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Australia v Georgia preview: Schmidt's Wallabies eyeing hat-trick

After securing back-to-back wins over Wales in a couple of keenly contested Tests, Joe Schmidt's Wallabies should be feeling confident ahead of a tussle with Georgia in Sydney.

It will be an historic first meeting between the nations on Australian soil and, while some eyebrows were raised about the fixture, it should serve a purpose for Schmidt and his developing squad.

The teams know other well, having met at last year's World Cup, the second successive tournament at which they have been paired.

Australia are 1.071 to win in Sydney, with George priced at 8.00 for an upset victory and the draw trading at 41.00.

. What: Australia v Georgia
. Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
. When: 15:55 (AEST), Saturday 20th July 2024
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Australia 1.071, Georgia 8.00

Georgia on the rise

While a Test match against Georgia on home soil seems perhaps unlikely, it's a nod to the tourists relative success.

The Georgians are sitting just below their highest world ranking at 12th, reflective of their rise over the past couple of years.

They claimed their first two wins over Tier 1 nations in 2022 and are coming off their third last week after a narrow victory over Japan.

They can rightly claim to be one of the stronger tier two nations in world rugby and have duly been recognised by the governing body with a series of frameworks aimed at SANZAAR Unions committing to hosting tier-two nations in the July window.

The result is this game in Sydney, along with the world champion Springboks facing Portugal and the All Blacks engaging in a Test against Fiji in the United States.

Their 2022 wins over Italy and Wales helped Georgia to bring their possible future inclusion in the Six Nations to the table as a discussion point.

In 22-year-old Davit Niniashvili, the Georgians have a player that can realistically have dreams of becoming a world star.

He is currently plying his trade for Lyon in France's Top 14 and is already a star turn for former English hooker Richard Cockerill, the head coach that has been charged with taking Georgia to the next level in international rugby.

First non-World Cup meeting

This will be just a third ever meetings between Georgia and the Wallabies, with the latter unbeaten in two World Cup dust downs.

In 2019, the Wallabies ground their way to a 27-8 win in Fukuroi as the likes of Nic White, Marika Koroibete, Jack Dempsey and Will Genia all touched down.

Last year in Paris it was a 35-15 for Eddie Jones' beleaguered outfit, with Ben Donaldson contributing 25 points.

Australia are 1.90 to win this Test by 19 or more.

Schmidt demands more from Wallabies

Despite securing a 2-0 series victory over Wales courtesy of their 36-28 triumph in Melbourne last weekend, Schmidt was keen to stress the demand for improvement.

That second Test ended with four tries for each side, but after rushing out to lead 17-0, the Wallabies essentially failed to hammer home that advantage as they let Warren Gatland's side get back into the contest.

Filipo Daugunu led the way with a brace for the Wallabies while Jake Gordon and Allan Alaalatoa also hit the paint.

"I'm relieved, but, boy, are we going to have to be a lot better than that," was Schmidt's appraisal of the winning effort.

On the face of it, Australia did what they needed to in both Tests against Wales and Schmidt will be hoping that success breeds confidence within his squad as they get accustomed once more to winning games in gold jerseys.

On paper, Georgia is a slight step down for quality, though Schmidt won't be taking anything for granted. He'll want to see a more ruthless streak from this squad, particularly if they are strong out of the blocks again.

Australia are 1.90 conceding a handicap of 18 to the visiting Georgians in this Sydney tussle.

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