[2015 RWC] Pool C: New Zealand vs. Georgia (02/10/2015)

[TRF_heineken]

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (02/10/2015, 20:00)
Pool C, Round 3
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère

 

[ABs2011]

So as per the ABs management we are supposed to see our best team for this game and the next with the only caveat being Naholo to start.

That being said, one would expect Sam Whitelock will get a rest after starting the first two. As will Kaino.

Therefore my guess is the AB team will be:

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Luke Romano, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams

 

[nickdnz]

From an All Blacks perspective it seems this match is a vehicle to see if Naholo can live up to his hype (I'm not saying that disparagingly), and I expect the attention to really be on him. Not sure what other changes will be made - but it seems Daniel Carter may be asked to play 10 if Slade and Barrett's ****les aren't fully healed (that said, one of them surely must be an option from the bench..).

Based on the match form between Argentina and Georgia - and that we shouldn't have a referee who is happy to have the ball in play for only 12.50 min of a half - this may be the All Blacks best shot at posting a high score (keeping in mind Georgia did manage to beat Tonga), as presumably Georgia will either be rotating their squad in preparation for Namibia (in which a win will mean they don't have to go through qualification for next time) - or risking huge amounts of player fatigue for some of their key players.

 

[nzlizard]

Therefore my guess is the AB team will be:
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Luke Romano, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams

Would be happy to see Woodock and Crockett swapped, otherwise it comes down to which wing they want Naholo on as to who will be on the other, NMS/Savea will either start or not be in the squad.

as presumably Georgia will either be rotating their squad in preparation for Namibia (in which a win will mean they don't have to go through qualification for next time) - or risking huge amounts of player fatigue for some of their key players.

Yeah this is an interesting point, at this stage you would say Georgia are more interested in auto qualification for the next one, so it makes sense to rest the stronger team.

 

[GoTheNaki]

Wais with the hat-trick, gumon my friend.

 

[Mcfadden]

Yeah I think you might see a mostly full strength NZ side as pointed out. I wouldn't mind seeing Charlie Faumuina get another start because I think he deserves to be rewarded for getting involved and generally hitting the mark when required in attack against Namibia. He was better than Ben in my opinion, and I'd like to see our prop cover have a decent hit out before we enter the KO stages. Owen Franks to slot back in against Tonga. Wouldn't mind Crockett starting. Kaino, Whitelock and Skudder all need a rest. I'm not a fan of Messam, but we do need him to be have some semblance of game time under his belt if he's required later on.

On the one hand you might say that, other than Argentina, we're going to be pretty under cooked in this pool. The flip side of that is, at least we're not in a pool of death where fatigue could creep in much earlier and injury likelihood increases ten fold. It is what it is and there's nothing we can do about our fixtures as far as the pool goes. But I would like most of the "regulars" to start playing together from here on in. Possibly not the top side we have for this particular game, but a lot of our better players anyway. We need to start getting the practice in for that cohesion we've come to expect.

Our last match was weird. I didn't feel we did much wrong per say, but that 20 minutes was obviously painful to watch. I'd like to see the guys uphold discipline standards so we don't suffer needless citings (having watched a few other nations), and perhaps keep the focus and find ways to counteract any cynical slowing of the game (although a lot of that is in the referees hands).

 

[tompaton7]

So as per the ABs management we are supposed to see our best team for this game and the next with the only caveat being Naholo to start.

That being said, one would expect Sam Whitelock will get a rest after starting the first two. As will Kaino.

Therefore my guess is the AB team will be:

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Luke Romano, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams

Have a feeling Naholo will be utilised at 11 with Milner-Skudder retaining his spot. Naholo is meant to get a game against Tonga as well so Savea might start that game.

This could end up being a blow out with the Georgians to rest a lot of players to ensure they are good for Namibia - automatic qualification at stake. You'll still see the likes of Gorgodze in I would imagine though.

 

[ABs2011]

Have a feeling Naholo will be utilised at 11 with Milner-Skudder retaining his spot. Naholo is meant to get a game against Tonga as well so Savea might start that game.

This could end up being a blow out with the Georgians to rest a lot of players to ensure they are good for Namibia - automatic qualification at stake. You'll still see the likes of Gorgodze in I would imagine though.

Yup, get your money on a BIG AB win. All Black A side vs Georgia B = biggest victory margin of the tournament!

Georgia coach on record saying they are targeting Namibia game and will rest many of his first stringers.

 

[Dirty Ape]

We have a full week between all remaining fixtures (2nd, 9th then QF on the 17th) so I would expect us to be putting a near full strength side on the park every game, with a few caveats along the way. Those caveats being, to ensure some key players get some rest (I'm thinking Kaino and Whitelock primarily, but others too), but also to make sure a couple of key players have a decent amount of game time under their belts (Naholo being the main one).

So I can only agree with what has already been said - a strong side including Naholo to put a lot of points past an under strength Georgia.

 

[psychic duck]

Yup, get your money on a BIG AB win. All Black A side vs Georgia B = biggest victory margin of the tournament!

Georgia coach on record saying they are targeting Namibia game and will rest many of his first stringers.

No, England vs tired Uruguay off short turnaround will be widest margin of the tournament. Namibia are a complete gimme for virtually every other side in the tournament, Georgia would expect to beat them easily even with tired players.

 

[ABs2011]

No, England vs tired Uruguay off short turnaround will be widest margin of the tournament. Namibia are a complete gimme for virtually every other side in the tournament, Georgia would expect to beat them easily even with tired players.

