Donaldson shines as Australia ends losing run at Georgia's expense 35-15 in Rugby World Cup 2023
— Ben Donaldson justified his surprise selection at fullback with two tries and 25 points as Australia earned its first win this year by 35-15 against Georgia at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday.
Donaldson also had the kicking duties in his first test start at fullback on only his fourth test appearance and made six of his seven kicks.
Coach Eddie Jones had no doubt Donaldson was ready.
The Wallabies' five-test losing run attracted doubts before a tough Pool C match with the Lelos, but four tries and a bonus point at a sweltering Stade de France also took some heat off Jones, who hadn't won his last seven tests dating to last year.
The turning point came after nearly an hour when Georgia fullback Davit Niniashvili broke through but ignored three teammates on his inside and took the tackle. His offload went to Australia prop Taniela Tupou, who showed skill with a little lob to Donaldson to run in untouched. Instead of potentially trailing 21-15, Georgia was 28-8 behind and victory was out of reach.
But the Lelos pressed to the end. Akaki Tabutsadze had a try prevented by Mark Nawaqanitawase's last-gasp tackle, and final passes were blown until agile prop Beka Gigashvili scored a late converted try following a well-worked lineout.
The Wallabies next face Fiji on Sept. 17 in Saint-Étienne, while Georgia have two weeks before playing Portugal in Toulouse.
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