Wales 43-19 Georgia: Louis Rees-Zammit hat-trick carries Wales to fourth straight World Cup win
Warren Gatland's side blitzed into the last eight of the Rugby World Cup in France with a 100 per cent record after running in six tries against Georgia; Wales will now face either Argentina or Japan in the quarter-finals
Last Updated: 07/10/23 5:06pm
Winger Louis Rees-Zammit scored a hat-trick of tries as Wales beat Georgia 43-19 to secure first place in World Cup Pool C.
Wales, who lost their last match against Georgia 11 months ago, went into half-time with a 17-7 lead after tries by prop Tomas Francis and full-back Liam Williams, but then faced a spirited fightback from the Georgians.
They had crossed the Wales line before the interval through captain Merab Sharikadze and stunned the Welsh with successive tries after the hour mark from replacement prop Vano Karkadze and wing Davit Niniashvili.
Wales 43-19 Georgia - Score summary
Wales - Tries: Tomas (16), L. Williams (25), Rees-Zammit (42, 66, 73), North (79). Cons: Costelow (17, 23, 43, 67, 80). Pens: Costelow (27).
Georgia - Tries: Sharikadze (34), Karkadze (58), Niniashvili (61). Cons: Matkava (35, 59)
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Livewire winger Rees-Zammit and centre George North scored late tries to extend the Welsh lead.
Fly-half Sam Costelow, a last-minute replacement for Gareth Anscombe who was injured in the warm-up, kicked 14 points for Wales.
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.
Story of the game
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.
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.
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 Luka 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.
Dan 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.
What's next?
Next up for Wales is a quarter-final against Argentina or Japan which will be played on Saturday October 14 in Marseille, at 4pm (BST).
Georgia's tournament is now over after they finished fourth in the pool with no wins and one draw against Portugal, despite spirited performances against all their opponents including Australia and Fiji.
