Springboks hold the key to Georgian ambitions
GEORGIA’S ground-breaking link with South Africa can pave the way to a Six Nations future, says the Englishman charged with turning the growing nation into giants.
Peter Drewett, who helped kick-start Exeter’s rise as rugby director between 2006 and 2009, was recently appointed as Georgia’s high-performance general manager with a remit to put the burgeoning Lelos in the best possible position to join the elite.
That process has started with confirmation of full Test fixtures against South Africa and France later this year, albeit those games are now under threat, while a ten-year agreement with the South African Rugby Union will see a side from Georgia enter the Currie Cup.
Drewett believes everything is now in place to enable Georgia to break through an unwanted glass ceiling should the Six Nations bow to growing pressure to open up their competition.
“It’s the dream to be part of the Six Nations and there are all sorts of reasons why it’s difficult at the moment, but Tbilisi would be a special place to host the best teams – they’re fanatical about their rugby,” Drewett told The Rugby Paper.
“In terms of supporter base, Georgia v Russia matches attract 50,000-60,000 people and it’s a wonderful Test atmosphere. The passion is in their blood and they’d have no problem selling out Six Nations games.
“Georgia must keep playing well in the European Nations Cup, but there’s a real opportunity and if we put the right systems in place, we can make things happen.”
Drewett sees the South Africa link as crucial to Georgia’s ambitions: “A lot of our players play in France, which has benefitted them, but what’s missing is the transition between that level and playing tier one nations in Tests outside World Cups.
“We’re doing two things: one is to have fixtures like South Africa and France, which we have secured for this July and November; the other is that we’re currently in talks about a team playing in the Currie Cup on a regular basis.
“We’ve signed a ten-year agreement with South Africa – a partnership where we’re going to be sharing coaching and fitness ideas and referee education. We’ll play them regularly at U18s and U20s level as well as scheduling a number of senior Tests.
“The plan was to join the Currie Cup this year but things are on hold because of the current problems. But everything is in place to proceed when we’re able to.”
Italy’s continuing Six Nations failures beg questions around why Georgia, proven competitors at World Cups, cannot be allowed to progress into the elite. In terms of off-field facilities, Drewett says the country is already up there with any leading nation.
He added: “In any operation you look at people, funding and facilities, and Georgia have established a number of performance centres fully equipped with pitches, superb gym facilities, meeting rooms and accommodation blocks.
“We have a centre of excellence in Tbilisi which is as good as you’ll see anywhere and we’re trying to do everything as professionally as a T1 nation. This country is ready to take off and we’d love to get England to Tbilisi for a Test match.
“Football used to be the big sport in Georgia but rugby matches the psychology of the people and their values of respect and support for one another. The more we can work with tier one countries, the better it will be.”