And here’s the match report:
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Summary
It was 11 v 12 in the world, but the mutterings out of the Pacific pre-tournament had been that there was something very special about this Fijian team.
After a second half demolition job against Georgia, now the world of rugby is unequivocally clear about this: These. Boys. Can. Play.
It was 7-3 at the break; 17-10 just after the 50 minute mark. And just thirty minutes later? A 35-point shellacking. This was ball-in-hand running rugby as fine as you’d see anywhere. Semi Radradra put on a winger’s masterclass, but was ably supported by the men around him in white.
Many have bemoaned the mismatches at Rugby World Cups in the past, but in a pool boasting Wales, Australia and Georgia, who would have circled the game against Uruguay as the one in which this talented island nation’s hopes would be crushed. By rights we should have been on tenterhooks going into the final round of pool games - a title favourite, Wales or Australia, could have been staring at group-stage elimination.
But credit the improvement of so-called minnow nations. Uruguay turned this whole pool upside down, and if Fiji were hurting, it was Georgia who paid for that today.
It sets up a tantalising last pool match against Wales for the Pasifika flyers. What a test of the briefly World No 1 side’s pace, guile and organisation out wide.
Here’s the stats on Semi Radradra:
two tries, three try assists, 178m run, three line breaks.
Unbelievable performance. He fashioned the first try from nothing. They could have gone in trailing at half-time, Fiji, if it wasn’t for him. His ability to sap morale as important as anything else.
Commiserations to Georgia. You couldn’t watch that effort, across the eighty minutes and conclude that this was a team that deserved to get beaten by 35 points.
It prompts another examination of World Rugby’s scheduling, especially for tier two nations. They wouldn’t have had too many opportunities to play world class backlines like Fijis, and despite 50-odd minutes of contestation, they simply had no answers to a terrifying last thirty blitz.
It prompts soul-searching for Fijian Rugby as well though: how by all the old gods and the new did this side manage to fashion a loss against Uruguay??
Incredible against Australia for 50, inspired against Georgia, especially for the last 30. By rights they should be going into the final pool match ready to give Wales the game of their life, and yet, for them (unless there’s another stunning upset by Uruguay against Australia) progression is already a non-option.
They do get their noses ahead in the Pool D battle for a third place finish (and consequent 2023 World Cup qualification), so there’s some reward for this excellent performance.
Full-time: Georgia 10-45 Fiji
80 min: They play the ball after the gong, Georgia. Fair play to them. It’s a penalty, and they take the lineout. Gorgodze looks to burst through again. But Fiji have pinched it - strong in the tackle. And they kick to touch.
What a second half from the Fijians. That was liquid rugby!
Updated
78 min: They’re on the fly again, Fiji. Do you reckon that shock loss against Uruguay hurt them? The big bruisers are back in the lineup and doing it in style. The pass doesn’t stick on this occasion, to the relief of some exhausted men in mauve.
And in this form - what chance are Fiji of upsetting Wales in their final match?
Try! Georgia 10-45 Fiji (Radradra)
75 min: Ach, there’s no let up here. And it’s the man of the day, Radradra who helps himself to a double. It’s a midfield turnover and quick hands once again. But they find the winger - and despite the heroic attentions of Beka Gorgadze, he bumps, rolls and grounds it. What a try.
Volavola with the conversion. He’s struck that well. Getting better as the game goes on.
Paul Pritchard has fired in a tweet:
@rrjparkin Hi Richard, thanks for the great commentary - I can quietly read while I'm at work! Please explain the phrase "coast-to-coast"? I've heard it a few times at this world cup. Cheers and keep up the good work. Thanks. Paul
— Paul Pritchard (@pdqsoftware) October 3, 2019
Cheers Paul - wherever we at Guardian liveblogs can help decrease workplace productivity we’re all for it.
It’s a good question - I’m going to blame my watching too much basketball recently from the World Cup. My understanding of the phrase is when a team goes end to end in one move. Precise origins? No idea.
Try! Georgia 10-38 Fiji (Ratuniyarawa)
70 min: Ach. How’s this. Straight from the kickoff, and they’ve gone right back in! This is almost cruel from Fiji! Radradra with the burst down the touchline - who else. The inside ball to Lomani, who skins one, then two, before picking out a back up runner inside. Too easy. Poor Georgia - they’re broken.
Volavol with the conversion - his easiest one all day. And all of a sudden it’s one-way traffic.
Updated
Try! Georgia 10-31 Fiji (Kunatani)
68 min: And that’s five! Four big second half tries, and they’ve rolled over the willing Georgians. It’s the other Semi - Semi Kunatani - who backs up another strong bust from Botia. What a wrecking ball he is. We have a brief TMO check, but the grounding is fine.
