Georgia defeats Tonga to continue their unbeaten match tour of the South Seas Islands, as they shrugged off a determined Tongan side 20-23. After a determined draw last weekend against Samoa, the European team had to fight hard as Tonga were in the game until the last minute as ill-discipline cost them the match.
The Tongan side struggled in the scrum and lineouts during the first half and 94-test Georgian fullback Merab Kvirikashvili punished them with three penalties and two conversions, with two tries scored by the in-form David Kachvara. They dealt with the humidity of the Pacific conditions which is a good reflection of the improved professionalism from the Georgian team, touring the three Pacific strongholds of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.
The game, which was held at the ANZ National Stadium in Suva, served as the appetizer to the Pacific Nations Cup showdown between Fiji and Samoa. That second match was claimed by Fiji 26-16 and the curtain raiser was unfortunately a game riddled with handling errors and ill-discipline but was still very entertaining. In the closing stages, Georgia mounted attack-after-attack but were shut out by the resilient Tongans until they were a man down and the result got away from the Islanders.
Georgia defeats Tonga continue unbeaten Island Tour
Tonga were ‘all over’ the visitors in the opening minutes of game but all for no reward. Merab Kvirikashvili opened the account for Georgian’s with a penalty for a 3-0 lead. From the restart, a sloppy kick on his own line by flyhalf Lasha Khmaladze was pounced on by Blues flanker Jack Ram, for Tonga’s opening try that was converted by Sonetane Takulua for a 7-3 lead to the Island Kingdom.
It was a see-saw battle from then on. A good forward drive from Georgia resulted in a try to center David Kachrava in the 20th minute, it was the quick recycle ball off the rucks that caught the Tongans napping here, Kachrava was also instrumental in their game against the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup. His devastating runs and defensive work in October 2015 stopped the Conrad Smith-Ma’a Nonu combo time and time again. He continued that form and his try against Tonga was converted by Kvirikashvili, for a 7-10 lead to the Georgians.
The Lelos increased their lead with another penalty to lead 7-13 in the 32nd minute through super-boot Kvirikashvili but Takulua pulled one penalty back for a three point game, with minutes left to the breather. They went to the break with Georgia leading 10-13.
Straight from the restart of the second half, the Tongans were penalized again and the Georgian fullback again extended their lead but similarly, that was cut short again with a precise long range penalty from Tevita Halifonua, to retain the slim three point deficit 13-16.
Tongan coach rings changes at halftime
Tonga’s lineout and scrum had been struggling in the first half and coach Toutai Kefu made the change at halftime, with former Gloucester man Sila Puafisi and Sione Angelangi coming into the front row which turned the tide for the Tongans.
Georgia was reduced to 14-men in the 58th minute of the second half, after winger Tamaz Mchelidze was given a yellow after an altercation with Jack Ram. Nick Briant of New Zealand, a quality Super Rugby referee was in control of the game, and equally had to warn the Tongans for their own lack of discipline as the penalty count continued to mount. Kvirikashvili wasn’t on target in the second half missing two penalties.
With 10 minutes remaining, a penalty won by the home side saw Latiume Fosita opt to kick for the lineout. The Tongans won the ball and from there they drove strongly through the Georgian defence and replacement lock Opeti Fonua was at the back of the maul to pick up the try, converted by Fosita for a 20-16 lead to the Tongans. That had fans cheering on their men.
Georgia bombard Tongan tryline
With only five minutes left, and behind on the scoreboard the Georgians were given another penalty in Tongan territory. With a win in mind, they went for the lineout and from there, they launched attack-after-attack at the Tongan line, but to their credit, the Island boys held on. The Tongan scrum was tested in the last two minutes though, as the Georgians kept on taking the scrum option. It was only the relentless defense by the Islanders, that kept the Lelos at bay.
Under immense pressure, with continuous infringements made by Tonga on their line, number eight Sione Tau was sent to the bin for cynical play and with that man advantage, Kacharava quickly dotted down his second converted-try by Kvirikashvili, for the final sore of 20-23 to the visitors and a huge sigh of relief.
The Georgians continue their unbeaten run but will be tested to the utter limits next weekend, when they meet Fiji who are always strong at home and have now secured their place at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Fans from Europe and the Islands each look forward to that clash–the curtain raiser will be Samoa v Tonga, to determine second place in the PNC (and another great match to look forward to)
Georgia:
15. Merab Kvirikashvili 14. Tamaz Mchelidze 13. David Kacharava 12. Merab Sharikadze 11. Sandro Todua 10. Lasha Khmaladze 9. Giorgi Begadze 8. Beka Bitsadze 7. Giorgi Tkililaishvili 6. Shalva Satiashvili (c) 5. Giorgi Nemsadze 4. Giorgi Chkhaidze 3. Anton Peikrishvili 2. Jaba Bregvadze 1. Zerab Zhavania.
Replacements: 16. Shalva Mamukashvili 17. Karlen Asieshvili 18. Irakli Mirtskhulashvili 19. Nodar Cheishvili 20. Lasha Lomidze 21. Vazha Khutsishvili 22. Lasha Malaghuradze 23. Giorgi Pruidze
Tonga:
15. Tevita Halifonua 14. Otulea Katoa 13. Apakuki Ma’afu 12. Latiume Fosita 11. Viliame Iongi 10. Kali Hala 9. Sonetane Takulua 8. Sione Tau 7. Jack Ram 6. Nili Latu 5. Dan Faleafa 4. Uili Kolo’ofa’i 3. Sione Faletau 2. Elvis Taione 1. Eddie Aholelei
Replacements: 16. Sosefo Sakalia 17. Sione Angaelangi 18. Sila Puafisi 19. Opeti Fonua 20. Steve Mafi 21. Wayne Ngaluafe 22. Viliami Hakolo 23. Daniel Kilioni
“Main photo credit”
