It is finally here. The 2015 Rugby World Cup begins this Friday in England, and with the hosts in action on the opening night it is understandable most supporters wouldn’t even be able to tell you who was contesting the second game of the tournament. However come 12:00 pm on Saturday the World Cup community will switch its attention to Kingsholm in Gloucester to see what could be a huge physical battle between Tonga and Georgia.
Tonga vs Georgia: All About The Forwards?
Both sides are improving Tier 2 nations, which tends to entail a strong forward game that is moderated by limited back play and/or a poor kicking game. Is this what I and around 15000 other spectators are in for?
On Tonga’s part, they may not even be able to rely on the forwards; recent test matches against Wales and Scotland have seen the scrum and lineout struggle. However against Romania in their second warm-up game, they went much better aided by the return of Steve Mafi. This is encouraging for this immediate game given the similarities between Romania and Georgia. The ‘Ikale Tahi will hope they can build momentum before they have to face the southern hemisphere powerhouses of Argentina and New Zealand in their final two Pool games. In addition the Pacific Islanders’ gameplan is based on their natural power. Big ball carriers like Sione Kalamafoni and Opeti Fonua always relish a pick-and-go or a crash ball, but with the oldest squad in the tournament it is debatable whether those bodies will be able to front up and dominate a physical battle for 80 minutes in a World Cup competition. This will dictate whether they can release flair players like Fetu’u Vainikolo to get the tries they need to push for the quarter finals.
Facing them will be the Georgians who boast two French Top 14 stars in their scrum, Clermont Auvergne’s Davit Zirakashvili and Toulon’s Mamuka Gorgodze. The latter will certainly be up for the physical battle, but the Tongans may be able to get on top by exerting their experience. Georgia have actively tried to balance their squad’s age profile, going to the extreme by accelerating 18 year old Vasil Lobzhanidze to the first team. Experienced heads, led by captain Nili Latu should have the nous to outwit such novices on this big occasion.
It is unlikely to be an entirely neutral crowd either. Cherry and Whites Sione Kalamafoni, David Halaifonua and the departing Sila Puafisi will be playing at their home stadium and I expect to see many Gloucester Rugby shirts and the passion of a normal home game come kick-off. Furthermore Tonga played at Kingsholm last November and have been training in the area ahead of this game, touring local rugby clubs and enjoyed their official welcome ceremony up the road at Cheltenham Town Hall. This gave the Sea Eagles the chance to endear themselves to local supporters, as well as settle the squad before the big tasks ahead. On the event, Kalamafoni said “This is very good and makes us feel special, in a way, and that is what they were aiming to do – make us feel special and welcome us to Cheltenham”.
So will it be a forward-dominated affair that World Rugby will not want broadcast on the global stage? The weather should hold, the game on paper will decide who will finish third in the Pool and Georgia will want to demonstrate why the Six Nations should become seven. The battle up front will be the main focus, but it may well be who is more clinical in the backs that decides the contest. It should be close, but the experience of the Tongans should get them over the line.
“Main Photo”
