Wallabies hop to victory over Fiji
The Wallabies held a 15 point lead at half-time, thanks to two David Pocock tries off the back of effective rolling mauls, but Fiji came to life in the second half and equalled their opponents' points.
However, it proved too late as they suffered their second consecutive defeat but they did manage to prevent Australia from gaining a bonus point.
Australia got off to the perfect start as they remained on attack for most of the opening minutes, only to be kept out by some stellar Fiji defence, but the Pacific Islanders were dealt an early blow when wing Waisea Nayacalevu hobbled off the field with what looked a knee injury.
It would be the Wallabies who would get the first points of the match in the ninth minute when flyhalf Bernard Foley slotted an easy penalty after Fiji were caught in an offside position.
A scrum penalty, in the middle of the field, for the Pacific Islanders started a brief spell of Fijian dominance. The ball was kicked into touch to set up a line-out and the Fijians set up a classic rolling maul that saw them get within five metres of the Wallabies tryline.
Australia found themselves in an offside position from the resulting breakdown and handed Nadolo a chance to draw the sides level, which he made no mistake with.
The end-to-end match continued from that point as Australia turned the ball over just inside the Fijian half and launched an immediate attack which saw Tevita Kuridrani being brought down five metres short of the tryline. Ill-discipline was proving to be the Pacific Islanders' downfall as they tested referee Glen Jackson's patience with numerous penalties close to their tryline.
The Wallabies smelled blood and set up a maul from a line-out and there was no stopping them as David Pocock dotted the ball down in the 26th minute. Foley made no mistake with a tough conversion from close to the touchline.
Fiji were reduced to 14 men in the 30th minute when prop Campese Ma'afu was sent to the bin for kicking the ball away to stop Will Genia from taking a quick penalty. Australia took full advantage of the extra man a minute later, when Pocock grabbed his second try following another successful maul but Foley failed to add the extra points.
Australia went into the half-time break holding a fairly comfortable 18-3 lead after Foley added a second penalty in the 38th minute.
Folau handed Australia front foot ball with two sniping runs at the resumption of play to get inside Fiji's 22. The ball was quickly recycled and found Sekope Kepu, who smashed his way through from five metres out to grab their third try. Foley made no mistake with the conversion.
A second Nadolo penalty allowed Fiji to hit back in the 47th minute when they benefited from a penalty inside Australia's 22. The Wallabies seemed to take their foot off the gas for a brief moment, which allowed Fiji to settle and gather up some momentum.
Fiji were beginning to look dangerous and took the ball through numerous phases to get themselves into Australia's 22 before a moment of Island magic in the 60th minute. Ben Volavola got the ball at first receiver and proceeded to step his way past four would-be defenders and grab Fiji's first try. Nadolo added the extra points to reduce the deficit to 12 points.
It took Australia 10 minutes to add to their tally when Foley slotted his third penalty after a dominant scrum handed them a penalty but they would be reduced to 14 men just four minutes later when Tevita Kuridrani was given his marching orders.
Fiji kept the pressure on the Wallabies in the closing minutes but were unable to add to their tally and saw their late attempt at a fight back fall flat.
Man of the match: Leone Nakarawa stole a couple of line-outs while flyhalf Ben Volavola looked industrious and grabbed a brilliant try. Nemani Nadolo was his bulldozing self when he had the ball and his boot kept his side within touching distance. Israel Folau looked dangerous with ball in hand while his general positioning and decision making was outstanding. Adam Ashley-Cooper was productive and a live wire while Bernard Foley had a steady game with the boot. Michel Hooper was an absolute menace at the breakdown and won numerous turnovers. However, our award goes to No.8 David Pocock who was equally impressive at the breakdown, put in a massive defensive effort and grabbed two first half tries.
Moment of the match: His side may have been on the wrong end of the result but Ben Volavola's 60th minute try was a typical Pacific Islander score, laced with quick feet and silky stepping.
Villain of the match: Despite the yellow cards and early exchange of shirt tugging, the match did not get out of hand.
Scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: Pocock 2, Kepu
Cons: Foley 2
Pens: Foley 3
For Fiji:
Try: Volavola
Con: Nadolo
Pens: Nadolo 2
Yellow cards: Campese Ma'a fu (Fiji, 30 – cynical play, kicking the ball away), Tevita Kuridrani (Australia, 74 – professional foul, not releasing the tackled player)
Teams:
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Dean Mumm, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Akapusi Qera (captain), 6 Peceli Yato, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Isei Colati, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Malakai Ravulo, 21 Nemia Kenatale, 22 Joshua Matavesi, 23 Aseli Tikoirotuma.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Leighton Hodges (Wales)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
