Nika Amashukeli, the young Georgian referee, is set to take centre stage as England goes head to head with Ireland in the upcoming Six Nations game on Saturday. However, his role in officiating rugby matches is just one aspect of his inspiring and eventful journey.
Born in Tbilisi in 1994, Nika Amashukeli’s initial passion lay in football, but his path took a different turn when he discovered rugby at the age of 11. Introduced to the sport by his father, who insisted he watch a World Cup clash between Ireland and Georgia, Amashukeli quickly became enamoured with rugby. He went on to represent Georgia in various age grades and was selected for the 2012 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship squad. Despite his playing career coming to an end at the age of 20, his love for rugby led him to pursue a career in refereeing.
Amashukeli began his career as a referee in 2015, officiating the first half of Montenegro v Estonia in a European Nations Cup Third Division game. His journey in refereeing has been nothing short of exceptional, culminating in him becoming the first Georgian to referee a top-tier game when he took charge of Wales v Canada in July 2021. He has since officiated numerous high-profile matches, including Ireland v Japan, Barbarians v Tonga, and Wales v Australia in the autumn internationals.
Nevertheless, Amashukeli faced adversity in 2016 when a violent altercation after a rugby game in Georgia’s top rugby league, the Didi 10, resulted in him being stabbed in the leg. Despite contemplating quitting the game, he persevered and made a full recovery, emerging as an even better official.
Amashukeli’s journey has also been marked by moments of joy and uncertainty. His dream of officiating at a World Cup was realized this year, albeit after a confusing initial call from the Head of Match Officials for World Rugby, Joel Jutge, who played a prank on him. Nevertheless, the news of his appointment was a heartwarming culmination of his deep-rooted passion for the sport.
As Amashukeli continues to make strides in the world of rugby refereeing, his story stands as a testament to resilience and determination in the face of adversity. His journey from tragedy to triumph serves as an inspiration to aspiring referees and rugby enthusiasts alike.