No way through: Rory Lamont is shut down
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Scotland made heavy work of their second World Cup win on Wednesday, labouring to a 15-6 win over Georgia in Invercargill in probably the worst game so far in the 2011 World Cup.
Four penalties and a drop-goal from Dan Parks were enough to hand Scotland four pool points in a try-less encounter in wet conditions.
After struggling to get the better of Romania in their opening fixture on Saturday, Scotland once again failed to impress against a side playing rather negative rugby.
Opportunities were not lacking for Scotland, but their poor execution suggests that they will struggle to make the quarter-finals.
Georgia's tactics were exactly what we expected: It was all about using the grunt of the pack, taking Scotland on up front and doing everything in their power to disrupt Scottish possession.
And it worked. Scotland were always going to try use their superior backs to stretch the big Eastern Europeans wide and they had the majority of the possession to do so. But the Scots' handling let them down more often that not.
Scotland held a 9-3 lead at the end of a first-half highlighted by some thundering tackles from the Georgians and some poor kicking by both sides.
Scotland were forced into a late change when hooker Scott Lawson pulled out after suffering from a tight calf muscle in training. Ross Ford was called into the first-team to replace Lawson, with Dougie Hall coming onto the replacements' bench.
If Andy Robinson's team were in any doubt they were in for a stern contest, it was clear they had a battle on their hands when Georgia took the lead at the end of the first quarter.
Fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili smashed over a penalty from half-way to give the underdogs their first points of the tournament.
Scotland got onto the scoreboard when Parks landed his second attempt at goal. The pivot put the Scots ahead on 33 minutes before slotting a drop-goal just before the break to leave his team 9-3 ahead as the protagonists headed for the changing rooms.
It was much the same story in the second period and the crowd had to wait until the 71st minute to see the first points - again from Parks's boot.
Georgia replied almost immediately but a late three-pointer from Parks secured the win for Scotland.
Man of the match: Not too many impressive performances but Kelly Brown worked tirelessly at the breakdown.
Moment of the match: The anthems? Not much to write home about here. Dan Parks's drop-goal summed up what was a frustrating night for Scotland. Unable to breach the Georgian defence, they had to advance three points at a time.
The scorers:
For Scotland:
Pens: Parks 4
Drop: Parks
For Georgia:
Pens: Kvirikashvili 2
Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Max Evans, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Rory Lawson (captain), 8 Kelly Brown, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Al Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Geoff Cross, 18 Alasdair Dickinson, 19 Richie Gray, 20 Richie Vernon, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Chris Paterson.
Georgia: 15 Revaz Gigauri, 14 Irakli Machkhaneli, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Tedo Zibzibadze, 11 Alexander Todua, 10 Merab Kvirikashvili, 9 Irakli Abuseridze (capt), 8 Dimitri Basilaia, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze, 6 Shalva Sutiashvili, 5 Vakhtang Maisuradze, 4 Levan Datunashvili, 3 David Zirakashvili, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 David Khinchagishvili.
Replacements: 16 Akvsenti Giorgadze, 17 David Kubriashvilini, 18 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 19 Viktor Kolelishvili, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 Lasha Khmaladze, 22 Malkhaz Urjukashvili.
Venue: Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Simon McDowell (Ireland), Tim Hayes (Wales)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Comments
porridge_time says...
Simon you sound like and English guys who is not convinced their own team are going to make it.
Posted 11:28 15th September 2011
rangdaddy says...
@ porridge time - hey man, mad respect at Wales for their gutsy effort against the Boks. I just don't think they have another effort like that - they are in the worst pool! If they can get past Samoa, they will make it through as they'll probably be too strong up front for Fiji. The Samoans play more direct and can open it up at will, so pose more of a threat. Sad to see how one dimensional Scotland are, I guess their games against Argentina and England will show if they are up to it. Ireland, well consistent underachievers who are capable of a shock upset of Australia if all moons, tides, and stars are aligned. Definitely liking the fact that the 2nd tier nations are doing so well! Go the Canucks, Romanians and Japanese!!
Posted 05:03 15th September 2011
SimonSez says...
Anyone who thinks Scotland are in the mix of making it to the semi finals, I would suggest they need to get off the drink. Scotland have no attack. Dan Parks is rubbish and would never be selected by any of the teams that are in the mix for the finals. Scotland was lucky the referee that whistled the game against Georgia was on their side, otherwise it could have been a boilover loss. Scotland had better watch out as they are in line to be beaten by a tier two team. Samoa would make short work of Scotland, as will the Pumas, who also have no attack, but are more dominant up front.
Posted 04:14 15th September 2011
brands says...
Scotland were woeful, really was painful to watch, havnt missed a game so far and this was the worst, I do like Scotland but they have no chance of a win at this cup.
Posted 20:07 14th September 2011
jp07 says...
6N should stay the 6N with a playoff between Euro champs and wooden spoonsits for promotion/relegation
Posted 20:02 14th September 2011
jamesliveinhope says...
I rather suspect that bonus points will be crucial come the end of the pool stage. No-one has really made a statement yet.
To be fair, Scotland haven't really become known for crossing the whitewash under andy Robinson just become a team that's dificult to put away. It doesn't bode well.
I can't help feeling that a loss to Argentina will probably drop them unless they can beat England with a try bonus.
Posted 19:01 14th September 2011
caramba13 says...
