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Jalagonia (44')
Tries
O'Brien (1', 7'), Casey (40'), Timoney (69')
Conversions
Prendergast (2', 8', 41', 70')
Penalties
Prendergast (44', 61')
In the Tbilisi nighttime, the noise was deafening from a crowd full of expectation and hope! As the teams run out to fireworks and smoke, the spectacle of a top 5 International Rugby team coming to Tbilisi was clear to see. Both sides belted out with all of their hearts and passion, but it was clear what it meant to Georgia.
As Sam Prendergast took the kick off deep into the Georgian night sky. Georgia cleared their lines and set Ireland to build their platform again from halfway. As the rain circled in the night sky, Casey put another one into the night sky for the Irish backline to chase. Jaime Osborne managed to gather the ball in the air, Ireland were now back on the Georgian 22. Ireland were hitting the perfect lines to find space in the Georgian defence, and whilst under a penalty advantage. Sam Pendergast went for a chip over the top, which deflected off a Georgian arm. It deflected into Tommy O’Briens arms who slid over the line after only 90 seconds. Surely, that has to be one of the quickest tries ever scored on a debut?! Not the start that Georgia wanted after Sam Prendergast also added the conversion. 2 minutes on the clock and Ireland lead 0 - 7 in Tbilisi.
With the weather conditions very greasy, both sides are going to the aerial route at every option. Tommy O’Brien is finding a lot of space behind the Georgian defensive line already. He nearly scores after gathering a chip over the top by Prendergast, he then kicks a grubber to have a foot race against Lobzhanidze, but the Georgian scrum half gets their first but takes the ball back over the try line. Gifting Ireland a 5-metre scrum under the shadows of the Georgian posts. Ireland manages to get the ball out the back of the scrum quickly enough for Casey to ghost away on the open side while under a penalty advantage. Casey pops a pass to Sam Prendergast, who then throws a pass out wide to the man of the moment Tommy O’Brien open on the wing. O’Brien dives into the corner to add his second try of the evening after 7 minutes. Prendergast has the conversion to make from the far touchline but slots it easily. Ireland lead 0 - 14 now after 8 minutes. This is not the start that Georgia wanted at all, and an uphill battle now for them at home.
Georgia thought they had found their way back into the game in the 13th minute, through the Georgian try scoring machine Aka Tabutsadze. As he rolled over the tryline under the tackle from Osborne, he managed to roll his arm over to try to ground the ball. But as he rolled, he started to lose control but looked like he had done enough to get pressure on the ball with his little finger still. However, the TMO viewed it the opposite way and Georgia were robbed what looked like a try. On another day, you have seen them given.
The standard Georgian hospitality at scrum time afters was shown in the 20th minute, while the game was in a bit of a lull. The first half continued as an arm wrestle with a territory kicking thrown into the mix. Prendergast nearly added another time in the 23rd minute but his foot was in touch as he dived into the corner.
As the rain got harder, the more errors began to creep in for both sides. Georgia started to get on top in the forwards battle, but they can’t get it out to that lethal backline in these conditions. Every time they did try, the Irish defensive line was so quick to close the space on them. In the 36th minute, Jacob Stockdale left the field with an arm injury to be replaced by Calvin Nash. Georgia were really turning the screw at scrum time and this was their best opportunity to get into the game. The clock was in the red when Georgia won a penalty in their own 5 metre line. They weren’t going to kick it out for the half. They want to play.
They kick to halfway and have a lineout to start their attack. Another penalty awarded on halfway for sealing off at the breakdown by Ireland. Georgia kick for the corner and have another lineout in the Irish 22, the throw went to the back and Ireland illegally brough the maul down. Another advantage for Georgia. They kick it out onto the 5-metre line, its front ball and the maul gets Tornike Jalagonia over the line in the corner to reduce the deficit. As the fireworks erupted around the stadium, the conversion was pulled wide from tight on the touchline.
As both teams run into the tunnel at half time, the score stands 5 - 14. The first 7 minutes and the 5 minutes at the end of the half were the most exciting parts of a wet affair in Tbilisi.
The second half started in the same vein as the first half, with Ireland managing to gather the loose ball after Georgia went into the rainy night sky. Calvin Nash managed to break free and eat up the metres, an offload back inside found Baird. Baird continued driving forwards looking for the offload, Casey was ready on his shoulder for the offload inside again. Casey then managed to race away from Niniashvili inside the Georgian 22. Diving over the line in front of the Irish substitutes waiting to celebrate. 41 minutes on the clock and Ireland had extended their lead. Easy conversion for Prendergast took the score to 5 - 21 after 42 minutes.
Georgia try to force the issue but get pinged at the breakdown close to their own 10 metre line. McCloskey points to the sticks for Prendergast to take the points and keep the board ticking over. Prendergast looks calm as he strolls up to nudge over from the tee, keeping his 100 percent record so far on the night. 44 minutes gone and Ireland lead 5 -24 now. Georgia have a lot of work to do now to get back into this.
On the 47th minute, Georgia dive over the line from a 5-metre lineout maul. But the TMO is involved again, but this time they get it right, as Aptsiauri looked certain to score an Irish arm managed to dislodge the ball from his grasp. Knock on awarded and try disallowed. Georgia are not having any luck at all tonight!
Both sides then began to empty the benches looking to change the game for Georgia and Ireland to put fresh legs on to defend the lead. Apart from a Prendergast penalty kick inside the Georgian 22 on the 61st minute. With the score at 5 - 27, the game was a chess match riddled with errors and territory kicking. Neither side could make the clinical touch until the 69th minute.
Ireland managed to get a lineout inside the Georgian 22, the lineout maul wasn’t moving forward. So, Prendergast dropped into the pocket and looked for the Crossfield kick. It was gathered after a bit of juggling, but they couldn’t get over the line in the corner. So, the phases started to come back across the pitch, and Prendergast did the same again to the far side. Nick Timoney managed to gather the ball with a bit of space and dived for the line and with a bit of hand shuffling looks to have got the ball down on the line. But we go upstairs to check the grounding and if it was a double movement. The try is awarded, and Ireland extend the lead again. Prendergast continues his 100 percent record from the tee tonight. 5 - 34 to Ireland now with 70 minutes gone. Casey and Prendergast leave the field to be replaced by Ben Murphy and Jack Crowley after a great display of what they have to offer Ireland.
The final 10 minutes ticked away with the only marker on the board being Stuart McCloskey being yellow carded in the 76th minute. McCloskey took one for the team after stopping a quick restart from Georgia. Georgia couldn’t take advantage of the man advantage and will be fuming with themselves about letting another opportunity to take it to the Tier 1 nations. The weather definitely didn’t help the efforts, but Ireland looked very clinical tonight. Casey and Prendergast looked cool calm and collected together.
