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Gloucester snap up Georgian centre Kveseladze, scorer of that incredible solo try last month versus Ireland
Gloucester have snapped up the services of Giorgi Kveseladze, the Georgia centre whose mesmerising solo try versus Ireland in the Autumn Nations Cup left the legendary Brian O’Driscoll singing his praises. Ex-Ireland skipper O’Driscoll, a veteran of four successive Lions tours, took to Twitter last month in the wake of the 23-year-old’s stunning Aviva Stadium score.
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“If I was a European club looking for a centre next year (contract dependent) I’d be having a serious look at Giorgi Kveseladze (13) for Georgia. Besides the excellent try, he really gets the defensive part of his game too. Abrasive and hard working. Could have been MOTM.”
The Georgian midfielder’s excellent work didn’t go unnoticed as he was voted Autumn Nations Cup player of the round, securing 88.8 per cent of votes in an online poll following a match where Ireland’s winning margin was limited to 13 points, 23-10. He was also given the try of the round accolade for a score that was subsequently voted try of the tournament.
The midfielder, who won his 29th Test cap in the following weekend’s playoff defeat to Fiji at Murrayfield, had been playing his club rugby as a semi-professional in Georgia with RC Armazi Marneuli.
However, he has now linked up with Gloucester with immediate effect, helping the Premiership club move the narrative on in a week where the end-of-season signing of Adam Hastings and the immediate exit of Danny Cipriani dominated headlines.
If I was a European club looking for a centre next year (contract dependent) I’d be having a serious look at Giorgi Kveseladze (13) for Georgia on Saturday. Besides the excellent try he really gets the defensive part of his game too. Abrasive & hard working. Could have been MOTM
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) November 30, 2020
A Gloucester club statement read: “Gloucester are delighted to announce the arrival of Georgian international Giorgi Kveseladze. Kveseladze will link up with the Cherry and Whites with immediate effect following the conclusion of the Autumn Nations Cup with Georgia.
“The abrasive centre put in a number of impressive performances across the international campaign, including a remarkable solo try in Ireland. Giorgi burst onto the scene with the Georgian national side, showing his ability to compete at the highest level and, at just 23, the powerhouse still carries a significant amount of potential to expand his game.”
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Alex Brown, the Gloucester chief operating officer, added: “We have been tracking Giorgi’s progress closely and we were increasingly impressed by his performances, most notably in the autumn international series.
“We are eager to see him test himself and develop in the Premiership and he will add further strength in depth to our midfield. Giorgi will join up with the squad straight away, so we are looking forward to integrating him into the group as soon as we can.”
Kveseladze said: “I’m very proud to sign for such a traditional club. I know the club very well and I’m really happy to have this opportunity to join Gloucester.”
https://twitter.com/autumnnations/status/1333517347160809473?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
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Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
51 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
51 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
51 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
51 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
51 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
51 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
51 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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