Last updated: 07/10/23 4:04 p.m.
Louis Rees-Zammit scores a hat-trick of tries against Georgia
Winger Louis Rees-Zammit scored a hat-trick of tries as Wales beat Georgia 43-19 to secure top spot in Pool C of the World Cup.
Wales, who lost their last match against Georgia 11 months ago, went into half-time with a 17-7 lead after tries from prop Tomas Francis and fullback Liam Williams, but then faced a spirited response from the Georgians.
They had crossed Wales’ line before the break through captain Merab Sharikadze and surprised the Welsh with successive tries after the hour from replacement prop Vano Karkadze and winger Davit Niniashvili.
Rees-Zammit and center George North scored late tries to extend the Welsh lead.
Fly-half Sam Costelow, a last-minute replacement for the injured Gareth Anscombe during the warm-up, scored 14 points for Wales.
Georgia finished fourth in the group without a win and with a draw against Portugal, despite spirited performances against all their opponents, including Australia and Fiji.
Next up for Wales is a quarter-final against Argentina or Japan.
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