Summary
So a tough final pool game for Australia, who have qualified through to the knockout stages of the Japan World Cup, where a clash against the old enemy, England, looms.
Georgia for their part showed the world that this is a country that can more than mix it with so-called “tier one” nations. You’d love to see them go head-to-head with Italy, and maybe one-day feature in the Six Nations competition (is it time to introduce a play-off qualifying match?)
Michael Cheika appeared to be reasonably happy with his side’s performance post-game, despite a lot of sloppy ball-handling at times. They were however excellent from set piece, once again, the Wallabies, which will build confidence ahead of a clash with the World No 3 ranked side.
Still a lot of selection headaches ahead, but perhaps Cheika has been wily against his old buddy, Eddie Jones. You can’t imagine England will know which XV to expect or to set up against - it could be a hidden weapon for Australia.
Plenty to like, plenty to criticise. It really does feel like all the hard work’s been done now, and the Wallabies have it all to grasp ahead of them. I can’t wait.
And if you missed any of the action, here’s the full-time report:
Izack Rodda is announced as the player of the match - no mean feat given the workrate of his opposing forwards tonight.
It’s definitely an under-appreciated feature of this Wallabies side, the Rodda-Arnold second row combination - they were both excellent tonight. It’s an area of the team that Australia have really had a wealth of riches, don’t forget there’s Adam Coleman to return as well.
Michael Cheika speaks post-match: “I wanted the forwards to get a big hit-out tonight. Conditions were a bit tricky, but we’ve really built our pack, our depth tonight.
We need to be sharper in attack, pick the holes better - but it’s easy for me to say, I’m sitting in the grandstand.”
Alway nice to see him with a smile - that tells you he’s not too unhappy about the performance, perhaps with half an eye towards the forthcoming clash with England.
Don’t think for a second that he doesn’t just dream of match ups with his old pal Eddie Jones. Salivating.
Now, some news ahead of the final pool match - where it’s looking bright for Wales fans, with Dan Biggar and Jonathan Davies reportedly in the clear for the knockout stages of the tournament, despite sitting out the final clash with Uruguay:
Running an eye over the numbers, they had 76% possession, Australia, earning over 500m carried, ball in hand.
It was a very impressive effort at set piece - 3/3 from the scrum, but a hugely impressive 18/19 from the lineout.
The big frustration though for Michael Cheika and his coaching staff will be the amount of turnovers conceded.
Plenty of sloppy errors, plenty of dropped ball - and more than that, no periods of real consistent superiority; no ratcheting of pressure, no really putting Georgia on the ropes, as they consistently struggled to build momentum throughout a stop-start match.
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A tough, bruising encounter in the end, but for Wallabies supporters the good news was no serious injury concerns, a concussion scare to Kurtley Beale aside.
Skipper for the night David Pocock pays credit to the Georgian defence, and admits conditions made it tough to play wide and get the backs involved.
Full-time: Australia 27-8 Georgia
And there’s the final gong! It’s a scoreline that flatters Australia in the end - there’s no way that was a 19-point margin.
Georgia, and their terrific veterans spearheaded by Mamuka Gorgodze, have exited the tournament with their heads held high. Some high quality defensive rugby on display tonight.
Try! Australia 27-8 Georgia (Genia)
79 min: And there’s the capstone! A terrific burst, made by the 100-cap man Simmons, before Tupou bursts through the line. He’s been terrific since he came on - constantly backing up, looking for the ball - and he pops a pass to put in the scrum-half, Genia!
To’omua misses the conversion. That’s his worst of the night.
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77 min: So a short-lived flurry. They deserved better than that, Georgia, for the calibre of their play across the whole match.
Nearly 200 tackles made - 14 turnovers won. The only real blot on their copybook tonight has perhaps been at the lineout where Australia have pinched 5/11.
Try! Australia 22-8 Georgia (Dempsey)
74 min: Yes, there’s the counter-punch! It’s the fresh faces of Slipper and Tupou who finally get a rolling maul driving for Australia. It’s the big back rower, Dempsey, who bashes over - would you believe his first ever try for the Wallabies.
And finally a miss from To’omua. That was only narrowly wide. Back to two converted tries the lead.
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73 min: Ach, a handling error, and they concede a lot of territory, Georgia.
