Georgian rugby - players

croket · 09-09-2014 9:55pm #1

A topic to discover Georgian players, future opponents of Ireland.

LOOSEHEAD PROPS
Vasil Kakovin (Toulouse) - A young talent (24 years old), capped at only 18 and played his first Top14 game at 20. Great scrummager with good handling skills he is unfortunately very often injured.
[videos] youtube : /watch?v=7gwjOPoz5g8 - and - /watch?v=c1BII1f067o

Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier) - Born 1990, he is the first choice at LH prop with Montpellier. Good scrummager, he is also a great tackler (he made 32 tackles during 4 first Top14 days).
[videos] youtube : /watch?v=DQ0uBXCeWrs

Zurab Zhvania (Stade Français) - The 22-years old prop starts his 4th season for Stade Français (his third with the first team). Fast and powerfull, he is a good prospect for Georgia and already had 10 caps for the national team
[videos] youtube : /watch?v=A-K2-hsWxXA

Giorgi Tetrashvili (Agen) - Another big prospect. young, fast and powerfull player. Born 1993, he played his first ProD2 at only 19 and is capped for Georgia since last year.
[videos] youtube : /watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=n6glDI80dUI#t=215s (go to 3:35)

Val Rapava-Ruskin (Worcester Warriors) - Still uncapped, but the former captain and number8 of Georgia U19 may interest Georgian staff. Regular starter for Western Province U19, he played some games for Saracens in the A-League and played for Toulon U23 (espoirs) last year. At 22 years old, he will try to do well in the championship.

Karlen Asieshvili (Brive) - Arrived in France in 3d division, the 27 years old prop rose through the ranks from Federale1 to Top14, after 2 years in ProD2. He holds 6 caps for Georgia

long-time injured : Davit Khinchagishvili (Racing-Metro)

next post : hookers

croket · 09-09-2014 10:31pm

HOOKERS

Shalva Mamukashvili (Sale Sharks) - The 23 years old hooker signed his first contract for a foreign club this year. Good tackler, fast, powerfull he also has the skills necessary for his position. His signing for Sale should round him a cape
[video] youtube : /watch?v=SoLdWOAJQWM

Jaba Bregvadze (unattached) - Arrived to Toulouse in January 2012 to cover an injury. Finally he played well and signed for 2 more years. Unfortunately, the 27-years old has 2 big injuries (neck) and was released by Toulouse after 3 seasons. To be fair, I don't know if he is actually injured
[video] youtube : /watch?v=fg9-Z_tLkb4

Irakli Natriashvili (Tulle) - Natriashvili played for Brive between 2011 and 2013 (one year in Top14 - 20 games, another in ProD2 - 23 games). He had a big injury at the shoulder and recovered during 2013-2014 season. Now he is back for Tulle in Federale1 (french 3d division).

Badri Alkhazashvili (Lelo Saracens) - At 19, he is one of the big prospects. Back in Georgia after playing in England for Ellesmere College, he is in the squad of Tbilisi Caucasians to face Rovigo in the European Challenge Cup qualifying.

Simon Maisuradze (Valence d'Agen) - Former flanker, who played for Clermont U23 (espoirs), the 27 years old hooker had some good handling skills and is a great tackler. He plays for Valence d'Agen in Federale1 (French 3d division)

next post : tighthead props

thebaz · 10-09-2014 12:37am

Georgia producing some serious packs - there problem seams to be producing a back line to mix it at the top table - still with rugby better to have a good pack and weak backline than the opposite - you don't win with great backs and weak pack - wish Georgia all the best in there rise , and possibly overtake Italy or even Scotland

ionadnapokot · 10-09-2014 1:08pm

Great topic for a thread croket. Georgia potential 2nd round opponents for Ireland at the RWC. If all goes to plan for both teams!
The fact that Wrestling, Weightlifting and Judo are such popular sports surley helps to produce rugby player type physique. I see on wiki that Rugby is the second most popular sport. And the most poluar in the south of the country. Do you know if there is much rugby played in schools? What is the production line?

sydneybound · 10-09-2014 1:29pm

What I find crazy is if you look through the TOP14 squads the amount of Georgian props playing is unreal. Most teams have them while some have two.

