In the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, Ireland, under the leadership of Captain Evan O’Connell, won a nail-biter against Georgia with a score of 22-16. In order to remain in contention for the semi-finals, the team will need to elevate their game as they play against Australia in the key pool encounter next Tuesday.
Last year’s runners-up Ireland looked on track for a surprise loss as they were trailing by 16-15 in the dying moments of the match. In a manoeuvre reminiscent of what his uncle and Irish forwards coach, Paul O’Connell, would often do for Munster, Evan led the team in an inch-by-inch movement across 25 phases. This eventually resulted in winger Finn Treacy scoring the winning try in the left corner, having finally pulled the cover wide.
This marked a harsh loss for Georgia, nonetheless, this ensured Ireland’s journey towards the semi-finals is on track. However, to come out victorious against Australia in the crucial pool match next Tuesday, the team needs to step up, emphasised O’Connell.
Commenting on their recent performance, O’Connell remarked, “There are no easy matches in this tournament. Though we have been taking it one game at a time so far, now our focus is on next week.”
Finn Treacy, who serves in the Connacht academy, executed a crucial play when he received a tricky pass from his past team-mate at Pres Bray, Jack Murphy, to deliver the vital finish that saved Ireland in the thrilling match.
Ireland held a 12-6 lead at half-time after establishing dominance with the wind in their favour. However, the Georgian defence put up a valiant fight. Though Ireland had concerns about the Georgian scrum, they managed to stand firm, despite a few lost opportunities from favourable positions in the first half, a wobbly lineout, and shaky handling on both sides in the damp conditions. As a result, they had to settle with a six-point lead at the interval.
Echoing their earlier victory against Italy, Ireland took a promising start against Georgia from a penalty, awarded on the left, courtesy of Sean Edogbo who aced it from his territory. Ireland nailed the lineout and, despite the determined defence that halted newcomer Ruben Moloney, seasoned player Hugh Gavin found the perfect path to score, his teammate from Connacht Academy, Sean Naughton supplemented with the additional points to secure a 7-0 lead just six minutes in.
Moloney nearly repeated the success four minutes later with an excellent move in midfield which was disallowed due to tighthead Andrew Sparrow committing an obstruction at the ruck’s edge.
Under the new rules, players put smart mouthguards to test which led to Georgian tighthead Davit Mtchedlidze being removed for a HIA, but he was back after 12 minutes.
As the first quarter wrapped up, Ireland manoeuvred their second try as a prolonged move that swept from one wing to the other concluded with Gavin positioning Stephen Smyth for a score with a clever pass. Smyth, finding an opening, landed an unconverted try near the right corner.
Despite Ireland ironing out their lineout prior to half-time, Georgia made some successful alterations to their scrum that yielded a few penalties. As they continued to construct phases, Luka Tsirekidze, who already has senior caps, kicked two compelling penalties reducing the difference to 12-6 at half-time.
Georgia, eager to set the tone on the restart, capitalised on an Irish scrum penalty and after advancing to the right touchline, a sequence of swift movements – primarily made by centres Giorgi Khaindrava and Luka Kobauri – culminated with their captain and number eight Nika Lomidze making a breakthrough for a converted try, nominally pushing them in the lead, 13-12 after 46 minutes.
In an attempt to seal the win, they aimed for a penalty on the 22, three minutes later, only to be penalized for obstruction post the five-metre lineout, giving Ireland a respite.
The Irish side responded by calling Brian Gleeson of Munster to number eight to put a brake on the Georgian momentum. The lead was regained by Naughton’s successful penalty within the 22 before the outhalf was substituted by Jack Murphy.
Although Georgia managed to surge forward with control partway through the game, a fierce defensive effort from O’Connell, Edogbo and Smyth held them at bay. Georgia could’ve sealed their victory, but Tsirekidze unfortunately missed two penalties in the last ten minutes, keeping the Irish team in the running. The Irish capitalised on these misses to secure an unexpected winning try. Their focus now shifts to the final pool game against Australia on Tuesday.
In terms of scoring, for Ireland, H Gavin, S Smyth and F Treacy achieved tries, while S Naughton and J Murphy managed conversions. S Naughton also earned a penalty. Scoring for the Georgian side included a try by N Lomidze and conversion and penalties by L Tsirekidze.
The Irish team consisted of players such as B O’Connor, D Colbert, S Berman and H Gavin among others, with replacements at different periods including P Bell for Boyd and B Gleeson for L Murphy. Georgia’s team, on the other hand, included O Metreveli, L Khorbaladze, L Kobauri and others with replacements such as D Kuntelia for Mchedlidze and L Kotorashvili for Ungiadze made during the game.
The official overseeing the game is Reuben Keane, hailing from Australia.