Wallabies strike late to edge Fiji but lose Lolesio to concussion
NEWCASTLE, Australia - Australia lost starting flyhalf Noah Lolesio to concussion as they came from behind with a late try to beat Fiji 21-18 in their only warm-up for the test series against the British & Irish Lions on Sunday.
Captain Harry Wilson crossed a minute from time for the try that gave Australia a measure of revenge for their loss to Fiji at the 2023 World Cup.
"Obviously stoked there to get the win in our first test match of the year. Such a tough match, Fiji's a quality outfit," said number eight Wilson.
"We can't wait for what's coming over the next few weeks."
Fiji scored tries through debutant Salesi Rayasi and Lekima Tagitagivalu either side of halftime and had eight points from the boot of flyhalf Caleb Muntz but came up just short of a first win over the Wallabies in Australia since 1954.
"Very proud of my brothers, we came together in one week, prepared to put it out there today," said Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere.
"I know it's a disappointing loss, losing in the last minute, but thankful to them for giving their all today."
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The Wallabies dominated territory in the first half and looked to get the ball wide as often as they could with Max Jorgensen impressing on the left wing.
The opening try came from a more prosaic move in the ninth minute with hooker Dave Porecki going over the line on the back of a rolling maul.
Right winger Harry Potter crossed in the corner in the 16th minute from a slick backline move, but the score was called back for a forward pass.
The Fijians did not get inside the Australia 22-metre line until the 27th minute but errors from the Wallabies and their own physical defence kept the home side out until two minutes before the break.
Quick hands along the backline sent flanker Fraser McReight over for a try that, with Noah Lolesio's second conversion, gave the Wallabies a 14-0 lead they would have been happy to take into halftime.
An attempt to get centre Joseph Suaalii involved with a high ball in the midfield just before the break misfired, however, and the Fijians gathered the ball and charged down the other end for fullback Rayasi to score in the corner.
The Wallabies kept up with the attempts to get width in their attack after the break, and Jorgensen had a try chalked off in the 49th minute for another forward pass from fullback Tom Wright.
Fiji flyhalf Caleb Muntz kicked a penalty to cut the deficit to 14-8 in the 51st minute, and the visitors took the lead four minutes later when winger Wainiqolo burst through the midfield before finding flanker Tagitagivalu in support.
The Fijians, now rampant, went over again through Sireli Maqala on the hour mark, only for the referee to call that score back too for an earlier foot in touch.
The joy of the Australians in the crowd of 28,132 was short-lived, however, as attention turned to Lolesio receiving attention at the other end after hitting hit his head on the turf in a tackle from Elia Canakaivata.
Fiji continued to trouble the Wallabies with their big ball runners, but Australia worked their way back up the pitch as the last few minutes ticked away.
Four points adrift, they elected to kick for the corner with a late penalty and kept it in the forwards once their maul ground to halt, Wilson barrelling over under the posts to clinch the winning score. REUTERS
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