‘This is best day yet for all of Georgia’

FLANKER Rati Urushadze hailed Georgia’s first World Cup victory as the greatest moment in the nation’s rugby history.

Urushadze helped his country cruise to a 30-0 success against Namibia yesterday to ensure they would avoid the Pool D wooden spoon.

“This day is the best day yet for Georgian rugby, and all of Georgia,” Urushadze said.

Asked how the team would celebrate, he added: “We don’t even know what to expect of our celebrations. It’s our first victory – we’re amateurs at winning.”

Centre Davit Kacharava, who scored the last of Georgia’s three tries said: “I just hope all of Georgia is happy with our game and I congratulate the whole country. I am honoured to have been part of this game.”

Fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili, who kicked 15 points to scoop the man-of-the-match award, said: “I played with deep, immense emotion.

“It is not only me who was great, but the whole team, the whole Georgian side.”

Defence coach Davit Chavleishvili said: “This is a victory for the whole nation, not just for rugby.”

Wing Giorgi Shkinin praised his side’s forwards, saying: “Georgia’s power is in the forwards. That’s the game we always play.”

Fresh from nearly springing the biggest shock in World Cup history against Ireland 11 days ago, Georgia head coach Malkhaz Cheishvili elected to make eight changes to his side yesterday afternoon.

They went ahead through Kvirikashvili’s seventh-minute penalty and the same player doubled their lead 18 minutes later.

Namibia eventually buckled under the pressure of Georgia’s forwards, who maintained possession late in the half before hooker Akvsenti Giorgadze drove over for the opening try.

Another Kvirikashvili penalty after the break was followed by a second touchdown when Irakli Machkhaneli knocked the ball from Heini Bock’s grasp and sprinted clear to score under the posts.

Namibia came close to a consolation, but Kacharava broke clear in injury-time to wrap up the convincing win.

Namibia head coach Hakkies Husselman said: “From the start, we just couldn’t run the game we wanted. We have to go back to the drawing board, but at this stage we were beaten by the better team.”

Captain Kees Lensing added: “We had a game-plan, but made too many mistakes and they capitalised on them.”

Georgia scorers: Tries: A. Guiorgadze, Machkhaneli, Kacharava. Cons: Kvirikashvili 3. Pens: Kvirikashvili 3.

GEORGIA: Urjukashvili, Machkhaneli, Kacharava, I. Guiorgadze, Shkinin, Kvirikashvili, Abusseridze, Shvelidze, A. Guiorgadze, Zirakashvili, Datunashvili, Gorgodze, Labadze, Urushadze, Chkhaidze, Khinchagishvili.

Replacements: Gigauri for Urjukashvili (69), Khamashuridze for Shkinin (47), Samkharadze for Abusseridze (56), Khinchagishvili for A. Guiorgadze (55), Didebulidze for Gorgodze (19), Udesiani for Urushadze (51), Kopaliana for Khinchagishvili (72).

NAMIBIA: Bock, Witbooi, van Zyl, Powell, Langenhoven, Schreuder, van Tonder, Lensing, Horn, Visser, Kazombiaze, Senekal, Nieuwenhuis, Burger, du Plessis, du Toit.

Replacements: Africa for Schreuder (59), Jantjies for van Tonder (44), Meyer for Horn (70), du Toit for Visser (41), Kamonga for Senekal (72), Esterhuize for du Plessis (41), Redelinghuys for du Toit (51). Att: 25,500

Ref: S Walsh (New Zealand).