Fiji Caused Massive Shock at the Rugby World Cup as They Beat Australia in Thriller in Saint Etienne
- 8 months ago
Fiji claimed its first victory over Australia in 69 years in the Rugby World Cup thriller. Fiji beat Australia for the first time in 69 years at the Rugby World Cup by a 22-15 shoreline to blow Pool C wide open in Saint-Étienne.
Jones saw his Wallabies outplayed by the Pacific Islanders who have blown the race to qualify for the quarter-finals from Pool C wide open.
Famed for being rugby's greatest ad-libbers, Fiji put the razzle-dazzle away and won in a very un-Fijian traditional way: Breakdown domination, brick-wall defense, and relentless commitment for 80 minutes.
Australia must now beat Wales in Lyon on Sunday to realistically keep their hopes of reaching the knock-out stages alive.
A loss to Warren Gatland's side would leave Jones' men almost certainly facing an early exit. Jones had claimed in the build-up to France his team would win the World Cup.
Jones – who returned to Australia after being sacked by England last December – also has severe fitness issues in his squad. Captain Will Skelton was a late withdrawal from the Fiji game with a calf problem while his fellow key forward Taniela Tupou has a knee issue. Both players have been ruled out of the Wales game already.
'It was a thoroughly deserved victory for Fiji,' said Jones. 'They outplayed us, particularly around the ruck. They had three times more turnovers than us and in a close game, that's the difference. For some reason, we were just off.
'If you look at the stats we dominated and scored two tries to one, but we weren't quite ourselves so there's going to be some soul-searching. It makes the Wales game pretty important.'
After two rounds, Wales are top of Pool C with a perfect 10-point haul. Fiji and Australia are both on six behind them and bonus points look set to be crucial when it comes to who will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Fiji secured two losing bonus points in their controversial defeat by Wales. Frank Lomani's late missed penalty in Saint-Etienne meant Australia at least took home a point from their Fiji loss by finishing within seven points of their opposition.
Jones's side was second best. They conceded a mammoth 18 penalties to allow Simione Kuruvoli to kick four penalties. In powerhouses, Josua Tuisova and Levani Botia, Fiji had world-class performers at their best.
Tuisova scored a crucial second-half try after Australia failed to claim a high kick. Jones admitted the Wales game is now do or die for Australia.
'We are disappointed. I'm pleased for Fiji. The great thing about World Cups is it's not the end of the road. I apologize. It's my fault. I take responsibility,' he said. 'I've no doubt we'll get a response.'
This was Fiji's first win over Australia since 1954. They dominated the collisions thanks to the physicality of the likes of Tuisova and Botia.
'It's history for us. We gave everything to win this game,' said Tuisova. 'We took this game as a final. Winning this game is incredible.'
Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu saw his
Jones saw his Wallabies outplayed by the Pacific Islanders who have blown the race to qualify for the quarter-finals from Pool C wide open.
Famed for being rugby's greatest ad-libbers, Fiji put the razzle-dazzle away and won in a very un-Fijian traditional way: Breakdown domination, brick-wall defense, and relentless commitment for 80 minutes.
Australia must now beat Wales in Lyon on Sunday to realistically keep their hopes of reaching the knock-out stages alive.
A loss to Warren Gatland's side would leave Jones' men almost certainly facing an early exit. Jones had claimed in the build-up to France his team would win the World Cup.
Jones – who returned to Australia after being sacked by England last December – also has severe fitness issues in his squad. Captain Will Skelton was a late withdrawal from the Fiji game with a calf problem while his fellow key forward Taniela Tupou has a knee issue. Both players have been ruled out of the Wales game already.
'It was a thoroughly deserved victory for Fiji,' said Jones. 'They outplayed us, particularly around the ruck. They had three times more turnovers than us and in a close game, that's the difference. For some reason, we were just off.
'If you look at the stats we dominated and scored two tries to one, but we weren't quite ourselves so there's going to be some soul-searching. It makes the Wales game pretty important.'
After two rounds, Wales are top of Pool C with a perfect 10-point haul. Fiji and Australia are both on six behind them and bonus points look set to be crucial when it comes to who will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Fiji secured two losing bonus points in their controversial defeat by Wales. Frank Lomani's late missed penalty in Saint-Etienne meant Australia at least took home a point from their Fiji loss by finishing within seven points of their opposition.
Jones's side was second best. They conceded a mammoth 18 penalties to allow Simione Kuruvoli to kick four penalties. In powerhouses, Josua Tuisova and Levani Botia, Fiji had world-class performers at their best.
Tuisova scored a crucial second-half try after Australia failed to claim a high kick. Jones admitted the Wales game is now do or die for Australia.
'We are disappointed. I'm pleased for Fiji. The great thing about World Cups is it's not the end of the road. I apologize. It's my fault. I take responsibility,' he said. 'I've no doubt we'll get a response.'
This was Fiji's first win over Australia since 1954. They dominated the collisions thanks to the physicality of the likes of Tuisova and Botia.
'It's history for us. We gave everything to win this game,' said Tuisova. 'We took this game as a final. Winning this game is incredible.'
Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu saw his