Fiji to seek answers on bizarre no-try after Wallabies get out of jail in Newcastle

Sydney Morning Herald

2 days ago

Latest posts
Fiji coach Mick Byrne said he would seek clarification with World Rugby about a contentious review that overturned a potential match-winning try against the Wallabies in Newcastle - but was based on an Australian error, and not a Fijian one.
The mistake-riddled Wallabies got out of jail with a 21-18 win at McDonald Jones Stadium, courtesy of a 78th-minute try to captain Harry Wilson, which saw the home team snatch victory from the jaws of an embarrassing defeat on the eve of the three-Test Lions series.
After trailing the Wallabies 14-0 near halftime, Fiji scored after the halftime siren and then scored twice more in a dominant second-half. The Fijians led by four points with minutes remaining and were on the cusp of their first win in Australia since 1954, and back-to-back wins over the Wallabies for the first time.
Wilson's late try saved the Wallabies but it could have been a different story if a Fijian try in the 60th minute was not disallowed.
In bizarre scenes, Fiji crossed the line after kicking downfield, pressuring Nick Frost into a turnover and then passing wide for Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula to cross.
It could have seen the Fijians climb to an imposing eight-point lead with 20 minutes to play, but the try was overturned after the TMO advised referee to look at a possible foot in touch from Wallabies winger Harry Potter.
The Australian had faintly stepped on the line after fielding the Fijian kick and then passing infield to Frost.
'I just need to clarify with World Rugby,' Byrne said. 'The Brumbies got a try taken off them this year and I think they went back 19 phases. I understand that. You can go back as many phases as you can in your possession.
'I didn't know now we can go back to opposition possession as well. Maybe next year when they change it, we might be able to go back 10 minutes and find something. Maybe I'm wrong. I'll just get clarity on it because I thought you could only go back on your possession.'
Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere said it was 'frustrating'.
'You work hard and then you see they made a mistake and then you have to come back for their mistake. But they're the boss. They make the call and everybody listens,' Ikanivere said.
World Rugby regulations say general play can be reviewed up to two phases before a try (foul play can be longer), meaning the ruling was correct. Fiji were ultimately victims of their own brilliance, having not been tackled after the Frost turnover. If they'd had just one more ruck, the Potter foot in touch would not have been reviewable.
Byrne said the defeat was a 'gut punch' and suggested the Fijians had been motivated by public commentary of the Test being a 'warm-up' for the Wallabies ahead of the Lions series.
'The game goes both ways. It's just gutting for the players when they do everything they can and sort of take them out of their hands. But we're not here to focus on that,' Byrne said.
'I just want to congratulate the Wallabies. They hung in there as well. But for our players where we were at half-time and the way the game was, I think we were 35 per cent territory. We scrambled well. We held on to the game.
'We scored that try just before half-time and then got the job done in the second half. I think that's the things we need to focus on of the rugby, the quality of the rugby that was played in the second half. Everyone's talking about the Wallabies' warm-up game, so I hope they feel nice and warmed up.
'I wouldn't be taking too much away from our effort today. I wouldn't be going down the road saying the Wallabies didn't step up. I'd say, 'Get ready for us. We're coming'.'
The Wallabies' victory ended their winless run in Newcastle and saved them the sharp embarrassment of a defeat ahead the massive series coming up in two weeks.
But it also came at a hefty cost, with No.10 Noah Lolesio taken from the field on a medicab after suffering a nasty concussion.
Lolesio had only just returned from a concussion suffered in the Super Rugby semi-finals, and he may be in doubt for the first Test against the Lions on July 19 if his recovery is not straightforward.
But the get-out-of-jail won't hide the massive flaws in the Wallabies' game, which were many.
The Wallabies had three tries disallowed but were far too wasteful with the ball. The hosts committed every sin possible when trying to beat Fiji, with too many offloads and too much aimless kicking.
Fiji then did what they do best, seizing upon Australia's errors and riding a wave of skilful play to scoring several counter-attacking tries.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said the performance was a frustrating one after the hosts had built a lead early, but surrendered it. The final stages of the game brought a mix of emotions.
'Some of it was frustration and some of it was relief to find ourselves in that situation after we built a nice lead early in the game,' Schimdt said.
'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)