Wallabies survive Fiji flair for comeback victory
Losing their last Test against the Pacific Islanders, ending a 69-year win streak, the Australians narrowly avoided more unwanted history as Fiji looked to go back-to-back for the first time.
There were shades of Saint Etienne, where the Wallabies suffered their World Cup humiliation, when Australia fell behind in the 55th minute but they managed to scramble for the much-needed win.
Skipper Harry Wilson managed to get the ball down over his head with just over a minute remaining to secure a heart-stopping win.
But it came at a cost with flyhalf Noah Lolesio stretchered from the field in the 60th minute after his head slammed into the turf as he was tackled.
The Wallabies' bumbling performance overshadowed the Lions' own struggles ahead of the July 19 series opener in Brisbane after the tourists battled to see off an undermanned Waratahs outfit in Sydney on Saturday night.
Despite perfect conditions in front of a 28,000-strong crowd for the day match at McDonald Jones Stadium and with the prime ministers of both countries in the stands, Australia failed to mount any real pressure in the first half with too many turnovers and some aimless kicking.
The hosts led 14-5 at halftime with Dave Porecki opening the scoring in the eighth minute through a Wallabies maul.
The hooker was playing his first Test in 652 days, sidelined in 2024 due to an achilles injury, but Porecki only last 26 minutes before being forced off due to a head knock.
The Wallabies had to wait until the 36th minute when the finally strung some attack together to send Fraser McReight across the line.
But they then let a 14-point lead slip when Lolesio ignored sending the ball dead for halftime and instead put a dinky kick through that Fiji pounced on.
They worked the ball to Salesi Rayasi, with the debutant fullback beating three Australian defenders to put his team on the scoreboard.
Australia looked to play with more width in the second half with winger Max Jorgensen crossing in the 48th minute, but the try was disallowed due to a forward pass from fullback Tom Wright in the build-up.
Fellow winger Harry Potter also had a first half try denied due to Wright forward pass.
Momentum then swung the Fijians way as they embraced their traditional sevens style of play, putting the Wallabies on the back foot.
After a Caleb Muntz penalty they hit the lead when winger Jiuta Wainiqolo made a jinking run downfield before off-loading for flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu to score.
Muntz added the extras for a 15-14 lead.
They looked to have added another minutes later but the try was denied with Australia's Potter going into the touch before the ball was turned over.
Another Muntz penalty in the 67th minute left Australia needing a try to snatch back the lead, with Wilson finding his way through the Fiji defence to secure the win.
The Wallabies have shown they have a mountain to climb to match the British and Irish Lions after clawing their way to an ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle.
Losing their last Test against the Pacific Islanders, ending a 69-year win streak, the Australians narrowly avoided more unwanted history as Fiji looked to go back-to-back for the first time.
There were shades of Saint Etienne, where the Wallabies suffered their World Cup humiliation, when Australia fell behind in the 55th minute but they managed to scramble for the much-needed win.
Skipper Harry Wilson managed to get the ball down over his head with just over a minute remaining to secure a heart-stopping win.
But it came at a cost with flyhalf Noah Lolesio stretchered from the field in the 60th minute after his head slammed into the turf as he was tackled.
The Wallabies' bumbling performance overshadowed the Lions' own struggles ahead of the July 19 series opener in Brisbane after the tourists battled to see off an undermanned Waratahs outfit in Sydney on Saturday night.
Despite perfect conditions in front of a 28,000-strong crowd for the day match at McDonald Jones Stadium and with the prime ministers of both countries in the stands, Australia failed to mount any real pressure in the first half with too many turnovers and some aimless kicking.
The hosts led 14-5 at halftime with Dave Porecki opening the scoring in the eighth minute through a Wallabies maul.
The hooker was playing his first Test in 652 days, sidelined in 2024 due to an achilles injury, but Porecki only last 26 minutes before being forced off due to a head knock.
The Wallabies had to wait until the 36th minute when the finally strung some attack together to send Fraser McReight across the line.
But they then let a 14-point lead slip when Lolesio ignored sending the ball dead for halftime and instead put a dinky kick through that Fiji pounced on.
They worked the ball to Salesi Rayasi, with the debutant fullback beating three Australian defenders to put his team on the scoreboard.
Australia looked to play with more width in the second half with winger Max Jorgensen crossing in the 48th minute, but the try was disallowed due to a forward pass from fullback Tom Wright in the build-up.
Fellow winger Harry Potter also had a first half try denied due to Wright forward pass.
Momentum then swung the Fijians way as they embraced their traditional sevens style of play, putting the Wallabies on the back foot.
After a Caleb Muntz penalty they hit the lead when winger Jiuta Wainiqolo made a jinking run downfield before off-loading for flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu to score.
Muntz added the extras for a 15-14 lead.
They looked to have added another minutes later but the try was denied with Australia's Potter going into the touch before the ball was turned over.
Another Muntz penalty in the 67th minute left Australia needing a try to snatch back the lead, with Wilson finding his way through the Fiji defence to secure the win.
