Here’s the report. My favourite game I’ve covered so far. Just a wonderful contest. Georgia scored in the first minute and dominated the first half. But they couldn’t put Portugal away who stole three balls and repelled Georgia’s maul.
Then Portugal started chucking it about and their winger, Storti, scored two wonder tries. Georgia’s maul rumbled over for a late try before both sides had the chance to win it with a kick.
Thanks so much for joining me. Hope you enjoyed that as much as I did.
Levan Maisashvili, Georgia’s coach, doesn’t look as glum as his captain. But he’s not exactly wearing a cheerful face either.
Rugby is not just one half. We played very hard in the first half. But in the second half Portugal dominated. We lost all our opportunities by playing poorly in the second half. That’s rugby.
We know their team. But we didn’t execute our opportunities. When we got a chance to play the ball. We lost our breakdown and Portugal played very well in the second half.
Still, they’re unbeaten against Portugal in 19 matches now
Statistics are statistics. That statistic is not rugby.
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Let’s hear from Portugal’s coach, Patrice Lagisquet:
The first half was so poor. We were missing all our kicking games and just giving the ball to [Georgia’s full-back] Niniashvili. We were doing mistakes in the line-out. We were not disciplined.
I said at half time that, ‘We are lucky. They were only leading by eight points and we are still in the game. Now, let’s play our rugby, please. Play your rugby. Be yourself'.’
Yes I’d have liked to have lived the same minute as in Dubai [when Marques landed a penalty to see Portugal qualify for the World Cup]. But with that game, with the first half, the result is a good result for us.
Now Portugal’s skipper, Tomas Appleton, who is in a very different mood.
Of course we’re happy with the result. Not so much with the performance itself. We really build a base for the future and we built a base for what’s coming next week. But we made too many mistakes. We had so many opportunities to win the game and we missed the fine details. So we need to work a bit more, but at the end of the day, we’re happy.
[Inspiring the next generation] is all we want to do. To have a team they can follow and build up rugby. In the next few years we want to be be on top of the world and we want to inspire them.
Here’s Georgia’s captain, Merab Sharikadze, who could sweep the floor with his bottom lip. He looks proper sad.
I’m a bit disappointed. We missed so many opportunities, we should have scored a lot of tries in the first half. We have another two games and we need to improve.
A draw is not a good result for us. Maybe Portugal will be happy with a draw, but not us.
A positive is that we have two more games against Fiji and Wales.
Thanks to the crowd.
That last line was almost spat out. He is fuming!
Portugal’s fly-half, Jeronimo Portella, the 22-year-old who is following in his father’s footsteps by representing his country, has been picked as the player of the match.
He’s chatting to the world feed now:
We had a really good second half. We made history because this is our first draw in the World Cup. We wanted more. We worked since June to win this game. But now we have to keep working and we have two more games.
It was amazing. This last kick, I really thought we could win this match. We made some mistakes. We will look at it and we will do better next time.
I just want to thank all the Portuguese who were here today. It was an amazing atmosphere.
“What a game!!” says Stephen Holliday. “Surely these teams have to be given more of a chance to shine by the powers that be.
Absolutely. If we’re being honest it was clear these are two sides that would struggle against a better organised outfit. But it was loose, fast and frenetic with some brilliant plays.
I’m with you Stephen. What an advert for what’s possible in this sport.
Full-time: Georgia 18-18 Portugal
Guedes misses and it ends in a draw! He doesn’t catch it clean and it hooks to the right. He would have become an instant rugby hero in Portugal but he couldn’t stick the landing.
What a game. Neither side deserved to lose but perhaps Portugal deserved to win it more. Maybe? I don’t know. Their 18 year wait for a victory over their rivals goes on. They still wait for a first ever World Cup win.
I loved that. One of the best games of the tournament so far.
Updated
80 mins: Portugal have a penalty! Replacement Wallis over the ball and he wins a penalty. They have a shot at goal to win it. It’s not an easy kick. All the way to the right. Guedes will line it up. What a moment…
Matkava misses the conversion!
By the barest of margins. He just couldn’t bring it back round. We’re still level.
TRY! Georgia 18-18 Portugal (Zamtaradze, 78)
It’s down! The rolling maul try to level it. Astounding scenes. Portugal went up to try and nick the line-out and so left themselves vulnerable to the maul. Georgia kept throwing bodies in the mix. Now, a conversion to win it.
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78 mins: The maul is over! But is it held up? That maul had numerous backs in it. Will they give this?
