Friday's Pool C clash between New Zealand and Georgia in Cardiff will mark a special occasion for both nations - this will be the first ever Test match between them. Steve Hansen's All Blacks have yet to reach top gear at this World Cup and will face a Lelos side wanting to avenge last week's heavy defeat to Argentina. The Georgian scrum is a big weapon for Milton Haig's side and, while an upset may be just out of reach, the Millennium Stadium could well be in for a classic. Team news

New Zealand are not taking their opponents lightly and have named a strong side for the game in south Wales. Richie McCaw and Dan Carter both return to the starting XV after sitting out the win against Namibia last week. However, the big talking point will be Waisake Naholo's place in the starting line-up - the winger has completed a miraculous recovery from a broken leg and will feature in only his second Test wearing the silver fern.

For Georgia, they will be without Clermont prop Davit Zirakashvili and leading points scorer Merab Kvirikashvili - incidentally, this will be the first time the latter will not feature in a World Cup game for Georgia. Beka Tsiklauri replaces Kvirikashvili at fullback while Levan Chilachava comes in for Zirakashvili in the front row. Influential captain Mamuka Gorgodze moves to openside flanker, with Lasha Lomidze starting at number eight. With hopes of automatically qualifying for the next World Cup, Haig has rested several of his more experienced players with their final pool match against Namibia in mind.

New Zealand: Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Charlie Faumuina, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Malakai Fekitoa.

Georgia: Beka Tsiklauri, Giorgi Aptsiauri, David Kacharava, Tamaz Mchedlidze, Alexandr Todua, Lasha Malaguradze, Giorgi Begadze; Karlen Asieshvili, Shalva Mamukashvili, Levan Chilachava, levan Datunashvili, Giorgi Chkhaidze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), Lasha Lomidze.

Replacements: Simon Maisuradze, Mikheil Nariashvili, Anton Peikrishvili, Konstantine Mikautadze, Viktor Kolelishvili, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Merab Sharikadze, Murazi Giorgadze.

Key head to head

Much has been said about the strength of the Georgian pack, but there is no doubt Zirakashvili will be a big loss in the Lelos front row. Levan Chilachava replaces him and faces a tough task in Wyatt Crockett. Gorgodze's battle with Jerome Kaino will be intriguing, while it will be interesting to see how Waisake Naholo adapts to Georgia's physicality on his return from serious injury.

Key Stats

*New Zealand and Georgia have never played a Test match against each other.

*Sale Sharks hooker Shalva Mamukashvili will celebrate his 25th birthday on the day of the match.

*Victory over Namibia was New Zealand's 26th World Cup pool match win - they are the only team who have won all of their World Cup pool matches.

Odds

Georgia are ranked at 66/1 outsiders with Unibet. However, value can be found in the match event specials - New Zealand to win without conceding a point looks inviting at 13/4. New Zealand to score first via a penalty could also be a good bet at 33/20 with the same company.

Weather

The roof will be closed in Cardiff, so any chance of wind or rain won't really affect conditions too much. It'll be chillier, though, with temperatures expected around 13 degrees Celsius at the 8pm kick-off time.

Prediction

We've not seen the best of the All Blacks in this tournament yet - sooner or later they will absolutely demolish a team. Georgia, though, will be confident after an impressive showing against Tonga and a good first half against Argentina. However, New Zealand should enjoy comfortable win - Hansen's side to win it by 25 points.