The Wallabies have shown they have a mountain to climb to match the British and Irish Lions after clawing their way to an ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle.
Losing their last Test against the Pacific Islanders, ending a 69-year win streak, the Australians narrowly avoided more unwanted history as Fiji looked to go back-to-back for the first time.
There were shades of Saint Etienne, where the Wallabies suffered their World Cup humiliation, when Australia fell behind in the 55th minute but they managed to scramble for the much-needed win.
Skipper Harry Wilson managed to get the ball down over his head with just over a minute remaining to secure a heart-stopping win.
But it came at a cost with flyhalf Noah Lolesio stretchered from the field in the 60th minute after his head slammed into the turf as he was tackled.
The Wallabies' bumbling performance overshadowed the Lions' own struggles ahead of the July 19 series opener in Brisbane after the tourists battled to see off an undermanned Waratahs outfit in Sydney on Saturday night.
Despite perfect conditions in front of a 28,000-strong crowd for the day match at McDonald Jones Stadium and with the prime ministers of both countries in the stands, Australia failed to mount any real pressure in the first half with too many turnovers and some aimless kicking.
The hosts led 14-5 at halftime with Dave Porecki opening the scoring in the eighth minute through a Wallabies maul.
The hooker was playing his first Test in 652 days, sidelined in 2024 due to an achilles injury, but Porecki only last 26 minutes before being forced off due to a head knock.
The Wallabies had to wait until the 36th minute when the finally strung some attack together to send Fraser McReight across the line.
But they then let a 14-point lead slip when Lolesio ignored sending the ball dead for halftime and instead put a dinky kick through that Fiji pounced on.
They worked the ball to Salesi Rayasi, with the debutant fullback beating three Australian defenders to put his team on the scoreboard.
Australia looked to play with more width in the second half with winger Max Jorgensen crossing in the 48th minute, but the try was disallowed due to a forward pass from fullback Tom Wright in the build-up.
Fellow winger Harry Potter also had a first half try denied due to Wright forward pass.
Momentum then swung the Fijians way as they embraced their traditional sevens style of play, putting the Wallabies on the back foot.
After a Caleb Muntz penalty they hit the lead when winger Jiuta Wainiqolo made a jinking run downfield before off-loading for flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu to score.
Muntz added the extras for a 15-14 lead.
They looked to have added another minutes later but the try was denied with Australia's Potter going into the touch before the ball was turned over.
Another Muntz penalty in the 67th minute left Australia needing a try to snatch back the lead, with Wilson finding his way through the Fiji defence to secure the win.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
36 minutes ago
- West Australian
Western Force's Simon Cron, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy named in AUNZ invitational side
Having already impressed against the British and Irish Lions, a pair of Western Force starters — and their coach — will get a chance at an encore in Adelaide this week. Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy will be the Force representatives named in the AUNZ squad to face the Lions at Adelaide Oval on Saturday in their final tune-up before the Wallabies Tests begin. Force coach Simon Cron will also serve as an assistant to departing Reds and incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss. The AUNZ invitational squad, which features players from both Australia and New Zealand, was officially unveiled today following the drip-feeding of several members over the past month. Hooker Paenga-Amosa, who had an injury-affected first season out west, showed his class against the Lions in the Force's clash with them at Optus Stadium. The Wallabies front-rower helped the Force turn the tables on the Lions' scrum and after he missed out on selection for Australia's squad to face Fiji, Paenga-Amosa will have another chance to catch Joe Schmidt's eye. Grealy's selection comes after his impressive showing against the Lions, where he repeatedly threatened with the ball in hand. The outside back finished the match with a team-high 71 carry metres and nine broken tackles. Eight All Blacks have been named in the 30-man squad, and a host of Super Rugby Pacific-based Kiwi stars have also been included, such as Hoskins Sotutu. There are also nine former Wallabies in the side, including Darcy Lancaster, who impressed for the Waratahs against the Lions over the weekend and has been linked with a move to the Force. Two-time John Eales Medalist Marika Koroibete has flown in from Japan for the game after the winger struggled to impress Schmidt for the Wallabies last year.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
‘Dad was proud': Cruz Hewitt makes winning debut at Wimbledon
