INTERNATIONAL TEST RUGBY: USA in Georgia

27.11.2010
United States v Georgia in Tblissi

Venue: National Stadium

Referee:

Preview
The Canadians ruled the North American rugby roost in 2010 but the USA team has been more successful in their European tour to date. Take out the 0-25 loss to Scotland A, with the USA fielding very much their second-string side, and the USA has done very well. Their 22-17 win over a strong Portuguese side two weeks ago argues well for a good performance against Georgia. A win would give the USA a 2-0 test success on this tour. But just how will they do against Georgia?

Georgia defeated Canada 22-15 last weekend but critics say the Georgian backs are too slow and the USA will really test the Georgian backline. They also feel the USA's strength is in the loose play. It's in the front five that Georgia will dominate the visitors and this could be where the game is won or lost. All but four of Georgia's 22 are based in France.

Previous Encounter
21.06.2009 United States 31-13 in Denver (Churchill Cup, Playoff 5th-6th)

The Georgian team for the above test was very much a development side and contained few of Georgia's top 20 twenty players at the time.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Georgia 15th, United States 17th

IRB Ranking Points
United States 68.50, Georgia 67.40

Prediction: This could go either way! USA by 1 point

Teams

Georgia
15 Bessik Khamashuridze (Aia Kutaissi)
14 Irakli Machkhaneli (Macon, France)
13 Irakli Chkhikvadze (Aia Kutaissi)
12 Tedo Zibzibadze (Perigueux, France)
11 Lexo Gugava (Lelo)
10 Lasha Malaghuradze (Beziers, France)
9 Irakli Abusseridze, Capt.Auxerre, France)
8 Besso Udessiani (Macon, France)
7 George Chkhaidze (Montpellier, France)
6 Simon Maissuradze (Villeurbane, France)
5 Levan Datunashvili (Figeac, France)
4 Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy, France)
3 David Kubriashvili (Toulon, France)
2 Akvsent Guiorgadze (Castres, France)
1 Goderdzi Shvelidze (Montpellier, France)
Replacements
16 Irakli Natriashvili (Farul Constanta, Romania)
17 David Zirakashvili (Clermont-Auvergne, France)
18 George Nemsadze (Montauban, France)
19 Vito Kolelishvili (Lelo)
20 Bidzina Samkharadze (Farul Constanta, Romania)
21 David Katcharava (Nice, France)
22 Merab Kvirikashvili (Figeac, France)
Head Coach: Richie Dixon

Adapted from http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3640

United States
15 Christopher Wyles (Saracens, England)
14 Ngwenya Takudzwa (Biarritz, France)
13 Paul Emerick (Ulster, Ireland)
12 Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
11 Kevin Swiryn (Agen, France)
10 Valenese Malifa (Glendale)
9 Timothy Usasz (Nottingham, England)
8 Inaki Basauri (L’aquila, Italy)
7 Todd Clever, Capt. (Suntory, Japan)
6 Louis Stanfill (Mogliano, Italy)
5 Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
4 Samu Manoa (San Francisco Golden Gate)
3 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh, England)
2 Philip Thiel (Life University)
1 Mate Moeakiola (Bobigny 93, France)
Replacements
16 Christopher Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
17 Michael MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England)
18 Scott Lavalla (Dublin University, Ireland)
19 Nicholas Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
20 Michael Petri (Sale, England)
21 Taivalu Enosa (Belmont Shore)
22 Setareki Tuilevuka (Montpellier, France)
Head Coach: Eddie O'Sullivan

Adapted from http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3640