AUSTRALIA 36 FIJI 22
CALLUM WALKER, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Sunday
AUSTRALIA confirmed their World Cup semi-final spot with an unconvincing win over an enthused Fiji.
The Kangaroos were expected to have no problems in Brisbane, but the Bati – buoyed by a Semi Valemei hat-trick – had other ideas.
Tom Trbojevic also grabbed a hat-trick in a 15-minute second-half flurry, and that proved just enough for the Kangaroos to move top of Group A.
Australia made wholesale changes, including the introduction of James Tedesco and Sam Walker to the spine, off the back of their scintillating 24-22 win over New Zealand.
That disrupted their flow, and Fiji were well worth the two leads they held at various points in the game.
However, when the Kangaroos crossed in the eighth minute after captain Tedesco sent Kotoni Staggs through a gaping hole, it appeared as though it would be another World Cup procession.
Jack Bostock went close moments later, but stubborn Fiji defence kept the Dolphins winger out.
And, in the next set, the Bati went up the other end and hit back, Kurt Donoghoe supplying the superb final pass for Valemei to cross in the corner.
Though Brandon Wakeham couldn’t convert that four-pointer, he was on target with the half-hour in sight when Wakeham poked through an inch-perfect grubber for the onrushing Taane Milne to gather and dot down.
At this point, Australia were shellshocked, but a smart move involving Tedesco and Trbojevic ended with Walker registering a try, and his conversion sent the hosts into a 12-10 half-time lead.
Fiji, though behind, were in no mood to roll over and they hit the front once more four minutes into the second half. As the Bati shifted left, Trbojevic went for the interception, leaving Castleford’s Valemei with a clear run to the whitewash as Wakeham made it 16-12 to the visitors.
Trbojevic recovered to grab his second off a wonderful Tedesco pass, although Walker was wayward with the conversion attempt to leave the scores locked at 16-16.
A period of parity ensued until Walker notched Australia into the lead with a penalty, and, in the end, the Kangaroos’ quality shone through – but only just.
Trbojevic completed his hat-trick with two tries in five minutes on the hour. Tedesco was again at the heart of the first, with his grubber ricocheting off a number of players and landing in Trbojevic’s arms, before the Manly star finished off an attack involving Jacob Preston and Staggs.
Valemei did cross for his hat-trick with ten minutes to go and set up a potentially exciting finish as Staggs and Trbojevic were once more found left wanting, but the eight-point gap became 14 in the dying stages of the game.
With Fiji tiring, the Kangaroos pushed home their advantage as Preston’s try and Walker’s sixth goal made it 36-22 with the full-time hooter looming.
As it was, Kevin Walters’ side ran out winners, but they will need to vastly improve to lift the Paul Barrière Trophy next month.
GAMESTAR: Kurt Donoghoe tore Australia apart at times.
GAMEBREAKER: Two Tom Trbojevic tries either side of the hour ensured Fiji had to score three times to win.
MATCHFACTS
AUSTRALIA
1 James Tedesco
2 Jack Bostock
3 Kotoni Staggs
4 Bradman Best
5 Tom Trbojevic
6 Tom Dearden
7 Sam Walker
8 Keaon Koloamatangi
9 Blayke Brailey
10 Lindsay Smith
11 David Fifita
12 Reuben Cotter
13 Cameron Murray
Subs
14 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
15 Jacob Preston
16 Patrick Carrigan
17 Cameron Munster (not used)
19 Latrell Mitchell (not used)
21 Harry Grant (not used)
Tries: Staggs (8), Walker (34), Trbojevic (48, 58, 63), Preston (77)
Goals: Walker 6/7
FIJI
1 Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
2 Sunia Turuva
3 Waqa Blake
4 Solomone Saukuru
5 Semi Valemei
6 Kurt Donoghoe
7 Brandon Wakeham
8 Jacob Saifiti
9 Apisai Koroisau
10 Mitchell Prest
11 Taane Milne
12 Kitione Kautoga
13 Caleb Navale
Subs
14 Josese Lanyon
15 Emosi Ravosai
16 Elijah Keung (not used)
17 Ronald Philitoga
18 Jordan Leiu
19 Apenisa Driti (not used)
Tries: Valemei (18, 44, 70), Milne (26)
Goals: Wakeham 3/4
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-4, 6-10, 12-10; 12-16, 16-16, 18-16, 24-16, 30-16, 30-22, 36-22
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Australia: James Tedesco; Fiji: Kurt Donoghoe
Penalty count: 6-4
Half-time: 12-10
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Attendance: 41,108