Australia now look to set up a rolling maul, can they hit straight back?
71 min: So, can they build some momentum now, Georgia?
This has been a huge performance from the Europeans. We knew they’d be tough early, I think many are only just realising how strong they’ve been here across 70.
Where was this against Wales or Fiji?!
Try! Australia 17-8 Georgia (Todua)
69 min: It’s a terrific dummy and line break - was it the skipper Sharikadze or Khmaladze - but either way they get it free for the winger, and there’s no catching Todua!
A huge pressure kick from the sideline: if this flies over they’re back to one converted try the difference.
But he’s hooked it right! Groans from Georgian fans, that wasn’t Matiashvili’s best attempt.
68 min: Georgia are sticking manfully to this - and finally we’ve got a break here. Could this be a first try?
65 min: I’ve just read the stat - Australia have made 36 tackles so far; Georgia, 183.
That’s an incredible body of work, consistently making the tackle, and often forcing the turnover with the contact to the ball.
The forwards have been working out of their skins tonight - the Georgian backs however have hardly had a sniff of the action.
64 min: A quick tap from Genia, who tries to catch the Georgians napping; but he puts it on the toe and doesn’t find any teammates. They were probably napping too!
62 min: A big lineout steal from Australia, but the ball spills loose and Genia is bundled into touch.
The skipper Pocock comes off - a decent stint from him tonight, but presumably Cheika wants him fresh for the potential clash with England.
Try! Australia 17-3 Georgia (Koroibete)
60 min: There it is - a touch of magic, something from nothing, as the winger beats two with a series of terrific steps, and eventually dances inside the covering tackle.
To’omua strikes the conversion nicely, two more.
Finally, will it open up for the Wallabies? It’s been a hugely impressive first hour from Georgia.
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58 min: A few more subs as Slipper and Simmons enter the fray - a 100th appearance for the latter: the 11th Wallaby in that particular club, remarkable achievement.
Leali’ifano also comes on, the youngster Petaia makes way - a quieter evening for him than his debut.
56 min: A relieving penalty and To’omua finds touch, just inside the Australia half.
Finally a flowing backline move for Australia - we’ve seen very little of Koroibete and pals on the ball, but the winger finally sees a little bit of open air.
The Wallabies reach the 22m, but it’s ball down! Some lack of communication, I don’t think Genia was expecting that ball.
54 min: Georgia now with the lineout, and it’s Latu who wins the turnover! Great work from the hooker - that was a genuine opportunity for the Europeans, just 20m out from the Wallabies’ try-line.
53 min: Another loose carry, this time from Naisarani, and Georgia carry with ball in hand, and they win the penalty around the half-way mark as Rodda fails to roll away.
They’ve targeted the ball in the carry very well tonight, the men from the Caucasus. It’s a factor in Australia losing so many carries, you’d suspect.
52 min: So, back underway, and it’s Australia with the lineout about 25m out after To’omua fires the penalty into touch.
Dempsey with a good carry and bust - but he’s lost the ball in the contact! A real shame, he did so well to make the opportunity.
51 min: A change at halfback as Genia come on for White.
I think it’s the scrum-half Aprasidze who’s being strapped into the stretcher. Let’s hope that’s not a serious injury - there’s a lot of medical staff in close attendance. And the No 9 is medicabbed from the field, Lobzhanidze replaces him.
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50 min: Australia chance it wide, and it’s the new man Tupou who pops up in the backline. Now they swing right, the Wallabies - but it’s Haylett-Petty who has the ball dislodged in the tackle. Was that one high? Sheesh, getting a bit over-zealous perhaps - if there was contact on the neck, it was marginal.
Georgia takes the opportunity to replace it’s entire front three - some concern about one of their players who’s stayed down and is receiving significant medical attention. Can’t quite see who it is, I’ll update when I find out.
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48 min: Georgia win a scrum about 30m out from their own line and clear downfield.
More rain falling making for greasy conditions, as White offers a feather knock on.
It’s been a very disjointed, stop-start match tonight. Ten handling errors from the Wallabies, seven from Georgia.
46 min: Naisarani returns to the field - Australia are back to their full complement - as the first of the subs start rolling; Kepu makes way for Tupou. It’s Tongan Thor time.
