Fiji get their first win over Australia since 1954 in Saint Ettienne tonight, producing a wonderfully composed performance to win the game 22-15, keeping their Quarter-Final hopes very much alive.

Fiji were excellent across the park tonight, with stand-out performers in multiple positions. They improved their kicking game significantly from last week’s loss to Wales, the inclusion of Simi Kuruvoli proving decisive. Similarly, at the breakdown the Fijians were immense from the onset tonight.

An early penalty for Australia following a high tackle on Rob Valetini was converted by Full-Back Ben Donaldson to give the Wallabies a three-point lead inside as many minutes. Donaldson adds to his impressive points tally at this World Cup, off the back of his 25 points against Georgia last week.

Fiji were awarded a penalty shortly later, scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli stepping up to take the kick. Kuruvoli, taking his first kick in international rugby, nailed the kick from distance, the ball travelling perfectly down the middle of the posts. The scrum-half would double his tally on the night just nine minutes later as he converted another penalty from a very similar position. Kuruvoli’s inclusion this week is a clear statement of intent from Fiji, who know that their goal-kicking let them down last week against Wales.

Fiji began to dominate possession, making metres on every carry. However, very much against the run of play, Fiji knocked the ball on in the tackle and the ball spilled into the path of Nic White. There was a suggestion that Richie Arnold handled the ball on the ground, leading to the knock-on, but referee Andrew Brace was happy this wasn’t the case. Nic White was quick to notice space in the Fiji back-field, putting through an excellent kick from within his own half into space. The ball bounced through the Fiji 22’ and trickled out for a Wallabies 50:22. Mark Nawaqanitawase was careful to use the same ball and took a quick lineout to Samu Kerevi, who offered a return pass for the winger, who had an easy run to the line as they caught the Fiji defence napping.

The TMO and Andrew Brace were happy that Richie Arnold had not handled the ball on the ground, much to the disappointment of the largely Fijian-supporting crowd in Saint Ettiene.

Fiji responded well, showing their composure from the kicking tee to immediately take back the lead thanks to the boot of Simi Kuruvoli. Just six minutes later, the scrum-half would increase Fiji’s lead to four points with his fourth penalty of the half. Fiji showed real composure from the kicking tee to take control of this fixture. The Wallabies were made to pay for their ill-discipline, giving away 7 penalties in the opening half-hour.

With pressure mounting at the end of the half, Fiji were unable to fully capitalise on their dominance as they lost two crucial lineouts in the space of as many minutes, with a third being fumbled by Levani Botia immediately afterwards. The La Rochelle flanker was angry at himself for his mistake, knowing how important these fine margins are in games at the highest level. Australia to their credit disrupted the Fijian lineout brilliantly, Nick Frost putting serious pressure on the set-piece, coming up with a crucial steal on the Australian five-metre line.

Australia would hang on for half time, Nic White kicking the ball out of play at the earlier opportunity. Fiji looked in control of this fixture, but fell victim to their own errors at times in the first half, and were undone by some brilliant ‘heads-up’ rugby from the Wallabies. Kuruvoli’s kicking is a huge development for Fiji, who are really evolving into a team that can do it all, composure being their final ingredient.

The second half started with the same intensity of the first, and despite losing Jiuta Wainiqolo to injury Fiji looked hungry for a score. What started as a fairly ordinary defensive box-kick turned into a brilliant score from Fiji. Australia’s Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase were caught in two minds about whose job it was to claim the ball and as such the ball went unclaimed. The unpredictable bounce helped the ball into the hands of Josua Tuisova, who sped past the confused Wallabies defence and into the corner for Fiji’s first try of this game. Another excellent kick from Kuruvoli extended Fiji’s lead to 11 points, as they led 19-8 at the start of the second half.

Australia refused to back down, and really made Fiji work in defence, Marika Koroibete causing real problems with his speed, power and offloading abilities. Fiji found themselves under pressure for sustained periods during the third quarter of this game, made worse by the loss of Levani Botia in the 58^th minute.

They would come up with the goods on multiple occasions, however, winning crucial penalties inside their own 22’ through Viliame Mata, Albert Tuisue and Josua Tuisova in particular, denying Australia in dangerous positions. Fiji proved their metal at the breakdown, forcing penalties and turnovers to deny any Australian momentum.

Substitute Fijian scrum-half Frankk Lomani extended Fiji’s lead to 14 points with just 15 minutes to play with an excellent kick from distance, albeit straight in-line with the posts.

Australia responded well as the game neared its completion, and got their reward for their sustained pressure in the 68^th minute, thanks to a powerful pick-and-go drive from substitute winger Suliasi Vunivalu. With Australia’s line-out functioning well, they opted for a driving maul from close range.

After the initial effort was repelled, Vunivalu reacted quickly to squeeze through the narrowest of gaps. Ben Donaldson was able to convert the following kick, bringing the Wallabies within 7 points with just ten minutes to play. Everything was set for a grand-stand closing ten minutes.

Despite being under immense pressure from the Wallabies in the final minutes, Fiji held on to win this game by a margin of seven points, meaning Australia earn a potentially decisive losing bonus point.

The night belongs to Fiji in what was yet another epic game played by the Pacific Islanders.