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Louis Rees-Zammit claims hat-trick of tries as Wales top Pool C
By PA
Wales won their Rugby World Cup group and maintained an unbeaten march to the quarter-finals after beating Georgia 43-19 at Stade de la Beaujoire.
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Warren Gatland’s team needed one point to finish top of Pool C after securing a last-eight place almost two weeks ago by defeating Australia in record-breaking fashion.
And they accomplished it on the same ground that 16 years ago Fiji condemned them to a World Cup pool-stage exit.
Wing Louis Rees-Zammit scored three tries, while there were also touchdowns for prop Tomas Francis, full-back Liam Williams and centre George North.
Wales ensured there would be no repeat of Georgia’s shock 13-12 success in Cardiff during the 2022 autumn Tests as they overcame fly-half Gareth Anscombe’s withdrawal just 45 minutes before kick-off due to a groin injury.
Anscombe’s late replacement Sam Costelow kicked five conversions and a penalty, although Georgia fought back to 24-19 adrift at one point through tries from Merab Sharikadze, Vano Karkadze and Davit Niniashvili, with Luka Matkava kicking two conversions.
A protracted mass brawl late in the game that spilled over the touchline and involved replacements from both sides saw Niniashvili and Wales substitute Taine Basham yellow-carded.
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Wales were home and dry by this stage, although there was more injury concern when number eight Taulupe Faletau went off nursing what appeared to be a wrist problem.
Costelow mixed his running and kicking game well in the early stages, but Wales could get no change out of a well-organised Georgia defence.
There were plenty of errors in perfect playing conditions from both sides, but Wales broke the deadlock after 16 minutes.
A powerful lineout drive put Georgia on the back-foot, before Tomos Williams’ short inside pass resulted in Francis going over for a try that Costelow converted.
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Wales had settled into a rhythm, and they struck from another attacking lineout just seven minutes later.
Lock Will Rowlands secured quality possession and, when the ball was moved wide Liam Williams finished impressively. Costelow’s conversion made it 14-0.
A Costelow penalty then opened up a 17-point advantage, and Wales appeared to be well on their way to a fourth successive pool victory.
Georgia regrouped as the first-half drew to a close, and Sharikadze claimed a try that Matkava converted following a sustained spell of pressure.
It was a warning for Wales that they could not switch off as they took a 17-7 lead into the interval.
Georgia began the second period on the front foot, but a midfield fumble saw North find Rees-Zammit, and the Gloucester speedster cruised clear from 60 metres out to claim his third try of the tournament.
Costelow converted, and it was exactly what Wales required after Georgia had threatened a fightback before the break.
Gatland changed the entire front row after 50 minutes, with Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Henry Thomas all joining the action.
And while Wales were comfortably ahead, Georgia kept searching for attacking opportunities in their final game of the competition after defeats against Australia and Fiji and a draw with Portugal.
Their resilience was then rewarded with 20 minutes left when replacement hooker Karkadze went over and Matkava converted.
And Georgia immediately conjured a third try, this time from Niniashvili, making it 24-18 and giving Wales plenty to be concerned about.
Gatland’s team were in danger of unravelling, but just when they needed it, Rees-Zammit applied a brilliant finish for his second try which Costelow converted, making it 31-19.
Biggar joined the action deep into the final quarter, and when Rees-Zammit claimed his hat-trick try, Wales were home before North’s try – and Wales’ sixth – completed the scoring, with Japan or Argentina now awaiting as their quarter-final opponents.
Comments on RugbyPass
32 Go to commentsPublic figure, public scrutiny. Rassie still drops powerful bombs despite grievous accusations. He doesn't let it destroy him. When there's fair comment, let it rain down. When it's rubbish, keep calm and carry on.
17 Go to commentsFunny but sad how this poor soul runs out of people to stalk and harass as they all block him, and then changes his name so they'll talk to him again.
8 Go to commentsSteward is a defensive liability at the international level.
Dude costs England two tries per game. How many proofs does Borthwick need to see?
