Wales
43
Match Complete
Georgia
14
| L. Halfpenny |  | 76 | ||
| G. North |  | 75 | ||
| 69 | | T. Abzhandadze | ||
| 68 | | L. Chilachava | ||
| D. Biggar | | 65 | ||
| T. Williams | | 64 | ||
| 43 | | T. Abzhandadze | ||
| 42 | | S. Mamukashvili | ||
| D. Biggar | | 40 | ||
| L. Williams | | 39 | ||
| D. Biggar | | 19 | ||
| J. Adams | | 18 | ||
| D. Biggar | | 13 | ||
| J. Tipuric | | 12 | ||
| D. Biggar |  | 6 | ||
| J. Davies | | 2 |
| 6 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
World Cup contenders Wales take on Georgia in their first match in Japan. Join The Roar from 8:15pm (AEST) for live scores and a live blog of this clash.
Wales will be heavy favourites against the side ranked 12th in the world.
The Welsh are coming off a fantastic 12 months where they took out the Six Nations and ended their drought against the Wallabies.
Their warm-up form for Japan wasn’t great, winning only one of four matches against England and Ireland, but this is the real thing. Play-time is over.
Of course, the preparation for the tournament took a big hit when assistant coach Rob Howley was sent home for an alleged breach of the betting rules. Talk about bad timing.
But these players will stay focused.
These two sides have met only once before, back in 2017, with Wales winning 13-6 in Cardiff with an experimental side.
For this game coach Warren Gatland has not rested any players and is wheeling out a full-strength outfit. Lock Alun Wyn Jones will skipper Wales, with Dan Bigger and Gareth Davies in the halves.
Liam Williams gets the nod at fullback, with experience in the form of George North on the wing, Jonathan Davies in the centres and Justin Tipuric at openside flanker.
This is actually the most experienced XV Wales has ever fielded at a World Cup, with the average age of 28 years and 331 days.
The Welsh will be expecting a torrid time at the scrum, with the set-piece a noted strength of Georgia.
Rain is forecast, which could impact the expansive game Gatland’s men like to play.
Georgia boss Milton Haig has included six players that will be making their World Cup debuts in his squad. His key player is forward Mamuka Gorgodze, who will be featuring in his fourth World Cup.
Gorgodze famously won the man of the match award against New Zealand four years ago.
Prediction
Georgia are a big, strong team but will struggle to match the pace and flair of the Welsh.
Wales to win by 20 points.
Join The Roar from 8:15pm (AEST) for the play by play.
When: 8:15pm (AEST)
Where: City of Toyota Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Wales $1.05, Draw $80, Georgia $50
Wales
15. Liam Williams, 14. George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Hadleigh Parkes, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Gareth Davies, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Jake Ball, 5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 6. Aaron Wainwright, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Josh Navidi
Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Aaron Shingler, 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Leigh Halfpenny
Georgia
15. Soso Matiashvili, 14. Miriani Modebadze, 13. David Kacharava, 12. Tamaz Mchedlidze, 11. Giorgi Kveseladze, 10. Tedo Abzhandadze, 9. Vasil Lobzhanidze, 1. Mikheil Nariashvili (captain), 2. Shalva Mamukashvili, 3. Beka Gigashvili, 4. Giorgi Nemsadze, 5. Konstantine Mikautadze, 6. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 7. Mamuka Gorgodze, 8. Beka Gorgadze.
Replacements: 16. Jaba Bregvadze, 17. Guram Gogichashvili, 18. Levan Chilachava, 19. Shalva Sutiashvili, 20. Beka Saginadze, 21. Otari Giorgadze, 22. Gela Aprasidze, 23. Lasha Khmaladze
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
So he should ignore the law book to even up the contest for tier 2 nations? More disgraceful was the TMO trying to get a Wales player carded for a fair contest for the ball.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Totally agree......the gap is closing despite the support of World Rugby, not because of it.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Thanks Fionn....slick in the first half, competent on the second. As I posted earlier, I think the gap between the Tier 2 and Tier 1 teams is closing. No one can afford to take them lightly. Should be a great game next weekend!
In brief
Guest
That was pretty much how he referees in the English premiership - seems like a nice guy but inexperienced- how he was selected for the World Cup is a bit of a mystery
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Agree, but we are only seeing the first stage, similar to football the big European clubs are snapping up the talent and the skill and fitness levels of individual players is lifted. But the lack of games together against the top teams is is now the big difference. The hold over the game by the Home Nations has to be broken. Seriously, do we have to hold back 100 countries so Scotland and Italy can be protected? Given that Australia will continue to employ 3rd rate business people to run the game we desperately need the international game to progress massively faster to keep the attention of potential elite players.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT Wales have kicked off their World Cup with a solid start defeating Georgia 43-14. The Six Nations champions raced out to a 29-0 at half-time. But they took their foot off the pedal in the second half and the brave Georgians hit back with two tries. Wales still managed to cross six times and at times looked lethal with ball in hand. Upcoming games against Australia and Fiji will decide where in Pool D the Welsh finish. Georgia started badly and were 5-0 down after just two minutes. They fumbled the kick off and Jonathan Davies strolled over after a flat pass from Gareth Davies. Four minutes later Dan Biggar nailed a penalty to make it 8-0. Georgia’s kicking was poor and Wales made them pay. Josh Adams made a break and Justin Tipuric grabbed Wales’ second try. In the 19th minute Adams got a try off his own, off a Biggar pass after a lineout, as Georgia’s defence creaked. The Georgians had a good spell in attack, with Gareth Davies lucky not to be sin-binned for a knocked down pass. Right on half-time Liam Williams crossed, off Davies’ pass, to make it 29-0 at the break. But in the second half their opponents started brightly with Shalva Mamukashvilli burrowing over after a good lineout. Georgia were finally on the board. They lost Jaba Bregvadze in the 47th minute when he was yellow carded for collapsing a rolling maul. Warren Gatland emptied his bench and sub Tomos Williams scored, after a beautiful in-field kick by George North. Plucky Georgia weren’t done yet, with Levan Chilachava barging over after a quick tap. The conversion made it 36-14. However, Wales would have the last say of the match through North. Tomos Williams set the winger up with a great run to seal the win in Toyota.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Interesting performance form referee. Praised by commentators for his handling of the match. Irrespective that I thought he favoured the tier 1 nation I thought the quantity of his involvement exceeded his contribution. How much over analysis was required to justify ignoring a cynical knock forward? Hope Wallabies do not see him
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I would obviously be disappointed if the Wallabies didn’t make it out of the group, but wouldn’t it be incredible if Georgia made the QF? Congrats on the result today mate. I thought Wales looked good.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
This RWC is starting to look like late 80s Football World Cup....the minnows getting closer and closer. I remember the top African side, Zaire, getting flogged something like 10-nil in 74......a decade later Cameroon is challenging for a quarter final. Great for the game in the long run.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
How much faster would these lower ranked countries improve with more games against the better sides? The best thing about world cups is seeing the improvements since the previous one. The worst thing is watching the improvement between the first pool game and the last If depth and fatigue do not become issues Australia v Georgia will be as interesting as Fiji v Wales
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
What is really ominous for the Wallabies is the Georgian forwards. The pack won the game against Fiji, that Georgian pack will be no push over.....not saying it will be an upset, but they cannot afford to take them lightly. Wales looked slick in the first half, second not so much. Cymru am byth :rugby: :rugby:
Horseflesh
Guest
No doubt, he's a nice fella and I was a big fan of him as a player. Still remember Sam Whitelock tripping him in 78th minute of last RWC final. My broader observation is that the refs are letting crooked lineout throws go. Great effort from Georgia. Enjoyed that one. Humidity seems to hurting 6N teams.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Should be a great game. Remember the absolute battle between Aus and Wales in the last rwc. Looking forward to it
Nice result for meon Superbru, predicted Wales by 28 :stoked:
John Davidson
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Wales get their tournament off to a flyer with a 29-point win. Georgia beaten but not embarassed. Wales 43 Georgia 14
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
7N?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Ominous as a Wallabies fan
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'78 A few more subs for Georgia. They have been decent tonight, but Wales too good. Six tries showed their class. They were cruising at halftime. George stepped it up after the break. Wales 43 Georgia 14
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
What a try!
John Davidson
Roar Guru
TRY WALES Some quality interplay from Wales, with some nice offloads and support play, and it ends with North crashing over. Williams set it up with some twinkle toes before the pass to North. Leigh Halfpenny adds the extras. Wales 43 Georgia 14