The Scots never looked like scoring a try. That is what (most) people on this site are trying to say. Despite the very poor kicking from the Georgian back three - mainly down the Lamont bros throats - the Scots were incapable of turning this gifted posession into creative counter-attack. Of course the conditions were wet and treacherous (never see that in Glasga, do you?) but even the Irish managed to score a few tries in similar conditions.
No, I fear that the Scots will be the first on the plane home. Ireland to survive with a massive game against the tired Italians and the Welsh to qualify along with Samoa.
@trinats: yes, the 6N should become the 8N. Space could be created by reducing the ludicrously long Top 14 and English/Celtic leagues to Super Rugby type formats.
Posted 16:51 14th September 2011
porridge_time says...
atg... totally agree with you there. Scotland have slowly went about their business building depth in each position. Yes there are not the up their with the tri-nations sides, but I have to agree with you that they are a big match team.
What if Romania beat Argentina and Georgia run England close Scotland will then still be above England on points. Scotland then beat Argentina and all they then need is a draw against England to top the group.
Far fetched as it appears to be for some, but Scotland are more than capable of beating both Argentina and England.
I'm not saying that Scotland will definately top group B, but the smuggness from some English fans who have themselves already in the QF v Fra and progressing to a Semi Final with and then it's just a skip and a jump to the final with the ABs... who will then choke.
Posted 16:41 14th September 2011
melkdave says...
@atg77
Nobody is writing off Scotland i personnaly think they will qualify 4 the QFs and said so b4 the cup started ..But alot of people did write off Georgia and Romainia INCLUDING SOME SCOTTISH SUPPORTERS LOL.Well now they know better England managment certinally didnt take them lightly and niether did A.Robinson now both british teams are in good positions in the pool and long may it continue
Posted 16:37 14th September 2011
shubibiman says...
And you should be more respectful with Georgia and Romania before saying that Scotland will beat them by +20 points.
Posted 15:44 14th September 2011
atg77 says...
Well people should be more respectful of Scotland before writing them off.
Posted 15:10 14th September 2011
shubibiman says...
atg77, you should show more respect to other posters as noone said you were stupid.
I personnally didn't say that it would be a tough game for Scotland because I consider Scotland to be a weak team but because Georgia is indeed an underrated team.
Posted 14:56 14th September 2011
atg77 says...
I think alot of you are extremely naive, as you are plain stupid to write Scotland off. For one thing(If you didnt bother to watch the game before commenting), the conditions were atrociously slippery and wet so it was always going to be difficult to play a wide game. Yes, despite the conditions handing was relatively poor but the bottom line is Scotland got the four points they were after without any injuries. World cups are not about playing the game of your life every time you take to the feild, its about timing so you peak at exactly the right time; getting past the weaker teams then going all out against the stronger ones. I think Scotland are in a much stronger position now, as clowns like some of you lot are writing them off, which suits us just fine. Can I remind you YET AGAIN this same Scotland team accounted for the likes of Australia, South Africa, Ireland and need I remind everyone again- Argentine - away TWICE. Argentina are overated and England arent quite as far from Scotland as you might think. Scotland under Andy Robinson are a big match team. Under Andy Robinson Scotland has won 12 out of 22 matches and one draw. Outside the six nations- 10 out of 12. Argentina under Phelan have won 6 out of 20, and have lost the last four. Draw your own conclusions but I say you cannot ignore those kind of statistics.
Scotland to top the group and beat the French in the quarters.
Posted 13:57 14th September 2011
RedRoseMark says...
It's ironic the the only NH team anyone seems to be giving any credit to is one who disgracefully blew their chances of winning the first game!!
My next door neighbour is a die-hard Wales fan and sang their praises to me on Sunday night. I nodded politely (he's a gentle old soul), all the while thinking if it had been England who'd got the same result (and the same missed chances) I would have been livid that we weren't clinical enough to win the game. I certainly wouldn't bang on about how well we'd played. Nor, I suspect, would anyone who supports any of the World Cup winning sides. It's all about expectation, you see...gallantly losing still leaves you with a loss.
Posted 13:31 14th September 2011
porridge_time says...
I think Wales have put everything into trying to beat South Africa - who by their standards are poo - Samoa and or Fiji are going to deal to Wales and SA.
Posted 13:21 14th September 2011
porridge_time says...
Trintas... no room in the calander. But the Eastern European league is getting stronger and stronger. Maybe Tri Nations teams can now look at heaading into Romania and Georgia for a test soon.
Posted 13:15 14th September 2011
shubibiman says...
I've said since the game against Romania that it would again be a tough one for Scotland and some answered that Scotland would beat them by at least 20 points if they were in a bad day. I'm glad Georgia proved me right.
Posted 13:05 14th September 2011
greyprop says...
What are, "schoolboy errors"?
The young people I coach really detest the way this term is bandied about when a professional makes an error. In their last two matches my boys have only dropped the ball three times, that is a considerably lower handling error count than I have seen in the last two RWC matches I've watched.
Call it bad handling or whatever you want but please don't lay it at the door of young school players.
Posted 12:55 14th September 2011
jonesy2 says...
rangdaddy --- wales? nah wales have been the only NH team that has showed anything. england, scotland, ireland might as well start packing
Posted 12:54 14th September 2011
jonesy2 says...
rangdaddy --- wales? nah wales have been the only NH team that has showed anything. england, scotland, ireland might as well start packing
Posted 12:43 14th September 2011