21 Go to commentsJust insanely inflated ratings.
At this time we have to assume, that this is a pure troll.
They just want traction under the article, so they provoke. The whole RugbyPass is turning into Ben Smith. Tabloid clickbait, biased nonsense.
Aldritt with the best performance ever?
Dude handed Roigaard an intercept try on a silver plate.
8 Go to commentsHe would still have Youngs and Farrell if they were available.
32 Go to commentsStephen Jones is a proxy for the NH rugby bosses and his article is a softener to prepare us proles for a rule change.
10 Go to commentsWhat's improved to my eye's is this group has developed a bit of ticker and belief. They've grown tight as the overused cliché goes, and they stay in for the fight until the end. Earlier in the season they were just wilting after the break. And what's pleasing is the number of young guys contributing, particularly in the forwards. It's a good foundation to build on. Yes third is a fair enough appraisal on current form. Though I disagree this French team can't beat South Africa, if they turn up mentally, on their day they can beat anyone. It's consistency that will always plague the French.
5 Go to commentsMissed the games again Wales, Portugal, Australia, Argentina at Bombela?
Our tight victories have come against the best teams in the world. Pretty normal.
9 Go to commentsWe need center's.
21 Go to commentsThis is probably the first time I’ve seen less than a 9 for Dupont.
Are we sure France won?
24 Go to comments😂
8 Go to commentsMeanwhile Scotland blood a 19yr old as Borthwick ignores all the form backs and forwards. Borthwick's choice of coaches and players has proven to be awful. Ford fails yet is still chosen. Thank goodness Ben Youngs retired or Borthwick would play him.
32 Go to commentsYes absolutely 👍 😁
17 Go to commentsTight match a few points:
-England are badly missing Felix Jones. This one was very winnable. Tactics were clueless at the end
-Andrew Brace chickened out of a yellow for SA at the end. SA brought down a driving Maul approaching the SA line. That is a yellow. No ifs no buts. He said to SA "Dont think I wont give you a yellow just because youve a man already in the bin". But that's EXACTLY what you were doing Bracey. England 9point deficit versus 13 and a penalty deep in the SA 22 is a likely winning position. Brace didn't give a yellow because SA already had a man in the bin.
-England are not bad but they need an expert with the analytical capabilities of a Felix Jones.
17 Go to commentsYou must be the exception to that rule Nigella.
7 Go to commentsOh, look at how well your jingoistic little rant has aged.
France won. New Zealand second best.
10 Go to commentsAnother Kiwi re defines prerequisites for great players to suit his one eyed jingoistic outlook.
10 Go to commentsNo he didn't. That's utter nonsense.
8 Go to commentsI'll say it again. The England players are really good but they have shown consistently that they are not world beaters in every position. New World Cup cycle. Bring in new side based on young players who can be word beaters in 27. This team won't. Pollock, Fasogbon, Hill, Tizzard, Fitz-Harding for Skipper, Ibitoye, Lesowzki, Kenningham, Tom Willis, Retain the Smits and Mitchell. Current pack is overrated, especially the 4 - 8. You need to be able to defend and carry and be up for the fight. 12 13 and wing channels are one dimensional. If England doesn't change it will be also-rans for a long time.
42 Go to commentsRamos was responsible for three tries against England and Galthie doesn't learn.
NZ just piled down his channel and the predictable holes from Blue players shoring the vulnerability. NZ managed to easily muscle through this vulnerability to take a HT lead. Ramos sometimes kicks to make partial amends for his defensive ghosts performances. In 2023 he kicked a restart dead with 5 mins to go v SA. Move on please France.
France wand Dupont broke off some of their rust to secure the win, but it was a tighter than it really should have been. Strong NZ forward pack with not much bite to the backs. If NZ don't win the RWC in 2027 they will be 16 years into beating their 24 year drought record. France have so much to improve. NZ tend to only win home RWCs. Sorry Kiwis, I don't see it with this team.