Georgia to Face All Blacks in Historic First Match

Georgia's National Rugby team is gearing up for a historic game against the world's number one rugby team, New Zealand’s All Blacks, on October 2nd.

The Georgian Lelos will play the world’s current champions for the first time in history. The game is set to kick-off at 8pm local time (11pm in Georgia) at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

It is the third match in the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C.

After beating Tonga 17-10 in their opening match, Georgia placed third in Pool C, right behind New Zealand and Argentina.

Georgia's coach Milton Haig, a New Zealander himself, decided to bench Georgia's leading players during the historic match. The changes were made to prepare them for the final pool game against Namibia five days after.

Victory over the African minnows will earn Georgia automatic qualification for the World Cup, should Tonga lose their final two matches against Argentina and the All Blacks.

Haig explained his decision as "absolutely vital" for a long-term success at the World Cup, as the team is in a strong position to accomplish it currently.

"Our whole energy towards this tournament for the past few years has been directed at exactly that. By doing that, we created history for ourselves. For the players for whom this is their last World Cup, they will leave a legacy for Georgia that's never been done before," Haig told World Rugby.

“We are preparing for this game with maximum determination. It is good that we have no injuries and all are recovered.” David Kacharava, centre player of the team, said.

“All Blacks is the top rugby team in the World ranking and it is the world's best team. It's every rugby player's dream to play against a strong team, such as the All Blacks. This is our chance and challenge,” Giorgi Nemsadze, the second liner of the Georgian team, noted.

Georgia

Beka Tsuklauri, Giorgi Apciauri, David Kacharava, Tamaz Mchedlidze, Alexandr Todua, Lasha Malaguradze, Giorgi Begadze, Lasha Lomidze, Mamuka Gorgodze (capt), Shalva Sutiashvili, Giorgi Chkhaidze, Levan Datunashvili, Levan Chilachava, Shalva Mamukashvili, Karlen Asieshvili.
Reserves: Simon Maisuradze, Mikhail Nariashvili, Anton Peikrishvili, Kote Mikautadze, Viktor Kolelishvili, Vasil Lobjanidze, Merab Sharikadze, Muraz Giorgadze.