On April 18, 2025, the Georgian women's 15-aside rugby team marked a significant milestone by playing its inaugural match against Kazakhstan at the Aia Arena in Kutaisi.
This momentous occasion fulfilled a long-standing dream for both players and fans alike.
Kazakhstan, a seasoned competitor in women's rugby, has a rich history, having played its first match back in 1993. With over 80 official matches and six Women’s World Cup appearances, they currently hold the 18th position in the world rankings among 66 teams and peaked up to the 6th position twice in their history. In contrast, this match represented Georgia's first-ever foray into 15-aside rugby, culminating in an impressive 5-47 scoreline.
Notably, it was Manoni Sagaradze who made history by scoring the Georgian team's first try in the 26th minute, bringing the score to a closer 5-15 at the time.
Reflecting on the day, Sagaradze shared, “It was a very emotional day for all of us. We have always wanted to experience 15-a-side rugby, and this dream has now come true. We only had two weeks of training before this game, but today proved that we can compete in 15-a-side rugby. Scoring the first try for the national team was particularly special given the tense atmosphere and the score at that moment.”
Despite the loss, Sagaradze emphasized the team's potential for improvement. She expressed optimism for their upcoming rematch on April 24, stating, “We learned a lot today, and I am confident we will perform better next time.”
The encounter attracted a sizable crowd, creating a vibrant atmosphere that left a lasting impression on the players. “We had never played in front of such a large home crowd before. Their support was tremendous, and it motivated us to give our best throughout the match,” Sagaradze noted.
The upcoming match on April 24 will be an opportunity for the Georgian team to build on their experience. Sagaradze remarked, “With the insights we gained from our first game, I believe we can enhance our performance. We will focus on refining our defensive strategies and improving our ball handling.”
With an expanded roster and growing interest in women's rugby in Georgia, Sagaradze emphasized the importance of increased participation: “Previously, only 12 of us had the chance to compete at international tournaments. Now, with a broader selection of players, the competition will intensify, ultimately benefiting the team and bringing more victories to our fans.”
April 18. Friendly match
Aia Arena, Kutaisi 15:00
Georgia women’s team - Kazakhstan women’s team 5:47
Georgia
Backs: 15. Manoni Sagaradze, 14. Mariam Gogouadze, 13. Anano Khabuliani, 12. Teona Chitaishvili (capt.), 11. Mariam Beradze, 10. Ana Poghosiani, 9. Salome Sagaradze;
Forwards: 1. Ana Rurua, 2. Anastasia Akhvlediani, 3. Ana Kapanadze, 4. Nino Guguchia, 5. Vera Kundukhashvili, 6. Ana Datiashvili, 7. Lika Khupenia, 8. Salome Makasarashvili.
Substitutes: Mariam Sikharulidze, Kira Danelia, Tata Buzaladze, Nino Gogolidze, Guranda Khijakadze, Nino Dolenjishvili, Nino Tsiklauri, Tinatin Gordeziani, Inga Kazarova, Miranda Saakiani, Ani Chinchaladze.
1 try: M. Sagaradze
Kazakhstan
Backs: 15. Oksana Shadrina, 14. Amina Sharip, 13. Veronika Stepanyuga, 12. Anna Melnikova, 11. Amina Tulegenova, 10. Ekaterina Savina, 9. Alena Drobovskaya
Forwards: 1. Elena Yurova, 2. Ksenia Kim, 3. Natalia Kamendrovskaya, 4. Symbat Zhamankulova, 5. Karina Sazontova, 6. Yulia Oleinikova, 7. Maria Grishina, 8. Anna Chebotar
Substitutes: Irina Balabina, Viktoria Kuznetsova, Angelina Kuznetsova, Nataliya Vlasova, Darya Tkacheva, Ayaulym Baktygeb, Darya Simakova, Tatyana Kruchinkina, Anzhelika Pichugina, Eva Bekker, Svetlana Malezhina
9 tries: V. Stepanyuga x2, O. Shadrina x2, A. Tulegenova, E. Savina, M. Grishina x2, K. Kim; 1 conversion: M. Grishina
By Georgian Rugby
