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Five members of Georgia’s original men’s national team will be present at Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi on Saturday to witness Lelos’ 300th international match.
In a way, that fits Tonga are this weekend’s opponents as one of the team’s proudest days was when they beat Ikale ‘Tahi in the Rugby World Cup in 2015
At 18 years and 340 days, Vasil Lobzhanidze became the youngest player ever to appear in the tournament in that game in Gloucester and Saturday’s match starts at number nine.
Lobzhanidze and none of his teammates were born when the Lelos, originally known as the Shevardens (Falcons), first took to the field.
Representing independent Georgia, the team played its first match back in Soviet times on September 12, 1989, winning Zimbabwe 16-3 in Kutaisi.
Since then, the team has continued to thrive. Out of 299 matches played so far, Lelos recorded 187 wins, 10 draws and 102 losses. Of those matches, 124 were played in Georgia, 118 away and 57 on neutral grounds.
In 2003, the Lelos made their Rugby World Cup debut and have since become regulars at the tournament and will compete in the world’s premier rugby event for the seventh time next year in Australia.
The dominant force in European rugby outside of the Six Nations, Georgia are currently 13th in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, having briefly been 11th in the past.
Out of the original 18-man squad, wings Bartlome Khamshodze and Aleksander Khvedelidze, center Malkhaz Cheishvili, No. 8 David Ghudushauri and substitute Gela Pirtskhalava will be present in person at the Avchala Stadium to cheer on the modern-day Lelos.
With the Lelos unbeaten against Tonga in four meetings since that RWC 2015 clash and unbeaten in their first four Nations Cup clashes, the form book suggests they will celebrate the occasion with victory.
Nations Rugby World Cup
Pool A
P
W
L
D
PF
Well
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
In total
1
4
4
0
0
19
2
4
2
2
0
12
3
4
2
2
0
12
4
4
2
2
0
10
5
4
0
3
1
8
6
4
1
2
1
7
Pool B
P
W
L
D
PF
Well
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
In total
1
4
4
0
0
19
2
4
3
1
0
17
3
4
2
1
1
13
4
4
1
2
1
11
5
4
1
3
0
6
6
4
0
4
0
2