Rugby: Georgia defeats high-ranking Japan
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Georgia’s national rugby team have ended their November test series on a high and defeated Japan 35-24 in their final match at a crowded stadium in Tbilisi today.
The Lelos started strong and dominated both halves against the Cherry Blossoms, who are ranked 10th in the world. Georgia is ranked 15th, according to global IRB rankings.
After the match at Mikheil Stadium in Vake, head coach of the Georgian national rugby team Milton Haig said the victory was gained thanks to his team's strong discipline and their fast and aggressive playing style.
He added this style of play and strong discipline helped Georgia only concede seven penalties during the whole match, while against Ireland earlier this month the Lelos conceded 12 penalties in the first half.
Meanwhile in today's game budding Georgian player Giorgi Aptsiauri made his debut in the national team.
Georgia and Japan last played each other in Tbilisi in November 2012. In this game, the Japanese team beat their hosts.
In the earlier two games of the Lelos three-game November series, Georgia lost to Tonga 23-9 on November 8 and were defeated by Ireland 49-7 in Dublin last weekend.
One of the most popular sports in Georgia is getting another boost. A new rugby stadium will soon be built in Tbilisi.
Georgian tycoon, philanthropist and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has been honoured for his immense financial contribution to Georgian rugby and received a top award from the International Rugby Board (IRB).
Georgia's development rugby team have retained their title as European Under 19 Champions with a 44-14 victory over hosts Portugal in Lisbon yesterday.
A Georgian national rugby player Shalva Mamukashvili competing abroad has joined English Aviva Premiership side Sale Sharks for the new season.
Georgia could host the rugby Junior World Championship in 2017.
The country’s Prime Minister, Irakli Garibahsvili, met with Georgian Rugby Union representatives to discuss Georgia’s application.
A Georgian rugby player has been selected as one of the world’s top rugby union players and invited to participate in a World XV team comprising of the best rugby stars from around the globe.
World champions New Zealand are going to go head to head with Georgia at the 2015 Rugby World Cup after the Lelos beat Romania in Tbilisi on Saturday and won the European Nations Cup.
Georgia's national rugby team are the 2014 European Nations Cup champions. The team defeated Romania 22-9 in Tbilisi today.
The Lelos defeated Spain 24-17 in Madrid on Saturday in the penultimate round of European Nations Cup 2014, which also served as a 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifier.
Georgia’s national rugby team have convincingly defeated Germany 64-8 in the German town of Heusenstamm in a Rugby Europe Championship match today.