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On the back of an impressive 46-17 win over Germany last weekend, the USA are looking to win again in Europe on Saturday. In what is just the second test match between the countries in Georgia the Eagles face the daunting prospect of winning in Tbilisi.
Saturday’s match marks the 6th time overall that Georgia and the USA will have played each other. The first time was in 2009 with the Eagles flying high to win 31-13 in Colorado. In November 2010 Georgia won 19-17 at home but the USA won in 2012 and 2013, the latter of these being a 25-23 win in Rustavi.
The most recent match was this past June with Georgia winning 21-17 in Atlanta. Combined the North Americans hold a 3-2 advantage based on overall results.
Milton Haig has made a handful of changes to the team that pushed Wales to the brink. Most notably Giorgi Chkhaidze is given the start in his 100th and likely final international appearance. Shalva Sutiashvili and Merab Kvirikashvili are two more who are approaching the end of their Lelo careers, the veteran duo starting at blindside flank and fullback respectively.
Meanwhile two youngsters are given runs in the backs. Rezi Jinchvelashvili starts at flyhalf with powerful runners Giorgi Kveseladze earning his first test start at inside center. Merab Sharikadze moves out one spot to make room. Try-scoring sensation Soso Matiashvili is bracketed with Giorgi Koshadze on the right wing, a final decision to be made on game day.
The big news for the Eagles, figuratively and literally, is the return of Samu Manoa for the first time in a year. He bumps Andrew Durutalo to the bench with John Quill getting the nod over Tony Lamborn on the openside flank. The rest of the pack stays the same but Nate Brakeley is added to the bench in place of Cam Dolan. Interim Head Coach Dave Hewett has opted for a 6-2 split to counter the Georgian forward-heavy tactics.
There are no changes to the backs but there is one positional switch with captain Blaine Scully switched to fullback and Mike Te’o on the right wing. Nate Augspurger and Will Magie will provide backs cover. Augspurger has started at both scrumhalf and wing for the Eagles this year while AJ MacGinty can cover the midfield with Magie a specialist No 10.
Having claimed an away win over the Eagles earlier this year the Lelos enter the fixture as favorites. With a strong showing against Wales and a 54-22 downing of Canada under their belts this month beating Georgia looms as a highly challenging mission for the Eagles.
GEORGIA
15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Soso Matiashvili / Giorgi Koshadze, 13 Merab Sharikadze (capt.), 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 11 Mirian Modebadze, 10 Rezi Jinchvelashvili, 9 Vaso Lobzhanidze, 8 Beka Bitsadze, 7 Vito Kolelishvili, 6 Shalva Sutiashvili, 5 Kote Mikautadze, 4 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 3 Levan Chilachava, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili
Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Zurab Zhvania, 18 Soso Bekoshvili, 19 Giorgi Nemsadze, 20 Lasha Lomidze, 21 Giga Tkhilaishvili, 22 Gela Aprasidze, 23 Lasha Malaguradze
USA
15 Blaine Scully (capt.), 14 Mike Te’o, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Bryce Campbell, 11 Ryan Matyas, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Shaun Davies, 8 Samu Manoa, 7 John Quill, 6 Ben Landry, 5 Nick Civetta, 4 Greg Peterson, 3 Dino Waldren, 2 Joe Taufete’e, 1 Olive Kilifi
Replacements: 16 Peter Malcolm, 17 Huluholo Moungaloa, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Nate Brakeley, 20 Andrew Durutalo, 21 Tony Lamborn, 22 Nate Augspurger, 23 Will Magie
Date: Saturday, November 25
Venue: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
Kickoff: 18:00 local (09:00 Eastern, 06:00 Pacific)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistants: Ian Tempest (RFU) & Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Channel, Imedi (Georgian)
