Upset! Uruguay shock the World Cup with sensational win over Fiji
Uruguay have sprung one of the great World Cup upsets by defeating Fiji 30-27 at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium.
It’s a victory that ranks alongside Japan’s famous 34-32 tip up of South Africa in Brighton four years ago as one of the tournament’s most unlikely results, with the South Americans having only ever won two matches – against Spain in 1999 and Georgia in 2003 – from 11 World Cup outings heading into this clash.
Even just 10 months ago, these two teams met in Gloucester, with the Flying Fijians routing the South Americans 68-7 at Hartpury College, but there was no indication beyond the 14th minute that such a result would emulate itself in the north of Japan.
The Pacific Islanders were the ones who got off to the better start, scoring an unconverted try through prop Mesu Dolokoto inside the fifth minute.
Those missed kick at goal foreshadowed what was to come for Fiji, especially when Uruguayan halfback Santiago Arta scooted over the Fijian tryline to level the scores, with first-five Felipe Berchesi knocking over the conversion from close range.
Continue reading below…
Tighthead prop Eroni Mawi then re-claimed the lead for Fiji four minutes later, with Josh Matavesi slotting his only kick at goal of the afternoon to put his side up by five points.
For the rest of the half, though, it was one-way traffic for Los Teros.
First back rower Manuel Diana crashed over to level the scores once more – Berchesi’s conversion edged them back in front – while a scintillating piece of backline distribution and offloading saw midfielder Juan Manuel Cat go over unopposed to stretch Uruguay’s lead out to nine points.
That lead was extended to 12 points at half-time following a Bechesi penalty, but a hard-earned try to Api Ratuniyarawa brought the score back to 24-17.
It could have been 24-22, but a missed conversion and penalty by Matavesi proved to be costly, particularly when Berchesi added another three pointer with about 20 minutes to play.
Fiji’s replacement halfback Nikola Matawalu provided some much-needed impetus, and was rewarded with a try in the 67th minute, but this time it was Ben Volavola, who came on for fullback Alivereti Veitokani, who was wayward from the boot.
Berchesi made him pay with a penalty goal with five minutes to play to push the score out to 30-22, meaning Fiji needed to score twice in quick succession to avoid an embarrassing defeat.
They nabbed one of those two scores through Matawalu, who managed to pick up a brace from the bench and help outscore Uruguay five to three on the try count.
However, it came far too late in the 82nd minute, and Volvavola’s missed conversion summarised Fiji’s capitulation, which should all but end their hopes of an eagerly-anticipated quarter-final berth.
Pre match speech needed some work #FIJvURU pic.twitter.com/hnKIoIf4AO
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 25, 2019
This is undoubtedly Uruguay’s biggest result in their history, and will give them ample amounts of confidence going into their next fixture against Georgia in Kumagaya in four days’ time.
Should they attain victory in that match – which is by no means a stretch following this stunning upset – they will be well-placed to secure automatic qualification to the 2023 World Cup in France, an achievement they have never accomplished.
As for Fiji, this loss leaves their World Cup aspirations in tatters.
Changes all round for the Boks #RWC2019 #RSAvNAM https://t.co/hBEm5d94eR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 25, 2019
Many predicted a possible appearance in the last eight given the breadth of talent throughout their squad, but following a raft of changes from their defeat to the Wallabies and without the likes of star men such as Waisea Nayacalevu and Josua Tuisova, they seem destined to stay locked in their pool.
The best they can hope for is automatic qualification for France 2023, but that requires a win against Six Nations giants Wales, and based off this performance, that seems a far-fetched concept.
John McKee’s side now have an eight-day break before they take on Georgia in Osaka, where they will hope to pick themselves up and regain some credibility before their meeting with Wales on October 9.
Uruguay 30 (Tries to Santiago Arta, Manuel Diana, Juan Manuel Cat; 3 conversions and 3 penalties to Felipe Berchesi)
Fiji 27 (Tries to Nikola Matawalu (2), Mesu Dolokoto, Eroi Mawi, Api Ratuniyarawa; conversion to Josh Matavesi)
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
There’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments