Fiji and Italy go head to head in a match that will largely be quarter-finals warm-up for the Fijians at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Join The Roar for a live blog of the match at Canberra Stadium on Friday night, starting from 7:40pm AEDT.
Fiji have so far been dominant in their matches at this year’s Rugby League World Cup, coming up against the United States and Wales, and making short work of both of them.
In the first week they slaughtered the States with a 58-12 victory, and then stepped up the pace even further against Wales for a 72-6 win.
Italy, on the other hand, have a had a genuine mixed bag of results so far in this tournament, losing to Ireland in their first match but bouncing back with a big win over the United States last week.
Ireland defeated the Italians 36-12, but they were able to get some revenge in the form of a 46-0 win over the United States.
The results have pretty much finalised the standings in Pool D even with a week left to go. At this point, the only way for Italy to leapfrog Fiji would be to beat them by at least 46 points tonight.
That is, to put it as kindly as possible, extremely unlikely. The Fijians are the short-priced favourites for this match and the odds of Italy recording an upset, let alone one big enough to change the standings, are astronomical.
Prediction
Italy is probably the best team that Fiji have come up against so far in the tournament, but they should coast to an easy victory regardless.
Fiji by 30.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the match between Fiji and Italy at Canberra Stadium on Friday night, starting from 7:40pm AEDT.
Round 3 Join us at GIO Stadium for Fiji v Italy NRL Watch Free: http://daytona500live.net/rugby-live/
Israel
Guest
Fiji Bati seemed too tensed and error prone in the first half, maybe of the travelling n short turn around, it's the coach n management task, when they travel to Christchurch next, to have stretching sessions n other entertainment activities to lighten the travel, 48 hrs before the quarter-final should be total rest, refueling with fluids n good nutrition, flexibility n stretching,obviously the hours before the phsycing of the team for the mammoth task in hand!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It's certainly odd. In anycase, I would be surprise if they understood my comment. I'm pretty proud of it, lol
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's the question, isn't it? Fiji have done very well against weaker opposition. And to be frank, a top side should be running up such scores. Next week will be very interesting to see which way Fiji go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good to see Fiji challenged during the first half at least. They needed to get some defence under their belt before next week. Quarter-finals looking like this. Australia vs Samoa Tonga/New Zealand vs Fiji Tonga/New Zealand vs Lebanon England vs PNG
Concerned Observer
Guest
To be honest, there’s little point in replying to them For people that find the cup to be ‘sorry’ or pointless or not worth the effort, they’re sure making a lot of effort to express their opionion while clearly following the game. I mean honestly, think about the kind of person who can’t stand this tournament and the fun and entertainment it brings but still watch it or at the very least track its games so they can then go to an article about it on a website that writes about the game and comment about how this tournament is pathetic It’s so sad,
Alan
Roar Guru
Fiji found their groove in the second half, scoring five tries en route to another big win over Italy tonight. After a very physical first half, the italians would have fancied their chances of causing an upset when they opened the scoring in the second half. However, Fiji eventually clicked into gear, with Vunivalu scoring yet another hat-trick to solidify his claim as the NRL's best tryscoring machine. Despite the big win, Italy tested Fiji upfront and the island nation was disorganised in possession for a good portion of tonight's contest. Fiji have to improve tenfold if they are to challenge either Tonga or New Zealand next week in what should be a great quarter-final. Overall, after a simple passage through the group stages, the time has now come for the likes of Hayne, Vunivalu and Uate to stand up against very strong opposition next week. Are they up to the task? Watch this space. Fiji 38 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Fiji 38 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Forward pass called here as Hayne races in to score. No luck there on that occasion for Fiji. Correct call. Fiji 38 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Fiji back on the attack as Italy kick the footy out on the full. All Fiji in this second half. Fiji 38 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Great cut-out pass to Montoya who races down the left in space and scores. Fiji still have plenty to give but they have still destroyed an Italy side containing good players in Brown, Tedesco, Minichiello, Vaughan and Campese. CONVERSION MISSED Fiji 38 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY FIJI Fiji 38 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Fiji get the drop-out as Italy bat the footy dead. Fiji again a little disorganised inside Italy's 10 metre zone. Fiji 34 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Fiji get the penalty and go right on the attack. They have done well Fiji but they will need to improve if they are a chance of upsetting Tonga or NZ next week. Fiji 34 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Well Fiji will win tonight and play the loser of New Zealand - Tonga. Should be a very entertaining affair regardless of who plays who in that particular quarter-final. Fiji 34 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Italy to get the scrum as Fiji knock on from the kickoff. Italy on the attack. Fiji 34 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Fiji attack yet again down the right to Vunivalu and the Storm winger does the rest as he scores another hat-trick! Hayne with a good ball to Milne who found Vunivalu who was always going to score! I thought Milne's pass to Vunivalu was forward... CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Fiji 34 Italy 10
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lol I meant tries not tribes!
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY FIJI Fiji 32 Italy 10
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Fiji scoop up possession and go on the attack. Fiji 28 Italy 10