LAST UPDATE | 19 Nov 2022
GEORGIA CAME FROM nine points down at half-time to beat Wales 13-12 in a dramatic Autumn Nations Series upset in Cardiff today.
Georgia replacement Luka Matkava landed a penalty two minutes from full-time, to secure a famous victory in a dress rehearsal for next year’s Rugby Union 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.”
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 scrum-half 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.
And with Georgia dominating up front, replacement stand-off Matkava, who’d only been on the field for a matter of minutes, 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.”
Scarlets back-row Josh Macleod made his Wales debut in a starting side showing six changes from the team that defeated Argentina 20-13 in Cardiff last weekend, with wing Josh Adams, fly-half Rhys Priestland and lock Ben Carter all included.
But it was Georgia, Wales’ opponents in a World Cup Pool C fixture in Nantes on October 7 next year, who took a second-minute lead via Abzhandadze’s penalty.
Wales eventually got into the game and began to exert pressure inside Georgia’s 22, with Cuthbert going close following two line-out drives that were well defended by the Lelos.
But Wales made their pressure count in the 20th minute when lock Adam Beard won a line-out and Morgan surged over for a try converted by Priestland as the hosts went 7-3 ahead.
And Morgan had his second try just three minutes later after a fine pass from scrum-half Tomos Williams.
Wales thought they had scored a third try eight minutes before half-time when Adams finished well after a kick and chase but Williams’ pass was ruled forward, with the hosts nine points ahead at the break.
But from then on it was all Georgia, long renowned for their scrum strength, and even though Abzhandadze missed a penalty, the Lelos — who have been knocking on the door of the Six Nations — were not to be denied.
Wales finish their Autumn programme next weekend at home to Australia, another of their World Cup pool opponents, with the Wallabies in action later today in Dublin.
“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.”
Wales great Jamie Roberts said afterwards that Pivac faces “serious questions”.
“That’s the worst performance I’ve seen from a Wales team,” Roberts told Amazon Prime.
“I didn’t see any fight from the Welsh lads. The scrums at the end typified that. There was so much inexperience in that front five at the end and the fault for that is the system.”
Former centre Roberts, a veteran of 97 Tests — 94 for Wales and three for the British and Irish Lions — said Pivac had to take much of the blame for a shock loss.
“Wayne needed to give those players far more game time over the last year,” the 36-year-old Roberts added.
“When you lose a game like this, then serious questions need to be asked about the coach.
“As players you play for the jersey, your country but also your coach. The fact Wales came out for the second half and didn’t score, then serious questions need to be asked about the head coach.”
