So how are Georgia evolving? | A Deep Dive

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This summer, it really happened. After a decade of wondering whether they ever would or could, Georgia finally began their destiny as they defeated a tier one team for the first time ever. But this result is only one part of a top-to-tail reinvention of their entire game. So, how are Georgia evolving, and just how scared should we be of what they're about to become?
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[@joaofigueiras1106]

Niniashvili isn't a phenomenon in the making, he IS a phenomenon. He's a starter in a contender for the Top14 playoffs and he already won the Challenge cup, he's insane

[@teproc4740]

I get that "Italy qualified 3087 years after becoming an independent nation" is a joke, but you're off by 2960 years there Squidge.

[@michelefavaretto627]

That has to be a joke, it is obviously a joke, Squidge is a joker. By the way, Italy as a country was actually formed in 1861, ahah!

[@jean-michel.a]

Bravo for the analysis. As you said, this is a golden age of rugby when many teams can level up to most other teams.

[@GGRUGBY]

Proud to be Georgian

[@user-qc8pl1po4j]

რაოო

[@user-qc8pl1po4j]

ხვიჩააა

[@pseudapollodorus]

I want to see Georgia and Wales do a sing-off after their next match. Two small countries with famously gorgeous landscapes that love playing rugby and singing in a bizarre-looking language that no one else can understand? Yes please!

[@omacburma]

I'm excited to see how they do against Uruguay and Samoa this November in Tbilisi and then their final game against Wales. This is shaping up to be the most dynamic world cup ever.

[@nickgibra1861]

გაუმარჯოს სქუიჯ! I am Georgian and I want to thank you for making this video. Winning against Italy was very important because it was our first win over tier 1 nation. And about our fullback Davit Niniashvili, he is indeed amazing. Already showing in France and even won Challenge cup. He is singlehandedly winning us games. Hopefully he continues these stellar performances. It feels like the youngsters are finally maturing and are ready to fill veterans' shoes. Again, thank you for making this video, it means a lot!

[@Formakiwi]

You must have really enjoyed the win over Wales, though I doubt Squidge did.

[@garethrichmond4388]

Wales supporter here I just wanted to say congrats for beating us you deserved the win. I love watching Georgia play your my second team. I'd love to see them join the the 6 nations and make it 7 nations. I really think if Georgia got play more tier 1 teams consistently they would improve dramatically. Congrats I you get some more scalps soon.

[@dianlourens8022]

I was in Georgia once to play against the under 20s and just your spirit as a nation and attitude is proper inspiration. I have been watching Georgian rugby ever since hope you guys make atleast the quarters love you guys. All the way from RSA

[@mediocrefunkybeat]

Well, this video has aged well!

[@Villafarrell]

Georgia, Uruguay, Japan & Fiji are constantly fighting for being my favorite 'underdog' to support. Another prescient rugby presentation 👏👏👏👍

[@benhermanns3048]

Add Chile and Portugal in there too, both coming up strong

[@danielsmith5512]

Between Fiji and Japan. Fiji having a population thats less then a million makes them even more lovable.

[@realtalk6195]

@@benhermanns3048 Portugal hasn't played any international tests in 2022.

[@Eurynomos326]

Georgia is my favourite European team to watch. I believe they will be world champions one day. I can't wait to watch the party when they do.

[@crazycjk]

I really, really enjoyed this video, because I love an underdog, and because I had no idea that Georgia were becoming quite so plausible as opponents. Thanks Squidge

[@jarradchapman4271]

Being College Football season in the USA, my barely-awake, un-caffeinated, idiot self clicked on this expecting some #1-Ranked UGA Bulldog hype (Go Dawgs! sic 'em! WOOFWOOFWOOFWOOF!) Instead I spent 20 minutes watching a Rugby video. Not complaining, though.

[@flyhalfjack]

welcome. Also love the profile pic ;)

[@leaguesmanoframsgate]

Welcome! Check out some of the other videos - rugby as a football code has a lot to recommend it, and the US men's national team is actually pretty decent. I can't remember if Squidge has done an episode on them but they're a very reasonable Tier 2 side. It's fun to watch thirty burly men beat the hell out of each other for eighty minutes with much fewer stoppages than in gridiron, and I hope you enjoy your stay in the rugby fanbase. =]

[@taraishot100]

Watch some rugby highlights bro you won’t be disappointed

[@jeffrau4452]

Just watched them beat Wales in Cardiff--- nice forecasting! Gonna be an excellent world cup next year...

