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David Davies / Pool via AP
Louis Rees-Zammit scores Wales’ first try in an 18-0 win over Georgia.
Kiwi coach Wayne Pivac was pleased that Wales snapped a six-game losing streak, but admitted that the 18-0 win over Georgia was not “a perfect performance”.
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’ landslide victory against a brave Georgian side that have yet to score a point in two Fall Nations Cup games.
Wales led 10-0 at halftime on Saturday (Sunday New Zealand time) after Rees-Zammit’s score in their first test outing, but could only handle a penalty and a late try by Webb in the second half as the teams battled for fluid play in wet conditions at the Scarlets clubhouse in Llanelli.
David Davies / Pool via AP
Running back Rhys Webb is aiming for Wales’ second and final attempt.
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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 what Pivac called “a low shot” to the head of Wales captain Justin Tipuric.
Georgia forward Beka Saginadze received a yellow card for the second-half incident as Tipuric, who has had previous concussion issues, left the field.
“We are very disappointed that he left the field the way he did with what was a low shot,” Pivac told Wales. S4C TV station.
The New Zealander 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 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, the grandson of English cricket great Sir Ian Botham, made a promising debut as a blind end for Wales, almost setting up a try with a strong surge in the second half.
Pivac also handed the opening games to running back Kieran Hardy and center Johnny Williams.
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.