I see Sale just signed Shalva Mamukashvili who looks to be very promising.

thomond2006 · 10-09-2014 1:35pm

sydneybound wrote: »

What I find crazy is if you look through the TOP14 squads the amount of Georgian props playing is unreal. Most teams have them while some have two.

If you look at the squad on their Wikipedia page, it's funny to see the difference of the clubs represented between their forwards and backs. Most of the forwards are from top tier clubs, whereas the highest European level for the backs is Federale 1, third division in France.

RedemptionZ · 10-09-2014 11:02pm

It's actually pretty amazing how they've produced such high quality players in the numbers that they have considering their resources, albeit in a select few positions. Gorgodze on his day would make nearly any of the 6N XV imo.

Is it a direct crossover from athletes that have trained in other sports suited to physical forwards style rugby or is there a macho culture where forwards are perceived as better or? Interesting situation there alright.

croket · 10-09-2014 11:38pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

If you look at the squad on their Wikipedia page, it's funny to see the difference of the clubs represented between their forwards and backs. Most of the forwards are from top tier clubs, whereas the highest European level for the backs is Federale 1, third division in France.

To date, there are 2 backs in ProD2 : Sharikadze (Aurillac) and Mchedlidze (Agen). winger Sandro Todua played for Albi last 2 seasons

RedemptionZ wrote: »

Is it a direct crossover from athletes that have trained in other sports suited to physical forwards style rugby or is there a macho culture where forwards are perceived as better or? Interesting situation there alright.

Most likely a direct crossover from athletes that have trained in other sports, especially wrestling and judo. But Gorgodze played previously basket ball and started rugby at 18...

TIGHTHEAD PROPS
Davit Zirakashvili (ASM Clermont-Auvergne) - A world class player. Selected by Barbarians, he plays for Clermont since 10 years, including 40 Heineken Cup games. Great scrummager, fast, powerfull and great handling skills, he is the first georgian to win Top14. In the first video, Zirakashvili is praised by Stuart Barnes during last Heineken Cup quarter final "monumental game, in the tight, lineout drives, scrummaging, passes for tries, he's been brilliant"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-n87pISsoM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soNSXkfPWEg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbyIDG_9MGo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTfzUbgsWGA

Levan Chilachava (Toulon) - Chilachava, born 1991, plays his 5th season for Toulon. He took part of the Top14 Final in 2012, at only 20 years old. He needs to improve in defense and scrum but he progressed and will progress a lot beside Hayman and Castrogiovanni.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOBYH0C-wMI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZodRHwQeVc

Lekso Kaulashvili (La Rochelle) - The young 22 years old prop is uncapped yet but played some rampaging games during the begin of the season, especially against Toulouse (see video - link below). He is very powerfull and an impressive scrummager.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqUOspCFMA8

Davit Kubriashvili (Stade Français) - Capped by Barbarians, Kubriashvili plays his 8th season in Top14 (1 for Montpellier, 5 for Toulon, 2d year for Stade Français). It seem he is not in full fit since his last season for Toulon, but still a safe bet.

and Anton Peikrishvili (Racing Metro 92), Zaza Navrozashvili (Union Bordeaux-Bègles), Giorgi Mchedlishvili (Perpignan)

11-09-2014 9:44am

croket, a tip for posting youtube videos.
If you take thie bolded part from here : /watch?v=B4gZBhewmDU
and place it between these tags (without the *)[yout*ube]B4gZBhewmDU[/you*tube] you can embed a link
=>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4gZBhewmDU

Also, can you give us a bit of information about the local games in the country? What level of rugby is being played in Georgia? What level is being played these days? Crowds etc?
How many Georgians of capable level are staying in Georgia to play vs going to France?

