'Australia are not at their best': Georgia's bold statement ahead of Wallabies World Cup opener

Georgia are eyeing off a major World Cup upset as scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze talks their chances up, believing they are a 'big chance of winning' against the Wallabies.

Georgia have been one of the biggest improvers since the 2019 World Cup.

They claimed their first win over a tier-one nation in July 2022 against Italy before backing it up four months later against pool rivals Wales.

The two teams faced off in 2019, with the Australians running away with the 27-8 victory in Shizuoka.

However, the scrumhalf is eyeing the new-look side as the perfect opportunity to claim the shock victory

"We played against them in the World Cup in 2019. We lost but not by a big margin (27-8). Australia are not at their best because they don't have Quade Cooper and (Michael) Hooper," Lobzhanidze told reporters (via World Rugby).

"To be honest, I believe there's a big opportunity for us to win."

The 26-year-old is one of 17 who play their club Rugby in France, becoming a regular for Brive.

 

 

 

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This includes electric fullback Davit Niniashvili, who represents a golden generation of Georgian talent coming through the system.

Lobzhanidze understands the pressure heading to his third World Cup, making his debut as a teenager.

He was relishing the chance of doing it in his 'second home' and hoped the familiar conditions could inspire the team.

"A World Cup is always special. It's even more special because it's here - everyone loves rugby, everyone knows the rules, the players," he believes.

"I was 19 when I came here. It's my second country after Georgia. It's special for me because I love France.

"I was 18 when I played in my first World Cup. I don't consider myself to be Georgia's key player but I am the third or fourth oldest player in the team."