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Aguirre © Getty Images
Uruguayan leader Diego Aguirre

GEO v URU preview

26/10/2003
By Steve Kaless

Two of the Tournaments emerging nations, Georgia and Uruguay, will face off in a winner take all, grab for glory Pool C match on Tuesday 28 October at Aussie Stadium.

Form guide

While neither side is yet to win a game in the RWC, both are fast improving.

Georgia lost their Tournament opener 84-6 to England, but have shown marked improvement by challenging hard in their 46-9 defeat to Samoa and their recent 46-19 loss to the Springboks.

Uruguay, having played one fewer game than Georgia, were defeated in their first game against the Springboks 72-6 before facing Samoa four days later and losing 60-13.

Previous meetings

Georgia and Uruguay have never met before in international rugby.

In and out

Uruguay have made three changes and one positional switch to the starting line up that was defeated 60-13 by Samoa at Subiaco Oval on 15 October.

The three that come in are flanker Hernan Ponte, flyhalf Sebastian Aguirre and winger Alfonso Cardoso, while flanker Nicolas Grille moves from openside to blindside.

Lock Juan Carlos Bado is suffering from a throat infection and may be a late withdrawal. If ruled out he will be replaced by Juan Miguel Alvarez.

Georgia have made seven changes from the side that went down to the South Africans 46-19.

Flanker Gia Labadze is still sidelined with an arm injury he picked up in the 46-9 defeat by Samoa. Captain Gregoire Yachvili will be in the starting line up after sitting on the reserves bench against the Springboks. 

While retaining their try scoring hooker David Dadunashvili, the Lelos have also restructured their front row, Avtandil Kopaliani moving from loose head to tight head prop to make room for Goderdzi Shvelidze.

Final changes to the pack are with Zurab Mchedlishvili coming in at second row whilst Ilia Zedginidze moves into No.8.

Georgia will look different in the outside backs, installing a new centre pairing of Irakli Giorgadze and Tedo Zibzibadze and placing Malkhaz Urjukashvili on the wing.

Key players

The Georgians will look to their powerful front row to lay the foundation for victory. Recent national hero and hooker David Dadunashvili who scored his countries first try in the RWC against South Africa will again be a key figure in their engine room.

The creative pairing of scrum half Merab Kvirikashvili and fly half Paliko Jimsheladze will also figure strongly for the Lelos.

Uruguay will be hoping their strongman prop Pablo Lemoine and powerful number 8 Rodrigo Capo can counter the Georgian pack and also continue their own try scoring feats this Tournament.

Los Teros will also be looking to their inspirational centre and spiritual leader Diego Aguirre, who along with brother Sebastian, forms the core of Uruguay’s attacking plays.

What it means

While neither side can make the knock out stage of the Tournament, this is a virtual RWC final for both sides as they have a chance to realise their RWC dream of winning a pool match.

Either side would consider a victory in this game as a mark of a successful tournament.

Although Uruguay do have a final game against England, this match does represent their best opportunity to grab glory.

What they said

Claude SAUREL (GEO) -  Coach

On their match against Uruguay:

"They are a very good team, they are dangerous, but we will just give it a go. Uruguay have some experience by already playing in the World Cup, they have the advantage. It will be a hard game."

Daniel Herrera (URU) – Team Manager

On their match against Georgia:

“Georgia are in the finals for a reason, they are a strong and touch team.”

On how to win:

“To beat the Lelos, we must play better than we have until now.”

On the recent crowd support for Georgia:

“The crowd should support the minor teams, but I hope on Tuesday the crowd will be divided.”

Match details:

Georgia v Uruguay
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Kick off: 19:30 local time

Match officials:

Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
Touch judges: Nigel Williams (Wales) and Donal Courtney (Ireland)
Television match official: Iain Ramage (Scotland)

 

 

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Links to Member Union websites

Union De Rugby Del Uruguay
Georgian R.U.

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