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Hello and welcome to ESPN's commentary of Australia's opening game of the Rugby World Cup.
After sitting out the opening weekend of action, Australia are in Cardiff to kick-off their World Cup campaign against Fiji.
After the Pacific Islanders put in a respectable performance against hosts England in Twickenham on Friday evening, the Wallabies won't be taking the win for granted especially after witnessing the damage Nemani Nadolo is clearly capable of causing.
Will Genia is joined in the backs by fly-half Bernard Foley while Matt Giteau starts at inside-centre for Australia while the Fiji side features four changes to their defeat against England, with Dominiko Waqaniburotu forced out due to suspension.
Follow ESPN's man on the ground, Sam Bruce (@SamBruce86), who'll be chipping in and supplying us with everything you can't see on TV and more.
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| 1 |
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Ben Volavola kicks off for Fiji.
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| 2 |
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Attacking intent from the Wallabies as they drive from deep.
Penalty for Australia due to not releasing on the floor. Kicked out and the Wallabies have the lineout.
Meanwhile, there looks as if there's already an injury to Fiji's Vuidravuwalu - he looks quite hurt at the moment and looks as if he could be heading off. Not a great start for the Pacific Islanders if so.
Play continues with the lineout inbetween the 10 and 22 in the Fiji half. Rob Simmons wins up high and continue their attacking presence pushing the Fijian line further back.
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| 5 |
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Ashley Cooper kicks for touch and Fiji for the first time have some proper territory in the Australia half. First chance for Fiji attack.
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| 6 |
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Australia have the scrum after Fiji's forward pass, the perfect attacking platform for Michael Cheika's side firm in the 22 of the Pacific Islanders.
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| 7 |
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Australia spread the ball wide to Horne, who fails the handle the ball and it heads out. It he could've held onto that, we would've seen the first try of the afternoon here in Cardiff. Bright start from the Wallabies who already look the more dominant.
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| 8 |
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Australia have a penalty, the first chance for some points.
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| 9 |
3 - 0 |
Foley - penalty goal
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| 11 |
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Australia lineout, taken well by Michael Hooper who offloads and were back to battering each side battering one another along the half way.
Bernard Foley looks to create something but is swiftly taken down by the Fijian pack.
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| 12 |
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Fiji kick the ball out deep in the Australian 22 and the men in yellow have the lineout. Risky area for Cheika's men who have to rely on a long upfield kick to gain some rest bite.
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| 13 |
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Fiji take the subsequent lineout but don't make the most of. Australia have managed to push up and relax a bit more. Pacific Islanders aren't rolling over here.
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| 14 |
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Australia lineout, Will Genia receives and punts the ball up high to try and break out of the half way stalemate both sides are stuck in.
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| 15 |
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Australia have the scrum from a Fiji knock on, 40 metres in front of the Fiji line bang in front of posts.
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| 16 |
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Ball stuck in the scrum, which collapses and results in a bit of a scrap between the two sets of Forwards. Fiji are awarded the penalty as Australia failed to use the ball in the scrum. Entertaining.
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| 18 |
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Fiji maul there way deep into the Wallabies 22 and the Pacific Islanders have a solid-10 pushing their way towards the try line.
Penalty to Fiji for a collapsed rolling maul. Kicked out and Fiji continue with the lineout just feet away from the Australian try line.
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| 19 |
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Volavola going cross field with the kick and Ashley Cooper clears up for a 22.
Another penalty against Australia here for offside. Nadolo to take, bang in front on posts.
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| 20 |
3 - 3 |
All Australia in the first quarter of an hour, Nadolo successfully kicks and slowly Fiji are making their way back into the game.
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| 21 |
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Yet another penalty to Fiji as Australia handle on the floor and don't let go.
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| 22 |
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Real electric running from Fiji's No.9 Matawalu down the left flank with Nadolo alongside, but he passes outside to their fullback Maijana, but still Australia manage to eventually turnover.
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| 24 |
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Kuridrani with a dummy and the Wallabies turn the game on its head again and are deep in the Fiji 22. End-to-end stuff.
Australia penalty prodded out and they have the 5 metre lineout.
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| 25 |
8 - 3 |
Australia really targeting the left flank and are battering their way into the Fijian 22 but are just about being kept at bay. Solid defence from the Pacific Islanders.
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| 26 |
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Nadolo's high tackle leads to a penalty, prodded out for a 5 metre line out, again...
TRY! David Pocock bundles the ball over and Australia move clear. Breathing space for Michael Cheika at last. The initial drive was stopped by Fiji but Pocock's power enables him to sprint that couple of metres over the line..
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| 27 |
10 - 3 |
Beauty of a kick from Bernard Foley. Dissects the posts and picks up the extras for his team. 10 point lead for the Wallabies.
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| 29 |
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The men in yellow once again barge their way towards the Fijian white line after the kick off, step by step, stride by stride.
YELLOW! Fiji's Ma'afu kicked the ball on the floor, slowing the ruck and he's in the bin. They're down the 14 men for the time being, a chance for the Wallabies to increase there lead.
