Exeter duo suffer RWC defeats

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs duo Elvis Taione and Michele Campagnaro both suffered Rugby World Cup setbacks as they crashed to defeats in their opening games of this year's tournament.

Hooker Taione was part of the Tongan squad that suffered a surprise 17-10 loss to Georgia at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium, whilst centre Campagnaro featured in Italy's 32-10 defeat to France at Twickenham Stadium.

Mamuka Gorgodze's converted try helped Georgia to a 10-3 half-time lead before Giorgi Tkhilaishvili scored in the corner for Georgia's second try after the break.

Former Exeter winger Fetu'u Vainikolo (pictured) score a late converted try to give Tonga a glimmer of hope, but although Georgia were down to 14 men for the last eight minutes following Merab Kvirikashvili's yellow card, they held firm to record a famous win.

 

Elsewhere, Campagnaro - a summer signing from Pro12 side Treviso - played the entire match for the Azzurri who were comfortably brushed aside by the French.

An ill disciplined first half allowed from Italy allowed Frederic Michalak to kick France into a 15-3 lead.

After the break, Les Bleus showed more adventure as Rabah Slimani touched down from Michalak's sweet grubber kick.

Giovanbattista Venditti hit back with a try for Italy, but veteran prop Nicolas Mas's first try in 81 Tests secured the win for France.

The one low point for France was an injury to winger Yoann Huget, who was helped off the field in the second half after appearing to injure his knee.