Australia 27-8 Georgia: Wallabies labour to Rugby World Cup victory

Marika Koroibete ran from outside the 22, beating four defenders to score Australia’s second try

2019 Rugby World Cup Pool D
Australia: (10) 27
Tries: White, Koroibete, Dempsey, Genia; Pen: Toomua; Cons: Toomua 2
Georgia: (3) 8
Try: Todua; Pen: Matiashvili

England’s likely World Cup last eight opponents Australia laboured to victory over Georgia in swirling wind and rain.

With Typhoon Hagibis approaching Japan, the Wallabies took 22 minutes to open the scoring through Nic White’s try.

Michael Cheika’s side held a slender 10-3 half-time advantage and saw Isi Naisarani sin-binned for a high tackle.

A solo score from Marika Koroibete gave Australia a buffer but Alexander Todua crossed for Georgia before Jack Dempsey and Will Genia tries sealed the win.

The bonus-point victory takes the already-qualified Wallabies top of Pool D, although they will be overtaken by Wales if Warren Gatland’s side avoid defeat by Uruguay on Sunday.

More to follow.

Teams

Australia: Beale, Petaia, O’Connor, Kerevi, Koroibete, Toomua, White, Sio, Latu, Kepu, Rodda, Arnold, Dempsey, Pocock (capt), Naisarani.

Replacements: Uelese, Slipper, Tupou, Simmons, Salakaia-Loto, Genia, Lealiifano, Haylett-Petty.

Georgia: Matiashvili, Kveseladze, Kacharava, Sharikadze (capt), Todua, Khmaladze, Aprasidze, Nariashvili, Mamukashvilli, Gigashvili, Nemsadze, Mikautadze, Saghinadze, Gorgodze, Gorgadze.

Replacements: Bregvadze, Gogichashvili, Melikidze, Giorgadze, Tkhilaishvili, Lobzhanidze, Malaguradze, Mchedlidze.