Georgia turn tables
In the second test ever between the two countries Georgia beat Canada 22-15 at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tblisi on Saturday.
The first time the two countries met Canada beat Georgia 42-10 in the Churchill Cup but then Georgia, most of whose team play abroad, was a much different unit from the experienced one that beat Canada this Saturday,
Georgia have much to thank their dominant pack for the victory.
At half-time Georgia led 15-8. They were first on the scoreboard with a penalty by flyhalf Lasha Malaghuradze which was followed by a penalty try for a 10-0 lead before Canada’s first try made the score 10-5. David Ziraqashvili’s try came when the Georgians shoved the Canadians back many metres in the scrum and then dove over the line in a bundle. That made the score 15-5 before Canada scored a penalty goal.
Fullback Malkhaz Urjukashvili’s try took the score to 22-8. It was fortunate try in a way as Canada, whose backs had the running of the Georgians but were starved of ball, were on the attack through several phases after a free kick at a scrum. But a poor attempt at a pass by Ciaran Hearn lost the ball in a tackle well inside the Lelos’ territory. The Georgians kicked downfield, where Urjukashvili outstripped the Canadians, footed, and scored just inside the left corner, a try confirmed by the television match official. Canada scored a late try by Aaron Carpenter to end the scoring.
Scorers:
For Georgia:
Tries: Penalty try, Ziraqashvili, Urjukashvili
Cons: Malaghuradze, Kvirikashvili
Pens: Malaghuradze
For Canada:
Tries: AN Other, Carpenter
Con: Pritchard
Pens: Pritchard
Teams:
Georgia: 15 Malkhaz Urjukashvili, 14 Irakli Machkhaneli, 13 Irakli Chkhikvadze, 12 Teodore Zibzibadze, 11 Lekso Gugava, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Irakli Abuseridze (captain), 8 Besarion Udesiani, 7 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 6 Grigol Labadze, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Shalva Sutiashvili, 3 David Zirakishvili, 2 Akvsenti Giorgadze, 1 David Kinchagishvili
Replacements: 16 Iuri Natriashvili, 17 Goderdzi Shvelidze, 18 Giorgi Nemsadze, 19 Simon Maisuradze, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 David Kacharava, 22 Merab Kvirikashvili
Canada: 15 Ciaran Hearn, 14 Justin Mensah-Coker, 13 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Phillip Mackenzie, 11 James Pritchard, 10 Connor Braid, 9 Sean White, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Adam Kleeberger, 6 Chauncey O’Toole, 5 Jebb Sinclair, 4 Josh Jackson, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Pat Riordan (captain), 1 Kevin Tkachuk
Replacements: 16 Tom Dolezel, 17 Andrew Tiedemann, 18 Jon Phelan, 19 Tyler Hotson, 20 Sean Michael Stephen, 21 Jamie Mackenzie, 22 Nick Blevins
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant referees: Ucha Narimanidze (Georgia), Gia Amirkhanashvili (Georgia)
