Going back to basics helps Fiji rally to sink Georgia in Rugby World Cup
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
The Fijians rallied from a nine-point half-time deficit to win 17-12.
PHOTO: AFP
BORDEAUX – A relieved Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui was delighted that the Pacific islanders had rediscovered the discipline that has made them such a force in 2023, in the second half of their Rugby World Cup clash against Georgia on Saturday.
The Fijians rallied from a half-time deficit to win 17-12 at Stade de Bordeaux and put one foot in the knockout phase, with only a losing bonus point needed in their final match against Portugal.
After eschewing the most excessive flamboyance of island rugby to take Wales close and beat Australia in their first two Pool C matches, Fiji were sloppy and inaccurate in the first 40 minutes against a Georgia side happy to take advantage.
“We were put to the sword in the first half. It was because of a great Georgia team and we’ve got to be better there,” Raiwalui said.
“If we’re being honest, we were beaten to the punch. They came out and they were firing and we were probably lucky to be only down by nine points.”
Raiwalui's half-time talk obviously had an impact and Fiji came out in the second half with renewed focus, playing a territorial kicking game and building pressure before releasing their backs.
Tries from skipper Waisea Nayacalevu and winger Vinaya Habosi, as well as seven points from the boot of Frank Lomani, just about got them across the line, although the Georgians were pressing for a match-winning try with the last play of the game.
Georgia’s points came via two penalties apiece from Luka Matkava and Davit Niniashvili.
“It was a bit of a journey. It was a bit of getting back to the basics,” Raiwalui said.
“We turned over too much ball in contact and we weren’t respecting the ball in play, we just gave too many opportunities away.
“But we came back and we rectified a few things and we got it together. It was really tight to the end so happy to get that win.”
The victory was the sixth in eight Tests for Fiji this season, including wins over Japan, England and Australia, and skipper Nayacalevu said there was no doubt the team possessed one important quality.
“We didn’t let go,” he said. “We kept on fighting. I told the boys, ‘It’s going to be hard, we have to keep on fighting. Keep on fighting right until the end, 80 minutes’.”
Fiji skipper Waisea Nayacalevu in action against Georgia.
In the quarter-finals, Fiji could face England, who they beat for the first time after six defeats, in August at Twickenham.
Scrum-half Lomani attempted only a half-hearted sidestep when asked about a rematch.
“That is history,” he said of the last meeting. “England are a better side, for us we are just worrying about our team. We don’t worry about outside noise, we just focus on every game as a final. Even if we play England in a quarter-final, we are just going to play how we play.”
Georgia, meanwhile, were left to rue injuries after hooker Tengizi Zamtaradze was replaced with a wrist injury after 12 minutes. He was followed off by Lasha Jaiani five minutes later after the lock suffered an ankle injury.
“We had a good week of preparation and the boys played very hard,” coach Levan Maisashvili said.
“But, unfortunately, we suffered some early injuries at the start of the game and that cost us in the second half.” REUTERS, AFP
