07 Oct 2023 / admin

Wales vs Georgia Prediction and Betting Tips

🏈 Rugby World Cup 2023 Match Preview

⏰ 7 October 2023 - 14:00 GMT +1

⏰ 7 October 2023 - 23:00 AEST

🏟 Stadium - Stade de la Beaujoire (Nantes)

Australia and Georgia will wrap up their 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) Pool C campaigns on Saturday afternoon at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. But the teams arrive in northeast France after very different tournaments so far. Australia have already secured safe passage to the quarter-finals, while Georgia has been eliminated after picking up only three competition points from their three matches.

Although they are through to the last eight, Australia could still be overtaken for top spot in Pool C so they still have work to do. Coach Dave Rennie’s side came into the tournament in poor form, winning just two of their last ten games (L8). But a win this weekend would see them complete their second straight RWC pool stage with a perfect record. Not much has gone wrong for the Aussies since their 32-26 opening match victory over Fiji on 10 September 2023. They followed that with an unspectacular 28-8 win against Portugal before demolishing Wales 40-6, leaving the Welsh on the brink of missing the RWC quarter-finals for the first time ever.

Confidence levels in the Australian camp have skyrocketed and their clarity of thought was evident as Rennie named his XV for this clash with Georgia on Monday, five days before kick-off! There are six changes to the starting team who comfortably beat Wales a fortnight ago, including hooker Folau Fainga'a coming in to captain the side. Winger Marika Koroibete and number eight Rob Valetini will both start in Nantes, meaning they have begun all four of Australia's matches in the tournament.

Defeat in Nantes would mean Georgia have gone through an entire pool stage without a single victory since their RWC debut in 2003. But even if they lose on Saturday, the Lelos can still post their highest-ever RWC pool points total if they score 21 against the Aussies. Georgia put plenty of pressure on Fiji in Bordeaux last Saturday but only had four successful penalties to show for it as they went down 17-12. That followed their 18-18 draw with Portugal in Toulouse seven days earlier, and their points counts have been consistent after opening their campaign with a 35-15 loss to Wales!

After missing the Fiji game due to injury, captain Merab Sharikadze returns at centre as one of five changes to the Georgia side which includes 15 of the match-day 23 who triumphed in Sydney 11 months ago. Tornike Jalagonia starts again for a clean sweep at this RWC and he is aiming to maintain his 100% tackling record (48/48) in the tournament, which before this round was the highest number of tackles without a miss by any player.

The two teams know each other well with all four of their previous head-to-heads taking place from 2017 onwards. Australia lead the contests 3-1, including in the pool stage at the 2019 RWC, but it was Georgia who came out on top last time they met, at the Sydney Cricket Ground in November last year.

📋 Players to watch:

Fly-half Luka Matkava missed a late conversion in the draw with Portugal but has kicked points in Georgia's other two games, including the decisive 78th minute penalty in the win in Sydney last November.
Marika Koroibete has already scored two tries at this RWC with the winger making 159 metres and beating ten defenders so far.

⚡ Match Facts:

Wales top Pool C on 14 points from 3 wins. Guaranteed quarterfinal spot.
Georgia eliminated after 3 losses. Can finish 3rd with a win.
Last met in November 2022, Wales won 19-13 in Cardiff.
Wales lead head-to-head 3-1, including 2019 RWC pool win.
Wales seek second straight 100% RWC pool stage record.
Georgia yet to win a RWC pool game since 2003 debut.
Wales make 6 changes including captain Lake.
Georgia brings back captain Sharikadze from injury.

💡 Match Prediction:

Based on Wales' strong performances so far at the tournament and Georgia's struggles, Wales should have too much firepower and clinch a comfortable win.

Wales' pack has been dominant, winning the battle up front in all three matches so far. Their backline has clicked nicely as well, with the likes of Rees-Zammit and North providing pace and power. Georgia's forwards have been competitive but their backs lack cutting edge.

Wales has too much quality across the park and should have the beating of limited Georgia. Wales to cover a -9.5 point handicap looks a solid bet. With both teams preferring forward-oriented play, take under 45 total points. Wales have too much quality across the park and should have the beating of limited Georgia. Wales to cover a -9.5 point handicap looks a solid bet. With both teams preferring forward-oriented play, take under 45 total points.

Betting Tips: