Gutsy Georgia shock Samoa
Georgia survived a late onslaught to seal a surprise 16-15 win over Samoa in Tbilisi on Saturday.
Georgian fullback Merab Kvirikashbili played a starring role for the underdogs, scoring 11 points off the tee to ensure a boost up the IRB World Rankings with victory over a team ranked 11 places above them.
Samoa outscored Georgia two tries to one with Hurricanes duo, wing Alapati Leiua and flank Jack Lam, dotting down in the first half, and held a 12-6 half-time lead with the hosts managing just two Kvirikashbili penalties.
A converted try by centre Merab Sharikadze shortly after the break gave Georgia the lead and inspired a much-improved second-half defensive effort.
The hard-running Samoans could not crack the passionate Georgian defence but managed to regain the lead through a Georgia Pisi penalty.
However, Kvirikashbili hit back with a third penalty to edge Georgia back in front and the minnows showed commendable composure to hang on for the win.
The scorers:
For Georgia:
Try: Sharikadze
Con: Kvirikashbili
Pens: Kvirikashbili 3
For Samoa:
Tries: Leiua, Lam
Con: Pisi
Pen: Pisi
Teams:
Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashbili, 14 Tamaz Mtchedlidze, 13 Davit Kacharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Giorgi Shkinin, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 9 Giorgi Begadze, 8 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Konstantine Mikautadze, 3 Levan Chilachava, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.
Replacements: 16 Simon Maisuradze, 17 Zurab Zhvania, 18 Davit Kubriashvili, 19 Girogi Nemsadze, 20 Shalva Sutiashvili, 21 Vazha Khutsishvili, 22 Tedore Zibzibadze, 23 Beka Tsiklauri.
Samoa: 15 Faatoina Autagavaia, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Isaia Tuifua, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Brando Vaaulu, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotualii (captain), 8 Faifili Levave, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Teofilo Paulo, 4 Piula Faasalele, 3 James Johnston, 2 Tii Paulo, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Wayne Ole Avei, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Joe Tekori, 20 Taisina Tuifua, 21 Jeremy Sua, 22 Sinoti Sinoti, 23 Ken Pisi.
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Vlad Jordachescu (Romania)
