HIGASHIOSAKA: Winger Semi Radradra scored twice as Fiji produced a scintillating second-half performance to secure a 45-10 bonus-point win against Georgia Thursday, running in seven tries in difficult conditions at the Rugby World Cup.
Coach John McKee had demanded a response from his players after they suffered a humiliating upset at the hands of Uruguay and the win puts Fiji in a strong position to secure third place in Pool D to win automatic qualification for the next World Cup. The game kicked off in torrential rain at the Hanazono Stadium and the opening exchanges were attritional, dominated by the set-piece and high kicks.
Fiji finally broke the deadlock after 19 minutes, Waisea Nayacalevu running in after a clever grubber kick pierced the organised Georgian defence.
The skies cleared but the slippery ball kept the handling errors high until Georgia produced a stunning move from their own line on the stroke of half-an-hour, falling just short of a try but coming away with three points. In a tournament where the refereeing of high tackles has been a major talking point, Josua Tuisova could well have seen a card for a glancing blow but Kiwi referee Paul Williams decided it was a penalty only.
The teams went into the break with Fiji 7-3 up after a half that was one for the purists in difficult conditions to play rugby. AFP
0 comments:
Post a Comment