Wallabies desperate to secure third successive win in Saturday’s clash with Georgia

The Wallabies are keen to maintain their momentum under new coach Joe Schmidt by securing a third consecutive victory.

Ben Donaldson is keen for another opportunity against Georgia. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

A Wallabies team chasing a third successive win will be wary of a Georgia outfit “on the rise” on Saturday in Sydney.

Unbeaten under new coach Joe Schmidt following back-to-backs wins over Wales, the Wallabies are keen to maintain their momentum by beating the Georgians at Allianz Stadium.

However, confidence will also by high among the visitors after their 25-23 weekend victory over the Eddie Jones-coached Japan in Sendai.

“Test match rugby, whoever you’re playing, it’s going to be a tough game,” Wallabies flyhalf Ben Donaldson said.

“Georgia are a team on the rise, They’ve had some good results. They beat Japan on the weekend, (and had) some big results last year as well, so we’re going to prepare like we always do, but it’s going to be a tough game for sure.”

The Wallabies are no strangers to the Georgians, having beaten them 35-15 in a rare bright spot during last year’s disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign.

Ben Donaldson celebrates with fans after Australia’s win over Georgia at last year’s Rugby World Cup. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Georgia is a bit of an unknown team. You don’t get to play them that often, so playing them last year, you get a bit of an insight on how they play, (and) some of their players,” Donaldson said.

“It was not a convincing win last year but we can take a little bit of confidence out of that.

“We’ll just focus on ourselves mainly this week and the result should take care of itself.”

Not selected in Australia’s 23-man match-day squad for the Wallabies’ 25-16 win over Wales on July 6, Donaldson came on in the second-half of the weekend’s 36-28 victory over the Welsh in Melbourne as a replacement for starting No.10 Noah Lolesio.

“It’s always pretty tough when you’re coming off the bench with 10 or so minutes to go,” he said.

“You don’t want to try to overplay to get into the game but you need to be ready for any opportunity that presents itself … but the boys had already set up a good platform when I came on.

“All I had to do was my job, and the boys around me helped me do that. I was just fortunate to close out the game and get the win.

“I’m just grateful that I’m in this position. I was in the squad last year and I’m in the squad this year.

“Last year wasn’t the greatest year for us but I’m grateful to be here in this squad at the moment, and hopefully I get a spot this weekend.”

Originally published as Wallabies desperate to secure third successive win in Saturday’s clash with Georgia