The Wallabies, led by Joe Schmidt, maintained their hard-earned unbeaten record with a 40-29 victory over Georgia in Sydney. The 12th-placed Georgians pulled within two points of the home side early in the second half before the Wallabies kick off later on Saturday at Allianz Stadium, which could give the team Surprise.
Schmidt made 10 changes to the side that beat Wales 36-28 in Melbourne last Saturday, with some taking advantage of their chances and others not. New halfback Ben Donaldson doesn’t look like the answer to Australia’s organizational woes, with his kicking and decision-making often poor.
The Wallabies back-row of Fraser McCreight, Rob Vallettini and Harry Wilson were tireless as they helped the Wallabies achieve three in a row for the first time since 2021 under Dave Rennie win.
Locke Nick Frost and first-time starter Isaac Kelea also had strong performances, but winger Filippo Daugunu was sent off for a dangerous tackle in the first half to make life very difficult for the home side. difficulty.
Daugunu initially received a yellow card for trying to collide with Georgia winger Demour Taprze in the head, but the yellow card was upgraded to a red card at half-time. The disruption did not help Schmidt’s new image as they struggled to keep the energetic Eastern Europeans away.
Still, the Wallabies were looking to end the game with a 26-10 lead at the break. After trailing impressive Georgia five-eighth Luka Matekava with a second-minute penalty, the Wallabies struck through inside 15 minutes through center Hunter Paisami, Vallettini and Kellia made three passes.
Then the home team lost their way. Poor discipline and Daugunu’s departure allowed the Eastern European side to claw their way back into the game, with Georgia cutting the deficit to 19-10 in the 33rd minute through a Michel Babunashvili strike.
Only a powerful thump on man of the match Mike Wright just before half-time gave the Wallabies some breathing room. But that didn’t last long as Georgia pulled within two points of Australia early in the second half through two fine shots from defender David Niniashvili and Lightning winger Akaky Tabsadze. Inside.
Despite the Kangaroos’ grit and resilience, the tide turned in the Kangaroos’ favor when Niniashvili was deliberately brought down and Georgia were reduced to 14 men themselves as Australia stormed their defence.
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McCright’s breakaway and 40-metre sprint set up Vallettini’s second try, but Lelos never came back. McCright added a double of his own to restore Australia’s 16-run advantage before Tabsadze crossed for his second five-wicket haul for consolation.
Schmidt admitted before the game it would be difficult to strike a balance between adding depth and winning, but he was going to win. But after Eddie Jones’ side beat Georgia by 20 points in last year’s ill-fated World Cup tie, the new coach also recognizes the Wallabies need to open the Rugby Championship against the top-flight Springboks in Brisbane on August 10 made significant progress in the war.
