[RWC2019][Pool B] Round 3 - Georgia vs. Fiji (03/10/2019)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Hanazono Rugby Stadium
Time: 07:15 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[Croket66]

Previous Georgia v Fiji

2018 : Fiji 37-15 Georgia
2016 : Fiji 3-14 Georgia
2012 : Georgia 19-24 Fji

 

[bushytop]

This is another game I've been looking forward to since the pools were drawn.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Effectively a match for automatic qualification. Such an unlucky draw for both sides. I am favouring Fiji here as I think Georgia will stuff it up their jerseys in desperation for the victory.

 

[bushytop]

Clash of styles... 'relatively' evenly matched... NH vs SH... sounds like a party!

 

[Scotty]

Is Yato fit this week?.

 

[Toko_11]

Hoping for a good game. Long-anticipated clash. How unlucky were we to draw Fiji as a 4th seed tho. So much for earning 3rd last time around.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Clash of styles... 'relatively' evenly matched... NH vs SH... sounds like a party!

I love clashes of styles, this is what is so great about rugby.

 

[bushytop]

I love clashes of styles, this is what is so great about rugby.

Agreed... I don't know if you follow MMA at all but my favourite fights are usually between two guys who have totally different base styles eg karate guy vs Ju Jitsu guy.

 

[Brigantine]

4 day turnaround for Georgia. Look how Fiji did after their 4 day turnaround, and how Uruguay did after their 4 day turnaround.
Georgia might cope better though, people have been saying their 2nd team is basically just as good as their 1st.

WRR say Georgia is the favourite by 2.64 RP. My model says Fiji 50%, draw 3.0%, Georgia 47% so basically a dead heat.
A big win by Georgia would put them in the top 10 for the 1st time ever for a couple of days
(unless USA or Italy pull the same trick)

Lineups (status in Uruguay game 4 days ago in brackets)

1. Nariashvili (rested)
2. Mamukashvili (rested)
3. Gigashvili (bench)
4. Nemsadze (rested)
5. Mikautadze (5)
   
6. Tkhilaishvili (rested)
7. Gorgodze (bench)
8. Gorgadze (bench)
9. Lobzhanidze (bench)
10. Khmaladze (15)
11. Todua (11)
12. (C) Sharikadze (bench)
13. Kacharava (rested)
14. Kveseladze (13)
15. Matiashvili (bench)

Substitutes

• Bregvadze (2)
  
• Gogichashvili (1)
  
• Chilachava (3)
  
• Giorgadze (8)
  
• Saginadze (7)
  
• Aprasidze (9)
• Malaguradze (12)
  
• Modebadze (rested)

Fiji:

1. Ma'afu
2. Matavesi
3. Saulo
4. Cavubati
5. Nakarawa
6. Waqaniburotu (C)
7. Kunatani
8. Yato
9. Lomani
10. Volavola
11. Radradra
12. Botia
13. Nayacalevu
14. Tuisova
15. Murimurivalu

Substitutes

• • Vugakoto
  • Mawi
  • Ravai
  • Ratuniyarawa
  • Mata
  • Matawalu
  • Vatubua
  • Matavesi

 

[D0m3]

Will Fiji be bothered to win this game? At times they look like France, they have the quality but the team just doesn't work.
I think they will want to prove a point especially against an opponent at about the same level. Georgia will put a lot of pressure in the forwards though.
Too bad it's so early I think it could be an entertaining game to watch

 

[Crags]

The early ko will be a close one. Be one of the more entertaining games so far. While i am watching that it will help me with my nerves for our game.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

I guess it all goes down to which team and play the full 80mins.

 

[Toko_11]

I guess it all goes down to which team and play the full 80mins.

One thing that Georgia has is Tier 1 level fitness. If the Game is close by 60th minute I expect Fiji to tire and Georgia to win, but it's possible that Fiji will run away early on. So I predict 1st Half Fiji, 2nd half Georgia. whoever wins their half by more wins the game.

 

[Goodey]

It's effectively a 2023 qualifier so both sides will be seeing this as their must win game.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Didn't expect the size difference to be so big - the Fijian backs are bigger than the Georgian forwards

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It wouldn't be a 2019 RWC match without high tackle controversy

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

C'mon Georgia! It looks like this one might go down to the wire.

 

[bushytop]

Damn, missed the first half... oh well +1 it is again!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Think that's the game there

Edit: or maybe not!