White goes out a winner as record crowd turn out for Wallabies in Newcastle
So do Hunter rugby fans.
It took a last-minute try from the skipper to ensure home-town hero White was given a fond farewell in Newcastle as the Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 in front of a record crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
White was on Wilson's heels when the No.8 twisted, then reached out and got the ball down under a stack of Fijian forwards.
Many of White's family and friends were among the 28,132 that turned Turton Road into a sea of gold for the nippy's No.9's final Test on home soil.
But it looked like White - and the supporters - would depart disappointed, with Fiji ahead 18-14 with two minutes remaining.
"I was pretty relieved and stoked for Harry to get over," White said.
"It was a nice moment. I said in the lead-up that I would be job focused and not too emotional. I was a little bit [emotional] at the end. It was great to get a result here at home."
The Wallabies had tried - mainly unsuccessfully - to play an expansive game.
With the result on the line and time almost up, they went to old school.
From a lineout, they pounded away one-out at the Fiji line.
Eventually, Wilson did enough, punching a hole through the defence and reaching out to score. Ben Donaldson converted to complete the great escape.
The Wallabies had led 14-0 after 30 minutes and had two tries pulled back for forward passes.
The win was the Wallabies' first in three Tests in Newcastle.
They went down 9-6 to Scotland in atrocious conditions in front of 20,088 in 2012.
In 2020, a full house of 11,749 - COVID restrictions halved the ground's capacity - were on hand for the 15-all draw with Argentina.
White started at halfback against Argentina and was in the squad but didn't play against the Scots.
The Scone borm Maitland Blacks product is not about to retire, but at 35, it was likely to be his last Test in Newcastle.
"It was an awesome crowd," White said. "Fiji were unreal. They put us under pressure. We put ourselves under pressure. They are a good side and we had to find a way to win at the end. I'm proud that we found the resolve to get a result.
"The crowd really helped us at the end. It really lifted and we needed it."
White replaced Tate McDermott with 23 minutes to go for his 72nd Test cap.
He kicked intelligently and drove the forwards around the park.
"I'm happy for Nic," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said. "We got what we expected from him. He made a couple of cracking tackles. There were some big blokes coming down that left touchline and he did well.
"He zinged the ball around. He put that ball [kick] into the corner. He didn't quite get the bounce but he saw the space. Those are the things Whitey does. He has a three dimensional eye on the game. You don't just get side-to-side. He is looking upfield, he is looking for opportunities."
The Wallabies, playing their first Test of the season, let the ball sing from the opening whistle.
Hooker David Porecki, playing his first Test in 652 days after Achilles and calf injuries, was given a ferocious welcome back courtesy of a thunderous hit from Fiji lock Isoa Nasilasila.
Porecki dusted himself off and five minutes later he put the Wallabies ahead from a driving maul. Noah Lolesio added the extras for 7-0.
Fiji's strength is their unpredictability but it means high-risk rugby. In the opening 20 minutes it also meant a lot of dropped passes.
The Wallabies were also sloppy. They missed two lineouts, failed to find touch from a penalty and rarely strung more than five phases together.
Porecki's Test was over in 27th minute after he suffered a head knock and failed the subsequent HIA.
MORE HERALD SPORT
The passes finally stuck for the Wallabies two minutes before the break. Lock Jeremy Williams put a dent in the line with a strong surge. The ball went quickly to the left for Joseph Suaalii to hold up a pass for Fraser McReight to slide over.
However, the Wallabies undid the good work on the stroke of half-time.
A Lolesio chip kick was easily collected by Fiji. They pushed the go button.
Jiuta Wainiqolo made a bust down the left touchline, stepped inside and then lobbed a pass over the top for fullback Salesi Rayasi to power over for his first Test try and 14-5 at the break.
Suaalii, bar the try assist, had limited opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.
The message would have been loud and clear from Schmidt - play direct, hang on to the ball and build pressure.
Fiji didn't change their approach.
The Wallabies had a second try called back for a forward pass in the 48th minute after Max Jorgensen had regathered a kick ahead. It took the officials a handful of minutes and a dozen replays to make the call.
Fiji cut the margin to 14-8 through a Caleb Muntz penalty in the 50th minute.
Four minutes later they were ahead after a spectacular try to Lekima Tagitagivalu.
Wainiqolo picked up a loose pass and went on a mazy run, beating five tackles in a 50-metre solo effort before offloading to Tagitagivalu. Munz converted from the sideline to put Fiji ahead 15-14.
