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Kiwi coach Wayne Pivac was happy that Wales snapped a six-game losing streak, but launched a “low shot” from a Georgian rival at Welsh captain Justin Tipuric.
Pivac admitted that the 18-0 win over Georgia at the Scarlets club field in Llanelli on Saturday (Sunday New Zealand time) was not “a perfect performance” but was relieved by the victory.
Wales had not won since the first round of the Six Nations tournament in February, Pivac’s first tournament in charge since replacing compatriot Warren Gatland.
Attempts by teenage wing Louis Rees-Zammit and veteran running back Rhys Webb highlighted Wales’ resounding victory against a courageous Georgian side that have yet to score a point in two Fall Nations Cup games.
Stu Forster / Getty Images
Wales’ Justin Tipuric grabs his face as he leaves the field after being hit by a high shot in a win over Georgia.
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David Rogers / Getty Images
Wayne Pivac was happy to see Wales end a six-game losing streak.
The victory was marred by a high shot over Tipuric from Georgia forward Beka Saginadze, who received a yellow card for the second-half incident, as Tipuric, who has had previous concussion issues, left the field.
Pivac later said that he felt Saginadze’s actions justified more than sin.
“It was an incident that I thought warranted a little more than a yellow card because of the camera angles we had,” Pivac said at the post-match press conference.
“There was a nasty forearm on the face. He paid Justin for the rest of the game. “
Immediately after the final whistle, Pivac told Wales’ S4C TV station: “We are very disappointed that he left the field the way he did with what was almost a low shot.”
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Wales captain Justin Tipuric in the outbreak before his injury against Georgia.
Pivac hoped Tipuric wasn’t too hurt. “I just saw him in the hall and he’s chatting.”
Former England and Wales Lions captain Sam Warburton said in Amazon Prime Video it was “a dirty low blow to the chin.”
Wales led 10-0 at halftime after Rees-Zammit scored in their first test outing, but was only able to handle a penalty and a late try from Webb in the second half as teams battled for fluid play in wet conditions. .
David Davies / Pool via AP
Louis Rees-Zammit scores Wales’ first try in an 18-0 win over Georgia.
Pivac said he was “very satisfied with how the boys played in those conditions.
“It was quite difficult. I think we played very well in the set pieces.
“It was a step in the right direction and the debutants were all happy.
“We would have liked to have scored more points but the opposition and these conditions made it difficult.
“It wasn’t a perfect performance, but we will review.”
David Davies / Pool via AP
Flanker James Botham performed well in his test debut for Wales against Georgia.
James Botham, grandson of English cricket great Sir Ian Botham, made a promising debut as a Welsh blind end, and almost set up a try with a sharp rise in the second half.
Pivac also handed the opening games to running back Kieran Hardy and center Johnny Williams.
David Davies / Pool via AP
Running back Rhys Webb is aiming for Wales’ second and final attempt.
Backrower Aaron Wainwright won Wales’s Best Player of the Match award with a decided game at No. 8 in place of British and Irish Lions star Taulupe Faletau.
New Zealand-born Wales winger Johnny McNicholl was forced to leave the field at the end of the first half with a suspected rib injury.
The former Crusader had just regained his probationary spot after a recent ankle injury in club duty for Scarlets.
Take a look
WALES 18 (Louis Rees-Zammit, Rhys Webb tries; Callum Sheedy scam, 2 pens) GEORGIA 0. HT: 10-0.