Volavola slots the kick, despite it almost getting a fingertip on it from a Georgian rusher. Gee, that was a near thing. But he slots his third. And this could really blow out.
67 min: Georgia on the back foot now. Fiji are starting to besiege the line, they’ve definitely got their heads up, and the Georgians conversely are starting to flag. A third consecutive penalty, and they set for the scrum.
Here comes another big backline move, you’d imagine.
65 min: Oh wow. I hope that one pops up on YouTube. Poor old Ravai, the substitute prop has just copped what you can only describe as an “A-grade falcon”. Lomani with a pass out of scrum half - and it’s flown, straight as an arrow, right into the noggin of the unsuspecting prop! He doesn’t move, still as a statue, and whack. Ball down. A comic moment.
63 min: It’s tough on Georgia, this. They’ve been far from poor - and yet Fiji are now looking at a bonus point, after four tries.
It’s been more than just one man, but with a try and three try assists you have to say they just haven’t been able to handle the Big Semi. Terrific performance from Radradra.
Try! Georgia 10-24 Fiji (Radradra)
61 min: It’s almost the carbon copy from the Fijian backline, this time in reverse. It’s Tuisova who loops round from the opposite wing to provide the extra man in the attack - they spread wide quickly, hit the chest of the big winger, and this time Radradra says: I’ll have this one myself. Devastating.
That’s better from Volavola, who plugs the conversion. An important two converted tries the difference now.
59 min: A raft of early changes by Georgia - they’ve shuffled four of their front eight, while for Fiji it’s just the prop Campese Ma’afu who departs for Ravai.
But they’ve gone wide again, and would you believe it..
Updated
57 min: We set for the scrum, but it’s not square, is the call. Georgia win another scrum penalty, and kick a booming ball into touch.
55 min: Good defence from Fiji, as they force the pass and turn it over. Botia looks to break the line once again, but the Georgian line stands strong.
Try! Georgia 10-17 Fiji (Gorgodze)
52 min: A lightning counter attack! They kick short, and the Fijian lift complete misses the flight of the ball. A runner in mauve flies through the line, they crash within a few metres of the line, and who else - it’s the veteran lock who reaches out through a crash of bodies and finds the stripe!
No mistake from the conversion, from near in front. And we’re back - instantly. Game one!
Updated
Try! Georgia 3-17 Fiji (Tuisova)
49 min: No release from the Georgian ball carrier - penalty to Fiji. They kick to touch, and now have the chance to spread it.
It’s a deep lineout throw and a fine worked move - the long cutout, the overlap run, and then Radradra off the opposite wing. He’s got what - three try assists today? He shrugs the tackle and feeds his opposite winger. Great play - again, not much you can fault from the Georgians, that was terrific running rugby.
And he’s just nudged that wide, Volavola. They left a lot of points on the field against Uruguay - hopefully it won’t hurt them today as well.
47 min: A brilliant counter raid from the fullback Matiashvili, who ducks under one tackle, evades another as he tiptoes down the touchline, but it’s the tryscorer Lomani who covers to bundle him into touch! Great tackle.
Try! Georgia 3-12 Fiji (Lomani)
Wow. What a terrific flowing raid. They didn’t do much wrong there, Georgia - but it was spread quickly wide, Radradra bumped the first would be tackler before picking out the inside runner brilliantly with the pass. He still had plenty to do, but the scrum half eventually grounded the ball, despite the attentions of his tackler.
Not this time with the conversion from Volavola. Nine points the difference.
43 min: Penalty to Fiji! A brilliant cutout pass wide to put the winger flying down the touchline. There’s no release from the Georgian tackler, and they elect for a scrum, Fiji. Should they have taken the three? I guess that depends on what comes next.
42 min: A nice little audio pickup of referee Paul Williams who congratulates players for rolling away well / getting out the way for obstruction: “Nice work five, thank you.” Bless.
He’s called into action shortly after though, as we settle for a scrum.
A strange little interlude as the skipper Sharikadze refuses to come off for a headknock. We break as the medic’s beseech his departure. Eventually, the Georgian relents and trots off for a concussion test.
Second half!
And we’re back underway! Georgia kick off, and it’s a fine start for the men in mauve, who put a Fijian into touch, and set up for an attacking lineout.
So - your impressions of that first half?
Where have either side enjoyed dominance or where have you seen signs of promise for the second half?
I’ve been impressed with how quickly Georgia have managed to shut down the Fijian counter-attacks - pushing up out of the line and kicking intelligently, with only one or two poor chases. For their part, Fiji have looked solid up front, not ceding too much territory in the scrum set pieces, and as expected, have been dangerous out wide. The treacherous conditions have to an extent limited their raiding potential - will they play into Georgia’s hands?
