Australia vs Georgia prediction and odds: World Cup Match 4

The 2023 Rugby World Cup begins for two more teams early on Saturday evening as one-time winners Australia take on Georgia! Both sides will be eager to get off to a winning start in the tournament so read on as we preview Australia vs Georgia.

Australia vs Georgia – match predictions

Although you have to go back to the last century to find the last time Australia won the Rugby World Cup, they have reached the final in 2003 and 2015 and remain one of the most feared nations in the sport. Georgia have never got out of a first round pool but have won at least one match in each of the last four finals. Here are our top predictions for this game:

Australia -22 handicap points to win @ 2.00 (1/1)

It may come as a surprise to many casual rugby fans to see that Australia are ranked only two places above Georgia, but ranking points and positions count for nothing when the referee blows the whistle at the start of a Rugby World Cup contest! Australia are coached by Eddie Jones who has a sensational record in the tournament – lifting the trophy once and reaching the final on two further occasions, as well as leading Japan to a remarkable win over South Africa in the 2015 competition – and he will ensure his charges are game ready on Saturday evening.

There were only 19 points between the teams in their only previous meeting, coincidentally during the pool stages of the last Rugby World Cup, but we are expecting Australia to come out of the blocks and make a statement victory in this match.

Mark Nawaqanitawase to be the first tryscorer @ 7.00 (6/1)

The 22 year old winger has been hotly tipped by pundits and experts across the globe to announce himself to the world in this competition. With Fijian heritage, the young player is powerful as well as quick and the Georgian defence may well struggle to deal with him from the first time he approaches them at speed on Saturday.

Déjà vu as Australia and Georgia meet four years on in a Rugby World Cup pool again

Neither side are among the favourites for this year’s tournament but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t going to be in for an entertaining clash. Let’s zoom in on how the teams have been getting on over recent games.

Australia

Eddie Jones’ side come into this match after five successive defeats against France, New Zealand (twice), South Africa and Argentina. Their last victory came against Wales in November of last year, the same month they were beaten by Italy. However, you can never write off the Australians, particularly in Rugby World Cups.

Georgia

Their final Rugby World Cup preparation game ended in defeat against Scotland at the end of August but Georgia had won each of their previous two games against USA and Romania. Georgia enjoyed a win over Uruguay in the 2019 Rugby World Cup pool and they will have nothing to lose in this clash with Australia.

Australia vs Georgia head to head

With only one previous meeting, the players on both sides will not be overly familiar with each other. Australia won the 2019 Rugby World Cup clash 27-8 in a match which Georgia refused to give-up in.

• Date and time: Satuday 9 September, 17:00 UK time
• Venue: Stade de France, Paris
• How to watch: ITV