2024 Australia v Georgia

[Burgs]

Georgia: Everything you need to know about the Wallabies' opposition on Saturday

Tue, Jul 16, 2024, 1:23 PM
Nathan Williamson

The Wallabies will make history as they face Georgia for the first time on Australian shores on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.

The two sides have found themselves bound together by the World Cup draw gods, playing against each other in two straight tournaments.

Despite the record, Georgia are a team on the rise as one of the best of the 'tier two nations.'

The Georgians are sitting just below their highest world ranking at 12th, reflective of their rise over the past couple of years.

They claimed their first two wins over Tier 1 nations in 2022 and are coming off their third last week after a narrow victory over Japan.

Here's everything you need to know about Wallabies opponent on Saturday.

Why are the Wallabies playing Georgia?
Let's start with how we got here because the inclusion of Georgia on the Test schedule raised plenty of eyebrows.

This reflects a push from World Rugby to create further opportunities for the tier two nations to play top-level opposition.

The San Francisco Agreement set out a series of frameworks to follow that included SANZAAR Unions committing to hosting tier-two nations in July window, creating a blend of opposition.

As a result, world champions South Africa will host breakout World Cup stars Portugal as New Zealand take their Test against Fiji to the USA.

Recent form
Georgia announced themselves in style with wins over Italy and Wales in 2022, leading to talks of joining the Six Nations.

However, they struggled at the 2023 World Cup, going winless whilst drawing a game with Portugal.

Since then, they have claimed their 16th Rugby Europe Championship with a 36-10 over the Portuguese.

A loss to Fiji was followed up by their upset victory over Japan, filling them with confidence.

Squad
The Georgian squad for their July Tests is filled with players from the French leagues.

There are 21 players currently in the top two tiers of France Rugby, including captain and Pau number eight Beka Gorgadze.

The rest are largely made up of players from Georgian club side Black Lion, who competed in the European Challenge Cup.

Forwards: Vano Karkadze, Luka Noirandze, Luka Petriashvili, Giorgi Akhaladze, Irakli Aptsiauri, Giorgi Dzmanashvili, Luka Goginava, Alexsandre Kuntelia, Giorgi Mamaiashvili, Mikheil Babunashvili, Lasha Jaiani, Giorgi Javakhia, Lado Chachanidze, Demur Epremidze, Beka Gorgadze (c), Ioane Iashaghashvili, Luka Ivanishvili, Tornike Jalaghonia, Beka Saghinadze, Giorgi Tsutskiridze

Backs: Milkheil Alania, Gela Aprasidze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Tedo Abzhandaze, Luka Matkava, Tornike Kakhoidze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Giorgi Shvelidze, Demur Tapladze, Shalva Aptsiauri, Aka Tabutsandze, Amiran Shvangiradze, Alexander Todua.

The X-Factor
Davit Niniashvili has the potential to become a genuine superstar in World Rugby.

The 22-year-old is the shining star in a golden generation of Georgian talent coming through the ranks that have picked up wins in the U20s over Scotland, England and Italy.

He is currently plying his trade for Lyon in France’s Top 14 and showed he isn’t out of place on the big stage when playing for Barbarians against England in 2022.

Niniashvili scored nine tries in 2023-24 for Lyon, including doubles against Clermont and Oyonnax.

Check out the highlights reel on the original article! https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallab...-facts-2024716

The coach
Former English hooker Richard Cockerill has been charged with taking Georgia to the next level

The 27-Test Brit served as interim coach of England in 2022 after Eddie Jones' departure, elevated from forwards.

He took over as head coach of Georgia after the 2023 Rugby World Cup whilst simultaneously coaching Black Lion.

Georgia's recent history with the Wallabies
As mentioned, the two sides' history exists purely on the biggest stage of them all at the World Cup.

In 2019, the Wallabies ground their way to a 27-8 win in Fukuroi, with Force scrumhalf Nic White opening the scoring.

Further tries to Marika Koroibete, Jack Dempsey and Will Genia sealed the win.

Four years later, it was Ben Donaldson who proved the hero, contributing 25 points in the 35-15 win in Paris.

[Burgs]

Exclusive: Wallabies to name another skipper amid 10 changes for Georgia clash, Wright's TRC campaign in doubt

Christy Doran
Editor, The Roar

Another week, another captain.

The Roar understands Allan Alaalatoa – the experienced tight-head prop – will take over the captaincy almost 12 months after an Achilles injury robbed him of a place in last year’s World Cup squad. It comes as Liam Wright’s injury looks worse than first feared.

After Alaalatoa was promoted to the starting side in the absence of Taniela Tupou, The Roar can reveal that Joe Schmidt is planning as many as ten changes to the starting side for Saturday afternoon’s clash with Georgia at Allianz Stadium.

There will be a brand new tight-five, with Nick Frost to make his first appearance in gold this year alongside Angus Blyth, while the backline will be overhauled with Darby Lancaster coming in for Andrew Kellaway, who appears likely to return to the bench.

In total, there are just five players – Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu and Tom Wright – from the same starting side that beat Wales for the second straight week 36-28 in Melbourne last week.

Continues- https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/07/1...zJeg-buDFOs-6w

[Sheikh]

We shouldn't underestimate Georgia, a lot of their squad play in France and I wouldn't be surprised if all of 1-10 on the run-on side are France-based. (The backs are more Georgia based, and mainly all from one side in Georgia!) So expect a French-style game in the forwards and a cohesive set of backs.

[Burgs]

We shouldn't underestimate Georgia, a lot of their squad play in France and I wouldn't be surprised if all of 1-10 on the run-on side are France-based. (The backs are more Georgia based, and mainly all from one side in Georgia!) So expect a French-style game in the forwards and a cohesive set of backs.

