africa. They entered as part of 6-team international tournament, held at Vake Stadium and sponsored by the Socialist Industry daily paper In all, Soviets played five home FIRA matches on Georgian soil but after the collapse of the Communism living standards quickly deteriorated. So, the next ones who dared to venture to electricity starved land were Germany in 1995, and since then the Lelos regularly entertain international opposition Georgia used to have their own Euro 7s leg from 2003 to 2008. In summer 2006 the Barbarians paid a short visit, and the Black Sea Cup, featuring Georgian, Romanian and Ukrainian clubs, was held last year for the very first time But the pinnacle was reached this spring: Tbilissi hosted iRB U20 World Trophy. Eight teams representing all six regions of the planet played four rounds at two newly-built grounds. Games were broadcast live on Georgia TV and streamed on the web. Crowds were healthy, happy and supportive
Penguins RFC play Soviets at Vake, 1977
Thus, by successfully staging the JWRT, Georgia Rugby Union proved that they are capable of arranging tournaments of bigger scale and importance in the near future
Domestic Game also Flourishes
11
Not long time ago they used to play and practice at race courses, parking lots and garbage dumps Now they have two state-of-art rugby centres Avtchala and Shevardeni, and a philanthropist Cartu Group are constructing similar facilities in Kutaissi, Rustavi, Martqopi, Poti, Batumi this year and Senaki, Gori, Telavi and Aspindza - the next Hence, there will be ample space - 12 rugby centres in the Capital plus another nine in regions - to adequately house eight divisions (including age grade) 47 clubs and 5,289 licensed players, who compete in leagues and festivals All this will be achieved through support of State authorities who run an array of long-term projects Acting Rugby Clubs Tbilissi, the Capital (19) Armazi Chokhosnebi * Devebi Dynamo Fine Arts Academy Hooligana Ilia Uni Jikebi Iveria * Jvarosnebi * Lelo Locomotivi Merani * TBC Bank Tbilissi RC * Technical Uni Qochebi The Army The University Tornado * Tsikara *
East & South (11) Akhmeta * Kakhebi Gurjaani * Kharebi Rustavi Mimino Dedoplis-tsqaro * Mutrukebi Telavi *
Qvareli * Saguramo * Vepkhvebi Patardzeuli * Lomebi Aspindza * Tao Adigeni * Torti Borjomi *
West (17) Aia Kutaissi Bagrati Kutaissi The School Kutaissi * Baghdati * Jrutchi Sachkhere Samtredia * Tchiatura * Tsqaltubo * Zestaponi * Artsivebi Ozurgeti Chokhatauri * Jikha Senaki * Kolkhi Raindebi Poti Lanchkhuti * Martvili * Batumi Kobuleti * * Juniors
(Uxx) only / Feeders
Seniors Juniors
The Lelos by Numbers
12
23 year (1989-2011) Totals Played 134 (48 at Home , 57 Away, 29 at neutral venue) Won 82 - Lost 47 * Drawn 5 Points: For 3096, Against 2500, Difference +596 Tries: For 380, Against 264, Difference +116 In all, 209 Lelos: 84 backs, 118 forwards and 7 utilities with backs scoring 185 tries and forwards 195 Ever formidable Lelos' engine room of 2002 class
Most capped: 72 Irakli Abusseridze; 67 Malkhaz Urjukashvili; 65 Guia Labadze; 63 Ilia Zedguinidze; 62 Akvsent Guiorgadze; 61 Goderdzi Shvelidze & Bessik Khamashuridze Captains: 37 Zedguinidze; 26 Abusseridze; 12 Zurab Mtchedlishvili & Levan Tsabadze; 11 Dimitri Oboladze Most Tries: 19 Mamuka Gorgodze; 18 Urjukashvili; 17 Irakli Machkhaneli; 15 Zedguinidze, Tedo Zibzibadze & Khamashuridze Most Points: 320 Pavle Jimsheladze & Urjukashvili; 258 Merab Kvirikashvili; 105 Nugzar Dzagnidze; 100 Lasha Malaghuradze Versus Arch-Rivals
Joint top point scorers - Pavle Jimsheladze & Malkhaz Urjukashvili
union
since
Ukraine Russia Czechia Portugal Romania Spain
1991 1993 1996 1997 1998 2000
p (h a n) 08 15 08 15 14 11
(4 (7 (4 (6 (7 (6
4 5 4 9 6 5
w-l*d
F-A
T
0) 8-0 248-060 35/07 3) 13-1*1 338-205 36/12 0) 8-0 310-058 45/03 0) 9-4*2 329-222 40/15 1) 6-8 257-293 24/28 0) 8-2*1 357-167 52/17
Entering RWC 2011
13
