By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor
Australia………………..15
Tries: Nawaqanitawase 23, Suli Vunivalu 68
Conversion: Donaldson 70
Penalties: Donaldson 3
Fiji…………………………..22
Tries: Tuisova 43
Conversion: Kuruvoli 44
Penalties: Kuruvoli 12, 21, 27, 33, Lomani 66
It was do or die for Fiji to keep their chances up of qualifying for the knockout stages and Simon Raiwalui’s side delivered victory over Eddie Jones‘ Australia.
Having lost a heartbreaker to Wales last weekend, Fiji needed a win to keep up with their pool D rivals.
Led by captain Waisea Nayacalevu, potent goal kicker Simione Kurivoli and their star studded names across both their backline and forward pack, Fiji delivered a composed performance and were worthy winners in arguably the game of the tournament so far.
Australia took the lead through a Ben Donaldson penalty as Fiji made an erratic start committing silly errors.
Lekima Tagitagivalu, from virtually a standing start, stormed through Fiji-born Wallaby wing Marika Koroibete after a powerful carry and moments later the Pacific Island side equalised through a penalty inside the Australia half as Kuruvoli knocked over the three points.
Fiji took the lead through scrum-half Kuruvoli’s second penalty but it was Australia that scored the game’s opening try.
Nic White hit a sublime 50:22 resulting in the Wallabies having a lineoput just eight metres out.
Mark Nawaqanitawase took it quickly and after playing a neat one-two with Samu Kerevi the winger touched down.
White was penalised for a high tackle on Kuruvoli and despite protests the decision should have been upgraded to a card, the potent kicker brushed himself on and knocked over a third three-pointer.
La Rochelle‘s Levani Botia was a menace at the breakdown proving an irremovable object for the Australian cleaners.
Kuruvoli made it four from four from the tee as Fiji stretched their lead to four points.
At the start of the second half, Australia failed to claim a Kuruvoli box kick and Josua Tuisova grabbed it and ran clear to score.
Frank Lomani took over kicking responsibilities following star man Kuruvoli’s withdrawal and the former missed a kick at goal to end Fiji’s 100 per cent goal kicking success rate.
Lomani scored a penalty in front of the posts to increase the margin to 14 points.
Suliasi Vunivalu picked up from the base of the ruck and powered his way to the line to ground the ball with an outstretched arm.
Ben Donaldson added the extras and suddenly Australia were within striking distance.
Fiji spilled the ball forward with just 30 seconds on the clock giving Australia a scrum as last play was called by the referee.
However, the scrum was wheeled and the Fiji front row earned a match winning penalty.
