Rees-Zammit hat-trick helps Wales top Pool ‘C’

Winger Louis Rees-Zammit scored a hat-trick of tries as Wales beat Georgia 43-19 at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday, to secure first place in the Rugby World Cup Pool ‘C’.

Wales, who lost their last match against Georgia 11 months ago, went into half time with a 17-7 lead after tries by prop Tomas Francis and full back Liam Williams, but then faced a spirited fightback from the Georgians.

They had crossed the Wales line before the interval through Captain Merab Sharikadze and stunned the Welsh with successive tries after the hour mark from replacement prop Vano Karkadze and wing Davit Niniashvili. Livewire winger Rees-Zammit and centre George North scored late tries to extend the Welsh lead.

Fly half Sam Costelow, a last-minute replacement for Gareth Anscombe who was injured in the warm-up, kicked 14 points for Wales. Costelow mixed his running and kicking game well in the early stages, but Wales could get no change out of a well-organised Georgia defence.

There were plenty of errors in perfect playing conditions from both sides, but Wales broke the deadlock after 16 minutes. A powerful line out drive put Georgia on the backfoot, before Tomos

Williams’ short inside pass resulted in Francis going over for a try that Costelow converted.

Wales had settled into a rhythm, and they struck from another attacking lineout just seven minutes later. Lock Will Rowlands secured quality possession and when the ball was moved

wide Liam Williams finished impressively. Costelow’s conversion made it 14-0.

A Costelow penalty then opened a 17-point advantage, and Wales appeared to be well on their way to a fourth successive pool victory. Georgia regrouped as the first half ended, and Sharikadze claimed a try that Luka Matkava converted following a sustained spell of pressure.

It was a warning for Wales that they could not switch off as they took a 17-7 lead into the interval. Georgia began the second period on the front foot, but a midfield fumble

saw North find Rees-Zammit, and the Gloucester speedster cruised clear from 60 metres out to claim his third try of the tournament. Costelow converted, and it was exactly what Wales required after Georgia had threatened a fightback before the break.

Next up for Wales is a quarter-final against Argentina or Japan which will be played on October 14 in Marseille.

(C.D)

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