Five Tier 2 players to watch at the Rugby World Cup - Pool D
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We are in the final countdown to the Rugby World Cup in Japan!
Ultimate Rugby has picked out five Tier Two players from each pool at the Rugby World Cup.
Lastly, we have a look at Pool D where Uruguay, Fiji and Georgia face off against Australia and Wales.
Beka Gorgadze - Georgia
A powerful no.8 with a great carrying and tackling game. Gorgadze will play a pivotal role for Georgia if they hope to cause an upset or two during the World Cup.
Gorgadze has become even more important for Georgia following injuries in their back-row ahead of the World Cup.
The 23-year-old made his test debut back in 2015 and has gone on to win 19 test caps before the World Cup.
Gorgadze is another Georgian plying his trade in the TOP14 with Union Bordeaux Begles and has certainly impressed since signing for the club from Mont-de-Marsan.
Frank Lomani - Fiji
Fiji have numerous players to keep an eye on during the Rugby World Cup with the more well known names such as Vereniki Goneva, Leone Nakawara, Levani Botia, Semi Radradra and many other names likely to make their mark in Japan.
However, we have picked out the man tasked with replacing Will Genia at the Melbourne Rebels next season, Frank Lomani.
Lomani was approached by numerous Super Rugby and European clubs throughout 2019 after impressing for the Fijian Drua and Fiji but the fantastic halfback rejected all the offers to remain in his homeland and prepare for World Cup.
Gifted with a crisp pass, excellent kicking game and an equally good running game, Lomani will play a key role in unleashing some Fiji's most lethal attacking weapons along with the likes of Henry Seniloli.
Juan Manuel Cat - Uruguay
A gifted footballer, Cat is likely to feature in the centres for Uruguay despite being very capable at flyhalf.
Felipe Berchesi is likely to fill the role at flyhalf meaning Cat will be tasked with unlocking defences in the wider channels.
Cat is as good on attack as he is in defence and despite being just 23 he has already racked up 31 test caps for his country, 28 of which in the starting line up.
Tedo Abzhandadze - Georgia
A gifted playmaker who will likely be the starting flyhalf for Georgia during the Rugby World Cup.
Abzhandadze is set to emulate Vasil Lobzhanidze, who holds the record for being the youngest player to feature at a Rugby World Cup aged just 18 years and 340 days, by appearing at an U20 Championship and Rugby World Cup a few months apart.
Abzhandadze featured in his third U20 Championship this year and has earned the backing of Georgia head coach Milton Haig.
Haig praised the youngster saying: “He is a natural rugby player, which means he is instinctive and understands the game really well for a young player,” said Haig. “He has taken the transition to senior international rugby in his stride without being fazed at all. We think he has the ability to be truly world-class.” via World Rugby
Milton Haig says he believes his young fly half Tedo Abzhandadze "has the ability to be truly world-class". https://t.co/IUgB0szxFf
— Tier 2 Rugby (@T2Rugby) May 29, 2019
Abzhandadze will also be key to Georgia maintaining their perfect conversion record in Rugby World Cups converting 14/14.
Viliame Mata - Fiji
Edinburgh fans will know Mata extremely well with former Fijian 7s star enjoying a standout 2018/19 season with the Scottish club.
As mentioned before, Fiji have numerous superstars heading to the World Cup and Viliame Mata is certainly up there with best of them and certainly a player that could break the game open at any moment.
Mata is incredibly difficult to bring to the ground with his excellent ball-carrying game but what makes him an even bigger threat is his ability to get the offload away.
