SANDY PARK, Exeter -- Both Georgia and Namibia made World Cup history on Wednesday night but it was a case of mixed emotions for respective head coaches Milton Haig and Phil Davies.

Georgia's scrappy 17-16 triumph in south-west England marked the first time the Lelos had achieved two pool victories in the same tournament and, should the All Blacks beat Tonga on Friday, it will see them automatically qualify for a World Cup for the first time in their history.

In an error-strewn match, Namibia ran Haig's side extremely close as Theuns Koetze's late try set up a grandstand finish at a packed-out Sandy Park, with it earning the Welwitschias' first ever World Cup point.

However, Georgia held on for a famous victory and, for Haig, it marked a successful end to four years' preparation. "We were sitting there thinking 'golly gosh we've won this' but there wasn't the elation that you'd normally expect," Haig said.

Georgia have almost secured automatic qualification for the first time in their history © Getty Images

Enlarge

"It sunk in once you saw the fans at the bottom by the pitch. And sitting in the dressing room -- I don't mean to sound contrite about this -- it felt like we'd conquered Everest -- we'd finally done it.

"It was pretty surreal. We were all pretty disappointed with how we'd played the game because we made it really hard for ourselves. We made a couple of really silly decisions right near the end that just about cost us the game.

"It was one of those ugly games really, but we still managed to win it. In the long run, whether you create history with a one-point win or a 20-point win, it doesn't really matter. You've still created history and that is what we've managed to do for Georgian rugby. I'm very proud to be part of that process and happy that we managed to see that through."

However, Haig was quick to point out that automatic qualification for Japan 2019 is not technically secure, although Pool C rivals Tonga face a hard task in getting past his native New Zealand -- the defending champions -- in Newcastle.

"We've done our part in trying to get through," Haig added. "Knowing the All Blacks as I do, they're not going to want to trip up in that last pool match, that's for sure. We'll be watching with interest and we'd be pretty bloody disappointed if Tonga turned it around and knocked the All Blacks over."

Namibia may go home with the wooden spoon but they will be safe in the knowledge that they've ruffled more than a few feathers on the world stage. In an agonising but valiant defeat, which also saw three separate players sent to the sin bin, Davies' side proved they are no pushovers.

The nation that suffered a record 142-0 World Cup defeat to Australia 12 years ago is but a distant memory.

"I'm immensely proud," Davies said of his team's efforts. "We said before the game we wanted the players to play with emotion and put in a real performance from the heart. I thought they were magnificent.

"It was tough at times where indiscipline cost us with a few yellow cards, but we kept going and kept trying to play. To come back like we did towards the end and nearly snatch victory was amazing. I'm so proud of everybody. It's our first World Cup point. It was a good night for us despite the result."