Summary

  • Fiji hold on to beat Australia for first time since 1954

  • Fiji's first win in Pool C after agonising defeat by Wales last week

  • Josua Tuisova try gave Fiji 22-8 lead early in second half in Saint-Etienne

  • Lalakai Foketi replied for Australia but Fiji held on for historic win

  • Australia secure losing bonus point but Fiji go second in pool

  • Australia captain Will Skelton ruled out of match with calf injury

  1. Postpublished at 18:23 British Summer Time 17 September 2023

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    Tulsen Tollett
    Former rugby league professional on BBC 5 Sports Extra

    This is turning out to be better than we thought, it is becoming a classic. If Fiji get another score, it could be curtains for Australia

    Fiji defendImage source, Getty Images
  2. Postpublished at 64 mins

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    Play is paused momentarily as an Australia player receives attention from the medical staff.

    Jordan Uelese is OK and walks off the field after getting his head on the wrong side of the tackle.

    We'll come back for the penalty to Fiji.

  3. Postpublished at 62 mins

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    Could we be about to see the first sin-bin of the game?

    Josua Tuisova is quite high in a 'seatbelt' tackle as he wraps his arms around Jordan Petaia.

    Fiji's discipline has been so good today and perhaps that goes in the centre's favour as he remains on the field with just a warning.

  4. Postpublished at 60 mins

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    At the hour mark in their World Cup meeting four years ago, Fiji had the lead.

    They were in front by just a point before Australia put their foot down and earned victory.

    The Pacific Islanders are 11 points to the good today though as they chase a first World Cup win over the Wallabies.

  5. Postpublished at 57 mins

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    For what feels like the first time in the game, Australia roll through a few phases.

    Samu Kerevi bumps Vinaya Habosi onto his backside in midfield as Fiji's defence come under some pressure.

  6. Postpublished at 54 mins

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    Fiji release the backs but some of Waisea Nayacalevu's team-mates are ahead of their captain as he makes the kick through.

    Australia have the penalty and it's another unforced error by Fiji.

    Will this sloppiness come back to hurt them when the full-time whistle sounds?

  7. Postpublished at 51 mins

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    Levani Botia nicks the ball from the clutches of Samu Kerevi and Fiji are off.

    They throw it wide but the final pass just evades the hand and sails into touch.

    A let-off for Australia.

  8. Missed penaltypublished at 49 mins

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    Frank Lomani assumes kicking responsibilities following Simione Kuruvoli's withdrawal, but his penalty just slides past the near upright.

    Kuruvoli had a 100% return before he was forced off the field. Fiji will want to keep adding to the scoreboard to keep the pressure on the Wallabies.

  9. Replacementpublished at 47 mins

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    Simione Kuruvoli's race is run.

    The scrum-half appears to be struggling with a niggle as he makes way for Frank Lomani after contributing 14 points with the boot.

  10. Postpublished at 46 mins

    Australia 8-19 Fiji

    Things are not quite happening for Australia.

    Carter Gordon makes a slight break but Jordan Petaia kicks the ball dead when it is recycled.

    Many of the neutrals inside the ground must be supporting Fiji as the noise goes up a level as the ball bounces behind.

  11. try

    Converted Try - Australia 8-19 Fijipublished at 42 mins

    Josua Tuisova (con Simione Kuruvoli)

    Try time!

    Fiji put in the box kick and Australia fail to claim the ball, before Josua Tuisova grabs it and runs clear.

    That's his second try in the tournament and Simione Kuruvoli adds an excellent conversion from close to the touchline.

    Fiji can smell blood.

    Tuisova scoresImage source, Getty Images
  12. Postpublished at 41 mins

    Australia 8-12 Fiji

    Chargeeeeee!

    Fiji retain an early line-out at the start of the second half and the ball is popped off to Levani Botia.

    The flank only has one thing in his mind as he pins his ears back and runs as hard as he can straight at Rob Valetini.

    The Australia number eight makes the tackle in a heavyweight collision. That's what the fans want to see!

  13. Kick-offpublished at 40 mins

    Australia 8-12 Fiji

    We are back up and running...

  14. Postpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 17 September 2023

    HT: Australia 8-12 Fiji

    The players are back out and we are set for the second half.

    A huge 40 minutes incoming...

  15. Postpublished at 17:42 British Summer Time 17 September 2023

    HT: Australia 8-12 Fiji

    Simione Kuruvoli has made the difference for Fiji with four well-struck penalties.

    KuruvoliImage source, Getty Images
  16. Postpublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 17 September 2023

    HT: Australia 8-12 Fiji

    Mark Nawaqanitawase's try after some quick thinking was a rare moment to savour for Australia in the first half.

    NawaqanitawaseImage source, Getty Images
  17. Half-time - Australia 8-12 Fijipublished at 17:34 British Summer Time 17 September 2023

    Australia are behind on the scoreboard but Nic White decides he has had enough and calls time on the first half.

    Fiji have been the better side and are deservedly in the lead but Australia only trail by four points.

    All to play for after the break...

  18. Postpublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 17 September 2023

    Australia 8-12 Fiji

    Tulsen Tollett
    Former rugby league professional on BBC 5 Sports Extra

    It has been so quick. It is one of those games you don't realise how much time has gone by because it has been so interesting.

  19. Postpublished at 37 mins

    Australia 8-12 Fiji

    Another penalty for Fiji as Australia hold on in the ruck, but this time they opt to pop it into touch.

    It's stolen by Australia, who clear their lines and offer Fiji another chance from further out.

    This time Fiji retain possession before Levani Botia knocks on around the corner.

    Two big chances allowed to disappear.

  20. Postpublished at 34 mins

    Australia 8-12 Fiji

    For all their possession and territory, Fiji will have wanted more reward on the scoreboard.

    They are yet to really test the Wallabies try line but they have been efficient in kicking their penalties.