[@shadowwarriorshockwave3281]

Georgia Vs Italy was great but I want to see a Georgia wales game now

[@Luka_WiFi]

ძაან მაგარი განხილვაა. (Great review, man. Appreciate your hard work) მსოფლიოზე უნდა გავიბრწყინოთ

[@moriarty1182]

Thanks squidgy for giving me entertainment while my queue is a one percent

[@santiagoremedi7385]

I haven't finished watching but I had to stop the video and say, one of the best ad transitions yet? I burst out laughing when you mentioned squarespace. Neeeat

[@kolerick]

I mean, with so many Georgians players in the French championship who get to play against good players from everywhere, they're due to learn some things...

[@beniaminorocchi]

The way their U20 plays tells a different story. They have been playing an open game based on backward skills for the last 5ish years (their scrum is not incredible thoug, and has not been at least since 2016. Which makes me irl every time a pundit make that Georgia=fearsome scrum and not much more argument, they don't even research before a match)

[@hermanreinach3529]

Ahhh A total war reference. A man of culture.

[@georgewood4388]

Well, that was great. Love all the content, but I’ve a particular fondness for the tier 2 content. Wishing for a rugby world based on giving everyone a chance and far less self protectionism from the established unions. A man can dream!

[@ronanmiskimmin]

Genuinely great video, one of your best.

[@MaiaKochiashvili]

I really like your videos. Especially since you've added analyzing some parts of games. As a Georgian Rugby supporter I sometimes forget to appreciate the work, all of rugby players put into game. I also love that you do not forget pervious videos done about Georgian players and still use some stuff (like nicknames you've created) on and on. And how can I not love what you do when you appreciate the player like Merab Kvirikashvili who has done a lot for Georgian Rugby, but is very underrated. Keep up the work 💜

[@BSZ76]

Thank you for a video about us. Yes, we started playing differently and I like that. Still need to improve as we managed to lose to Argentina B and barely won against Portugal. Can’t wait for the RWC.

[@Genex2259]

To be fair, you still had an awesome year. The Portuguese team has improved immensely, and Italy also only managed to win against them on the game ball. Georgia has been the gold standard in the 6NB for years, even though they don't get the recognition they deserve in the 6N. If only there was a 6N promotion/relegation match, Georgia and other teams would have so much more room and investment to grow! Cheers from Portugal.

[@allanfeatherstone3876]

Cracking video Squidge, I really love your support of the Tier 2 nations that will grow our game that we love. Keep them coming. I've wanted to visit Georgia for some time, but now I want to go during rugby season and take in some of the local games

[@yyddddllllyy5870]

Loving Kveseladze getting a section. Was hugely excited when we signed him and I cannot wait for him to start getting closer to the first team.

[@123lapl]

That Squarespace insert was pure gold @SquidgeRugby! Sorry Georgia, Rassie is spoken for 😁🇿🇦

[@username7735]

Lovely vid Squidge, thanks for the hard work. Info farming for these deep dives must be a pain in the arse.

[@MichaeldeSousaCruz]

Exactly what I was looking for! Diolch, Squidge!

[@ThomasBarthoulot]

Couldn't wait for Niniashvili's tackle on Etzebeth

[@lylereynolds6670]

"Coaching Nick Grigg in Japan" now that is the niche you come to Squidge for hahaha

[@trim3408]

As if I wasn't anyway getting excited enough about the next RWC, this video only deepens that feeling. Great analysis as always. I think the gaps between tiers are narrowing and, as Squidge has often said, we're living in something of a golden age of professional rugby. And whether the tiers are narrowing or not this RWC is giving us not only huge games like NZ Vs France and SA Vs Ireland but also underrated gems like Georgia Vs Fiji and Chile Vs. Japan in the pool stages! I, for one, cannot wait.

