Fiji edged Spain 26–24 in their final pool match in Perth tonight.
Spain struck first, scoring the opening try after stretching the Fijian defence out wide to take a 5–0 lead.
They dominated early possession, and Fiji’s lanky forward Joseva Talacolo was shown a yellow card in the fourth minute. With the numerical advantage, Spain crossed again to extend their lead to 12–0.
Fiji regrouped, and veteran forward Sevuloni Mocenacagi powered over for Fiji’s first try, cutting the deficit to 12–5.
Singaporean sensation Naduvalo then scored Fiji’s second try, pushing them ahead 14–12.
Spain responded just before halftime, scoring on the stroke of the break to reclaim the lead at 19–14.
Fiji opened the second half strongly, scoring the first try after the restart to level the scores at 19–19.
They maintained possession and turned pressure into points with another try to take the lead 26–19.
Spain crossed for a late try, but it was not enough to draw level.
Fiji will next face South Africa in their pool match at 10:52 tonight.
Live Updates
1st minute Fiji kicks off, and Spain strikes first, drawing the defense to score first, Spain leads 5-0.
2nd minute Fiji can not control the ball and spain attacking again till the 3rd minute.
4th minute, Talacolo gets a yellow card. 5th minute, Spain scores another try, capitalizing on their extra player out wide.
Spain leads 10-0.
6th minute, Sevuloni Mocenacagi scores Fiji's first try, reducing the deficit 12-5.
Naduvalo scores another try in the final minute of the first half, Fiji leads 14-12.
On the stroke of halftime, Spain scores another try to lead 19-14 at halftime.
Spain opts for line out and loses the ball, Fiji attacks and scores the first try of the second half to level the scores 19-19.
4th minute, Spain loses the ball, line out for Fiji and Fiji scores to take the lead 26-19.
5th minute Fiji kicks off and Spain attacks on multiple phases and loses the ball again.
7th minute spain scors final try but not enough.
1st minute Fiji kicks off, and Spain strikes first, drawing the defense to score first, Spain leads 5-0.
2nd minute Fiji can not control the ball and spain attacking again till the 3rd minute.
4th minute, Talacolo gets a yellow card.
5th minute, Spain scores another try, capitalizing on their extra player out wide. Spain leads 10-0.
6th minute, Sevuloni Mocenacagi scores Fiji's first try, reducing the deficit 12-5.
Naduvalo scores another try in the final minute of the first half, Fiji leads 14-12.
On the stroke of halftime, Spain scores another try to lead 19-14 at halftime.
Spain opts for line out and loses the ball, Fiji attacks and scores the first try of the second half to level the scores 19-19.
4th minute, Spain loses the ball, line out for Fiji and Fiji scores to take the lead 26-19.
5th minute Fiji kicks off and Spain attacks on multiple phases and loses the ball again.
1st minute Fiji kicks off, and Spain strikes first, drawing the defense to score first, Spain leads 5-0.
2nd minute Fiji can not control the ball and spain attacking again till the 3rd minute.
4th minute, Talacolo gets a yellow card.
5th minute, Spain scores another try, capitalizing on their extra player out wide. Spain leads 10-0.
6th minute, Sevuloni Mocenacagi scores Fiji's first try, reducing the deficit 12-5.
Naduvalo scores another try in the final minute of the first half, Fiji leads 14-12.
On the stroke of halftime, Spain scores another try to lead 19-14 at halftime.
Spain opts for line out and loses the ball, Fiji attacks and scores the first try of the second half to level the scores 19-19.
4th minute, Spain loses the ball, line out for Fiji and Fiji scores to take the lead 26-19.
5th minute Fiji kicks off and Spain attacks on multiple phases and loses the ball again.
