Fiji's demand after late loss to Wallabies

Fiji coach Mick Byrne has again called for Australia to play in Suva after the Pacifc islanders took the Wallabies to the wire in their Test match in Newcastle.

The Fijians came within minutes of securing a historic first by beating Australia in successive Tests for the first time before Wallabies captain Harry Wilson crossed for the match-winning try in a 21-18 win.

Australia lifted the newly-named Vuvale Bowl trophy, presented by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front row forward.

The Wallabies haven’t played in Fiji since 1984 and Byrne said he hoped the Pacific nation’s growing presence on the world stage would entice Rugby Australia to consider a Test in Suva.

Earlier in the week, he plumped for the series to be decided by one Test in each country.

“Look, I think we’re talking on it – it would be great to play Australia in Fiji,” Byrne said.

“That would be pretty handy.”

Leading 18-14, Fiji were desperately unlucky to be denied another try when the Television Match Official ruled Wallabies wing Harry Potter had stepped into touch before the ball was turned over to the visitors.

“I just need to clarify with World Rugby. The Brumbies got a try taken off them this year, and I think they went back 19 phases so you can go back as many phases as you can in your possession,” a frustrated Byrne said.

“I didn’t know now we can go back to opposition possession as well. Maybe I’m wrong so I’ll just get clarity on it.”

Fiji trailed 0-14 before a try right on halftime by Salesi Rayasi, with the debutant fullback beating three Australian defenders to put his team on the scoreboard.

After the Wallabies blew an early second half try with a forward pass, Fiji lifted their tempo and physicality to dominate the home side, bringing back memories of their 2023 World Cup shock.

“I feel for the players,” Byrne said. “We did everything we could in the first half to hang in there, scramble, do what we needed to do.

“Numbers were against us, came in at half-time, regrouped, came out the second half to do a job.

“The boys did really well so yeah, it is a gut punch.”