Georgia thump Portugal to retain Rugby Europe title ahead of Wallabies clash

Mon, Mar 18, 2024, 11:17 PM
Reuters
by Reuters
Georgia once again claimed the Rugby Europe Championship. Photo: AFP
Georgia once again claimed the Rugby Europe Championship. Photo: AFP

Winger Akaki Tabutsadze has scored two tries as Georgia continued their dominance of the Rugby Europe Championship with a 36-10 victory over Portugal in the final - their 13th title win in the last 14 years.

Hooker Vano Karkadze and halfback Mikheil Alania also crossed for Georgia, who have provided some immediate success for new coach Richard Cockerill following his appointment in January.

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Portugal scored a consolation try late on through Rodrigo Marta but struggled with Georgia's physicality as their scrum wilted and they lost numerous contests at the breakdown.

They were unable to match their exciting performance at the Rugby World Cup in France last year, when the teams played to a hugely entertaining 18-18 draw in Australia's Pool C.

Sunday's final at Stade Jean Bouin in Paris was played at a frenetic pace with little structure from either side as Georgia led 12-3 at halftime.

They scored the opening try after 43 minutes when five-eighth Luka Matkava's cross-field kick was perfect for Tabutsadze to dot down in the corner, while their second was more brute force as the forwards rumbled the ball over the line via Karkadze.

By then the game was up for Portugal, and Tabutsadze showed a clean pair of heels to race in for the third try before Alania finished off a flowing move as Georgia picked holes in their opponents' defence.

It sends a message before the Georgians face the Wallabies in Sydney on July 20.

"Effectively, we've won the games quite easily in the end -- all the games," head coach Richard Cockerill told AFP.

"I don't know what competition we're able to join but certainly we need stronger opposition so we know where we're at.

"We're too good for these (second-tier) teams."

Before that, Georgia will face Japan the week beforehand ahead of their first clash with Australia outside of a World Cup

Portugal, who were stunned 10-6 by Belgium in the pool stages, now look forward to a fixture against world champions South Africa in Bloemfontein on July 20.

Spain took third place, holding off a late surge from Romania to win 40-33.

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