Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Friday, 4 October 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Higashiosaka, AFP: Winger Semi Radradra scored twice as Fiji produced a scintillating second-half performance to secure a 45-10 bonus-point win against Georgia Thursday, running in seven tries in difficult conditions at the Rugby World Cup.
Coach John McKee had demanded a response from his players after they suffered a humiliating upset at the hands of Uruguay and the win puts Fiji in a strong position to secure third place in Pool D to win automatic qualification for the next World Cup.
“That was a great effort by the boys. Real arm-wrestle for the first 45 or 50 minutes but to come home so strong and score some really good tries was very pleasing,” said McKee after the game. “Great to see us scoring some tries out wide and showing our talents to the world.”
The game kicked off in torrential rain at the Hanazono Stadium and the opening exchanges were attritional, dominated by the set-piece and high kicks.
Fiji finally broke the deadlock after 19 minutes, Waisea Nayacalevu running in after a clever grubber kick pierced the organised Georgian defence.
The skies cleared but the slippery ball kept the handling errors high until Georgia produced a stunning move from their own line on the stroke of half-an-hour, falling just short of a try but coming away with three points.
In a tournament where the refereeing of high tackles has been a major talking point, Josua Tuisova could well have seen a card for a glancing blow but Kiwi referee Paul Williams decided it was a penalty only. The teams went into the break with Fiji 7-3 up after a half that was one for the purists in difficult conditions to play rugby.
Fiji next play Wales and will be rueing their loss to Uruguay, as they could have been in a position to secure a shock quarter-final place.
Georgia face a tough last match against Australia.
