Australia claim hard-fought victory over plucky Georgia in Sydney

Tries from Hunter Paisami, Rob Valetini (2), Isaac Kailea and Fraser McReight (2) saw the hosts see off a dangerous Lelos team, with Ben Donaldson kicking 10 points.

Mikheili Babunashvili, Davit Niniashvili and Akaki Tabutsadze (2) went over for Georgia on the night, as they gave Australia a real scare early in the second period.

The Wallabies played with real tempo in the first half as tries from Paisami, Valetini, Kailea and McReight sent them into the break with a healthy 26-10 advantage.

However, it was Georgia who struck first in the game after Angus Blyth was pinged for holding on, Luka Matkava successfully putting them ahead on five minutes.

That sparked the Wallabies into life though as quick ball allowed Valetini to make decent ground before Tate McDermott found Len Ikitau, who sent Paisami over.

Donaldson would add the two but he was unsuccessful with his second attempt, this after Valetini cleverly spun through contact from close range on 13 minutes.

Australia were now purring and with McDermott dictating play from the base, his scamper into the Georgian 22 led to prop Kailea powering over for a 19-3 buffer.

Georgia desperately needed a response and it came on 34 minutes when sustained pressure in the hosts' 22 resulted in Babunashvili scoring to reduce the deficit.

Helping their cause was a yellow card for Filipo Daugunu as his attempted charge down of Sandro Todua's kick ahead saw his knee catch the Georgian wing's face.

The visitors couldn't make their numerical advantage count before the break though as it was in fact Australia, through flank McReight, who crossed in the final play.

The second 40 resumed with a further update on Daugunu, whose yellow card was upgraded to red that meant his stint on the sidelines was extended to 20 minutes.

Georgia came out firing and crucially crossed first when a fortuitous kick ahead from star Niniashvili ricocheted back into his hands and he crossed on 43 minutes.

Things would get even better for Richard Cockerill's men moments later when turnover ball on their own line found Tabutsadze, who kicked ahead and chased hard. His efforts were rewarded as the bounce found his grasp and he set off on a clear run to the try-line. With Matkava's conversion it was suddenly a two-point game.

Georgia's momentum was halted, however, when Niniashvili was sin-binned for hands in the ruck before Valetini scored his second, with all the back-row involved.

That theme continued in the 63rd minute when McReight crashed over for his second score, this after being denied moments earlier due to obstruction at the maul.

But Georgia refused to give up the fight and when Tedo Abzhandadze found space to run, he fed Tabutsadze who fended the last man to go over for his own brace.

That was to be the final score in a thoroughly enjoyable contest as Schmidt continues his 100 per cent record as boss while Georgia can take plenty from this defeat. 

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