International Rugby: Portugal v Georgia

14.02.2009
Portugal v Georgia in Tblissi

Preview
The differences between the European Nations Cup Division 1 teams were not that great last weekend. Germany apart, the teams have looked fairly even on the scoreboard.

Portugal is desperately trying to find the spirit and form that took them to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. There closely fought lose to Russia at home was heartening. But this weekend they travel to rugby-made Georgia where the home team awaits and winning by visiting teams is a rare occurance.

Georgia made hard work of Germany away last weekend. They seem to struggle against the weaker sides and save their true spirit for the big challenges. Portugal may find their host underprepared.

Last Five Encounters
13.02.2008 Georgia 11-6 in Lisbon (ENC 1)
02.02.2008 Georgia 31-3 in Tblissi (ENC 1)
25.11.2006 Drawn 11-11 in Lisbon (WCQ Europe R5 Playoff, 2nd leg)
11.11.2006 Georgia 17-3 in Tblissi (WCQ Europe R5 Playoff 1st leg)
11.03.2006 Georgia 40-0 in Tblissi (ENC 1)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Georgia 15th, Portugal 21st
Europe Table-Georgia 7th, Portugal 11th

Prediction: Georgia by 14 points

Teams

Portugal
15 Pedro Leal (GD Direto) Age 24, 29 tests
14 David Mateus (OS Belenenses) 28, 26
13 Pedro Silva (OS Belenenses) 24, 3
12 Diogo Mateus (OS Belenenses) 28, 61
11 Gonçalo Foro (CD University Lisboa) 26, 12
10 Pedro Cabral (CR Madrid, Spain) 25, 16
9 Jose Pinto (Rugby Roma Olimpia, Italy) 27, 37
8 Eduardo Acosta (GD Direto) 30, 8
7 Vasco Uva (GD Direto) 25, 51
6 Tiago Girão (CR Madrid, Spain) 23, 15
5 Gonçalo Uva (Montpellier RC, France) 23, 38
4 David Penalva (FC Auch, France) 28, 25
3 Cristian Spachuck (FC Auch, France) 27, 27
2 João Correia, Capt. (GD Direto) 27, 40
1 Jorge Segurado (GD Direto) 24, 3
Replacements
16 Juan Murre (Sporting Nazairien Rugby, France) 28, 12
17 Bernardo Duarte (AEIS Agronomia) 25, 6
18 Juan Severino (AEIS Agronomia) 26, 19
19 Valter Ferreira (OS Belenenses ) ?, New Cap
20 Salvador Palha (GD Direto) 24, 6
21 Duarte Pinto (AEIS Agronomia) 26, 37
22 Diogo Gama (SL Beneficia) 27, 14
Head Coach: Tomaz Morais

Georgia
15 Merab Kvirikashvili (Massy, France) Age 25, 29 Tests
14 Irakli Machkhaneli (Agen, France) 27, 29
13 Davit Kacharava (Enisey STM-Krasnoyarsk, Russia) 23, 22
12 Tedore Zibzibadze (Périgueux, France) 28, 37
11 Giorgi Shkinin (Hooligana) 25, 30
10 Lasha Malaghuradze (Beziers, France) 22, 11
9 Irakli Abuseridze, Capt (Orléans, France) 31, 55
8 Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier, France) 24, 30
7 Gia Labadze (Toulon, France) 35, 48
6 Giorgi Chkhaidze (Racing Metro, France) 27, 30
5 Kakhaber Uchava (Farul Constanta, Romania) 32, 12
4 Ilia Zedginidze (Aix-en-Provence, France) 31, 50
3 Goderdzi Shvelidze (Montauban, France) 30, 46
2 Akvsent Giorgadze (Castres, France) 31, 52
1 David Kubriashvili (Toulon, France) 22, 5

Replacements
16 Irakli Natriashvili (Farul Constanta, Romania) 25, 13
17 Davit Khinchagishvili (Brive, France) 25, 19
18 Dimitri Basilaia (Morlass, France) 23, 8
19 Rati Urushadze (Enisey STM-Krasnoyarsk, Russia) 33, 32
20 Bidzina Samkharadze (Farul Constanta, Romania) 25, 36
21 Irakli Giorgadze (Dax, France) 26, 32
22 Otar Barkalaia (VPC, Andorra) 24, 35
Head Coach: Tim Lane

Thanks to friends from http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3016

For complete lists of all international rugby test results for both Portugal and Georgia go to www.rugbyinternational.net