RUGBY WORLD CUP: Georgia 25, Romania 6

As a game this was perhaps the poorest I’d seen. Even the crowd lost patience especially when Georgia attempted penalty kicks when really they were well in control. It was a very tight match to be fair to the players and a major test match for both sides. It was a win but it wasn’t pretty.

Plenty of colour and enthusiasm in the crowd. Webb Ellis Trophy (which one?)
on display.

The ground capacity was 30,000 and I suspect
it wasn’t far off full.
 
Plenty of colour in the excited crowd.
 
National anthems for Georgia and Romania.

Scrum time.

At the games conclusion a special medal of
participation ceremony was conducted. As this
was their last pool match Romania were the
recipients.

The Romanians and Georgians know each other
well. They play against each other on a yearly
basis as they are both in the European Nations
Cup competition, Division 1A (which, in theory,
is one tier below the 6 Nations Championship)
So here they applaud each other off the park in
a very tough encounter.
  
In what has become a tradition in this Rugby World Cup
players do a lap of thanks at the end of the game.
Marius Tincu lead his team around the park.
A nice touch much appreciated by the crowd.
  
The Georgians also applauded the crowd
support but their lap of thanks will come
after their match against Argentina Sunday.

This gentleman, who had travelled all the way
from Georgia, was wearing a traditional
Chokha warrior uniform. Note the bullet
compartments. He said the uniform was
pinched by the Russian cossacks. He was
a most obliging fellow who was subjected
to many photo requests.

Levan Kavtaradze and wife imigrated to
New Zealand some twenty years ago
but was very proud to support his birth
nation on the night.
So ended the night. A great occasion for rugby
in the Manawatu. Next game is on Sunday
Georgia v Argentina.