Georgia head coach Milton Haig has heaped praise on captain Mamuka Gorgodze following his man-of-the-match performance against Tonga at Kingsholm this afternoon.

The number eight made 27 tackles and scored a first-half try to help his side to a famous 17-10 victory over the Pacific Islanders in their opening match of the Rugby World Cup.

Gorgodze led by example as Georgia put in a sterling defensive effort to keep Tonga at bay, and Haig talked up the 31-year-old's importance to the team after the match.

"He's absolutely crucial. He's our captain, so he's a vital team member. He's a guy that the rest of the guys rally around, so obviously he's very important to us," he told Sports Mole.

Gorgodze's try was his 24th at international level, extending his lead at the top of Georgia's all-time try scorers list.