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Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui is braced for a physical onslaught from Georgia in a Pool C clash which could spell the end of Australia’s World Cup.
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The Wallabies’ participation in France is on a knife-edge following defeats to Wales and Fiji.
And if Fiji secure a bonus-point win against Georgia in Bordeaux on Saturday, Eddie Jones’ Australia will be out of the tournament before the knockout phase for the first time.
Fiji have won four of their six matches against Georgia, and a fifth win from seven would put them in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time since 2007 ahead of their concluding group match against Portugal.
“It’s going to be a physical game,” said Raiwalui. “We know them quite well because we’ve played them quite often.
“They’re fit, they’ve obviously prepared well, and they love to play with that physicality, something that we like to do as well.
“We’re at similar stages of our development, we’re looking to get further and move up further with bigger matches outside the World Cup. We have the utmost respect for Georgia and what they’re doing and we understand it’s going to be a very tough match.”
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Fiji make just one change from the line-up that secured a memorable 22-15 win against Australia, with Selestino Ravutaumada replacing Jiuta Wainiqolo, who is suffering from an ankle problem.
Fourth-placed Georgia still have an outside chance at reaching the last eight following an 18-18 draw against Portugal last time out in their second game of the tournament.