[@discodavid26]

Rugby needs a long look at itself …… Georgia like Romania in the 80s and Italy in the 90s ( but got it a bit later in the 00s. When not quite so good) DESERVES either a shot at promotion into the six nations once every two year cycle ( either automatically or via playoff win against worst six nations team (Italy) …) or at the very least an 8 team European championship played once every 4 years between world cups … if that means due to players welfare you have to drop the six nations once every four years then so be it!

[@Luic1987]

Also like the 8 team euro champs idea every 4 years instead of six nations - it's a good compromise and should be 2025, 2029, 2033 etc. Also a five week tournament - two groups of four, semi final, and a final (playoffs for 3rd to 8th to ensure everyone plays five rounds). Gives the stronger sides tournament knockout experience outside of a RWC too. Be open for the bottom 6Nations side the year before to play the 3rd place ENC side too in a qualifying Playoff as part of the structure. As quality improves aim should be to expand to a 10 or 12 team tournament by 2033 or 2037.

[@hankb]

would love to see more of Georgias games

[@daveobrien4112]

Really enjoyed their game against Fiji in the last World Cup and looking forward to the rematch in France.

[@georgeowen2553]

More Tier 2 content please! That was great.

[@georgeglonti5380]

Excellent professional and passionate review, thank you 👍

[@user-xu4rs5hp4n]

ikr!!!

[@keelanmusic2807]

My boys nini and saginadze are just out of this 🌎 at the LOU

[@JKMeZmA]

Would love one of these on the state of Scotland. As a fan, it’s a never ending battle of hope (typically hype and not evidence based) which always crashes in lots of errors and failures. Would love to understand it more.

[@AlphaNevada123]

We have our best set of players in years but the team culture is toxic due to what happened prior to the Ireland game, meanwhile we have a few decent set of fly halves to cover Russell in Hastings and Thompson (in progress) yet townsend decides his second best no. 10 is a full back who can’t kick from the tee

[@atb0000]

@@AlphaNevada123 we've had a solid set of players for maybe 5 years I'd say but it never gets past that odd game of brilliance then a self implosion of errors ect I'd say, it's getting frustrating

[@GRB-tj6uj]

You got eliminated in one of the easiest groups in world cup history and gave the responsible coach 4 more years. If you accept mediocrity you get mediocre results. That's the issue, everything about that team screams that their standards are too low

[@Gianchi29]

0:56 LOLLOL (from an Italian)

[@giod6266]

Thanks so much, great video!

[@gerardosaa9396]

Funny to talk of argentinization a week from the best rugby championship ever, mainly for the pumas being competitive enough to tie with sa and aus pointswise

[@ted8low]

Awesome video thanks for making it and keep it going!

[@seanlee1097]

Love these videos on lower tier nations! Please keep them going! Would love to see videos on Romania, Germany, Spain etc!!

[@Waywind420]

Need a promotion and relegation tournament between the last placed team in the 6 nations and the winner of the Rugby Europe Championship (Georgia, Romania, Russia, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain). Italy vs Georgia basically.

[@epatongan]

I hope Fiji, Samoa and Tonga feel inspired to do better or watch Georgia surpass them.

[@098saw]

interesting to see the improvement in the georgian team. on top of the head coach (who got covid and had a coma). i feel this is the georgian team with the most foreign coaches, with paul tito and joe woesley being involved (on top of the georgian coaches, it's just these two were players who I recognise). i think i remember them as really intelligent players who knew what they had to do but their bodies just couldn't keep up. I don't remember their names being mentioned so i wonder if this is their first coaching gig?

[@sachinbangaru737]

Been waiting for this one.

[@Anthony-mt7qr]

Their pool schedule is actually pretty kind, and it could set up a knock out game against Wales in Nantes on the 7th October. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

[@Johnd161]

Troll?

[@Anthony-mt7qr]

@@Johnd161 Georgia beat Italy this year who beat Wales this year. It stands to reason that Georgia could, yes could knock Wales out. I mean on the face of it by that stage both teams should have 2 wins and a beating by Australia at that point. The winner of this clash goes on to the quarters against the winner of group D. So yes hypothetically this is a knock out game.

[@giorgitsnoriashvili1053]

Georgia Beating wales was the big statement for 2023 WC. Best wishes for Georgian Team.

[@ashleyrutters2086]

so excited to see them beat any one

[@temog3804]

Hey Squidge, any plans on making a video on Wales v Georgia from the November Tests?

