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Preview: Argentina vs Georgia

Los Pumas made life tough for All Blacks before losing 16-26 in their opening match on Sunday and coach Daniel Hourcade has stuck with much of same side for their must-win clash against the Georgians with only three changes to his team.

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Georgia are coming off a memorable 17-10 win over Tonga in their first Pool D clash – it was only their third win in World Cup history. That win over the Tongans was also regarded as a big upset in rugby circles.

Argentina and Georgia have only met on three previous occasions with the Pumas winning all. Two of those meetings have come in World Cups – Argentina won 33-3 in France in 2011 and then again four years later in New Zealand 25-7.

Their most recent fixture in San Juan in 2013 resulted in a hard-fought 29-18 win for the Pumas.

There will be an intriguing battle upfront as both teams' strengths lie with their forwards and Argentina captain Agustin Creevy believes this is the area they have to dominate if they are to get the win.

"It will be a big battle in the scrum and the mauls," said Creevy

 

"They are very strong and we have got to impose rhythm and dominate the game with our forwards to offer up some clean, quality ball for our backs."

As they did against Tonga, Georgia will be entering this tie as underdogs and head coach Milton Haig is happy flying under the radar. 

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"It's a nice opportunity for us this time because there’s no pressure on Georgia, all the pressure is on Argentina," said Haig.

Despite having a strong forward pack, Haig believes that they would need to do more than just the route one approach if they are to get their first win over the Pumas.

"We know that if we're going to have a chance at winning we're going to have to attack more, so you will see that, and you will see us using the ball a bit more.

"If we can defend like we did against Tonga and create a few more opportunities, we'll create some pressure. If Japan can beat South Africa, why can’t we beat Argentina?"

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Players to watch:

For Argentina: Juan Imhoff is a try scoring machine and will be looking to run the Georgians ragged, while Juan Martin Hernandez has the ability to impose himself in any game with his tactical nous. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Juan Manuel Leguizamon will be the Pumas main ball carriers and will need to front up against the physical Georgians. Prop and captain Agustin Creevy has been outstanding this year and is the cornerstone of a strong Pumas' scrum.

For Georgia: Captain Mamuka Gorgodze was a key player in Georgia's win over Tonga and is sure to bring his physicality to the party. Lock Konstantine Mikautadze makes metres every time he gets the ball and is also good in the line-outs, while prop Davit Zirakashvili will be fighting hard to get some parity in the scrums.

Head to head: There should be some seismic activity when Mamuka Gorgodze and Facundo Isa run into each other on the park, while Konstantine Mikautadze should prove a handful for Tomas Lavanini in the line-outs. Merab Sharikadze will have his work cut out trying to contain Juan Martin Hernandez. Tamaz Mchedlidze will have a big challenge on his hands trying to mark the dangerous Juan Imhoff.

Recent results:

2013: Argentina won 29-18, San Juan

2011: Argentina won 25-7, Palmertson North

2007: Argentina won 33-3, Lyon

Prediction: Georgia are a tough nut to crack, but expect Argentina to pull away in the last 30 minutes. Argentina to win by at least 16 points. 

Teams:

Argentina: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martin Hernandez, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustin Creevy (captain), 1 Marcos Ayerza.  

Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Javier Ortega Desio, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.

Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13 Davit Kacharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Giorgi Aptsiauri, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), 7 Viktor Kolelishvili, 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvil, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.

Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Karlen Asieshvili, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Levan Datunashvili, 20 Shalva Sutiashvili, 21 Giorgi Begadze, 22 Giorgi Pruidze, 23 Murazi Giorgadze.

Date: Friday, September 25

Venue: Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester

Kick-off: 16.45 (15.45 GMT; 19.45 Georgian time)

Expected weather: Partly cloudy with a high of 16.

Referee: JP Doyle (England)

Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Stuart Berry (South Africa)

TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

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