Fourth-ranked Wales defeated twelfth ranked Georgia 43-14 at City of Toyota Stadium, Aichi Prefecture, at Toyota City on 23 September. Wales earned a bonus point by the break and had a 29-0 lead. The Pool D match may be viewed in the U.S. on NBC Sports Gold on-demand as part of an RWC subscription package.
Match Recap
Wales struck first off a Gareth Davies offload to Jonathan Davies for a try. Dan Biggar then bounced the ball off the posts. Soon after, Biggar added a penalty goal, 8-0.
A Welsh attack from a lineout had Josh Adams stepping and open-side flanker Justin Tipuric finishing with a try after a breakdown with Biggar adding the extras to lead 15-0.
Wales added a third try on a Biggar inside ball to Josh Adams for a try, with Biggar converting, 22-0. They also added a bonus point fourth try in the 40th minute off a lineout as Gareth Davies spun the ball to Jonathan Davies and on to Liam Williams for the try with Biggar adding the extras for a 29-0 lead at the break.
Second Half
Georgia struck back first in the second half after a lineout and Shalva Mdmukashvili mauled over for a try. Tedo Abzhandadze then added the extras to cut the lead to 29-7.
Wales looked to answer back with the Georgian defense stellar, however, replacement hooker Jaba Bregvadze was cited for collapsing the maul and was sent to the bin. Georgia then thwarted the attack with an intercept and cleared.
After Georgia had returned to full strength, Wales attacked with George North kicking the ball forward in-goal. Both Gela Aprasidze and Tomos Williams raced for the ball with Williams grounding for the try. After Biggar’s conversion, Wales led 36-7.
It was Georgia’s turn next from an attack close to in-goal as Levan Chilachava powered over with Abzhandadze converting to cut the lead to 36-14.
Wales had final try from a counterattack by Tomos Williams that resulted in a George North try and a Leigh Halfpenny conversion to push the lead to 43-14.
Prior to the match ending, Levan Chilachava has to leave the match due to an HIA. Neither team added points with Wales moving to the top of the standings over Australia based on point differential.
Wales lock Jake Bell was named Player of the Match.
Squads & Match Preview
Wales: 1 Wyn Jones 2 Ken Owens 3 Tom Frances 4 Jake Ball 5 Alun Wyn Jones 6 Aaron Wainwright 7 Justin Tipuric 8 Josh Navidi 9 Gareth Davies 10 Dan Biggar 11 Josh adams12 Hadleigh Parkes 13 Jonathan Davies 14 George North 15 Liam Williams 16 Elliot Dee 17 Nicky Smith 18 Dillon Lewis 19 Aaron Shingler 20 Ross Moriarty 21 Tomos Williams 22 Rhys Patchell 23 Leigh Halfpenny
Georgia: 1 Mikheil Nariashvili 2 Shalva Mamukashvili 3 Beka Gigashvili 4 Giorgi Mikautadze 5 Konstantine Mikautadze 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili 7 Mamuka Gorgodze 8 Beka Gorgadze 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze 10 Tedo Abzhandadze 11 Giorgi Kveseladze 12 Tamaz Mchedlidze 13 Davit Kacharava 14 Mirani Modebadze 15 Soso Matiashvili 16 Jaba Bregvadze 17 Guram Gogichashvili 18 Levan Chilachava 19 Shalva Sutiashvili 20 Beka Saginadze 21 Otari Giorgadze 22 Gela Aprasidze 23 Lasha Khmaladze
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