Georgian Lelos Defeat US Eagles Rugby Team
On November 25th, the Georgian National Rugby Team hosted the USA Rugby Team in Tbilisi, Georgia as part of the TBC Rugby Series (November Test Series). This time around the US Eagles lost to the Lelos in an intense battle. Georgia carried the half time with strong confidence scoring 3 tries and ending with 21–12 half-time victory. The second half saw the USA with increased ball possession, but the Eagles failed to turn pressure into points. The Eagles scored but fell short on a conversion (2 points) and the final result of the game favored Georgia 21–20.
GEORGIA 21
Tries — Penalty try (17′), L. Chilachava (29′), J. Bregvadze (38′)
Cons — S. Matiashvili 2/2 (30′, 39′)
Pens — S. Matiashvili 0/1
Yellow cards — V. Kolelishvili (23′), L. Chilachava (32′)
USA 20
Tries — J. Taufete’e 2 (6′, 24′), B. Campbell (77′)
Cons — A. MacGinty 1/3 (25′)
Pens — A. MacGinty 1/2 (59′)
Yellow cards — H. Mo’ungaloa (67′)
This was the second game between the Georgian and US National Rugby Teams in 2017. In the summer, the Eagles hosted Georgia in Kennesaw, Georgia. The Georgians dominated the game and left with a victory against Eagles.
The Georgian Rugby Team held two previous games as part of the November Test Series, beating Canada 54–22 in Tbilisi and conceding a historic game against Wales failing short of one try to equalize (Wales 15–6 Georgia).
Rugby has been increasingly popular in Georgia for last two decades as the national team celebrated victories against teams such as Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and held third position in the 2015 Rugby World Cup that guaranteed a spot for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. With great performances against Canada, Wales and USA this year, Georgia, once again, proved that the country deserves to play more games against Tier 1 nations and eventually join the European Six Nations (the most prestigious rugby tournament in Europe).