Rugby World Cup 2019 – Georgia vs Fiji: Result and reaction from Pool D fixture

Re-live all the action from the Hanazono Rugby Stadium

Rugby World Cup 2019 in numbers

Fiji finally found their flair as they bounced back from their shock World Cup defeat by Uruguay with a resounding 45-10 win over Georgia that sent a warning to their next opponents Wales.

Back-to-back defeats at the hands of Australia and Uruguay had left Fiji bottom of Pool D but a bonus-point victory over Georgia boosted their hopes of a top-three finish that would guarantee automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup.

Winger Semi Radradra was the star of the show, helping create his side's first three tries before going on to claim two of his own as Fiji cut loose with 28 points in the last 20 minutes of the match at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka. Re-live the action below:

What time is it?

Georgia vs Fiji kicks off at 2.15pm Japan Standard Time, which is 6.15am BST, on Thursday 3 October.

Where can I watch it?

ITV4 will be broadcasting the clash. Alternatively, you can live stream the match via the ITV Hub on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Key Points

• Georgia XV: Soso Matiashvili, Giorgi Kveseladze, David Kacharava, Merab Sharikadze (captain), Alexander Todua, Lasha Khmaladze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Beka Gorgadze, Mamuka Gorgodze, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Konstantine Mikautadze, Giorgi Nemsadze, Beka Gigashvili, Shalva Mamukashvili, Mikheil Nariashvili.
• Fiji XV: Kini Murimurivalu, Josua Tuisova, Waisea Nayacalevu, Lepani Botia, Semi Radradra, Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani, Peceli Yato, Semi Kunatani, Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Manasa Saulo, Samuel Matavesi, Campese Ma’afu.

[3 October 2019 06:16 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ben Volavola hoists the kick-off and we are underway

[3 October 2019 06:18 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

1 minute

Georgia's first exit is good, with Mamuka Gorgodze gaining ground with a charge and Vasil Lobzhinadze boxing well from the base.

Fiji try to bring Radradra off his wing from the first lineout but Georgia marshal it well, and Radradra can't gather.

[3 October 2019 06:20 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

3 minutes

Fiji attack from another lineout near halfway, and make metres, with both locks biffing a tackler away as they get into their game early on. Levani Botia slips a tackle with a big left handed fend, and then Leone Nakarawa release a lovely offload to send a scrum-capped Peceli Yato init the Georgia 22.

[3 October 2019 06:21 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

4 minutes

Yato takes on three Georgians on his own and nearly manages to slither away from them, but when he is hauled back the Fiji attack stalls, and the ball is knocked forward as they try to work something intricate to build momentum. It is wet out there. Georgia scrum.

[3 October 2019 06:22 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

5 minutes

Fiji are the underdogs at scrum time with a considerable weight advantage for Georgia to utilise, but it is an even first contest, and when it begins to shift it is sideways.

Referee Paul Williams orders a reset.

[3 October 2019 06:23 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

6 minutes

Another even scrum and an excellent high kick from Georgia, supported by a superb chase from Davit Kacharava, who bundles catcher Kini Murimurivalu into touch.

[3 October 2019 06:24 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

7 minutes

Fiji make a no arms tackle at the back of the lineout. Dominiko Waqaniburotu pinged by the referee. Georgia kick into the Fiji 22.

[3 October 2019 06:26 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

9 minutes

Georgia work the ball to the outside and the Fijian defence is turned in, but Josua Tuisova does well to flip his hips and sprint after Soso Matiashvili, forcing his grubber into touch.

Fiji throw the five metre lineout quickly! Ambition or foolishness, they win a penalty after a couple of risky offloads. Not the conditions nor the area for that, really, but Fiji are going to Fiji. 

[3 October 2019 06:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

11 minutes

The ball is ripped away from Georgian hands by Peceli Yato, getting his monstrous right hand on to it and pulling it out like stuffing from a pillow.

His rip just bounces forward into the hands of Semi Radradra in space, which Giorgi Kveseladze is rather grateful for. 

[3 October 2019 06:29 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

12 minutes

There is the Georgian scrum! Beka Gigashvili causes Campese Ma'afu to turn in and pull the scrum down. Penalty, and another lineout in advanced position for the Lelos.