Niniashvili reaches 50 Georgia appearances on eve of his 24th birthday against Samoa

Davit Niniashvili will make his 50th appearance for Georgia and claim his 48th Test cap when the Lelos take on Samoa in the World Rugby Nations Cup at Estadio Saunsalito in Viña del Mar on Saturday — two days before his 24th birthday.

Widely regarded as the most talented player to have worn the Georgian jersey, Niniashvili captained the side from outside-centre in their 41-34 round-one victory over Uruguay. For the Samoa clash he reverts to his more natural position of full-back.

Georgia’s record against Samoa gives the milestone occasion an added edge. Of six previous meetings, Georgia have won three and drawn one, yet have managed only nine tries against the Pacific Islanders across all those games. Crucially, all three victories came on home soil in Tbilisi, meaning Saturday’s fixture in Chile represents unfamiliar territory for the Lelos in this particular rivalry.

Despite the landmark, Niniashvili will not be the fastest Georgian to 50 Test caps — that honour belongs to scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze, who reached the milestone at just 23 years and 110 days, breaking a record previously held by Wales’ George North. Lobzhanidze has since gone on to make 102 Test cap appearances and 105 Georgia appearances in total, the fourth-highest tally in the country’s history.

Georgia head coach has made two changes to the tight five from the Uruguay win, with tight-head Batchuki Tchumbadze and lock Giorgi Javakhia promoted from the bench. In the backs, 76-cap veteran Giorgi Kveseladze comes in on the left wing in place of Romani Makhatadze, who impressed on debut last week. Tornike Kakhoidze fills the inside-centre berth, with Brive’s Giorgi Shvelidze completing the midfield partnership. Ten players retain their places from the starting XV that beat Uruguay.

Georgia arrive in form despite their historically low try-count against Samoa, having scored more than 40 points in five of their last six Tests. They are also ranked five places above Saturday’s opponents, and will be expected to extend that recent scoring run if Niniashvili is to receive an early birthday present.