Super Rugby spin-off: new comp to fix fixture shortage
The ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force will face off against each other over three rounds in September, with the top two teams then contesting a grand final on October 5.
The national under-19 competition will run alongside it and include multiple double-headers.
It comes five years after the second-tier National Rugby Championship was axed as part of cost-saving measures following the COVID-19 pandemic.
That competition nurtured players like Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, as well as coaches like Brad Thorn, before they burst onto the Super Rugby scene with the Queensland Reds.
But its absence has created a troublesome gap, and lack of domestic playing opportunities compared to rival nations, that has finally been addressed.
"We have worked closely with the Super Rugby clubs to identify a suitable window within our domestic competition calendar to play more meaningful, quality matches," RA high performance boss Ben Whitaker said in a statement on Tuesday.
"This first iteration of Super Rugby AUS will address that need, support the ongoing growth and development of the players and high performance staff, and give rugby fans more opportunities to watch their favourite Super Rugby teams in action.
"The Super Rugby Pacific season is relatively short and sharp, and the contracted players who aren't involved with Wallabies can go a long time between games at that level, especially once club rugby finals commence in August."
Venues and kick-off times are yet to be finalised.
Rugby Australia have moved to fill a gaping, five-year fixtures hole by confirming a rapid-fire Super Rugby AUS tournament.
The ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force will face off against each other over three rounds in September, with the top two teams then contesting a grand final on October 5.
The national under-19 competition will run alongside it and include multiple double-headers.
It comes five years after the second-tier National Rugby Championship was axed as part of cost-saving measures following the COVID-19 pandemic.
That competition nurtured players like Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, as well as coaches like Brad Thorn, before they burst onto the Super Rugby scene with the Queensland Reds.
But its absence has created a troublesome gap, and lack of domestic playing opportunities compared to rival nations, that has finally been addressed.
"We have worked closely with the Super Rugby clubs to identify a suitable window within our domestic competition calendar to play more meaningful, quality matches," RA high performance boss Ben Whitaker said in a statement on Tuesday.
"This first iteration of Super Rugby AUS will address that need, support the ongoing growth and development of the players and high performance staff, and give rugby fans more opportunities to watch their favourite Super Rugby teams in action.
"The Super Rugby Pacific season is relatively short and sharp, and the contracted players who aren't involved with Wallabies can go a long time between games at that level, especially once club rugby finals commence in August."
Venues and kick-off times are yet to be finalised.
Rugby Australia have moved to fill a gaping, five-year fixtures hole by confirming a rapid-fire Super Rugby AUS tournament.
The ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force will face off against each other over three rounds in September, with the top two teams then contesting a grand final on October 5.
The national under-19 competition will run alongside it and include multiple double-headers.
It comes five years after the second-tier National Rugby Championship was axed as part of cost-saving measures following the COVID-19 pandemic.
That competition nurtured players like Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, as well as coaches like Brad Thorn, before they burst onto the Super Rugby scene with the Queensland Reds.
But its absence has created a troublesome gap, and lack of domestic playing opportunities compared to rival nations, that has finally been addressed.
"We have worked closely with the Super Rugby clubs to identify a suitable window within our domestic competition calendar to play more meaningful, quality matches," RA high performance boss Ben Whitaker said in a statement on Tuesday.
"This first iteration of Super Rugby AUS will address that need, support the ongoing growth and development of the players and high performance staff, and give rugby fans more opportunities to watch their favourite Super Rugby teams in action.
"The Super Rugby Pacific season is relatively short and sharp, and the contracted players who aren't involved with Wallabies can go a long time between games at that level, especially once club rugby finals commence in August."
Venues and kick-off times are yet to be finalised.
