Stunning Fiji Triumph Pushes Australia to the Brink of an Early Rugby World Cup Exit

The game-ending kick from Frank Loman narrowly missed its mark, but that was of little consequence for the Fijian players. With the blowing of the final whistle in the Rugby World Cup group stage match, they could now revel in their first-ever win against Australia in the tournament's history - and their first victory over the Wallabies since 1954.

The jubilant celebrations that ensued after the 22-15 triumph were befitting of this historic moment: substitutes rushed onto the field to embrace their fellow teammates, while some dropped to the ground in sheer disbelief.

Following the match, the team gathered closely and, in accordance with the customary practice of Fijian rugby teams, chanted a hymn to express their gratitude to God. With their defeat to Wales in the initial World Cup encounter, this triumph over Australia becomes just the third victory for Fiji against the two-time world champions, significantly enhancing their prospects of advancing to the quarterfinals in this tournament.

"We regarded this game as our ultimate challenge," stated try-scorer Josua Tuisova - a mindset that undoubtedly yielded benefits.

Although Australia initially held an 8-6 lead, courtesy of Mark Nawaqanitawase's swift lineout and subsequent cooperation with Samu Kerevi for the game's first try, Fiji swiftly countered with Simione Kuruvoli's exceptional goal-kicking prowess.

Fiji's players form a circle after defeating Australia for the first time in 69 years.

Tuisova extended his team's lead early in the second half as he sprinted into the corner following Australia's inability to catch a high box kick. Kuruvoli's successful conversion and Lomani's penalty inched Fiji closer to a historic victory.

The Wallabies made a late rally and closed the gap to seven points with Suli Vunivalu's try, but it was not sufficient for a comeback.

Fiji's head coach, Simon Raiwalui, informed reporters that it was a commendable victory against a strong Australian team. He mentioned that they could have easily lost focus after last week's defeat, but the players remained dedicated, trained diligently throughout the week, and prepared themselves well. According to Raiwalui, the outcome directly correlated to the effort the players put into their preparations.

Australia, who defeated Georgia in their initial World Cup match but experienced five consecutive losses leading up to the tournament, will now face additional inquiries and deep introspection. Situated alongside Fiji with six points, the two-time world champion now faces the realistic task of defeating Wales on Sunday in order to prevent being eliminated during the group stages for the very first time.

Fiji, on the contrary, is poised for a brighter immediate future. The recent victory on Sunday, achieved within weeks of their initial triumph over England, could potentially mark an important shift for the small Pacific Island nation, inhabited by approximately 930,000 individuals.

Two-time champion Australia could now be knocked out of the Rugby World Cup group stages for the first time.

Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Rugby permeates every corner of Fiji, with fervent fans who are among the most enthusiastic worldwide. However, despite an abundance of skilled players, restricted resources, a dearth of professional club teams, and limited chances to compete at a formidable level, the country's advancement has been hindered.

The Flying Fijians, aptly named, constantly face struggles when pitted against "tier one" nations, signifying teams that engage in rugby's premier international competitions. Regrettably, since their remarkable quarterfinal loss to South Africa in 2007, Fiji has been unable to progress past the preliminary stages of a Rugby World Cup.

"We were determined to transform our identity and redefine our core values," stated Raiwalui, who assumed the position of head coach in February. "We were aware that tier one teams, representing developed nations, consistently targeted specific aspects of our game. However, I am proud to say that we have made significant strides in those areas.

"Gone are the days when our opponents viewed us merely as a collection of highly skilled individuals. The credit goes to these remarkable players; we have established a solid foundation and they have demonstrated utmost dedication through their hard work."

Fiji showcased superior discipline and game management against Australia, only conceding seven penalties compared to the Wallabies' 18, while also limiting their turnovers to just 11.

As a result, Raiwalui's team now possesses the confidence to secure victories against both Georgia and Portugal, potentially enabling them to advance to the knockout rounds. Furthermore, the acquisition of two losing bonus points in their match against Wales - one for scoring four tries and another for losing by a margin less than seven points - could prove crucial in the later stages of the tournament.

Captain Waisea Nayacalevu celebrates victory against Australia with a fan.

The progress of Fiji has undoubtedly improved due to the establishment of the Fijian Drua, a professional club team currently competing in Super Rugby alongside teams from New Zealand and Australia.

"Drua not only focuses on providing professional education to the players but also offers them valuable game-time at the Super Rugby level," expressed Seremaia Bai, Fiji's kicking coach, to reporters.

Tonga's Malakai Fekitoa poses for a portrait during the Tonga Rugby World Cup 2023 Squad photocall in Paris, France, on September 8, 2023. (Photo by Karl Bridgeman - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Winning the Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks, Malakai Fekitoa has now discovered a fresh motivation with Tonga. "I believe it has an immense positive impact on rugby's growth, evident in the significant improvement of the team's performance by most of the players who participated in the Drua."

Bai suggested that Fiji should aim to join New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Australia in the Rugby Championship, which he believes would significantly benefit the small country. He emphasized that in order to become the best, Fiji should compete against the best, as New Zealand and Australia are not far behind.

Limited resources can continue to pose challenges for "tier two" rugby nations like Fiji, particularly as they strive to narrow the disparity with their top-ranked counterparts in the sport.

Nevertheless, for this year's World Cup, Raiwalui mentioned that the team has secured funding for a chaplain, who is offering vital support and spiritual guidance to the players.

"We have made the best preparations possible with the resources available to us... We managed to include a talatala, a reverend," he explained.

"While discussing mental wellbeing, it is crucial for us to maintain a connection with our religion and our community. It is important for us Fijians to have our game and campaign focused on that aspect."