Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Upset! Uruguay shock the World Cup with sensational win over Fiji

By Alex McLeod
Uruguay celebrate their shock win over Fiji. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

Uruguay have sprung one of the great World Cup upsets by defeating Fiji 30-27 at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

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…

Video Spacer

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

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.

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:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah
Search