GEORGIA v PORTUGAL: WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A

08.02.2014

Venue: Lisbon

Referee: Cédric Marchat (France)

Preview
Georgia has always struggled against Portugal away. The firmer ground and speedy backs always make the Portuguese a hard nut to crack in Lisbon.

The Georgians are almost at full strength for this game. Struggle they may but I can’t see them losing. Once they have subdued the Portuguese front row the Georgians will dominate. Their backline is beginning to show signs of flare.

Last Five Encounters
09.02.2013 Georgia 25-12 in Tbilisi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
25.02.2013 Georgia 22-7 in Tbilisi (ENC 1A)
26.02.2011 Georgia 13-12 in Lisbon (ENC 1A)
13.02.2010 Georgia 16-10 in Lisbon (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
14.02.2009 Drawn 20-20 in Tblisi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)

Portugal Last Five P 5, W 1, D 1, L 3
01.02.2014 v Romania L 0-24 in Cluj (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
23.11.2013 v Canada L 8-52 in Lisbon
15.11.2013 v Brazil W 68-0 in Sao Paulo
09.11.2013 v Fiji L 13-36 in Lisbon
16.03.2013 v Spain Drawn 9-9 in Madrid (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)

Georgia Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
01.02.2014 v Belgium W 35-0 in Tbilisi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
23.11.2013 v Samoa W 16-15 in Tbilisi
16.11.2013 v United States L 23-25 in Tbilisi
09.11.2013 v Argentina L 18-29 in San Juan
22.06.2013 v RSA Presidents XV L 16-21 in Tbilisi (IRB Tbilisi Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Georgia 10th, Portugal 20th
Europe Table: Georgia 7th, Portugal 16th

IRB Ranking Points
Georgia 69.07, Portugal 59.37

Prediction: Georgia by 11 points

Teams

Georgia

15 Merab Kvirikashvili	CS Vienne, France
14 Irakli Machkhaneli	RC Armazi, France
13 David Kacharava	Enisey-STM Krasnoyarsk, Russia
12 Tedo Zibzibadze	CA Périgueux, France
11 George Shkinin	Armia
10 Lasha Khmaladze	Lelo
9 Giorgi Begadze	Batumi
8 Dimitri Basilaia	Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland
7 Giorgi Chkhaidze	Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby, France
6 Viktor Kolelishvili	Lyon Olympique Universitaire, France
5 Levan Datunashvili	Stade Aurillacois, France
4 Konstantin Mikautadze	RC Toulon, France
3 Levan Chilachava	RC Toulon, France
2 Shalva Mamukashvili	Armia
1 Mikheil Nariashvili	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
16 Jaba Bregvadze	Stade Toulousain, France
17 Zurab Zhvania	Stade Français, France
18 Anton Peikrishvili	Castres Olympique, France
19 Giorgi Nemsadze	Tarbes, France
20 Shalva Sutiashvili	RC Massy Essonne, France
21 Vazha Khutsishvili	Kharebi
22 Lasha Malaguradze	Stade Bagnérais, France
23 Tamaz Mchedlidze	US Bressane, France
HEAD COACH: Milton Haig

Portugal

15		Antonio Aguilar	GD Direito
14		Gonçalo Foro	CD University Lisboa
13		Pedro Bettencourt Avila	CD Universitário do Porto
12		Jose Lima	RC Narbonne Méditérranée, France
11		Carl Murray	CD University Lisboa
10		Diogo Miranda	CF "Os Belenenses"
9		Emmanuel Rebelo	Stade Dijon Cote D Or, France
8		Vasco Uva	GD Direito
7		Fernando Almeida	AEIS Agronomia
6		Aurelien Beco	US Colomiers, France
5		Gonçalo Uva	RC Narbonne Méditérranée, France
4		Eric dos Santos	Biarritz Olympique, France
3		Bruno Rocha	Aeistecnico
2		Michael Tadjer Barbosa	RC Massy, France
1		Jorge Segurado	GD Direito
16		Anthony Alves	Chalon-sur-Saône, France
17		João Correia	GD Direito
18		Bruno Medeiros	CD University Lisboa
19		Rui D’Orey	GD Direito
20		Kevin da Costa	Biarritz Olympique, France
21		Luis Salema	GD Direito
22		Francisco Pinto Malgahaes	CD University Lisboa
23		Nuno Penha e Costa	CD University Lisboa
		HEAD COACH: Errol Brain