[@THEMRblackboy7thst]

Go Georgia!!💪🏼

[@ArzhurG]

That ending was ridiculous. It felt like they were taking the piss out of the ABs.

[@RiderOfFish]

Don't be daft. ABs are symbolic of winning, they were being part of the spirit. Tone deaf? Maybe a little. But certainly not taking the piss.

[@wot4922]

That ending was super funny🤣🤣🤣

[@user-bt1cl4ex6d]

Nah there was no malice in that. Just celebrating their victory with an absurd mash of Georgian and Kiwi traditions.

[@Samizouza]

Welp, they were celebrating their win over Italy in their own special way 😅

[@alexandergiorgidze8529]

Best video about Georgian rugby.

[@ethanhatcher5533]

Its that time of the cycle, preview time!

[@matiaspinatzecchin3879]

nice analysis

[@jfarmerswatermelon6061]

Georgia was going through horrible things during 90s They only started functioning as a normal country since early 2000s the growth of Rugby is incredible

[@mpbeastohugbear83]

Thanks Squidgy

[@julien616]

Gamarjobat my friends

[@user-bt1cl4ex6d]

Can't wait to see Niniashvili develop as he's only 20. He's been incredible last season and can only get better. Turned me into a low-key Lyon supporter.

[@SeamusDunmaggotin]

Couldn't agree more, they're my pick for bolter in the W.C

[@hervemurgale8098]

Reminds me an interview of a french coach who used to work for Georgia something like 20 years ago: " Props ? I've got much too much of them... maybe I should consider deep-freezing a bunch of them..." 🤣🤣🤣

[@lewisthornton3]

Good to see vakh Abdaladze from leinster in the georgia setup now he's a beast

[@AlienGravy25]

Ka mate on the Georgian talk show went so raw

[@bosoerjadi2838]

Watching this while waiting in the queue to buy RWC tickets.

[@dude9318]

I cant wait for the world cup man .Its going to be awesome.

[@marnixhoebers5176]

Nothing makes me more excited than seeing more teams git gud. As a Kiwi its awesome to see more teams capable of beating Australia and RSA

[@charlottescott7150]

04:39 amazing commitment thank you!

[@charlottescott7150]

and wonderful insightful analysis as ever. Looking forward to their games.

[@charlottescott7150]

and fantastic hair comment! I wondered. Maybe you'll be able to afford a hair transplant now

[@willferris4654]

Rip here I was for weeks waiting a upload on the spicy that was the second round of rugby championship and we got a video about Georgia

[@BiscuitGeoff]

As someone from Rugby, ‘Warwickshire brick smash ball’ made me smile

[@zyaicob]

I personally really like Warwickshire egg toss

[@andreafranceschini3889]

Geob requirements... That's brilliant

[@Rimpianto]

Time for a Seven Nations

[@SionTJobbins]

Georgia are a great adition to world rugby - really need to be promoted and respected. Got to love Georgia too for the maroon coloured shirts - please wear the maroon shirt, white shorts, maroon socks, or white shirt, maroon shorts and white socks. But not boring one coloured kits!

[@Grynoujacobs]

Squidgy boy on Georgia...fine Im fully errect...now what

[@mrcsmt5651]

Oh yeah, Go dawgs!!!!

[@bobleponge9150]

Love it

[@Ninjapiratewizard]

Closed Captioning has the 10 for Georgia mamed : Abs and Dads Day

[@olosorb1]

georgian players was playing in France wayyy before 2015. some of them at least one also play for France ( Yachvili)... i started watch top 16 in 99 and already a lot of georgian players..Great vid as always😀

[@user-bt1cl4ex6d]

True but they were almost all front row players. Georgian backs like Niniashvili and Lobjanidze playing in their respective first teams is a relatively new thing.

