Australia v Fiji, 23 September

 
AUSTRALIA v FIJI
23 September 2015
KO: 16:45
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Live on [tbc]

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) & Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)

A. Head to Head

19 Played 19
16 Won 2
1 Drawn 1
2 Lost 16
546 Points 221

B. Recent Form

5 June 2010
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
49 – 3 to Australia

23 September 2007
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France
55 – 12 to Australia

9 June 2007
Subiaco Oval, Perth
49 – 0 to Australia

18 September 1998
Parramatta Stadium, Sydney
66 – 20 to Australia

C. Teams

AUSTRALIA

15 Israel Folau
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
13 Tevita Kuridrani
12 Matt Giteau
11 Rob Horne
10 Bernard Foley
09 Will Genia

08 David Pocock
07 Michael Hooper
06 Scott Fardy
05 Rob Simmons
04 Kane Douglas
03 Sekope Kepu
02 Stephen Moore (c)
01 Scott Sio

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
17 James Slipper
18 Greg Holmes
19 Will Skelton
20 Dean Mumm
21 Nick Phipps
22 Matt Toomua
23 Kurtley Beale

FIJI

Metuisela Talebula, Waisea Nayacalevu, Vereniki Goneva, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Nikola Matawalu; Netani Talei, Akapusi Qera, Peceli Yato, Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Manasa Saulo, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Campese Ma'afu.

Replacements: Viliame Veikoso, Peni Ravai, Isei Colati, Nemia Soqeta, Malakai Ravulo, Nemia Kenatale, Joshua Matavesi, Asaeli Tikoirotuma.

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

I see that Dominiko Waqaniburotu has been suspended for one game (i.e. this one) because of the tip tackle on Jonny May.

Poor old Fiji... Two big games in such close proximity

Seems rough. It was dealt with in the game with a penalty. The ref and TMO saw it and (rightly) deemed it an offence but as no danger to the player as he was lowered to the ground, not a yellow.

I can see Aus pulling off a surprise win tbh, as Fiji tire in the last 10 minutes. Aus to take it by 5 - in the last 5.

George Carlin wrote:I see that Dominiko Waqaniburotu has been suspended for one game (i.e. this one) because of the tip tackle on Jonny May.

Hard to see anything but a BP win to be honest.

Notch wrote:

George Carlin wrote:I see that Dominiko Waqaniburotu has been suspended for one game (i.e. this one) because of the tip tackle on Jonny May.

I agree. Good job that it wasn't a Scottish citing officer who was responsible for that call.

Oh. Wait.

Just in: Japanese players seen fraternising with Fiji players in dwarf throwing bar. No dwarves thrown on the night only low voiced chatting heads around tables, drinking milk.

Beware Australia. Beware the Japanese maul...

I'm heading to this game. Just about to catch my flight to Bristol. I'm wanting to catch the Scotland japan game before though. Any idea where I should go? A bar near millenium stadium? Or will there be tvs if I go into the stadium early??

Go to any of the pubs near to the MS Clive. ONeills, Prince of Wales, Walkabout, Queens, Fan zone in the Blues ground. They'll all be showing the game. Enjoy..

Cheers!
I think if I stay till full time ill be leaving it to tight for Aus v Fiji kick off. I'll maybe leave at half time and see if I can catch the end of it inside stadium.
In fairness though I'm pretty sure normal service will be resumed and Japan will be comfortably beaten.
But we can hope!

if you go to the fan zone in Cardiff arms park (blues ground) its joined onto the North stand of the MS so its only a 2min walk. Depends on what gate entrance your ticket is tho..

I am really looking forward to this game, I think Australia will play it the way Fiji like and we could be in for bit of a try fest.

Good man Breadvan!

Fanzone is a great set up was amazing there watching SA v Japan there on Saturday

Who are those lovely girls?... (in my best Father Liam Deliverance accent)

G'wan Fiji! They're going to get hammered but come on the underdog anyway!

Super Pocock in there getting the steals already.

Australia look awesome with ball in hand despite not scoring yet. They're a nightmare for teams to defend against.

Come on the Fijians! Awesome scrum

Hmm, England scrum maybe not so shocking after all

Australia giving away too many penalties. If they don't cool it there's a yellow coming.

Australia certainly not having an easy ride. Plus i do think that Australia can count them selves lucky not to have a player in the bin, what with all the penalties they are giving away.

Why does Fiji keep kicking the ball away in threathning positions? They don't seem willing to run with the ball which is very unusual for them.

George Carlin wrote:
I see that Dominiko Waqaniburotu has been suspended for one game (i.e. this one) because of the tip tackle on Jonny May.

So to ensure fairness and a consistency, does that mean McCaw is going to face a game ban for his trip...

of course not, how stupid of me to ask...

