Brisbane QLD -Suncorp Stadium.
Welcome to Island City Media’s live coverage of the Australian Kangaroos versus Fiji Bati at the Rugby League World Cup! Fiji are chasing a statement victory against the green and gold, with national pride on the line. Follow along for live scores, key moments and analysis throughout the match.
TEAMS :
Australia: 1. James Tedesco (c) 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Tom Dearden 7. Sam Walker 8. Keaon Koloamatangi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Lindsay Smith 11. David Fifita 12. Reuben Cotter 13. Cameron Murray 14. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 15. Jacob Preston 16. Patrick Carrigan 17. Cameron Munster 19. Latrell Mitchell 21. Harry Grant
Fiji: 1. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Waqa Blake 4. Solomone Saukuru 5. Semi Valemei 6. Kurt Donoghoe 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 10. Mitchell Prest 11. Taane Milne 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Caleb Navale 14. Josese Lanyon 15. Emosi Ravosai 16. Elijah Keung 17. Ronald Philitoga 18. Jordin Leiu 19. Apenisa Driti
Jarrod Sutton is refereeing this match… and Australia is to kick-off with the Bati to receive.
Fiji works their up to halfway and are kicking from the 40m inside Australia’s half.
And a mistake from Fiji off Sam Walker’s kick, with Fiji winger Semi Valemei dropping it on the 20m line.
Australia are now hot and attack. Walker kicked to Valemei’s wing but it was defused and Fiji are now coming out of their half.
And the pressure was too much. Kotoni Staggs hits a short ball from Tedesco down the short-side and runs 15m to score.
But a third knock-on from Fiji, sees Australia on attack again.
Following a line-break from Bostock, Australia looked certain to score. But desperation on defence from Fiji stopped an opening try.
Another drop from Fiji. While Fiji is getting good go-forward, they have conceded their second error.
Sam Walker converts. 6-0 to Australia
Australia is on attack again with Walker’s kick tidied up by Bentley-Hape. Fiji gets through this set without error and Donoghoe kicks to Australia’s 30m.
The Bati kicks off. Smith takes the first hit-up for the Kangaroos.
Walker puts further pressure on Bentley-Hape with a precise kick on Fiji’s try-line.
Donoghoe kicks well again, with Australia forced to bring it out of their 20m.
Bostock looked like scoring, but Fiji was able to bundle the Dolphins player into touch.
Tedesco brings Fiji’s kick with a strong run. And Australia are on attack again.
Fiji will play their last on the 10m. Donoghue flings an incredible bullet pass to Valemei to score in the score.
Magic pass sets up Fiji’s first try and the Bati are right back in this.
Fiji are back on attack. Only 8m away now
A six-again gives Fiji more opportunities to attack. Mitchell Prest almost scores, but is penalised for obstruction.
Dearden gets the ball on the last for Kangaroos, but kicks far too deep and its comfortably taken in the dead ball zone and Fiji now has a seven-tackle set.
Fiji receives a penalty and they have a full set in the Kangaroos red zone.
Fan favourite Taane Milne SCORES.
Wakeham takes the ball to the line and then pokes a kick through, which Milne is able to collect and score.
Interchange FOR AUSTRALIA
- On Patrick Carrigan
- Off Lindsay Smith
Interchange – HIA
- On Jacob Preston
- Off Cameron Murray
Fiji has also lost their fullback Bentley-Hape to injury. Turuva is now at fullback.
The Kangaroos are now throwing multiple off-loads and this is breaking up the Fijian defence.
Tedesco then takes up the ball on the last tackle and instead of kicking, keeps the ball alive and Walker is able to score off the back of some enterprising play.
Five minutes left in the first half. Fiji will be disappointed they haven’t been able to hold their lead despite having the better field position and ruck speed.
Inter-change – HIA for FIJI
- On Ronald Philitoga
- Off Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Walker bombs for Bostock in the last few seconds of the half, but he drops it and Sutton blows to end the half.
HALF TIME : 12-KANGAROOS / Fiji BATI
The second half resumes with Fiji kicking to Australia.
Early chance for Fiji as Australia spill a bomb. And Fiji are now on attack.
Fiji score! Donoghoe takes it to the line, Trbojevic goes for the intercept and misses. And Valemei scores his second try.
Wakeham converts from the sideline. And Fiji now lead 16 – 12
The question will now face Kangaroos coach Kevvie Walters about whether he’ll go to his star-studded bench early, which includes Cameron Munster, Latrell Mitchell and Harry Grant
Bostock drops it and gives Fiji another attacking opportunity
Fiji are through again. But Sutton has ruled a NO TRY due to obstruction.
Australia are now on attack in the Fiji half
And after some slick hands, Trbojevic scores, with a gazelle-like run down the right side-line.
Walker misses the conversion however and it is now 16-16 apiece.
Walker is penalised for a high tackle, giving Fiji another attacking set.
Wakeham kicks for his winger, but is unable to find his target, and Bradman Best brings it out from the 20m for a seven-tackle set.
Penalty to Australia and they opt to kick for goal, which Sam Walker converts.
Tom Trbojevic scores again!
Trbojevic has a hat trick, with another slick break from the Kangaroos.
Australia now playing with a lot of freedom and will look to ice this result in the final ten minutes.
Fiji win a six-again on halfway and will look to launch a long-range attack.
High tackle ruled against the Kangaroos. Fiji will have more tackles to pull a try back.
Donoghoe does it again. He takes it to the line, and finds Valemei again for another try.
Wakeham converts from the side-line again. 30-22. Fiji set up a grandstand finish.
Another six-again for Fiji, gives them another chance at an attacking set.
Fiji will kick on their 10m and the Fijians bundle Best into his dead-zone.
Australia kicks long for the drop-out.
Wakeham kicks too deep and Bostock takes the restart from the 20m and frees up Trbojevic down the side-line and he looks sure to score. But the ref pulls them back, as Bostock has tapped the ball 2m over the line.
With 5min left, Australia get a penalty which might relieve some pressure.
Walters has resisted the urge to give his bench stars a run, only using three of his reserves.
And Australia score. Jacob Preston runs a hard line off Dearden to score next to the posts.
Fiji go for the short restart and reclaim the ball.
And that is the game folks.
FINAL SOCRE KANGAROOS 36- FIJI BATI 22
