Haig backs Georgia for RWC upset

Georgia coach Milton Haig has poured scorn on Argentina threatening an upset against world champions New Zealand ahead of facing the Pumas.

Haig - a Kiwi himself no less - has suggested Argentina only managed to run the All Blacks close before going down 26-16 because New Zealand were ring-rusty.

Lelos boss Haig believes Georgia can take heart from Japan's 34-32 victory over South Africa to pull off an upset by beating Argentina at Kingsholm on Friday.

"There's no pressure on Georgia, all the pressure is on Argentina," said Haig.

"I've looked at the footage of New Zealand-Argentina quite a bit and it's purely because New Zealand were pretty lukewarm.

"They still won reasonably comfortably in the end, but that first 60 minutes was a bit of a ding-dong battle."

Georgia have already pulled off one World Cup upset, edging out Tonga 17-10 at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Now former Chiefs assistant boss Haig believes his side can back up their strong start to the global battle.

"We know that if we're going to have a chance of winning we're going to have to attack more, so you will see us using the ball more," said Haig.

"If we can defend like we did against Tonga and create a few more opportunities, we'll create some pressure.

"If Japan can beat South Africa, why can't we beat Argentina?"

Argentina beat Georgia 25-7 at the 2011 World Cup, but the Pumas are wary of the Lelos' solid progress since.

Head coach Daniel Hourcade believes Argentina must live up to their status as the second favourites in Pool C.

"We have grown a lot as a team since 2011, but we also believe the same is true of Georgia," said Hourcade.

"The fact they beat Tonga shows that. So we must be ready for what they will bring.

"We're a team that wants to do well, so the pressure is always with us.

"If we want to succeed we have to cope with all that."