Cheers for all this. Very interesting.

croket · 11-09-2014 10:39am

Deleted User wrote: »

croket, a tip for posting youtube videos.
If you take thie bolded part from here : /watch?v=B4gZBhewmDU
and place it between these tags (without the *)[yout*ube]B4gZBhewmDU[/you*tube] you can embed a link
=>

Also, can you give us a bit of information about the local games in the country? What level of rugby is being played in Georgia? What level is being played these days? Crowds etc?
How many Georgians of capable level are staying in Georgia to play vs going to France?

Cheers for all this. Very interesting.

I can't post videos, links and images until my 50th post

About the level in Georgia, it's not so high, I think approximatively like Federale1
Crowds are from 500 to 2500 spectators apart Kochebi Bolnisi who has a pretty low crowds (about 100 spectators par game).
Each year, young georgians signs to french academies. Georgian rugby federation do a great job to send their best players to France.
By the way there are 2 young georgian props in irish academies : Saba Meunargia (Connacht & Buccaneers) and Vak Abdaladze (Leinster & Coomine).
The level of georgians in the championship of Georgia is heterogeneous. Some players, like Bregvadze or Mamukashvili signed to a big league but most of them are going to Federale1.
To date, flanker Giorgi Tkhilaishvili and fly half Lasha Khmaladze are the players who could sign in a major championship IMO

sydneybound · 11-09-2014 4:34pm

Thanks for all these posts I really enjoy reading about rugby's recent growth particularly in Georgia.

What are the crowds like for international matches? I know for the Russia match it was 50,000 odd but what about other matches against Romania and Spain?

Hopefully Tier 1 country's will start to tour there in the next few years. Imagine the All Blacks coming to town!

Swiwi. · 11-09-2014 5:13pm

sydneybound wrote: »

Thanks for all these posts I really enjoy reading about rugby's recent growth particularly in Georgia.

What are the crowds like for international matches? I know for the Russia match it was 50,000 odd but what about other matches against Romania and Spain?

Hopefully Tier 1 country's will start to tour there in the next few years. Imagine the All Blacks coming to town!

They are coming to town! Just not a Georgian one yet, but Cardiff: NZ v Georgia 02.10.15 at the Millenium.

I echo everyone else, great stuff for posting about Georgian rugby. There is no doubt Georgia will always have a decent pack, it's just about getting the backs up to speed so to speak.

You guys should send a few players down south for some ITM cup or similar. Not a bad place to start.

Podge_irl · 11-09-2014 5:40pm

How popular is Lelo in Georgia compared to rugby? I know nothing about it but have heard it has contributed to the popularity of rugby.

Swiwi. · 11-09-2014 5:52pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

How popular is Lelo in Georgia compared to rugby? I know nothing about it but have heard it has contributed to the popularity of rugby.

Judging by my quick google search of Lelo I'd say it's popular enough in Georgia. Not sure how it has contributed to rugby's success though...

Podge_irl · 11-09-2014 6:12pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

Judging by my quick google search of Lelo I'd say it's popular enough in Georgia. Not sure how it has contributed to rugby's success though...

I've just heard it's quite similar which is why they took to rugby so much. Just curious how much that is actually true.

croket · 12-09-2014 12:47pm

LOCKS

Konstantin Mikautadze (Toulon) - Didier Bès, former coach of Montpellier said about him "In any other club he would be an undisputed starter but at Toulon, before him he has 2 superstars (Botha and Williams). Kote is a force of nature with an impressive ability to move despite its size". Like his teammate Chilachava, he plays his 5th season for Toulon. The 23 years old lock played Heineken Cup 1/4 and semi final last season.

Levan Datunashvili (Aurillac) - A soldier. We don't see him much because he do the dirty job, but he is precious for the national team. Last year, he captained his ProD2 team Aurillac and holds more than 60 caps for national team.

Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes) - Like many georgians in ProD2, he arrived in France in Federale1. To date, the powerfull 120kg lock plays his 3d season for Tarbes. He is 29 years old and can also play flanker and number8.

