Fiji fight back to beat stubborn Georgia and close on World Cup quarter-finals
- 8 months ago
#Fijifight #backbeat #stubbornGeorgia
Fiji are on verge of a third World Cup quarter-final berth after coming from behind to send off a spirited Georgia, pushing Eddie Jones' Australia to the brink of elimination in process. The fact that they haven't claimed bonus points means we can't say for sure yet, but Fiji won't be complaining. This was game looked like they were going to lose for long time, and the fact that found way to win was sign of their progress. As a result, they are almost there and could even be confirmed as quarter-finalists on Sunday, depending on what happens between Australia and Portugal. Otherwise, their fate will be in their own hands when they face latter next week and will only prolong the misery for Jones and Wallabies without hurting Portugal. Truth be told, they never looked like they were going to score on four tries, and that was mainly due to Georgia's stubbornness. When final whistle blew, players dispersed onto field and tanks were emptied. They were hit hard by injuries in this tournament, but they made 199 matches in total, 25 of which were contributed by Mikheil Gachechiladze. Ultimately, Pacific islanders managed two tries; one with an acrobatic finish from their captain Waisea Nayacalevu, the other with substitute Vinaya Habosi following a momentary spell from Levani Botia, making his first appearance in last eight since 2007. England are likely wait in the last eight but Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui refuses to look that far ahead, hinting it could contribute his side's shaky start. "I'm really worried about Portugal coming," he said. If we look too far beyond this match, we will slip." Davit Niniashvili, one of Georgia's prominent artists, opposes Fiji's Selestino Ravutaumada. Philippe LopezAFP Fiji's line-up was again unstable, their handling left much to be desired and from the moment they kicked off there was a sense of panic. Perhaps understandable given the danger, but they missed touch on their kicks, fumbled the ball, and gave up two scoring opportunities that Georgia really should have had. The first of these chances was gilded Davit Niniashvili headed out to fellow winger Akaki Tabutsadze, who inexplicably fumbled on the try-line call. Had scrum-half Luka Matkava taken advantage of overlap on the left a few minutes later, Georgia would certainly have scored opening try. While he scored a penalty in the first quarter, the excellent Niniashvili also scored a penalty, putting Georgia ahead 6-0 as Fiji tried to regain its composure. Niniashvili soon put Georgia further ahead and it could have gone even better after the first 40 minutes if Aka Tabutsadze's attempt at a forward pass had not been ignored after a confused passage of play. Half-time was neither enough to calm Fiji nor satisfy Georgia's defensive appetite and before long Semi Radradra was on his way to the sin bin for a deliberate strike. Sam Matavesi's problems down line continued but Nayacalevu eventually led Fiji down the left in 50th
Fiji are on verge of a third World Cup quarter-final berth after coming from behind to send off a spirited Georgia, pushing Eddie Jones' Australia to the brink of elimination in process. The fact that they haven't claimed bonus points means we can't say for sure yet, but Fiji won't be complaining. This was game looked like they were going to lose for long time, and the fact that found way to win was sign of their progress. As a result, they are almost there and could even be confirmed as quarter-finalists on Sunday, depending on what happens between Australia and Portugal. Otherwise, their fate will be in their own hands when they face latter next week and will only prolong the misery for Jones and Wallabies without hurting Portugal. Truth be told, they never looked like they were going to score on four tries, and that was mainly due to Georgia's stubbornness. When final whistle blew, players dispersed onto field and tanks were emptied. They were hit hard by injuries in this tournament, but they made 199 matches in total, 25 of which were contributed by Mikheil Gachechiladze. Ultimately, Pacific islanders managed two tries; one with an acrobatic finish from their captain Waisea Nayacalevu, the other with substitute Vinaya Habosi following a momentary spell from Levani Botia, making his first appearance in last eight since 2007. England are likely wait in the last eight but Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui refuses to look that far ahead, hinting it could contribute his side's shaky start. "I'm really worried about Portugal coming," he said. If we look too far beyond this match, we will slip." Davit Niniashvili, one of Georgia's prominent artists, opposes Fiji's Selestino Ravutaumada. Philippe LopezAFP Fiji's line-up was again unstable, their handling left much to be desired and from the moment they kicked off there was a sense of panic. Perhaps understandable given the danger, but they missed touch on their kicks, fumbled the ball, and gave up two scoring opportunities that Georgia really should have had. The first of these chances was gilded Davit Niniashvili headed out to fellow winger Akaki Tabutsadze, who inexplicably fumbled on the try-line call. Had scrum-half Luka Matkava taken advantage of overlap on the left a few minutes later, Georgia would certainly have scored opening try. While he scored a penalty in the first quarter, the excellent Niniashvili also scored a penalty, putting Georgia ahead 6-0 as Fiji tried to regain its composure. Niniashvili soon put Georgia further ahead and it could have gone even better after the first 40 minutes if Aka Tabutsadze's attempt at a forward pass had not been ignored after a confused passage of play. Half-time was neither enough to calm Fiji nor satisfy Georgia's defensive appetite and before long Semi Radradra was on his way to the sin bin for a deliberate strike. Sam Matavesi's problems down line continued but Nayacalevu eventually led Fiji down the left in 50th