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Portugal fall short of making history in draw with Georgia
By PA
Portugal fell agonisingly short of a first Rugby World Cup victory as they drew 18-18 with Georgia after a dramatic conclusion in Toulouse.
Having been 13-0 down just past the half-hour mark, the Portuguese fought back with 18 unanswered points before Tengizi Zamtaradze’s 78th-minute try, given after a review, drew things level.
Luka Matkava had the chance to put Georgia back in front but sent his conversion attempt wide, and Portugal were then awarded a last-gasp penalty – only for Nuno Sousa Guedes to also fail to hit the target.
Georgia had opened the scoring with Akaki Tabutsadze’s second-minute try, converted by Tedo Abzhandadze, who added two penalties.
Portugal then got off the mark from their first real opportunity, with Raffaele Storti crossing in the 34th minute.
Samuel Marques was unable to convert on that occasion, hitting the upright, but was successful with two penalties early in the second half.
Storti then scored his second try in the 57th minute to take his side into the lead, with Marques adding the extras, before the compelling contest entered its thrilling finale.
Georgia, fourth in Pool C, will next face Fiji in Bordeaux on Saturday, while fifth-placed Portugal – for whom this was a first match at this level avoiding defeat, in their second World Cup campaign – take on Australia in St Etienne the next day.
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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