Two teams, one must-win match. Pool C’s second-placed team Fiji have quarter-final qualification on their minds.
Fourth-placed Georgia, who are still in the last-eight running, more realistically have third place, and automatic qualification for the 2027 tournament in Australia on theirs. Meanwhile, the Wallabies, who play on Sunday, will be watching with interest.
Georgia’s enthralling 18-18 draw against Portugal in Toulouse last weekend leaves them needing bonus-point wins in both of their last two matches to maintain an outside chance of reaching the knockout phase.
Head coach Levan Maisashviki has made seven changes to his starting 15, including the half-back pairing, with scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze and fly-half Luka Matkava in for Gela Aprasidze and Tedo Abzhandadze respectively.
Goeorgia's head coach Levan Maisashvili said there is a lot of respect between both teams: "There is a lot of respect between both teams, that's one of the values of rugby. I know the Fijian coach well, he's a great person, they are very professional, complete rugby players who have a lot of human qualities, and we have a lot of respect for their team. I think the beginning of the match will be very important, but I cannot say if it will be the most important. I can say that we will play the full 80 minutes and we will do everything we can to win the match."
Fiji’s win over Australia last time out, and their losing bonus-point against Wales puts them in the box seat for the second qualification slot in Pool C. A win here would consolidate their position, with a final match against Portugal to come.
With that in mind, Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui has named a strong squad, featuring just one, injury enforced, change to his starting line-up, as Selesitino Ravutaumada comes in for Jiuta Wainiqolo.
Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui expect a physical game: "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. Set piece will be a big challenge as well. 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, 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."
Teams:
Fiji: - 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 3 Luke Tagi, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7 Levani Botia, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 10 Teti Tela, 11 Semi Radradra, 12 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 15 Ilaisa Droasese. 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: 1 Mikheil Nariashvili (c), 2 Tengizi Zamtaradze, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 4 Lasha Jaiani, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze, 7 Beka Saginadze, 8 Tornike Jalagonia, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 10 Luka Matkava, 11 Davit Niniashvili, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 15 Miriani Modebadze. 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.