And will the Borjgalosnebi be upset to be trailing at the break? They didn’t appear to do too much wrong in that first 40, but for one moment switching off - for which they were duly punished.
Half-time: Georgia 3-7 Fiji
39 min: Gorgodze with a terrific hit on Volavola who wasn’t expecting that at this stage of the half.
We set for a final lineout feed, Georgia’s ball. It goes forward and there’s the half-time whistle.
What a tough half of rugby! Tight, tense, but illuminated one terrific play from Semi Radradra.
Updated
38 min: And now strength from Botia - who stands over the ball and wins the penalty. What can they muster at the close of the half?
Georgia turn it over, but they kick deep. One last run perhaps from the Fijians.
36 min: Terrific hit from Todua - he lines up his man, and the impact spills the ball loose and into touch! They’ve been rugged, and committed, and that hit really sums it up. What a contest this is - the flying feet vs the courageous hearts!
Penalty! Georgia 3-7 Fiji
They opt for the kick, and this time - there’s no doubt about Matiashvili’s attempt. Three points and finally on the board, Georgia. No less than they deserve across this opening thirty-odd minutes of play.
34 min: We go upstairs - is there a grounding, or is it a knock-on?
The Georgian skipper is given the option of two penalty advantages - for offside, and for a high shot from Tuisova on Todua. Ooph. The replays suggest he’s very lucky not to have walked for that! A swinging arm, direct to the head - even if the player ducked a little into it.
32 min: Penalty advantage now to Georgia - this is their best attack of the half; nearly coast-to-coast in this move!
They’ve got a host of big men ready for the pick and go, as they besiege the Fijian line.
29 min: Oh my! They’re on the break after another fine backline move, but they’ve dropped it cold, Fiji! Suggestions of a forward pass in that sequence as well, but they’ve really opened Georgia up. John McKee clutches his head in the coaches’ box. They’ve bombed one there, the Pasifika nation.
Updated
28 min: Another penalty! We’ve had eight so far - and Fiji don’t bother with the three - they’ve kicked to touch and will chase the seven.
Oh my - but they’ve not landed their lineout! Georgia boff it upfield, a monster kick, and they’ve moved the play 60-70m.
26 min: It’s a little stop-start at the moment, as we have a penalty against Georgia, as Radradra is taken in the air. Real danger time for the northern hemisphere-ers. Fiji are looking in the mood, as big bodies start to tire.
24 min: Great run off the lineout, they’re inside 10m out, Fiji. But it’s terrific defence one again! Kacharava, the centre, locks over the ball, and wins the penalty for not releasing! They needed that, Georgia.
22 min: What a sucker punch for Georgia. They’ll need to be careful these next five minutes while tails are up.
A penalty against Georgia, offside from Lobzhanidze - as Botia appears to cop a high one in backplay. Fiji kick to touch, and have the chance to attack.
Try! Georgia 0-7 Fiji (Nayacalevu)
19 min: Ach. Something from nothing! It was an innocuous kick to near touch, Georgia appeared to give it up - but not Radradra, who chased a losing cause and was rewarded with a kindly bounce, before firing a pass back inside to the support runner from outside centre. A lightning raid!
And that’s nice from Volavola from the touchline - a fine conversion.
17 min: So we remain scoreless, Georgia with ball in hand, but as I say that they put on the toe and find touch. It’s been a smart kicking game so far, from the Europeans. Or are they technically Asians? Please write to me with a detailed enlightenment: must contain references to the Caucausus etc.
15 min: No mistake from Matiashvili - although from some angles he really did look to have missed that! Who can say.
And remarkably - after the kick judges initially raised their flags we’ve had a conference and the decision is penalty missed! The TMO got involved. Have you ever seen that at World Cup rugby?! We’re back to 0-0 - a big let off from a handy area. He fooled the flaggies, Matiashvili, but not the man upstairs.
13 min: They win the jump, but can’t set up the maul. Fiji defend well and get the Georgians on the back foot, but there’s a slightly high tackle from Fiji, and the men in mauve think about a shot at the sticks.
12 min: A huge secondary push from Georgia, and the Fijian front row slumps. Penalty, Georgia - and they kick to touch. Big drive opportunity once again.
11 min: A loose ball, but ripped by a Fijian hand in the attempted one-on-one strip. A pause with a Georgian down in backplay - it’s been a bruising first opening stanza.
We set for the scrum, Georgia’s feed.
9 min: The maul is initially stymied, so they swing wide, Georgia. But they run out of real estate and the move is squandered. And now a penalty against Georgia.
