Fiji thrash Georgia as Ireland see off Russia to secure bonus-point wins
Fiji’s Semi Radradra dives in the tackle of Georgia’s Beka Gorgadze to score a try during their World Cup Pool D game in Osaka on Thursday. Associated Press
In another match, Ireland beat Russia 35-0 as they bounced back from their stunning upset by Japan with an important bonus-point.
Fiji’s Coach John McKee had demanded a response from his players after they suffered a humiliating upset at the hands of Uruguay and the win puts Fiji in a strong position to secure third place in Pool D to win automatic qualification for the next World Cup.
The game kicked off in torrential rain at the Hanazono Stadium and the opening exchanges were attritional, dominated by the set-piece and high kicks.
Fiji finally broke the deadlock after 19 minutes, Waisea Nayacalevu running in after a clever grubber kick pierced the organised Georgian defence.
The skies cleared but the slippery ball kept the handling errors high until Georgia produced a stunning move from their own line on the stroke of half-an-hour, falling just short of a try but coming away with three points.
In a tournament where the refereeing of high tackles has been a major talking point, Josua Tuisova could well have seen a card for a glancing blow but Kiwi referee Paul Williams decided it was a penalty only.
The teams went into the break with Fiji 7-3 up after a half that was one for the purists in difficult conditions to play rugby.
But as the rain eased, Fiji brought the crowd to life five minutes into the second half with a flowing try down the left from an outrageous offload, finished off by Frank Lomani.
Tuisova extended Fiji’s advantage after another slick backs move, outpacing fullback Soso Matiashvili for the score.
However, Georgia refused to lie down, brilliantly winning the ball from their own kick-off and overpowering the Fijian defence for veteran flanker Mamuka Gorgodze to score his 27th international try.
But Fiji secured a potentially vital bonus point when Radradra cantered in from just inside the Georgian half, beating the covering tackle with a glorious step off his left foot.
Flanker Semi Kunatani put the result beyond doubt with just over 10 minutes to go, bundling over from short range for Fiji’s fifth try, converted from wide out by fly-half Ben Volavola.
By now, the Flying Fijians were living up to their nickname and they produced a breathtaking try from the next kick-off, the ball passing through several hands over the length of the field for Api Ratuniyarawa to score.
And Radradra put the icing on the cake, sprinting down the left wing to dot down for a double.
Fiji next play Wales and will be ruing their loss to Uruguay, as they could have been in a position to secure a shock quarter-final place.
Ireland see off Russia 35-0 for bonus-point win at World Cup
Ireland returned to winning ways but were far from impressive in a 35-0 victory over Russia in Kobe.
For all Ireland, the victims of a shock 19-12 defeat by hosts Japan last weekend, had made 11 changes, the fact it took them more an hour to secure a bonus point against a gutsy but limited Russia side would have been a cause for concern.
Victory also came at a cost. Fly-half Joey Carbery withdrew from his bench role shortly before kick-off with an a longstanding ankle problem, while an injury-hit Ireland saw number eight Jordi Murphy, who only arrived a few days ago after Jack Conan was ruled out, go off before half-time.
The result was rarely in doubt, with Rob Kearney scoring the first of Ireland’s five tries 90 seconds into the match.
Peter O’Mahony and Rhys Ruddock also crossed Russia’s line in the opening period with Jonathan Sexton, captaining Ireland for the first time, after the star fly-half missed the Japan loss with a thigh injury, converting all three tries.
Agence France-Presse
