After a relatively disjointed display against Namibia in their last game, Dan Carter has called on New Zealand to up their game against Georgia at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow. That could mean quite a worrying scoreline for the Georgians who are coming off the back of a comprehensive 54-9 loss to Argentina despite starting with a win over Tonga in their first game.

With the likes of England, Wales, South Africa and Australia the media focus in their fight for the quarter finals, the World Champions are quietly going about their business in a straightforward group. Georgia coach Milton Haig will be resting a few players with one eye on their Namibia game next week but has asked his team to show ‘energy’ against the All Blacks – will it be enough?

NEW ZEALAND

Steve Hansen has called back in several of his starting players with the most notable inclusion being Super Rugby superstar Waisake Naholo. An injury to Ma’a Nonu means Sonny Bill Williams and Conrad Smith partner up in the midfield with Dan Carter pulling the strings at 10.

Hansen criticised his team for not being clinical enough against Namibia and will be expecting a big response tomorrow. Argentina showed that playing running rugby with width is the way to open Georgia up so expect this New Zealand backline, which is near enough full strength, to do just that.

The forwards can expect quite a different evening tomorrow. Returning to lead the team, Richie McCaw will be eager to avoid an arm wrestle with a Georgia pack that can cause any team issues. Despite this, expect a fitter and more mobile New Zealand front eight to get the upper hand.

One to watch – Waisake Naholo

His recovery story to even feature in this World Cup is slightly bizarre having broken his leg 10 weeks ago. Some traditional healing in Fiji is said to have been the cure and it’s testament to how good this man could be that Hansen selected him for the trip despite being unsure of when he would be able to play. He was Super Rugby’s top try scorer last season and it will be interesting to see after 10 weeks out if he can recapture some of that form.

GEORGIA

Milton Craig has acknowledged the massive challenge Georgia face tomorrow evening but expect them to play to their own strengths. As Haig told a press conference this week: “We have a very forward-orientated game… we must play with fire in our belly”. They have made 11 changes from the team that lost to Argentina and will struggle to deal with New Zealand’s variety.

Keep an eye out for the Georgia front row of Karlen Asieshvili (Brive), Shalva Mamukashvili (Sale Sharks) and Levan Chilachava (Toulon). There is a reason Georgia have a reputation in the scrum and these three will be a huge presence.

The issue for Georgia is a lack of balance in the team. Despite the half back combination of Lasha Malaguradze and Giorgi Begadze having plenty of international caps, they ply their trade in semi-professional rugby in France and Georgia respectively and will struggle coming up against two of the best in the business in Aaron Smith and Dan Carter.

One to watch – Mamuka Gorgodze

At 1.96m and 119kg, Mamuka Gorgodze is hard to miss. Georgia’s talismanic captain has built a reputation in France as one of the league’s most fearsome players and they will need a big performance from him.

PREDICTION

While the winner of this match is not in doubt, it’s going to be interesting to see how much of a fight Georgia put up and how improved New Zealand will be from their first two run outs.

I expect Georgia to come flying out the gates with some signature physicality to keep the first quarter relatively tight but beyond that I can only see New Zealand pulling away quite comfortably. New Zealand by 60

By Joe Ogden (@JoeOgden90)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images