Tonga scored three tries in the final quarter as they came from behind to beat Georgia 23-9 in Tbilisi on Saturday.
Trailing 9-6 on the hour mark, the Islanders turned on the gas, scoring three unanswered tries in 12 minutes to kick off their European tour with a bang.
Replacement scrum-half Taniela Moa came off the bench to score two tries while full-back Vungakoto Lilo added the final nail in the coffin.
Georgia led 6-3 at the interval thanks to two penalties from full-back Kvirikashvili.
Tonga pivot Kurt Morath leveled the scores from the kicking tee soon after the break before Kvirikashvili nudged his side ahead again with half an hour to play.
It was all Tonga in the closing stages though.
The scorers:
For Georgia:
Pens: Kvirikashvili 3
Yellow card: Tkhilaishvili
For Tonga:
Tries: Moa 2, Lilo
Con: Fosita
Pens: Morath 2
Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Irakli Machkhaneli, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 9 Giorgi Begadze, 8 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 7 Viktor Kolelishvili, 6 Giga Tkhilaishvili, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Konstantin Mikautadze, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.
Replacements: 16 Simon Maisuradze, 17 Zurabi Zhvania, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Giorgi Nemsadze, 20 Lasha Lomidze, 21 Vazha Khutsishvili, 22 Lasha Malaguradze, 23 Sandro Todua.
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 David Halaifonua, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Hemani Paea, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Joe Tu'ineau, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Sila Puafisi, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Tevita Mailau.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Siua Halanukonuka, 18 Paea Fa'anunu, 19 Lisiate Fa'aoso, 20 Hale T Pole, 21 Taniela Moa, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 Otulea Katoa.
Venue: Mikheil Meshki Stadium, Tbilisi
Referee: Pascal Gauz
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