Forwards- 15 France 5 Georgia

Backs- 6 France 8 Georgia

Mind you, there is a fair spread in "France" with 9 in Top 14 and 12 in Pro D2.
It doesn't mean they are starting players for those teams either, most are likely to be fringe Bench.
The remainder based in Georgia are probably playing more minutes per year, but at a Japan Div 2 or Italy Top10 standard.

[Burgs]

Lancaster to debut as Schmidt names new look side to face Georgia

Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 8:58 AM
Nathan Williamson

Joe Schmidt has unveiled a new look Wallabies squad to take on Georgia for Saturday's Test at Allianz Stadium.

Schmidt has named his third different captain in three weeks with Allan Alaalatoa set to lead the side.

He starts in the front-row for the first time since last year’s Bledisloe Test alongside Isaac Kailea and Billy Pollard.

It’s one of ten changes to the starting side as Schmidt rotates his squad after a clean sweep over Wales.

Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu and Tom Wright are the remaining faces in the starting 15 from last week’s win against Wales.

This allows a debut for Rebels winger Darby Lancaster, continuing his breakout year after moving from the Sevens program.

Lancaster is one of four on starting debut alongside Kailea, Pollard and Angus Blyth.

Nick Frost, Harry Wilson and Len Ikitau will play their first Tests of the year, with Frost partnering Blyth whilst Wilson joins McReight and Valetini in the back row.

Ikitau has recovered from a hamstring injury and partners Paisami in the centres.

Meanwhile, Ben Donaldson has been elevated to the starting side, linking with Tate McDermott in the halves.

Alex Hodgman is in line for his debut off the bench, set to become the fourth player to play for both New Zealand and Australia.

Hodgman’s Reds teammates Josh Nasser and Zane Nonggorr are the front-row replacements, with Tom Hooper set for his first game of the season.

"Georgia have proven to be a very tough team to play as demonstrated by their wins against Italy and Wales in recent years, as well as their victory last week in Japan," Schmidt said.

“They have added some very exciting backs to their traditional forward strength and challenge opponents across the park.”

Wallabies team to play Georgia at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday 20 July at 3:45pm AEST

1. Isaac Kailea (2 Tests) - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
2. Billy Pollard (2 Tests)– Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) (69 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
4. Nick Frost (15 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
5. Angus Blyth (2 Tests) - Casuarina Beach Rugby Club
6. Rob Valetini (41 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (19 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (12 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (30 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
10. Ben Donaldson (8 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
11. Darby Lancaster* – Kempsey Cannonballs
12. Hunter Paisami (26 Tests) - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
13. Len Ikitau (28 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
14. Filipo Daugunu (9 Tests) – Wests Bulldogs
15. Tom Wright (27 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

16. Josh Nasser (1 Test)- Easts Tigers
17. Alex Hodgman** - Sunnybank Dragons
18. Zane Nonggorr (5 Tests) – Gold Coast Eagles
19. Tom Hooper (8 Tests) – Bathurst Bulldogs
20. Jeremy Williams (2 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
21. Nic White (67 Tests) – Maitland Blacks
22. Noah Lolesio (19 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
23. Andrew Kellaway (28 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

*denotes debut

**denotes potential debut

[Burgs]

'Short term focus, long term view': Schmidt backs fresh side to deliver against Georgia

Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 12:01 PM
Nathan Williamson

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is confident the refreshed side can deliver success as he tests his depth against Georgia.

Schmidt has made ten changes to the starting side that defeated Wales last week for Saturday's clash at Allianz Stadium.

Schmidt concedes it's an 'impossible balance' to strike as he tries to expose his squad to further action before the Rugby Championship.

However, he backs his squad to deliver, with Test returns for the likes of Harry Wilson, Len Ikitau, and Nick Frost in key positions.

"It's an impossible balance to get dead right because you're not sure until the team goes out there that you've done the right thing," Schmidt explained to reporters. "We have huge respect for Georgia. We'd predict that they won't have anything like as many changes (as us), and they will see an opportunity...people just have to have faith in the changes and we've got faith in the changes.

"We do believe that we're putting a good side out and they'll demonstrate that, but I'm sure the Georgians will have something to say about that.

"...When you do make those many changes, you lose a bit of your rhythm and that's a risk for us. But if we don't do it, then we're not quite sure where we sit with some of the guys in the squad.

"We've got a very short-term focus, long-term view, and I know that's a paradox, but it's a paradox that you almost have to employ so that you best vaccinate against future injury or future changes or form.

"At the same time, you offer opportunities to players who a number of them have been in the Test arena before like Harry Wilson and Len Ikitau so it's not like the seven debutants from the first Test."

Rebels flyer Darby Lancaster headlines the changes, set to make his Wallabies debut just nine games into his Super Rugby career.

Lancaster has had an incredible 18 months that includes featuring at the U20s World Championships and on the Sevens world series for Australia, slated for a potential Olympic appearance before his selection by Joe Schmidt in the July squad.

"He's fast and he's very quick," Schmidt noted to reporters.

"He's a young player that is at the start of his career and we want to try to kick-start the career because the only way you can try to kick-start a career is to put them in the cauldron and best prepare them.

"We'll see how they measure up."

Allan Alaalatoa will lead the side, with Liam Wright's shoulder injury still causing the backrower problems.

"His shoulder's just taken a bit longer than we would have liked," Schmidt notes. "So, I don't know if he'll make it for the Reds-Tonga game (next week), but he just wasn't in time for us this week and we'll just see how that pans out over the next few weeks.

"We obviously have to name another squad in maybe two and a half weeks and that'll give us time to just have a look at what this squad has achieved and then build on whatever we feel we need to have for the TRC."

NSW Waratahs number eight Langi Gleeson joins him on the sidelines for the short term, rolling his ankle in the win.