Wallabies v Georgia: Five takeaways from Sydney as ‘three engines’ drive Australia to victory over impressive Lelos

Following a 40-29 victory for the Wallabies over Georgia in Sydney, here’s our five takeaways from a hugely entertaining fixture at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

The top line

A thoroughly enjoyable match high in tempo was played out between the Wallabies and Georgia on Saturday as the former team came out on top in a 10-try contest.

Tries from Hunter Paisami, Rob Valetini (2), Isaac Kailea and Fraser McReight (2) helped Australia to the win, but Georgia definitely gave as good as they got.

Indeed, the Lelos can take plenty from this defeat as they continue to show they can mix it with the so-called Tier One nations and at one stage in the fixture they looked well placed to claim the victory. However, it was probably fair that the Wallabies came out on top as they were the slightly better side on the day.

Overall it was a fantastic spectacle and credit must go to referee James Doleman for enforcing prompt ruck speed, with both sets of players putting on a show.

Vital momentum

After just two wins in nine Tests in 2023 under Eddie Jones, Joe Schmidt has already surpassed the ex-Wallabies boss as his 100 per cent record remains intact.

Back-to-back victories over Wales have been followed by this Georgia success and it is hard to put a price on what this winning feeling could do momentum wise.

It feels as though a cloud has been lifted in this Wallabies team as Schmidt’s calm demeanour and drama free approach appears to be paying dividends, with this group of players really buying into the new regime. This, of course, is crucial with a Rugby Championship just around the corner where even bigger tests await.

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Georgia impress

Hats off to the Lelos who yet again proved their worth at the top table of international rugby, scoring four tries and entertaining the Sydney crowd throughout.

On the back of their triumph over Japan, Georgia looked to create history with their first ever win against Australia and while it didn’t come to fruition they can be mighty proud of their efforts as the Wallabies were given a tough night. Georgia’s fitness and skill-set were on show all match in an impressive showing.

Akaki Tabutsadze was one of the standout players in white as his two tries showed desire and no lack of skill and he, and the Lelos, will take plenty from this loss.

Back-row shine

The third Test for Schmidt and the third back-row combination. Interestingly enough the performances have gotten progressively better in each trial with the three engines today in the form of Harry Wilson, McReight and Valetini shining against Georgia.

Wilson adds big work-rate, especially on the carry to complement Valetini’s battering runs, all of which give McReight freedom to pick his moments on where to influence the game. The trio were excellent and the play where they all worked in tandem on a clean break to eventually score typifies their strength as a unit.

A whopping 42 carries, 27 tackles, four tries and a try assist came out of the back-row. Surely now Schmidt has all the answers he needs and if not, what is for certain is that the Wallabies have deceptive depth in their loose forwards stocks.

Focus now Boks

As mentioned earlier, bigger tests await the Wallabies and they don’t come much bigger than South Africa in their opening Rugby Championship game on August 10.

That clash at Suncorp Stadium will no doubt provide a marker for Schmidt of where his team is at as no disrespect to Wales and Georgia but the Springboks are a different kettle of fish in terms of opponent.

However, July could not have gone any better for the New Zealander and his improving squad and they will take plenty of confidence into the fixture as they look to claim a first-up win that would do them the power of good moving forward.

READ MORE: Wallabies hold off Georgia in 10-try thriller as Joe Schmidt makes it three wins from three