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Montpellier continue to build formidable pack with Abuladze signing
By Francisco Isaac
Georgian international Nika Abuladze is close to signing a deal with Top14 side Montpellier, moving from the Exeter Chiefs to Bernard Laporte’s setup just one year after joining the Gallagher Premiership side, as reported by French media.
The 28-year-old loosehead prop landed in Devon in April 2023, but has never established himself as a first-team option, and has failed as well to be an impactful replacement in his one year at the club. This situation ultimately led to his decision to leave Rob Baxter’s forward pack and try his luck over in France's top division.
Before his short stint in Exeter, Abuladze played for the Georgian franchise Black Lion, successfully winning two Rugby Europe Super Cups and earning his first caps for the Lelos in 2022. He was vital in forcing a scrum penalty in the famous victory over Wales in Cardiff, fueling his pro career from that day forward.
He was included in Levan Maisashvili’s 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, starting in one match, and playing two more games in Georgia’s World Cup campaign.
In his new club, he will find fellow Georgian teammates Vano Karkadze and Luka Japaridze, adding yet more ballast to Laporte’s squad, which is seemingly rebuilding after a dismal 2023/2024 performance.
Montpellier are still fighting to clinch a spot in next season's Top14, as the club lingers in 13th place, with four games to go. If the Les Cistes aren’t able to overtake Bayonne, they will be forced to play a play-off match against the Pro D2 runner-up, with the winner earning a place in the 2024/2025 Top14.
This will be Abuladze’s first adventure in France, and it comes at the best possible moment if the front-row wants to rejoin the Georgian national setup, after failing to be included in Richard Cockerill’s plans for the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2023.
The contract will have a duration of two seasons.
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Even with absences we still had the cattle to make the playoffs. As it was, we nearly stumbled our way into the top 8. Which shows just how easy it was to get there. And still we failed. As for Razor, there are many instances of him patching up the Crusaders roster. Numerous. Several players I'd never heard of. Also, using AB legend John Afoa was a classic.
But, some of the games we were losing were from schoolboy errors, or downright confusion. Either the players were really dumb (they weren’t) or they were poorly coached. Given the repetitive nature of errors, brain fades, poor decision making, & loose structures, this all lands with the coaching group.
With only six playoff spots now in SR, & Aussie franchises now consolidated to four, 2025 looks like a tight one. I'm picking we'll have to tough it out under Penney & hope for the best.
Go to commentsAgree we need a 10, 12, 13 refresh. ASAP. Well, next season now lol. Reiko should be put back on the wing. He'll be an absolute menace there. Imagine 11 Reiko 14 Clarke 15 Jordan as the backfield unit.
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