Georgia stun Wales for historic win

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Georgia came from nine points down at half time to beat Wales for the first time in a dramatic upset in Cardiff on Saturday.

Replacement Luka Matkava landed a penalty two minutes from full time, to secure a famous 13-12 victory in a dress rehearsal for the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool clash in France between the two countries.

“It’s amazing,” Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze told Prime Video. “This is the second time we have beaten a tier-one nation this season [after Italy] and we have proved many people wrong.

“It’s a great feeling. We’re not world champions but we have made history.”

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Earlier, Wales flanker Jac Morgan scored two tries as the hosts led 12-3 at the break.

But Georgia bounced back after Wales were temporarily reduced to 14 men early in the second half when Alex Cuthbert was sin-binned for an aerial challenge on Alexander Todua that saw the Georgia wing fall awkwardly.

Georgia pounced on Wales’ poor kicking game, with scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze only denied a try by fine defensive work from Josh Adams, and while Wales’ play lacked creativity, the Lelos hit back with a well-worked try.

Todua went over unopposed on the left after he collected a fine cross-kick from fly-half Tedo Abzhandadze, who also landed the conversion to cut Wales’ lead to just 12-10 heading into the final quarter.

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And with Georgia dominating up front, Matkava landed the decisive penalty following a huge scrum shove by a Lelos pack long renowned for their set-piece power, to complete a memorable comeback win.

“We didn’t come out second half, we were hoping to put a bit more tempo in to the game but all credit to Georgia they got the better of us especially at set-piece time,” said Wales captain Justin Tipuric.

“It’s not nice, first time to lose to them but they took their opportunities and came out on top.”

Wales finish their November programme next week at home to Australia, another of their World Cup pool opponents, with the Wallabies in action against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

“Certainly we have talked about seven days is a long time in rugby and we have got to make sure we pull this game apart, learn very very quickly and make sure we get the result against Australia that we now need,” said Wales coach Wayne Pivac.

“We put ourselves in this position and now we need to fight to get ourselves out of it.”

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: @Inphosports/Twitter

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Dylan Jack