It’s an oldie but a goodie – `small teams get better playing big teams’. And so it was with the gallant Georgia at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
Their first ever appearance at rugby’s showpiece resulted in a 84-6 loss to the number one ranked English on 12 October.
A week later they reduced the deficit to 46-9 against Samoa. Then they made the world sit up and take notice with a valiant 19-46 defeat to super power South Africa on 19 October.
They bowed out of the Tournament with a 24-12 loss to a fired up Uruguay at Sydney’s Aussie Stadium.
Coach Claude Saurel was pleased with the effort of his troops.
“It was a good group with good skills. A group who was able to maintain a rhythm and physical capacity in each game and they built up well during the Tournament.”
Intense campaign
This is the first time Georgia have been involved in such an intensive campaign against the best sides in the World.
“We gave presence to the English,” Saurel said of the first outing.
“We learned a lot from that match. It gave us a reference point but I can’t be satisfied by the fact we let in 12 tries during the game.”
Saurel said Georgia completely underestimated Samoa in their second outing.
“We didn’t reach our goals for this match. Maybe we set our goals too high. Players didn’t give enough of themselves . . . I have many regrets we didn’t give better resistance.”
Stirring performance
However, the team more than made up for that with a stirring performance against the Springboks. The former Soviets ripped into their much vaunted opponents in a rousing display, especially in the forwards.
Hooker David Dadunashvilli had the near-capacity Sydney crowd on its feet when he barged over for Georgia’s first RWC try during the game.
“All the guys gave everything they had. Physically they went to the limit.”
Saurel was disappointed with his side’s loss to Uruguay in the battle of the Minnows. He said many of his players had little left in the tank after the effort against South Africa.
Poor, but a rugby player
Georgia do not enjoy the same luxuries as some Tournament heavyweights, however, Saurel was keen to look on the bright side of the experience.
“We managed with our poverty for a long time and that didn’t prevent us from playing in the World Cup. But we do not complain. Georgian rugby wants to get stronger. Events such as the World Cup are vital for us to be a part of.
"(This Tournament) is the only way we can get better and put ourselves on the world stage to attract sponsors which are so essential for us.”
Popular with the people
Australians, a people famous for support of the underdog, obviously saw much of the `little Aussie battler’ in Georgia.
The team enjoyed huge support from its base in Perth during early Pool play.
West Australians adopted the team as their own and a fan club was established that had zealous disciples in full voice wherever Georgia played.
According to player Gregoire Yachvili, "The public welcome is the best thing I can remember from the RWC”. Saurel agreed.
“Australians are astonishing. They have such good sporting spirit.”
Rugby number one in Georgia
Rugby is the number one watched sport in Georgia thanks to the team’s efforts at the RWC. All Tournament games are broadcast on State TV and the team has developed a big following at home.
“We are ambassadors of Georgia. The World has discovered Georgia. We have fulfilled our duty.”