Fiji thought they had increased the lead in the 60th minute when replacement Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula stepped inside and dived over.
However, the Wallabies were ruled to have put a foot into touch in the lead-up before Fiji forced a turnover.
Lolesio was replaced with a concussion from whiplash when caught awkwardly making a tackle.
The visitors were full of running and increased the gap to 18-14 through another Munz penalty.
WALLABIES halfback Nic White owes Harry Wilson a beer.
So do Hunter rugby fans.
It took a last-minute try from the skipper to ensure home-town hero White was given a fond farewell in Newcastle as the Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 in front of a record crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
White was on Wilson's heels when the No.8 twisted, then reached out and got the ball down under a stack of Fijian forwards.
Many of White's family and friends were among the 28,132 that turned Turton Road into a sea of gold for the nippy's No.9's final Test on home soil.
But it looked like White - and the supporters - would depart disappointed, with Fiji ahead 18-14 with two minutes remaining.
"I was pretty relieved and stoked for Harry to get over," White said.
"It was a nice moment. I said in the lead-up that I would be job focused and not too emotional. I was a little bit [emotional] at the end. It was great to get a result here at home."
The Wallabies had tried - mainly unsuccessfully - to play an expansive game.
With the result on the line and time almost up, they went to old school.
From a lineout, they pounded away one-out at the Fiji line.
Eventually, Wilson did enough, punching a hole through the defence and reaching out to score. Ben Donaldson converted to complete the great escape.
The Wallabies had led 14-0 after 30 minutes and had two tries pulled back for forward passes.
The win was the Wallabies' first in three Tests in Newcastle.
They went down 9-6 to Scotland in atrocious conditions in front of 20,088 in 2012.
In 2020, a full house of 11,749 - COVID restrictions halved the ground's capacity - were on hand for the 15-all draw with Argentina.
White started at halfback against Argentina and was in the squad but didn't play against the Scots.
The Scone borm Maitland Blacks product is not about to retire, but at 35, it was likely to be his last Test in Newcastle.
"It was an awesome crowd," White said. "Fiji were unreal. They put us under pressure. We put ourselves under pressure. They are a good side and we had to find a way to win at the end. I'm proud that we found the resolve to get a result.
"The crowd really helped us at the end. It really lifted and we needed it."
White replaced Tate McDermott with 23 minutes to go for his 72nd Test cap.
He kicked intelligently and drove the forwards around the park.
"I'm happy for Nic," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said. "We got what we expected from him. He made a couple of cracking tackles. There were some big blokes coming down that left touchline and he did well.
"He zinged the ball around. He put that ball [kick] into the corner. He didn't quite get the bounce but he saw the space. Those are the things Whitey does. He has a three dimensional eye on the game. You don't just get side-to-side. He is looking upfield, he is looking for opportunities."
The Wallabies, playing their first Test of the season, let the ball sing from the opening whistle.
Hooker David Porecki, playing his first Test in 652 days after Achilles and calf injuries, was given a ferocious welcome back courtesy of a thunderous hit from Fiji lock Isoa Nasilasila.
Porecki dusted himself off and five minutes later he put the Wallabies ahead from a driving maul. Noah Lolesio added the extras for 7-0.
Fiji's strength is their unpredictability but it means high-risk rugby. In the opening 20 minutes it also meant a lot of dropped passes.
The Wallabies were also sloppy. They missed two lineouts, failed to find touch from a penalty and rarely strung more than five phases together.
Porecki's Test was over in 27th minute after he suffered a head knock and failed the subsequent HIA.
MORE HERALD SPORT
The passes finally stuck for the Wallabies two minutes before the break. Lock Jeremy Williams put a dent in the line with a strong surge. The ball went quickly to the left for Joseph Suaalii to hold up a pass for Fraser McReight to slide over.
However, the Wallabies undid the good work on the stroke of half-time.
A Lolesio chip kick was easily collected by Fiji. They pushed the go button.
Jiuta Wainiqolo made a bust down the left touchline, stepped inside and then lobbed a pass over the top for fullback Salesi Rayasi to power over for his first Test try and 14-5 at the break.
Suaalii, bar the try assist, had limited opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.
The message would have been loud and clear from Schmidt - play direct, hang on to the ball and build pressure.
Fiji didn't change their approach.
The Wallabies had a second try called back for a forward pass in the 48th minute after Max Jorgensen had regathered a kick ahead. It took the officials a handful of minutes and a dozen replays to make the call.
