The Wallabies have won their first match of the Rugby World Cup, beating Fiji 28-13.
Australia was looking to attack early, off the back of some strong play by the forwards. Bernard Foley put the first points on the board, converting a penalty goal in the 10th minute.
A succession of penalties conceded by Australia brought Fiji within metres of the Wallabies’ try line, though desperate defence kept them out, only conceding a penalty goal, converted by Nemani Nadolo.
The Wallabies worked their way down to the other end of the field, setting themselves up with a five-metre lineout. A play familiar to Brumbies fans saw the first try of the match, the rolling maul piloted by David Pocock getting over the line in the 27th minute.
Foley converted from the sideline, putting the score at 10-3.
Referee Glen Jackson only took half an hour to reach into the pocket, sin-binning prop Campese Ma’afu for kicking the ball out of Will Genia’s hands. Another five-metre lineout saw Pocock cross for his second try, the rolling maul proving to be a winning play against Fiji.
Foley failed to kick the conversion, leaving the score at 15-3.
An offside penalty by Fiji gave Foley the chance to push the lead out to 15, and he did just that. After a dominant first half, the Wallabies led by 18 points to three.
A line-break from Israel Folau saw Australia deep in Fijian territory, Sekope Kepu throwing a fantastic dummy and crossing over for a try in the 43rd minute. Kepu’s try was converted by Foley, though Kepu conceded a penalty for being off his feet in the ruck, allowing Nadolo to convert just left of the uprights.
The last 25 minutes were pretty poor in comparison to the first 55, with Australia losing three lineouts in a row and getting put on the back foot by the Fijian attack. They finally broke through the Australian defence in the 60th minute, Ben Volavola going over right under the posts.
Nadolo converted easily, and Fiji kept applying pressure to the Wallabies throughout the rest of the match. The Fijians conceded a scrum infringement from about 30 metres out, but Michael Hooper, who was captain now that Stephen Moore was off, opted for the penalty goal over the potential bonus-point try.
Foley converted, putting the score at 28-13, with 10 minutes to spare in the match. Referee Jackson then reached into his pocket for the second time of the match, this time sin-binning Tevita Kuridrani for not releasing the ball carrier.
Unfortunately the Wallabies were unable to get that bonus-point try, a dominant first half marred somewhat by the closing minutes of the match.
Australia’s next game is against Uruguay in Birmingham, live on Fox Sports from 9pm.
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