Uruguay stun Fiji in Rugby World Cup upset for the ages in Japan
Not so long ago Fiji looked like stunning the Wallabies now they have fallen in one of the greatest upsets in the history of the Rugby World Cup.
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Fiji came out of the gates at this Rugby World Cup looking like they would pull the upset of the tournament over the Wallabies, they didn’t.
And oh how things have changed.
One game later they have become the victim of one of the biggest World Cup upsets in history, beaten 30-27 by minnows Uruguay.
It left the Rugby world shocked as the commentators lost their minds.
“One of the great upsets in the history of the World cup,” Fox Sports Nick McArdle said before former Wallaby Greg Martin lauded Uruguay.
“That’s the most amazing thing I’ve seen — the second greatest upset of all time.”
For Martin it paled behind Japan upsetting the Springboks in the previous World Cup.
Uruguay captain Juan Manuel Gaminara was full of tears as he spoke post-match of his joy as his teammates partied in the stands with their friends and family.
“I am really proud of my country,” Gaminara said.
“We are not the biggest, we are not the tallest but I am really proud of my country.
“We have never taken anything for granted. I don’t want this to end.”
Scenes! @rugbyuruguay celebrate their win in style at #RWCKamaishi #RWC2019 #FIJvURU pic.twitter.com/vKQJ4ySg5b
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 25, 2019
"We are preparing for this match for four years. We are a team and we win like a team!"@RugbyUruguay head coach Esteban Meneses sums up his sides historic win at #RWC2019 in perfect post match interview #FIJvURU #RWCKamaishi pic.twitter.com/FvbGbdIxox
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 25, 2019
Fiji were left to lament the loss and had rested 12 of their best players for the match, it came back to haunt them as their errors cost them dearly.
“Everything went wrong today,” said their captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu.
Fiji’s hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages now hang by a thread.
The thrilling game had a much deeper significance as it was played in Kamaishi, one of the towns hardest-hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated north-eastern Japan.
The stadium, the only purpose-built venue at the Rugby World Cup, was built on the site of a school destroyed by the waves and hosting the match was seen as a powerful sign of recovery.
As Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino looked on, the crowd observed a moment’s silence to remember the more than 1,000 people killed in the tsunami, several children in the crowd removing their caps and bowing their heads in prayer.
With emotions running high, Fiji were first on the scoresheet in the seventh minute, Mesulame Dolokoto dotting down to complete a slick line-out move that came after a delightful chip and catch by fullback Alivereti Veitokani.
But Uruguay hit back via a run from scrum-half Santiago Arata, one of the smallest players on the pitch, who evaded several tackles before touching down under the posts for an easy conversion.
Fiji’s huge forward superiority eventually told as prop Eroni Mawi bundled over from close range. But Uruguay, ranked nine places below Fiji, refused to go away and again took the lead as No 8 Manuel Diana barged over for a converted try.
And the minnows leapt further ahead with 26 minutes on the clock, Juan Manuel Cat finishing off a flowing move down the left — that was followed by a penalty from Felipe Berchesi.
Five-eighth Berchesi kicked two more penalties in the second half to keep the scoreboard ticking over as the Fijians fought to get back in the game and Los Teros held on to claim their third victory in 12 World Cup matches.
—With AFP
Originally published as Uruguay stun Fiji in Rugby World Cup upset for the ages in Japan