Nadi Captain Warns Fiji Of Georgia’s Threat

While all attention is on Wales and Australia, the Flying Fijians have been warned that they need to keep an eye on Georgia at the Rugby World Cup. The RWC gets underway in France this weekend.

Nadi rugby captain and robust Ilisoni Galala told SUNsports yesterday the Georgians are no pushover as they had beaten Wales 13-12 last November.

Also, the Georgians have beaten Italy 28-19. In the July World Rugby Under-20 Championship, Georgia had upset hosts South Africa and Argentina.

Galala along with his Nadi team-mates of Jolame Luvevou and Jaoji Tuni played for Eagles RC in the Georgian club competition, last season. The trio helped Eagles RC win the second division and has been promoted to the top-flight competition.

The club has approved their request to return to Fiji to play for Nadi in the Skipper Cup competition before they return for another session with them.

In an earlier interview, Galala said the reason he had returned was because he was after a spot in the Fijian Drua side.

The 28-year-old admitted it was tough to play rugby in Georgia and it took him time to understand their culture and be on par with them.

“They (Georgians) are very strong people,” Galala said.

“They know that we Fijians are also strong. Georgians are very aggressive people and they play aggressive rugby and they do trust their system.”

During his time there, Galala said, he learned a lot from them especially from their front rows.

“They play among the forwards all the time, from the scrum to the lineout.”

The Moala, Nadi native said, lately they (Georgians) have been developing their backline players who are very fast and clinical. The Georgia culture is similar to the Russians and Ukraine. They have this war like mentality.”

Galala added that despite the barriers in language and culture, he believes the Georgians will bring their A-game to the World Cup.

The Georgians are in Pool C along with Wales, Australia, Fiji and Portugal.

They face Eddie Jones-coached Wallabies in the opening match in Sunday morning (Fiji time) while Fiji takes on Wales the next morning (Monday) at 7am.