An ugly all-out brawl that saw two players sent off, including Canadian captain Tyler Ardron, and another injured marred a poor spectacle for rugby in the driving rain of Tbilisi.
GEORGIA 19 vs 15 CANADA
Saturday, November 9, 12:30 GMT, Tbilisi
The incident occurred in the 38th minute as Ardron took exception to a terrible clothesline tackle from Viktor Kolelishvili on Liam Underwood that sparked a melee involving multiple players from both sides. When the dust settled both Ardron and Kolelishvili were sent from the field by referee Lourens van der Merwe, and a shaken Underwood was forced to retire early as a result of the collision.
After an impressive rendition of the home anthem by a Georgian ‘singer’, the game kicked off with an exchange of penalty opportunities. The left boot of Merab Kvirikashvili was accurate, the right of Underwood was not. The Canadian redeemed himself in his second attempt after his side showed their intent to play wide, attacking rugby and earned another shot, this time in front of the posts at close range.
Kvirikashvili evened up the kicking stakes as he missed a very makeable penalty five minutes later, and then a dubious penalty awarded even though Georgia were dominant at the scrum yielded another chance for Underwood, which he converted to give Canada the lead. The lead was short-lived as Ardron went offside at the lineout and the Georgian fullback got back on track with is second penalty of the match.
His third just crept over the bar from 42 metres, before an early blow for the home side saw their captain Irakli Machkhaneli off injured and replaced by Tedo Zibzibadze with less than 30 minutes on the clock. Underwood evened things up once more after a lazy penalty from Georgia for a hand in at the scrum. The game at this point had slowed to a crawl with neither team capable of going more than a couple of phases without a penalty or knock on.
Cue Kolelishvili’s tackle, followed by a penalty goal to Harry Jones, who stepped into flyhalf with Underwood’s withdrawal, giving Canada a 3 point lead. Thankfully the half came quickly and cooler heads prevailed in the second act.
The arm wrestle continued to start the half, but a huge break from Zibzibadze brought the Lelos within striking range and after Canada failed to clear it was the veteran three quarter again who dove in to score in the corner for the first try of the game. Kvirikashvili hit the sideline conversion to give his team its first lead since the opening minutes of the match.
Another penalty won from an indiscretion at the breakdown following a Conor Trainor line break yielded Jones’ second penalty. The subs began to enter the fray as the Lelos swapped their props and Canada brought on Hotson and Ilnicki. The Canadians conceded a penalty of their own a couple minutes later and Kvirikashvili nudged the lead back to 4 in favour of the home side, where the score would stay during an anti-climactic final quarter.
Canada were again plagued by handling errors and poor decision making, failing to create a try despite several line breaks. The scrum held its own but the rolling maul proved the difference in the second half as the Georgian forwards took charge.
The Canadians will need to regroup for their tough trip to Romania, and likely be forced to do so without Ardron, likely to be cited, and hooker Ray Barkwill who came off with a leg injury just after the punch-up. Underwood could also be a concern with a possible concussion. The Lelos host the US Eagles next week, and will be hoping that Dimitri Basilaia recovers in time to replace Kolelishvili who looks set to face the citing commission and a lengthy suspension.
SCORING
02 mins – M. Kvirikashvili pen 3-0
04 mins – L. Underwood pen miss 3-0
07 mins – L. Underwood pen 3-3
12 mins – M. Kvirikashvili pen miss 3-3
17 mins – L. Underwood pen 3-6
20 mins – M. Kvirikashvili pen 6-6
26 mins – M. Kvirikashvili pen 9-6
33 mins – L. Underwood pen 9-9
38 mins – H. Jones pen 9-12
52 mins – T. Zibzibadze try 14-12
53 mins – M. Kvirikashvili con 16-12
57 mins – H. Jones pen 16-15
61 mins – M. Kvirikashvili pen 19-15
77 mins – M. Kvirikashvili pen miss 19-15
CARDS
38 mins – V. Kolelishvili red (dangerous tackle / punching)
38 mins – T. Ardron red (retaliation)
GEORGIA
M. Kvirikashvili; T. Mchedlidze, D. Kacharava, M. Sharikadze, I. Machkhaneli (capt.) (T. Zibzibadze 28); L. Khmaladze, G. Begadze; M. Nariashvili (D. Khinchagishvili 58), S. Mamukashvili (S. Maisuradze 76), D. Kubriashvili (L. Chilachava 58); K. Mikautadze (S. Sutiashvili 65), L. Datunashvili (G. Tkhilaishvili 76); M. Gorgodze, V. Kolelishvili, G. Chkhaidze.
CANADA
M. Evans; J. Hassler, C. Trainor, H. Jones, P. Mackenzie; L. Underwood (N. Blevins 38), P. Mack (J. Mackenzie 65); H. Buydens, R. Barkwill (B. Piffero 38), A. Tiedemann (J. Ilnicki 58); J. Phelan (N. Dala 65), B. Beukeboom (T. Hotson 58); J. Sinclair, J. Moonlight, T. Ardron (capt.).
Referee: L. van der Merwe (SARU)
Assistants: D. Phillips (IRFU) & V. Iordachescu (FRR)
TMO: n/a
