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Italy v Georgia LIVE - Visitors on course for shock win after stunning first half performance in Genoa

Test Match
Stadio Luigi Ferraris / 17.11.2024
Completed
20
17
1
Tries
2
1
Conversions
2
2
Penalties
1
0
Drops
0
Live
Live Updates
Alasdair Mackenzie

Updated 17/11/2024 at 16:04 GMT


16:04
MEANWHILE IN CARDIFF...
We will be wrapping things up here shortly, but don't forget to head over to our dedicated Wales v Australia live blog for full coverage of the final match of the weekend.
15:58
BREX - 'REALLY PROUD OF OUR PERFORMANCE'
Here's what Italy centre Brex had to say about Italy's win, and their second-half comeback.
Next up for the Azzurri? Only the small matter of the visit of the All Blacks next weekend...
15:54
A CRUCIAL MOMENT
Here is the moment that things started swinging back in Italy's favour - a penalty try and yellow card.
picture

Georgia see yellow and concede penalty try as Italy fightback begins

Video credit: TNT Sports

15:44
ITALY NEED BIGGEST COMEBACK TO AVOID GEORGIA SHOCK
Italy breathed a sigh of relief as they staged their biggest-ever Test match comeback to win 20-17 and avoid a shock defeat to impressive Georgia in the Autumn Nations Series.
The Azzurri trailed by 11 points at the break after a couple of inspired scores from the Georgians and repeated wastefulness in attack from the hosts.
But a penalty try got Gonzalo Quesada’s side back in it before replacement scrum-half Alessandro Fusco finally found a gap in the wall of red shirts to dive over the line and put Italy in front inside the final quarter.
It was a much-needed win for the Italians, who came into the match with a point to prove on the back of last weekend’s thrashing by Argentina and had to scrap hard to avoid a second successive loss.
The visitors’ head coach Richard Cockerill warned that “if they don’t respect us, we will win” in a pre-match interview with TNT Sports, and his words looked almost prophetic after his side’s superb start.
Italy suffered a major early blow when captain Michele Lamaro was forced off wincing in pain with a shoulder injury, but Paolo Garbisi’s boot eventually edged the hosts in front midway through the half after a scrappy start.
Georgia responded with clinical skill and efficiency, Aka Tabutsadze flying over the line after a neat series of offloads to put the visitors in front, and things got even better when a spectacular break from inside his own half by full-back Davit Niniashvili set up Vasil Lobzhanidze’s score.
The visitors’ clinical edge was in sharp contrast to the profligacy of the Azzurri, who made eight visits to the Georgian 22 in the first half without crossing the whitewash, but a penalty try – and yellow card to Tabutsadze for an intentional knock-on – swung the momentum in their favour after the break.
Wave after wave of Italian attack was repelled by the ferocious Georgian defence until Fusco finally took the ball off a lineout and sniped around the back to find a hole and dive over the line for the decisive score.
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‘Awoken from their slumber’ – Italy hit the front against Georgia after brilliant Fusco try

Video credit: TNT Sports

15:35
Live comment icon
FULL-TIME: ITALY 20-17 GEORGIA
They have done it! And a collective sigh of relief goes around the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Italy come back from 11 points down at the break to stage their biggest-ever Test match fightback. It wasn't easy, but boy was it needed.
79'
ITALY CLOSING IN ON WIN
They can't, as the lineout is stolen by Italy. But what's this? Fusco's kick flies straight out of play and Georgia get a second bite at the cherry. This time they gather, but then a knock-on quickly ends an attack. Frustrating stuff for Cockerill in the coaching box.
Italy have a scrum, and need to play it smart now to take this over the finish line.
78'
GEORGIA TURN IT OVER
Superb stuff from Georgia again in defence, as a turnover penalty at the breakdown relieves the pressure.
Matkava's kick gets them 27 metres up the pitch, and this lineout will be just inside the Italian half. Can they mount a late surge of their own?
76;
GEORGIA SURVIVING
Almost this entire second half has been played in Georgian territory, but they are hanging on in there despite facing wave after wave of Italian attack.
The home side go through phase after phase, but as we reach No. 14 the defenders turn it over, and they survive again when Gallagher sends a dangerous kick in behind. Everyone gets a breather as a clearance kick flies out.
73'
GALLAGHER OFF TARGET
A penalty goes Italy's way about 42 metres out and Gallagher steps up to take it...but his effort drifts wide for the second time today. It's still a three-point game.
71'
FUSCO FINDS A GAP
Here's how Italy finally breached the Georgian defence to take the lead.
70'
GAME ON A KNIFE EDGE
The momentum, and pretty much this entire second half, has been with Italy, but it's pointed out in commentary that it's still just a three-point game and the Azzurri need to be careful.
Just as that point is made, though, Georgia fail to make touch from a penalty in what could be a costly error.
68'
NO TRY
Yes, it's a lineout to Georgia and no try. The Georgians get another warning from the referee before its taken though, they need to be careful discipline-wise in this final 13 minutes. The replay shows Ioane's foot getting dragged out of play, and he didn't ground the ball anyway.
67'
IOANE SO CLOSE!
Has he made it? Garbisi's cross-field kick is an inviting one and the wing goes haring after it, gathering and diving in at the corner. But it seems he was out of play...
65'
Live comment icon
Italy
TRY! ITALY 20-17 GEORGIA (FUSCO, CON. GARBISI)
They've finally done it! Italy make it across the try line for the first time as replacement scrum-half Fusco takes a lineout and squirms through a rare gap in the defence. Garbisi adds the extras and the Azzurri lead.
63'
ITALY KEEP COMING
Italy keep banging on the door, but it won't open. They go through eight phases this time but are repeatedly repelled. However, they do win penalty advantage there and Ben O'Keefe warns the Georgians that another yellow could be on the way if they aren't careful.
60'
HOW THE PENALTY TRY WAS AWARDED
Here's how the Azzurri clawed back the deficit, but they still have plenty of work to do as we enter the final quarter.
58'
ITALY CAN'T CONVERT...AGAIN
Georgia pinch the lineout, but they give away a free-kick while doing it. Cue a few fisticuffs...and ultimately, an Italian knock-on ends the attack and results in some hearty back-slaps from the big men in red.
57'
ITALY BACK ON THE ATTACK
Italy win penalty advantage off a scrum on halfway. For all their faults, they have been doing a good job in that department this afternoon. Gallagher kicks them up inside the Georgian 22 as the subs start to roll on for both sides.
54'
Live comment icon
Italy
PENALTY TRY! ITALY 13-17 GEORGIA
Yes, it's a penalty try for Italy and a yellow card for Tabutsadze, who leapt out of the line to palm away a pass heading to the wing. The tables may have turned here as the noise level rises in the Luigi Ferraris, where the Azzurri will have a man advantage for the next 10 minutes.
53'
TABUTSADZE COULD BE IN TROUBLE
The TMO is having a look at an intentional knock-on from Georgia wing Tabutsadze. This could be a penalty try...