Preview: Georgia v New Zealand
Georgia and New Zealand are meeting on the rugby field for the very first time and it's hard to imagine that New Zealand could choose any team from this World Cup squad that could lose to the ardent Georgians.
Moreover it seems that New Zealand have chosen their best team, while the Georgians have thrown in the towel before the first bell has been rung to start the fight, for they have chosen a weakened team.
That said, there may be an advantage to them in that, for they should be fresh and eager as only three players have played in the previous two matches – centre Davit Kacharava, flyhalf Lasha Malaguradze and loose forward Mamuka Gorgodze, who captains the side.
In truth the mighty Gorgodze does more than captain the side.
Rugby is a team game, but more than most individuals Gorgodze makes the team, is the team.
In the match against Argentina, the Pumas were leading a meagre 14-9 in the second half when Gorgodze was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. When he came back onto the field – a mere 10 minutes later – the score was 35-9. In the 10 minutes of his absence the Pumas had scored 21 points. In the other 70 minutes they scored 33 points and despite the momentum they gained in his absence they scored just 19 points in the half-hour after his return.
Gorgodze is a big man who could play in any position in the pack. He is committed, determined, fearless and immensely strong, concentrating just on service to his team. With him there New Zealand will want to bring out their best and, of course, they will get enough ball to be able to give reign to their sparkling skills.
It is hard to see any aspect of play, bar the scrums, where the Georgians could achieve parity.
The Lelos, who seem born to scrum, beat the redoubtable Pumas in that facet of the game and, though there are only some 15 scrums per match, the scrums still are important in themselves and for team morale.
But outside of the scrums it is all New Zealand.
Of the Georgian side, only four play their rugby in Georgia – fullback Beka Tsiklauri, wings Giorgi Aptsiauri and Alexandr Todua, as well as scrumhalf Giorgi Begadze.
The rest play abroad, mainly in France, for rugby has been a means of greater financial security for the players.
But the team is made up only of Georgians, which means that they will sing their anthem and play the match with patriotic fervour, which always seems greater in expats.
You had just to see the Georgian reaction to their victory over Tonga to be aware of their patriotic fervour.
Players to watch
For Georgia: Mamuka Gorgodze.
For New Zealand: The whole of that backline – from Aaron Smith to Ben Smith – everyone of them remarkably skilled and worth watching, including the third Smith, Conrad, who does all that an outside centre should do, including letting his wings have more of a chance to play. And there may well be interest in strong wing Waisake Naholo, if only to see if the herbal remedies have really healed his broken leg. In the New Zealand pack there are noble Kieran Read, who was back to form against the Pumas, powerful Brodie Retallick and socks-down hooker Dane Coles with the skills of a back. Those are just three forwards likely to catch the eye, but really the whole lot are so worth watching.
Head to Head: The only place where there would be an equal contest seems to be when the front rows meet in the scrums. But it would also be interesting to see what Jerome Kaino does against Mamuka Gorgodze.
Previous results:
The teams have not met before and in fact play their rugby at a different level. All Blacks play theirs in Super Rugby, the Georgians, even those in Top 14 clubs, play at a lower level. The All Blacks play Tests against Tier One nations, the Georgians in the European Nations Cup, sometimes referred to as Six Nations B. This year the All Blacks have beaten South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Samoa, losing just once – to Australia. All their opponents are at the World Cup. Georgia have beaten Spain, Russia, Portugal, Germany and just two sides who are at the World Cup – Romania and Uruguay but they have been beaten by Japan, Canada, Emerging Ireland and the Newcastle Falcons. The All Blacks and the Lelos have each played two matches at the World Cup. New Zealand have won both, the Lelos one. Their common opponent is Argentina. New Zealand beat Argentina 26-16; Georgia lost to Argentina 54-9.
Prediction: New Zealand will win, possibly by more than 50 points despite the bravery of the Georgians.
Teams
Georgia: 15 Beka Tsiklauri, 14 Giorgi Aptsiauri, 13 Davit Kacharava, 12 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 11 Alexandr Todua, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Giorgi Begadze, 8 Lasha Lomidze, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), 6 Shalva Sutiashvili, 5 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 4 Levan Datunashvili, 3 Levan Chilachava, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Karlen Asieshvili.
Replacements: 16 Simon Maisuradze, 17 Mikhail Nariashvili, 18 Anton Peikrishvili, 19 Kote Mikautadze, 20 Viktor Kolelishvili, 21 Vasil Lobjanidze, 22 Merab Sharikadze, 23 Muraz Giorgadze.
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 TJ Perenara, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Date: Friday, October 2
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT, 23.00 Georgia time, 08.00 Saturday, October 3 NZ time)
Expected weather: If the roof is closed the weather for the match will be irrelevant, but it could affect coming and going to the match – partly cloudy with no rain and a high of 17°C, dropping to 7°C
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Mathieu Raynal (France)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
By Paul Dobson
@rugby365com
