Get Newsletter

Canada edge out Georgia

 Canada got a first Test try from Andrew Tiedemann while Nathan Hirayama kicked 11 points. 13 of Canada’s points came in the first half.

 

"They played a lot of rugby out here tonight and there were a lot of massive performances," Canada head coach Kieran Crowley said. 

ADVERTISEMENT

"We created a few opportunities and should have nailed a couple of other tries so there’s still a lot to work and improve on. I’m just really pleased the guys came through."

 

Tiedemann got Canada off to a flying start just four minutes in as he crashed over on his 33rd Test appearance after a 50-meter break from Canada’s backs. Hirayama added the conversion to give Canada an early 7-0 lead.

 

"Tiedemann was out there the full 80 minutes and was outstanding," Crowley said.

 

Each side then proceeded to exchange penalties – Lasha Malaguradze got Georgia on the board in the 13th minute but Hirayama replied six minutes later to make it 10-3 Canada.

 

Georgia got their first try of the game in the 28th minute as flank Giorgi Tkhilaishvili scored off a set play from a five meter scrum with Malaguradze adding the conversion to tie things at 10-10.

 

Canada responded in positive fashion again though as Hirayama kicked his second penalty of the night from 40 meters out to give Canada a slender 13-10 lead that they took into the break.

 

Hirayama continued his hot kicking form into the second-half as his third penalty of the night six minutes in pushed Canada’s lead to 16-10 but he missed his next opportunity in the 52nd minute.

 

Georgia cut the lead to 16-15 with six minutes remaining as fullback Beka Tsiklauri scored in the right corner, however, the conversion missed giving Canada a one-point victory.

 

"We’ve had a tough time in terms of getting wins so it was hugely important to get that win today," Phil Mackenzie said.

"That’s two from two now in our official campaign so we’re looking forward to improving off that. This will make us even more confident in what we can do and what we can achieve at the World Cup."

 

Four days ago Canada beat the Glasgow Warriors 19-12 in Halifax before heading overseas.

 

Canada faces Fiji Sunday at the Twickenham Stoop in their final game of the road to the World Cup.

Scorers:

For Canada:

Try: Tiedemann

Con: Hirayama

Pens: Hirayama 3

For Georgia:

Tries: Tkhilaishvili, Tsiklauri

Con: Malaguradze

Pen: Malaguradze

Canada: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Jeff Hassle, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Nick Blevins, 11 Phil Mackenzie, 10 Nathan Hirayama, 9 Jamie Mackenzie, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 John Moonlight, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 5 Jamie Cudmore (Captain), 4 Brett Beukeboom, 3 Andrew Tiedemann, 2 Ray Barkwill, 1 Djustice Sears-Duru.

Replacements: 16 Benoit Piffero, 17 Hubert Buydens, 18 Jason Marshall, 19 Evan Olmstead, 20 Kyle Gilmour, 21 Gordon McRorie, 22 Conor Trainor, 23 Harry Jones.

 

Georgia: 15 Beka Tsiklauri, 14 Giorgi Pruidze, 13 Merab Sharikadze, 12 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 11 Giorgi Aptsiauri, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Giorgi Begadze, 8 Lasha Lomidze, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 3 Levan Chilachava, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Karlen Asieshvili.

Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Mikheil Nariashvili, 18 Davit Zirakashvili, 19 Kostantine Mikautadze, 20 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 21 Vazha Khutsishvili, 22 Lasha Khmaladze, 23 Davit Kacharava.

ADVERTISEMENT

Referee: JP Doyle (England)

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment