Australia great Joe Roff, who played on the wing for the Wallabies at three Rugby World Cups in 1995, 1999 and 2003, was generous in his praise of Fiji after the Pacific islanders overcame Australia 22-15 in a titanic battle in Saint-Etienne.
“Congratulations to Fiji, they were the better side on the night. This is a new Fiji, they are disciplined, they are athletic, they are cohesive. They would not be out of place at the pointy end of this tournament. They played very well, they outplayed Australia tonight.”
The loss leaves Australia needing a result against Wales in Lyon on Sunday, 24 September if they are to avoid missing out on the knock-out stages for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.
“This leaves Australia with backs to the wall but often that is when the character of the team shines through the best,” added Roff. “We know there is a mountain now and in certain respects next week becomes an elimination game. We start playing elimination games now, the team needs to dig in deep and I believe it has the character to do that.
Penalties and basic errors
“They will be disappointed with the number of penalties and the basic errors, the basic parts of the game that Australia prides itself on. There were elements that were up and down tonight and that showed on the penalty count. The team will restock early on in the week because you can’t afford to go into Wales with those sorts of statistics.”
Sitting not far from Roff at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard was former Fiji fly-half and rugby sevens legend, Waisale Serevi, who also played three editions of the tournament in 1991, 1999 and 2003.
“I am lost for words and I am so happy, this is the best thing ever. I know in sevens we win a lot but for Fiji this World Cup, I know we struggled against Wales – everyone was disappointed. To win here I thank God for giving the boys the power and the strength.
“We needed a win because this is a strong team, they have been playing well. We would have been very disappointed if we didn’t win today. For me I am so happy, I came to watch one game against Wales but I stayed to support our boys. I am so happy!
“Best Fiji ever” – Serevi
“I think it is the best team ever to play at the World Cup because we are going up and we have beaten Australia now. I believe that maybe we have won a game in the World Cup and going to the quarter-final, we still have two more games and the way we played today showed they can compete on this level. The Australia team are a good team but I think the boys were better today.
“They played to the plan, they played to the strengths of the game they wanted to play. They did everything right and they did compete at the breakdown which is not really the Fijian way of playing rugby.
“I believe the team that we have we can go through the quarter-final and we have every opportunity to get to the semi-final. If they have done this I believe we can go. We have two more games to play.”
Although watching as a more neutral fan, former France back Aurelien Rougerie also now believes Fiji could now go on to make a serious dent in Rugby World Cup 2023.
“It was an excellent game, it was a great atmosphere. It’s amazing for Fiji. I think Australia had a lot of opportunities to score but I don’t know why they kick a lot of balls and gave opportunities for Fiji to try and score, maybe it was their game plan. It is difficult to say but I am happy for Fiji. It is a real opportunity for Fiji to qualify for the quarter-final.”
There is no question though where Rougerie’s allegiances lie. “I hope we (France) win the tournament! I hope we can win against Italy. I hope France [can win at home], it’s a good opportunity.”
So does he wish he was still out there alongside Dupont and co? “Not really.”
AUS 15-22 FIJ: Fiji reaction
Semi Radradra, winger
On the hurt of failing to seize on a last-gasp chance to beat Wales last week:
“It was really painful last week. We had to flush it through quick. We know we still have a lot in us so we want to prove that we have the fight for a quarter-final. Congratulations to the boys today because they showed they could fight until the end.”
On where it ranks in his career:
“It is very special. It hasn’t been done in 69 years. It is big for us as a team to win this kind of game and we are focused on another big one next week.”
On the importance of head coach Simon Raiwalui taking the players to his home village:
“It is very important to us. A few of us play in Europe and in France so when we go back we stay in the city. It was telling that Simon took the team to the village, to connect to the people. During tough times, we have to look back at this moments.”
On sleeping in a gym rather than in queen-size beds:
“This is just the way we have brought up. We have to sleep on a mat on the floor.”
On whether Fiji have the team that can win the tournament:
“Yes, that’s our target. That’s our goal, to win the World Cup. Nothing is impossible. After this big win we have to refocus and see what happens next week.”
Simione Kuruvoli, scrum-half
On being Fiji’s new kicker having never successfully kicked five-out-of-five before:
“To be honest, nah.
“I normally just do the scrum part and feed the balls but I don’t have the kicking bit. I thank the coaches for trusting me. I was surprised today. The extras that have been going on after training, the kicking – I thank the coaches again for believing in me. It went well today.”
On having a well-thought-out plan to beat Australia and knowing they could dominate them:
“We’ve been watching their games [way] back because New Zealand and Australia play heaps of games. We just took our learnings from [Australia’s game versus Georgia] last week and we won. We were coming in to dominate them in many different ways, the scrums, the lineouts.