44 min: A lose ball, and a first look at the Georgian backline in full flight! Kacharava evades a tackle or two, as the men in white get inside the 22m.
It’s another ball dropped by Gorgodze - big let off! He’s done so much hard work tonight, but that’s a second big error.
42 min: Ach. And having done the hard work, now the Wallabies literally throw it away - the lineout is not in straight from the hooker Latu!
We pack down for a scrum, Georgia’s feed.
Second half!
40 min: We’ll have to return to that particular talking point, as rugby waits for no man (woman, or child).
Georgia get us underway, and just for a change - guess who’s earned an early turnover? It’s Pocock - who stands strong, despite interest from three or four in white.
Don Easter’s written in:
The Southern Hemisphere teams look safe from Aus - I’m not seeing anything that will bother NZ or SA tonight. Nothing from any northern hemisphere team will bother NZ nor SA either.
No contention on the first point, Don - for anyone who’s followed the Rugby Championship recently there’s been little to suggest otherwise (the “Miracle of Perth” aside).
On that second point though? At risk of inviting a thousand emails from England (Wales, Ireland etc) fans, does this hold up?
So. Your thoughts on this one?
A very impressive first half from Georgia - strong and reliable in the tackle, resolute in defence, snuffing out the rolling maul well. But for a shabby last play of the half, they could even have gone in level.
And the Wallabies? On balance of play, they’re on top - more potent in the backs, and winning good breakdown ball. But some very sloppy turnovers (the two kick restarts stand out), and Cheika won’t be happy, you’d imagine, after conceding another yellow card.
Half-time: Australia 10-3 Georgia
40 min: They carry towards the tryline, but just as it looks like momentum is with Georgia they lose the ball via a strip!
Australia kick upfield, and eventually when they regather it To’omua is happy to put into touch and bring the half to a close.
38 min: Ach. Sloppy from the restart once again! That’s twice the Wallabies have duffed the restart, this time it’s Koroibete who’s the culprit. And now it’s Georgia who could launch the final decisive play of the half. Imagine if they go in level at the break.
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Penalty! Australia 10-3 Georgia
Nice from To’omua - good contact on the strike and it bends back inside the sticks. Goal-kicking has been a huge issue for Australia lately, but this is better from the starting No 10.
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36 min: A penalty for the Wallabies - it’s getting a little niggly out there, as White plays for a penalty for interference without the ball.
They point to the sticks - it’s a long way out but the smart move when you’re down a man and looking to slow the clock.
35 min: Terrific defence, Georgia! It’s Naisarani penalised for cleaning out illegally. In the battle for back row spots tonight, he’s not covered himself in glory tonight young Melbourne Rebels player. When Hooper returns with Pocock no doubt also there, will it be Dempsey who gets the nod for the final spot?
Yellow card! The TMO confirms it’s contact from the bicep direct to the head - Naisarani gets a spell on the sideline.
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33 min: It’s another attempted maul, but they’ve stood this up well, Georgia, and almost pinch it. They’re doing brilliantly in denying these tonight, so the Wallabies look to spin it wide.
Still just metres away from the try line, again the pick and drive to probe any slight openings.
Haylett-Petty with a loop around but the Georgian defence slides well and the replacement fullback almost runs out of real estate.
32 min: Penalty against Georgia for an off-the-ball tackle. No advantage, so the Wallabies confer. Presumably they’ll take the three, no?
Ooh. They kick to touch, Australia. Fair shout - a second try would be a good capstone on the half.
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30 min: Another scrum, Georgia with the feed, around about halfway - but this time the penalty goes against the Europeans, as the front line collapses.
To’omua kicks to touch and they look for the offensive drive. Now Australia with a gilt-edged look at a second try.
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Penalty! Australia 7-3 Georgia
No mistake from the left boot of the fullback Soso Matiashvili, who thumps it between the posts.
Like Jay-jay Okocha he’s soso good they named him twice, this lad.
(Departs building; takes coat).
28 min: Sloppy from Australia - we’re looking at a possible high tackle from Latu, having put a White pass down that was probably not intended for the hooker.
Georgia will gratefully snap up the chance at three points.
26 min: Did they collapse the maul, Australia? It’s not penalised, and again it’s Pocock who forces a crucial turnover.
