| No. | Name | |
|---|---|---|
15Merab Kvirikashvili, FB 2 | ||
14Tamaz Mchedlidze, W | ||
13Davit Kacharava, C | ||
12Merab Sharikadze, C | ||
11Sandro Todua, W | ||
10Lasha Malaguradze, FH | ||
9Vasil Lobzhanidze, SH | ||
1Mikheil Nariashvili, P | ||
2Jaba Bregvadze, H | ||
3Davit Zirakashvili, P | ||
4Giorgi Nemsadze, L | ||
5Konstantine Mikautadze, L | ||
6Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, FL | ||
7Vito Kolelishvili, FL | ||
8Mamuka Gorgodze, N8 | ||
| Replacements | ||
16Shalva Mamukashvili, R | ||
17Kakha Asieshvili, R | ||
18Anton Peikrishvili, R | ||
19Levan Datunashvili, R | ||
20Lasha Lomidze, R | ||
21Giorgi Begadze, R | ||
22Giorgi Aptsiauri, R | ||
23Beka Tsiklauri, R | ||
GEO
NAMIB*Players currently on the pitch are shown in bold
Match Commentary
ESPN's Rob Bartlett had this to say:
"What a second half of rugby. Thrills, spills, edge of your seat stuff - it was like Spielberg had written the script. And how fitting that both Georgia and Namibia each earned their slice of history. Georgia have won two matches at a World Cup for the first time - which should see them qualify automatically for Japan in four years' time - while Phil Davies' side earned their first ever tournament point. The damage was done from Bothma's early yellow card - Georgia took advantage of the head count as Gorgodze and Malaguradze both wen over. But, with less than 10 minutes left, Sandy Park erupted when Kotze dived into the far left corner. Georgia held on - just. There won't be a dry eye - or glass - in Tbilisi tonight"
FULL TIME!
Botha's carrying is a highlight of that try. Real monster with the ball in hand. But, nevertheless, the whole team to combined well and Kotze's finish was also impressive. He also showed he's a strong ball carrier. He just about manages to ground it amid a number of Georgia tackles before a sumptuous conversion kick courtesy of himself, too. Great stuff.
Yes it will!
Great work from Giorgi Tkhilaishvili. Lineout proves fruitful as they manage to catch well before swiftly offloading to their supporting backs. It finds Tkhilaishvili who carries it well before performing a nifty little offload to the incoming Lasha Malaguradze. The fly half doesn't have much to do besides slide it home.
Gorgodze try!
Namibia's tackling just couldn't hold out the No.8. Some really great robust stuff to begin with from the African side but it was only a matter of time before the Lelos unlocked the path to the try line. Brute force bundles it over.
On the other side, Renaldo Bothma's been binned for an earlier high tackle. Rightly so.
HALF TIME ANALYSIS
ESPN's Rob Barlett had this to say:
"The first half at Sandy Park went as expected: a tense and tight opening 40 (or rather, 60) minutes with both Georgia and Namibia clearly feeling intense pressure. There is an awful lot at stake in this match - for the Lelos, victory would pretty much seal automatic qualification for Japan 2019 but their opponents are as determined as they've ever been to earn that elusive first World Cup win. Despite leading through two Theuns Kotze penalties, Namibia looked up against it when influential captain Jacques Burger departed for a head injury assessment - somehow they kept the Georgians, who clearly let their emotions get the better of them, away from the try line. Referee George Clancy had his work cut out warning both sides to calm down, issuing yellow cards to both Georgia's Jaba Bregvadze and Namibia's Raoul Larson. After a frantic finish to a half that lasted over an hour, we'll have the biggest 40 minutes of both Georgian and Namibian rugby history to follow. Namibia finally lead a World Cup match at half-time at the 18th attempt. "
We've resorted to an uncontested scrum and it looks like we're off to the TMO as Vito Kolelishvili crosses the line but there's debate over the forward pass beforehand.
Georgia penalty again as Namibia are penalised for boring in.
Georgia once again imposing themselves well and looks like it's just a matter of time before they start racking up the points. How long can the Namibian defence hold out?
Namibia look like they've restarted the game well with their scrum holding strong, but they're soon nailed back down and Georgia win the turnover. Mistake from Namibia as de la Harpe has it ripped from his hands before Georgia's Todua runs home down the left win. That could have been avoided for Namibia BUT fortunately for them, the TMO has found a knock on and it's no try!
He's off for a moment with concern for head injury. He is up and walking though...
You can read the preview HERE.
Georgia XV: Merab Kvirikashvili, Tamaz Mchedlidze, Davit Kacharava, Merab Sharikadze, Alexander Todua, Lasha Malaguradze, Vasil Lobzhanidze; Mikheil Nariashvili, Jaba Bregvadze, Davit Zirakashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Konstantine Mikautadze, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Viktor Kolelishvili, Mamuka Gorgodze (captain). Replacements: Shalva Mamukashvili, Karlen Asieshvili, Anton Peikrishvili, Levan Datunashvili, Lasha Lomidze, Giorgi Begadze, Giorgi Aptsiauri, Beka Tsiklauri
Namibia XV: Chrysander Botha, David Philander, Danie Van Wyk, Darryl De La Harpe, Russel Van Wyk, Theuns Kotze, Eugene Jantjes; Johnny Redelinghuys, Torsten Van Jaarsveld, Raoul Larson, PJ Van Lill, Tijuee Uanivi, Jacques Burger (captain), Tinus Du Plessis, Renaldo Bothma.
Follow our man on the ground, Rob Bartlett (@RobBartlettESPN), who'll be providing us with his first hand insights straight from Exeter.
Also see…
- South Africa vs. USA match report from earlier
- Nonu winning his 100th All Blacks cap
- England's training ground row