The Wallabies win, but don’t get the bonus point. That could be costly, but so could losing to Wales or England.
They looked a bit shaky there, the Fijians gave it a proper crack and the scores could have been tighter had their passing been better.
Final Score:
Australia 28 – 13 Fiji
The Wallabies finally take to the field for their first match of the Rugby World Cup when they meet Fiji at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Join The Roar for commentary and sleep-deprived, stimulant-induced commentary from at 1:45am (AEST)
Hear that? No, not the snoring. That other sound you can hear is the Wallabies’ World Cup kicking off! It’s been long in the offing lads and lasses, and it’s finally here!
Australia hasn’t lost to Fiji in fifteen matches – one was a draw – and that in itself is a pretty good indication of the historical difference of quality between these two sides. In fact, the last time Fiji beat Australia was in 1954 at the SCG, and Dick Tooth played at fullback.
But history won’t give us the best read on this game, because it’s been five and a bit years since the two last met. Australian won that game 49-3
A lot’s changed since then. Fiji, by all accounts, have become much better. In fact, it’s a sad state of affairs that the best Pacific Islander team finds itself in the group of death, and not the blandness of Group D (France, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Canada).
Plucky little Fiji have already given the English hosts a bit of a fright in the opening game on Friday night. Incredibly, they even managed to challenge the English at their own scrumming game. Perhaps their increased skills in that area came out of the training camp they shared with the Georgians in Georgia pre-World Cup?
Rajiv Maharaj from The Guardian has nominated loosehead Campese Ma’afu, lock Leone Nakarawa, flanker Akapusi Qera, scrum-half Nikola Matawalu and the boomer from Brisbane, Nemani Nadolo, as five players the Wallabies should be wary of in this game.
The Wallabies should be wary of the Fijians in general, despite the fact the organisers have given Fiji a four-day turnaround between this game and their last.
Coach Michael Cheika is pulling no punches, with the big news being that the Fardy-Hooper-Pocock triumvirate is to start this game. The second-rowers, Kane Douglas and Rob Simmons, will also be on high alert towards pinching as many of the Fijians lineouts as possible. The throwing set-piece of theirs was quite exposed against the England as a weak point.
Being their first game, there’s not much to report on the Wallabies apart from Wycliff Palu’s hamstring struggles; everyone else should be as fresh as a really fresh thing. Fiji have made a number of changes, with Dominiko Waqaniburotu’s being forced out due to a suspension for a dangerous tackle.
Prediction: The last four times Australia’s played Fiji, the margin of victory has been greater than 40. Only one of those two will change today/tonight/this morning: Australia by 21
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
What in God's name are you talking about? Wales haven't even played Fiji yet. Or are you anticipating Australia struggling to score four tries against Uruguay?
James
Guest
you cant guarantee that WBs will beat England or Wales or whether Wales will beat England. Essentially this group will come down to BP and the winning margin against the minnows. At this point, its in the favour of Wales and England
Coconut
Guest
You expected Fiji to win this? Are you taking the p!ss? You must be.
Dave
Guest
That may be true, but I have always anticipated Wales, England and Australia taking a game of each other. Bonus points and for and against are then the deciding factors. We have now taken that aspect off the table. Its sink or swim now indeed
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Well, credit to Fiji for doing the exact opposite of what they did against England and pressing down on the accelerator in the closing quarter. They might have had a chance of a boilover if they had the stamina to play the whole match at that pace, but I think they ran into a team of a higher class and just couldn't match the Wallabies. But they played well, anyway. Wallabies were a little rusty, but between getting their rolling maul going and demonstrating brutal defensive presence, I think they can take plenty into their clashes with England and Wales over the coming weeks. The good news for the Wallabies is that England and Wales have to play each other before the Wallabies even play their next match (against Uruguay), so the Wallabies have more time to prepare themselves for those crunch fixtures. They'll need to fix those lineout wobbles before the next match, and hopefully the passing improves a bit so that Giteau doesn't have to do so much sweeping again in the matches to come.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
With only 2 hookers they are interchangeable. But I felt we missed TPNs strong carries in the absence of a big 8. He did that really well against the US. Still I'm happy to persist with the captain.
Digby
Roar Guru
What can you say? Just brilliant.
jutsie
Guest
Yeah i don't this bp issue. The goal has always been to win every pool game and finish on the opposite side of the pool to abs/sa. If we win every game it takes BPs out of the equation.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Stavrod
Guest
Well done Australia, didn't expect that. Pocock for man of the tournament. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Fair call. I just felt we moved away from what we were doing well. Genia kicked the ball 3 times which was unnecessary. Wanted to see us finish strongly. But plenty to like. And plenty wouldn't have been shown tonight too.
Mad Dutchman
Guest
I suspect their goal was to win actually and that only.
Mad Dutchman
Guest
At 25-3 inside 45 mins I think everyone expected a cake walk. Credit to Fiji for not giving up. A bit disappointed as a Wallabies fan that from there we didn't get a bonus point.
riddler
Guest
if we win 4 then we go through.. it is all completely in our own hands..
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Yep, it's a real plucky underdog story. No names like Folau and Pocock running around, you'd think Uruguay will fancy their chances later this week.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Digger, Poey is the best "No 7" in WR at the moment. Very impressive, so strong and owns most contests that he engages in..
Dave
Guest
What a debacle. They said time and again the Fiji match was the goal. Well, why was the lineout not taken instead of the penalty kick? How prepared could they have been if that was the decision? Utter stupidity. They had one goal in this match - win and score 4 tries. Wales now knows exactly what they must do. Our real backline could score 1000 points against Uruguay and it wont make a difference. We drop one game and we are done
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Thanks for doing the game Nick. As expected Fiji pushed the Wallas all the way. They were terrific and reverted back to there ball in hand style. The Wallas will be disappointed with that second half particularly no BP. Reckon Cheika should have brought on Toomua and Beale on earlier.
riddler
Guest
me a little bit as well.. but will take the win
Existentialist
Guest
Thanks Nicholas Interesting to see all our tries came from forwards ha! Cohesion at line out time when finishers started coming on was not good. TPN should come on as soon as Mumm does. They seem to work better together. Defense was good. Pace was good Pooper was great! Next!