Georgia's Emotional Quest: Aiming to Upset the Rugby World Cup

"In reflecting on the proud and defiant spirit of his small country, Levan Maisashvili, the head coach of Georgia's rugby union team, affirms that the innate drive to fight has always been ingrained in their history and DNA.

Maisashvili is no stranger to defying the odds and overcoming challenges. In 2021, he faced a daunting battle after contracting Covid-19 in South Africa. Given a mere 1% chance of survival, he bravely fought on, spending a month in a coma and losing 25 kilograms."

Following his complete recovery, he orchestrated Georgia's triumphs over Italy - the nation's inaugural victory against a "tier one" team, denoting those engaged in top-tier international rugby competitions - as well as Wales, one year after narrowly escaping death.

Presently, Maisashvili spearheads Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Not long ago, the country faced difficulties in securing opponents and training equipment, but now it vanquishes formidable teams and sets its sights on future development.

When questioned about the defining traits of Georgian rugby, Maisashvili asserts to CNN Sport that it is unequivocally the element of sacrifice. According to him, without passion, the sport holds no significance. Every Georgian player comprehends the necessity to selflessly surrender themselves for the team's success. Historically, rugby has been primarily controlled by a select few nations, with only four distinct countries clinching the World Cup since its establishment in 1987.

Levan Maisashvili (right) leads Georgia's training ahead of a game against Scotland in August.

Georgia, a small nation with a population of 3.7 million, boasts impressively powerful rugby players like Nika Abuladze. Standing at six-foot-one-inch and weighing 269 pounds, Abuladze's remarkable strength is evident in his ability to squat over 570 pounds and bench press nearly 400.

Georgia, a small country with formidable individuals, is determined to revolutionize the world of rugby. The players are fully dedicated to this mission, aiming to demonstrate that Georgia should no longer be underestimated as a weak opponent for the sport's giants.

Having suffered a 35-15 defeat against Australia in their Rugby World Cup opener, Georgia is determined to make a comeback as they face Portugal this Saturday. They will then go up against Fiji and Wales in their final pool C game.

Humble origins

Georgia may be new to the international rugby scene, but the country has a long-standing connection to the sport. Lelo burti, a fiercely intense folk sport, has been played in Georgia for centuries and shares some notable similarities with rugby. In this demanding game, two teams engage in a tightly packed scrimmage, aiming to transport a 16-kilogram ball filled with materials like sand, sawdust, and wine from one end of a village to the opposite end.

It is significantly more tumultuous than a typical game of rugby, often showcasing the participation of numerous individuals concurrently. However, this sport can be seen as instrumental in establishing rugby's widespread appeal in the country, demonstrated by the impact it has had on Georgia's rugby jargon. The national team is affectionately referred to as "The Lelos," and a rugby try is locally known as a "Lelo."

The winners of a lelo burti match celebrate in the village of Shukhuti in April 2018.

The Georgian national rugby team, established in 1964, was initially incorporated into the Soviet Union rugby federation. Despite representing a small fraction of the Soviet Union, Georgian players exhibited strong prowess within the national rugby team.

Georgian clubs in the 1980s were incredibly successful in the Soviet championship and played a significant role in supplying players to the Soviet national team, says Tony Collins, a renowned historian at the Institute of Sports Humanities and an author of numerous rugby history books, as told to CNN Sport.

However, after gaining independence, the national rugby team faced hardships and lacked essential resources. Huw Richards, in his book "A Game for Hooligans," reveals that in 1997, the Georgian team had a mere two balls for practicing purposes.

Despite the limited funds, rugby provided an opportunity for this newly independent state to make its mark on the global stage. In 2003, Georgia participated in its first World Cup, albeit without any victories. Nevertheless, Collins emphasizes the significance of the tournament, stating that it heightened the visibility of rugby in Georgia unlike any other sport. It also came to represent the desired image that Georgians had for their country - a resilient underdog, unyielding and steadfast. Rugby became the embodiment of these admirable qualities.

This brought rugby to new heights as it played a vital role in shaping Georgia's national identity. The sport's rising popularity resulted in a surge of government funding at the grassroots level, and prompted Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia's wealthiest individual as stated by Forbes, and the former prime minister, to generously invest in the country's rugby program.

Bidzina Ivanishvili has provided funding for Georgia's rugby ambitions.

David Mdzinarishvili/Reuters

Maisashvili describes the additional resources as essential, comparing them to oxygen. The funding has not only facilitated the game's progression but also propelled the team from being ranked 17th globally during the commencement of the 2003 World Cup to 11th position preceding the 2023 tournament.

Going up against a cartel

Despite recent successes, Georgias growth might have hit a ceiling.

The premier tournaments of global rugby, excluding the World Cup, consist of the Six Nations in the Northern Hemisphere and the Rugby Championship in the Southern Hemisphere. These tournaments determine the majority of international matches for top-level nations.

For years, Georgia has actively sought to be included in an expanded Six Nations or for the introduction of some form of relegation and promotion in the competition. However, despite its persistent efforts, Georgia has been unsuccessful thus far.

"Georgia is facing long-standing structural biases within the rugby union, dating back to its early days," Collins comments. He further explains that Georgia's inclusion in the Six Nations tournament is unlikely in the foreseeable future due to both commercial considerations and the significant financial risk relegation would impose on the current competition members.

"Regrettably, international rugby operates as somewhat of a self-protective cartel," he states.

Georgia's players prepare for a scrum against Australia.

Warren Little/Getty Images

This system seriously limits the number of games Georgia can play against tier one nations, which clearly frustrates head coach Maisashvili.

World Cup ambitions

"We lack the chances to compete against top-tier nations... Our ranking may be high, but my concern lies elsewhere," he expresses. "What we truly require are additional opportunities for our team, more game time for our players to face off against top-tier countries."

What is the current situation for Georgia at the ongoing World Cup in France?

Despite the team's recent progress, few commentators are optimistic about The Lelos' chances of advancing from the group stages, let alone winning the tournament.

Georgia finds itself in a formidable pool alongside Fiji, Wales, and two-time champion Australia, the latter of which experienced a stunning upset at the hands of Fiji last week, completely shaking up the pool standings.

Malakai Fekitoa from Tonga poses for a portrait during the Tonga Rugby World Cup 2023 Squad photocall in Paris, France on September 8th, 2023. (Photo by Karl Bridgeman - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Malakai Fekitoa, who previously triumphed with the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup, has now discovered a fresh sense of purpose representing Tonga. Their upcoming match against Portugal in Toulouse on Saturday, ranked three positions lower than Georgia in the global standings, presents a favorable opportunity for a win. However, Wales and Fiji will pose tougher challenges as the tournament progresses.

"Once you advance beyond the group stages, success becomes reliant on favorable luck and the possibility of opponents underperforming, bringing you closer to the final," Collins suggests.

When inquired about his tournament aspirations, Maisashvili emphasizes his aim to secure "at least two victories to secure direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup."

However, he also aspires to something greater - to demonstrate that the era of overlooking tier two nations like Georgia as insignificant participants is behind us.

"Our objective is to confront each team as worthy adversaries - competing with the intent to triumph and showcasing our ability to compete with tier one countries," he expresses.

World Cups are known for their upsets and unpredictability, and if Georgia can do exactly that, then Maisashvilis goal may come one step closer to being a reality.