Gorgodze hints at extending club career, signs off with Georgia
While I won’t start looking for a club myself, if I play well and someone contacts me and a club wants me, I am ready to discuss. – Mamuka Gorgodze
OMAEZAKI - Mamuka Gorgodze will call time on his international rugby career when Georgia’s World Cup campaign comes to an end after yesterday’s Pool D match against Australia, but the talismanic giant’s club career may go on a little longer than previously expected.
Having first retired from the national team in 2017, a run of injuries in the squad resulted in Gorgodze’s recall to the national team for RWC 2019.
He remained at French club RC Toulon during the Lelos’ threemonth World Cup preparation phase but he believes the physicality of the Top 14 competition in France, where he has played since 2005, meant he arrived for duty in Japan in excellent condition.
“The guys who can play Top 14 and feel good about it physically, they can play at the World Cup, no problem.”
It is difficult to argue with him when you consider his statistics so far in Japan. ‘Gorgodzilla’ has made 19 tackles at a success rate of 95 per cent in his three appearances, the best in Georgia’s team.
Against Australia he will earn his 15th
World Cup cap, bringing him level with Merab Kvirikashvili for alltime Georgian
World Cup appearances.
But while his international career is drawing to a close, he is yet to make a definitive call on his club career, having previously stated that the 2019-20 season - the final one of his contract at Toulon - would likely be his last.
“(When I said that) I had a lot of injuries and my morale was low. But this year I feel so much better than last year and the year before that.
“While I won’t start looking for a club myself, if I play well and someone contacts me and a club wants me, I am ready to discuss.”