Wallabies v Georgia preview: Australia to continue revival under Joe Schmidt with hard-fought victory
Wallabies flanker Rob Valetini and Georgia fly-half Luka Matkava.
After starting their 2024 international campaign with back-to-back victories against Wales, the Wallabies will be hoping to continue their renaissance under Joe Schmidt when they host Georgia in Sydney on Saturday.
Schmidt has hit the ground running and by clinching a 2-0 series win over the Six Nations wooden spoonists he has already matched his predecessor Eddie Jones’ record of winning only two out of nine Tests in 2023.
While those results will boost the Wallabies‘ morale, what was evident against the Welsh is that there is still plenty of room for improvement for the home side and Schmidt and the rest of his backroom staff will be hoping to see just that against the Lelos this weekend.
Despite making 10 alterations to his starting line-up, Schmidt still has a healthy mix of senior and up-and-coming players.
While the experienced stalwarts will be expected to lead the way, the youngsters will be keen to make an impact and prove to their head coach that they are up to the rigours of international rugby and capable of mixing it against some of the world’s leading players in the Rugby Championship.
Leading the way for Australia will be the likes of full-back Tom Wright, right wing Filipo Daugunu, inside centre Hunter Paisami, and flankers Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight, who were at the forefront of their onslaught against Wales.
It’s no coincidence that the aforementioned quintet are the only players in the Wallabies camp who started both Tests against Wales and are back in the run-on side against Georgia as they have all been in fine form so far.
Meanwhile, although Georgia will be underdogs for this clash, they will be in a confident mood as they delivered an excellent performance against Japan in Sendai and eventually clinched a deserved 25-23 victory – only their second ever triumph over the Brave Blossoms.
The Lelos have gained a reputation for the impressive physicality of their forwards and a superb effort from their pack under the guidance of head coach Richard Cockerill laid the foundation for that win over Japan.
They will be determined to build on that effort which means the Wallabies can expect a big onslaught from their visitors’ forwards on Saturday.
Where the game will be won
The battle up front will be huge and Georgia will once again be hoping to dominate those exchanges. The Wallabies are not renowned for their forward play but their pack stood up well in their two Tests against their Welsh counterparts and laid a good platform for their backline. If they can contain Georgia’s forwards and provide solid front foot ball to their half-backs, their dangerous outside backs will come into play but that is easier said than done as the Lelos will come with a huge onlsaught. Apart from impressing in the set-phases, they also do well in the rucks and mauls and the Wallabies will have to be at their best in all those departments if they want to secure a win.
Last time they met
What they said
After back-to-back wins in his first two Tests as Wallabies coach, Schmidt is in a confident mood ahead of this encounter but is not taking his opponents lightly.
“Georgia have proven to be a very tough team to play as demonstrated by their wins against Italy and Wales in recent years, as well as their victory last week in Japan,” he said.
“They have added some very exciting backs to their traditional forward strength and challenge opponents across the park.”
Similarly Lelos head coach Cockerill has plenty of respect for the Wallabies and is preparing for a tough encounter.
“They do the basics very well. They’re pragmatic and they play in the right areas of the field. It feels a bit more like a northern hemisphere style of rugby,” he told Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
Wallabies: Joe Schmidt rings the changes with third captain plus an ex-All Black against Georgia
“Certainly in the kicking game and Joe’s building a game plan that’s not quite starting from scratch, but he’s putting his imprint on it and a good scrum.
“They’re a good lineout team and they score some good tries if you’re loose with the game and you don’t manage the game well – they’ve got so much power that they’ll hurt you. So we’ve got our work cut out for the weekend, but we feel that if we can put our best game on the field we can cause them problems.
“And if we can cause them problems, who knows what will happen?”
Players to watch
If the Wallabies are to get the better of the Lelos then their fly-half Ben Donaldson will have to be at his best. The 25-year-old was one of the Western Force’s best players during their 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign as he impressed with his playmaking skills and excellent game management. Donaldson will be expected to unleash his dangerous backline but also has the ability to take on the defence himself, which makes him dangerous with ball in hand. He is also solid off the kicking tee and will be expected to keep the scoreboard ticking for the home side.
Another player who will be crucial to the Wallabies cause is hard running number eight Harry Wilson, who is set to make his first appearance for his country since 2022. The 24-year-old was in superb form for the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific before his participation in that tournament was cut short in May due to a broken arm. Despite that injury, he was still included in the Wallabies’ squad and will be determined to make a positive impression on Schmidt as a ball carrier and on defence.
Two more years of charging runs 😤
Harry Wilson is locked in through to 2025!#Wallabies @eToroAU pic.twitter.com/v83KCDC3Jg
— Wallabies (@wallabies) April 27, 2023
He might not be in the Australia’s starting line-up, but all eyes will be on replacement prop Alex Hodgman, who is set to become only the fourth player to represent both the Wallabies and All Blacks at Test level and the first to do so since 1974. Solid in the scrums, while also adept in the execution of his other core duties, Hodgman will be champing at the bit to make his Wallabies debut to add to his four All Blacks caps which he won in 2020.
Although the Lelos’ forwards are expected to be influential in this encounter, they also have some exciting backs and in Davit Niniashvili they have an outstanding full-back who has shone for his country in the Test arena and at club level for Lyon in the Top 14. Safe under the high ball and a brilliant attacker, the 22-year-old is sure to test the Wallabies’ defence with some strong attacking runs from the back.
Also keep an eye on Giorgi Kveseladze, an abrasive inside centre who is solid on either side of the ball. Despite impressing in the execution of his defensive duties, the 26-year-old will be expected to unlock the Wallabies’ defence with his outstanding attacking skill-set. The former Gloucester player, who is set to ply his trade with French club Grenoble from next season, announced himself to the rugby world with a stunning try against Ireland during the 2020 Autumn Nations Series. Georgia fans will be hoping for a similar effort this weekend.
Amongst the forwards, Tornike Jalaghonia comes into the run-on side at number eight after delivering a fine performance off the bench in last week’s triumph over the Brave Blossoms. The 25-year-old spent six season with Biarritz in France but is set to further his career at Pro D2 rivals Provence from next season. A strong ball carrier, he will be expected to give his side attacking momentum from the base against Australia.
Main head-to-head
Both teams have several attacking weapons in their respective ranks which means there will be numerous enticing battles across the park, but the duel between Wallabies hard man Rob Valetini and Georgia counterpart Beka Gorgadze should be one of the highlights of this game. Both are excellent ball carriers and superb on defence which means we can expect a variety of barnstorming runs and big hits from the back-row duo in this clash.
Prediction
Both sides will have confidence in their respective ranks after being victorious in their recent matches. Although it will be close with the Lelos putting up a brave fight, the Wallabies are moving in the right direction under Schmidt and will have too much firepower for their visitors. Australia to win by seven points.
Previous results
2023: Australia won 35-15 in Paris (RWC)
2019: Australia won 27-8 in Shizuoka (RWC)
The 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 (c), 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 (c), 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: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 15:45 local (06:45 BST)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
