Player ratings: Georgia

OPINION: The Lelos showed a gutsy display against the world champion Boks at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, but ultimately went down 10-55 in a spirited performance.

The Georgians certainly didn’t allow the Boks to have their way throughout the match and gave a good account of themselves as an ever-improving rugby nation.

Their pack struggled at times but had a much improved performance during the second half following their bench’s impact.

They also have the Boks a hard time at the breakdown, an issue that is a growing concern for the hosts after their two-Test series against Italy.

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Angus Opperman rates the Georgian players: 

1. Giorgi Akhaladze 4/10
Formed part of a solid Georgian pack that struggled for the majority of the time before being replaced by Giorgi Tetrashvili.

2. Vano Karkadze 5/10
Pinpoint with his line-out throw-ins and scored Georgia’s opening try. Had a busy time in open play as well.

3. Irakli Aptsiauri 2/10
Struggled at scrum time and conceded several scrum penalties. Did well in open play. Got penalised for creating an obstruction inside the Boks’ red zone on attack.

4. Mikheil Babunashvili 6/10
A quiet outing. Worked hard in the tight phases and won a couple of line-outs.

5. Vladimer Chachanidze 7/10
Won two early line-outs that got his side on the front foot early and led to their opening try. Disrupted the Boks’ line-out, especially during the second half.

6. Luka Ivanishvili 7.5/10
Got caught up in the breakdown that led to Grant Williams’ break and the Boks’ third try. Disrupted the Boks’ breakdown and momentum. Made a huge hit on Siya Kolisi to stop the Boks going forward on attack. Made the second-most completed tackles in the match.

7. Beka Saginadze 8/10
Got overpowered close to his line that led to the Boks’ first try. Carried strongly and made 13 in total, one behind Damian de Allende, who had 14 carries.

8. Ilia Spanderashvili 7.5/10
Worked hard in the tight and loose parts of the match. Made the third-most tackles completed in the match (12).

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9. Vasil Lobzhandidze 6.5/10
The experienced scrumhalf, in tandem with his halfback partner, provided decent service from the base. However, got charged down by Eben Etzebeth and Damian de Allende.

10. Luka Matkava 6/10
Kicked well to the line and the posts. Marshalled his team well under a struggling pack at times. Had the third most turnovers lost (2) as well.

11. Alexander Todua 3/10
Got caught in no man’s land at the back following a long kick by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and conceded a penalty for holding on that led to the Boks’ second try. Worked hard chasing kicks and applying pressure on the Boks in the air.

12. Giorig Kveseladze 8/10
Ran hard lines but got isolated at times in the breakdown and backfield. Defended like a trojan and had the most tackles completed (21) in the match.

13. Demur Tapladze 4/10
Ran strongly and chased kicks hard, but didn’t have many opportunities, and didn’t do much wrong.

14. Akaki Tabutsadze 6/10
Put solid pressure on the Bok wingers in the air, contesting possession. Ran good support lines as well when the opportunity presented itself.

15. Davit Niniashvili 5/10
Didn’t pass to his wing on a two-on-one overlap for a clear try scoring opportunity. Knocked on a high ball that led to a scrum penalty to the Boks.

Replacements

16. Irakli Kvatadze 4/10
Replaced Vano Karkadze in the 55th minute. Formed part of an improved front row but struggled at times with his set-piece work.

17. Giorgi Tetrashvili 6/10
Replaced Giorgi Akhaladze in the 55th minute. Formed a strong front row combination with his fellow replacements and gave the Boks a hard time at the set-piece.

18. Beka Gigashvili 6/10
Replaced Irakli Aptsiauri in the 43rd minute. Had a decent scrummaging performance, putting pressure on the Boks’ scrum.

19. Demur Epremeidze 6.5/10
Replaced Vladimer Chachanidze in the 55th minute. Worked hard at the breakdown. Won a loose ball when the Boks counter-attacked.

20. Sando Mamamtavrishvili 7/10
Replaced Ilia Spanderashvili in the 51st minute. Won the most turnovers (2), including one after his side’s restart.

21. Tornike Jalagonia 4.5/10
Replaced Beka Saginadze in the 63rd minute. Ran and carried strongly. Didn’t do anything flashy but also didn’t do anything wrong.

22. Tedo Abzhandadze 4/10
Replaced Davit Niniashvili in the 60th minute. Had a few good touches but didn’t do much otherwise.

23. Tornike Kakhoidze
Replaced Demur Tapladze in the 74th minute. Not enough time to be rated.

Image credit: Johan Orton