'There is nothing you can do about [who your dad is]. It's a little tough, but there are pros and cons, and you've just got to focus on the positives that come with it, so that's what I try and do.' One positive is Lleyton's status as Davis Cup captain, which afforded Hewitt – who made his first men's final at the $25,000 event at Launceston in March – the chance to grow up around, and hit with, Australia's best players. 'It's been great, watching all the Australian players, and trying to do what they do and compete well,' Hewitt said. 'The passion they play with in Davis Cup is great. Hopefully, one day, I can play for Australia, too.' Hewitt had a decent-sized crowd watching him on court nine, including former world No.3 Ivan Ljubicic, and received a strong ovation after sealing victory. He celebrated with arms outstretched before tapping his chest and pointing to the sky. 'It was a great feeling. I've watched my dad play here for many years, and I've always wanted to play on these courts, so I was enjoying every moment,' Hewitt said. 'That [post-match reaction] was to a close friend of mine who passed away, who I wish could have watched, so I pointed to the sky. 'He was one of my close family friends in the Bahamas [where the Hewitts own a home], who unfortunately passed away a few months ago. It was a dream for him, and of mine, to play here, so it was a special moment.' Rybkin is a fellow top-50 junior, so Hewitt's dominant performance was even more notable in that context. Loading He rifled five aces among 26 winners, including 16 on his favoured forehand wing, which has a distinct similarity in technique to 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios. Hewitt's most spectacular shot came in the penultimate game, when he hit a deep return, then opened the court with a cross-court forehand before unleashing a blistering inside-out forehand winner from well behind the baseline to break Rybkin's serve. He celebrated with gusto, letting out an extended guttural roar. 'I just try and rip the forehand,' Hewitt said. 'I've been thinking about Nick – he's got a good forehand, too, so I guess it's good to have the similarities. But I'd love to have his serve.' Hewitt has developed a close bond with Australia's top player Alex de Minaur, who is preparing to face seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic on centre court on Monday for a quarter-final spot. Loading 'I've known Alex growing up, and he's been a great role model towards me, and gives me advice all the time. He's just like an older brother,' Hewitt said. 'He's playing well. He's got a big match against Novak, and he's going to give it his all, like he always does, and I think he can get it done.' Another Australian, Jordan Thompson, lost to Djokovic on Wimbledon's centre court two years ago in a tight three-setter. Like Hewitt, Thompson is optimistic about what his countryman can do against the 24-time major winner. 'Demon's beaten [Djokovic], and I haven't. I played a very different style that day than I'm sure Demon will play tomorrow,' Thompson said. 'He's the greatest of our sport, on one of his many home courts. [De Minaur]'s going to have his work cut out, but he's beaten him before. I know it's going to be a tall order in this type of setting, but if he believes he can win, he can. He's the underdog, so hopefully he plays freely and just takes it to him.'
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Dad was proud': Cruz Hewitt makes winning debut at Wimbledon
'There is nothing you can do about [who your dad is]. It's a little tough, but there are pros and cons, and you've just got to focus on the positives that come with it, so that's what I try and do.' One positive is Lleyton's status as Davis Cup captain, which afforded Hewitt – who made his first men's final at the $25,000 event at Launceston in March – the chance to grow up around, and hit with, Australia's best players. 'It's been great, watching all the Australian players, and trying to do what they do and compete well,' Hewitt said. 'The passion they play with in Davis Cup is great. Hopefully, one day, I can play for Australia, too.' Hewitt had a decent-sized crowd watching him on court nine, including former world No.3 Ivan Ljubicic, and received a strong ovation after sealing victory. He celebrated with arms outstretched before tapping his chest and pointing to the sky. 'It was a great feeling. I've watched my dad play here for many years, and I've always wanted to play on these courts, so I was enjoying every moment,' Hewitt said. 'That [post-match reaction] was to a close friend of mine who passed away, who I wish could have watched, so I pointed to the sky. 'He was one of my close family friends in the Bahamas [where the Hewitts own a home], who unfortunately passed away a few months ago. It was a dream for him, and of mine, to play here, so it was a special moment.' Rybkin is a fellow top-50 junior, so Hewitt's dominant performance was even more notable in that context. Loading He rifled five aces among 26 winners, including 16 on his favoured forehand wing, which has a distinct similarity in technique to 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios. Hewitt's most spectacular shot came in the penultimate game, when he hit a deep return, then opened the court with a cross-court forehand before unleashing a blistering inside-out forehand winner from well behind the baseline to break Rybkin's serve. He celebrated with gusto, letting out an extended guttural roar. 'I just try and rip the forehand,' Hewitt said. 'I've been thinking about Nick – he's got a good forehand, too, so I guess it's good to have the similarities. But I'd love to have his serve.' Hewitt has developed a close bond with Australia's top player Alex de Minaur, who is preparing to face seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic on centre court on Monday for a quarter-final spot. Loading 'I've known Alex growing up, and he's been a great role model towards me, and gives me advice all the time. He's just like an older brother,' Hewitt said. 'He's playing well. He's got a big match against Novak, and he's going to give it his all, like he always does, and I think he can get it done.' Another Australian, Jordan Thompson, lost to Djokovic on Wimbledon's centre court two years ago in a tight three-setter. Like Hewitt, Thompson is optimistic about what his countryman can do against the 24-time major winner. 'Demon's beaten [Djokovic], and I haven't. I played a very different style that day than I'm sure Demon will play tomorrow,' Thompson said. 'He's the greatest of our sport, on one of his many home courts. [De Minaur]'s going to have his work cut out, but he's beaten him before. I know it's going to be a tall order in this type of setting, but if he believes he can win, he can. He's the underdog, so hopefully he plays freely and just takes it to him.'