Vakhtang Maisuradze (Albi) - Another lock in ProD2. Like Nemsadze and Datunashvili he previously played in Federale1. He had a great 2012-2013 season for Albi but had a sick injury during the first 2013-2014 ProD2 day. He was back during the summer and played the first two games of the season for his team.

croket · 13-09-2014 11:26am

BACKROW

Mamuka Gorgodze (Toulon) - Nicknamed "Gorgodzilla", he is one of the strongest rugby player in the world. Capped by Barbarians in 2012 and 2014 and by World XV in 2014, he is also the top try scorer for Georgia, with 24 tries. The giant was 2 times MOTM during the last World Cup, was named Top14 best foreign player in 2011 and was capped at 18 years old, while he played rugby since less than 1 year. Usually flanker, he can also play number8 or lock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMXlOTRkEzU

Viktor Kolelishvili (Clermont Auvergne) - After one year in ProD2 with Lyon who he was named best player of his team, the "Yeti" is back with Clermont. The flanker is an impressive defender (he missed only 1 tackle since the began on the season) and is very fast for a forward. 2 years ago, he lifted 190kg at bench press, that was more than all Clermont players, including Cudmore or Vosloo. He is 24 years old and was capped at 18.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPKVniYvyoE

Lasha Lomidze (Béziers) - Lomidze, born 1992, played last 2 seasons for Montpellier U23 (espoirs) team at lock. He signed this summer for ProD2 team Béziers and was repositioned at flanker or number8. Since the begin of 2014-2015 ProD2 season he makes soome rampaging performances and was named MOTM the first two ProD2 days. Lomidze was touted as the closest thing to Gorgodze since age 18 and is capped for Georgia since 2013.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs1OeEhpzck

Dimitri Basilaia (Perpignan) - Dima is an important player for Georgia national team. The 28 years old number8 (he can also play flanker) signed for ProD2 team Perpignan during the summer after 2 years for Edinburgh. He his powerfull and has good skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D_8h3lDvrU

and Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy - ProD2), Giga Tkhilaishvili (Batumi RC), Beka Bitsadze (Locomotive Tbilisi) , Givi Berishvili (Locomotive Tbilisi), Kvicha Bujiashvili (Albi - ProD2)

gagnidze · 15-09-2014 7:57pm

sydneybound wrote: »

Thanks for all these posts I really enjoy reading about rugby's recent growth particularly in Georgia.

What are the crowds like for international matches? I know for the Russia match it was 50,000 odd but what about other matches against Romania and Spain?

around 15 000

for example, last 3 matches:

15.03.2014 Georgia - Romania 27 000
23.11.2013 Georgia - Samoa 15 000
09.11.2013 Georgia - Canada 15 000

except 2 matches:
Georgia - Belgium (Avchala Stadium capacity 3 000)
and Georgia - USA (Rustavi, capacity 4 000)

sydneybound · 16-09-2014 1:34pm

What do you think the chances are of the Georgian team winning this match?

http://www.epcrugby.com/eng/news/28934.php

I certainly hope they can get through. It would be a good shop window for these players to get a pro contract

croket · 16-09-2014 5:23pm

sydneybound wrote: »

What do you think the chances are of the Georgian team winning this match?

I certainly hope they can get through. It would be a good shop window for these players to get a pro contract

Here is the Caucasians squad to face Rovigo :
Props
Bachana Gogishvili (Kochebi Bolnisi)
Giorgi Sanikidze (Lelo Saracens) - 2 caps
Irakli Chomakashvili (Armazi Tbilisi)
Davit Gurgenadze (Armia Tbilisi) - 14 caps for Spain
Ilya Kaikacishvili (Jiki Tbilisi)
Omar Baliashvili (Locomotive Tbilisi)

Hookers
Badri Alkhazashvili (Lelo Saracens)
Shota Zkhovrebashvili (Batumi RC)

Locks
Sandro Koiava (Lelo Saracens)
Mikheil Archuashvili (Kochebi Bolnisi)
Beka Nikolaishvili (Lelo Saracens)
Giorgi Mchedlishvili (Jiki Tbilisi)

