The Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tbilisi may not be the most famous of Test venues in world rugby, but on 13 October 2002 it was the scene of another instalment of the fierce ‘derby’ rivalry between Georgia and Russia.
This, after all, was no ordinary Test; the winner would not only have bragging rights over their neighbours, but would also qualify for Rugby World Cup 2003 and in doing so condemn their rivals to the Repechage.
Neither side had ever qualified for the Rugby World Cup. Georgia had come closest with their aggregate defeat by Tonga in the Repechage in 1999, so history was assured whatever the result.
And so it was that 45,000 people converged on the National Stadium with around one and half million people watching the match live on national television.
The first half saw the sides trade the lead through kicks at goal, but it was Russia who moved into a 13-9 lead through Konstantin Rachkov’s try. However Georgia hit back just before half time, Levan Tsabadze’s pushover try putting them one point ahead at 14-13.
A hugely tense second half yielded only one more score. Makho Urjukashvili’s third penalty for Georgia after 60 minutes strengthened the lead but it needed some heroic defending for Claude Saurel’s Georgia side to hang on for a 17-13 victory that sparked wild celebrations on the streets of the capital Tbilisi.
Georgian history will show that the first national sporting side to reach the finals of a major tournament was the rugby union squad, a feat then consolidated on by finishing 10th at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2001.
“The first Rugby World Cup is very important for us to learn,” explained Georgia Rugby Union vice president Zaza Kassachvili. “Georgia will go and play these four great games for study, practice and to discover the Rugby World Cup.”