Flying Fijians escape jaws of defeat after coming from behind to beat Spain 33-19

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians escaped the jaws of defeat after coming from behind to secure a 33-19 win over Spain in their 3rd match of the Autumn Nations Series this morning.

Spain scared the Fijians as they took a 19-7 lead at one point in the second half but Fiji regrouped in the last quarter and scored 4 consecutive tries to steal the win.

The home side went into halftime holding a slight 10-7 lead after flyhalf Gonzalo Lopez converted a penalty kick at goal and then awarded a penalty try while Fiji managed to score only one converted try to winger Ponipate Loganimasi.

Lopez extended Spain’s lead to 19-7 after converting 3 penalties in the 42nd, 47th and 51st minute of the match.

Fiji responded strongly with 4 tries to Sireli Maqala in the 54thminute, Sam Matavesi in the 59th minute, Waisea Nayacalevu in the 63rd minute and debutant Setareki Turagacoke in the 69th minute to steal the win.

Fiji could have scored more points but two tries from Matavesi off two rolling mauls were ruled out by the TMO after there were obstructions leading up to the tries.

The Flying Fijians now turn their focus to their final November test match where they will take on Ireland at 3.10am next Sunday at Aviva Stadium.

Live Updates

19' Spain awarded a scrum inside their own half after Fiji lost the ball from an offload from Sireli Maqala to capatain Waisea Nayacalevu. FIJ 7-3 SPA

22' Spain takes the lead after they were awarded a penalty try. Simione Kuruvoli sin binned. FIJ 7-10

25' Fiji hits the lead again after hooker Sam Matavesi scores their second try from off a maul. Kick to come. FIJ 12-10

25' TMO reviews the try and the try by Matavesi has been reversed after an obstruction by Fiji in the maul. FIJ 7-10 SPA

27' TMO reviews a tackle on Fiji's Caleb Muntz. FIJ 7-10 SPA

30' Matavesi now regains the lead for Fiji after he scored a try off a rolling maul. Conversion to come. Spain reduced further to 13 men after there was a yellow card flashed to them. FIJ 12-10 SPA

30' TMO reviews the try and cancelled it after another obstruction from Fiji leading up to the try. FIJ 7-10 SPA

38' Fiji awarded a scrum inside Spain's territory after a knock on from Spain. FIJ 7-10 SPA

HT: Fiji 7-10 Spain

40' Spain kicks off second half. FIJ 7-10 SPA

42' Spain extend's their lead after Gonzales Lopez converts a penalty kick at goal. FIJ 7-13 SPA

47' Lopex extends Spain's lead after another sucessful penalty kick at goal. FIJ 7-16 SPA

51' Lopez attempts a 54 metre penalty kick at goal and is successful. Spain extends their lead. FIJ 7-19 SPA

54' Sireli Maqala scores Fiji's second try of the match. Kikc to come. FIJ 12-19 SPA

54' Muntz unsucessfully converts the try. Score remains. FIJ 12-19 SPA

59' Matavesi now awarded a try after a rolling maul from Fiji. Conversion successful from Muntz. FIJ 19-19 SPA

63' Fiji scores another try through captain Waisea Nayacalevu to take the lead now with conversion successful from Muntz. FIJ 26-19 SPA

69' Setareki Turagacoke scores another try for Fiji in his debut match to extend Fiji's lead. Muntz converts it successfully. FIJ 33-19 SPA