Georgia were just metres away from equalising, but for now, the danger is averted.
24 min: A clever restart from Georgia, who fire the kick right to the touchline, and Naisarani fumbles the kick, allowing the Europeans a look at an offensive line out. Big opportunity, this.
Try! Australia 7-0 Georgia (White)
22 min: There it is! Started by To’omua, closed by White - is that a seal of approval on Cheika’s halves selection?
He scampers over, the scrum-half, after a series of good darts from his forwards.
To’omua hits the conversion straight as a die - two extras added.
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20 min: Aprasidze goes to the air with the box kick, and it’s not claimed cleanly by the Wallabies. Eventually they get it back under control and it’s To’omua who earns a half-break of the line.
They’re around 25m out, Australia, as Latu steals some good metres. Some momentum for the Wallabies who finally go wide. Koroibete is pulled down around 5m out - is this the opener?
19 min: Another issue at the scrum, and there’s a penalty given against Australia. Cheika doesn’t love it from the coaches box, but Sio did appear to lose his feet and collapse the scrum.
18 min: We reset for a Georgian scrum, still just 5m out from their own line.
Beale looks on a little forlornly, his night could be over, with Dane Haylett-Petty taking his place on the field.
17 min: Ooph. And there’s a knock-on! Just as the Wallabies are a metre short, and Naisarani’s gone without it, attempting the pick and drive. Huge let off for Georgia, but credit their defence.
15 min: Australia set up for an offensive lineout and look to get the driving maul moving, but it’s well rebuffed by Georgia.
They’re about 5m out, probing the line, the Wallabies. Some one-out pick and goes, but some obdurant defence meets them.
13 min: Beale flicks an offload but he’s stayed down the fullback. This doesn’t look to good for Australian fans.
Ach, the veteran Kacharava appears to have flopped on him there, and maybe some contact to the head. In fairness, he may have slipped in attempting to execute the tackle, but it’s a penalty against Georgia, and Beale departs for a head-injury assessment.
11 min: A huge hit from Gorgodze! The veteran’s come to play, but then the Wallabies skipper for the night, Pocock, replies in kind.
Great, physical rugby - but it’s the veteran number 8 for Georgia who puts it down and enables Australia to take the scrum, 10m inside their opponent’s half.
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9 min: Ball turned over by Georgia, and they thump a long, raking clearance down field. Koroibete’s reply doesn’t have the distance and now it’s the nominal “tier two” nation with it around halfway.
7 min: Decent metres from the youngster Petaia, but he’s met in a big Georgian brawn sandwich. They try build the phases, Australia, as Rodda takes good contact.
Kepu gets isolated, before Georgia almost pinch an intercept, but Australia regather and move past 10 phases.
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5 min: Georgia set for the lineout just inside Australia’s half, there’s a ball to ground and we set for another scrum - a decent push from both, but the Europeans hold their feed and they play on.
And a turnover from Pocock, in Hooper’s 7 jersey. There’s the fabled core strength - a big pinch.
3 min: An early scrum opportunity and it’s Georgia with ball in hand.
Australia reverting to their customary gold shirt and green shorts, Georgia in a fetching white shirt, with maroon pants, by the way.
And a penalty against To’omua who’s pinged for a high tackle. Georgia kick to touch.
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Kick off!
1 min: But, to more pressing matters, and actual live rugby!
We’re away in a first ever meeting between Australia and Georgia!
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Sam Kirwan’s written in:
As an outsider I’ve long been baffled by the treatment of Quade Cooper in Aussie rugby. Lay out for me what would have to happen (i.e. who and how many would need to be injured) for him to be recalled.
Ooph, Sam. How long’s a piece of string? How many words to capture the enigma that is Quade Cooper?
On form, you’d have to suggest QC, re-combining with old buddy Will Genia at Rebels last season, wasn’t far off selection. But on reputation? You’d have to imagine Michael Cheika and/or others inside the leadership group decided he’s not the kind of personality they want around the squad. I don’t know the intricate details on that, but that would be my hunch.
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The word from inside the stadium in Shizuoka is that it’s a slightly diminished crowd, given the weather. Still plenty brazing the rain and potential tempest to get along though - great to see:
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And some more on the Scotland-Japan will-it, won’t-it go ahead imbroglio.
