Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Georgia end their RWC 2019 campaign feeling bitter-sweet. On the one hand the Lelos failed to qualify automatically for RWC 2023 but on the other hand they put in a committed performance to frustrate Australia today in Shizuoka.
The final score read 27-8 to the Wallabies but the bonus point win was only secured with less than two minutes remaining. When Georgia scored in the 69th minute it was a 17-8 scoreline. The try scored by left winger Alexander Todua was a tournament highlight with Lasha Khmaladze providing the perfect assist to which James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia and Dane Haylett-Petty could only applaud.
The extent of Georgia’s commitment can be seen in the match statistics. Australia enjoyed 80% territory, and 76% possession. This saw Georgia making 201 tackles, easily the most in any match thus far in the tournament.
The match was locked a 0-0 for the entirety of the opening quarter. The first points of the match came in the 22nd minute with Nic White scoring a class scrum-half try by darting over from there base of a ruck. Fly half Matt To’omua added the conversion.
Georgian fullback Soso Matiashvili and To’omua then traded penalties in the only subsequent scoring from the opening half.
In the second half the game’s third quarter would be similar to that of the first. Australia had all the possession and territory but the Lelos were able to defend their ground. Eventually a Wallabies mistake saw an opportunity for Fijian import Marika Koroibete to gather a loss pass, dart around Georgian forwards and score a superb solo try.
The 59th minute score by Koroibete was converted by To’omua. Ten minutes later Georgia went over for their one try of the match. It was followed by emotional scenes on the sidelines with long-time captain David Kacharava off after playing his final RWC match.
Late tries to flanker Jack Dempsey and replacement scrum half Will Genia saw Australia finishing on a high. It gave them a bonus point win to officially end the pool stage with 16 competition points.
Wales’ match against Uruguay on Sunday will determine the final Pool D placements. With two competition points against Los Teros the Western British side will be the Pool D winners, thereby facing France in the Quarter Finals while Australia would face England.
SCORING
AUSTRALIA (27)
Try: White (22′), Koroibete (59′), Dempsey (74′), Genia (78′)
Conversion: To’omua (23′, 60′)
Penalty: To’omua (36′)
GEORGIA (8)
Try: Todua (69′)
Penalty: Matiashvili (27′)
TEAMS
AUSTRALIA
1 Scott Sio, 2 Tolu Latu, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Rory Arnold, 6 Jack Dempsey, 7 David Pocock (capt.), 8 Isi Naisarani, 9 Nic White, 10 Matt To’omua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 James O’Connor, 14 Jordan Petaia, 15 Kurtley Beale
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Michael Hooper, 21 Will Genia, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Dane Haylett-Petty
GEORGIA
1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 6 Beka Saginadze, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze, 8 Beka Gorgadze, 9 Gela Aprasidze, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 11 Alexander Todua, 12 Merab Sharikadze (capt.), 13 David Kacharava, 14 Giorgi Kveseladze, 15 Soso Matiashvili
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Guram Gogichashvili, 18 Giorgi Melikidze, 19 Otari Giorgadze, 20 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 21 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 22 Lasha Malaguradsze, 23 Tamaz Mchedlidze
