Ireland barely withstood a late onslaught to scramble over the line against a dogged Georgia by 14-10 on Saturday.
Despite fielding a second-string side, Georgia stayed with their lauded opponents all the way and never tired in the second half as they did in their 33-3 defeat to Argentina in midweek.
But for a lack of clinical finishing, they should even have won.
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan had told his team not to force the issue after last week’s dreadful 32-17 win over Namibia and Ireland were certainly more focussed, making fewer errors.
Georgia came out of the blocks firing and in the first few minutes they pinned Ireland down in their 22.
But after flyhalf Merab Kvirikashvili missed a penalty, Ireland broke the deadlock on 17 minutes, kicking for touch from two penalties in a row before Rory Best was driven over from close range. Ronan O’Gara slotted over the conversion from the touchline.
Georgia would not be bowed, though, and came storming back.
Giorgi Shkinin, who last season played in the French fifth division, made a long break down the left, which culminated in a penalty for the Georgians after David Wallace deliberately knocked on, for which he was yellow carded.
More central this time, Kvirikashvili made no mistake, leaving the score 7-3 at the break.
Shkinin then stunned Ireland again five minutes into the second half, picking off a long telegraphed pass from scrumhalf Peter Stringer to captain Brian O’Driscoll just outside the Georgia 22 and sprinting fully 70 yards for the try.
O’Driscoll justifiably berated Stringer.
Kvirikashvili converted and Georgia, incredibly, led 10-7 after 46 minutes.
Georgia had their tails up, were defending stoically and putting pressure on.
Three times their forwards pushed to within inches of the Ireland line only to eventually lose the ball. They also missed five drop-goal attempts from good positions.
But tragically for Georgia, Ireland took advantage of some disarray in the Georgian ranks as Kvirikashvili was receiving on-field treatment to send Girvan Dempsey over for a try that O’Gara converted on 56 minutes.
But far from romping home, Ireland had their backs to the wall from then on as Georgia camped out in their 22 and the Irish had to rely on the television referee to avoid defeat as he ruled against a possible Georgian try two minutes from time. — AFP
