PARIS (AP) — Ben Donaldson justified his surprise selection at fullback with two tries and 25 points as Australia earned its first win this year by 35-15 against Georgia at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday.
Donaldson also had the kicking duties in his first test start at fullback on only his fourth test appearance and made six of his seven kicks.
“We had a game plan. In the end it made me look half-decent so I put that on all the boys,” Donaldson said after collecting the man-of-the-match award. “For me, it was just providing a loud voice and a big boot at the back there.”
Coach Eddie Jones had no doubt Donaldson was ready.
“We knew what he was capable of,” Jones said. “His long kick was invaluable (and) he’s a very good decision-maker. His goalkicking was first class.”
The Wallabies’ five-test losing run attracted doubts before a tough Pool C match with the Lelos, but four tries and a bonus point at a sweltering Stade de France also took some heat off Jones, who hadn’t won his last seven tests dating to last year.
“You don’t start like that if you’re lacking in confidence,” Jones said. “I might enjoy a glass of red wine tomorrow.”
He was even in forgiving mood that the crowd whistled him.
“I’m consistently unpopular,” he joked, and was happy to let off his inexperienced team for the fact Georgia scored a try while playing with 14 men.
“We’ve got a young team and it’s another great experience for them. Each game they’ll get a little bit better.”
Georgia put away the boot at halftime and found holes in the Wallabies’ defense in the second half but could score only two tries while bombing at least three more.
The turning point came after nearly an hour when Georgia fullback Davit Niniashvili broke through but ignored three teammates on his inside and took the tackle. His offload went to Australia prop Taniela Tupou, who showed skill with a little lob to Donaldson to run in untouched. Instead of potentially trailing 21-15, Georgia was 28-8 behind and victory was out of reach.
But the Lelos pressed to the end. Akaki Tabutsadze had a try prevented by Mark Nawaqanitawase’s last-gasp tackle, and final passes were blown until agile prop Beka Gigashvili scored a late converted try following a well-worked lineout.
“Our exits were very poor at the start and we put ourselves under pressure, but we came back in the second half,” Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili said. “It’s just the first game, so we have a lot of things to analyse.”
Australia’s first try came after 97 seconds through center Jordan Petaia. He took a quick feed from scrumhalf Tate McDermott and bounced off two tackles.
The second in the ninth minute by winger Mark Nawaqanitawase was converted from out wide by Donaldson, who added a confident penalty.
Georgia’s only first-half score was an early penalty by flyhalf Luka Matkava. Tabutsadze went close to his 11th try of the year, slipping a tackle, kicking ahead and just failing to collect the ball before Donaldson covered swiftly.
“He was awesome,” captain Will Skelton said of Donaldson. “For a young fella, he showed a lot of character. He’s been training there the whole year with us and we had confidence in him.”
Georgia gave Donaldson another easy penalty following scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze’s high tackle on McDermott, who needed treatment, and then went off late in the half after being flattened making a tackle.
“Tate’s up and walking around, he’s doing all of the medical protocols,” Jones said.
He was replaced by Nic White, who was fouled by left winger Miriani Modebadze when trying to make a pass seconds before the break. Modebadze was sin-binned and the Lelos trailed 21-3 at the break.
A man down, Georgia drew a cheer from the crowd when they took an attacking lineout instead of a penalty. It paid off, as Vasil Lobzhanidze and Matkava combined to send flanker Luka Ivanishvili scurrying into the left corner two minutes after the restart.
Georgia’s backs then started slicing apart the Australians, especially out wide, but they couldn’t finish off chances.
“No one can win against tier one sides anymore with (just) scrummaging and mauling,” Maisashvili said. “We lost a couple of opportunities to score tries. We have a lot of talented players and are trying to balance our game now.”
The Wallabies next face Fiji on Sept. 17 in Saint-Étienne, while Georgia have two weeks before playing Portugal in Toulouse.
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