Fiji cut the margin to 14-8 through a Caleb Muntz penalty in the 50th minute.
Four minutes later they were ahead after a spectacular try to Lekima Tagitagivalu.
Wainiqolo picked up a loose pass and went on a mazy run, beating five tackles in a 50-metre solo effort before offloading to Tagitagivalu. Munz converted from the sideline to put Fiji ahead 15-14.
Fiji thought they had increased the lead in the 60th minute when replacement Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula stepped inside and dived over.
However, the Wallabies were ruled to have put a foot into touch in the lead-up before Fiji forced a turnover.
Lolesio was replaced with a concussion from whiplash when caught awkwardly making a tackle.
The visitors were full of running and increased the gap to 18-14 through another Munz penalty.
WALLABIES halfback Nic White owes Harry Wilson a beer.
So do Hunter rugby fans.
It took a last-minute try from the skipper to ensure home-town hero White was given a fond farewell in Newcastle as the Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 in front of a record crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
White was on Wilson's heels when the No.8 twisted, then reached out and got the ball down under a stack of Fijian forwards.
Many of White's family and friends were among the 28,132 that turned Turton Road into a sea of gold for the nippy's No.9's final Test on home soil.
But it looked like White - and the supporters - would depart disappointed, with Fiji ahead 18-14 with two minutes remaining.
"I was pretty relieved and stoked for Harry to get over," White said.
"It was a nice moment. I said in the lead-up that I would be job focused and not too emotional. I was a little bit [emotional] at the end. It was great to get a result here at home."
The Wallabies had tried - mainly unsuccessfully - to play an expansive game.
With the result on the line and time almost up, they went to old school.
From a lineout, they pounded away one-out at the Fiji line.
Eventually, Wilson did enough, punching a hole through the defence and reaching out to score. Ben Donaldson converted to complete the great escape.
The Wallabies had led 14-0 after 30 minutes and had two tries pulled back for forward passes.
The win was the Wallabies' first in three Tests in Newcastle.
They went down 9-6 to Scotland in atrocious conditions in front of 20,088 in 2012.
In 2020, a full house of 11,749 - COVID restrictions halved the ground's capacity - were on hand for the 15-all draw with Argentina.
White started at halfback against Argentina and was in the squad but didn't play against the Scots.
The Scone borm Maitland Blacks product is not about to retire, but at 35, it was likely to be his last Test in Newcastle.
"It was an awesome crowd," White said. "Fiji were unreal. They put us under pressure. We put ourselves under pressure. They are a good side and we had to find a way to win at the end. I'm proud that we found the resolve to get a result.
"The crowd really helped us at the end. It really lifted and we needed it."
White replaced Tate McDermott with 23 minutes to go for his 72nd Test cap.
He kicked intelligently and drove the forwards around the park.
"I'm happy for Nic," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said. "We got what we expected from him. He made a couple of cracking tackles. There were some big blokes coming down that left touchline and he did well.
"He zinged the ball around. He put that ball [kick] into the corner. He didn't quite get the bounce but he saw the space. Those are the things Whitey does. He has a three dimensional eye on the game. You don't just get side-to-side. He is looking upfield, he is looking for opportunities."
The Wallabies, playing their first Test of the season, let the ball sing from the opening whistle.
Hooker David Porecki, playing his first Test in 652 days after Achilles and calf injuries, was given a ferocious welcome back courtesy of a thunderous hit from Fiji lock Isoa Nasilasila.
Porecki dusted himself off and five minutes later he put the Wallabies ahead from a driving maul. Noah Lolesio added the extras for 7-0.
Fiji's strength is their unpredictability but it means high-risk rugby. In the opening 20 minutes it also meant a lot of dropped passes.
The Wallabies were also sloppy. They missed two lineouts, failed to find touch from a penalty and rarely strung more than five phases together.
Porecki's Test was over in 27th minute after he suffered a head knock and failed the subsequent HIA.
MORE HERALD SPORT
The passes finally stuck for the Wallabies two minutes before the break. Lock Jeremy Williams put a dent in the line with a strong surge. The ball went quickly to the left for Joseph Suaalii to hold up a pass for Fraser McReight to slide over.
However, the Wallabies undid the good work on the stroke of half-time.
A Lolesio chip kick was easily collected by Fiji. They pushed the go button.
Jiuta Wainiqolo made a bust down the left touchline, stepped inside and then lobbed a pass over the top for fullback Salesi Rayasi to power over for his first Test try and 14-5 at the break.
Suaalii, bar the try assist, had limited opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.
The message would have been loud and clear from Schmidt - play direct, hang on to the ball and build pressure.
Fiji didn't change their approach.
The Wallabies had a second try called back for a forward pass in the 48th minute after Max Jorgensen had regathered a kick ahead. It took the officials a handful of minutes and a dozen replays to make the call.
Fiji cut the margin to 14-8 through a Caleb Muntz penalty in the 50th minute.
Four minutes later they were ahead after a spectacular try to Lekima Tagitagivalu.
Wainiqolo picked up a loose pass and went on a mazy run, beating five tackles in a 50-metre solo effort before offloading to Tagitagivalu. Munz converted from the sideline to put Fiji ahead 15-14.
Fiji thought they had increased the lead in the 60th minute when replacement Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula stepped inside and dived over.
However, the Wallabies were ruled to have put a foot into touch in the lead-up before Fiji forced a turnover.
Lolesio was replaced with a concussion from whiplash when caught awkwardly making a tackle.
The visitors were full of running and increased the gap to 18-14 through another Munz penalty.
WALLABIES halfback Nic White owes Harry Wilson a beer.
So do Hunter rugby fans.
It took a last-minute try from the skipper to ensure home-town hero White was given a fond farewell in Newcastle as the Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 in front of a record crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
White was on Wilson's heels when the No.8 twisted, then reached out and got the ball down under a stack of Fijian forwards.
Many of White's family and friends were among the 28,132 that turned Turton Road into a sea of gold for the nippy's No.9's final Test on home soil.
But it looked like White - and the supporters - would depart disappointed, with Fiji ahead 18-14 with two minutes remaining.
"I was pretty relieved and stoked for Harry to get over," White said.
"It was a nice moment. I said in the lead-up that I would be job focused and not too emotional. I was a little bit [emotional] at the end. It was great to get a result here at home."
The Wallabies had tried - mainly unsuccessfully - to play an expansive game.
With the result on the line and time almost up, they went to old school.
From a lineout, they pounded away one-out at the Fiji line.
Eventually, Wilson did enough, punching a hole through the defence and reaching out to score. Ben Donaldson converted to complete the great escape.
The Wallabies had led 14-0 after 30 minutes and had two tries pulled back for forward passes.
The win was the Wallabies' first in three Tests in Newcastle.
They went down 9-6 to Scotland in atrocious conditions in front of 20,088 in 2012.
In 2020, a full house of 11,749 - COVID restrictions halved the ground's capacity - were on hand for the 15-all draw with Argentina.
White started at halfback against Argentina and was in the squad but didn't play against the Scots.
The Scone borm Maitland Blacks product is not about to retire, but at 35, it was likely to be his last Test in Newcastle.
"It was an awesome crowd," White said. "Fiji were unreal. They put us under pressure. We put ourselves under pressure. They are a good side and we had to find a way to win at the end. I'm proud that we found the resolve to get a result.
"The crowd really helped us at the end. It really lifted and we needed it."
White replaced Tate McDermott with 23 minutes to go for his 72nd Test cap.
He kicked intelligently and drove the forwards around the park.
"I'm happy for Nic," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said. "We got what we expected from him. He made a couple of cracking tackles. There were some big blokes coming down that left touchline and he did well.
"He zinged the ball around. He put that ball [kick] into the corner. He didn't quite get the bounce but he saw the space. Those are the things Whitey does. He has a three dimensional eye on the game. You don't just get side-to-side. He is looking upfield, he is looking for opportunities."
The Wallabies, playing their first Test of the season, let the ball sing from the opening whistle.
Hooker David Porecki, playing his first Test in 652 days after Achilles and calf injuries, was given a ferocious welcome back courtesy of a thunderous hit from Fiji lock Isoa Nasilasila.
Porecki dusted himself off and five minutes later he put the Wallabies ahead from a driving maul. Noah Lolesio added the extras for 7-0.
Fiji's strength is their unpredictability but it means high-risk rugby. In the opening 20 minutes it also meant a lot of dropped passes.
The Wallabies were also sloppy. They missed two lineouts, failed to find touch from a penalty and rarely strung more than five phases together.
Porecki's Test was over in 27th minute after he suffered a head knock and failed the subsequent HIA.
MORE HERALD SPORT
The passes finally stuck for the Wallabies two minutes before the break. Lock Jeremy Williams put a dent in the line with a strong surge. The ball went quickly to the left for Joseph Suaalii to hold up a pass for Fraser McReight to slide over.
