Georgia win Pool B scrap

Georgia win Pool B scrap

28 Sep 2011

Georgia claimed their first win at the World Cup when they beat Romania 25-9 in Palmerston North.

Although the result had no influence on who qualifies to the second round from Pool B, there was still great anticipation ahead of this fixture as full house crowd was present at the Manawatu Arena to watch the clash of the European minnows. Both nations displayed some brave performances earlier in the tournament, with Georgia impressing against England while Romania resisted Scotland for most parts of that fixture.

Both teams were confident of achieving victory, but in the end it was Georgia who triumphed with a strong second-half showing. A try form talisman Mamuka Gorgodze and eight points from the boot through flyhalf Merab Kvirikashvili and his replacement Malkhaz Urjukashvili was enough to seal a good win for the Le Lelos – only their second World Cup win ever.

Surprisingly, it were the Oaks who started better. There was a big battle between the forwards, and Romania held the ascendancy up front in the opening moments and dominated the scrums. The Georgian heavies fought their way back into the contest, and their opponents leaked penalties as a result. It turned the first stanza into a kicking contest, with pivots Kvirikashvili and Danut Dumbrava trading penalties for a 12-6 scoreline at half-time in Georgia’s favour.

The backs had a bigger part to play in the second half, but Georgia scored their try through the forwards. After several pick up and drives from the breakdown, Gorgodze powered over near the posts. Romania could only score a penalty through replacement fullback Florin Vlaicu as they faded after the break.

By Gareth Duncan


8 Comments

  • 1.Staal: Reply to this comment
    28 Sep 2011, 07:26 am

    Who these Dragons?

  • 2.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    28 Sep 2011, 07:29 am

    East European derby minnow match-up! Should be great!

  • 3.cane: Reply to this comment
    28 Sep 2011, 07:34 am

    Match Commentators better start practicing these names.

    This will be one tough match to call.

  • 4.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    28 Sep 2011, 11:23 am

    Disappointing Romania. I thought you guys were the heavyweights of the Minnows.

  • 5.SexyTime: Reply to this comment
    28 Sep 2011, 11:24 am

    Gorgodzilla!

  • 6.cane: Reply to this comment
    28 Sep 2011, 11:56 am

    Well done Georgia.

    In the real Pool of Death.
    Containing England, Argentina and Scotland. They scored 41 points and conceded 65.

    An “O” for awesome performance.

  • 7.Tartan: Reply to this comment
    28 Sep 2011, 13:20 pm

    Georgia showing reasonably well why there was a sizeable volume of people quite annoyed when Italy got into the six nations ahead of them.

  • 8.Nils: Reply to this comment
    28 Sep 2011, 15:02 pm

    2nd win (and convincig one again) in 12 games, not bad at all. After somewhat nervous debut in 03 (crushing defeats from England and Samoa, valiant redeption vs South Africa and disappointment vs Uruguay), they look pretty solid for a such small rugby nation.

    @cane(cane)-6: I’m afraid Argentina may beat them by 30+ weather permitting. In any case I can only agree with you praising them for a very good effort in WCs.

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