Georgia RWC’19 betting preview

Georgia for a nation of under 4 million people has a proud history at the Rugby World Cup, but are not considered live chances of winning the 2019 edition in Japan.

It will be the fifth time the Lelos have played at a World Cup and their record suggests they won’t be easy-beats this time around, having won a quarter of their matches on the biggest stage, including two from four in 2015.

Any success will be built around their defensive output, which we saw on display earlier this year, when they were crowned the Six Nations B champions.

Many of Georgia’s squad play in the super-competitive French competitions, including the Top 14, meaning they won’t shy away from the physicality that always goes up a notch around World Cup time.

Georgia has recalled former captain Mamuka Gorgodze into its squad after a string of front-line players were injured in the months leading up the World Cup. Gorgodze is still playing top-flight rugby in France but has not played for his country since 2017.

Georgia has been draw in Pool D which includes the powerful Wales, Australia, Ureguay and Fiji.

While Georgia has been priced a 15.00 chance for their opening games against Wales, the Lelos will start heavy-favourite against Ureguay and are not without some claims against Fiji. While Australia has not set the world on fire in recent years they will struggle to beat the two-time champions.

This RWC’19 betting preview will highlight our predictions and best for Georgia ahead of their first game on September 23.

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Where Georgia will finish in the 2019 Rugby World Cup

WGL prediction: Eliminated in group stage. Should be able to win against Uruguay and some chance against Fiji.

Previous best World Cup result: Pool stage in past four World Cups.

Georgia’s Rugby World Cup draw

Match 8: Wales v Georgia, Monday, Sep 23, Pool D, City of Toyota Stadium
Match 16: Georgia v Uruguay, Sunday, Sep 29, Pool D, Kumagaya Rugby Stadium
Match 21: Georgia v Fiji, Thursday, Oct 3, Pool D, Hanazono Rugby Stadium
Match 33: Australia v Georgia, Friday, Oct 11, Pool D, Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

Georgia’s most recent results

February 9: Georgia 18 d Romania 9, Six Nations B, Cluj, Romania
February 17: Georgia 24 d Spain 10, Six Nations B, Tbilisi, Georgia
March 2: Georgia 46 d Belgium 6, Six Nations B, Brussels, Belgium
March 10: Georgia 52 d Germany 3, Six Nations B, Kutaisi, Georgia
March 17: Georgia 22 d Russia 6, Six Nations B, Krasnodar, Russia
August 31: Scotland 44 d Georgia 10, Scotland tour, Tbilisi, Georgia
September 6: Scotland 36 d Georgia 9, Georgia tour, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland

Georgia’s record against Pool D rivals

Australia: Played 0
Wales: Played 1: won 0, lost 1. Points for: 6, Points against: 13
Fiji: Played 3: won 1, lost 2. Points for: 48, Points against: 64
Uruguay: Played 5: won 3, lost 2. Points for: 85, Points against: 72

Georgia squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Coach: Milton Haig

Forwards: Mikheil Nariashvili, Guram Gogichashvili, Shalva Mamukashvili, Jaba Bregvadze, Vano Karkadze, Levan Chilachava, Giorgi Melikidze, Beka Gigashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Mamuka Gorgodze, Kote Mikautadze, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Lasha Lomidze, Otar Giorgadze, Beka Gorgadze, Beka Saghinadze.

Backs: Sandro Todua, Soso Matiashvili, Mirian Modebadze, Zurab Dzneladze, Davit Katcharava, Merab Sharikadze, Tamaz Mtchedlidze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Lasha Malaghuradze, Lasha Khmaladze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Giorgi Begadze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Gela Aprasidze.

Leading try-scorer prediction for Georgia

Mirian Modebadze: The 21-year-old, 194cm winger has made a bold start to his international career with four tries in only 10 appearances. He plays for AIA Kutaisi and has scored 15 tries in only 29 outings so he knows where to be at the right time. A real talent that can help Georgia push up towards a top 10 spot in the world in coming years.

Georgia predictions – Giant killers or also rans?

We’re predicting Georgia can win two of their Group D clashes if they play well, but will struggle to move any further in the tournament, with Australia and Wales seemingly having a mortgage on advancing. Stranger things have happened though and with players like Modebadze and Gorgodze in the line-up they do have enough firepower and experience to cause some trouble for fancied rivals. While we think the future is bright for the Lelos, we can’t see a run into the finals as being a realistic possibility this time around.

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