‘Only matter of time before Georgia claim major scalp’
The muscular Eastern Europeans went desperately close to springing a sensational upset in a enthralling encounter against Ireland at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.
Substitute prop David Khinchagashvili was denied two minutes from time by some last-gasp defending by Denis Leamy – and Georgia had to settle for a glorious 14-10 defeat.
Hopes that the performance has signalled the birth of a new Test power may be a little premature, but Zedginidze believes that, with the right guidance, Georgia will flourish.
“I hope that in future rugby becomes Georgia’s number one sport. At the moment, football is much bigger,” said the second row. “We have only around 100 professional or semi-professional players to choose from – whereas France have 1,000.
“But we have some very good young players at 11, 12 and 13 years old. They’re as good as the French or English boys.
“In the future we will pay more attention to developing that age group so that we can become as strong as the French, English or any of the top sides. That’s our objective.”
A sustainable system would be a big help.
“In Georgia there isn’t a lot of structure for rugby to develop,” the lock confirmed. “For the next five years we have to do more for the internal championship, to get the best out of domestic rugby.
“Developing the Georgian league is the most important thing. The French league really helps us. We have many players competing in France, and that helps them prepare. We thank France for this.
“But our championship has to be good enough to develop more players.”
Blois winger Giorgi Shkinin plundered an interception score four minutes into the second half to edge Georgia ahead for the first time and a seismic upset looked possible.
Fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili added the conversion to accompany his earlier penalty, but, despite a glut of possession and some great field positions, they failed to finish off the stricken Irish.
Zedginidze, a graduate in diplomacy at Tbilisi University who plays club rugby for French side Auch, insists it is only a matter of time before Georgia claim a major scalp.
“This display was very inspiring. Obviously this score could allow Georgia much more opportunity and propel us forward,” he said.
“As a national team, I feel we do not have as much confidence as we should. In future matches we can show we have much more ambition.
“We still haven’t shown everything we’re capable of doing. We were tense against Ireland, but the day will come when we are more relaxed.
“I’m looking forward to that day.”
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