[@beniaminorocchi]

Yashvili is French, as was his father. His grandfather was Georgian, he was a prisoner of war in France during WWII

[@olosorb1]

@@beniaminorocchi His bro played for Georgia

[@olosorb1]

@@user-bt1cl4ex6d true indeed almost only forwards, Mignoni bringing a guy like Niniashvili is a great deal for both Top 14 and Georgia

[@beniaminorocchi]

@@olosorb1 yes, but my point is his brother was a french playing for Georgia through ancestry. I'm not throwing stones at the eligibility rules, it's just that I don't think it tells much about the Georgian rugby movement at the time. Things changed a lot in recent years, now they produce players with good all round skills, and we're seeing them emerge more and more

[@chrgf]

They will need to have a better domestic championship to make the "Georgia world cup winner" prediction more realistic and I don't see how this will happen. But I'm not a huge specialist of Georgian rugby so maybe there's something in the pipe going this direction! 🤞

[@georgex7442]

Domestic championship is terrible and it doesn't look like getting better

[@tonymitchell1461]

Having beaten Wales and with the wallabies yet to win a game under Eddie Jones Georgia could realistically top their pool.

[@jaymeister4850]

Pumas beat All Blacks at home, All Blacks destroy them the following week, Australia controversially beat South Africa, South Africa destroys them the next week. Squidge Rugby: I'ma do Georgia! Me: I'll watch anything you tell me to 😍

[@CaughtInp]

really want to see your take on the Bledisloe

[@anogun4871]

Are you going to make a video on the Stormers winning the URC?

[@zinzanemmanuel5497]

squidge rugby doing more for tier 2 nations than world rugby!

[@markwellin]

Georgia beating Wales at the world cup? Not going to happen. Impossible....

[@mishutoful]

I actually watched the ad, wow

[@jjdtvfan6218]

🎉

[@duanehirini2078]

Can't wait to see USA host the world cup in 2031. Seeing a game between Georgia the country against USA in Atlanta, Georgia would make for great TV. Everytime its announced Georgia scored a try, half the crowd would probably cheer on instinct before realising their mistake.....

[@Sam_Evans106]

Don't forget Mtawarira was on the cover of GQ as well

[@ricotalactea]

Go Georgia!!!... haven't realized how much they improved....they just need Levan Saginashvili as number 8 and might get to quarters...cheers from 🇦🇷

[@username7735]

@Lado Gongadze Talakhadze at 5 for sure.

[@Julzz_cr]

Me patiently waiting for the previous Australia vs South Africa analysis: 👁👄👁

[@dude9318]

Yeeeeeees

[@caketaster404]

Was there an ad for Squarespace in there? I didn't notice

[@lukaabashidze6261]

As one of your biggest followers, plus as a Georgian, I must give you a few remarks: 1- What makes you an unique analytic is the respect of players individually. Knowing their past in details and such. However giving the Georgian players gibberish names is not professional. It is hard to pronounce and to even read, but guys deserve much more. Arguably, Georgia is the top flight in the second tier. We need to start respecting the T2 players if we want the sport to be developed for good. 2- You need to dig a bit more for Levan Maisashvili. To analyze the manager of this much ambitious team needs much more. He is a rookie for top flight. I doubt his managerial skills as an tactician. Lelos are mostly playing as an individuals. Which was very much visible in the match against Italy. Both offensive and defensive ways. 3- It is a fact, and I very much agree, that the first person we think about hearing Georgian rugby is Gorgodze. But, in my opinion, it is just a matter of time for Vasil Lobzanidze to be acknowled as the greatest rugby player Georgia has ever had. I can argue for this all night long. 4- The part where Soso Tkemaladze (current head of the GRU) throws the ambition that Georgia will someday soon win the RWC is very dramatic and exciting for people to watch. However, it needs to be underlined that the guy is a political figure, part the current goverement, and is very much trying to manipulate people with this kind of ambicious sentances (the guy you are calling 'the nightmare', David Katcharava, has also joined the goverement for the same idea). Surely, I'm not saying that the idea of Lelos winning the RWC is insane, but some things are just not right with Mr. Ioseb's way of dreaming. You have mentioned that Rugby is a national sport in Georgia. BUT.: Did you know that rugby is not even the professional sport in Georgia? That the avarage sallary of the players in the premiership of Georgia is approximately 300USD per month? Did you know that most of the players are attending gyms with their own expances? Did you know that there is no diets strategy and has never been? For me, watching the Georgian Rugby develop is exciting because of this facts. Not because of some weird bullshitters are bullshitting the people. 5- Keep up the good work, please! Fpr me, you are the best in the World Rugby analytics right now! Cheers!

