Rugby World Cup: Wallabies survive Fiji fright in Sapporo
Outplayed and out-thought in the first hour by a dangerous Fijian team that got a huge lift from ex-Parramatta try-scoring machine Semi Radradra, Australia developed a serious case of stage fright in Sapporo.
Julian Linden
2 min read
September 21, 2019 - 6:27PM
Samu Kerevi takes on Fiji's Semi Radradra. Picture: Getty Images
Australia's World Cup campaign is still alive after they threatened to give their long suffering supporters a heart attack by nearly tripping up at the first hurdle.
Outplayed and out-thought in the first hour by a dangerous Fijian team that got a huge lift from former Parramatta Eels try-scoring machine Semi Radradra, the Wallabies developed a serious case of stage fright before they finally worked out what everyone else in the Sapporo Dome stadium and watching at home already knew.
As noble as it is that the Wallabies intend to play an expansive running game, the reality is they’re just not as good at it as they think and are far more effective when they swallow their pride and take the less spectacular but more reliable direct approach.
The moment they did that against Fiji, the contest was as good as over as the floodgates opened and the Wallabies piled on 27 unanswered points to win their Pool D opener and all but assure themselves of making the quarter-finals even before next week’s crunch match with Wales.
Marika Koroibete celebrates a try with his Wallabies teammates. Picture: Getty Images
NERVOUS START
For a team that has just spent the best part of three months together, the Wallabies looked they were meeting each other on a Tinder date during a clueless start to the match.
Missed tackles, missed kicks, missed passes and missed opportunities - the Wallabies had the lot, and that was just inside the first 10 minutes.
Too many players got isolated and threw passes that weren’t on as the Wallabies tried to play Fiji at their own game, going wide too often too early when what they really needed to do was build some pressure.
Samu Kerevi takes on Fiji's Semi Radradra. Picture: Getty Images
BAD DECISIONS
It was the Pacific Islanders, who are better known for their improvisation than patience, that played the smarter rugby, opening the scoring with a penalty when Nic White got pinged for not releasing then scoring the first try when Peceli Yato crashed through some poor tackling to score out wide.
Down 8-0 after 23 minutes, the penny finally dropped for the Wallabies and they started attacking from closer in.
Michael Hooper forced his way through three defenders to score from close range then Reece Hodge dived over in the corner after another sustained build-up to cut the margin to 14-12 at half-time.
Fiji's Semi Radradra runs past Australia's Marika Koroibete. Picture: AP
BETTER COMPOSURE
A poor pass from Samu Kerevi gifted Fiji a 21-12 lead when Waisea Nayacalevu ran half the length of the field to score but that was the last brain explosion from the Australians for the match.
Tolu Latu was the recipient of two tries off the back of rolling mauls that earned him the man of the match award while Kerevi made up for his earlier blunder with a try and Marika Koroibete gave a hint of what he can do when he gets in space with a flashy touchdown.
Waisea Nayacalevu makes a break to score Fiji's second try. Picture: Getty Images
STRONG SUPPORT
The Wallabies might be on the nose with the rugby-loving public back home with few fans bothering to go to their matches these days but they turned out in massive numbers in Japan.
The stadium was a sea of gold jerseys as thousands of Wallaby supporters made the trip to Japan, all breathing a sigh of relief after the team’s escape.
Head coach Michael Cheika faces some tricky decisions before next week’s clash with Wales with several starting players underperforming and all the kickers having problems while everyone who came off the bench played strongly to push their claims for a spot in the run on side.
– A much better second half from Australia, overcoming a wobbly first half and running in four tries to put an end to a strong challenge from Fiji
– Hooker Tolu Latu had a strong game for the Wallabies, chiming in with back-to-back tries to get his side out of a hole
– Winger Marika Koroibete was an absolute beast, finishing with 158 running metres, six tackle busts, two linebreaks, an offload and one scintillating try
– The Wallabies looked much sharper when Will Genia came on at scrumhalf. Food for thought for Michael Cheika?
– Goalkicking was a bit of a concern for the Wallabies, with three players stepping up to the tee to limited success
Australia has welcomed the release of Jock Palfreeman from detention in Bulgaria, but is concerned he is still being blocked from leaving the country
Billy Freeman
Peep, peep! That's job done for the Wallabies, who overcome a shaky start to run out convincing – enough – winners against Fiji. They trailed 14-12 at the break but ran away with it in the second stanza, Tolu Latu grabbing a double to spark his side to a solid win to start their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign.
FULL-TIME: AUSTRALIA 39 FIJI 21
Dominic Burke
Peep, peep! That's job done for the Wallabies, who overcome a shaky start to run out convincing – enough – winners against Fiji. They trailed 14-12 at the break but ran away with it in the second stanza, Tolu Latu grabbing a double to spark his side to a solid win to start their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign.
73 MINS: AUSTRALIA 39 FIJI 21
Dominic Burke
What a try from the Wallabies, who go left through the hands – and a lovely tip on from Dane Haylett-Petty puts Marika Koroibete away down the left touchline. The flying Fijian does the rest against the country of his birth, racing away to wrap this one up for the Wallabies. Matt To'omua misses the conversion though – this could have been a bit more comfortable if the Aussie goalkickers were on target.
72' | The @wallabies are on fire! Now Koroibete joins the party and the boys look like they're home! 🙌
TRY WALLABIES! Marika Koroibete now and Australia is suddenly looking red hot.
70 MINS: AUSTRALIA 32 FIJI 21
Dominic Burke
Is that enough from the Wallabies? After more good ball for Australia, Samu Kerevi makes it count as he slices over from close range. Matt To'omua ends a run of bad goalkicking by adding the extras from next to the posts and the Wallabies lead by 11 with 10 minutes to go.
Dominic Burke
TRY WALLABIES! Samu Kerevi scores against the country of his birth as Australia push towards victory.
63 MINS: AUSTRALIA 25 FIJI 21
Dominic Burke
What a way to end your Test try-scoring drought. Tolu Latu grabs back-to-back tries for Australia in near identical fashion, finishing off rolling mauls as the Wallabies wrestle the lead from Fiji. It's been a tough period for Fiji, who are down to 14 players after losing Levani Botia to a yellow card. Michael Cheika will be breathing easier as his side takes the lead – and momentum – into the final quarter.
Meanwhile that will do for Latu, who is replaced by Jordan Uelese.
62' | ANOTHER ONE! Latu makes it two tries in 5 minutes and the @wallabies hit the front! 💪
YELLOW CARD! Fiji's Levani Botia is given his marching orders and the Wallabies have a great chance for back to back tries … and Tolu Latu gets his second. TRY WALLABIES!
57 MINS: AUSTRALIA 20 FIJI 21
Dominic Burke
A crucial try for the Wallabies as Tolu Latu crashes over from a rolling maul. It's something Australia will surely go back to, with Fiji penalised for collapsing a maul in the previous possession. Reece Hodge can't convert from out wide, but the Wallabies are right back in it. Meanwhile there's been a couple more changes for Australia, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto on for Isi Naisarani and Matt Toomua replacing Christian Lealiifano.