However, the Wallabies undid the good work on the stroke of half-time.
A Lolesio chip kick was easily collected by Fiji. They pushed the go button.
Jiuta Wainiqolo made a bust down the left touchline, stepped inside and then lobbed a pass over the top for fullback Salesi Rayasi to power over for his first Test try and 14-5 at the break.
Suaalii, bar the try assist, had limited opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.
The message would have been loud and clear from Schmidt - play direct, hang on to the ball and build pressure.
Fiji didn't change their approach.
The Wallabies had a second try called back for a forward pass in the 48th minute after Max Jorgensen had regathered a kick ahead. It took the officials a handful of minutes and a dozen replays to make the call.
Fiji cut the margin to 14-8 through a Caleb Muntz penalty in the 50th minute.
Four minutes later they were ahead after a spectacular try to Lekima Tagitagivalu.
Wainiqolo picked up a loose pass and went on a mazy run, beating five tackles in a 50-metre solo effort before offloading to Tagitagivalu. Munz converted from the sideline to put Fiji ahead 15-14.
Fiji thought they had increased the lead in the 60th minute when replacement Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula stepped inside and dived over.
However, the Wallabies were ruled to have put a foot into touch in the lead-up before Fiji forced a turnover.
Lolesio was replaced with a concussion from whiplash when caught awkwardly making a tackle.
The visitors were full of running and increased the gap to 18-14 through another Munz penalty.
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'And then I felt we got a bit loose and they've got some fantastic broken field runners. That was no surprise to us because we knew they had them and we knew we'd have to be better connected than we were. So, you know, it was certainly a relief when Harry got over and dotted it down, that's for sure.' The Wallabies led 14-5 at halftime after tries from hooker Dave Porecki and Fraser McReight. A shocking brainfade from Lolesio after the halftime siren saw the No.10 eschew kicking the ball into touch, and instead pop a poor chip over the top in his own half. His chasing target Wright missed the regather and Fiji gratefully went on the counter-attack. After Lolesio then went for an intercept, Fiji scored through fullback Salesi Rayasi. The second half didn't see huge improvements straight away from Australia. A chip-kick from Potter finally appeared to work when Max Jorgensen won the race and touched down, but the try was disallowed after it was reviewed and another forward pass from Wright was found in the lead-up. Fiji then swept to the lead when former Fiji sevens speedster Jiuta Wainiqolo went on an incredible run from his quarter and beat five defenders, before offloading to flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu, who scored. Caleb Muntz's penalty in the 67th minute made it a four-point lead, but the Wallabies would have the last say. 3.34pm Let's catch our breath What can you make of that, except the Wallabies should never play in Newcastle again. A beautiful city, wonderful people and a great venue. But there is something about Australian rugby and the Steel City that does not mix. In 2012, the Wallabies were stunned by Scotland. This afternoon, until the last minute, the Fijians were going to do exactly the same after Australia failed to execute the basics for most of the game. Fiji should have been even further ahead before the Wallabies were saved by their own incompetence, when a Fiji try was called back due to Harry Potter's foot having been in touch. It fell to the captain Harry Wilson to deliver in the final minute. None of his forwards could get through the fierce Fiji defence, so he took the ball himself and spun to touch down. Interviewed on Stan Sport, the skipper looked understandably relieved. 'We've loved our time here in Newcastle and the amount of Wallabies supporters here and we're happy to come here and get a win.' 3.26pm Harry Wilson scores in last minute to win game Utter madness. The Wallabies could not break through the Fiji defence, but captain Harry Wilson takes it upon himself, spins and pivots and somehow touches the ball down. I have no idea how. The Wallabies are up by three. It's game over. The Wallabies have committed a rugby heist in Newcastle. They really did not deserve that, but when they needed someone to step up, the skipper who delivered. FULL TIME: Wallabies 21 Fiji 18 3.14pm The Wallabies need a miracle to come back as Fiji stroke another penalty The Wallabies are camped in their own half and look incapable of breaking a Fiji team growing in belief with every minute. Fiji are playing unstructured rugby and it's looking extremely ominous for Australia. It was never a match made in heaven: Fiji, the chief tormentors of the Wallabies in the 2023 World Cup, in Newcastle, where Australia last played in 2012 and were beaten by Scotland. The Wallabies need a try, but where will it come from? There are 10 minutes to save this game. Wallabies 14 Fiji 18 (after 69 minutes) 3.01pm Fiji try