“We had our loss [to Wales] last week but we managed to take control, having less penalties against us.”
On the importance of the win for grassroots rugby in Fiji:
“It would be very high. A win today will give a boost to the young ones to play for Fiji.”
Temo Mayanavanua, second row
On producing a performance against the stereotypical view of Fijian rugby:
“It was a totally different performance. I know people are expecting us to play with flair but we wanted to show that can play both physical with our flair and be prepared for anything.
“We agreed that we were going to use all our opportunities right [unlike against Wales]. The skipper led us well and we got points out of those penalties.”
On this being the biggest moment in Fijian sporting history… and perhaps beyond:
“It is the biggest moment in Fiji sport and Fiji as a whole, as a country.
“Honestly, words cannot express how glad and how proud we are as Fijians. It’s been a while, the boys deserved it.”
Simon Raiwalui, head coach
On the win:
“It was a good game. I think there were two teams who play a similar style. I thought we controlled the ball better today, still a few mistakes out there but really proud of the boys to come away with the win.”
On the defensive line:
“I think the boys wanted to keep us on the edge of our seat. We wanted to continue to play and play to win. I thought the boys were outstanding today. The set-piece was good, carries were good. It was a good win against a very good Australia team. We could have easily got distracted [after losing to Wales] but the boys prepared themselves, the result was a direct relation to the [preparation] the boys put in.”
On Simione Kuruvoli goal-kicking:
“He had cramp so we had to work on that, drink some more pickle juice. He has trained well all week, he has kicked since we were back at the Warrior U20s back in 2020. He has not been a regular but the coaches have worked with him and all the kickers have worked hard to get consistency and he was outstanding today.”
On if this was a statement to be included in the Rugby Championship:
“It’s always about being included in those competitions but today was not about that, today was about winning this game and staying alive in the tournament. We have had that mindset from the beginning, if we do things right and prepare right we will be in every match. Yes, we want to be involved in those things moving forward but today is about today.
“If you get consistent results the rewards will come. Other teams are pushing for that as well. If a new tournament comes in, if those matches become available we have our hand up, we are ready.”
On Levani Botia and Josua Tuisova:
“Levani had put in a really good shift so probably time for him to come off but he played really well behind the ball, great defence.
“Tuisova, he’s not a long time back. He came into the tournament, he twisted his ankle early. He was three weeks’ recovery, came of the bench last week and this week played really well but he just tweaked that same ankle. Hopefully it’s not too bad.”
On resources:
“There is a difference between the developed and developing nations but we have been very lucky with our sponsors.
“World Rugby have been a great support for us. We have prepared with what we have got, the best we can. We may not get the luxuries of the sports psychologists but we are lucky we have other things.
“We are able to bring in a reverend. You talk about mental well-being but our mental well-being is in connection with our religion and people. Our game and campaign is geared towards us being Fijians.
“We always want more resources but you have to make do with what you have. I would take more matches over resources. The more matches we get at this level – I’m talking outside of the World Cup – if Fiji can get these tier-one matches more regularly, you’ve seen what these boys can do when they get competition.
Josua Tuisova, Mastercard Player of the Match
On how it feels to have beaten Australia for the first time since 1954:
“First of all I want to give back the glory and the honour to the Lord Almighty for giving us the strength and the power.
“I know it’s a long time for us, Fiji, since 19…I don’t know, back in the day. It’s history for us. I just want to thank the boys for their hard work. They gave everything. I just said to them for the second half to empty the tank, give everything they have to try to win this game. We treated this game like a final.”
On the bond with his team-mates:
“We have a bond in the team, especially playing alongside some favourite players. We come together and play as a team. Winning this game is incredible.”
Simon Raiwalui, head coach
On his feelings about the victory over Australia:
“I’m emotionally drained at the moment. I’m really proud of the boys. It was a great contest, a great Australian side. We’re Pacific neighbours so we know each other well. It was a great match. It kept us guessing until the end.”
On his pride:
“I couldn’t be prouder. It’s not just today. It’s a culmination of the work we’ve done since the beginning of the campaign. We pushed the boys to the limits and they’ve never once complained. When you work hard, you get the results so I’m super proud of them.”
On making Pool C wide open in terms of qualification:
“We have two very hard games coming up now. We’ll review this game. I think there will be a few boys sore but I’m super proud.”
Waisea Nayacalevu, captain
On Fiji’s historic win:
“I’m proud of the boys, proud of the effort today. Today we made history. I’m just so proud of the boys and of the team.”
On having a chance of reaching the last eight:
“What I told the boys today, today is our final. Today will determine whether we want to go up to the quarters so the mindset was do or die, do our best, fight to the end and the result will take care of itself.”