I should have qualified that statement with "so far" yup England v Uruguay will be a huge one too. OZ should have put 80 on them if not for Quades yellow, Quades goal kicking, and SO many dropped balls!

As for Georgia, that maybe so, but Namibia is a HUGE game for Georgia and it appears they will take no chances by fielding their best v the ABs - well so their coach says anyway.

 

[djwizard84]

It's a shame that Georgia (it could be any Union) plays against the best rugby national team and it would not be at your best.

Damn schedule! And if it's a +50 point game, don't count it as an argument to not consider Georgia as a potential contender to be part of the 6Ns.

 

[psychic duck]

I should have qualified that statement with "so far" yup England v Uruguay will be a huge one too. OZ should have put 80 on them if not for Quades yellow, Quades goal kicking, and SO many dropped balls!

As for Georgia, that maybe so, but Namibia is a HUGE game for Georgia and it appears they will take no chances by fielding their best v the ABs - well so their coach says anyway.

Where did the coach say that? As that's not what I read.

And to repeat, Georgia are significantly better than Namibia. It shouldn't be a problem to beat them off a short turnaround regardless of which side plays New Zealand. I think the coach would have a hard time telling some of his team they're resting up for their nation's first ever chance to face NZ in order to play Namibia.

 

[ABs2011]

Where did the coach say that? As that's not what I read.

And to repeat, Georgia are significantly better than Namibia. It shouldn't be a problem to beat them off a short turnaround regardless of which side plays New Zealand. I think the coach would have a hard time telling some of his team they're resting up for their nation's first ever chance to face NZ in order to play Namibia.

You do get how vital the Namibia game is for Georgia right?

I've got a feeling you are missing the point.

 

[Toko_11]

I do agree with Psychic about our 2nd team easily dispatching Namibia, but they probably want the bonus points and for that they'll need the first team


The Georgia Coaches said they will be resting some players...

This is our most attacking lineup.

Nariashvili, Bregvadze, Zirakashvili.
------ Nemsadze, Mikautadze.
--- Kolelishvili, Gorgodze
--------------- Lomidze
---Lobzhanidze
-----------Khmaladze
-------------------Sharikadze
-------------------------Mchedlidze
Todua --------------------------- Pruidze
--------------Kvirikashvili

Subs:
Mamukashvili
Asieshvili
Chilachava
Datunashvili
Katcharava
Aptsiauri
Malaguradze
Begadze
_____________________________________________________
Now here's what I think we might see if they want to rest the maximum amount of players vs the ABs

Asieshvili, Maisuradze, Peikrishvili
------Datunashvili, Chkaidze
----Sutiashvili ----------- Tkhilaishvili
-----------------Lomidze
Begadze
---------Malaguradze
---------------------Mchedlidze
------------------------------Kacharava
Todua -----------------------------Pruidze
-----------------Tsiklauri

Kubriashvili, Todua Khmaladze are Injured since early September, they have 50/50 chance of playing vs AB-Namibia otherwise they wouldve been starters or the first subs all along. there's a rumor Kubriashvili will not make it and they will call on Peikrishvili instead. that's why I wrote his name instead.



They also might need this guy so someone can tell Gorgodze and Kolelishvili to rest...

 

[ABs2011]

I do agree with Psychic about our 2nd team easily dispatching Namibia, but they probably want the bonus points and for that they'll need the first team

Yup, I'm not arguing that. My point is, for such a massive game is it worth the risk? By all accounts it is not.
As for the bonus point?? I highly doubt that is on their mind at all. It's all about the win in this game.

 

[Toko_11]

Yup, I'm not arguing that. My point is, for such a massive game is it worth the risk? By all accounts it is not.
As for the bonus point?? I highly doubt that is on their mind at all. It's all about the win in this game.

well the 3rd place isn't guaranteed before the Geo-NZ game.. for all we know Tonga could beat Argentina and then we'll need bonus to advance... If Tonga-Arg was scheduled before NZ-Geo than we might not've rested anyone at all... depending on the result there.

 

[ABs2011]

well the 3rd place isn't guaranteed before the Geo-NZ game.. for all we know Tonga could beat Argentina and then we'll need bonus to advance... If Tonga-Arg was scheduled before NZ-Geo than we might not've rested anyone at all... depending on the result there.

Absolutely - thats the point. Of course , on the off chance that Tonga beats Argentina then the bonus point will come into play. But given that outcome will be known before the Namibia game doesn't add support to the chances of Georgia resting players vs. the ABs? That is what we are discussing still right?

 

[Toko_11]

Absolutely - thats the point. Of course , on the off chance that Tonga beats Argentina then the bonus point will come into play. But given that outcome will be known before the Namibia game doesn't add support to the chances of Georgia resting players vs. the ABs? That is what we are discussing still right?

Yep, Tonga beats Argentina, + We have tired lineup = we don't get the bonus vs Namibia and Tonga finishes off by putting 7 tries on them.. Tragedy..

in other words, better safe than sorry..

Although I still want to see Maccaw vs Gorgodze/Kolelishvili if they don't play I'll be a bit disappointed even whilst realizing the risks behind it.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I'm wondering if this match could be a banana-peel situation for the AB's with regard to injuries...

Georgia tends to be physical, and Gorgodze has shown that they aren't shying away from that. If I were Hansen I wouldn't pick most of the guys who are first choice players for the knockouts...