Australia faces Georgia in both the team’s final pool match on Friday 11 October in Shizuoka. Kickoff is at 19:15 pm local time (6:15 ET). In the U.S, the match may be viewed on-demand on NBC Sports Gold and on TSN 1 and 4 in Canada.
The Wallabies opened the RWC with a 39-21 win over Fiji, lost to Wales 29-25, and beat Uruguay 45-10.
Georgia lost to Wales 43-14, beat Uruguay 33-7, and lost to Fiji 45-10.
In the first two rounds, and then Uruguay beat Fiji 30-27and then lost to Georgia 33-7. In the Pool’s first third-round match, Fiji defeated Georgia 45-10.
Fiji could claim third place and qualify for the 2023 RWC should the Wallabies beat Georgia on Friday. A Georgia win would give the Lelos third.
Pool D standings have Wales topping the pool with 14 points, Australia with 11 points, Fiji 7, Georgia 5, and Uruguay 4.
Australia
Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika had made ten starting changes ahead of the Friday match against Georgia. With Wales win over Fiji, Australia has clinched a quarterfinal spot. They will face either England or France.
Jack Dempsey, Nic White, Matt To’omua, Kurtley Beale retain their starting positions while Jordan Petaia, who earned his first cap against Uruguay, moves to the right-wing.
David Pocock will captain the side with Michael Hooper, who will earn his 99th cap on the bench.
Matt To’omua will be the flyhalf for the first time this year after he finished last season at flyhalf for the Wallabies Spring Tour clashes against Italy and England.
The match against Georgia is their first meeting between the teams.
Georgia
Georgia head coach Milton Haig has made two changes from the side which started in their loss to Fiji.
Scrum-half Gela Aprasidze replaces Vasil Lobzhanidze, and Beka Saginadze comes in for Giorgi Tkhilaishvili in the back row. Both Lobzhanidze and Tkhilaishvili drop to the bench. Merab Sharikadze will captain the side.
Outside-center David Kacharava will earn his 119th cap, extending his record. Gorgodze will play his 15th Rugby World Cup match, equalling the Georgian record held by Merab Kvirikashvili.
Squads
Australia: 1. Scott Sio 2. Tolu Latu 3. Sekope Kepu 4. Izack Rodda 5. Rory Arnold 6. Jack Dempsey 7. David Pocock (c) 8. Isi Naisarani 9. Nic White 10. Matt To’omua 11. Marika Koroibete 12. Samu Kerevi (vc) 13. James O’Connor 14. Jordan Petaia 15. Kurtley Beale 16. Jordan Uelese 17. James Slipper 18. Taniela Tupou 19. Adam Coleman 20. Michael Hooper 21. Will Genia 22. Christian Lealiifano 23. Dane Haylett-Petty
Georgia: 1. Mikheil Nariashvili 2. Shalva Mamukashvili 3. Beka Gigashvili 4. Giorgi Nemsadze 5. Konstantine Mikautadze 6. Beka Saginadze 7. Mamuka Gorgodze 8. Beka Gorgadze 9. Gela Aprasidze 10. Lasha Khmaladze 11. Alexander Todua 12. Merab Sharikadze (capt.) 13. David Kacharava 14. Giorgi Kveseladze 15. Soso Matiashvili 16. Jaba Bregvadze 17. Guram Gogichashvili 18. Giorgi Melikidze 19. Otari Giorgadze 20. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili 21. Vasil Lobzhanidze 22. Lasha Malaguradze 23. Tamaz Mchedlidze
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