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7NEWS
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- 7NEWS
Wimbledon apologises after fourth-round match marred by technology failure
Wimbledon's much-vaunted automated line-calling system has come under fire from a disgruntled player who complained of home bias after it malfunctioned at a crucial point of a fourth-round clash on Centre Court. Former French Open champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was robbed of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain's Sonay Kartal on Sunday because of the glitch, leading the Russian veteran to complain bitterly. Serving at game point and 4-4 in the opening set, Kartal hit a shot that was clearly long, prompting Pavlyuchenkova to stop playing the point. An automated voice call of 'stop, stop' then blared out, causing more confusion as chair umpire Nico Helwerth had to telephone for help from tournament organisers. Helwerth ruled that because the Hawk-Eye technology had not tracked the ball, the point had to be replayed, even though TV replays showed the ball to be way out. It proved a crucial ruling with Pavlyuchenkova then going on to have her serve broken. Raging at the changeover, she told Helwerth: 'Because she is local, they can say whatever. You took the game away from me. They stole the game from me. You stole the game from me'. Ultimately, Pavlyuchenkova got back on track to win 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 to book a quarter-final place, but she was later still voicing her unhappiness about the call system, which has only be introduced this year after the decision to get rid of all line judges at the tournament. Tournament officials reported the non-call had been down to operator error, but Pavlyuchenkova felt Helwerth should have intervened to correct what everyone saw was a clear error. 'I just thought the chair umpire could take the initiative. That's why he's there sitting on the chair. He also saw it out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn't,' she said. 'I think it's also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision. But I think they should. That's what they're there for, sitting on the chair. 'Otherwise, I think, soon, let's just play without them. Right? Then we're gonna have everything automatic. 'I think we're losing a little bit of this charm of actually having human being ball boys. Like, during Covid, we didn't have ball boys. It becomes a bit weird and robot sort of oriented. 'They're very good at giving fines though and code violations. This, they don't miss. Every time, any little thing, they're just right there on it. I'd prefer they looked at the lines and calling the errors, mistakes better.' Asked how she would have felt if the point had cost her the match, Pavlyuchenkova smiled: 'I would just say that I hate Wimbledon and never come back here!' Other players at the Championships have complained about wrong calls, with British star Emma Raducanu saying she didn't trust the system and Jack Draper adamant it was not 100 per cent accurate. Pavlyuchenkova added: 'I think we are losing a little bit of the charm of actually having human beings. Like during COVID, we didn't have ball boys. It just becomes a little bit weird and sort of robot-orientated.' And with another dig at organisers, she added: 'They're very good at giving fines, though, and code violations. I would prefer they looked at the lines and call the errors better.' The All England Club admitted error after the match, issuing an apology to the players. 'We have apologised to the players involved,' a statement reads. 'We continue to have full confidence in the accuracy of the ball tracking technology. 'In this instance, there was a human error and as a consequence we have fully reviewed our processes and made the appropriate changes.'
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Fiji want chance to beat Wallabies on their home turf
Fiji coach Mick Byrne has again called for Australia to play in Suva after the Pacifc islanders took the Wallabies to the wire in their Test match in Newcastle. The Fijians came within minutes of securing a historic first by beating Australia in successive Tests for the first time before Wallabies captain Harry Wilson crossed for the match-winning try in a 21-18 win. Australia lifted the newly-named Vuvale Bowl trophy, presented by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front-rower. The Wallabies haven't played in Fiji since 1984 and Byrne said he hoped the Pacific nation's growing presence on the world rugby stage would entice Rugby Australia to consider a Test in Suva. Earlier in the week, he plumped for the series to be decided by one Test in each country. "Look, I think we're talking on it - it would be great to play Australia in Fiji," Byrne said. "That would be pretty handy." Leading 18-14, Fiji were desperately unlucky to be denied another try when the Television Match Official ruled Wallabies winger Harry Potter had stepped into touch before the ball was turned over to the visitors. "I just need to clarify with World Rugby ... the Brumbies got a try taken off them this year, and I think they went back 19 phases so you can go back as many phases