Kangaroos survive Fiji scare as No.7 battle and right-edge flaw shape World Cup run
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Australia beat Fiji 36-22 in Brisbane on October 25, but Fiji led for long spells.
- Sam Walker now leads the race for the No.7 jersey ahead of Tom Dearden.
- A weak right edge is the big worry before the November 8 semi-final.
Australia are through to the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals. The world champions beat Fiji 36-22 in Brisbane. The game took place at Suncorp Stadium on October 25.
But the win was far from easy. It left coach Kevin Walters with two big calls to make.
What happened
Fiji made a fast start in front of 41,108 fans. The Bati, as Fiji are known, had the better of the game for the first hour. The match swung through four lead changes before Australia pulled away late.
Kotoni Staggs scored first for Australia at his home ground. James Tedesco sent him through a gap to open the scoring. Fiji hit back through Semi Valemei in the 17th minute.
Kurt Donoghoe sent a long cut-out pass to put Valemei over. Taane Milne then scored to put Fiji in front. A Brandon Wakeham grubber kick opened the space for Milne.
Tedesco changed the game just before half-time. He ran from dummy half on the last tackle and linked with Sam Walker. Walker scored, and his goal gave Australia a 12-10 lead at the break.
Fiji struck again three minutes after half-time. Donoghoe sent another cut-out pass past Tom Trbojevic to Valemei. Fiji led 16-12 after 45 minutes, and a famous win looked possible.
Fiji thought they had scored again soon after through Solomone Saukuru. But the try was ruled out for obstruction. Australia went straight up the other end to level the scores through Trbojevic.
Walker kicked a penalty goal to put Australia ahead. Trbojevic then scored twice more to complete a second-half hat-trick. Valemei finished his own hat-trick from another Donoghoe pass.
Jacob Preston scored his first try for Australia to seal the 36-22 win. Donoghoe was named player of the match despite being on the losing side.
Why it matters
The No.7 jersey is the first big call. In rugby league, the halfback wears No.7 and runs the attack. Cameron Munster looks set to wear No.6 beside him.
But the halfback spot is still open between Sam Walker and Tom Dearden. Walker played his first game for Australia against Fiji. He scored a try and kicked goals in the win.
Dearden had a mixed night and drifted in and out of the game. CODE Sports reporter Peter Badel said Walker had done enough to lead the race. Walters stayed quiet on his pick after the match.
He praised Walker and said Dearden drifted in and out of the game. Former players urged Walters to pick one man soon. They warned that doubt can hurt the halves as they build rhythm.
The right edge is the second big call. Fiji attacked down Australia's right side again and again. The edge of David Fifita, Kotoni Staggs and Tom Trbojevic was troubled all night.
Valemei scored three tries down that side of the field. Saukuru was also denied after slicing through a gap there.
League great Luke Keary said the right edge must be fixed fast. He suggested Latrell Mitchell could move to right centre.
Staggs had a tough night by the numbers. He ran for 45 metres against Fiji and made one error. He also made 10 tackles and scored one try.
Against New Zealand, he ran for 46 metres and made two errors. He was also sent to the sin bin in that game.
Trbojevic answered his critics with three tries. But rival teams will now test that edge in every game. Walters kept faith in his edge against Fiji and got the win.
The question is whether he can do the same in the semi-final.
Australia opened their World Cup with a win over New Zealand. Read our report on the tournament opener. England's injury troubles are covered in our report on England's injury change.
Around week two
Australia were not the only big story in week two. England kept their hopes alive with an 82-0 win over France in Perth. Herbie Farnworth scored three tries in that win.
England have now beaten France 24 times in a row in Tests. New Zealand bounced back from their loss to Australia. The Kiwis beat Cook Islands 82-16 in Christchurch.
Jamayne Isaako scored 38 points in that game. That set a new record for points by a Kiwi in one Test match.
Cook Islands winger Esom Ioka still stole some headlines. The 23-year-old scored three tries in eight minutes against New Zealand. His first try came from a 90-metre run after an intercept.
Ioka plays for Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup. He scored 22 tries in 21 games there this season.
Tonga beat Lebanon 36-0 on Friday night in Sydney. See our Tonga Lebanon preview. Star halfback Isaiya Katoa missed the game with an ankle injury.
He is expected to return next weekend against Samoa. Tui Lolohea set up three tries in his place. Crowds were a bright spot across week two.
More than 25,000 fans watched Tonga play Lebanon. The Christchurch crowd of 26,800 was a sell-out. The Brisbane crowd of 41,108 beat the 2017 World Cup final crowd at the same ground.
ABC News said Australia reached the semis in shaky fashion. It said Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand would fancy an upset.
What happens next
Australia face Cook Islands in Townsville next. That game is their last pool match before the semi-finals. Fiji face New Zealand on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The winner of that game takes the other Pool A semi-final spot. Australia's semi-final is on November 8 at Allianz Stadium.
It is part of a double-header with the Jillaroos. Australia's women's team, the Jillaroos, play on the same day.
Walters must settle his halves pair before that game. He must also decide whether to change his right edge.
The Fiji scare may help Australia in the long run. It showed every rival where the weak spots are. It also showed that this team can win ugly when it matters.
The next two weeks will show whether Walters fixes the problems.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,