Georgia
Rugby: 14-man Brave Blossoms wilt against Georgia
Down a man for most of the game, Japan fell 25-23 to Georgia on Saturday in Eddie Jones’ second test since being re-appointed head coach.
With a Georgia player in the sin bin and their numbers even, the Brave Blossoms took their last lead at Yurtec Stadium Sendai when Tomoki Osada crossed in the 64th minute after a spell of prolonged pressure at the try line.
Down two men after a 72nd-minute yellow card, the hosts foiled a series of Georgia attacks but surrendered the winning try as the Lelos’ size and power eventually proved unstoppable.
Japan started extremely well as Jone Naikabula scored an impressive third-minute try as a result of a speedy unstructured attack that had Georgia on the back foot from the opening kickoff.
Japan’s Jone Naikabula opens the scoring with a try against Georgia in their rugby test at Yurtec Stadium Sendai on July 13, 2024. (Kyodo)
A pair of Luka Matkava penalties brought Georgia within a point at 7-6 before Lee Seung Sin kicked one in return for Japan.
The game then turned when Kanji Shimokawa was sent off for dangerous play, and Georgia responded immediately with hooker Vano Karkadze scoring from a rolling maul to make it 11-10.
A second penalty from Lee and a converted Mikheil Alania try saw Georgia lead 18-13 at the half. Lee’s third penalty goal cut Japan’s deficit to two points to set up the wild finish.
“We had opportunities to win the game, but we weren’t quite good enough under the circumstances,” Jones said. “I’m respectful of the effort we put in but congratulations to Georgia.”
Japan, who lost 52-17 to England on June 22, will take on Italy on July 21 at Sapporo Dome.
Japan players (in white and red) show their disappointment after losing their rugby test to Georgia at Yurtec Stadium Sendai on July 13, 2024. (Kyodo)
Related coverage:
Rugby: Michael Leitch shifts to 2nd row for Japan clash with Georgia
Rugby: Japan international Saito moves to French powerhouse Toulouse
Rugby: Japan XV beat Maori All Blacks in non-test match
Georgia
DHS appears to axe plan to construct immigration detention megacenter in small Georgia town
Georgia
Proposed Georgia bill restricts voting to U.S. citizens
GEORGIA, Ga. (WALB) — A new bill introduced to the Georgia Senate could create a constitutional amendment to restrict voting to legal U.S. citizens.
The bill, Senate Resolution 4EX says, “No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be entitled to vote at any election by the people.”
If passed, Georgians will vote on the constitutional amendment in the November election.
Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger said “I have been calling on the legislature for years to pass this amendment to the state constitution. I am glad to see the legislature finally act to ensure only American citizens are voting in our elections.”
According to Raffensperger, Georgia was the first state in the nation to conduct citizen verification of voter rolls. Since 2022, Raffensperger’s office conducted two citizenship audits of Georgia’s voter rolls.
SR 4EX Text
“Casting a vote is one of the most important elements of American citizenship. Any illegal vote dilutes the value of a citizen’s lawfully cast ballot. U.S. Citizens should decide Georgia elections. Period. I urge the legislature to pass this important legislation.”
The state uses information from the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) to identify people who are non-citizens. This data is based on documents provided to DDS, through its REAL ID drivers licenses or state identification cards.
That information is also ran through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to verify an individual’s citizenship status.
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Georgia
Social media reacts to Oklahoma’s dominant win over Georgia
The Oklahoma Sooners left no doubt in their 11-4 win over the Georgia Bulldogs to advance to the College World Series finals. It is OU’s second trip to the finals since 2022 but this one feels far more improbable.
A bubble team toward the end of the regular season and down 8-2 in an elimination game against Georgia Tech, Oklahoma has defied the odds and powered its way to the finals in Omaha. On Wednesday night, the Sooners hit five home runs against a Bulldogs team that led the nation in home runs per game this season.
Jason Walk got the home run party started, and Dasan Harris hit a pair of two-run bombs to help Oklahoma separate from one of the best teams in college baseball.
From the mound, freshman Nick Wesloski put together a strong performance for the Sooners, allowing just one earned run in 5.2 innings pitched. L.J. Mercurius worked 3.1 and allowed just one earned run against the vaunted Georgia offense.
Everything is clicking for Oklahoma heading into the finals, which begins on Saturday. They’ll face a good North Carolina Tar Heels for all the marbles. But before we get to the championship series, here’s a look at how social media reacted to the Sooners win over Georgia.
Playing for a Natty
Incredible Job by Skip Johnson
Definition of Team
Just Unreal
Got Hot at the Right Time
The Moment from the Dugout
Freshmen Phenoms
Nothing Easy, Everything Earned
Team of Destiny?
Exceeding All Expectations
Dasan Harris is that Dude
Incredible Story
Sooner Magic is alive and well
Playing for a trophy
Time to lay it all on the line
Just doing ridiculous things
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
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