Backrow
Beka Bitsadze (Locomotive Tbilisi) - 10 caps
Elguja Surguladze (Lelo Saracens)
Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Batumi RC) - 13 caps
Bacho Kolelishvili (Lelo Saracens)
Beka Kurashvili (Aia Kutaisi)
Zviad Maisuradze (Lelo Saracens) - 34 caps

Scrumhalves
Giorgi Kacharava (Lelo Saracens) - 7 caps
Giorgi Begadze (Kochebi Bolnisi) - 24 caps
Vasil Lobjanidze (Armazi Tbilisi)

Flyhalves
Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Saracens) - 29 caps
Temur Sokhadze (Kochebi Bolnisi) - 10 caps

Centres
Giorgi Talakhadze (Lelo Saracens)
Irakli Chkhikvadze (Armia Tbilisi) - 25 caps
Tornike Tsertsvadze (Lelo Saracens)

Wingers
Sandro Todua (Lelo Saracens) - 40 caps
Muraz Giorgadze (Armazi Tbilisi) - 2 caps
Giorgi Shkinin (Locomotiv Tbilisi) - 37 caps

Fullbacks
Giorgi Kiasashvili (Lelo Saracens) - 15 caps
Beka Tsiklauri (Locomotiv Tbilisi) - 15 caps
Giorgi Aptsiauri (Aia Kutaisi)

Hard to say if they will win these games.
halfbacks, back-three, backrow are good, the tight-five is weak because there are so many georgians in France, especially in the front row... centres are weak too, Chkikhvadze's last call were in Feb 2012, while Talakhadze and Tsertsvadze are not capped.

There are some good players in Rovigo, prop Guillermo Roan is capped by Argentina, hooker Luke Mahoney played for Hurricanes in Super Rugby, their NZ winger Billy Ngawani is very good and there are some italian internationals like Jean-François Montauriol and Denis Majstorovic.
We will see after the first leg in Italy

croket · 19-09-2014 2:53pm

Teams for Rovigo-Tbilisi Caucasians :

Rovigo
1. Guillermo Roan
2. Luke Mahoney (cap)
3. Gheorge Gajion
4. Matteo Maran
5. Jean-François Montauriol
6. Emiliano Caffini
7. Andrea De Marchi
8. Matteo Ferro
9. Marco Frati
10. Luciano Rodriguez
11. Steven Bortolussi
12. Francesco Menon
13. Denis Majstorovic
14. Billy Ngawani
15. Stefan Basson

replacements : Enrico Ceccato, Nicola Quaglio, Massiliano Ravalle, Giuseppe Boggiani, Guiglielmo Zanini,
Giorgio Bronzini, Davide Farolini, Peter Pavanello.

Tbilisi Caucasians
1. Bachana Gogishvili (Khochebi)
2. Badri Alkhazashvili (Lelo Saracens)
3. Davit Gurgenadze (Armia)
4. Beka Bitadze (Lokomotivi)
5. Mikheil Archoishvili (Khochebi)
6. Georgi Tkhilaishvili (Batumi)
7. Elguja Surguladze (Lelo Saracens)
8. Zviad Maisuradze (Lelo Saracens)
9. Georgi Kacharava (Lelo saracens) Cap.
10. Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Saracens)
11. Georgi Shkinini (Lokomotivi)
12. Georgi Talakhadze (Lelo Saracens)
13. Sandro Todua (Lelo Saracens)
14. Beka Tiklauri (Lokomotivi)
15. Irakli Khiasashvili (Lelo Saracens)

Replacements: 16. Irakli Chomakhashvili (Armazi), 17. Sandro Koiava (Lelo Saracens), 18. Georgi Sanikidze ( Lelo Saracens), 19. Georgi Mchedlishvili (Jiki), 20. Bachana Kolelishvili (Lelo Saracens),
21. Georgi Begadze (Kochebi), 22. Temur Sokhadze (Kochebi), 23. Tornike Tsertsvadze (Lelo Saracens).

croket · 20-09-2014 5:46pm

Caucasians lost the first leg in Italy (22-18 to Rovigo)
Both caucasians tries were scored by Giorgi Shkinin, some irish fan will remember the name, he was a bugbear for Ireland during 2007 RWC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4aS1Mq8owg