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| 30 |
15 - 3 |
Another rolling maul from the lineout, something which has been profitable so far.
TRY! Pocock's second! Wallabies now making a statement and the rolling maul pays dividends yet again. Fantastic work and the momentum from the players in yellow is really showing now. Fiji looking leggy which isn't surprising considering their Friday outing.
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| 32 |
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Fiji kick off, received by Rob Horne who is soon bundled to the deck just on the edge of his 22.
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| 33 |
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Fiji lineout, deep in the half of the Wallabies.
Fiji go through midfield via Volavola, who have been forced back. Long kick up field.
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| 35 |
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Fiji scrum just inside their own half after Genia's knock on.
Australia starting to look very sharp but there are questions arising over Fiji's tiredness.
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| 36 |
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Fiji relying on long up field kicking from fullback Maijana to relieve some of the opposition pressure. Australia building on the momentum delivered from Pocock's two tries and flying into the tackles.
Australia penalty which Foley is looking to take from 41 metres out. Can he do it?
YES! Another great kick from the fly-half as he slots the ball bang on the middle of the uprights. Fiji will be grateful for the half-time whistle as Michael Cheika's men are on the brink of running riot here.
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| 37 |
18 - 3 |
Foley - penalty goal
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| 39 |
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A long Australia kick which Fiji fail to take and it's knocked on, eventually finding its way into Simmons grasp, which is offloading from Foley following his catch. If Simmons he played the ball along the line once more rather than take the ball into contact we could be looking at another potential try. However, he's bundled to floor and Australia fail to advance.
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| 40 |
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Wallabies once again push deep into the Fiji 22 but nothing erupts and the ball is cleared up field by Nadolo.
HALF TIME!
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| 40+1 |
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Well, that was a decent introduction from Michael Cheika's Australia. They looked sharp, physical and have definitely proved themselves as a genuine contender for this year's trophy.
But, while they looked fairly impressive, Fiji don't look on top form and have helped in making them look good. Besides from a five minute spell between minutes 15-20, where the Pacific Islanders looked on top themselves, they haven't posed that much on an attacking threat and have only ran 100 metres as opposed to Australia's 221. Tiredness from their Friday fixture with England perhaps?
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| 40+2 |
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Here's what ESPN's Sam Bruce (@SamBruce86), who's at the Millennium, had to say:
"Australia are firmly on top at the Millennium Stadium but only after a switch in tactics midway through the opening half in Cardiff. The Wallabies' intent to move the ball wide was obvious from the outset, but sloppy handling and poor decision-making resulted in wasted early possession. They were able to come away with three points which the Pacific Islanders soon levelled; although pushing for the five points via another rolling maul may have been a better call. The Aussies certainly opted for that path and were the beneficiaries on 27 minutes when David Pocock attached himself to the tail end of a drive for the game's opening five-pointer. He repeated that effort after Fiji prop Campese Ma'afu had been yellow-carded, giving the Aussies a healthy advantage at the break."
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There sides are on their way back out and we're moments away from the restart.
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| 40 |
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Australia with the kick off, received by Fiji's Volavola, soon taken down by Simmons for Australia.
Folau receives the ball once Australia take possession, who then makes generous advancements - roughly 10 metres - into the Fiji half. Australia starting how they left off, steaming out the blocks.
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| 41 |
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Foley dictating play here as he offloads to Folau who once again bombards his way into the Fiji 22, and is now 5 metres out.
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| 42 |
23 - 3 |
TRY! Lovely step from the tighthead prop Kepu who powers his way over the line pushing away Fijian tackles. Fantastic work from Australia, Folau's looking dangerous as always and great from Kepu.
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| 43 |
25 - 3 |
Foley tags on the two.
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| 45 |
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Simmons, Douglas and co all proving they're comfortable with the ball in hand and wanting to carry, illustrating their confidence. Their passing's been accurate and the pace they deliver onto the ball from break down has been first class.
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| 46 |
25 - 6 |
Nadolo penalty which slots straight in between the uprights, 20 metres out. So casual in his kicking style but so effective.
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| 48 |
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Australia fail to release the ball and penalty's given to Fiji roughly on the half way.
Fiji kick the ball out and have the lineout.
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| 49 |
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Qera receives the ball eventually from the Fiji lineout who literally pushes the Australian tackles to the floor. Very comfortable with the ball in hand from the Fijian forward, but his side are being pushed back still, roughly on the half way line.
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| 51 |
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David Pocock's poaching little hand ruins Fiji's good little bit of play. The Pacific Islanders have passed the ball well over the past few minutes despite not marking much advancements into the Australian half, but Pocock's sticks a hand out and once again have possession again.
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| 53 |
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Hmm... Did I speak too soon? Another loose ball from Fiji as they fail to handle on the right wing despite keeping hold of the ball well at the start of this second half.
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| 55 |
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Everytime Fiji have an opportunity they just can't make the most of it. Some better handling here along the left wing this time but Nadolo can't advance towards the try line as the offloader - Lovobalavu - was deemed out of play when he released the ball.