James Slipper, prop
On what went wrong against Fiji:
Off the top of my head, I’d say the breakdown and our discipline around that area. The Fijians were really strong over the ball and got a lot of pay for it, so we’re going to have to look at that. It’s a disappointing night.”
On the atmosphere in the changing room afterwards:
“We’re all calm and measured in the changing room. We know what’s coming is another big game against Wales. So you can kick stones for half an hour or so but now it’s about getting better.”
Richie Arnold, second row
On the loss to Fiji and the next game against Wales:
“It makes it easy for us next week – must win. It’s as simple as that.”
Eddie Jones, head coach
On what went wrong:
“Obviously disappointed, we started the game very uncharacteristically. We’ve been really sharp at the start of games and played with a fair bit of pace and precision and today we were sloppy.
“The great thing about the World Cup is it’s not the end of the road. We’ve got Wales next week so we need to kick some stones tonight, work out where we can improve quickly and then get on with the game against Wales.”
On the positives he does take out of the performance:
“I’ve got no doubt we will get a response. I was really pleased with the character our young team showed. When Fiji are on the front foot in a fairly hostile environment it would have been easy for our team to go away and they didn’t.
“If we were able to get our maul going that could have changed the game but we couldn’t get that going. We didn’t get any ascendancy in the scrum and we were beaten at the breakdown.”
On taking full responsibility for the loss:
“Get ready for Wales. I don’t cater for the fans. I appreciate all their support, we are doing our absolute best and I apologise it’s my fault. I take full responsibility for it.”
On the penalty count against Australia:
“We can’t blame the loss on Skelton (captain Will Skelton) not being there. We’ve got to be good enough to cope with that.
“The penalties? When you are not on the front foot it’s quite easy to give away penalties. So I am not worried about our discipline, I am worried about not getting on the front foot.”
On not having any regrets about picking a young squad:
“When you are a television commentator, you are always right. Maybe I need to become a television commentator then I’ll be right all the time. Look, we’ve gone with a young team, I’ve got no regrets at all. We are building a team for the future and we are going to go through some pain.
“I made the decision to go for a younger team and if that’s the wrong decision then I will be held accountable for that. But I think Australian rugby needs to move on to a younger team. I am prepared to go through some pain to leave Australia with a team capable of doing really well in a World Cup.
“That’s not to say we can’t do it, we’ve had a bit of a setback today but that’s all part of being in a World Cup. I do remember South Africa lost a game and won a World Cup, so funny things have happened.”
On the importance of getting a losing bonus point in what is a very tight group:
“It could be massively important. As disappointing as our performance was today, to get a point out of that is a bit of a bonus and that’s probably why they call it bonus points.”
On ‘deserving’ more jeers from the crowd who were right behind Fiji:
“After that I probably deserved more, mate. They should be throwing baguettes, croissants at me. I deserve whatever I get.”
David Porecki, captain
On his message for the team:
“Just get ready for Wales. Every game is do or die in my eyes. We didn’t get it right tonight and we will next week.”
David Porecki, captain
On the game:
“First of all, credit to Fiji, class from them. Mate, it was as expected. They’ve got world-class players in the backline and they took advantage in and around the breakdown – credit to them. We’ve got a pretty tight turnaround Wales now, we’ve got to lick our wounds and get ourselves up for that game, which is easy because it’s a World Cup game.”
On what Fiji brought:
“Every time we put some pressure on, we conceded a penalty which gave them an escape, so we’ve got a pretty clear work-on for next week.”
Eddie Jones, head coach
On what happened:
“Thoroughly deserved victory for Fiji, they outplayed us, particularly around the ruck. They executed three times more turnovers than us, and in a close game like that, that’s the difference.”
On errors and penalties conceded:
“For some reason we were just off today. If you look at the stats, we dominated. We scored two tries to one, but we were a poor version of ourselves today, so there’s a bit of soul-searching to do, but it makes the Wales game pretty important.”
Bazooka Har-de-har
Sport Trivia: Graeme Pollock is considered to be one of the greatest batsmen of all-time. What was his test batting average when he retired?Answer: 60.97. He made his Test debut at the age of 19, and in just 41 tests he scored 2484 runs at an average of 60.97, with five centuries and 15 fifties. He also captured 47 wickets at an average 39.55 runs per wicket. Sadly, his test career was cut short when, at the age of twenty six, an international sporting ban was imposed on South Africa as a result of Apartheid. He was arguably the greatest left-handed batsman the world has yet seen.
Prometheus
Sport Trivia: How many drop goals were \”dropped\” in the 1999 World Cup qualifier between England and South Africa, and by whom? Answer: Jannie de Beer – 5 drops in the 1999 World Cup,against England in Paris. South Africa won the match 44 – 21.