Fiji Made To Work Hard For Win Against Georgia

 

Georgia dominated the match for the first fifty minutes of the match and led 09-00 going into the final thirty minutes of the match. Fiji upped the pace and intensity during the final thirty minutes and scored seventeen unanswered points to secure a 17-12 win.

Georgia had a fast and accurate start to the game. Luka Matkava converted an early penalty for Georgia to lead 03-00 after five minutes of play. Winger Davit Niniashvili added two long-distance converted penalties to extend Georgia's lead to 09-00 after thirty minutes of play, which was also the halftime score.

Fiji absorbed ten minutes of sustained pressure by Georgia before captain Waisea Nayacalevu scored a brilliant try in the corner for Fiji to reduce Georgia's lead to 09-07 with thirty minutes still to play in the second half.

Fiji's Frank Lomani converted a penalty to hand Fiji the lead (10-09) for the first time of the match and fifteen minutes still to play. Fiji once again upped the pace and intensity when Vinaya Habosi scored a great try to extend Fiji's lead to 17-09.

Georgia's Luka Matkava converted their fourth penalty earning them a bonus point for losing with seven or fewer points. Fiji won 17-12.

Scorers:
Fiji: Try: Waisea Nayacalevu, Vinaya Habosi. Conversions: Frank Lomani (2). Penalty: Frank Lomani
Georgia: Penalties: Luka Matkava (2), Davit Niniashvili (2).

Teams:

Fiji: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 3 Luke Tagi, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7 Levani Botia, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 10 Teti Tela, 11 Semi Radradra, 12 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 15 Ilaisa Droasese. Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Vinaya Habosi.

Georgia: 1 Mikheil Nariashvili (c), 2 Tengizi Zamtaradze, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 4 Lasha Jaiani, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze, 7 Beka Saginadze, 8 Tornike Jalagonia, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 10 Luka Matkava, 11 Davit Niniashvili, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 15 Miriani Modebadze. Replacements: 16 Luka Nioradze, 17 Nika Abuladze, 18 Irakli Aptsiauri, 19 Nodar Cheishvili, 20 Luka Ivanishvili, 21 Gela Aprasidze, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike Kakhoidze.