Georgia’s teenage scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze, who was still at school during the last Rugby World Cup, will be given the chance to make history and show what he can do on the global stage, coach Milton Haig said.
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The 18-year-old is set to break the World Cup record held by American Thretton Palamo when he features against Pool C opponents Tonga at Kingsholm in Gloucester.
However, only five players remain in the run-on side from Tonga’s most recent World Cup clash – a famous win over France in Wellington four years ago.
15-Merab Kvirikashvili, 14-Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13- Davit Kacharava, 12-Merab Sharikadze, 11-Giorgi Aptsiauri, 10-Lasha Malaguradze, 9-Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8-Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), 7-Viktor Kolelishvili, 6-Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 5-Konstantine Mikautadze, 4-Giorgi Nemsadze, 3-Davit Zirakashvili, 2-Jaba Bregvadze, 1-Mikheil Nariashvili.
In Georgia’s path are the All Blacks, with the two nations set to meet on October 2 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
It would make Tonga the favourites but the Pacific islanders are wary of what lies in wait.
“I think the most important will be the first game, because how we start, that’s the point, we should start really good”, Mamukashvili told Omnisport.
“We will have to be physical also as that is what they will bring”.
Tonga beat Georgia 23-9 previous year .
Tonga have made six changes to the team which started against Romania in their last World Cup warm-up match.
Nevertheless, Georgia are being written about with respect, particularly in the Guardian’s preview which forecasts the Lelos upsetting Tonga, and possibly even Argentina.
Telusa Veainu was named on the wing and Vunga Lilo will play at fullback.
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Winger Fetu’u Vainikolo, who has moved to Oyonnax after a spell with Exeter, needs one try to become Tonga’s leading Test try-scorer with 15.
