Tbilisi (AFP)
The Georgia coach is delighted with the inclusion of the "Lelos" in the Fall Eight Nations Tournament.
But he knows it, his men will have a lot to do: "if we win a match, it will be magnificent," Levan Maisashvili told AFP.
QUESTION: You will be playing in the "Eight Nations" this fall in the pool of Ireland, Wales and England.
What is the goal?
ANSWER: "If we win a match, it will be wonderful, of course, but our goal is to show our best qualities and gain as much experience as possible. We will play against teams stronger than us and this tournament will be a great opportunity to learn from their experience. "
Q: How did you end up in this competition?
A: "We have replaced Japan. This is a joint decision by Georgia, World Rugby management and the Six Nations. There is no single initiator for this process. On the side of the Georgian Federation, it was our representative to World Rugby, Guiorgui Nijaradze, and the Georgian government who conducted these negotiations. "
Q: What can you tell us about the Georgian selection?
A: "The forwards game is and will remain our strong point, but we are moving to a more balanced game where the full backs are up to par."
Q: Is this tournament an opportunity to prove that you have your place in the Six Nations Tournament?
A: "We only play with top-notch teams twice a year. That's our main problem. If we have more possibilities (like that of the Eight Nations Tournament, note), then we will achieve a lot more quickly to a level that would allow us to be ready for the Six Nations. "
Q: At what level do you place the Georgian selection internationally?
A: "We are leaders among the second tier teams. We are situated between the first and second tier teams. We are currently in a process of generational change. Many experienced players have left us, but the renewal is coming. , very promising young players ... "
Q: Exactly, will players like Mamuka Gorgodze (former player of Montpellier and Toulon, Editor's note) be missed by this Georgia team?
A: "Mamuka will be sorely missed. It is a great loss, no doubt ... but not unexpected."
Q: At the last World Cup, you beat Uruguay, but struggled against Wales in particular.
Do you have the feeling that you have lost some of your good sporting dynamics?
A: "We are not at the level of teams like Wales in terms of speed and dynamism but we are progressing quickly. I repeat, we need more opportunities to play with top teams so that our dynamics is improving. "
Q: The Federation is in transition and the championship has not resumed.
Does this risk harming the selection?
A: "Yes, it is a negative factor, it worries us. Our championship will start on October 7, we will play one day (before the" Eight Nations ", Editor's note) but we will also do two or three training sessions + in a match situation + per week."
Interview by Irakli METREVELI
© 2020 AFP