Preview: Georgia v United States
The United State’s smashing defence will take on hosts Georgia in Tblisi on Saturday in what should be a highly physical and lively affair between two rising nations.
The US Eagles will have a shot at going three for three in their 2010 international matches where IRB rankings points were on offer.
Eagles coach Eddie O’Sullivan and this staff have had over a month with the squad while on tour, working to identify the squad for the 2011 World Cup.
Georgia will be a good litmus test for the Eagles, as they prepare for the world’s largest stage in New Zealand next year.
The Georgian team, in turn, will target a North American double. Canada fell to Georgia last weekend and the can Eagles claim bragging rights for the region in the IRB rankings by moving past Canada into 14th spot.
A Georgian loss will see them drop below Tonga again to 16th, but if they can make it two wins out of two under coach Richie Dixon then the RWC 2011 bound Lelos could end the weekend as high as 14th with US or Canada potentially dropping to 17th.
The US front row will have had much to think about since the Eagles’ last match against Scotland ‘A’ but the personnel O’Sullivan has called on can certainly put on and hold a shove. Mate Moeakiola, Phillip Thiel, and Shawn Pittman are a formidable front row.
Second row forwards Samu Manoa and Hayden Smith are a mobile pair of powerful locks that will provide bulk behind the front row. The loose forwards are big, strong, and very experienced. Louis Stanfill will guard the blindside, while Eagles captain Todd Clever will look to attack the openside and any Georgian who dares wander there. Inaki Basauri starts at No.8, moving from his openside post to the base of the scrum. All three loose forwards have a way of making things happen both on attack and defence.
Tim Usasz and Nese Malifa are a comfortable pair of halfbacks that will look to ignite the Eagles backline that is full of power and pace. Andrew Suniula is always looking for a midfield defender to run around or through and starts at inside centre, with the experience of Paul Emerick at outside. Emerick and Suniula linked well against Portugal and scored two tries in five minutes. The Eagles that will run on the field Saturday can attack from anywhere, but the back three can be absolutely electric in counter attack.
Chris Wyles will start at his usual fullback spot where his boot and nose for a counter should be a major concern for Georgia. Takudzwa Ngwenya is known for his speed and his confidence in contact has made him a favourite of his professional club, Biarritz. Ngwenya has also been prolific for the Eagles, scoring 35 points in 16 caps. Kevin Swiryn is a steady defender and visionary attacker who will start on the left wing for the US.
Fourteen of the Eagles who will suit up on Saturday were involved in the Eagles’ last match against Georgia in the 2009 Churchill Cup match in Glendale, Colorado. The Eagles came away with a 31-point win against the visiting Georgians and saw both Tim Usasz and Paul Emerick score tries.
Georgia has proven they are tough side to play at home as Canada learnt the hard way last weekend. A strong Canadian team was defeated by eight points in the end by the Georgians. The win over Canada moved Georgia up a spot in the IRB World Rankings and they are now nipping at the heels of the Eagles in the rankings.
Teams:
Georgia: 15 Basiki Khamashuridze, 14 Irakli Machkaneli, 13 Irakli Chkivakdze, 12 Tedo Zibzibadaze, 11 Lekso Gugava, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Irakli Abuseridze, 8 Beasrion Udesiani, 7 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 6 Simon Maisuradze, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Shalva Sutiashvili, 3 David Kubriashvili, 2 Akvsenti Giorgadze, 1 Goderdzi Shvelidze.
Replacements: 16 Iuri Natriashvili, 17 David Zirakishvili, 18 Viktor Kolelishvili, 19 Giorgi Nesadze, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 David Kacharava, 22 Merab Kvirikashvili.
United States Eagles: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Paul Emerick, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 Kevin Swiryn, 10 Nese Malifa, 9 Tim Usasz, 8 Inaki Basauri, 7 Todd Clever (captain), 6 Louis Stanfill, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Shawn Pittman, 2 Phillip Thiel, 1 Mate Moeakiola.
Replacements: 16 Chris Biller, 17 Mike MacDonald, 18 Scott Lavalla, 19 Nic Johnson, 20 Mike Petri, 21 Taivalu Enosa, 22 Setareki Tuilevuka.
Date: Saturday, November 27
Venue: Boris Paichadze National Stadium, Tblisi
Kick-off: 14.00 (10.00 GMT;
Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Andrew Healy (Scotland), TBC
