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.
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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.
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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
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe 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
54 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.
54 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
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 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
54 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.
54 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.
54 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.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments