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
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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South Africa 76-0 Romania, 80 mins
Makazole Mapimpi named player of the match. He’s scored a hat-trick, so it’s fair enough, but Kwagga Smith deserves a serious nod for his breakdown work and turnover count.
Scrum in midfield, free-kick to South Africa as the clock turns red. We’re gonna reset with a Springbok put-in this time. Final knockings.
South Africa 76-0 Romania, 78 mins
Some, frankly ineffectual, phases and the Oaks then knock on in contact. Probably a fitting summary of their day - they’ve been outclassed here, completely understandably I hasten to add.
South Africa 76-0 Romania, 77 mins
Into the final couple of minutes. Romania have a lineout on the 22. Can they get anything from their day?
TRY! South Africa 76-0 Romania (Willie le Roux, 74 mins)
And another! Willie le Roux has his first World Cup try. Remarkable really, given what a great player he’s been and that he’s at his third tournament.
The Springboks have played an expansive game in this second half, they go from left to right, Le Roux has Mapimpi outside him but slides through a gap himself and runs over the line. De Klerk’s conversion hits the post
South Africa 71-0 Romania, 72 mins
Desperate scramble defence from Romania. Steven Kitshoff lowers his shoulder and smashes defenders out of the way down the right flank, rumbling forward.
He’s eventually hauled down metres from the line, Hendrikse picks and goes for the corner but two defenders just drag him out short of the line.
South Africa 71-0 Romania, 70 mins
Another Romania attack ends with a penalty. 17 penalties conceded this match by the Oaks - there’s been no cohesion from them.
Van Staden, who hasn’t played hooker since his school days, faced with a lineout but it’s nicely executed. Won easily by the Springboks.
TRY! South Africa 71-0 Romania (Makazole Mapimpi, 67 mins)
And now a hat-trick for Makazole Mapimpi. A lineout just inside the Romania half drives forward to give front-foot ball.
It’s then spread out to the left, Le Roux perfectly times his pass to Mapimpi to stretch his legs and go over in the corner.
Nice conversion by De Klerk from out wide. 70 points up and going at more than a point per minute as we enter the final 10.
TRY! South Africa 64-0 Romania (Makazole Mapimpi, 63 mins)
Two tries in as many minutes for the Boks. They go from their own 22 to a try in a matter of seconds.
Good awareness by De Klerk on a turnover, the ball is spread along the line out to Makazole Mapimpi on the left wing, he bursts into space, steps the defender and then races away for the try.
Too easy really but pure gas from Mapimpi - a winger in full flight is a great sight. His eighth World Cup try in seven matches.
TRY! South Africa 59-0 Romania (Grant Williams, 62 mins)
Another attacking scrum and another try for South Africa.
The scrum steadily marches forward, the ball is flipped to Faf de Klerk in the 10 channel by Hendrikse, he pops it back inside to an onrushing Grant Williams who has run a great line and bursts across the whitewash. Lovely first-phase move.
De Klerk now on kicking duty and he adds the extras
South Africa 52-0 Romania, 60 mins
South Africa showing more innovation as Marco van Staden, wearing No 6 on his back and having played the first hour in the back row, steps up to hooker at this scrum.
Thinking outside the box to solve their hooker woes. The first scrum is solid and the Boks are well into the 22.
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