Georgia ready to advance to Rugby World Cup: Australian coach Tim Lane
Georgia ready to advance to Rugby World Cup: Australian coach Tim Lane
By staff writers
foxsports.com.au
February 23, 2010 Georgia appear to be on their way to the 2011 Rugby World Cup finals, and their Australian coach, Tim Lane, is leading the way.
“We have had to deal with everything from playing in the snow at home and in Siberia to drunken bus drivers.” – Tim Lane The former Wallabies backline coach describes difficulties in Georgia.
Former Wallabies and Springboks assistant coach Lane assumed the reins of Georgia's national rugby team in 2008, since when the side has improved continually.
Georgia, undefeated in their past 13 games, play Spain in the European Nations Cup on Sunday (EDT), when victory will see them qualify once again for the Rugby World Cup finals.
Lane speaks exclusively to foxsports.com.au, giving an insight into the Georgian team as they take the road towards New Zealand.
"It's hard to see the team not progressing," Lane says of Georgia.
"After all we have won the second-tier European Nations Cup tournament, where we play against Russia, Romania, Portugal, Spain, Czech Republic and Germany.
"The only blip this time around is our draw with Portugal last year.
"Whilst we have been winning, it's hardly been smooth sailing.
"Most weeks there is almost always something going wrong - from being stranded at Nice airport for two days before the Portugal game because of heavy snow, to having to buy a new set of jerseys on the morning of the match due to the opposition team informing us they will be wearing white jerseys.
"Of course, we only had white jerseys with us."
"On an almost weekly basis, we have had to deal with everything from playing in the snow at home and in Siberia to drunken bus drivers and a never-ending battle with clubs, particularly in France, where the majority of the players are based, to have their stars released for International duty."
Lane acknowledges, however, that his team is advantaged by having a number of top players based in France.
"That is the chance for them to be involved in high-class rugby," Lane says.
"With most of our top 25 based there, we have been able to set up camps near Cannes - where there are very good training fields and facilities for the players to use.
"Right now, France is a better alternative to training at home in Georgia, where the facilities are still very poor. Although there is good news. The International Rugby Board have just funded two new artificial turf stadiums in Georgia, which are due to be completed in a month or so."
Lane says the game is growing in Georgia despite little funding for the eight clubs in the country.
"We are fortunate to have a government which is a big supporter of the Georgian Rugby Union, and one generous individual who supports the union financially.
"The game here is definitely on the rise, and claiming another World Cup berth will only help to improve the national team and the game's status here.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
