The All Blacks XV completed their short European tour undefeated with a tenacious 31-13 win over Georgia.
It was a 67th minute rolling maul try to Chiefs hooker Bradley Slater that finally extinguished the brave challenge from the Georgians at GL Stadium in Montpellier, France on Sunday (Monday NZ Time).
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The lineout drive was a pot of gold for the ABs XV. Hooker Kurt Eklund scored twice from rumbles near the chalk, each time combining with Bay of Plenty teammate Naitoa Ah Kuoi. In 27 first-class matches this season, Eklund has 13 tries.
Georgia started at a furious pace with a massive scrum penalty on halfway and a sustained attack that lasted 28 phases. Eventually hooker Vano Karkadze, who plays Top 14 rugby for the locals Montpellier, planted the ball over the line.
The All Blacks XV regrouped quickly with lineout muscle and a slick try for right wing Dallas McLeod in the 21st minute. It was created by a rapid Josh Jacomb pass after a purposeful burst by fullback Sean Stevenson. McLeod scored seven tries in 10 games for Canterbury in the 2024 NPC.
Georgia first-five Luka Matkava reduced the deficit to 12-10 with a 40m penalty but in the 33rd minute the ABs XV underscored their set piece superiority with a powerhouse scrum that saw halfback Vasil Lobzhanidze yellow-carded.
Rival No 9 Finlay Christie (23 All Blacks tests) capitalised on the shortage of numbers with a simple dot down after earnest forward work.
ABs XV wing Kini Naholo was lucky not to concede a penalty try when holding back centre Giorgi Kveseladze chasing a kick into the in-goal area. A penalty from 10 metres out to Matkava made it 19-13 at halftime.
In the 44th minute, the polished pair of Ah Kuoi and Eklund, who combined for 28 tackles, hurt Georgia again with a lineout drive try to make it 24-13.
Momentum swung back to Georgia in the 51st minute when Man of the Match Du'Plessis Kirifi (10 tackles, five carries) had a try overturned by the television match official.
Georgia attacked relentlessly and there were key saves from replacement halfback Noah Hotham, Jacomb, and wing Quinn Tupaea.
On the hour mark, the ABs XV second-five Riley Higgins was penalised and reserve hooker Luka Nioradze rumbled over from the corresponding lineout. The try was overruled after an obstruction by reserve loose forward Luka Ivanishvili.
With 18 carries Lyon fullback Davit Niniashvili (31 tests, 10 tries, 18 wins) was eager for work and the most lively Georgian on attack. With 24 tackles and a dozen carries Tornike Jalagonia never stopped working.
The All Blacks XV, with eight changes from the 38-24 Munster win a week earlier, stood up to the feisty Georgia forwards.
All Blacks XV 31 (Kurt Eklund 2, Dallas McLeod, Finlay Christie, Bradley Slater tries; Josh Jacomb 3 con) Georgia 13 (Vano Karkadze try; Luka Matkava con, 2 pen). HT: 19-13