Georgia's Davit Niniashvili reaches career landmark on eve of 24th birthday

Georgia star Davit Niniashvili will make his 50th appearance for the Lelos, and win his 48th Test cap, after being named in the team that takes on Samoa in the World Rugby Nations Cup on Saturday.

Arguably the most-talented player to have ever pulled on the Georgian jersey, Niniashvili captained the side from outside-centre in their 41-34 round one win over Uruguay. But he lines up in his more traditional position of full-back for the clash at Estadio Saunsalito in Viña del Mar, which will be played two days before his 24th birthday.

Georgia will hope that Niniashvili gives them the cutting edge that they’ve lacked against Samoa in the past. Despite winning three of the six previous encounters and drawing another, Georgia have only managed nine tries against the Pacific Islanders.

All three of those victories were on home soil in Tbilisi, so they will have to rewrite history if they are to hand Niniashvili an early birthday present.

Eevn though he’s on the verge of a half-century of Test caps, Niniashvili won’t be the fastest to 50 in a maroon jersey, as that honour belongs to scrum-half, Vasil Lobzhanidze.

Lobzhanidze achieved the milestone at just 23 years and 110 days, beating the record previously held by Wales’ George North. A veteran of RWC 2015, Lobzhanidze has since gone on to turn that half-century into a century and made the fourth-highest number of appearances for the Lelos (102 Test caps, 105 Georgia appearances).

Head-to-Head

Last 4 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

1

Wins

2

Average Points scored

19

21

First try wins

25%

Home team wins

50%

Leading lights, Niniashvili and Lobzhanidze are two of 10 players to retain their spots in the run-on team that did the business against Uruguay.

Two of the changes are in the tight five of the pack, with tight-head Batchuki Tchumbadze and lock Giorgi Javakhia promoted from the bench.

In the backs, left wing Romani Makhatadze, who impressed on debut last week, is replaced by 76-cap veteran Giorgi Kveseladze, who has played the bulk of his career in the centres and wore 12 on his back last Saturday.

The gap at inside centre is filled by Black Lion teammate, Tornike Kakhoidze, while the midfield combination is completed by Brive’s Giorgi Shvelidze.

While Georgia have historically struggled to score points against Samoa, they’ve been keeping the scoreboard moving in recent Tests, scoring more than 40 points in five of their last six matches ands will be fancied to take down a team ranked five places below them.

Georgia team v Samoa:

1. Giorgi Akhaladze (ASM Clermont)
2. Nikoloz Sutidze (La Rochelle)
3. Bachuki Tchumbadze (Exeter Chiefs)
4. Mikheil Babunashvili (Kutaisi Aia)
5. Giorgi Javakhia (Soyaux-Angoulême)
6. Beka Shvangiradze (Lyon OU)
7. Luka Ivanishvili (Bristol Bears)
8. Tornike Jalagonia (Provence Rugby)
9. Vasil Lobzhanidze (US Oyonnax)
10. Luka Matkava (US Oyonnax)
11. Giorgi Kveseladze (Black Lion)
12. Tornike Kakhoidze (Black Lion)
13. Giorgi Shvelidze (Brive)
14. Akaki Tabutsadze (Black Lion)
15. Davit Niniashvili (La Rochelle) – Capt.

Replacements:

16. Vakhtang Jincharadze (Black Lion)
17. Nika Abuladze (Montpellier)
18. Aleksandre Kuntelia (La Rochelle)
19. Lado Chachanidze (Stade Montois)
20. Ilia Spanderashvili (Valence Romans)
21. Ioane Iashaghashvili (Stade Montois)
22. Mikheil Alania (RC Vannes)
23. Tedo Abzhandadze (SU Aurillac)