News

Georgia closer to RWC hat-trick

February 09 2010

Georgia signalled their intentions to qualify for a third consecutive Rugby World Cup with an emphatic 77-3 win over Germany in their European Nations Cup encounter at the National Stadium in Tbilisi.

The victory keeps Georgia one point clear of Russia in the standings with four matches remaining in the top tier, which will determine Europe's two direct qualifiers for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Georgia's 11 tries on home soil not only preserves the only remaining unbeaten record in the top tier, but has also given them a significant point differential over Russia which could prove decisive come the final round of matches on March 20.

Russia's campaign to qualify for a first ever Rugby World Cup remains on target after they edged Portugal 14-10 in the first rugby international to be played in Sochi thanks to a Alexander Yanyushkin try and three Yury Kushnarev penalties.

The last meeting between these sides had been equally tight with Russia winning 18-14 despite letting a determined Portuguese fightback from 15-0 down at half time in Lisbon.

This weekend's encounter, played in heavy rain and muddy conditions, followed a similar path with Russia moving out to a 14-3 advantage with 13 minutes to go and Portugal only able to score one try, through full-back Joseph Gardener.

With Georgia and Russia both winning on home soil, neither match had any impact on the IRB World Rankings with the latter remaining only thousandths ahead of the Lelos in 17th with Portugal 21st and Germany 26th.

The weekend's other European Nations Cup match between Romania and Spain was postponed due to snow and freezing conditions in Bucharest. A new date is yet to be arranged for the stadionul National Arcul de Triumf encounter.