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Wales won their World Cup group and maintained an unbeaten march to the quarter-finals after beating Georgia 43-19 at Stade de la Beaujoire.<\/p>\n
Warren Gatland\u2019s team needed one point to finish top of Pool C after securing a last-eight place almost two weeks ago by defeating Australia in record-breaking fashion.<\/p>\n
And they accomplished it on the same ground that 16 years ago Fiji condemned them to a World Cup pool-stage exit.<\/p>\n
Wing Louis Rees-Zammit scored three tries, while there were also touchdowns for prop Tomas Francis, full-back Liam Williams and centre George North.<\/p>\n
Wales ensured there would be no repeat of Georgia\u2019s shock 13-12 success in Cardiff during the 2022 autumn Tests as they overcame fly-half Gareth Anscombe\u2019s withdrawal just 45 minutes before kick-off due to a groin injury.<\/p>\n
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Anscombe\u2019s late replacement Sam Costelow kicked five conversions and a penalty, although Georgia fought back to 24-19 adrift at one point through tries from Merab Sharikadze, Vano Karkadze and Davit Niniashvili, with Luka Matkava kicking two conversions.<\/p>\n
A protracted mass brawl late in the game that spilled over the touchline and involved replacements from both sides saw Niniashvili and Wales substitute Taine Basham yellow-carded.<\/p>\n
Wales were home and dry by this stage, although there was more injury concern when number eight Taulupe Faletau went off nursing what appeared to be a wrist problem.<\/p>\n
Costelow mixed his running and kicking game well in the early stages, but Wales could get no change out of a well-organised Georgia defence.<\/p>\n
There were plenty of errors in perfect playing conditions from both sides, but Wales broke the deadlock after 16 minutes.<\/p>\n
A powerful lineout drive put Georgia on the back-foot, before Tomos Williams\u2019 short inside pass resulted in Francis going over for a try that Costelow converted.<\/p>\n
Wales had settled into a rhythm, and they struck from another attacking lineout just seven minutes later.<\/p>\n
Lock Will Rowlands secured quality possession and, when the ball was moved wide Liam Williams finished impressively. Costelow\u2019s conversion made it 14-0.<\/p>\n
A Costelow penalty then opened up a 17-point advantage, and Wales appeared to be well on their way to a fourth successive pool victory.<\/p>\n
Georgia regrouped as the first-half drew to a close, and Sharikadze claimed a try that Matkava converted following a sustained spell of pressure.<\/p>\n
It was a warning for Wales that they could not switch off as they took a 17-7 lead into the interval.<\/p>\n
Georgia began the second period on the front foot, but a midfield fumble saw North find Rees-Zammit, and the Gloucester speedster cruised clear from 60 metres out to claim his third try of the tournament.<\/p>\n
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The Wales winger eased any late nerves <\/p>\n
Costelow converted, and it was exactly what Wales required after Georgia had threatened a fightback before the break.<\/p>\n
Gatland changed the entire front row after 50 minutes, with Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Henry Thomas all joining the action.<\/p>\n
And while Wales were comfortably ahead, Georgia kept searching for attacking opportunities in their final game of the competition after defeats against Australia and Fiji and a draw with Portugal.<\/p>\n
Their resilience was then rewarded with 20 minutes left when replacement hooker Karkadze went over and Matkava converted.<\/p>\n
And Georgia immediately conjured a third try, this time from Niniashvili, making it 24-18 and giving Wales plenty to be concerned about.<\/p>\n
Gatland\u2019s team were in danger of unravelling, but just when they needed it, Rees-Zammit applied a brilliant finish for his second try which Costelow converted, making it 31-19.<\/p>\n
Biggar joined the action deep into the final quarter, and when Rees-Zammit claimed his hat-trick try, Wales were home before North\u2019s try \u2013 and Wales\u2019 sixth \u2013 completed the scoring, with Japan or Argentina now awaiting as their quarter-final opponents.<\/p>\n