Soso Matiashvili scored 34 points to guide Georgia to a 54-22 victory over Canada in Tbilisi on Saturday.
The fullback stamped his authority all over this contest, running in two tries and kicking five conversions and four penalties.
The Georgians made the perfect start as Matiashvili crossed for a self-converted try after just two minutes. He then slotted three penalties for a 16-3 lead.
On the stroke of half-time, wing Taylor Paris burrowed over for Canada’s opening try.
In the second half, Giorgi Nemsadze, Levan Chilachaca and Merad Sharikadze scored converted tries, before Matiashvili landed another well-struck penalty and slid over for his second self-converted try.
A last-minute try through prop Karlen Asieshvili took Georgia past the half-century mark.
Canada’s second-half tries were scored by SA-born centre DTH van der Merwe and wing Brock Staller.
Georgia – Tries: Soso Matiashili (2), Giorgi Nemsadze, Levan Chilachava, Merad Sharikadze, Karlen Asieshvili. Conversions: Matiashvili (6). Penalties: Matiashvili (4).
Canada – Tries: Taylor Paris, DTH van der Merwe, Brock Staller. Conversions: Staller (2). Penalty: Patrick Parfrey.
Georgia – 15 Soso Matiashvili, 14 Giorgi Koshadze, 13 Davit Katcharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze (c), 11 Mirian Modebadze, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Beka Bitsadze, 7 Vito Kolelishvili, 6 Lasha Lomidze, 5 Giorgi Nemsadze, 4 Kote Mikautadze, 3 Levan Chilachava, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.
Subs: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Karlen Asieshvili, 18 Soso Bekoshvili, 19 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 20 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 21 Giorgi Begadze, 22 Revaz Jintchvelashvili, 23 Giorgi Kveseladze.
Canada – 15 Andrew Coe, 14 Brock Staller, 13 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 11 Taylor Paris, 10 Patrick Parfrey, 9 Phil Mack (c), 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Matt Heaton, 6 Lucas Rumball, 5 Evan Olmstead, 4 Josh Larsen, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 2 Ray Barkwill, 1 Djustice Sears-Duru
Subs: 16 Eric Howard, 17 Anthony Luca, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Kyle Baillie, 20 Conor Keys, 21 Kyle Gilmour, 22 Andrew Ferguson, 23 Guiseppe du Toit.
Photo: Ron LeBlanc/Rugby Canada
