Winners & Losers: Australia v Fiji

Winners & Losers: Australia v Fiji

Australia trailed for an hour in their opening for about an hour before they rampaged through Fiji's defence to claim their first victory of the tournament.

Here our winners and losers from an excellent encounter:

Loser: Peceli Yato

Yato was sublime for 25 minutes against the Wallabies making over 80 running metres and scoring a try.

However, the brilliant Fijian flanker left the field with a concussion that will put some doubt around his avaliabilty for the upcoming games against Georgia, Uruguay and Wales.





Winner: Will Genia

With the Wallabies down and facing an upset in their opening game, Michael Cheika turned to his veteran halfback and he did not disappoint.

Genia was a driving force in Australia's come from behind win and was superb in all facets of the game.

Nic White impressing immensely against the All Blacks earlier this year, Genia may be fighting his way back into the starting XV.

Loser: Reece Hodge

Hodge's defence came under some scrutiny in this game as he was sent flying backwards by numerous Fijians.


The Wallabies winger did bounce back to score a try but an overall poor performance could see him move to the bench for the clash with Wales.

Winner: Wales 

Despite the win, Australia will be licking their wounds from their first Rugby World Cup match and will need some time to recover properly.

Wales' clash Georgia won't be a walk in the park but a few battered a bruised Wallabies could be rested or slightly off their game next Sunday.

Loser: Christian Leali'ifano

Leali'ifano has been the Wallabies first-choice playmaker since his return to test rugby but the Brumbies man struggled with the physical side of the game against Fiji and with Wales able to replicate that with their defence, Leali'ifano could lose his starting role for the next game.

Matt Toomua seemed more comfortable off the bench in a performance that could elevate him into the starting line up.

Winner: Tolu Latu

Latu can count himself lucky that he is in Japan after he was sent home from a Wallabies training in Brisbane in May, 2019 after news broke of a drink-driving incident earlier that month.

However, the hooker grabbed his opportunities to grab a brace and was named man of the match.

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