That rain has now really stepped up - and Fiji try a quick lineout 10m out from their own line, in the wet. You gotta love that.
7 min: Penalty to Georgia - no arms in the tackle from Waqaniburuto the skipper. They kick for touch and have the chance at an offensive lineout.
5 min: Some gentle rain falling in Osaka, as both sides set for a scrum. This will be interesting - they’ve improved a lot in recent time, the Fijians, but here’s a big test.
Georgia feed, win and clear, but no signs of dominance at the set piece from either side. The kick is measured perfectedly, and the chase bundles the Fijian winger into touch to regain possession. Fine play.
Updated
3 min: It’s Fiji with sustained possession as Botia partially breaks the line, before Yato gets some good metres. They’re about 25m out, Fiji, but it’s been tough defence so far, as you’d expect, from the Georgians.
Updated
1 min: It’s a first sign of those slippery conditions, but it’s ball backwards for the Fijians, and play on. They spread wide on their first foray ball in hand. A portent of things to come, no doubt.
First half!
It’s Ben Volavola who boots us off - he sends it deep, and the Georgians, in a fetching mauve jersey, claim comfortably and clear. We set up for an early lineout.
So - to live action: our two sides have come out the tunnel, hit the ground, and it’s the Fijians who lead with their Cibi war dance. Lovely stuff.
Sheesh, there’s some beards in this Georgian line up. Some battle-worn faces too. They look tough. An interesting quote pre-game about the slippery balls due to the Japanese humidity. Apparently the Georgians have been practising with soap on the balls. Clever.
But to team news - all in two handy info-graphics:
A cracker of a match from pool D coming up today with #GEOvFIJ battling it out at Hanazono Rugby Stadium! #RWChanazono Kick off at 14:15 and gates opened from 12:15 so please make your way to the stadium to make the most of the #onceinalifetime #RWC2019 atmosphere! pic.twitter.com/wySOdLsTKk
— Rugby World Cup 2019™ Fan Information (@Japan2019_ENG) October 3, 2019
It’s a return to “full strength” teams from both sides, after both fielded weakened outfits against Uruguay (to differing success).
Georgia revert to 12 of the 15 that played Wales, with Lasha Khmaladze, Alexander Todua and the aforementioned Sharikadze returning; Fiji return with 13 of the 15 that faced Australia, with Manasa Saulo (who starts instead of Peni Ravai) and Semi Kunatani getting the nod.
The big in for the Fijians though is Peceli Yato - the man who gave Australia a torrid time for 50 or so minutes before he was stopped in full flight but a contentious Reece Hodge tackle. Let’s hope he’s firing on all cylinders tonight - what a big in he’ll be for Fiji.
Also, if you’ve got the gang together - I’m thinking streamers, decorated rooms, some kind of BBQed meat sizzling away - please let us know. I’d love to hear what you’re all doing today for this crucial Pool D clash. Is is kava o’clock in Suva? Chacha in Tbilisi?
For anyone not already in party mood (this is me showing a pre-emptive bias towards the glittering fast feet of Fiji’s backline), I humbly offer the following party-starter.
Hi all! The best of greetings to you, from wherever you’re following our coverage today. Are you a Georgian working remotely in the Baltic north trying to warm your heart with good news from Osaka? Or a Fijian backpacking through South America? We love to hear from you - fire us an email or tweet to join the conversation. I’d especially love to hear some brazen pre-game predictions on this one. My heart says Fiji, but my head can’t rule out the strength of the Georgian forwards.
Preamble
After some of the mismatches elsewhere, its fair to say there are no straightforward games in Pool D.
Georgia v Fiji may not have earned the headlines of a South Africa v New Zealand or a Australia v Wales, but it could prove to be one of the most decisive pool games. After their shock loss to Uruguay, this is do-or-die time for the hugely talented Fijian squad and their seasoned coaching staff. A 0-3 start is inconceivable - especially after how near they ran Australia. And with a place at the 2023 Rugby World Cup on the line Fiji can’t afford another slip up.
For Georgia, conversely back on the winners list after dispatching Los Telos, the dream to aim even higher remains alive - a win could momentarily at least, send them top of the pool. What a final game against Australia that would set up. And their inspirational skipper Merab Sharikadze returns for his first appearance of the tournament.
It looms as a drastic clash of styles. Forward v backs. Running rugby v grinding rugby. In rankings, these two are just a scratch below Argentina, and we saw how well Los Pumas pushed France. 11 v 12 - the tier two’s top two, outside hosts Japan. There’s individual skill to burn and no doubt heart to match. Do. Not. Miss. A. Beat.
