Georgia's Lelo sparks rugby aspirations
Rewritten Article:
Village of Shukhuti, Georgia
Bloody noses, torn shirts, and the cold river water stood as trophies in Shukhuti, a Georgian village that witnessed a century-old folk game. Men dashed through the village streets, gripping onto a wine-soaked, hefty leather ball - otherwise known as lelo burti, a ferocious game said to be a key contributor to Georgia's modern-day rugby prowess.
Every Easter, the village splits into warring factions involved in a grueling contest to propel the 16kg ball stuffed with local wine-drenched soil into the nearby river. The victors are the team able to achieve this brutal feat.
Lelo burti initially took form in Shukhuti over 150 years ago, celebrating the village's historic victory over Ottoman Turkish invaders. Georgians view this ancient game as the wild, rugged ancestor of rugby, a sport that has gained widespread popularity in recent decades.
Fittingly, the country's national rugby team, the Lelos, have reigned supreme in the Rugby Europe Championship for eight consecutive years. Head Coach Richard Cockerill underscores the deep-rooted passion for victory among the Georgian people, which stems from this historic tradition:
"This is where Georgian rugby draws its raw passion for triumph – from the relentless energy ignited by the raw and ancient tradition of lelo."
Huddled around the training ground in Tbilisi, Cockerill elaborates on the advantage Georgia has against larger rugby powers:
"We're an underdog nation with scarce numbers, but an underdog that consistently competes with Fiji, Japan, Wales, Italy, and even England. Rugby represents our grit and determination, helping us punch above our weight."
With just 8,000 registered players – a fraction of the numbers seen in Tier-One nations – Georgia has triumphed against some of the world's top-ranked teams in the past few years. Their under-20s squad even bested England before the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but face an uphill struggle to crack the exclusive Six Nations championship.
Former England player Cockerill fights for meritocracy and inclusion in the Six Nations, insisting that Georgia should be given a chance to prove their worth:
"If Wales, with an ongoing dismal run of seventeen consecutive losses, remains at the bottom of the Six Nations for two years, shouldn't it be an opportunity for Georgia? We've surpassed Wales in the world rankings. Yet, the door remains closed."
Cockerill suggests a promotion-relegation playoff to enliven the sport and encourage growth:
"There's a small chance that the winner of the Rugby Europe Championship might put substantial pressure on the Six Nations' bottom team. To foster growth, competitiveness should be emphasized."
Despite the longshot nature of their push for inclusion, rugby enjoys vibrant public support and government backing in Georgia. However, Cockerill emphasizes that development will stagnate without more competitive matches:
"We need to learn how to endure defeat and adapt like Italy, France, and Fiji have when they joined major competitions. To follow their footsteps, we'll need wider exposure."
In the long run, Cockerill envisions a path for Georgian rugby comparable to the trajectories of countries like Italy and Fiji. Yet, for now, Georgia remains ensnared in a holding pattern, awaiting a chance to elevate their position on the world stage.
"We're being asked to exercise patience for another five years. But growth necessitates progress, not patient endurance," laments Cockerill.
As Shukhuti revelled in Lower Shukhuti's triumph, local doctor Nanuli Khalvashi, a spectator, expressed:
"Lelo encapsulates the combative essence of Georgians. With a sporting culture running deep, it's unsurprising Georgia has claimed a significant role in rugby."
- In the Caucasus region, the physically demanding folk game of lelo burti in the Georgian village of Shukhuti is often compared to the modern sport of rugby, attributed as a predecessor to Georgia's contemporary rugby success.
- Each year during Easter, Shukhuti's residents engage in a fierce competition, known as lelo burti, which showcases their raw passion and grit, as the victors are the team that successfully charges a hefty 16kg ball filled with local wine-drenched soil into the nearby river.
- The national rugby team of Georgia, known as the Lelos, has reigned supreme in the Rugby Europe Championship for eight consecutive years, demonstrating the passion for victory inherited from the historic tradition of lelo burti, birthing parallels between this ancient game and contemporary sports like rugby and football.
