New Zealand gave themselves many questions to answer after their academic run-out against Georgia turned into a tight battle that highlighted All Black deficiencies to potential quarter-final rivals.
The defending champions ran out 43-10 winners at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, scoring seven tries to nab a bonus point and become the first side to book their place in the last eight.
But the victory did not come easy for the strongest All Black side coach Steve Hansen could have lined up, featuring household names captain Richie McCaw, playmaker Dan Carter and code-swapping centre Sonny Bill Williams.
Such are the high standards New Zealand normally offer up, the 33-point deficit over the Georgians will surely be dissected as not sufficient.
There was a general lack of cutting edge and precision, an unusually high level of handling errors and a shaky scrum, while Georgia were importantly happy to dictate the rhythm of the match for large periods to better suit their abrasive, rumbling pack.
Georgia coach Milton Haig, a New Zealander, picked the east European nation’s most experienced ever side but one that will likely feature 10 changes for their final crunch game against Namibia next week.
Victory in that game in Exeter would guarantee Georgia third place in Pool C — and automatic qualifying spot for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Georgian pride
But there was no shortage of Georgian pride on show in Cardiff, even by that raft of players who will likely play no part against Namibia.
In the face of a fiercely competitive Georgian scrum and a hard-hitting defence led by skipper Mamluka Gorgodze, No 8 Lasha Lomidze, and centre pairing Tamaz Mchedlidze and Davit Kacharava, New Zealand looked a shaken outfit.
The All Blacks, having already beaten closest rivals Argentina 26-16 and Namibia 58-14, dominated possession and territory.
They scored two tries in the first-half off set-piece ball — through Waisake Naholo off a line-out and Julian Savea off a scrum.
But their attack was error-ridden at times, scrum-half Aaron Smith unusually failing to find his target on numerous occasions, several final passes going to ground or bypassing the intended receiver to go straight into touch and Carter even misfiring from fly-half.
What will have Hansen most concerned is the struggle his team had up against a Georgian front five, tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina in particular up against it from Karlen Asieshvili.
Gorgodze and his back-row teammates more than matched the Kiwi trio based around the mighty McCaw, who hobbled off with 20 minutes to play, his right thigh and calf immediately iced up.
New Zealand scored two late tries to put some gloss on the scoreboard. They now turn their attention to their final match against Tonga on October 9 at Newcastle’s St James’ Park where they will hope to rediscover their mojo before moving on to the quarter-finals where they will play France, Ireland or Italy.
“Georgia can be proud of themselves tonight, they were outstanding,” said former All Black lock Brad Thorn.
“But we always want the win. There was some stuff that was a little bit frustrating tonight, but on to the next win.”
