Despite its lack of discipline, Australia prevailed against Georgia

Australia won their U20 World Rugby Championship 35-11 at Athlone Stadium against a gallant Georgian side, despite a junior Wallaby being shown a red card.

The first clash between the two teams at this stage was intense, with Georgia leading 8-6 at half-time after Australia's Harvey Cardoux was sent off following the TMO's intervention – as per test protocol, a red card received by a player can be replaced by another player after 20 minutes.

Encounter

World Rugby U20 Championship

Australia U20

Georgia U20

All statistics and data

The junior Wallabies' fitness was key, allowing them to dominate possession and score five tries in the second half to secure victory.

Early on, Australia exerted strong defensive pressure and scored the first try through Courtois, but TMO Ian Tempest disallowed the try for a foul. Godin Pritchard at Footless Odari Medreveley.

It gave Georgia a boost, thanks to their formidable scrum, with Luka Suluvashvili charging up the field before opening the scoring with a try after a powerful penetrating mole.

Points evolution diagram

Australia U20 win +24

Time spent in the mind

28

Minutes spent at the front

39

34%

% of competition spent ahead

48%

46%

Possession in last 10 minutes

54%

10

Points from the last 10 minutes

0

Australia responded immediately, with flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips scoring the junior Wallabies' first points from a penalty.

The game was interrupted in the 20th minute following an injury to the prop Jack Barrett replaces Lington Ailey.

The junior Wallabies were later penalized for indiscipline, with Korduks sent off for a high tackle on prop Luka Ungiatze. Georgia flyhalf Sirekitse added three points to extend the lead to 8-3.

Despite being outnumbered, the Junior Wallabies kept up the pressure, with Junior Leloes penetrating the 22 and slotting McLaughlin-Phillips' second penalty.

Australia scored another try with a powerful maul, but the TMO ruled it offside, leaving Georgia with an 8-6 half-time lead that Tsirekidze extended after the break.

Despite a stout Georgian defence, the junior Wallabies finally found fault. After the patient preparation phase, Ronan Leahy found space on the wing to score Australia's first try.

Nathan Gray saw his side dominate possession and possession, with third and fourth tries scored in quick succession. Alternate winger Angus Staniforth scored the first of his two tries, followed by Shane Wilcox's powerful kick allowing Jarra McLeod to grab the bonus.