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| 56 |
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Fiji lineout down the right along the half way and finally the men in white make their possession pay a bit more as they just about break into the Australian 22. They're keeping the ball well but the Australian line is doing even better at keeping the Pacific Islanders at bay.
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| 57 |
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Volavola's found some space down the left and once again Fiji look like they're about to make their possession count but still, bundled to floor on the 22 by Australia.
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| 58 |
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Tikoirotuma attempts a terrible pass and Fiji can't make all their hard work count, again.
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| 59 |
25 - 11 |
Fiji's no.21 delivers to Nadolo who batters his way deeper into the 22 but can't bring anything of it just yet. Some really quick pinpoint passing along the line from the Fijian's.
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| 60 |
25 - 13 |
TRY! At last, a Fiji try and they DO make all their possession count.
Volavola receives the ball about 10 metres out, just in front of the sticks and a couple of dummies opens the way to the try line for the fly-half. He drives and plants the ball down. Good try and Fiji finally make it count.
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| 61 |
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| 62 |
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Australia's turn to attack as they are now within the 22 themselves, but the Fiji one this time rather than their own.
Australian penalty for a high tackle on Rob Horne. Foley kicks out for the lineout deeper in the Fiji 22.
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| 64 |
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Australia botch the lineout, a poor throw from Stephen Moore and Nakawara takes for Fiji, which is then kicked up field relieving the pressure.
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| 66 |
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Some real tackles flying in here, with each side giving as good as they get just along the half way as Fiji retain possession.
Play's stopped as James Slipper has caught the shoulder of Yato with his chin.
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| 67 |
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Better performance from Fiji in the second half. The Pacific Islanders have already run 180 metres, as opposed to 100 metres in the first. They're also doing a better job at keeping ball in hand as much as possible.
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| 68 |
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Australia penalty! Foley - who has successfully kicked four of five so far - is set to take again...
...and he successfully adds the three points.
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| 69 |
28 - 13 |
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| 71 |
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Successful Fiji lineout as they continue to pass the ball along the line - admittedly not as well as 20 minutes ago - but fail to make any real break through the Australian line which is remaining very rigid.
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| 72 |
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Great long kick from Volavola as miscommunication from the Australian back line gifts Fiji a 10 metre lineout, which results in a rolling maul...a very slow one at that.
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| 73 |
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Yellow card for Kuridrani and he's spending 10 minutes in the bin for slowing the ball down in the ruck.
Australia have to play out the rest of the game with 14 men.
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| 74 |
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Fiji feed the subsequent scrum, which collapses, just on the edge of the Australian 22.
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| 75 |
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Yato is offloaded the ball from the scrum and drives an extra few metres in the Australian 22 but their line is standing strong.
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| 76 |
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Fiji are working the ball left to right, to left, and then back right again all in the Australian territory but the men in yellow are doing great at holding out. Fiji just can't find that breakthrough.
Tuapati attempts to drive through down the right flank, but as before, fails and is taken down.
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| 77 |
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Australia are almost waiting for Fiji to make a mistake. The Pacific Islanders are doing great at keeping the ball but they're lacking that spark, that bit of creativity, to find that vital gap and opportunity for the losing bonus point.
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| 78 |
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Australia - with 14 men - are awarded the scrum deep within their 22 alongside the right flank.
It collapses and we go again...
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| 79 |
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Australia are eventually awarded the penalty, which is kicked out. What was considered to be Australia's weakest - the scrum - is looking very strong in this outing. England and Wales be aware...
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| 80 |
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The ball is at the half way point in Australian hands and Fiji really aren't looking likely to get that losing bonus point now. The ball remains at the half way and full time is looming.
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| 80+1 |
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FULL TIME!
What's been evident here is actually how good a side Australia really are upfront. Their set piece is far better than what we've seen in the past and overall they look a very accomplished side. Genuine contenders and, as expected, England and Wales have a tricky task on their hands.
Fiji looked bright in periods, with Volavola their standout performer, but their tiredness showed but they can definitely leave with their head high as they stretched the Wallabies at times. A much better second half performance but they lacked that cutting edge to break through the Australian line.
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| 80+2 |
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Read the match report here: http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/275763.html
Here's what ESPN's man on the ground Sam Bruce (@SamBruce86) had to say:
"The Wallabies have come through their opening match at the Rugby World Cup, but only after a determined Fiji dominated the final 20 minutes at Millennium Stadium. The Aussies, too, failed to match England's effort in picking up a bonus point against the Pacific Islanders - a fact that may prove decisive given the strength of Pool A. The Aussies looked to be coasting at half-time after first-half rolling maul tries from David Pocock, which Sekope Kepu added to soon after the break. But Ben Volavola's solo try gave the Fijians some outside hope and while they never really looked like winning the encounter, the underdogs certainly finished the stronger. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will likely lament his side's poor handling, but in the rolling maul, he has a powerful weapon at the ready."
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