KEY POINTS:
Argentina 33
Georgia 3
Television commentators were banking on pronouncing a select few of the unfamiliar lengthy Georgian names ahead of their clash with new pool frontrunners Argentina.
Instead the broadcasters were forced to mention the entire roll from prop David Khinchigashvili through to fullback Pavle Jimsheladze and
the bench yesterday as the competition outsiders pushed the Pumas to their limit.
It was only with 40 seconds of the match left at Stade de Gerland in Lyon that wing Federico Martin Aramburu collected a loose pass and out-skated the Georgian defence to seal the Pumas' bonus point victory.
Before that fourth try, the Pumas' frustration showed as replaced hooker Mario Ledesma pelted the advertising hoardings with drink bottles as he and a gloomy dugout squirmed through the last quarter.
They had been forced to back up five days after tipping up hosts France in the opening World Cup match in Paris but should still have made a better effort of dispatching Georgia.
The powerful Puma pack held sway but they were equalled in the mauls, smashed back in tackles and were uneasy from the time skipper Felipe Contepomi spilled the kickoff.
Georgia tractored up to the goal line, won a penalty and Merab Kvirikashvili goaled to the delight of the capacity 40,240 crowd.
There was a large section of Argentine supporters at the ground but they were drowned out by some Georgian fans and the French who booed their conquerors of last week.
Argentina scraped to a 6-3 halftime lead, but the macho gauchos had taken a thumping from the men from the former Soviet bloc nation who are reared on wrestling and heavy physical work.
The bulk of the squad play throughout France because there is no professional league for them at home and were not overawed at all by their entry into their second World Cup.
Away from the scrum, they had the Pumas under the cosh as they bashed and scrapped for every piece of possession in what was a furious physical contest.
Like the US then Canada before them in this tournament, Georgia eventually lost out to some extra finesse from their more highly rated rivals but they provided strong entertainment and debate.
They have just four days to recover for their tilt against Ireland. If they can repeat their physical menace in that game, Ireland may not be in great shape for their following crucial clash with France.
Georgia, meanwhile, will fancy their chances of a first World Cup win if Ireland are off key and certainly against Namibia in their third round clash. Fatigue though and player depth will be their issues.
The Lelos, as they are known, claimed their World Cup place with a 28-14 aggregate playoff victory over fellow qualifier Portugal, who meet the All Blacks at the same Stade De Gerland on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Argentina rested half the side which beat France and had Juan Fernandez Lobbe and Juan Manuel Leguizamon not grafted so hard in the pack there could have been all sorts of recriminations among the Pumas.
Captain and halfback Agustin Pichot did not play and the side's direction disappeared. Five-eighths Juan Martin Hernandez had some smooth touches but he rarely tested the advantage line with his pace and stayed clear of trouble kicking out of the pocket.
The four-try bonus point win has kept the Pumas out front in their pool of death with France and Ireland, and maintained their ambition of finishing top to avoid the All Blacks in a Cardiff quarterfinal.
