RWC 2015: Pool C – Resolute Georgians Too Strong For Tonga
by Paul Cook -
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POOL C
VENUE: Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
ATTENDANCE: 14,200
WORLD RANKINGS: Tonga (11th) Georgia (16th)
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Georgia got their World Cup campaign off to a fine start with a 17-10 win over Tonga, five places above them on the world rankings.
An ill-disciplined first quarter saw both sides coughing up penalties while Georgia got the better of things at the breakdown. However, it was Tonga that took the lead through a 9th minute Kurt Morath penalty.
The Pacific Islanders had plenty of possession and territory early on but were struggling to put any significant phases together and lacked execution inside Georgia’s 22 as the Eastern Europeans put up some staunch defence.
Georgia flyhalf, Vasil Lobzhanidze, became the youngest player to play in a World Cup at just 18-years-old, and started with plenty of confidence and plenty of involvement as the ‘Lilos’ fought their w