The Tel Aviv Heat once again came close in the Super Cup final against the Georgia Black Lions. But succumbed 17-27 to the experience and determination of the worthy champions.
As in last season, Tel Aviv Heat’s Super Cup dream came down to an agonising final – a 17-27 loss at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi to the hosts, Georgia Black Lions.
Missing their regular half-back tandem, Jordan Chait and Niall Sanders, Tel Aviv struggled in the first half. A successful penalty kick by Luka Matkava and a successful mauling try from flank Giorgi Kervalishvili gave the hosts a 0-10 advantage within 16 seconds. Four minutes later, the Tel Aviv mission seemed impossible when the Georgians turned a turnover into an exquisite try by winger Alexander Todua. The veteran of four World Cups and more than 100 internationals, broke a tackle by Vaughen Isaacs to score in the corner. 0-17
Tel Aviv would not give in and in the 25th minute captain and Namibia international Prince Gaoseb scored of a maul. But the Georgians continued to dominate. They survived a yellow card without conceding points and scored another try by the outstanding number 8, Luka Ivanishvili, before halftime, making it 24-7.
The second period was a different affair as cards haunted the hosts. Kervalishvili was sent off for a tackle to the head in the 47th minute and Tel Aviv took control. Within five minutes hooker Neil Rautenbach scored following some strong scrumming. On 65 minutes hopes were high when replacement hooker Macmillan Muller executed a perfect corner line-out to maul to try to make it 24-17.
But the Georgians were to proved why they are champions of the competition for three consecutive years running. Despite a yellow card and a two man deficit, they withstood the Tel Aviv late charge and with an additional penalty kick secured a 17-27 victory.
“Our effort today was for the people at home,” summed up Heat’s coach and Israel’s national team coach, Kevin Musikanth. “We did our best. We played five games in five countries, and I’m proud of the players for their effort. It’s a funny world. There’s a lot of hate out there. Let’s play rugby instead of hating.”
Parallel to the game, an agreement of cooperation was signed between Chairman of the Israel Rugby Union, Offer Fabian, and President of the Georgian Rugby Union, Ioseb Tkemaladze. With Georgiabeing one of Europes leading rugby nations – the collaboration is expected to be highly beneficial for Israeli rugby.
(Ronen Dorfan)
