The World Cup is now well and truly underway. Friday’s victory for hosts Japan has set the precedent for other favoured sides to put their best foot forward.
In the first fixture of match day two, gutsy Fiji took on two-time world champions Australia at the Sapporo Dome in the first Pool D clash of the tournament.
Just before kickoff commenced, Fiji performed their traditional Cibi Bole, throwing down the gauntlet to the Aussies, who would duly reply on the pitch.
.@fijirugby perform their first Cibi of #RWC2019 #AUSvFIJ pic.twitter.com/AuxGknhB2G
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 21, 2019
Coming into the game, Australia were unbeaten in the prior 17 games against the Islanders (w16, D1) but that record would be put to the test.
Ultimately, it would be some favourable refereeing and a late Aussie burst that would see them home:
Australian 39-21 Fiji
Just four minutes into the game, Fiji were awarded a penalty as the Aussies were adjudged to have their feet off at the breakdown. Ben Volavola promptly stepped up to secure the first points of the game. 0-3 to Fiji it stood.
Seven minutes into the game and Fiji dropped jaws as well as Aussie defenders as Peceli Yato finished a brilliant team move to extend Fiji’s lead to 8-0. The move began with a misplaced kick from Nic White and Fiji displayed the ambition and presence of mind to take advantage.
Australia definitely didn’t look the part, failing to match the Fijians’ physicality, power and pace.
But then, in a fitting ‘we’re-no-pushovers’ reply, Australian Captain Michael Hooper bulldozed his way through the Fiji defence to score a lifeline of a try;Â Christian Lealfano finished off the resulting conversion. The scoreline stood at 8-7 to Fiji 18 minutes in. Game on!
At 22 minutes, Fiji were awarded another penalty and Ben Volavola quickly finished off the move to establish a five point lead over the Wallabies. 7-11 to the Fijians.
Just eight minutes later, Fiji were to have the privilege of another penalty  and once again Volavola stepped up to put the islanders ahead by a comfortable seven points. 7-14 to Fiji it stood.
Then, just four minutes before halftime, Australia secure a smart try as Reece Hodge carries the ball into the corner to get the Aussies back into the game yet again. 12-14 to Fiji it stood.
40 minutes cued the halftime gong; the Aussies put in a strong showing in the final 10 minutes of the half, but the Fijians went in with the lead and given how they played, should’ve been ahead by a much greater margin than just two points.
Four minutes into the second half, and an Aussie blunder gifted Fiji a try; during a line out, a misplaced pull back pass was pounced upon by the Waisea Nayacalevu who kindly obliged by securing five points. Moments later Ben Volavola finished off his fourth penalty of the night to take the score to 21-12 to Fiji.
At this point, with a nine point lead, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Fijians had this one in the bag, but as so happens in sport, you just can’t write the script for these things.
51 minutes into the game and the Aussies were awarded a penalty and Reece Hodge promptly converted to cut the gap to six points.
Six minutes later and a miracle begins to germinate on the pitch as Aussie Hooker Silatolu Latu powered through to score a try. Despite the missed conversion, the Aussies were trailing by a single point as the game entered the final 30 minutes. 20-21 to Fiji it stood.
3 – The @wallabies' Silatolu Latu is the third hooker in @rugbyworldcup history to score multiple tries in a game after Keith Wood (4 v USA in 1999) and Phil Greening (2 v Tonga in 1999). Pair. pic.twitter.com/uIMNsnJBEw
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) September 21, 2019
At 62 minutes, Australia took the lead as Silatolu Latu scored again to secure a four point lead over the Fijians with a score of 25-21; the momentum was with the two-time world champs and it looked it.
69 minutes in and the Aussies delivered the final nail in the Fijian coffin as Australia hammered in a converted try by exploiting the space left out wide by the Fijian defence to take a strong 11-point lead.
With the game seemingly in the bag, the Aussies demonstrated hunger to keep pushing and their efforts were rewarded with another converted try in the 72nd minute to take the score to 39-21. Marika Koroibete finished off a speedy team move to add five more points for the Wallabies before Matt Toomua stepped up to finish off the resulting conversion.
And so it finished at the Sapporo Drome as the Aussies orchestrated an inspiring comeback to shock the Fijians who will feel hard done. The Fijians possess more than enough quality to cause damage to other teams in this group. As for the Aussies, despite their sluggish start, their champion credentials came to the fore as they grew in the game and high hopes will be maintained for them as the tournament progresses.
Yup.
Fiji magnificent for first 50 minutes, before the Wallabies ground them down with extremely structured play.#AUSvFIJ https://t.co/vgn3aUyv7O— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) September 21, 2019
