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Georgia hang on in Sandy Park thriller

Outscoring the south-west Africans by two tries to one in an error-filled, but thrilling, encounter the Lelos look to have ensured their finished third in Pool C.

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And that carries with it automatic qualification for the global showpiece in Japan.

New Zealand must beat Tonga on Friday to confirm Georgia's third place in Pool C, which would mean the east Europeans miss the arduous qualifying process for the next World Cup in Japan.

Georgia had to come from behind to narrowly thwart the African nation's effort to win their first ever World Cup game.

But they did get their first ever point – a bonus for finishing within seven points of Georgia's score.

Namibia have now lost 18 straight games over five World Cups, although the lowest ranked team in the tournament remained competitive throughout the match.

But the first-half would have had Georgia coach Milton Haig pulling his hair out, his team failing to convert their superiority in all facets of the game into points.

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Namibia lost inspirational skipper Jacques Burger to concussion in the 10th minute and somehow led 6-0 at half-time – despite missing 33 tackles – thanks to two Theuns Kotze penalties.Georgia hang on in Sandy Park thriller

But captain Mamuka Gorgodze crossed for a try early in the second-half to settle nerves, with Lasha Malaguradze also going over, Merab Kvirikashvili kicking two conversions and a penalty.

Kotze ensured a tight finish with a third penalty and his own converted try with five minutes to play.

Kotze had Namibia off to a flying start, kicking a penalty after Georgia infringed from the kick-off.

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But Georgia showed off their set-piece power at the first scrum, forcing Namibia into a fast retreat to allow scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze to scoot dangerously down the wing.

As the ball was recycled left, there was a disaster for the Africans as Burger caught his head on the hip of outstanding centre Merab Sharikadze.

The Namibian scrum was in disarray, Georgia unlucky to be denied tries by wing Alexander Todua and prop Davit Zirakashvili as a result.

Kotze hit his second penalty after 17 minutes when Clermont flank Victor Kolelishvili caught Renaldo Bothma with a high forearm in the face.

There was further disappointment for Georgia when Sharikadze's try-giving pass was harshly deemed to have gone forward with the line beckoning.

Namibia wing David Philander then produced an outstanding try-saving tackle on Davit Kacharava as the Lelos pressed.

But ill-discipline undid Georgia.

Former Toulouse hooker Jaba Bregvadze was yellow carded in the 34th minute after smashing his elbow into the face of replacement back Heinrich Smit.

And then came 11 minutes of extra-time after Georgia kicked for touch, lost their ball, but won it back. A series of scrums followed, with predictably Namibia prop Raoul Larson and then his replacement Johannes Coetzee both yellow-carded, Gorgodze pleading for a penalty try.

It was all set up for Georgia to score, but from an uncontested scrum, Gorgodze's pass inside to Kolelishvili was adjudged to be forward and Namibia could breathe again after leading at half-time of a World Cup match for the first time.

Stripped of their scrum dominance, Georgia opened the second period with the ball in hand.

Despite a number of errors, the ball was finally worked to Gorgodze, the Toulon No.8 powering over for a welcome try.

Referee George Clancy dished out a third yellow card to Namibia, sending Bothma to the bin for a chokehold tackled on Malaguradze, the flyhalf promptly crossing for a second try following a fine Gorgodze charge and offload.

Kvirikashvili nailed the two conversions and a 65th minute penalty to pull Georgia out to 17-6 before Kotze kicked his third penalty.

It was not over, however, as a woeful clearance kick by replacement forward Lasha Lomidze was recycled and worked to Kotze who dived in at the corner, nailing the touchline conversion with aplomb to make for a nervy run-in.

Man of the match: Jacques Burger put his body on the line and paid the price early in the match, Thinus du Plessis and Renaldo Botha also did their level best to stop the red tide. Mamuka Gorgodze is always busy and physical, while the scrums was another massive advantage for the Georgians. Merab Kvirikashvili often split the Namibian defence, while the halfbacks – Lasha Malaguradze and Vasil Lobzhanidze – were also a constant threat. However, Merab Sharikadze did most of the damage with ball in hand.

Moment of the match: There were lots of big hits and brave tackles by the Namibians. Georgia scored a couple of impressive tries. However, the two Namibian yellow cards in quick succession – while the first half drifted 10 minutes into extra time – that reduced the game to uncontested scrums. It was a unique situation that saved the Namibians from more damage.

Villain of the match: Namibia had three players in the bin – Raoul Larsen (killing the ball), Johannes Coetzee (collapsing the scrum) and Renaldo Bothma (high tackle) – with Bothma's tackle the worst of the offences. However, by far the worst offence was Georgian hooker Jaba Bregvadze, who charged elbow first into a opponent and was lucky it was only a yellow card.

The scorers:Georgia hang on in Sandy Park thriller

For Namibia:

Try: Kotze

Con: Kotze

Pens: Kotze 3

For Georgia:

Tries: Gorgodze, Malaguradze

Cons:  Kvirikashvili 2

Pen:  Kvirikashvili

Yellow cards: Jaba Bregvadze (Georgia, 35 – foul play, charging with an elbow), Raoul Larsen (Namibia, 40 – professional foul, killing the ball), Johannes Coetzee (Namibia, 40 – repeated infringements, collapsing the scrum), Renaldo Bothma (Namibia, 50 – foul play, high tackle)

Teams:

Namibia: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 David Philander, 13 Danie Van Wyk, 12 Darryl De La Harpe, 11 Russel Van Wyk, 10 Theuns Kotze, 9 Eugene Jantjes, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 7 Tinus Du Plessis, 6 Jacques Burger (captain) 5 Tijuee Uanivi, 4 PJ Van Lill, 3 Raoul Larson, 2 Torsten Van Jaarsveld, 1 Johnny Redelinghuys

Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 Johannes Coetzee, 19 Wian Conradie, 20 Rohan Kitsoff, 21 Johan Tromp, 22 Damian Stevens, 23 Heinrich Smit

Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13 Davit Kacharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Alexander Todua, 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 Anton Peikrishvili, 19 Levan Datunashvili, 20 Lasha Lomidze, 21 Giorgi Begadze, 22 Giorgi Aptsiauri, 23 Beka Tsiklauri.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)     

Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France) , Stuart Berry (South Africa)           

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

@rugby365com & AFP

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