Brown integral part of ‘huge’ day for Georgia

Cory Brown. Photo: Getty Images
Cory Brown. Photo: Getty Images
Former Otago coach Cory Brown has seen a lot of things on and off the field in his rugby career.

It might be fair to suggest not many can match the experience or atmosphere of what happened at the weekend.

Brown is the attack coach for Georgia, which celebrated the greatest day in its rugby history when it shocked one-time powerhouse Wales 13-12 in an epic test at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

It was, the usually quite understated Otago man declared, an "amazing day" for one of the unheralded nations in the rugby world.

"Crazy scenes and a good night in Cardiff," Brown told the Otago Daily Times in an email.

"In the changing rooms we had a few players and staff crying with joy and they couldn’t believe that we had won in Wales."

The Georgians flew back into Tbilisi at 5am to be greeted by hundreds of fans and a swarm of television cameras.

It followed their first victory over a tier 1 nation, Italy, in July.

"This is huge for Georgia rugby," Brown said.

"Beating Italy was an amazing experience and day. But to win against a team like Wales in Wales is huge.

"It’s one of the best places in the world to play rugby. The Welsh love their rugby and are great supporters for both teams.

"We had a good plan which the players executed well, and everyone believed if we were close with 70 minutes on the clock, we had a chance to get the W."

Georgian midfielder Giorgi Kveseladze takes a selfie in the dressing room with his team-mates...
Georgian midfielder Giorgi Kveseladze takes a selfie in the dressing room with his team-mates after their stunning upset of Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images
That is almost exactly how it panned out.

Georgia started well but gave away a lot of penalties and trailed 12-3 at halftime.

Scoring the first try of the second half gave the visiting side a confidence boost, Brown said, and replacement first five Luka Matkava — just 21, and playing his second test — ensured he would never have to buy a drink again when he landed a penalty in the 77th minute to seal victory.

"What a kick, and he was very confident. He was crying in the sheds after."

Matkava is part of the Black Lion franchise, which Brown also helps coach and which plays in the European Super Cup.

Georgian staff and players were working hard to lift the nation’s rugby stocks and, importantly, were building experience by playing in elite leagues.

"We now have a number of good players playing in Top 14 clubs in France and England so they are exposed to a good level.

"The Georgian rugby union has invested in local Georgian players with a professional franchise, Black Lion, which means we can train and play professionally fulltime."

Georgia will defend its title in the European Rugby Championship — for the non-Six Nations teams — in February-March, and has three other tests to prepare for the World Cup.

Brown is helping prepare Black Lion, the defending champion, for its Super Cup semifinal (December 4) and potential final (December 17).

He will be home for Christmas with wife Carla and children before returning to Europe for another big year.

hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz

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