77 mins: Portugal looking to pinch but can’t/ Kvezeladze with a strong carry. Lucas gives away a very soft penalty. What was he thinking? Georgia kick it five metres out and will set a line-out.
76 mins: Slow build still. It goes left. Sharikadze straights and makes a yard. Gorgadze with a meaty carry with two tacklers hanging on. Short carries again. 15 phases now. Up to the border of the 22.
75 min: Portugal are still looking to run this. They need a bit of nous now. They almost lose it and their heads but a sane kick up field gets the ball where they want it. Georgia counter.It’s through the middle and then the right. Up to halfway. Nothing fancy yet. Short carries into contact as they build.
74 mins: Georgia get a great shove on the scrum. They almost push Portugal off the ball but Simoes picks it up and just about secures it. Then Tsutskiridze strays off side and gifts Portugal an easy exit. Georgia have been so sloppy in this second half. Portugal six minutes away from their first ever WC win.
72 mins: Portugal’s defence is holding firm. Kveseladze bumps a defender with ease. They’re clattering each other. This means so much to both sides. Bodies everywhere. Marques subbed for Portugal. Georgia play a speculative off-load and it goes forward. They need to show more patience. Portugal with a big scrum feed just outside of their 22.
70 mins: Portugal have it and Storti almost squeezes through. He’s on a rampage. Georgia’s line-out doesn’t click but they manage to clear. Portugal come back at them. Oh wow, Georgia win a penalty on the ground from Portugal’s ball.
69 mins: Let off for Georgia. Portugal’s hastiness means they give away a free kick in the scrum. After the last scrum that Portugal consumed, they’ll be annoyed at that.
68 mins: No, they go to the top but the jumper is missed. But they retain possession and go down the line. It’s a little disjointed and a speculative off-load is knocked on. Georgia scrum in their 22.
66 mins: Portugal win the scrum penalty! This is not going according to script. Outstanding from Portugal’s front row. Marques hoofs it into touch about 15 metres out. I wonder if they’ll try maul?
63 mins: With all this ball Portugal are looking to feed it out wide. It’s a bit lateral though and they eventually knock-on. Georgia have to get cracking. They have the scrum just inside Portugal’s half with a big open side and enough on the blind as well.
62 mins: Portugal are cooking! Marta plucks a high ball down and they’re through. He can’t off-load but they recycle. 12 phases in. It slows down with the heavies on the ball but they have it still. There’s a cross kick for Marta but it’s fantastic work from Tabutadze who fields it with his back towards the onrushing chasers. He’s taken out in the air so also wins a penalty for his side. Wonderful rugby on show from both teams.
60 mins: Georgia have a penalty. Not sure what happened there. It’s madness right now. They choose to tap and go and send heavy runners into the maw. They’re over the line but Portugal hold it up and will have a drop-out clearance. Wonderful game this suddenly.
59 mins: Georgia need to respond. They win a penalty straight after the restart and kick it down field into touch. Can they rumble a line-out? No! Portugal steal the line-out. Wow. Everything going the way of the Iberians.
TRY! Georgia 13-18 Portugal (Storti, 57)
Soberbo!!! What a try. For the first time ever Portugal have two tries in a WC match. Off the line out they go down the line. Martins dummies, cuts back and offloads for Storti on the inside. He then steps a defender and runs through for a try. Marques converts. Portugal are in the lead!
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56 mins: Portugal catch a lucky break now. Georgia’s clearing kick goes out on the full. Portugal will get the line-out 10m into Georgia’s patch.
55 mins: A long kick from Portugal sees the ball trickle over the line on the far side of the field. That’s always such an unlucky break. But rules are rules and Georgia will have the scrum feed inside Portugal’s half. They haven’t been here much. Time for them to land a blow.
Penalty! Georgia 13-11 Portugal (Marques, 53)
It’s a two point game. Portugal are on fire!
52 mins: How did Portugal not score there? A sensational off-load from Granate in the tackle set them going. Appleton with an overlap to his left chose to carry rather than pass. Was that the wrong option. Still they have the ball and they have a platform. An overlap on the right forms but they rush their passing and it spirals out of bounds with a wayward pass. But they had the penalty advantage and Appleton points to the poles.
50 mins: Portugal steal the ball around halfway and counter. Fantastic work from Guedes and Storti and then captain Appleton who straightens and charges the line. He’s held and now Portugal have front foot ball in Georgia’s 22. What can they do with it? Nothing. They spill it. Oh that’s a shame. Brilliant counter rucking earlier and swift backline play deserved better.
