Saturday, November 15, 2025 (Batumi, Georgia) – Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team put on a strong display despite a 38-17 defeat to 11th-ranked Georgia.
Canada knew that Georgia would be one of the toughest matches in this Autumn Test Series, and Georgia lived up to their World Rugby ranking with their strong scrum and defence. Georgia, who defeated the United States 43-30 last weekend, is notorious for challenging opponents with their offence. Canada managed to stay competitive throughout the match, demonstrating their ability to play amongst highly ranked teams.
GEORGIA DEFENCE KEEPS CANADA AT BAY
Canada started off the first half confident with some quick sequences deep in Georgia’s end. But after an early penalty from Canada in the scrum, the tide quickly turned for Georgia, who would end up just outside Canada’s 22.
Georgia’s first attack in Canada’s end moved quickly through hands to find winger Shalva Aptsiauri on the outside, who notched the first try of the match in the 7th minute, making it 5-0.
After some back-and-forth kicking from both teams, Canada was awarded a penalty from Georgia’s Dato Abdushelishvili for being off his feet in a ruck and opted to kick just inside the 22. Peter Nelson nailed it, and Canada got on the board 5-3 in the 22nd minute.
25th-minute and Georgia returned with their bread-and-butter rolling maul, gaining yards before cycling it out to the wing for Demur Tapladze to score a try, making it 10-3. This time, fly-half Tedo Abzhandadze converted, putting the score 12-3 for Georgia.
Canada continued to have opportunities in the first half with a yellow card for Georgia due to a deliberate knock on in the 35th minute. However, two minutes later, Georgia would take advantage of a gap in Canada’s defence with Aptsiauri sneaking through to notch his second try, closing out the half 17-3 with the missed conversion.
CANADA SHOWS PROMISE, BUT GEORGIA’S OFFENSE CHUGS AWAY
Georgia, still down a man from the yellow card, came out hot with a try in the 44th minute from none other than winger Aptsiauri, who secured a hat-trick and grew the lead to 22-3. Abzhandadze snuck the conversion in off the posts and made it 24-3 for Georgia.
Despite glimmers of strong sequences from Canada and a good rolling maul, Georgia held strong and got back on the board in the 52nd minute, moving the ball out wide to Giorgi Kveseladze, who tumbled his way across the try line. Georgia led 29-3. Abzhandadze made a tough kick and spread the lead to 31-3.
Shortly after, Canada began to find their groove with Nic Benn weaving through traffic near the Georgia try line but facing stiff opposition. Canada recycled and managed to edge through Georgia’s defence with a nice pick and go play from Brock Gallagher to get Canada’s first try in the 55th minute, making it 31-8. Nelson kicked the easy conversion and grabbed another two for Canada, 31-10.
Canada went down a man with a yellow card for Siôn Parry for entering the ruck from the side in the 63rd minute. Georgia capitalized on this opportunity by utilizing their rolling maul deep in Canada’s end with Tornike Jalagonia touching it down to spread the lead to 36-10. Abzhandadze made the conversion to put Georgia up 38-10.
Canada got a real opportunity as Georgia was penalized twice in the 70th and 71st minutes with yellow cards for repeated offsides. Despite only being a few yards out from the try line, Georgia forced a penalty and won possession.
Canada earned one last opportunity with a strong run from Nic Benn, and Siôn Parry eventually pounced on the Georgia try line in the 78th minute to make it 38-15. Nelson added the conversion to close out the match at 38–17.
FROM THE COACH
“We didn’t manage our possession as well as we could or should have, and the turnovers really went against us,” said Head Coach Stephen Meehan. “If we can tidy up those errors and improve our game management, we’ll be better equipped to control the pressure we put on the opposition. That’s something we can address collectively through our review and our training.”
Meehan noted an aspect of the match the team has been working on implementing: “One positive was the opening 20 minutes — we competed throughout, and the players felt that. We’ve been working hard to start well, so it’s encouraging to see progress there.”
Meehan would reflect on some key performances from players who made an impact in today’s match: “It was also Matthew Oworu’s best performance since Spain, and as part of the back row, he continues to contribute strongly to that area. Nic Benn played very well again — another high-quality performance from him.”
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Brock Gallagher (55’), Siôn Parry (77’)
Conversions: Peter Nelson (2)
Penalty Goals: Peter Nelson (22’)
NEXT UP FOR CANADA
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team will finish off their final Autumn Test match against Portugal on Saturday, November 22, 2025, 8:00 am PT / 11:00 am ET / 4:00 pm Local. Broadcast information will be announced shortly.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S ROSTER VS GEORGIA
1. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC / Utah Warriors (6 Caps)
2. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves (11 Caps)
3. Cole Keith (Sussex, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks (42 Caps)
4. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – New England Free Jacks (11 Caps)
5. Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Bridgend Ravens (1 Cap)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (18 Caps)
7. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds (63 Caps)
8. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Chicago Hounds (15 Caps)
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution / Chicago Hounds (26 Caps)
10. Robbie Povey (Calgary, AB) – Rotherham Titans / Utah Warriors (18 Caps)
11. Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Utah Warriors (11 Caps)
12. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (9 Caps)
13. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys / Utah Warriors (12 Caps)
14. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – New England Free Jacks / Toronto Saracens (12 Caps)
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC (33 Caps)
FINISHERS
16. Austin Creighton (Edmonton, AB) -Nor’Westers Athletic Association / James Bay AA (2 Caps)
17. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Southern Districts (2 Caps)
18. Matt Tierney (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (28 Caps)
19. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Capilano RFC (11 Caps)
20. Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) – James Bay AA / NOLA Gold (8 Caps)
21. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (14 Caps)
22. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves (10 Caps)
23. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Westshore RFC (2 Caps)
