Davit Niniashvili is the face of Georgian rugby and a superstar of France’s Top 14…his rise matches the ambitions of the upcoming nation and the World Cup is just the tip of the iceberg

• Davit Niniashvili is already emerging as one of world rugby’s rising stars
• The Georgian has huge ambitions with the national team and in club rugby
• Niniashvili might not have been here but for a chance at the age of eight

Davit Niniashvili would not be the face of Georgian rugby, a superstar of France’s TOP 14, and one of the most exciting young players in his sport had fate not intervened.

When he was just eight and at school in Tbilisi, Davit Tskhvediani from the city’s Khvamli rugby club was doing the rounds looking for young players interested in taking up a new sport.

Niniashvili jumped at the chance when Tskhvediani – who eventually turned into his first coach – came knocking in the Georgian capital. It was the day Niniashvili’s life changed for the better and forever.

‘When I started playing, Khvamli was just a little team. Now, it is in the first league of Georgian rugby so I’m proud of them,’ Niniashvili tells MailSport. ‘I tried every sport growing up – football, basketball and, like every Georgian, judo. Then I focused on rugby.’ It proved to be a wise decision.

Still only 21, Niniashvili has risen quickly through the ranks of Georgian rugby. In 2021, he signed for Lyon in France’s top division. It means in many ways, the current World Cup in which he is participating is a home tournament. 

Davit Niniashvili (left) is the rising star of the Georgian rugby team and carrying the weight of the nation

Georgia are a hugely ambitious nation but have endured a difficult Rugby World Cup so far

Niniashvili has already helped Lyon win the Challenge Cup. His ability at either full-back or on the wing was so obvious that he made his senior Georgian Test debut aged just 18 against Ireland in the autumn of 2020. It is not just rugby where his talents lie either. 

‘I like cooking and Georgian cuisine – especially khachapuri and pkhali,’ Niniashvili says. ‘I like to try and cook it with my girlfriend. It looks ugly and not like in the restaurants but it tastes just as good!’ 

As a fleet-footed back, Niniashvili doesn’t indulge in khachapuri – a luxurious, traditional Georgian dish of cheese-filled bread – too often. Niniashvili’s speed and dexterity are his greatest assets. ‘After joining Khvamli, I had more of an interest in rugby and I watched games,’ he adds.

‘I watched my idol Israel Folau. Sadly, he is missing this World Cup. I wanted to see him live. Firstly, it was so surprising for me just to play in the national team and then to have everybody’s attention. ‘I think I am giving a good example to the younger players in Georgia that they too can play good rugby at international level.

‘I am proud to be Georgian and to be able to represent the country on the world stage is a big thing for me. Georgia is a small country.

‘But we want to show the world we can do a lot of good things like the bigger nations. The World Cup is my dream and dreams come true. I give everything I have to get my dreams.’

A hugely ambitious rugby nation, Georgia beat both Italy and Wales in 2022 to show why they should seriously be considered for a place in the Six Nations and at rugby’s top table. Both of those famous victories were inspired by Niniashvili. The World Cup to date has been frustrating for Georgia. An opening loss to Australia was perhaps no surprise, but that Paris clash could have been very different.

When Niniashvili soared through midfield after a slow Georgian first half, a try for his team looked certain. But Niniashvili’s pass found the hands of Australian prop Taniela Tupou and Ben Donaldson was in support to race away to score a crucial Wallaby try. It was a crucial, game-defining moment. In round two, Georgia were held to an 18-18 draw by Portugal so are still without a win. 

At just 21-years-old, Niniashvili made his Test debut aged just 18 against Ireland in the autumn of 2020

Niniashvili has starred at both full-back or on the wing and is already a star in the making

But despite his status in world rugby, Niniashvili admits he is rarely recognised when out in public

On Saturday, they face Fiji in Bordeaux. A Pacific Island victory would seal their place in the quarter-finals and knock out Eddie Jones’ Wallabies. ‘It’s like playing at home for me,’ Niniashvili says of his first World Cup. ‘We don’t play in Lyon but every French supporter knows our name and how we play. This is important for us. We want the supporters to cheer for us.’ 

Given his growing status as a star of both Lyon’s and Georgia’s sides, it seems pertinent to ask whether Niniashvili gets recognised wandering the streets of France. ‘No, not too much really,’ he says. ‘After the game, everyone knows I play for Georgia but in the street or at a restaurant, no-one knows. Lyon is a big city. That’s why they don’t recognise me. 

‘Football is their first sport. It’s nice.’ Georgia’s press officer, who is listening in and occasionally helping with translation, interjects. ‘In Georgia he is recognised,’ she insists. ‘But there, people do not stop you in the street. The culture is different.’ 

Niniashvili responds: ‘She’s lying! I know because I live in Lyon and I’ve played there for two years. ‘After the match everyone knows I am Niniashvili but no-one knows before.’

Niniashvili has already helped Lyon win the Challenge Cup and has huge ambitions for the future

Georgian rugby is known for its giant forwards and brutal scrummagers, but in Niniashvili and wing Aka Tabutsadze, the Lelos now have expansive backs who are a joy to watch.

Georgia’s game with Fiji should be hugely entertaining as Levan Maisashvili’s side looks to continue their rugby progression.‘Expectations have got really high outside but it’s the same in the team. We try to make these expectations true at the World Cup,’ Niniashvili said.

‘Levan’s usual message is not to worry a lot about mistakes but just to focus on the next job. Rugby is 80 minutes. If I do a mistake after 10 minutes, I can do some magic after 20 or 30!

‘The supporters give us energy everywhere we go. When we beat Wales, there were many Georgian supporters in Cardiff. It was so amazing. It’s been my dream to play in the TOP14 and for Georgia. ‘My last dream is to play Super Rugby but we will see how my career changes.’

Source: Read Full Article