For the Lelos, as Georgia are known, it was only their third win at their fourth Rugby World Cup.
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Georgia’s first sustained incursion into Tongan territory ended with a score for Gorgodze under the posts, and they led 10-3 at half-time.
Tonga could not get their game going, being frustrated by a combination of poor decision-making and sloppy handling, but Georgia had rumbled them, primarily through consistently-impressive scrummaging work by props Mikheil Nariashvili and Davit Zirakashvili.
Tonga captain Nili Latu had no complaints about the result – and although tournament minnows Namibia are up next for his team, world champions New Zealand and in-form Argentina also remain to be played. It may yet help them finish their pool in third, at least, and automatically qualify for the 2019 tournament in Japan. Tonga had plenty of openings and plenty of the ball – they made 156 carries to Georgia’s 56 – but Georgia executed their limited but effective gameplan to perfection.
Georgia is also set to field the youngest ever player at a Rugby World Cup, with scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze being 18 years and 340 days old on Saturday.
But this was undoubtedly their most satisfying World Cup success, with flanker Giorgi Tkhilaishvili sealing the deal when he touched down after 57 minutes, while full-back Merab Kvirikashvili kicked a penalty and two conversions.
In the second half, Tonga set up a frantic finale.
They did cross the line in the 71 minute to bring the match within seven but unable to make the most of their extra man when the Georgian Playmaker was sin binned for constantly infringing. The game opened up for Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, who evaded two tackles and dived over in the left corner.
Even when a clever Morath kick bisected Georgia’s defence, Tonga failed to capitalise as centre Siale Piutau was unable to ground the ball as it rolled agonisingly out of his grasp, which summed up the South Sea Islanders’ day.
The try finally came from Vainikolo, thanks to a long pass from Ma’afu, and Morath converted it from the left sideline.
Georgia survived the Tonga onslaught at the end of the game to seal a memorable win.
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Georgia will be back in Gloucester to play Argentina on September 25, while Tonga head to Sandy Park in Exeter to meet Namibia on Sept 29.
