Georgia eye fast Rugby World Cup start

Shalva Mamukashvili says Georgia's Rugby World Cup opener against Tonga on Saturday is set to shape their campaign.

The Georgians have claimed one win in each of their past World Cup trips to France and New Zealand, downing Namibia in 2007 and Romania four years ago.

In 2011, Georgia tested Scotland in a 15-6 loss in their first outing, and Mamukashvili - a hooker approaching his first World Cup campaign - believes how they start in England will be a barometer for their tournament.

"I think the most important will be the first game, because how we start, that's the point, we should start really good," Mamukashvili told Omnisport.

"Our objective will be to win more than one game.

"We'll do everything to win first game."

Mamukashvili, Georgia's only England-based player with Sale Sharks, is under no illusions at the significance of World Rugby's showpiece.

"[My] first World Cup, so I was preparing for this for four years," the hooker added.

"Of course I'm excited, I'm a little bit nervous.

"It's a different thing - it's the biggest championship, biggest rugby tournament in the world, nothing compares to this, not club tournaments, not Premiership it's a completely different one."

In Georgia's path are the All Blacks, with the two nations set to meet on October 2 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The 24-year-old said the fixture will mark the fulfilment of a lifelong goal.

"Playing against the All Blacks is a dream of every rugby player," Mamukashvili said.

"Sometimes you can end career and not play against them, so it is a chance for each of us to show what we can do against the best team in the world."