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A match with significant implications for future Rugby World Cup qualification takes place in Osaka on Thursday. Georgia will go head-to-head with Fiji at Hanazono Stadium, with the winner of the Pool D clash taking a big step closer to securing their spot in the 2023 tournament.
Both sides have played two games thus far and it’s Georgia who hold a four-point advantage following their dominant win over Uruguay. The upset loss to Los Teros has cost Fiji dearly, and should they also fall to the Lelos they are certain to finish no higher than 4th in the pool.
As expected, John McKee has reverted to the first choice lineup that gave Australia a scare with only two exceptions. Manasa Saulo’s bulk in the scrum is preferred at tighthead prop over the more mobile Peni Ravai. In the back row Semi Kunatani makes his first appearance of the tournament at openside flank, with Peceli Yato fit to resume at No8 and Bill Mata named among the reserves.
Georgia coach Milton Haig is also not messing around, selecting an identical pack that squared off against Wales. In the backs there are three alterations, most notably the experienced Lasha Khmaladze is named at flyhalf ahead of youngster Tedo Abzhandadze. Merab Sharikadze captains the side in his first start since returning from injury, and Sandro Todua is rewarded for his strong match against Uruguay with a spot on the left wing.
The two sides have played each other on three occasions, their first a narrow win for Fiji at Tbilisi in 2012. Georgia claimed victory at Suva in 2016, but their most recent contest at the same venue during the 2018 Pacific Nations Cup was strongly in favor of the Fijians.
That recent result coupled by Fiji’s strength against Australia and Georgia’s short turnaround after playing Uruguay make the Flying Fijians favorites though on from there is little to choose between the two. It is a clash of two styles with the Lelo pack shouldering the hopes of limiting the chances of Fiji’s outside backs.
Kickoff is set for 2:15pm local time, 1:15am Eastern, 2:15am Rio de la Plata, and 10:15pm Wednesday evening Pacific time. Live broadcasts will be available on ESPN 3 in Latin and South America, NBC Sports Gold in the USA, and TSN channels 1 and 4 in Canada.
FIJI
1 Campese Ma’afu, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt.), 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Peceli Yato, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Semi Radradra, 12 Levani Botia, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Josua Tuisova, 15 Kini Murimurivalu
Replacements: 16 Veremalua Vugakoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Viliame Mata, 21 Niko Matawalu, 22 Jale Vatubua, 23 Josh Matavesi
GEORGIA
1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 5 Kote Mikautadze, 6 Giga Tkhilaishvili, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze, 8 Beka Gorgadze, 9 Vaso Lobzhanidze, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 11 Sandro Todua, 12 Merab Sharikadze (capt.), 13 Davit Kacharava, 14 Giorgi Kveseladze, 15 Soso Matiashvili
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Guram Gogichashvili, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Otar Giorgadze, 20 Beka Saghinadze, 21 Gela Aprasidze, 22 Lasha Malaguradze, 23 Mirian Modebadze
Date: Thursday, October 03
Kick-Off: 14:15 local (Wednesday 22:15 Pacific, 01:15 Eastern, 02:15 Rio de la Plata)
Venue: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistants: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) & Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
Broadcasts: ESPN 3 (Latin / South America), NBC Sports Gold (USA), TSN 1/4 (Canada)