Penalty! Georgia 13-8 Portugal (Marques, 48)
Portugal are within a try of drawing level. Easy strike of the ball from out in front.
46 mins: Portugal just about clear the ball the ball clear from their scrum. Simoes has to pick it up and carry. After that, though, there is much greater cohesion and Portugal rumble forward with some neat passing and strong carries. They have a penalty advantage so go wide. Storti grubbers ahead into the goal area but can’t get there. So it’s a penalty and a chance to close the gap by three points.
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44 mins: Georgia couldn’t do much from that scrum. A bit of kicking and Portugal have the line-out. They try to go wide but a crunching tackle means Georgia now have a line-out. It’s been a bit of a dull start to the half. Georgia try to maul in their own half but it doesn’t go anywhere. For the second time in the game Portugal manage to win turnover ball from a Georgian maul.
41 mins: Portugal with a bit of the ball. Bettencourt carries through the guts but he knocks on in contact. No real cohesion or plan there.
Good news for Portugal. Fernandes’ yellow card will remain yellow.
Right then. Let’s get cracking for the second 40.
Portugal will definitely be the happier of the two sides at half time, despite the score.
Georgia dominated every stat. They carried 379 metres to Portugal’s 138, had 46 carries over the gainline to Portugal’s 10 and had – by my own count, take this with a punch of salt – at least 10 visits to Portugal’s 22. And yet they only scored one try and slotted two penalties.
HT: 🇬🇪 Georgia 13-5 Portugal 🇵🇹
— Tier 2 Rugby (@T2Rugby) September 23, 2023
Lobos by far happier with that scoreline. Lelos scored early, dominated the match, created chances aplenty (5m mauls, phases in 22, line breaks), but just cannot get that second try. Big question though now over Fernandes. Is that red or yellow?
I agree, to a degree. Still fun though.
@danielgallan Both sides giving it their best shot, but very much the feeling of a second round FA Cup tie about this one ... #RWC2023 #GEOvPOR
— VoiceOfTheMysterons (@Mysteron_Voice) September 23, 2023
Half-time: Georgia 13-5 Portugal
An entertaining half comes to an end. Georgia made all the running and played most of the rugby. But still only scored one try despite camping for long stretches in Portugal’s 22. Portugal answered with a wonder score from Storti and defended well to stay in the game. Both sides in with a shot here.
Back in a few.
40 mins: Oh Georgia almost have another one. They’re through a huge gap in the middle after a ball against the grain finds a runner on the angle. Aprasidze has it in the corner but is steps out of touch before he off-loads.
39 min: Portugal hold it up! They’ve defended so well this half. That maul never looked like ending in a try. So Portugal will clear with a big kick down field.
38 mins: Georgia set a maul after kicking their line-out out. They rumble forward. Portugal conceded a penalty as they look to slow the ball down. Abzhandadze decides to play a cross-kick but gets too much on it. So they’ll come back for the penalty that is nudged into the corner. Another maul coming I’d imagine.
Yellow card! Portugal (Fernandes, 37)
Yellow with a bunker review to come. That was a fair decision after a high shoulder made contact with the ball carrier’s head. Not much attempt to wrap either so no question that he has to sit on the naughty step.
37 mins: This game has exploded! Guedes steps in his own 22 and is suddenly running in open space. He kicks ahead as he encounters some resistance and Georgia field. But rather than kick they decide to run. All front rowers are involved in the move as it heads down the tram on the left. Helter-skelter stuff. There’s a big hit from Fernandes and he could see yellow.
TRY! Georgia 13-5 Portugal (Storti, 34)
Oh wow! From nothing! What a finish. The ball goes down the line. But there’s nothing on. Storti has it and stops dead before setting off from his right foot. He cuts infield and then pins his ears back as he darts for the corner after stepping three defenders. Brilliant try! Marques hits the post with his conversion attempt.
Updated
Penalty! Georgia 13-0 Portugal (Abzhanadze, 32)
He can’t miss. Pressure to points. That’s what Georgia need to keep producing.
31 mins: Someone in red must be reading this blog. Now they strat hammering the line with straight runners and biff their way to the 22. Now they’re under the poles. Portugal are struggling to keep them out and go searching for the ball. A man is off his fee so Georgia get a penalty.
30 mins: Georgia go coast to coast. It looked pretty. It doesn’t really go anywhere. They’ve been far more effective when they straighten the attack. That was far too easy for Portugal’s defenders who just ushered the ball carriers out wide.
29 mins: Oh Portugal. A skew line-out gifts the ball back to Georgia who will feed the scrum.
