Tops
The observers were not giving much of their skin but the Georgians showed a very good face, at least for 40 minutes. Dominant in scrum, in touch and very solid in defense, the Lelos played without complexes, being precise at the slightest opportunity in front of the posts thanks to the boot of Matkava and Niniashvili. During an excellent first act, Georgia only missed a try – Tabutsadze thought he was flattened in the 39th minute – to gain a greater advantage and avoid the return of the Fijians, unrecognizable for many minutes.
If Fiji emerges from this match unscathed, with the four points of victory, they can thank the third row of Stade Rochelais. Elected man of the match, the double European champion pushed his team forward and was invaluable in the rucks as usual. He was even responsible for the Flying Fijians’ second try, scored at the end of the match by Habosi, to conclude his successful performance.
Simon Raiwalui’s men at least provided the essentials. Barring disaster against Portugal next Sunday, Fiji will see the quarter-finals for the third time in their history (1987, 2007). A notable performance in the Australia and Wales group. And this, regardless of the rugby gruel offered during the first act.
Flops
Associated with the hinge, Tela and Kuruvoli never found the solutions to organize the very poor and approximate game of the Fijians at the start of the game. Worse, both players hid, the scrum half showing himself once, against his will, by missing a penalty (14th). Entering the second half at number 9, Lomani had the merit of scoring valuable points, despite a failure.
Far from the score against Australia, the Georgian Lelos let victory slip away against Portugal last week and were not favorites this evening. But the scenario of the meeting may leave them with regrets as Fiji seemed takeable. In front with nine points at the break, Georgia faltered physically as the minutes passed, committing more mistakes, before coming very close to the feat during a final raid at the last second.
Missed touches, crude forwards, dubious choices, the Fijian collective drowned in the first half and could have paid more dearly. Perhaps caught up in the enormous stakes, the Pacific players missed everything before putting their heads back together after returning from the locker room. Amazing inaccuracies which made for a messy and disappointing match overall.