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Australia v Fiji LIVE: Result and reaction from thrilling Rugby World Cup clash

Australia 15-22 Fiji: Fiji keep their quarter-final hopes alive with a first win over the Wallabies since 1954

Luke Baker
Sunday 17 September 2023 18:54 BST
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(Getty Images)

Fiji threw the outcome of Rugby World Cup Pool C wide open with a 22-15 win over Australia, in the first upset result of the tournament in France.

Fiji, who had lost narrowly to Wales in their opening game, are now in line for a spot in the knockout stages, leaving Australia needing to beat the Welsh and setting up the prospect of a nail-biting tussle to decide the top two places in the pool.

Simione Kuruvoli kicked four first-half penalties to give Fiji, better known for their running rugby, a 12-8 lead at the break and a Wallaby defensive error allowed Josua Tuisova to score a try early in the second half.

Fiji opened up a 22-8 lead with 12 minutes left before Suli Vunivalu reduced the deficit with a try for Australia, for whom Mark Nawaqanitawase also scored a first-half try, but Fiji held on for a first win over the Wallabies since 1954.

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FULL-TIME! Australia 15-22 Fiji

Pool C is wide, wide open. Who do you fancy to get through now? Wales vs Australia next Sunday is absolutely huge.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:50

FULL-TIME! Australia 15-22 Fiji

Wow! What a brilliant 80-minute display from all 23 men in the Fiji squad. They fully deserved that win - they controlled the game, dominated the breakdown with turnover after turnover and took their points through the exquisite kicking of Simione Kuruvoli.

Then, when they had the opportunity, snatch a try through Josua Tuisova and that ultimately proved enough.

A first win over Australia since 1954 and keeps their hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals very much alive

Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:45

FULL-TIME! Australia 15-22 Fiji

Lomani misses the penalty but it’s hard enough to go dead. FIJI WIN!

What a performance!

(REUTERS)
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:42

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 80 mins

Oooh, interesting call. Fiji going for the posts to try and deny Australia a losing bonus point.

It’s on the 10-metre line, so if Lomani misses he has to make sure it goes dead so the Aussies can’t return it.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:41

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 80 mins

HUGE HUGE SCRUM! Fiji splinter the Wallaby front row and win the penalty! Massive roars from the crowd.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:40

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 80 mins

Knocked on! Australia will have a scrum as the clock ticks red. Last play and they need a converted try to draw.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:39

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 79 mins

Australia deep in their own 22 so have to clear. Good kick towards halfway.

This time Fiji win the ball on their own throw! They set up the maul. 30 seconds to kill.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:39

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 78 mins

Scrum is good this time. And Fiji on the attack!

Waisea Nayacalevu slips between defenders towards the 22, throws a pass out wide right to Vinaya Habosi and there’s green space in front of him but great scramble defence across by Australia to force him into touch.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:38

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 78 mins

A scrum wheels but Andrew Brace determines it has gone straight up, so just a reset. Fijian put-in on halfway.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:37

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 78 mins

Into the final couple of minutes... Fiji are agonisingly close to their first win over Australia since 1954. But there’s still work to be done.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:36

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