Fiji clash with Georgia Rugby World Cup Pool C in Bordeaux on Saturday and victory for Fiji would put them in touching distance of reaching the quarter finals.
Fiji v Georgia, Saturday 30th September, Bordeaux, KO 17:45 (South African time)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (SARU), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Tom Foley (RFU)
Weather Forecast - Bordeaux
Fiji:
Fiji sat out last weekend and they return to action on the back of a terrific 22-15 victory over Australia which gives them every chance of advancing from this group. Fiji were given 5.5 points start on the handicap and they didn't need any of it as 4 first half penalties from Kuruvoli put them into a 12-8 lead. Tuisova scored Fiji's only try early in the second half, converted by Kuruvoli and another penalty from Lomani gave them enough daylight to keep the Wallabies at bay.
Fiji opened their campaign against Wales. The main handicap line saw them go off 5.5 point underdogs and that cap proved to be accurate as Wales hung on to claim a 32-26 victory with Fiji's late comeback from 32-14 down at one stage falling just short.
As far as the Pool C standings are concerned Wales with 14 points from 3 games are already assured of a top 2 finish. Fiji picked up 2 bonus points against Wales and now have 6 points from 2 matches and Australia also have 6 points from 3 whilst Georgia and Portugal both have 2 points from 2 outings. After this Fiji come up against Portugal in their final pool match.
In RWC 2019 Fiji won just 1 and lost 3 of their matches and that victory came against Georgia (45-10).
In the RWC outright betting Fiji are 35/1 shots with BoyleSports and they are 18/10 to make it to the semi finals.
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Georgia:
Georgia lost their opening match 35-15 to the Wallabies. The main handicap line was 22.5 points so plus backers were happy. Georgia trailed 18-3 at half time and scored second half tries through Ivanishvili and a consolation for Gigashvili.
Georgia were 14.5 point favourites for their second outing which came against Portugal last weekend but despite taking the lead with a try in the 2nd minute they needed a late try to level the scores and then survived a missed penalty from Portugal at the death.
That leaves Georgia with this game and a clash with Wales to come and they will need to win both to ave any chance of reaching the quarter finals. As far as the RWC outright betting is concerned Georgia are 20/1 to qualify from this pool with BoyleSports .
Team News
Fiji: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Semi Radradra, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Levani Botia, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Vinaya Habosi
Georgia: 15 Miriani Modebadze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 11 Davit Niniashvili, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Tornike Jalagonia, 7 Beka Saginadze, 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 4 Lasha Jaiani, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Tengizi Zamtaradze, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili (c)
Replacements: 16 Luka Nioradze, 17 Nika Abuladze, 18 Irakli Aptsiauri, 19 Nodar Cheishvili, 20 Luka Ivanishvili, 21 Gela Aprasidze, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike Kakhoidze
The Betting
Fiji -18.5 points at 9/10
Georgia +18.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
This handicap opened -14.5 Fiji so the money has come for them as it now sits at -18.5.
I think the handicap is now well set and expect Fiji will be too strong for Georgia who they beat 45-10 in the group stages in 2019.
The points line is set at 51.5 and if anything I am leaning Georgia under 16.5 points but I am battling to find anything I want to play with conviction.
In games like these I often turn to a winning margin plays and Fiji by 21-30 points inclusive is priced at 28/10 and will hopefully keep me interested for the full 80 minutes.
Stay close to our forum thread where I will post any outright or points plays on this game
BET: 2 units Fiji by 21-30 points inclusive at 28/10 at Betxchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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