Referees very tight on players on the floor knocking the ball out of the ruck. Every time I've seen it its been a straight yellow. Good to see that.

nobbled wrote:Australia giving away too many penalties. If they don't cool it there's a yellow coming.

Nah send of a Fijian instead...

That's the best refereeing i have seen so far in this world cup.

Aussie very dangerous and full of running. Can't see past them beating both the home sides. They make it look so damned easy.

Nice to see the Fijians having a really good scrum but Fiji have been a huge dissapointment so far in the WC. They haven't offered much with ball in hand over the two games and were the form teir 2 nation coming into this.

Maybe my expectations were too high.

Agreed.. Cant see Aus dropping a game, which means it will all be down to this weekend Eng v Wal for the runner up spot. Whoever loses that one, will not progress...

No9 wrote:Agreed.. Cant see Aus dropping a game, which means it will all be down to this weekend Eng v Wal for the runner up spot. Whoever loses that one, will not progress...

and with Joseph out and the stodgy midfield for England i'd say it's Aussie top, Wales second and the hosts are out.

Good point made here.. Eng got beaten at the breakdown by Fiji who are being dominated.

Aussie are going to kill Eng there aren't they. Eng so need a balanced backrow.. it's what won them the world cup once.

Aus v England depends on the weather for me. England should have Aus in the engine room and scrum if it's wet. Either way I think it's between those two- Wales' chances have been dashed by injury.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Nice to see the Fijians having a really good scrum but Fiji have been a huge dissapointment so far in the WC. They haven't offered much with ball in hand over the two games and were the form teir 2 nation coming into this.

Maybe my expectations were too high.

Agreed. Fiji backline play has been almost non existent for 120 min.

Fiji with a scrum should do better than that.

kunu wrote:Aus v England depends on the weather for me. England should have Aus in the engine room and scrum if it's wet. Either way I think it's between those two- Wales' chances have been dashed by injury.

I originally though that but Wales putting a world class midfield out against a very vulnerable one lacking and flair from Eng now sadly.  It has to be Wales.

Totally agree weather could change things in the Eng Aussie game. Funny, with Joseph there I'd also call Eng dangerous in good conditions but without him they seem unlikely to be dangerous or get the ball out wide much if at all.

An almost overeager start from the Wallabies. Far too many errors. Failure to take advantage of some of those opportunities they so easily created is frustrating to watch. Maybe need to slow things down just a touch and make sure. They do look slick but also prone to putting themselves under unnecessary pressure. Need to blow those first match cobwebs away and stretch the Fijians more clinically in the 2nd half. Every point counts in this group.

Come On Australia!

Looking forward to it either way. The loss of Webb will be massive for Wales though- he was the outstanding player in Wales over the past year. Halfpenny also takes away a bit of their reliability, which they'll need against England.

VinceWLB wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Nice to see the Fijians having a really good scrum but Fiji have been a huge dissapointment so far in the WC. They haven't offered much with ball in hand over the two games and were the form teir 2 nation coming into this.

Maybe my expectations were too high.

Agreed. Fiji backline play has been almost non existent for 120 min.

Fiji with a scrum should do better than that.

Have they sacrificed one for t'other perhaps? Can sometimes happen to teams. When you're always criticised for a lack of structure and set piece, maybe an over focus on that as a way of improving overall means their natural game is stymied?

kunu wrote:Looking forward to it either way. The loss of Webb will be massive for Wales though- he was the outstanding player in Wales over the past year. Halfpenny also takes away a bit of their reliability, which they'll need against England.

and long range kicking ? could keep it closer.

Looking a league above here.

trebellbobaggins wrote:

kunu wrote:Looking forward to it either way. The loss of Webb will be massive for Wales though- he was the outstanding player in Wales over the past year. Halfpenny also takes away a bit of their reliability, which they'll need against England.

and long range kicking ?  could keep it closer.

I think they'll be able to live without Halfpenny's kicking. Wales don't rely on it too much - it's always been more of a bonus to have him there getting a high % return. Biggar can probably get an average enough (65%ish) return. England are probably the second most reliable team in this tournament (behind the ABs)- they don't really dip in performance. On current form, Wales will have to raise theirs to win I think.

It will be interesting. I thought it would be close but the centre changes have changed my mind. I can't see Eng scoring enough.

It'll be close! Better leave it there at the risk of further derailing the thread!

Pocock is great at playing the offsides isn't he. One of the great back rows who knows exactly where the limits are and when to push them.

Lovely try from Volavola. Game on, we hope, although I think Aus will be comfortable in the end.

Nice try to Volovolo. And a "Hi!" to Mr Cheika.

Fiji need to get a break here, 50/50 going oz way

Ouch. Not the best way to tackle a Fijian.