Jenkins Test debut ends in defeat
By Andrew Baldock
19/11/22
Exeter Chiefs have a new international name on their books after highly-rated lock Dafydd Jenkins won his first Test cap for Wales.
Sadly the 19-year-old’s debut ended in disappointment as Wayne Pivac’s side suffered an embarrassing defeat as unfancied Georgia claimed a famous 13-12 Autumn Nations Series victory at the Principality Stadium.
Replacement Luka Matkava’s penalty two minutes from time inflicted immeasurable pain on Wales.
Flanker Jac Morgan scored two first-half tries, but Wales huffed and puffed during a miserable second 40 minutes that Georgia dominated.
The countries clash again at next year’s World Cup in France, which is an encounter that Georgia will not fear in any shape or form.
Wing Sandro Todua scored a 59th-minute try, while fly-half Tedo Abzhandadze converted and kicked a penalty as the visitors repeatedly shunted Wales into reverse gear.
He then missed a penalty, but Matkava came up trumps and Wales could have absolutely no complaints.
Wales have won just three of their 11 games this year, and Pivac – who succeeded his fellow New Zealander Warren Gatland after the 2019 World Cup – will now inevitably feel the heat ahead of next weekend’s clash with Australia.
“You have seen a lot of results at the moment that are going against the form-book, and our result is one of those,” Pivac said. “I will be here rolling the sleeves up from tomorrow morning, and we will formulate a plan for the week.
“We are here to do a job, we are totally focused on building towards the World Cup. This is clearly a setback, and we are not proud of that result.”
Asked if he felt his position would now be under threat, Pivac added: “Again, that is a question for other people, I would guess.
“We’ve done it (turned things around) before. Unfortunately, we’ve had to do it one time too many from my point of view. It is not a nice place to be. Seven days is a long time in rugby, and we will look at it all, including pulling the game to bits. We have to make sure we get the performance we are all happy with and proud of in seven days’ time.”
