Australia v Georgia - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: Wallabies skipper Allan Alaalatoa stressed on Friday the importance of maintaining momentum under new coach Joe Schmidt, forecasting a physical game against Georgia this weekend.
Australia won back-to-back Tests this month against Wales to get the New Zealander’s reign off to a flying start.
“It’s massive, it’s something we addressed early in the week,” Alaalatoa – Australia’s third captain in as many Tests – said of keeping the win streak going.
“We’ve purely made this week all about us and understanding the reasons why we have put in good performances the last couple of games against Wales.
“But we also addressed areas that we need to be better at.”
They meet Georgia, ranked just one place below Wales, on Saturday in Sydney, with the visitors fresh from a narrow victory over Japan and gunning for another upset.
“We’ve come here to win, we’ve not come here to make the numbers up or keep the score down, so we’ve got to go full throttle and have a go,” coach Richard Cockerill told reporters.
“Whether that’s realistic enough and we’re good enough, we’ll find out on Saturday.”
Alaalatoa said the Wallabies were preparing for a bruising battle.
“We understand that Georgia are a bloody good team. Beating Japan in Japan is no easy game,” he said.
“They are a quality side with a lot of experience and a lot of their players playing in France.
“We are going to be in for a physical game, which the boys are ready for. It will be a massive battle up front.”
Schmidt is still looking to bed down his best team before the Rugby Championship in August, where they will start with back-to-back games against world champions South Africa.
With that in mind, he has made 10 changes to the starting side.
Wing Darby Lancaster will make his debut with prop Alex Hodgman set to come off the bench and join rare company as just the fourth man to represent both New Zealand and Australia in Test rugby.
“There’s just been an excited feel through the whole week,” said Alaalatoa.
“A handful of boys getting a starting opportunity, to get some minutes, it’s an awesome opportunity.”
Players to watch:
For Australia: It will be interesting to see how Allan Alaalatoa leads the team after being named Joe Schimidt’s third captain in charge. Darby Lancaster will make his debut among 10 changes to the starting side. The 21-year-old Lancaster will join the backs alongside Filipo Daugunu and Tom Wright. Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson will combine in the halves, replacing Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio, who started both Tests against Wales.
For Georgia: The forwards are always the area where Georgia strives. The front row of Aleksandre Kuntelia, Vano Karkadze and Giorgi Mamaiashvili will be out to dominate the scrums, while Tornike Jalaghonia, Beka Saghinadze and captain Beka Gorgadze will be a handful at the breakdown. Their backline is just as exciting with 22-year-old Davit Niniashvili outstanding at fullback. Centre Giorgi Kveseladze is another one to keep a close eye on.
Prediction
@rugby365com: Australia by five points.
Teams:
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Darby Lancaster, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Isaac Kailea.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Jeremy Williams, 21 Nic White, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
Georgia: 15 Davit Niniashvili, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tafladze, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 11 Sandro Todua, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Mikheil Alania, 8 Tornike Jalaghonia, 7 Beka Saghinadze, 6 Beka Gorgadze (captain), 5 Mikheil Babunashvili, 4 Lado Chachanidze, 3 Aleksandre Kuntelia, 2 Vano Karkadze, 1 Giorgi Mamaiashvili
Replacements: 16 Luka Petriashvili, 17 Luka Goginava, 18 Irakli Aptsiauri, 19 Lasha Jayani, 20 Luka Ivanishvili, 21 Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 22 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 23 Tedo Abzhandadze
Date: Saturday, July 20
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 15.45 (05.45 GMT; 09.45 GET)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
*Source: AFP