Some strong word’s from Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson:
“We’re not going to let Scotland be the collateral damage for a decision that was taken in haste.
He’s calling for an alternate venue or a time delay - anything to ensure the match goes ahead. More on that, here:
As always with Guardian play-by-play coverage, we’d love to hear from you as well.
Your thoughts on Australia’s best XV? And the halves combo of White and To’omua tonight? Anyone missing - is it tough on Tevita Kuridrani to fall out of the 23 after a man-of-the-match showing against Uruguay?
Shoot us an email or tweet to join the conversation.
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So - to team news then:
There’s a rest for the incredibly hard-working skipper Michael Hooper - both he and Adam Coleman sit this one out due to what the medical team have called “general soreness”. Let’s hope there’s nothing more to it then freshening up - Rob Simmons and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto come onto the bench.
It’s a fresh new halves combo - White and To’omua are the men trusted to steer the Wallabies tonight - let’s see how they gel. While youngster Jordan Petaia is back on the wing, O’Connor returns from injury and Jack Dempsey get’s another chance to press his claims for a starting berth come knockouts.
Australia: (15-1)
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 James O’Connor, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt To’omua, 9 Nic White, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Izack Rodda. 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio.
Bench: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 21 Will Genia, 22 Christian Lealiifano, 23 Dane Haylett-Petty.
For Georgia, coach Milton Haig has backed experience, where it could be a final World Cup showing for veteran gladiator Mamuka Gorgodze and the experienced trio of David Kacharava, Shalva Mamukashvili and Giorgi Nemsadze.
Georgia: (15-1)
15 Soso Matiashvili, 14 Giorgi Kveseladze, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze (c), 11 Alexander Todua, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 9 Gela Aprasidze, 8 Beka Gorgadze, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze, 6 Beka Saginadze, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.
Bench: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Guram Gogichashvili, 18 Giorgi Melikidze, 19 Otari Giorgadze, 20 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 21 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 22 Lasha Malaguradze, 23 Tamaz Mchedlidze.
The latest from camp England seems to be that the squad appear quite happy to sit out the France game. Unless that’s more of Eddie Jones’ fabled mind games at work.
Here’s Robert Kitson on that:
Today is however all about the Wallabies and their final Pool D clash against Georgia, and given the chopping and changing of selections across the tournament so far, one of the most fascinating questions remains: what is Australia’s best starting XV?
It’s the question posed by Brett Harris pre-game, and with another fresh halves combination looming, it’s a worthy one:
As an added bonus, I also learned what a “Hobson’s choice” is. The Guardian, eh? Always learning.
Hi all! Felicitations to you, around the world. If you’re in Japan, I hope you’re safe, dry and out of harm’s way. As much as sport is a religion and a way of life - especially at a Rugby World Cup - it sometimes puts things in perspective when a major natural disaster looms. Wishing the very best to all, and to stay out of danger.
We’ll try to bring you the latest on all things Typhoon Hagibis, but this is a nice, considered piece on the subject from Libby Brooks:
And a good reminder from Paul Rees that the Japanese squad and staff aren’t exactly sitting round hoping that Sunday’s crucial match will be cancelled either:
Preamble
It’s been a tough few days for rugby officials at what’s been an otherwise exemplary tournament thus far in Japan - as the looming threat of Typhoon Hagibis poses serious risk to life and livelihood, as well as the threat of undermining the competitive integrity of the entire tournament.
The Italians and potentially the Scots are hugely unhappy, with Sunday’s crunch clash between the host nation Japan and Scotland also under threat - but for today, we’re told Australia and Georgia can still go ahead, despite generally unpleasant conditions.
Georgia can’t qualify from here, but can still fight to secure a guaranteed place at the next World Cup by finishing above Fiji in the pool. With nothing to lose they can also play on some nerves in the Australian camp, who will be keen to avoid a momentum-sapping banana skin loss.
Conversely, a big win for Australia and they could head into the knockout phases with a bit of momentum and confidence high - their likely opponent, England, was denied a final hitout against France - could this prove a boon or a burden?
Plenty to pique the interest, therefore, in possibly treacherous conditions in Shizuoka. Batten the hatches, and strap in.
