Full-back James Pritchard scored 21 points as Canada defeated Georgia 31-12 in a one-off Test in Burnaby, British Columbia on Saturday.
Pritchard registered one try, two conversions and four penalties in front of a crowd of 3,661 at Swangard Stadium.
Canada led 23-7 at half time thanks to 16 points from Australian- born Pritchard.
The game wrapped up a three-game Test series for Canada that also included a 28-25 win over the United States and a 26-15 loss to Italy.
Canada's other trys came from winger DTH van der Merwe at the five minute mark and winger Sean Duke five minutes from full time.
Georgia got on the scoreboard around the half-hour mark after their scrum continually dominated Canada near the goal line and hooker Mikheil Nariashvili pushed the ball over from one yard out.
Georgia got their second try 27 minutes into the second half when Shalva Sutiashvili pushed the ball over from five yards out off another big scrum.
Pritchard, not taking credit for his offensive effort, said this was a team effort, especially from the team's younger players.
"We needed them to step up and that's what they did. They put their hand up and that's what you want. You want the entire team to be competitive."
"Our defense was great, especially in the first half. If (Georgia) were able to get a try in the early going it might have been a different game but full credit to the guys, especially that one goal line stand which saved the game for us."
Canada are currently ranked 13th in IRB standings while Georgia are 15th.
The two teams met just twice previously, with Canada overpowering Georgia 42-10 in 2009 and Georgia defeating Canada 22-15 in 2010.
More to follow...
The scorers:
For Canada:
Tries: Vandermerwe, Pritchard, Duke
Cons: Pritchard 2
Pens: Pritchard 4
For Georgia:
Tries: Nariashvili, Sutiashvili
Con: Kvirikashvili
Canada:15 James Pritchard, 14 Sean Duke, 13 Conor Trainor, 12 Phil Mackenzie, 11 DTH Van der Merwe, 10 Matt Evans , 9 Edward Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Nanyak Dala, 6 Tyler Ardron, 5 Tyler Hotson, 4 Jebb Sinclair, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Andrew Tiedeman, 1 Tom Dolezel.
replacements:16 Mike Pletch, 17 Doug Woolridge, 18 Brett Beukeboom, 19 Jon Phelan, 20 Sean White, 21 Jeff Hassler, 22 Ciaran Hearn.
Georgia:15 Irakli Kiasashvili, 14 Irakli Machkhaneli, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Tedo Zibzibadze, 11 Lekso Gugava, 10 Merab Kvirikashvili,
9 Irakli Abuseridze, 8 Beka Bitsadze, 7 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 6 Gia Labadze, 5 Vakhtang Maisuradze, 4 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 3 David
Zirakashvili, 2 Revaz Belkania, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.
Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Levan Chilachava, 18 Shalva Sutiashvili, 19 Givi Berishvili, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 Lasha Malaguradze, 22 Alexander Todua
Comments
excitationz says...
georgianrugby... obviously 'both' squads were missing key professional players, Georgia looked strong nevertheless but couldn't break-through the improving Canadian defence. Canada won through faster backline players and very strong red-zone defence, have to admit both teams play a similar style though I'm sure if the Georgians would of had their full pack it would of been a much closer scoreline. Either way, it was a Canada win in the scorebook of history, I see these teams always going back and forth in wins and loses vs each other - two of the stronger Tier II squads, eventually WILL break-through and beat a top 5 power, a matter of time. Great to see.
Posted 07:04 26th June 2012
JoeBarbarian says...
Another good win for Canada within their "talent group." It would be such a joy to see more games against those seeded 9-18, the so-called tier 2 teams.
Such a pity the game had no TV coverage. Sadly, with only 3660 watching at the field so many were deprived of seeing how it happened. How can we leverage the IRB to assist? Churchill Cup?
Posted 19:33 24th June 2012
jackrugby says...
Georgianrugby, face the fact that Canada were largely experimental as well. Canada were missing world cup veterans and starters Cudmore, Buydens, O'Toole, Monro (and beardos) Kleeberger and Buydens. I was pleasantly surprised that the new faces defended so well against the Georgians.
Posted 16:39 24th June 2012
Cdn_content says...
Check the article, one of the players you said wasnt playing scored a try. Suck it up and be humble, you lost. Several of our pros weren't playing as well.
To the first comment... Is this what the developing nations should be worried about all the time, how their results match up against the tier one teams. No need to develop a large pool of players to create a competitive internal atmosphere?
Posted 13:33 24th June 2012
georgianrugby says...
We had experimental team on this game. This was a reason why we lost. In our team were not playng: vasil kakovin, david khinchagishvili, iuri natriashvili, jaba bregvadze, mamuka gorgodze, vito kolelishvili, tedo zibzibadze, lekso gugava, shalva sutiashvili, george nemsadze, dimitri basilaia, aqvsenti giorgadze, george shkinin, davit kubriashvili levan datunashvili, and so on... You can check this...
Posted 11:27 24th June 2012
RawPace says...
My guess is no French Based players for Georgia again. Personally can't see much point in these sort of Tests unless the Tier 2 teams have all their best players playing, that way one could get a serious idea of whether or not they are improving and deserve a serious crack at the Tier 1 teams.
Posted 10:41 24th June 2012