New Zealand have bumbled their way into a Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Australia after claiming an unconvincing 24-18 win over Fiji in Hull.
Fiji threatened to cause the upset of the World Cup and send the heavily-fancied Kiwis home at the quarter-final stage for a second-straight tournament when they led 18-6 early in the second half before the scores were tied at the 70th minute mark.
A tryscoring double from Kevin Naiqama had given Fiji hope of an unlikely victory, but a late penalty goal from Jordan Rapana allowed Michael Maguire’s men to take the lead for the first time with 10 minutes left.
Rapana then barged his way over for a try with the final play of the game.
But New Zealand will have to drastically improve if they are to beat Australia when they meet in Leeds next Friday (Saturday AEDT).
The Kiwis failed to match Fiji for enthusiasm in front of a 7080 strong crowd at MKM Stadium, with Maika Sivo crashing over in the 11th minute to give the Bati an early lead.
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Naiqama followed him over not long after with Brandon Wakeham converting both efforts.
Wakeham’s partnership with Api Koroisau in the halves caused New Zealand endless problems.
The Fijians were happy to run the ball on the last tackle and New Zealand struggled to react to the kick-averse tactics.
Winger Ronaldo Mutalilo did hit back for New Zealand with a well-taken finish in the corner, with Rapana converting to make it 12-6 at the break.
Straight after half-time Naiqama found himself at dummy-half 20 metres out from the New Zealand line and, with a show-and-go, sprinted down the touchline before forcing his way over the whitewash for his second try.
Their 12-point advantage was shortlived, however, with New Zealand forward Briton Nikora bursting his way over from close-range and Rapana converting.
Despite their lead, Fiji were out on their feet and with 15 minutes to go Kiwis fullback Joey Manu crashed his way over to score under the posts, Rapana converting to tie the scores up.
In the 70th minute Manu made a late burst upfield and was adjudicated to have knocked on by referee Gerard Sutton.
The Kiwis challenged and on review, video referee Tom Grant deemed that Fiji back-rower Viliame Kikau had made an illegal ball steal.
New Zealand opted to take the shot at goal, Rapana sending the ball sailing between the uprights to give the Kiwis a slender lead before he crossed in the dying stages.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Busy too mate. I’ve been wary of BBQs ever since I got a bait to Vaughny’s joint.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Not sure about NZ bumbling their way to victory, Fiji play brilliant footy for about 75 minutes. And it is hard to tell if NZ will need to play much better to beat Australia, it's been difficult to get a gauge on the Kangaroos with such easy wins to date. I do know put a tough win in the bank carries weight and that is my main worry for the Kangaroos coming into next week's match.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
EJ will you come around to the Republics? Maybe he's putting on a BBQ and a few beers and talk about the footy. I haven't been invited but whenever its on Im busy
Rob
Guest
That’s right a 50/50 in the run of play called by the on field official shouldn’t be getting over turned by the bunker. It was massive and potentially decisive of the result. What’s infuriating is NZ were well offside at the scrum in front of the sticks moments later and no penalty was given when Fiji lost possession on the play. Great contest that got decided by some tough late officiating calls sadly IMO.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'm not convinced that the term ''loose carry'' is of any use at all. All they need to concentrate on is if the defender attempted to and succeeded in stripping the ball.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
You are the very definition of a troll, Republican. Post the same inane stuff, over and over, to get a rise from others. I’d be shocked if you have even watched a single minute of this tournament. In fact I guarantee you haven’t watched a game. You say the Aussies have had a softer draw, and continue to repeat it. So let’s see the 2 teams both the Aussies and kiwis have played - Lebanon & Fiji. Australia won by 44 and 34. NZ won by 22 and 6. This to you is “proof” that NZ are far stronger than the Aussies. And have performed significantly better. That the “closeness” of their games (against the same opposition) means that they are better prepared. The Kiwis could very well upset (based on the bookies) the Aussies next week. They are a good side. The real tournament now begins for both countries. Tell me what aspect of the Kiwis play in this tournament has you so confident about their impending victory? Do you only see strengths, or could you point out some weaknesses from the Kiwis?
Basil Baborgnay
Roar Rookie
I have to assume you were unaware that the Fijians knocked NZ out in the quarters at the previous world cup? Fijians certainly underrated and unlucky with the refereeing, but if NZ are to defeat Oz I suspect they'll need an even bigger helping hand from the ref.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
50/50 call I reckon. No enough evidence of intent to overturn the on field ruling for mine. the three metre forward pass to Ronaldo to break the line for NZ try to draw level seemed more blatant than the Kikau strip.
Republican
Guest
Troll hey, so a contributor who expresses an opinion some prefer not to hear. You seem to epitomise that Australian hubris and arrogance I often refer to in my posts. You will eventually come round eJ.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Such a dumb take. But not unexpected from a troll
Renegade
Roar Guru
I agree, I saw the same - I think that’s a “going for the underdog” call in the moment given the context of the game.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Best game of the tournament so far, Fiji almost repeating the result of the 2017 World Cup quarter finals. As I wrote the other week, definitely the less fancied of the pacific sides however consistently perform better – almost through to their 4th straight WC semi final! Some amazing moments in that match, the Wakeham try saver on Ronaldo was epic, the Naqaima line off turuva, the Ronaldo break and later setup of the Manu try… but the big turning point was Api going for the 1on1 strip on Nikora 5m from the tryline. Definitive moment but great game. Sets up a mouth watering semi final next Friday night in Leeds.
Republican
Guest
NZ are very good while Fiji are underrated. That game will prove to be a sobering one for NZ, who will play far more to their potential in ambushing the Kangaroos next weekend.
casual roarer
Guest
Ok question on the “stripped ball” challenge. It seemed pretty clear to me that Kikau used a scooping action to pull the ball out, while another Fijian player was part of the tackle. But commentators and Fox analysts all felt it wasn’t a strip. So I must be missing something; is there a very subtle difference between a loose carry and a strip? Is there a responsibility on the ball player to resist a stripping action to some degree?
Republican
Guest
These results tell us nothing about the pending semi v Nz given the respective opposition. I do feel that Australia has had a softer draw and will be typically complacent v a NZ that always play out of their skin v us. In many respects, this is their WC final, considering their national obsession to defeat Australia in all and sundry. There is also the familiarity factor since the personal in both sides play in the NRL. I am confident that NZ will defeat the Kangaroos. It's far more difficult to pick the victor in the NZ v England final but i'm beginning to favour the Sassenach on home soil.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Gee that was a beautiful line Kevin N. ran off the fullback to score his first.
Bruzer
Guest
Does this game say more about NZ, Fiji or Aus who beat Fiji 42-8 at the start of the tournament? Have Fiji really improved that much over 3 weeks or is NZ not as good as everyone seems to think?
BeeBop A LooBop
Guest
7080 fans ,,,HUUUUGE crowd . Gotta wonder what's going on over there.