rubbed out and concern for Lolesio Fiji have a try rubbed out after Harry Potter's stud was in touch a few plays earlier. The Wallabies have even more to worry about, though, with Noah Lolesio helped off the field amid concerns for his neck after falling heavily into contact. Very worrying times for the Wallabies, with their five-eighth in some distress. Lolesio is in a neck brace but has raised his hands to the crowd. Ben Donaldson is on for the Wallabies with the game on the line. Nothing is going right for Australia and Joe Schmidt's face is thunder in the coaching box. Wallabies 14 Fiji 15 (after 60 minutes) 2.56pm Payto on 60 Seriously underwhelming here from the Wallabies. They've committed almost every sin possible when you play Fiji and simply refuse to play direct and build pressure. Way too much kicking and second-phase play. Rob Valetini's carrying is sorely missed. And Fiji are duly winning the game. They haven't won in Australia since 1954. 2.54pm Fiji score from end of the world to take lead Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will be filthy. His team turned down a simple penalty to go for seven points in the corner, but Jeremy Williams is pinged for obstruction. Just minutes later, Jiuta Wainiqolo runs the length of the field, slicing through the Wallabies defence to set up Lekima Tagitagivalu for a stunning try. The bookies were paying $7 for a Fiji win before kick-off, but someone obviously forgot to tell the Fijians. They are ready to shock the Wallabies all over again. Wallabies 14 Fiji 15 (after 56 minutes) 2.49pm Caleb Muntz fires back with a penalty This game could change quickly. After Jorgensen's try was rubbed out, Caleb Muntz nails a long-range penalty for Fiji, which hits the post on its way over to give them a valuable three points. There are just six points in this game now and the Wallabies are really rattled. The Lions will be licking their lips watching this back in Sydney. Wallabies 14 Fiji 8 (after 51 minutes) 2.45pm Jorgensen gets third try for Wallabies but it's rubbed out Winger Harry Potter has been loving the chip and chase, but with very mixed results today in Newcastle. Finally, it works, and the impressive Max Jorgensen comes off his left wing to dot down. But wait – the TMO is involved again. Tom Wright is pulled back for a forward pass and the try is rubbed out. The second time it has happened to the fullback. It's correct, but this is a terrible, terrible advert for rugby union. So many stoppages. Wallabies 14 Fiji 5 (after 48 minutes)
The Age
8 hours ago
- The Age
‘There's not real confidence': Schmidt admits Wallaby worries after Fiji scare
'As I said, we're just going to have to build that quiet resolve that inch by inch we can work our way toward that.' In another question about whether he had confidence the Wallabies could beat the Lions, Schmidt said: 'I'm not a really confident sort of person. There's not real confidence, but there's a quiet resolve. 'And that quiet resolve, hopefully over the three match series can build to something that will earn us the support of a very interested group.' Schmidt said the Wallabies had suffered from an inability to finish off their scoring opportunities, and build pressure on the Fijians via a steadily climbing scoreboard. He cited two crooked lineout throws when on the Fijians' line that could have seen the Wallabies push their lead out further. 'We've got to iron those out to be super accurate because if you don't nail your opportunities you don't get to build that scoreboard pressure. As long as they believe, well, there's a way for them because they're so athletic,' Schmidt said. 'We didn't quite feel that we got reward for our scrum. I thought our scrum was really good. Didn't quite get that reward for the line-out, as I mentioned, but they're things that we'll be working really hard on. 'Obviously, we got pulled back for two forward passes and that's a skill execution thing we need to take responsibility for and be more accurate with. If you put those four things together, you're already in a lot stronger position in terms of controlling the result, at least.' Schmidt said he expected some rustiness, and given a short preparation, Schmidt downplayed some of the problems in connection and fluidity that seemed to arise. 'We haven't been together for six months and to have five trainings and to be seamless, that would be an expectation that I hoped for rather than believed would immediately happen,' Schmidt said. Loading 'So now we have another short runway to try and improve from where we were today.' After Fiji coach Mick Byrne indicated post-game that his side had fed off the disrespect of people framing it as a 'warm-up game' for the Wallabies ahead the Lions, Schmidt conceded there may have been some attention leakage, with Australia looking a little around the corner as well at the Fiji challenge. 'It is inevitable to a degree. Sometimes you try to talk yourself into something and try to narrow the focus but inevitably we were watching the game last night with the Waratahs playing the Lions. We watched as a team when the Reds played them as well,' he said.
