Georgia number eight Mamuka Gorgodze. Photo / Getty Images
Georgia number eight Mamuka Gorgodze. Photo / Getty Images
The All Blacks don't know a lot about Georgia as a team, but most know plenty about their skipper, giant No8 Mamuka Gorgodze, an inspirational player Dan Carter described today as a "real weapon".
The 31-year-old from Tbilisi stands 1.96m, weighs 118kg and has become well-known thanks to a single-mindedintensity which can be seen in every scar and bruise on his battered face.
That intent helped his team to their famous win over Tonga in Gloucester at this World Cup but the Toulon player frequently finds himself on the wrong side of the match officials in the French club competition.
For instance, someone went to the trouble of putting together a six-minute clip on YouTube, which has been viewed almost half a million times, entitled "Mamuka Gorgodze Fight Compilation".
His passion and, at times, lack of self restraint, suggests he will be looking forward to denting a few reputations at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday NZT.
Gorgodze, who was yellow carded for a ruck infringement in his team's 54-9 defeat to Argentina at Kingsholm - during which time the Pumas ran in three converted tries - will spearhead what will be a physical approach from his team against the All Blacks.
Captain Richie McCaw, during the All Blacks team training session, at Sophia Gardens ground, Cardiff. Photo / Brett Phibbs
All Blacks No10 Carter, for one, is hoping his pack can provide a buffer zone between him and Gorgodze around the inside channel.
"Hopefully our forwards can do the job and make it a lot tougher for him to run freely," he said. "Hopefully he'll be going back before he comes forward. He's an awesome player and being able to see what he's capable of in the first couple of games ... he's a real weapon in their side."
Carter, likely to play due to the niggles picked up in the Namibia match by Colin Slade (hamstring) and Beauden Barrett (whiplash), isn't the only All Black with Gorgodze on his mind.
Jerome Kaino, a loose forward who himself is no stranger to the physical side of the game, was asked how much he knew about Georgia, coached by Kiwi Milton Haig.
"I definitely know who Mamuka Gorgodze is and the impact he's had on French rugby," Kaino said.
Georgia, ranked 15th in the world, could provide a good guide as to how the All Blacks are travelling in terms of their physicality. They were a bit lateral against Argentina at Wembley before an adjustment at halftime saw them play more directly, and Namibia were allowed to dictate a little too much in the second half at London's Olympic Stadium.
What are Georgia going to do?
The physical threat posed by the massive Georgia pack should get the mindset right at least.
Flanker Sam Cane said: "They got some pretty gnarly boys up front. They like to maul, scrum and pick and go so I'll expect them to try to come through there ... they might want to go from set piece to set piece so that might mean we'll have to find ways to combat that."
Fellow loose forward Victor Vito added: "We haven't really fronted as physically as we've needed to in the past couple of games. With the Georgians and the way they play, I think they're going to present us with a great opportunity to bring those aspects and for us to foot it physically with a pack that isn't going to take a backwards step."
