GEORGIA v NEW ZEALAND: Rugby World Cup Pool C

02.10.2015

Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)

Pool Standings

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
NEW ZEALAND	2	2	0	0	84	30	54	11	2	1	9
TONGA	2	1	0	1	45	38	7	6	5	2	6
ARGENTINA	2	1	0	1	70	35	35	8	2	1	5
GEORGIA	2	1	0	1	26	64	-38	2	8	0	4
NAMIBIA	2	0	0	2	35	93	-58	0	0	0	0

Preview
New Zealand has paid Georgia the greatest of honours by selecting what looks like their strongest combination. In this first encounter between these two side I’d expect the All Blacks to dominate all aspects of play and to win by a wide margin.

Georgia however have virtually picked and second string side against the world champions. They have the fixture against Namibia in mind. A win there will give them third place in this pool and a guaranteed place at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Georgia will be no pushover at scrum time. They will also use the rolling maul to great effect. Where the points will come against them is in back play where New Zealand will be too fast and too skilful.

Last Five Encounters
These two sides have never met before in 15’s test rugby

Previous World Cups
These two sides have never met before at a Rugby World Cup finals tournament.

Georgia last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
25.09.2015 v Argentina L 9-54 in Gloucester (World Cup, Pool C)
19.09.2015 v Tonga W 17-10 in Gloucester (World Cup, Pool C)
05.09.2015 v Japan L 10-13 in Gloucester (World Cup Warm Up)
02.09.2015 v Canada L 15-16 in Molesey Road (World Cup Warm Up)
21.06.2015 v Emerging Ireland L 12-45 in Tbilisi (Tbilisi Cup)

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1 
24.09.2015 v Namibia W 58-14 in London (World Cup, Pool C)
20.09.2015 v Argentina W 26-16 in London (World Cup, Pool C)
15.08.2015 v Australia W 41-13 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup)
08.08.2015 v Australia L 19-27 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Champ.)25.07.2015 v South Africa W 27-20 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: New Zealand 5th, Georgia 14th

World Rugby Ranking Points
New Zealand 92.89, Georgia 71.35

Prediction: New Zealand by 55 points. Score 67-12

TEAMS

New Zealand
15 Benjamin Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read,
7 Richie McCaw (Capt.) 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Charles Faumuina, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett. 
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Victor Vito,
20 Samuel Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 TJ Perenara, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Head Coach: Steve Hansen

Georgia
15 Beka Tsiklauri, 14 Giorgi Aptsiauri, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 11 Alexandr Todua, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Giorgi Begadze,
8 Lasha Lomidze, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze (Capt.), 6 Shalva Sutiashvili, 5 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 4 Levan Datunashvili, 3 Levan Chilachava, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili,
1 Karlen Asieshvili
Replacements
16 Simon Maisuradze, 17 Mikheil Nariashvili, 18 Anton Peikrishvili,
19 Konstantin Mikautadze, 20 Viktor Kolelishvili, 21 Vasil Lobzhanidze,
22 Merab Sharikadze, 23 Murazi Giorgadze
Head Coach: Milton Haig