Fiji trigger an enormous shock on the Rugby World Cup as they beat Australia 22-15 in thriller in Saint Etienne… with the end result piling the stress on Wales forward of their monumental conflict with the Wallabies

Eddie Jones’ World Cup marketing campaign with Australia is in disarray after the previous England head coach admitted his injury-hit staff deserved to lose to an impressed Fiji aspect in Saint-Etienne. 

Jones noticed his Wallabies outplayed by the Pacific Islanders who’ve blown the race to qualify for the quarter-finals from Pool C huge open. 

Australia should now beat Wales in Lyon on Sunday to realistically maintain their hopes of reaching the knock-out phases alive. 

A loss to Warren Gatland’s aspect would depart Jones’ males nearly actually dealing with an early exit. Jones had claimed within the build-up to France his staff would win the World Cup. 

Jones – who returned to Australia after being sacked by England final December – additionally has extreme health points in his squad. Captain Will Skelton was a late withdrawal from the Fiji sport with a calf drawback whereas his fellow key ahead Taniela Tupou has a knee problem. Each gamers have been dominated out of the Wales sport already. 

Josua Tuisova scored for Fiji, who managed to beat Australia with a shock victory within the Rugby World Cup

The spectacular Simione Kuruvoli celebrated after scoring a penalty throughout Sunday’s conflict

Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones accepted the blame for the defeat and congratulated Fiji on their shock victory

‘It was a totally deserved victory for Fiji,’ mentioned Jones. ‘They outplayed us, significantly across the ruck. They’d 3 times extra turnovers than us and in an in depth sport, that’s the distinction. For some purpose, we have been simply off. 

‘Should you take a look at the stats we dominated and scored two tries to at least one, however we weren’t fairly ourselves so there’s going to be some soul looking out. It makes the Wales sport fairly necessary.’ 

After two rounds, Wales are prime of Pool C with an ideal 10-point haul. Fiji and Australia are each on six behind them and bonus factors look set to be essential with regards to who will qualify for the quarter-finals. 

Fiji secured two shedding bonus factors of their controversial defeat by Wales. Frank Lomani’s late missed penalty in Saint-Etienne meant Australia no less than took residence a degree from their Fiji loss by ending inside seven factors of their opposition. 

Jones’ aspect have been second finest. They conceded a mammoth 18 penalties to permit Simione Kuruvoli to kick 4 penalties. In powerhouses Josua Tuisova and Levani Botia, Fiji had world-class performers at their finest. 

Tuisova scored a vital second-half strive after Australia failed to say a excessive kick. Jones admitted the Wales sport is now do or die for Australia. 

‘We’re disillusioned. I’m actually happy for Fiji. The beauty of World Cups is it’s not the top of the highway. I apologise. It’s my fault. I take duty,’ he mentioned. ‘I’ve little doubt we’ll get a response.’ 

Mark Nawaqanitawase scores a strive for Australia throughout the Rugby World Cup conflict in opposition to Fiji

This was Fiji’s first win over Australia since 1954. They dominated the collisions because of the physicality of the likes of Tuisova and Botia. 

‘It’s historical past for us. We gave all the things to win this sport,’ mentioned Tuisova. ‘We took this sport as a ultimate. Successful this sport is unimaginable.’ 

Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu noticed his staff simply miss out on a comeback win in opposition to Wales however then reply in opposition to Australia. ‘I advised the boys in the present day was our ultimate,’ he mentioned. It was do or die.’ 

Kuruvoli’s boot meant Fiji led 12-8 on the break. Australia have been fortunate to have a strive given. Richie Arnold stole possession, however though he performed the ball on the bottom, he was not penalised by referee Andrew Brace. 

The Australia gamers look dejected throughout their shock defeat in opposition to Fiji on the Rugby World Cup 

Suli Vunivalu scored a strive late on for Australia but it surely wasn’t sufficient to forestall Fiji from profitable the sport

Fiji’s Tevita Ikanivere, Ilaisa Droasese and Samuel Matavesi have fun on the finish of the sport after their win over Australia

Nic White then executed an excellent 50:22 kick. Mark Nawaqanitawase chased ahead and took the line-out shortly earlier than going over himself regardless of his throw seemingly not going 5 metres. 

Tuisova’s second-half effort was the important thing second as Jones missed the prospect to maneuver degree with Wales head coach Gatland on the prime of the record for many World Cup wins with 16. 

Jones had been booed by the French crowd and hooked his younger playmaker Carter Gordon early within the second half. His staff did get on the comeback path via Simione Kuruvoli as Fiji tried their finest to throw it away in a dramatic finale which noticed their line-out fall to bits. However Semi Radradra – whose spilled ball arguably value Fiji victory in opposition to Wales – made amends with an excellent late breakdown penalty win to cease Australia of their tracks. 

Nayacalevu then produced a clear line break to make the sport secure. Had Lomani kicked three factors with the sport’s final play, it could have meant no shedding bonus level for Australia however that didn’t cease raucous Fiji celebrations on the ultimate whistle.