Uruguay lead Georgia at break

Georgia 3 Uruguay 10 HT

Little Georgia were unable to repeat their Aussie Stadium heroics against Uruguay today as the South Americans held sway in the battle of the Pool C minnows.

Four days after giving the mighty South Africa a huge fright, Georgia found themselves with a lot of work to ensure they did not leave the World Cup without a point.

Although the Eastern Europeans started brightly, fly-half Paliko Jimsheladze failed with two decent penalty opportunities and Uruguay had already had their noses in front before winger Alfonso Cardoso charged home for the only first-half try after 23 minutes.

The touchdown followed an intensive period of Uruguayan forward pressure, which the Georgians looked like surviving until scrum-half Juan Campomar switched play quickly to the left when Cardoso was the last man in a three-on-one overlap.

Juan Menchaca had put Uruguay in front before Jimsheladze handed over goalkicking duties to Malkhaz Urjukashvili, who levelled at the quarter mark.

In front of another large and enthusiastic crowd, Uruguay quickly recovered from the setback, although their captain Diego Aguirre twice failed to extend their lead, dropping a long-range penalty just short, then striking the left upright with another in stoppage time.