Tonga host Georgia today in a repeat of the tight 2015 World Cup encounter between the two teams. Join The Roar for live scores from 10:45am AEST.
Georgia managed to secure a 17-10 victory over Tonga at last year’s World Cup, further establishing their credibility as an emerging rugby nation.
A tough 17 all away from home against Samoa last week is further evidence of Georgia’s growth, and they will fancy their chances of causing yet another upset this afternoon.
Tonga is coming off a narrow defeat to Fiji in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup and will have to be on their game if they hope to outmuscle Georgia at home.
Tonga have revamped their backline among five changes to the team to face Georgia in a one-off rugby Test in Suva on Saturday.
Kali Hala has been named to make his first Test start at first five, with Latiume Fosita shifting to second five in place of Viliami Hakalo, who drops to the bench.
Pila Iongi swaps to the left wing, with Otulea Katoa on the right while Apakuki Ma’afu gets his first start at centre in places of Nafi Tuitavake.
In the only change to the starting pack, Sione Tau is given a start at No.8 in place of Sione Kalamafoni.
New Zealand based duo Mikaele Mafi and Wayne Ngaluafe could make their Test debuts after being included in the reserves.
While Tonga do shade Georgia for creativity in attack, the Georgians pride themselves on winning the battle upfront. The Georgian pack is one of the strongest in world rugby and Tonga will have to knuckle down and win the arm wrestle in order to beat Georgia this afternoon.
Based on their impressive showing last week against Samoa, Georgia have shown enough to suggest that they can cause an impressive upset.
Georgia to win by 5
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