The second leg will be played the 27th Sep. in Tbilisi.
The georgian team have to win by a margin of 5 points or more to play the Challenge Cup

sydneybound · 20-09-2014 6:47pm

You got to be happy with that result? Losing by just four away from home is encouraging. Hopefully it'll be a good home win in the return leg.

croket · 20-09-2014 7:07pm

Encouraging taking into account the team had only 2 weeks of preparation and apart a training game with Locomotive Tbilisi, a local club, they aren't play any game together.
Disapointed, considering Rovigo scored a converted try in the last second.
I know the team had some difficulties in scrum (there are so many forwards in french Top14, ProD2, Federale1 and other countries, especially props...)

croket · 22-09-2014 1:31pm

Rovigo - Caucasians highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJh6mXK0oqA

croket · 24-09-2014 2:14pm

Georgian back talent :

Merab Sharikadze
born : 17/05/1993 (21 years old)
size : 183cm
weight : 90kg
position : inside centre

International Career
caps : 25
points : 35 (7 tries)
first cap : Feb 2012 at 18 years old
other selections : Georgia U18 (at 16), Georgia U19 (captain)

Club Career
until 2011 : Academia Tbilisi
2011-2013 : Hartpury College and Gloucester U19
2013-2014 : Bourg-en-Bresse (ProD2)
2014-2015 : Stade Aurillacois (ProD2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnN36qH0fas

croket · 07-10-2014 10:06am

croket wrote: »

To date, flanker Giorgi Tkhilaishvili and fly half Lasha Khmaladze are the players who could sign in a major championship IMO

Giorgi Tkhilaishvili played for Leicester Tigers 'A' team last week. I hope he will sign a contract

croket · 09-10-2014 11:05pm

another Georgian back talent :
Tamaz Mchedlidze

Date of birth : March 17, 1993 (21 years old)
Main position : winger
Other positions : inside centre, outside centre, eightman
Height : 195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight : 110 kg (242 lb)
International career : 18 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Club career
2014-2015 : SU Agen (ProD2)
2013-2014 : US Bressane (ProD2) - 14 games
2012-2013 : Stade Montois (Top14) - 6 games
until 2012 : Armia Tbilisi (Georgia)
Abilities : fast, strong, powerfull

Neil3030 · 10-10-2014 12:27pm

My mate's just started going out with a Georgian girl. Judging by the size of her kegs, I think there's decent bulking genetics there.

He himself comes from a fairly formidable family. 5 brothers, all over 6 feet tall, tallest being 6"6. He is black belt in various forms of martial arts, two brothers are hurlers and one is an olympic weightlifter.

I have to say, I'm very excited about this relationship working out. Odds are quite good that their first child will be a boy, and we thereafter have a reasonable chance of getting a 6"6 half-georgian powerlifter hurler ninja, which I think should just about guarantee us every world cup from about ~ 2030 - 2045.

pickarooney · 10-10-2014 1:17pm

croket wrote: »

another Georgian back talent :
Tamaz Mchedlidze
Date of birth : March 17, 1993 (21 years old)
Main position : winger
Other positions : inside centre, outside centre, eightman
Height : 195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight : 110 kg (242 lb)
International career : 18 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Club career
2014-2015 : SU Agen (ProD2)
2013-2014 : US Bressane (ProD2) - 14 games
2012-2013 : Stade Montois (Top14) - 6 games
until 2012 : Armia Tbilisi (Georgia)
Abilities : fast, strong, powerfull

That's quite a range of positions. How fast can he move that frame?

croket · 10-10-2014 5:37pm

pickarooney wrote: »

That's quite a range of positions. How fast can he move that frame?

I saw him playing eightman with Stade Montois but it was very rarely. Last week the commentator said he can cover all the backrow, but if a player is yellow carded or injured.

His main position is winger and he played almost exclusively at this position.

He played at centre few times for Georgia and started 5 games at inside centre for Stade Montois during the Amlin Cup

That's him in action (last june, against Spain)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmwQp3LulFA

Georgian rugby - players

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