Folau double inspires Wallabies to victory over Fiji
Israel Folau returned to his try-scoring ways as the Wallabies overcame Fiji 37-14 in Melbourne on Saturday.
Playing at a sunbathed AAMI Park, Folau ended his 11-game run without a try by crossing over twice to ensure Australia opened their international campaign in winning fashion.
Henry Speight also picked up a double and Stephen Moore touched down, while Bernard Foley had three conversions and two penalties for the Wallabies, who led 18-0 at half-time.
Fiji’s deficit grew to 25 points before they finally got on the board via Vereniki Goneva just past the hour-mark, and Timoci Nagusa claimed a try of his own late, but the result was never in doubt.
Michael Cheika’s new-look Wallabies – boasting Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ned Hanigan and Karmichael Hunt – stormed out of the blocks for 15-0 lead inside just 11 minutes.
A lovely cross-field kick from Foley picked out a leaping Folau, who managed to ground the ball in the fourth minute. Referees reviewed it before officially awarding the five points and the former converted.
Fiji crossed over minutes later but Nikola Matawalu could not keep the ball in as Foley extended the lead to 10-0 with a penalty before Speight scored Australia’s second try following some quick movement from Will Genia, though the conversion was unsuccessful.
What a win for our #Wallabies! Defeating Fiji 37-14 to kick off the year. https://t.co/dimPc82c2n pic.twitter.com/DWiQxAxJK5
— Wallabies (@wallabies) June 10, 2017
Australia struggled to keep a hold of the ball from that point as Folau was yellow carded and the Fijians tried to take advantage but the Wallabies were resolute, holding up the visitors. Fiji did cross over moments later but infringement in the scrum spared the hosts.
With the Wallabies a man down approaching the half-hour mark, they opted to take three points after receiving a penalty and Foley made no mistake for an 18-0 buffer.
Fiji had an opportunity to score their first points of the game in the 37th minute but Ben Volavola missed his penalty.
And after Tevita Kuridrani’s try was ruled out due to his foot stepping out of bounds, the Wallabies got their third five-pointer courtesy of Folau.
The Wallabies broke free following a line-out and Folau benefited from a decoy run to charge through, with Foley adding the extras for a 25-0 lead.
Goneva sliced through the centre to give Fiji’s fans something to cheer about in the 62nd minute, but Moore restored Australia’s two-try advantage.
The Wallabies and Fiji traded tries during the closing stages as Speight crossed over after the siren to complete his double.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments