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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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Australia 3-3 Fiji, 20 mins

There’s still an element of these sides feeling each other out as we reach the midway point of this first half.

Samuel Matavesi and Levani Botia with powerful carries before a penalty at the breakdown. Kuruvoli will go for the posts from long range - 44 metres out, slightly left of the posts

Luke Baker17 September 2023 17:09

Australia 3-3 Fiji, 18 mins

Fiji always happy to spread the ball wide, even from set-pieces deep in their own half. It makes for fantastic rugby to watch.

A spill on halfway gives Australia decent position but Nic White with a wry smile as his chip over the top just bounces out the side of the in-goal area. Millimetres away from that bouncing out on the other side of the corner post and being a lineout on their own line for Fiji.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 17:08

Australia 3-3 Fiji, 16 mins

A couple of scrum resets but eventually Fiji win the ball and Radradra takes them into the Wallabies half as they spread the ball left.

BOOM! Great hit by Samu Kerevi on Radradra stops him in his tracks though and they win the penalty at the breakdown.

Rob Valetini then knocks on in contact though. Plenty of turnovers in the early going due to the physicality of the hits.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 17:05

Australia 3-3 Fiji, 13 mins

BANG! Fiji prop Eroni Mawi lays a huge hit on Australia fly half Carter Gordon - no room down the blindside there, Carter...

The ball squirts free and gives Fiji a scrum on their own 22. Good defensive hit from Mawi.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 17:02

PENALTY! Australia 3-3 Fiji (Simione Kuruvoli, 11 mins)

Fiji earn a penalty, fairly central, on about the ten-metre line. Without starting 10 Caleb Muntz, they have struggled from the tee but scrum half Simione Kuruvoli is the man on duty today and that’s a great start as he bangs it over.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 17:00

Australia 3-0 Fiji, 10 mins

Mark Nawaqanitawase and Semi Radradra compete in the air for a high ball. Advantage Radradra as Nawaqanitawase knocks on. That’s a battle to watch.

A second scrum and Fiji solid on their own ball, although a wheel means a reset. Solid enough again and a Jiuta Wainiqolo takes them into Australian territory

Luke Baker17 September 2023 16:58

Australia 3-0 Fiji, 7 mins

A patented one-handed carry from the captain Waisea Nayacalevu . The crowd stir when he gets up to speed.

Fiji attacking the wide areas and making some early ground but they’re pinged for a forward pass. on the ten-metre line. First scrum of the day upcoming.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 16:55

Australia 3-0 Fiji, 5 mins

First bit of ball in hand for Fiji. They look to win collisions with their physicality and Australia are happy not to contest the rucks for the time being.

It’s a good defensive set and the ball is spilled after some overly-ambitious offloads. It squirts out for a Fiji lineout on halfway however.

Luke Baker17 September 2023 16:53

PENALTY! Australia 3-0 Fiji (Ben Donaldson, 3 mins)

Good physicality in the early carries from Australia. A second high tackle from the Fijians and the Wallabies have a penalty bang in front of the posts.

Ben Donaldson takes his time lining it up but a simple kick and 3-0 to the Aussies. Perfect start from them

Luke Baker17 September 2023 16:50

Australia 0-0 Fiji, 2 mins

Carter Gordon hit hard after taking a high ball - Fiji laying down a physical marker immediately. But they stray slightly high on a subsequent tackle and the Wallabies can kick into the 22 and build from the lineout

Luke Baker17 September 2023 16:49

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