as you can in your possession," a frustrated Byrne said. "I didn't know now we can go back to opposition possession as well. Maybe I'm wrong so I'll just get clarity on it." Fiji trailed 14-0 before a try right on halftime by Salesi Rayasi, with the debutant fullback beating three Australian defenders to put his team on the scoreboard. After the Wallabies blew an early second half try with a forward pass, Fiji lifted their tempo and physicality to dominate the home side, bringing back memories of their 2023 World Cup shock. "I feel for the players," Byrne said. "We did everything we could in the first half to hang in there, scramble, do what we needed to do. "Numbers were against us, came in at half-time, regrouped, came out the second half to do a job. "The boys did really well so yeah, it is a gut punch." Fiji coach Mick Byrne has again called for Australia to play in Suva after the Pacifc islanders took the Wallabies to the wire in their Test match in Newcastle. The Fijians came within minutes of securing a historic first by beating Australia in successive Tests for the first time before Wallabies captain Harry Wilson crossed for the match-winning try in a 21-18 win. Australia lifted the newly-named Vuvale Bowl trophy, presented by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front-rower. The Wallabies haven't played in Fiji since 1984 and Byrne said he hoped the Pacific nation's growing presence on the world rugby stage would entice Rugby Australia to consider a Test in Suva. Earlier in the week, he plumped for the series to be decided by one Test in each country. "Look, I think we're talking on it - it would be great to play Australia in Fiji," Byrne said. "That would be pretty handy." Leading 18-14, Fiji were desperately unlucky to be denied another try when the Television Match Official ruled Wallabies winger Harry Potter had stepped into touch before the ball was turned over to the visitors. "I just need to clarify with World Rugby ... the Brumbies got a try taken off them this year, and I think they went back 19 phases so you can go back as many phases as you can in your possession," a frustrated Byrne said. "I didn't know now we can go back to opposition possession as well. Maybe I'm wrong so I'll just get clarity on it." Fiji trailed 14-0 before a try right on halftime by Salesi Rayasi, with the debutant fullback beating three Australian defenders to put his team on the scoreboard. After the Wallabies blew an early second half try with a forward pass, Fiji lifted their tempo and physicality to dominate the home side, bringing back memories of their 2023 World Cup shock. "I feel for the players," Byrne said. "We did everything we could in the first half to hang in there, scramble, do what we needed to do. "Numbers were against us, came in at half-time, regrouped, came out the second half to do a job. "The boys did really well so yeah, it is a gut punch." Fiji coach Mick Byrne has again called for Australia to play in Suva after the Pacifc islanders took the Wallabies to the wire in their Test match in Newcastle. The Fijians came within minutes of securing a historic first by beating Australia in successive Tests for the first time before Wallabies captain Harry Wilson crossed for the match-winning try in a 21-18 win. Australia lifted the newly-named Vuvale Bowl trophy, presented by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front-rower. The Wallabies haven't played in Fiji since 1984 and Byrne said he hoped the Pacific nation's growing presence on the world rugby stage would entice Rugby Australia to consider a Test in Suva. Earlier in the week, he plumped for the series to be decided by one Test in each country. "Look, I think we're talking on it - it would be great to play Australia in Fiji," Byrne said. "That would be pretty handy." Leading 18-14, Fiji were desperately unlucky to be denied another try when the Television Match Official ruled Wallabies winger Harry Potter had stepped into touch before the ball was turned over to the visitors. "I just need to clarify with World Rugby ... the Brumbies got a try taken off them this year, and I think they went back 19 phases so you can go back as many phases as you can in your possession," a frustrated Byrne said. "I didn't know now we can go back to opposition possession as well. Maybe I'm wrong so I'll just get clarity on it." Fiji trailed 14-0 before a try right on halftime by Salesi Rayasi, with the debutant fullback beating three Australian defenders to put his team on the scoreboard. After the Wallabies blew an early second half try with a forward pass, Fiji lifted their tempo and physicality to dominate the home side, bringing back memories of their 2023 World Cup shock. "I feel for the players," Byrne said. "We did everything we could in the first half to hang in there, scramble, do what we needed to do. "Numbers were against us, came in at half-time, regrouped, came out the second half to do a job. "The boys did really well so yeah, it is a gut punch."
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
White goes out a winner as record crowd turn out for Wallabies in Newcastle
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. 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.
