2011 Rugby World Cup Pool B Match Preview: Georgia vs. Romania
Wednesday, September 28 will see a Rugby World Cup (RWC) Pool B encounter between Georgia and Romania. The match promises to be a good as the minnows of the Rugby World and their neighbouring rivals lock horns with each other at Arena Manawatu, in Palmerston.
Both the rugby playing teams are not included in Europe’s top rugby playing nations; however, they have players who compete in different European league and possess the experience to play at the highest level. The match is like the World Cup final for both
Georgia and Romania, as the FIRA-AER's Nations Cup - Division 1 contestants will play their third and fourth match of the tournament respectively this coming Wednesday.
Both sides failed to register a point so far in the tournament. However, Georgia appears to be the better of the both sides courtesy of their few impressive on field performance. Both teams last played against England. However, Georgia will take the confidence
that their final score line against England read much better than the Romania’s.
Georgia has named their most experienced side for their upcoming encounter. The side includes just three changes to the lineup, which took the field against England. Head coach Richie Dixon’s match day 22 for their upcoming Romanian encounter combined to
form 551 test caps.
The three changes include the naming of David Zirakashvili, Lasha Khmaladze and Giorgi Chkhaidze in the starting xv. The duo of Zirakashvili and Chkhaidze has been moved from the bench to the starting lineup, in place of the David Kubriashvili and Shalva
Sutiashvili at flanker and prop positions respectively, for their Wednesday’s game.
Meanwhile Lasha Khmaladz comes in the side in place of winger Irakli Machkhaneli, who has been dropped from the match day altogether. Khmaladz will start the match at the fullback position in place of Revaz Gigauri, who has been moved to the winger position.
On the other hand, Romania has made eleven changes to their lineup as compared to the lineup, which took the field against England last weekend. The changes mark the return of their captain Marius Tincu, who will play his 50th test for the national
team.
Given Georgia’s relatively better performance will start the match as favourites. However, it will be a very tough task for Georgia to deny Romania their Losing Bonus Points.
The match day squad of both teams for the Wednesday encounter is given below:
ROMANIA
Starting XV: Iulian Dumitras, Stefan Ciuntu, Csaba Gal, Tiberius Dimofte, Madalin Lemnaru, Danut Dumbrava, Florin Surugiu; Daniel Carop, Ovidiu Tonita, Mihai Macovei, Cristian Petre, Valentin Ursache, Paulica Ion, Marius Tincu (captain), Mahaita
Lazar.
Replacement: Bogdan Suman, Silviu Florea, Valentin Poparlan, Daniel Ianus, Valentin Calafeteanu, Constantin Gheara, Florin Adrian Vlaicu.
GEORGIA
Starting XV: Lasha Khmaladze, Revaz Gigauri, David Kacharava, Tedo Zibzibadze, Alexander Todua, Merab Kvirikashvili, Irakli Abuseridze (captain); Dimitri Basilaia, Mamuka Gorgodze, Giorgi Chkhaidze, Vakhtang Maisuradze, Ilia Zedginidze,
David Zirakashvili, Jaba Bregvadze, David Khinchagishvili.
Replacement: Goderdzi Shvelidze, Vasil Kakovin, Levan Datunashvili, Givi Berishvili, Bidzina Samkharadze, Irakli Chkhikvadze, Malkhaz Urjukashvili.
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