The Lelos are approaching the Tournament in boisterous mood Firstly, they have secured a trip to NZ last year, with two rounds to spare whilst French Champion Clermont's tight-head David Zirakashvili became the first rugby player to be named The Georgian athlete of the Year in fans' poll Then, this spring they have completed third Grand Slam in ENC and conceded a solitary try in the process whilst Montpellier back-rower Mamuka Gorgodze was chosen as The Best Foreigner in the Top14 by French media and Knighted by Georgian Sports Ministry And finally, they had an excellent build-up and are looking for a sculp or two ENC 2011
Pt
Diff
W-L
Georgia Romania Portugal Russia Spain Ukraine
22 16 14 11 10 0
+133 +97 +15 +2 -83 -164
5-0 3-2 3-2 2-3 2-3 0-5
Qualifiers
Pt
W-L*D
Georgia Russia Romania
17 15 13
8-1*1 7-2*1 6-3*1
326-132 291-175 282-136
Portugal Spain Germany
11 4 0
5-4*1 2-8 0-10
255-149 145-304 _58-461
F - A
T
168 - _35 24/_1 166 - _69 21/_7 113 - _98 13/_9 100 - _98 11/11 _92 - 175 10/24 _61 - 225 _7/34
BP 2 4 2 3 2 0
F - A
Georgia NZ Itinerary (KO utc) Wed 14/09 Sun 18/09
07.30 06.00
Scotland England
Invercargill Dunedin
Wed 28/09 Sun 2/10
06.30 00.00
Romania Argentina
Palmerston North Palmerston North
Mentors & Staff Richie Dixon Donald Caskie John Muggleton Gareth Adamson Ilia Maissuradze
Head Coach Backs Coach Defense Coach Fitness Coach Assistant Coach
SCO SCO AUS AUS GEO
Peter Grime Emma Petherick Abessalom Abramishvili Benjamin Moadab
Doctor Physio Physio Osteopath
UK UK GEO FRA
David Ramishvili George Tchumburidze Lasha Khurtsidze Vassil Abashidze Otar Iashvili Natalie Kurtanidze
Video Analyst Technical Director Media Manager Team Manager Logistics Manager Admin.Assistant
GEO GEO GEO GEO GEO GEO
RWC 2011 Squad
14
b 27/11 1985 192 cm 107 kg 16 caps 1 try
b 10/08 1987 186 cm 100 kg 3 caps
b 23/04 1987 180 cm 90 kg 13 caps 1 try
Irakli Abusseridze
Dimitri Bassilaia
Guivi Berishvili
Jaba Bregvadze
Scrum Half
Back Row
Back Row
Hooker
b 25/11 1977 174 cm 81 kg 72 caps 7 tries rwc: 303 4 07
b 20/08 1981 194 cm 107 kg 48 caps 6 tries rwc: 303 4 07
b 05/10 1987 186 cm 102 kg 25 caps 5 tries
b 14/07 1984 195 cm 118 kg 37 caps 19 tries rwc: 307
b 18/01 1983 196 cm 114 kg 42 caps 2 tries rwc: 307
George Chkhaidze
Irakli Chkhikvadze
Levan Datunashvili
Mamuka Gorgodze
Back Row
Wing
Lock
Back Row
b 17/08 1982 185 cm 95 kg 22 caps 5 tries
b 09/05 1984 190 cm 103 kg 31 caps 2 tries rwc: 307
b 01/12 1989 183 cm 108 kg 15 caps
b 04/06 1976 180 cm 105 kg 62 caps 11 tries rwc: 4 03 4 07
Lexo Gugava
Revaz Guigauri
Akvsent Guiorgadze
Vassil Kakovini
Wing
Centre
Hooker
Prop
b 16/01 1985 184 cm 86 kg 43 caps 11 tries rwc: 207
b 24/07 1982 181 cm 115 kg 35 caps 3 tries rwc: 307
b 20/01 1988 179 cm 78 kg 9 caps
b 09/10 1989 192 cm 98 kg 10 caps 1 try
David Katcharava
David Khinchaguishvili
Lasha Khmaladze
Victor Kolelishvili
Centre
Prop
Fly Half
Back Row
RWC 2011 Squad
15
b 12/03 1986 183 cm 122 kg 17 caps
b 27/12 1983 177 cm 80 kg 52 caps 258 pt 5t'64c'33p'2d rwc: 4 03 4 07
b 18/07 1981 187 cm 97 kg 48 caps 17 tries rwc: 4 03 3 07
b 11/03 1987 195 cm 104 kg 8 caps
David Kubriashvili
Merab Kvirikashvili
Irakli Machkhaneli
Vakhtang Maissuradze
Prop
Fly Half
Wing
Lock
b 06/02 1986 185 cm 88 kg 31 caps 100 pt 3t'17c'14p'3d
b 26/09 1984 195 cm 110 kg 22 caps 5 tries
b 02/10 1983 172 cm 80 kg 56 caps 6 tries rwc: 407
b 17/04 1978 177 cm 106 kg 61 caps 7 tries rwc: 303 4 07
Lasha Malaghuradze
George Nemsadze
Bidzina Samkharadze
Goderdzi Shvelidze
Fly Half
Lock
Scrum Half
Prop
b 24/01 1984 189 cm 96 kg 20 caps 1 try
b 24/09 1980 178 cm 80 kg 67 caps 320 pt 18t'46c'45p'd rwc: 3 03 4 07
b 02/11 1987 183 cm 82 kg 24 caps 1 try
b 1977 20/01 195 cm 112 kg 63 caps 15 tries rwc: 303 2 07
Shalva Sutiashvili
Sandro Todua
Malkhaz Urjukashvili
Ilia Zedguinidze
Lock
Wing
Full back
Lock
b 06/09 1980 191 cm 94 kg 56 caps 15 tries rwc: 303
b 10/10 1983 183 cm 117 kg 28 caps 7 tries rwc: 307
Tedo Zibzibadze
David Zirakashvili
Centre
Prop
Photo credits Stas Kolpakov (p 1) Ms Tamar Qulumbegashvili (2 10 11 16) Public domain (3 4 10) Misha Kharati (5) Zurab Guenguiuri (6) Goguita Bukhaidze (6 14 15) Chris Henry (7 12) Getty Images (7 16) Richard Bannister (12) Chris Thau (13) Stories, Stats & Page Setting: ZG [Qaflan@hotmail.com] 2/09 2011
Qaflan.netai.net/ 2011