Fiji players burst into song on pitch after Rugby World Cup win over Australia

17 September 2023 , 18:09

496     0

Fiji beat Australia for the first time 69 years (Image: YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Fiji's players burst into a trademark song on the pitch as they sprang the biggest shock of the Rugby World Cup so far to beat Australia for the first time in 69 years.

Simione Kuruvoli inspired his side as they edged past the Wallabies 22-15 with a fine performance.

Fiji’s brilliance at the turnover, combined with the clinical boot of Kuruvoli, saw them pick up their first win of the tournament after last week’s defeat by Wales.

Australian full-back Ben Donaldson was opportunistic early on and punished a Fiji high tackle when he converted the first opportunity of the game to give Australia a 3-0 lead after three minutes.

The Pacific Islanders sought a response through scrum-half Kuruvoli, who tied the score before converting another penalty to give his side a 6-3 lead after 20 minutes.

Australia head coach gives verdict on Eddie Jones joining team after England axe

The first try of the game came in the 22nd minute through Mark Nawaqanitawase. The winger chased the long ball, took a quick line-out and combined with Samu Kerevi before he received the offload to add five more to to Australia’s tally.

But the Wallabies’ hard work started to unravel through ill-discipline and they started to concede needless penalties, much to the delight of Kuruvoli who added six more and the half ended 12-8 in favour of the Fijians.

Fiji earned their first win over Australia in 69 years (AP)

Fiji extended their lead when Carter Gordon misjudged the bounce of a high ball which invited Josua Tuisov to storm through and make it 19-8 in the 42nd minute.

Suliasi Vunivalu went over late on for Australia after Fiji scored another penalty but it was not enough and they held on to complete a memorable 22-15 victory.

Fiji's Josua Tuisova said: "We emptied the tank in the second half. We treated this game as a final. We play together as a team, winning this game is incredible."

Coach Simon Raiwalui added: "I am emotionally drained. It was a great contest, they are a great Australia side and we know each other well, but I am so proud of the boys. It kept us guessing till the end.

"They have worked really hard, we pushed them to the limits and they have never complained. When you work hard you get the results."

The loss was Australia's first ever to a Pacific Island nation at the Rugby World Cup, and the Wallabies could now be eliminated by Wales in their next pool match next week.

Australia's David Poreki said: "Credit to Fiji, it was a class performance from them. They have world class players at the breakdown, so credit to them.

"We have a quick turnaround for Wales, we have to lick our wounds and get up for it but that's easy as this is the World Cup."

Eddie Jones fires World Cup warning to England as axed coach takes Australia job

Press Association