Lelos open with a win

Outscoring the Tongans by two tries to one, the Lelos held on in the face of a powerful late surge by the Pacific Islanders to record only their third win at the World Cup.

Georgia, competing at their fourth World Cup, had only previously enjoyed wins at the showpiece tournament with a 30-0 success over Namibia in 2007 and a 25-9 defeat of Romania four years ago in New Zealand.

It was their resolute defence that secured them the win against a Tongan team that struggled to cope with the Georgians' physicality.

Georgia scored more points in this match (17), than in their three previous opening matches at the World Cup combined (15).

Georgia captain Mamuka 'Man Mountain' Gorgodze led the way in this rare World Cup win.

Gorgodze and his teammates erupted with joy at the Kingsholm stadium in Gloucester after the famous win which capped a record breaking day as 18-year-old scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze become the youngest player in World Cup history.

Gorgodze charged over a bulldozing first half try to open up a lead which Tonga, ranked 11th in the world, rarely looked like closing.

Kurt Morath's penalty from 30 metres out gave Tonga the opening points before fullback Merab Kvirikashvili, the only man to appear in all Georgia's World Cup matches, missed the chance to equalise.

But Kvirikashvili was soon on target with Georgia's record points-scorer making no mistake in the 20th minute to level the scores.

No.8 Gorgodze, who plays for European champions Toulon, led a brilliant scrummaging effort by his side and put them on course for victory with a first-half try.

In the second half, Tonga set up a frantic finale when, with Georgia making tackle after tackle, they finally found a way through for a try by left wing Fetu'u Vainikolo.

Kurt Morath added the conversion to reduce Georgia's lead to seven points, with Kvirikashvili sent to the sin-bin.

But Georgia hung on for the victory.

Although defending champions New Zealand and Argentina are the overwhelming favourites to get through to the knockout phase from Pool C, Tonga and Georgia kicked off knowing that whichever team finished third in the group would qualify automatically for the 2019 World Cup.

This was an especially bitter defeat for Tonga, who beat eventual finalists France at the 2011 World Cup and came close to reaching the last eight.

After Kvirikashvili had equalised, Georgia's forwards, six whom play club rugby in France's elite Top 14, began to dominate

And Gorgodze, who drove hard off the back of a ruck near the Tongan line to score the game's first try in the 28th minute.

Kvirikashvili added the easy conversion to make it 10-3 to Georgia.

Tonga thought they had scored a well-worked try off a line-out through Viliami Ma'afu but referee Nigel Owens ruled it out for a forward pass by the Pacific Islanders' captain, Nili Latu and Georgia led 10-3 at half-time.

Kvirikashvili, from 40 metres out but in a central position, failed to reward his forwards' efforts in winning a penalty by pulling his kick wide.

However, a superb handling move involving backs and forwards ended with blindside flank Giorgi Tkhilaishvili going over in a corner for a well-worked try just shy of the hour mark. Kvirikashvili made light of a difficult conversion and Georgia led 17-3.

Tonga were again denied when the officials correctly ruled Siale Piutau had failed to ground the ball in the 65th minute.

Vainikolo eventually crossed but Georgia held out to spark joyous celebrations among their players and fans when Owens blew for full-time.

Man of the match: Kurt Morath had his moments, Sonatane Takulua provided a decent service, while replacements Hale T Pole and Sona Taumalolo made a huge impact after coming on in the second half. Captain Nili Latu was their main inspiration and perhaps they looked at him too much for the spark. Mamuka Gorgodze was a physical monster, as always, flank Giorgi Tkhilaishvili played his heart out, Konstantine Mikautadze was a rower of strength and the front row of Davit Zirakashvili, Jaba Bregvadze and Mikheil Nariashvili earned their team several penalties. However, our award goes to teenage Georgian scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze – who not only provided a crisp service ad set a new World Cup record as the tournament's youngest player ever, but showed a maturity beyond his 18-odd years.

Moment of the match: The try by Georgian fullback Giorgi Tkhilaishvili proved vital in the context of the final outcome, while wing Fetu'u's try inside the final 10 minutes gave Tonga a glimmer of hope. However, Georgia captain Mamuka Gorgodze's score in the 27th minute set the tone for the victory.

Villain of the match: No villains here, just heroes.

The scorers:

For Tonga:

Try: Vainikolo

Con: Morath

Pen: Morath

For Georgia:

Tries: Gorgodze, Tkhilaishvili

Cons: Kvirikashvili 2

Pen: Kvirikashvili

Yellow card: Merab Kvirikashvili (Georgia, 72 – repeated infringements, offside)

Teams:

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Will Helu, 12 Siale Piutau, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Nili Latu (captain), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Sitiveni Mafi, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Halani 'Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Tevita Mailau.

Replacements: 16 Paula Ngauamo, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Hale T Pole, 20 Jack Ram, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Latiume Fosita, Sione Piukala.

Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13 Davit Kacharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Giorgi Aptsiauri, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), 7 Viktor Kolelishvili, 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.

Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Karlen Asieshvili, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Levan Datunashvili, 20 Shalva Sutiashvili, 21 Giorgi Begadze, 22 Giorgi Pruidze, 23 Muraz Giorgadze.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Leighton Hodges (Wales)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)