Kiwi coach Wayne Pivac was pleased that Wales snapped a six-match losing streak, but admitted the 18-0 win over Georgia wasn’t “a perfect performance’’.
Wales hadn’t won since the opening round of the Six Nations tournament in February – Pivac’s first tournament in charge since taking over from compatriot Warren Gatland.
Tries to teenage wing Louis Rees-Zammit and veteran halfback Rhys Webb highlighted Wales’ grinding victory against a plucky Georgian team which is yet to score a point in two Autumn Nations Cup matches.
Wales led 10-0 at halftime on Saturday (Sunday NZ time) after Rees-Zammit’s score on his first test start, but could only manage a penalty and Webb’s late try in the second half as the teams struggled for free-flowing play in wet conditions at the Scarlets club’s home ground in Llanelli.
Georgia forward Beka Saginadze was yellow-carded for the second half incident, as Tipuric – who has had previous concussion issues – left the field.
“We are very disappointed with him leaving the field the way he did with what was pretty much a cheap shot,’’ Pivac told Wales’ S4C television station.
The New Zealander said he was “very pleased with how the boys played in those conditions.
“It was quite tricky out there. I thought we played very well in the set-piece.
“It was a step in the right direction and the debutants were all happy.
“We would have liked to have scored more points but the opposition and these conditions made it difficult.
“It was not a perfect performance but one we’ll review.”
James Botham – grandson of English cricket great Sir Ian Botham – made a promising debut at blindside flanker for Wales, and almost set up a try with a strong second-half surge.
Pivac also handed first caps to halfback Kieran Hardy and centre Johnny Williams.
Backrower Aaron Wainwright won Wales’ man of the match award with a purposeful game at No 8 in place of British and Irish Lions star Taulupe Faletau.
Wales’ New Zealand-born wing Johnny McNicholl was forced off the field late in the first half with a suspected rib injury.
The former Crusader had only just won back his test place after a recent ankle injury on club duty for Scarlets.
AT A GLANCE
WALES 18 (Louis Rees-Zammit, Rhys Webb tries; Callum Sheedy con, 2 pen) GEORGIA 0. HT: 10-0.
