Fiji finally found their flair as they bounced back from their shock World Cup defeat by Uruguay with a resounding 45-10 win over Georgia that sent a warning to their next opponents Wales.
Back-to-back defeats at the hands of Australia and Uruguay had left Fiji bottom of Pool D but a bonus-point victory over Georgia boosted their hopes of a top-three finish that would guarantee automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
Winger Semi Radradra was the star of the show, helping create his side's first three tries before going on to claim two of his own as Fiji cut loose with 28 points in the last 20 minutes of the match at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka. Re-live the action below:
Hello all and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of this morning's Rugby World Cup clash between Georgia and Fiji.
We'll be bringing you all the live action, reaction and analysis - so make sure to stay tuned!
We'll be bringing you all the live action, reaction and analysis - so make sure to stay tuned!
Morning all.
We are now halfway through the group stage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and what better way to kick off the second half than with a clash between Fijian flair and Georgian grit, of free-running, offloading and broken field excellence against muscle and grunt up front.
Kick-off in this Pool D clash is half-an-hour away...
Team News - Georgia
Georgia have brought back much of the side that lost their opening game to Wales. Impressive half-backs Gela Aprasidze and Tedo Abzhandadze drop out of the side, while Mamuka Gorgodze and Beka Gorgodze are in, Otari Giorgadze is not.
11 changes in all.
Team News - Fiji
There are also eleven changes for Fiji after that shock defeat to Uruguay. Peceli Yato is fit after overcoming his concussion and returns to the back row, while Manasa Saulo gets the nod ahead of Peni Ravai at tighthead.
First-choice half-backs Frank Lomania and Ben Volavola will add a degree of control, and it is the same backline as the one that so nearly tore Australia apart. Viliame Mata is held in reserve after battling his own injury.
A reminder that third place in the group secures automatic qualification for the next World Cup, and that is effectively on the line today, with Fiji unlikely to beat Wales and Georgia likewise in their final pool game against Australia.
Fiji's defeat to Uruguay leaves them on the back foot, but a bonus point win would take them above their opponents even if the Lelos secure a bonus point of their own.
Something to watch today is Georgia's defence at the back of the lineout. Both Wales and, more concerningly, Uruguay have exploited that area in attack, utilising the blindside wing on the inside and attacking a slower defender at the back of the line, particularly from throws on the left.
Fiji's left winger? Semi Radradra, who is hard enough to put down as is. Look for Fiji to at least test that area with a Radradra charge, probably with Levani Botia offering his compact power on a hard line to the outside.
I don't fully understand this Georgian selection. They've left out arguably their four best players from their win over Uruguay. It is still a strong team, but one would think that for a game of such importance they'd want to be as strong as possible.
How do they play this? Play territory and set-piece and deny Fiji ball?
The Georgians give their anthem a proper screaming, with plenty of passion powering the words from the gullet to the mouth and out in not-quite-dulcet tones.
Fiji sing theirs more respectfully, as you would expect.
Time for the Cibi, the laying down of the challenge from Fiji with their spear-infused war dance.
Swiftly done. Into the rugby...
It's not the nicest day at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium, with rain in the air.
1 minute
Georgia's first exit is good, with Mamuka Gorgodze gaining ground with a charge and Vasil Lobzhinadze boxing well from the base.
Fiji try to bring Radradra off his wing from the first lineout but Georgia marshal it well, and Radradra can't gather.
3 minutes
Fiji attack from another lineout near halfway, and make metres, with both locks biffing a tackler away as they get into their game early on. Levani Botia slips a tackle with a big left handed fend, and then Leone Nakarawa release a lovely offload to send a scrum-capped Peceli Yato init the Georgia 22.
4 minutes
Yato takes on three Georgians on his own and nearly manages to slither away from them, but when he is hauled back the Fiji attack stalls, and the ball is knocked forward as they try to work something intricate to build momentum. It is wet out there. Georgia scrum.
5 minutes
Fiji are the underdogs at scrum time with a considerable weight advantage for Georgia to utilise, but it is an even first contest, and when it begins to shift it is sideways.
Referee Paul Williams orders a reset.
6 minutes
Another even scrum and an excellent high kick from Georgia, supported by a superb chase from Davit Kacharava, who bundles catcher Kini Murimurivalu into touch.
7 minutes
Fiji make a no arms tackle at the back of the lineout. Dominiko Waqaniburotu pinged by the referee. Georgia kick into the Fiji 22.
9 minutes
Georgia work the ball to the outside and the Fijian defence is turned in, but Josua Tuisova does well to flip his hips and sprint after Soso Matiashvili, forcing his grubber into touch.
Fiji throw the five metre lineout quickly! Ambition or foolishness, they win a penalty after a couple of risky offloads. Not the conditions nor the area for that, really, but Fiji are going to Fiji.
11 minutes
The ball is ripped away from Georgian hands by Peceli Yato, getting his monstrous right hand on to it and pulling it out like stuffing from a pillow.
His rip just bounces forward into the hands of Semi Radradra in space, which Giorgi Kveseladze is rather grateful for.
12 minutes
There is the Georgian scrum! Beka Gigashvili causes Campese Ma'afu to turn in and pull the scrum down. Penalty, and another lineout in advanced position for the Lelos.
What time is it?
Georgia vs Fiji kicks off at 2.15pm Japan Standard Time, which is 6.15am BST, on Thursday 3 October.
Where can I watch it?
ITV4 will be broadcasting the clash. Alternatively, you can live stream the match via the ITV Hub on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