26 mins: Portugal’s box kick is charged. Still, they get another chance to set an exit with a line-out in their own 22. The next kick goes out. So Georgia set a maul and rumble. Now down the line. They’re into Portugal’s 22 on the opposite end of the field. But another steal on the ground! That’s three in a row in their own red zone. Fantastic work. Georgia have had seven visits to Portugal’s 22. They really need to start taking advantage of that.
25 mins: Georgia keep coming. Portugal just can’t keep hold of the ball. Not sure how there’s only been one try in it. Another burst through the middle of Portugal’s defence has men in red rushing forward. Again they can’t stitch enough passes together and it’s out for a Portugal line-out.
23 mins: Georgia have a penalty and nudge it to the corner. This time they maul. They’re five out but Portugal swarm and then steal the ball. Another great penalty win on their own line.
21 mins: Nothing is working for Portugal at the moment. Tadjer misses his jumpers in the line-out so Georgia have it back and they’re into Portugal’s 22. A Portuguese ball carrier is tackled into touch so they set for a line-out. Actually, the ball was released before. The referees got that wrong and they cop to the mistake. Portugal will have the ball back with a scrum in their own 22.
20 mins: Portugal struggle to work an exit after just about securing the ball from their scrum. Appleton has to come into the breakdown to help out. Eventually they get it away with a kick that doesn’t go out. So Georgia can counter.
19 mins: Ninoashvili dived over and dotted down a loose ball. It was some brilliant, direct running and swift interplay that saw them breach Portugal’s defence, An off-load from the ground was delivered to Niniashvili who bumped it forward. Was it off his hand or chest? Clear hand. Knock on. A brilliant tackle a moment earlier from Guedes prevented the try.
19 mins: Have Georgia scored? They’re checking for a knock-on….
17 min: Georgia can’t secure the restart cleanly. But they do keep it at least thanks to some nifty feet from Niniashvili. Again a Portuguese defender transgresses at the ruck. He’s not rolling away so Georgia get a relieving penalty.
Penalty! Georgia 10-0 Portugal (Abzhanadze, 16)
Easy-peasy. Georgia into double digits.
Updated
15 mins: I thought they’d maul that. They don’t. They fancy busting through Portugal’s midfield. Appleton getting tested. Gigashvili with another strong carry and there’s a Portuguese defender on the wrong side of the ruck. Penalty for Georgia.
14 mins: So impressed with Gerogia. They now win a kick tennis battle with a monstrous punt that almost goes out for a 50-22. Portugal’s effort doesn’t get beyond their 22 so it’ll be Georgian line-out.
12 mins: Fabulous from Georgia. They’ve been branded as a bunch of brutes but they can play. Great hands down the line with plenty of support runners means they go across the field and make about 35 metres. They get to Portugal’s 22 but can’t quite connect once more in the off-load. They knock on but that was seriously impressive rugby.
11 min: Portugal string some passes together off the back of the scrum. They punch a hole in the Georgian line but knock on. So Georgia clear with a box kick and there’s another Portuguese knock-on as several players rise to claim the high kick.
9 mins: Portugal’s line-out is messy but they do secure the ball on their side. They go down the line before kicking. Niniashvili fields and returns the kick but catches too much of it and can’t do anything as it bobbles out of the dead goal area. Portugal will get the scrum just outside of Georgia’s 22.
6 mins: The scrum takes an age to get going. When it does pack down the ball is out the back and Georgia are hammering the midfield. The move is lateral but its still going. Now they’re down in the left tram. Back in midfield. Portugal’s defence holds firm. Up to 12 phases before Portugal isolate a ball carrier and win a penalty on the ground. Great defence. The two scrum-halves then get into a scrap off the ball. It’s the Georgian, Aprasidze who started it so they advance 10m. Portugal boot it out of touch upfield.
Updated
4 min: Portugal try to take a quick line-out in their own 22 but it gets messy real quick. Portela tries to field the low pass with his feet and the Georgians swarm him. They force a knock on and now have a scrum feed within striking distance.
TRY! Georgia 7-0 Portugal Tabutsadze, 2)
WOW! What a start! Georgia kept the phases building, went right and, after the big men bust it up, a slick off-load out the back door to Tabutadze sees him run through and over the line. The conversion is good too. Georgia are up and running.
Updated
1 min: Georgia, in red, kick off. Portugal, in white shirts and lime green shorts, field and box kick. The Georgian prop Gugashvili charges. Flanker Saginadze makes space in the tram. Georgia keep building in midfield.
