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'Win a few games for us': Eddie Jones' witty review of Georgian Rugby
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has, rather hilariously, called on Georgia to “win a few games for us” after Australia’s comfortable 35-15 win in their Rugby World Cup clash.
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An inexperienced Wallabies outfit took a step in the right direction on Saturday as they ended almost a year of hurt by winning Australia’s first Test since last November.
Fullback Ben Donaldson silenced some critics with a sensational performance at Stade de France, which included a double and near-perfect night off the goal-kicking tee.
The Australian forwards were also impressive as they monstered Georgia at the set-piece. The Lelos are renowned for their dominance at the scrum, even though they’re not a tier-one nation.
But the likes of Taniela Tupou, Angus Bell and Will Skelton contributed to some sensational work by the Australian forwards, which allowed the backs to play with freedom and time.
“Well round one you want to be sitting with five points so I think we got five points,” Jones told reporters at Stade de France.
“That’s the first time I’ve been involved in a game against Georgia, or a training session against Georgia where their scrum their hasn’t dominated or looked like dominating.
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“That’s real credit to Neal Hatley and the front row, Taniela (Tupou) in his 50th cap and (Angus) Belly and (David) Porecki and obviously the rest of the pack for their scrum efficiency.
“Secondly, our attacking kicking was really good. It put Mark (Nawaqanitawase) in a number of situations where he really caused the opposition a lot of trouble.
“They’re two really key and promising areas for us.”
As a proud rugby nation, Georgia has made some noticeable strides in their development on the international scene. They made history with statement wins over Italy and Wales last year.
But the Lelos fell well short of what would’ve been a maiden win over the Wallabies. They showed glimpses of promise, but the result was never really in doubt.
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Coach Jones’ Wallabies recorded their first win of the year, and that result holds them in good stead ahead of some key pool matches.
As for Georgia, they may need to beat all three of Portugal, Fiji and then Wales if they are to qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
“The strength of the team has changed, the balance of the team has changed,” Jones added.
“Your game has evolved because you’ve got some great young backs. Both the nine’s are good players and the fullback is something special; he’s got that curving, arching run and he doesn’t lose speed when he changes direction so he’s very hard to defend against.
“It’s an evolution of Georgian Rugby. You always want to keep your strength there which is your scrum and then adding to it.
“Apologise I can’t pronounce the coach’s name but I think he’s doing a really good job, I think he’s doing a fantastic job for Georgian Rugby and I’m sure you’re going to have a good rest of the tournament.
“We want you to win every other game. We’ve got Georgian flags up at Saint-Etienne now. We’re barracking for you guys so make sure you win a few games for us.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Big empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
34 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
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