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RNZ News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Wilson saves Wallabies in close win over Fiji
Wallabies captain David Wilson and his Flying Fijians counterpart Tevita Ikanivere with the Vuvale Trophy before the test match in Newcastle on Sunday, 6 July 2025. Photo: Supplied / Fiji Rugby Union Wallabies skipper David Wilson planted the ball over his head, amongst tacklers who tried to stop him from going over the line, as the Australians romped to a close 21-18 win over the Flying Fijians in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. The Wallabies claimed the Vuvale Bowl in the process at the McDonald Jones Stadium and avenged their loss to the Fijians at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Fiji had led 18-14 with four minutes to go and looked like they were on their way to recording their consecutive win over the Wallabies. But the Fijians gave away two consecutive penalties close to their line, and the Australians opted for the kick to the sideline. Replacement halfback Ben Donaldson put the ball over the line, and the Wallabies won the lineout throw. As the Fijians defended their line, Captain Wilson stepped up, got the ball and twisted and turned, diving over backwards to score the winning try. That brought Wallabies fans amongst the 28,000-odd crowd jumping with joy, with the win being their own warm-up before they face the British Lions next weekend. Skipper Wilson admitted after the game that it was a tough battle throughout, especially after the hosts had taken a 14-0 lead close to halftime. "Yeah, it was good to get the win," Wilson said. "It was a tough match. Fiji is a quality outfit, and it was great to get the result in the end. "Test matches against Fiji is always tough. First test match of the year, and we've liked our time here in Newcastle." Coach Joe Schmidt said they knew that the Fijians would be fast and unpredictable. "It was lucky they lost the ball forward a few times," Schmidt said. "They stretched us in some moments." Two of those knock-ons by the Fijians saw possible tries go begging, with number eight Viliame Mata spilling the ball forward as the gap opened up before him in the second half, and lock Isoa Nasilasila also guilty of the same as the visitors ploughed their way towards the Wallabies' line. Flying Fijians captain Tevita Ikanivere, who was also guilty of spilling the ball forward on attack and losing a number of his line-out throws in the game, said he was proud of his warriors and congratulated the Wallabies. "Very proud of my brothers," Ikanivere said. "We came here one week and came out to put the effort out there today. "I know it is a disappointing loss, losing in the last minute, but thankful to them for giving their all today." Ikanivere thanked family and friends, plus fans who turned up in numbers to cheer for them. "I think we could hear Go Fiji Go more than the Aussies, so I think that was a win for us from the crowd," he said. Debutant Salesi Rayasi, who has now followed his dad Filipe in becoming a Flying Fijian, got the Fijians' first try on the board just before halftime when he sliced his way through Wallabies tacklers to score in the corner. The second half saw a change in how the Fijians played the game, with big hits by the ball carriers and quick closing of the lines as the Wallabies carried forward. Winger Jiuta Wainiqolo danced his way through the opposition's defensive cover before giving an overhead pass to Lekima Tagitagivalu, who dived over close to the corner. Flyhalf Caleb Muntz's conversion saw the Fijians take the lead 15-14, with a successful penalty conversion by Muntz earlier. Another successful Muntz penalty in the 68th minute saw Fiji extend their lead to 18-14, with a likely upset in the offering again. Apart from Wilson's try the Wallabies also claimed two more through hooker Dave Porecki, who was later taken off the field because of concussion, and flanker Fraser McReight. Two Wallabies tries were turned down too, while Fiji also had one try cancelled after it was ruled that the ball had gone over the line in the lead-up to the try being scored by replacement Sireli Maqala in the second half. But Wilson struck, and the Wallabies escaped what could have been another humiliation at the hands of the Flying Fijians. The Fijians will face Scotland in Suva on 12 July, while the Wallabies prepare for their first Test against the British Lions at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 19 July. Australia 21: Tries: Dave Porecki, Fraser McReight, David Wilson; Conversions: Noah Lolesio 2/2, Ben Donaldson 1/1, beat Fiji 18: Tries: Salesi Rayasi, Lekima Tagitagivalu; Conversions: Muntz 1/2, Pen: Muntz 2/2 Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Wallaroos beat Fijiana 43-7 at the National Stadium in Suva
Fijiana centre Josivini Naihamu tries to run away from the Wallaroos defence on Saturday. Photo: FRU Media It was a hiding. The Australian Wallaroos just had too much power, initiative and skills as they pounded the Fijiana women's rugby team into submission in a 43-7 win at the National Stadium in Suva on Saturday. The rising Wallaroos led 31-7 at halftime, in the team's first-ever test played on Fijian soil. Fans who decided to stay back after watching the earlier Fijian Drua win over the Reds in the Super Rugby Pacific clash rooted for the team from the grandstand, as the locals scored first through captain Alfreda Fisher. But that was the only time they saw their national reps cross the Australian line. New head coach Ioan Cunningham said at the post-match conference he was happy with what some phases of the Fijiana play, as he looked forward to the Rugby World Cup later this year. "The performance showed real promise, determination, and resilience," he told the media in Suva. "Our strength today was how we carried the ball with purpose. We just need to sharpen our execution and decision-making." The Wallaroos, on the other hand, showed why they are going to be a threat at the world meet. Wallaroos captain Sikapesi Palu (second from left) and Fijiana captain Alfreda Smith, with the Vuvale Trophy flanker by Fiji Rugby board chairman John Sanday (left) and Australia Rugby chief Phil Waugh at the National Stadium in Suva. Photo: FRU Media Ranked sixth in the world, the Australians showcased their superior skill, structure, and fitness to cruise past a Fijiana side that, while physically committed, struggled with execution and pace over 80 minutes. Fijiana drew first blood by capitalising on an early Wallaroos yellow card, with Fisher crashing over on the 7th minute. But the Wallaroos responded swiftly through Caitlyn Haise, and from there, the momentum swung decisively in favour of the visitors. Two Bienne Terita tries, one from captain Siokapesi Palu, and Desiree Miller had the visitors up in the lead at halftime. The Wallaroos continued to control the second half with clinical efficiency, with Layne Morgan and replacement prop Tania Naden scoring tries in the second 40 to seal the game. Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu said her players were confident. "It was a slow start for us, but I think we grew into it," she said. "We wanted to play on our terms, fast and aggressive, and in some moments, we achieved that." Fijiana prop Ana Korovata battles on against the Wallaroos at the National Stadium, in the team's Test match on Saturday. Photo: FRU Media Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp praised his new players who featured in the test match. "We had a lot of new players and combinations, and it took a while to find our rhythm," he said. "The scrum was a real highlight for us today. Our debutants stood tall. "We were really pleased with the scrum, all the props did really well and we had some debutants there, and they stepped up and did a really good job. "I think for us the positive was the opportunity to give six new players in the set up with the Wallaroos, we've seen them perform really well at Super W so we need to see whether they can make that next step up and so it was great to see. We were a bit frustrated in parts of our game, but it was our first hit out, and on the whole, the girls stepped up well." He praised Tabua Tuinakauvadra, who had blood ties to Nadroga, for an outstanding performance in front of the local crowd and some relatives who were in the crowd. The 22-year-old was at number eight and proved to be a handful for the Fijiana players to handle. "One of our players had her homecoming tonight," he said of Tuinakauvadra. "She's not only inspiring future Wallaroos, but also the next generation of Fijian talent." The Wallaroos have won all four tests between them so far. However, the win was marred by injuries to two players heading into the Pacific Four series. Maya Stewart went off early with a non-contact knee injury, quickly followed by Bienne Terita after hurting her hamstring scoring her second try of the game. Both will head for scans when the side returns to Sydney, and could miss the team's test against New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia next week.
