Beale concussion a worry as Australia grind it out in the Shizuoka rain

Marika Koroibete’s sizzling solo try stole the show but the Wallabies otherwise battled to see off Georgia 27-8 in their final World Cup pool match in drenched Shizuoka.

Victory on Friday may have come at a cost too for the Wallabies, who lost full-back Kurtley Beale to a likely concussion, while Isi Naisarani was shown a yellow card that could yet warrant a further sanction.

The match was spoiled as a spectacle by rain and swirling wind, conditions which are suspected to be a precursor to Typhoon Hagibis, which is forecast to strike much of Japan on Saturday.

A slippery ball didn’t stop the Wallabies attempting an enterprising brand, barely kicking the ball in general play. They had difficulty breaking down the stubborn Georgia defence in the first Test between the two nations but eventually out-scored them four tries to one.

It was in the 60th minute that the match burst to life when winger Koroibete unleashed one of the tries of the tournament. With his team leading by the half-time score of 10-3, the former NRL star collected a loose ball inside his own half and beat four defenders cold in a thrilling surge to the line.

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Georgia responded against the run of play with a sharp try to winger Alexander Todua before Jack Dempsey and Will Genia crossed inside the final 10 minutes to seal the outcome.

Australia’s enjoyed about 80 per cent of the game’s possession and territory but spilt chances and stubborn opponents prevented them from building a lead they could relax with until late. There will be concern about Naisrani’s open-armed hit that caught Mamuka Gorgodze on the jaw in the 35th minute.

French referee Pascal Gauzere told the back row his failure to wrap his arm was flawed, continuing Australia’s struggles with high shots at the tournament. They have tallied three yellow cards in their last two games.

Australia vs Georgia kicks off in half an hours time.
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 11, 2019

There were milestones, meanwhile, for two veteran forwards. Lock Rob Simmons became the 11th Wallabies Test centurion when he came off the bench while it was the 75th and final Test for Gorgodze, regarded as one of the finest tier two forwards in the game.

Australia ran into a Gorgodze-inspired Georgian brick wall throughout the first quarter and suffered a casualty when Beale was forced off when copping an accidental knee to the head from David Kacharava in the 13th minute. The dazed full-back didn’t return and must be in doubt for next week’s quarter-final, probably against England.

Two players still check in with 8/10 as RugbyPass runs the rule over the Australia performance in the laboured win over Georgia https://t.co/8bWmJS923w

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 11, 2019

The scoring began 10 minutes later when half-back Nic White darted over following waves of Wallabies attacks. Five-eighth Matt To’omua landed the conversion on the way to a three-from-five return with the boot.

To’omua emerged as one of Australia’s better performers, mounting pressure on coach Michael Cheika to start him at No10 in the knockout games.

– AAP

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