Fiji beat Wallabies 22-15 after 69 years

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians have created history in their second Rugby World Cup 2023 match this morning after beating the Wallabies 22-15 for the first time since 1954.

Halfback Simione Kuruvoli was the toast of the Flying Fijians side scoring 14 points off his boots with 4 penalty kicks at goal and conversion.

Blockbusting Flying Fijians’ second five-eight Josua Tuisova scored Fiji’s only try of the game in the second half with replacement halfback Frank Lomani adding to Fiji’s points tally with a penalty kick at goal.

The Wallabies scored two tries to Fijian wingers Mark Nawaqanitawase and Suliasi Vunivalu with Ben Donaldson adding the extras through a penalty kick and a conversion.

The Flying Fijians led 12-8 at half time.

The win has boosted the chances of the Flying Fijians making an appearance in the RWC quarter finals again after the 2007 tournament in France.

Captain Waisea Nayacalevu says he is proud of how the boys played today as they gave their all.

Nayacalevu says they came into this game with the same mindset and that is to treat this game as a final.

Tuisova who was named the man of the match says the bond they share as a team was one of the contributing factors to this win today.

He says he kept reminding the boys that they need to empty the tank and give their all in the second spell.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones says the Flying Fijians deserved the victory as they outplayed the Wallabies around the ruck areas and breakdowns.

Jones says they will now need to do some soul searching and it has made their upcoming games much more important.

The Flying Fijians will now take on Georgia at 3.45am on the 1st of October.

In other matches this morning, South Africa thrashed Romania 76-0.

Match Report

0' Wallabies kicks off!!

1'Penalty to Australia for a high tackle.

2' Another penalty to the Wallabies. Ben Donaldson attempting a kick at goal and is successful. AUS 3-0 FIJ.

6' Scrum to Wallabies in their own half for a forward pass. AUS 3-0 FIJ.

8' Scrum to Fiji for a knock on by the Wallabies. AUS 3-0 FIJ..

10' Penalty to Fiji inside the Wallabies' half. Fiji's Simione Kuruvoli attempting a kick at goal and is successful. AUS 3-3 FIJ.

13' Scrum to Fiji inside their own half for a knock on by the Wallabies. AUS 3-3 FIJ.

20' Fiji awarded a penalty inside the Wallabies' territory. Kuruvoli attempts a kick at goal and is successful. AUS 6-3 FIJ.

23' Mark Nawaqanitawase scores the Wallabies' first try. Ben Donaldson misses the conversion. AUS 8-6 FIJ.

26' Kuruvoli attempts another kick at goal from a penalty inside the Wallabies' territory. Kick successful. FIJ 9-8 AUS.

31' Fiji awarded another penalty inside the Wallabies'half. Kuruvoli attempts another kick at goal and is successful. FIJ 12-8 AUS.

HALFTIME: Fiji leads Australia 12-8.

40' Second Half kicks off!! FIJ 12-8 AUS.

41' Vinaya Habosi comes in for Jiuta Wainiqolo at wing. FIJ 12-8 AUS.

43' Josua Tuisova scores the first try in the corner. Kuruvoli converts. FIJ 19-8 AUS.

46' Fiji's Frank Lomani comes in for Kuruvoli. FIJ 19-8 AUS.

48' Fiji awarded a penalty inside the Wallabies' territory, Lomani attempts a kick at goal and misses. Score remains. FIJ 19-8 AUS.

64' Fiji awarded a penalty inside Wallabie's half. Lomani attempts a kick at goal and is successful. FIJ 22-8 AUS.

68' Suliasi Vunivalu scores Australia's second try. Donaldson coverts. FIJ 22-15 AUS.

80' Fiji awarded a penalty. Lomani attempts a kick at goal and misses. FIJ 22-15

Fulltime: Fiji 22-15.