Peeeeep! Away we go.
Fingers crossed 🤞🏻🤘🏽🤞🏾🤞🏿
Georgia vs Portugal might lowkey be one of the games of the tournament. Two exciting backlines, two packs who play very differently and Portugal’s first proper chance at a World Cup win. Should be a belter
— Will Owen (@will_owen9) September 23, 2023
The anthems are ringing out. Not long to go.
Updated
Just a reminder that Portugal have gone for a 6-2 split on the bench. That’s to counter the strength of the Georgian pack.
Fancy a stat?
In 2015, Georgia scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze became the youngest player to feature in a Rugby World Cup match when he took to the field against Tonga, aged 18 years and 340 days, beating the previous record held by USA’s Thretton Palamo, who was 19 years and eight days old when he featured against South Africa in 2007.
Is it better to win ugly or lose beautifully? It’s maybe a silly question. It’s definitely a silly question for the bigger teams like South Africa, France, Ireland and, yes, even England.
But for the smaller sides looking to make a splash, perhaps style matters as much as substance? I’m not suggesting Portugal or Georgia will be satisfied in defeat. But perhaps there’s more to this sport than merely getting a result.
Still not convinced? Maybe Rob Kitson can say it better than I can:
Did you know Portugal’s captain, Tomás Appleton, is also a dentist?
You would if you’d read this great profile by Nick Ames:
Georgia team
They’re big. They’re bearded (really, all of them have facial hair). And they’re out to make a statement.
They still have a shot at qualifying out of the most competitive group in the competition. The loss to Australia in the opening round wasn’t an ideal start, but there’s no reason why they can’t back themselves to shock Wales and Fiji. But first they need to win this one and points differences, and bonus points, could be crucial.
Georgia: Niniashvili; Tabutsadze, Kveseladze, Sharikadze (cap), Todua; Abzhandadze, Aprasidze; Nariashvili, Mamukashvili, Gigashvili, Chachanidze, Mikautadze, Jalagonia, Saginadze, Gorgadze.
Replacements: Zamtaradze, Gogichashvili, Papidze, Cheishvili, Tsutskiridze, Lobzhanidze, Matakava, Tapladze.
Le choc européen
— Rugby World Cup France 2023 (@France2023) September 23, 2023
La Ville rose reçoit @GeorgianRugby et @PortugalRugby🇬🇪 🇵🇹
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"The pink town" hosts @GeorgianRugby and @PortugalRugby 🇬🇪 🇵🇹#RWC2023 | #GEOvPOR@Toulouse @Occitanie @HauteGaronne pic.twitter.com/uCEuzA4wEq
Portugal team
It’s a side full of running. Rodrigo Marta on the wing and fullback Nuno Sousa Guedes were both named in this year’s Rugby Europe Championship team of the tournament. They’ll let it rip. No doubting that.
Portugal: Guedes; Storti, Bettencourt, Appleton (cap), Marta; Portella, Marques; Fernandes, Tadjer, Hasse Ferreira, Madeira, Cerquiera, Granate, Martins, Simoes.
Replacement: Costa, Campergue, Alves, Belo, Wallis, de Freitas, Lucas, Cardoso Pinto.
Aqui ficam os 23 convocados para o jogo contra a Geórgia!!!🇵🇹🐺#Lobos #EspiritoLobo #SomosLobos pic.twitter.com/w28o4nBLaK
— Portugal Rugby (@PortugalRugby) September 21, 2023
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Preamble
On we rumble. Of course most of today’s rugby chat will focus on a particular Frenchman’s face and a titanic clash between the top two teams in the world, but this meeting of two European sides on the rise offers up a few interesting talking points of its own.
The first focuses on Georgia. Perennially consigned to the kids’ table away from the Six Nations, they’ll want to prove they deserve a shot at the top dogs on the continent. They’ve beaten Italy and Wales and this is the sort of game they have to win at a canter to prove they’re better than their global ranking of 13.
As for Portugal, they’ve got some ambitious objectives of their own. Beaten finalists in this year’s Rugby Europe Championship – going down 38-11 to Georgia in the decider in Badajoz – they’re a team on the rise. It was only four years ago that they were playing in the third tier of European rugby. Now they’re pushing the Georgians and Romanians for a shot at the heavy hitters.
This should be an interesting clash of styles. Typically the Georgians like to smash it up with the meaty and bearded forwards while the Portuguese have shown a desire to run the ball from deep.
Kick off at 2pm local time/1pm BST.
Teams and updates to come.