[@MaiaKochiashvili]

"3- It is a fact, and I very much agree, that the first person we think about hearing Georgian rugby is Gorgodze. But, in my opinion, it is just a matter of time for Vasil Lobzanidze to be acknowledged as the greatest rugby player Georgia has ever had. I can argue for this all night long." - Finally, someone who thinks like me and I don't have to argue about it. I mean, Aprasidze is good as well but Lobzhanidze is on another level 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@bobhoskins9539]

I think if any tier 2 or not so established nation is going to step up it will be georgia. Mainly cause unfortunately the pacific islands are riddled with corruption, the italian rugby union seem a bit confused with their vision for how the sport needs to move forward despite all the promising young talent they have, the yanks don’t carr about rugby in reality and chile just don’t have the player pool yet and I would hazard a guess they have very limited resources much like a lot of the South American teams.

[@tomw7367]

Outside of Georgia, I think it’s going to be other European sides (Portugal, Spain once they sort their player eligibility issues) and Uruguay are the next to step up. I get what you mean with the pacific nations, it’s a real shame I would love to see more Asian or African countries make the step like Hong Kong, South Korea or Kenya, but I think we’re a while away in that regard

[@bobhoskins9539]

I just feel that georgian rugby has a real goal and direction that they want to persue to get there instead of second guessing themselves which i think unions like Italys have been guilty of. The stronger tier 2 gets and the more manage to step up to tier 1 the better it is for the sport, but hopefully in the future there’s going to be 20 teams that really can seriously can compete with each other 🤞

[@tomw7367]

@@bobhoskins9539 I completely agree. Georgia clearly have a plan and are sticking with it, which can’t be said for many other Tier 2 or even lower end Tier 1 nations. Hopefully with 20 fully competitive teams we can get to a 24 or 32 team RWC and it not be as processional as it would be right now

[@georgex7442]

Trust me guys, if Georgia don't have injures at the world cup, they have a chance of beating Wales

[@jckriek6477]

I've said since 2003 already (the year Georgia gave SA a hard pool game) Georgia should be a tier 1 team

[@matthieuboussion6212]

top

[@zackvye7632]

Geob

[@Genex2259]

So... after all this time, in a year where Italy not only got their best 6N performance in years but lost to Georgia and only won vs Portugal in the last minute, can we finally cut the BS and discuss a 6N promotion/relegation match? I mean, maybe, just maybe, other nations have showed they deserve the same opportunities and investment that Italy has enjoyed for decades now?

[@user-bt1cl4ex6d]

Never going to happen. Italy (and the rest of the 6N) would have to agree to it. They have nothing to gain from it.

[@galinor7]

Let's have that promotion relegation match immediately after the elitist southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, introduce Japan and Fiji to the fold. It is not that the 6N is about expansion and that the Championship is about quality, that is just claptrap which keeps the Northern sides lowering quality to introduce new teams while the NZs play who they want. Let's sort out both championships, not just the northern one which has not got a greater number of tier two sides queuing up to get in but does have 33% more sides in it already. All of the pressure is about getting new sides in the 6N but nothing is mentioned about the rugby Championship.

[@marcomagrin7611]

You also conveniently forgot that Italy beat Australia but ok

[@Genex2259]

@@marcomagrin7611 Conveniently why? If anything, the fact that Italy beat Australia, lost to Georgia, and struggled against Portugal in the same 12 months means that the 6Nations B sides are not far behind the 6Nations A sides and deserve the opportunity to compete for a spot.

[@marcomagrin7611]

@@Genex2259 Because it's clear that Italy is better than Georgia, as it's clear that Australia is better than Italy. 2 matches don't change that reality. Italy beat Ireland twice¡ France once, Scotland once and Argentina once in the 20 month period before they were invited to the 6N. Georgia beating Italy once doesn't automatically mean that they're now good enough to compete with the best of the best. Of course, if Georgia start beating other tier 1 nations within the next year or so, maybe that may be the case that a playoff match between the last 6N team and the top tier 2 European team should be played - but let's not get ahead of ourselves for one match.

[@HayManned]

When's the springboks vs wallabies and all blcks vs pumas analysises foming