Fiji v Georgia preview: Pacific side to triumph in brutal Bordeaux battle

Dylan Coetzee
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Fijian Waisea Nayacalevu and Georgian Merab Sharikadze

Fijian Waisea Nayacalevu and Georgian Merab Sharikadze

The Rugby World Cup has entered a fascinating period where sides are chasing those all-important spots in the quarter-finals.

This clash is well placed within the push for second spot in Pool C behind Wales, who are already through. Fiji are the best placed, having secured a historic win over Australia. Mathematically, Georgia are not out of it but will likely need bonus-point wins in this one and against Wales to advance.

There is a sense of destiny within the Fiji ranks as the team has captured the minds and hearts of so many fans around the globe. Over the years, the Pacific side has become renowned for their flashy, flair-filled play aligning with their sevens brand of rugby, but things are changing.

The Flying Fijians have tightened up their set-piece and sharpened game management, making their game far more complete. This team did not beat Australia through a moment of brilliance or X-factor; they beat the Wallabies because they were the better side.

Now they have the golden opportunity to advance and likely face England in the quarter-finals – a team they beat at Twickenham earlier this year.

Of course, the focus is on the now, with Georgia a challenging hurdle. However, the Georgians have been slightly underwhelming throughout the tournament, with many expecting their power game to yield better results.

Nevertheless, they are a proud country and will want nothing more than to roll Fiji over when they need the win most.

Last time they met

What they said

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui expects a tough battle from Georgia, who are a physical side.

“It’s going to be a physical game, we know them quite well, we’ve played them quite often. They are a very proud team; they will come out and be very physical. The set piece will be a big challenge as well,” he said.

“They’re a very good team. They’re fit; they’ve obviously prepared well. They’re a very physical team; they love to play with that physicality, something that we like to do as well.

“We’re at similar stages of our development; we’re looking to get further, and move up further with bigger matches outside the World Cup.

“We have the utmost respect for Georgia and what they’re doing, and we understand it’s going to be a very tough match.”

Players to watch

It is difficult not to run through the entire backline, but two players in particular will have a big influence. Semi Radradra is a classy operator on the wing, and he will certainly be a try threat. Strong, fast and intelligent, which all makes for a player who is terribly difficult to defend. The other backline threat is the gargantuan centre Josua Tuisova, who will be a battering ram all day long. At 113kg, he is a massive player to try to deal with.

Elsewhere, keep an eye on flank Levani Botia, who will be a complete and utter menace at the breakdown. The La Rochelle man is genuinely a contender for the most effective jackaler in the world, and expect him to show that yet again.

A shining light of Georgia’s campaign has been the young full-back Davit Niniashvili, who is a proper superstar in the making. He is a master of the counter-attack and exploits space in a similar way to the popular Italian Ange Capuozzo. The Georgian is a clever player and has every skill to exploit any defence. Expect a lot of the attacking output to come through him.

Prediction

It will be a fantastic battle upfront as the forwards jostle for dominance, and in this one, a more rounded Fijian pack will be difficult to match. Off the back of that, the backline will be very dangerous. It will not be all their way with a tight first 40-50 minutes before Fiji powers away to win by 12.

Previous results

2019: Fiji won 45-10 in Higashiosaka
2018: Fiji won 37-15 in Suva
2016: Georgia won 14-3 in Suva
2012: Fiji won 24-19 in Tbilisi

The teams

Fiji: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Semi Radradra, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Levani Botia, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Vinaya Habosi

Georgia: 15 Miriani Modebadze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 11 Davit Niniashvili, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Tornike Jalagonia, 7 Beka Saginadze, 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 4 Lasha Jaiani, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Tengizi Zamtaradze, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili (c)
Replacements: 16 Luka Nioradze, 17 Nika Abuladze, 18 Irakli Aptsiauri, 19 Nodar Cheishvili, 20 Luka Ivanishvili, 21 Gela Aprasidze, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike Kakhoidze

Date: Saturday, September 30
Venue: Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (SARU), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Tom Foley (RFU)

READ MORE: Rugby World Cup team tracker: All the line-ups as Pool stage heads towards business end

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