Georgia on my mind!

[pompey-zebra]

We could probably have made more changes and still have been confident of a win on Saturday, but I'd rather Gatland take the belt and braces approach as opposed to being taking the risk however small of losing 20-10, say and qualifying second.

[Graigwen]

Here is the Georgia team:

Georgia team to face Wales: Lasha Khmaladze; Akaki Tabutsadze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Merab Sharikadze (capt), Davit Niniashvili; Luka Matkava, Vasil Lobzhanidze; Guram Gogichashvili, Shalva Mamukashvili, Beka Gigashvili, Nodar Cheishvili, Konstantine Mikautadze, Mikheil Gachechiladze, Beka Saginadze, Tornike Jalagonia

Replacements: Vano Karkadze, Nika Abuladze, Irakli Aptsiauri, Vladimer Chachanidze, Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Gela Aprasidze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Demur Tapladze.

.

[Graigwen]

The captain, Sharikadze, is back from injury in the centre.

Hooker Zamtaradze and lock Jaiani are out, presumed still injured after last week; replaced by Mamukashvili and Cheishvili. I seem to recall Mamukashvili as a decent and very experienced hooker.

It may not be Georgia's theoretical best possible team, but the replacements are experienced internationals, although the full back is getting on a bit and is probably past his best. 11 of the starting XV and 4 more on the bench were in the squad that beat us at home last year.

Georgia are still ahead of us in the beard stakes.
.

[Graigwen]

Thinking again about Joe Worsley's comments on Georgia playing 2nd and 3rd choices, their team for today are much better than that. I think he probably was trying to manage expectations and possible lull us into a false sense of confidence - I don't think it will make any difference.

We do need to make sure we retain possession with care at the start and not try anything overambitious. It should be a good game to watch.

[normanski]

Thinking again about Joe Worsley's comments on Georgia playing 2nd and 3rd choices, their team for today are much better than that. I think he probably was trying to manage expectations and possible lull us into a false sense of confidence - I don't think it will make any difference.

We do need to make sure we retain possession with care at the start and not try anything overambitious. It should be a good game to watch.

Yeah! This is one we approach with caution in the first quarter. it would be good for our pack to make a big statement early doors to put Georgia under pressure and let them know this won’t be a repeat of last November.

[normanski]

Anscombe out with a tweaked groin suffered in the warm up. Costelow starts and Dan on the bench. Bugger.

[Graigwen]

Thinking again about Joe Worsley's comments on Georgia playing 2nd and 3rd choices, their team for today are much better than that. I think he probably was trying to manage expectations and possible lull us into a false sense of confidence - I don't think it will make any difference.

We do need to make sure we retain possession with care at the start and not try anything overambitious. It should be a good game to watch.

Yeah! This is one we approach with caution in the first quarter. it would be good for our pack to make a big statement early doors to put Georgia under pressure and let them know this won’t be a repeat of last November.

I certainly don't think this will be a repeat of last November. I do think we will have scrum dominance by the end of the game (our bench should be better than theirs). I think "a big statement early doors to put Georgia under pressure" will be difficult, although not impossible.
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[Sourdust]

It should be a good game to watch.

I can only see it being so if (a) Georgia win or (b) Wales win 88-34.

I can't see either happening.

In fact, I'd like to put it here in writing that (b) WILL NOT HAPPEN, and if it does, I'll look really stupid. Are you listening, Fates? REALLY, really stupid. Imagine how stupid I'll look. It'll be hilarious.

[Graigwen]

Most of all, I hope there will be no injuries.

[16th man]

Whilst the Georgia vs Portugal game was cracking and a fair result, it is disappointing that it means that there isn't a way Wales could finagle a defeat in this game that ensured they topped the group,and have Georgia overtake Australia for third and the automatic qualification spot.

[Graigwen]

It should be a good game to watch.

I can only see it being so if (a) Georgia win or (b) Wales win 88-34.

I can't see either happening.

In fact, I'd like to put it here in writing that (b) WILL NOT HAPPEN, and if it does, I'll look really stupid. Are you listening, Fates? REALLY, really stupid. Imagine how stupid I'll look. It'll be hilarious.

I accept that we have a track record of turning exciting looking games intro low scoring slugfests.

Anscombe out?

[Graigwen]

From the BBC:

"Dan Biggar, who has been nursing a pectoral strain, takes his place on the replacements bench.

Latest news is that Gareth Anscombe has damaged his groin while kicking in warm up... but really sad scenes for him. He was almost in tears as he trudged off the pitch."

[Sourdust]

For.

Fuck's.

Sake.

[pompey-zebra]

For.

Fuck's.

Sake.

Yep, but it's never as straightforward as we think it's going to be is it?

[Son of Mathonwy]

From the BBC:

"Dan Biggar, who has been nursing a pectoral strain, takes his place on the replacements bench.

Latest news is that Gareth Anscombe has damaged his groin while kicking in warm up... but really sad scenes for him. He was almost in tears as he trudged off the pitch."

Arse. The look in his face and the hugs of consolation make this look really bad. He really could have done with a bit of luck.

Hope Biggar really is fit.

[UKHamlet]

Abbot Anne needs a big game today. I'm not sure Georgia is the team to do it against.

[normanski]

Costelow looks nervous but nails the conversion.

[16th man]

If you're the first guy up trying to tackle the Georgian 10 you've got to be fairly prepared to be made to look a lumbering oaf don't you?

[UKHamlet]

Pretty flat display all in all

[pompey-zebra]

Not a great first half but they're winning and thats the main thing.

[normanski]

Georgia are no mugs and Wales, I guess, they’ll get a roasting from Gatland at half time for the points they’ve left out on the pitch.

[Ross. S]

I thought we were alright. I prefer their patience and cautious approach, waiting for the Georgians to tire rather than the usual harum scarum and ending up with a disaster like we usually do against tier 2 sides

[Buggaluggs]

Costelow is a step down from Anscombe. I'm surprised, as I thought he was looking great a few games ago.

[Sourdust]

I thought we were alright. I prefer their patience and cautious approach, waiting for the Georgians to tire rather than the usual harum scarum and ending up with a disaster like we usually do against tier 2 sides

Yep, this. It's hardly fireworks but it'll do. Same again, 34-14, job's a good 'un.

Can't face another ooh-look-how-pretty-we-are-oh-fuck showing against Tier 2.

[UKHamlet]

Costelow is a step down from Anscombe. I'm surprised, as I thought he was looking great a few games ago.

He will get better with time, hopefully. He's still very young. Anscombe is an old head. Sadly, on an increasingly old body.