Preview: Tonga vs Georgia
Both teams have a similar approach to the game as they both rely on the size and physicality of their forwards to give them an edge over their opposition.
You will have to look no further than the two No.8s Viliami Ma'afu and Mamuka Gorgodze as embodiments of brute strength.
They have only met once before and that was in November last year in Tbilisi where Tonga emerged 23-9 victors.
Tonga have also played in more World Cups than Georgia. As it currently stands this will be Tonga's seventh World Cup and Georgia's fourth.
Both these teams have never made it past the group stages and will know that a loss in this game will damper any chances of making the play-offs in this year's tournament as they will still have to play defending champions New Zealand and Argentina in their group.
Tonga are also positioned higher on World Rugby's rankings – they are currently in 11th placed with Georgia in 16th.
Tonga are coming off an impressive Pacific Nations Cup campaign where they finished third overall behind champions Fiji and Samoa. They picked up wins against Canada, USA and Japan with their sole loss of the tournament coming against Fiji in the opening match.
They also won their most recent test which against Romania 21-16 earlier this month in Bucharest.
Wing Telusa Veainu said they are keen to try and find a balance between their backline and forward play against the Georgians.
"Everyone is saying that our forward pack is our main strength, but we're keen to balance that out in the backs and express ourselves," said Veainu.
"We haven't had a chance to do that so far but, against Georgia, we're looking to have a go. We are sick and tired of training and taking it out on each other. We just want to get out there."
Georgia's main preparation for the World Cup has been in the form of the Tbilisi Cup in June this year. While they picked up a 19-10 win over Uruguay they were comprehensively beaten by Emerging Italy 10-26 and Emerging Ireland 12-45 in their remaining games.
In their final outing before they left for England they were beaten 10-13 by Japan in a tightly contested match.
Players to watch:
For Tonga: Kurt Morath, who plays for French club Biarritz, will pull the strings at flyhalf and is an important cog in the Tongan backline with his vast experience. Fetu'u Vainikolo is one try away from becoming Tonga's outright leading test-match try scorer, while it will be interesting see if Sona Taumalolo can repeat his form from 2011 if he gets a chance off the bench. Western Force's Sitiveni Mafi will also be one to watch around the park.
For Georgia: Lock Konstantine Mikautadze is arguably their best player on the park. He plays for Toulon and his 125kg frame is sure to cause the Tongans some problems upfront. Davit Zirakashvili was one of the Top 14's best props last season, while Merab Kvirikashvili is Georgia's all-time leading points scorer with his potent boot. Mamuka Gorgodze, another Toulon player, is another to look out for with his brute physicality. He will also be captaining the side.
Head to head: Probably the biggest match-up in this game will be in the line-outs where Sitiveni Mafi will have an important job to try and get parity against Konstantine Mikautadze. The influence of the two No.8s Viliami Ma'afu and Mamuka Gorgodze will also be huge on their team's performances as well.
Previous result:
2014: Tonga won 23-9, Tbilisi
Prediction: It will be a tough match with both forward packs likely to cancel each other out, however, Tonga's experience and pedigree on the international stage should prove too much for the Georgians. Tonga should win by 12 points at least.
Teams:
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Will Helu, 12 Siale Piutau, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Nili Latu (captain), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Sitiveni Mafi, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Halani 'Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Tevita Mailau.
Replacements: 16 Paula Ngauamo, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Hale T Pole, 20 Jack Ram, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Latiume Fosita, Sione Piukala.
Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13 Davit Kacharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Giorgi Aptsiauri, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), 7 Viktor Kolelishvili, 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.
Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Karlen Asieshvili, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Levan Datunashvili, 20 Shalva Sutiashvili, 21 Giorgi Begadze, 22 Giorgi Pruidze, 23 Muraz Giorgadze.
Date: Saturday, September 19
Venue: Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Kick-off: 12.00 (11.00 GMT; 15.00 Georgia time; 00.00, Sunday, September 20 Tongan time)
Expected weather: Partly Cloudy with a slight breeze. High 17ºC.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Leighton Hodges (Wales)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
