Test Rugby: Argentina Jaguars Ready to Pounce in Georgia

14.11.2009
Argentina 'A' v Georgia in Tblissi

Venue: Estadio National Dinamo de Tbilisi.

Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Preview
The Argentinian Jaguars visit Georgia to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Georgian rugby union. That was back in the Soviet Union era. Georgia played its first international rugby match in 1991.

This will be the first time that an Argentinean side has visited Georgia and only the second time senior men's teams from Argentina and Georgia have met on a rugby field.

The Jaguars have had a busy year and now arrive in Europe to play a test against Georgia, and then two against Portugal. They have had successes against Namibia at home (twice), against Chile and Uruguay to take the CONSUR A title, then Uruguay again (twice) and now to Europe.

This will be Georgia's first test since they contested the Churchill Cup back in June. With some 16 top players not available, Georgia struggled. I'd expect the team to be near full strength, and that they will test the 2009 Jaguars.

Georgians prepare in the National Stadium, Tblissi. Image thanks to www.uar.com.ar

Previous Encounter
11.09.2007 Argentina 33-3 in Lyon (World Cup, Pool D)

GWC Rugby Rankings do not apply

Prediction: Nothing in it. Georgia by 3 points

Teams

Argentina 'A'
15 Martín Bustos Moyano
14 Belisario Agulla
13 Miguel Avramovic
12 Matías Viazzo
11 Tomás De Vedia
10 Ignacio Mieres
9 Martín Landajo
8 Leonardo Senatore (Capt.)
7 Rodrigo Bruno
6 Ignacio Pasman
5 Mariano Galarza
4 Tomás Roan
3 Juan Gómez
2 Álvaro Tejeda
1 Pablo Henn
Replacements
16 Matías Cortese
17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
18 Hugo Schierano
19 Agustín Guzmán
20 Francisco Albarracín
21 Santiago González Iglesias
22 Francisco Merello
Coaches: José Orengo and Raúl Pérez

http://www.uar.com.ar/noticias4.asp?notcod=20091112134157

Georgia Squad
Irakli Abusseridze
George Chkhaidze
Levan Datunashvili
Revaz Gigauri
Akvsent Giorgadze
Mamuka Gorgodze
Davit Kacharava
David Khichaguishvili
Merab Kvirikashvili
Guia Labadze
Irakli Machkhaneli
Lasha Malaguradze
Irakli Natriashvili
George Nemsadze
Davit Qubriashvili
Bidzina Samkharadze
Goderdzi Shvelidze
Sandro Todua
Makho Urjukashvili
Rati Urushadze
Ilia Zedguinidze
Tedo Zibzibadze
Head Coach: Tim Lane

http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/story_131109180318.php, and thanks to ‘scorpion’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2784&start=390