Uruguay shock Fiji for famous victory

HISTORY: Uruguay celebrate at the final whistle THE World Cup has its first upset thanks to unfancied Uruguay, who toppled a shambolic Fiji on an emotional day at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium.

It was the biggest moment in Uruguay’s rugby history, eclipsing their only previous

World Cup victories against Spain and Georgia.

Stand-off Felipe Berchesi, who kicked 15 points, slotted the key penalty five minutes from time, meaning Nikola Matawalu’s second try late on was not enough to prevent a stunning result at a seaside city devastated by the 2011 tsunami.

Berchesi said: “Can I tell you a little secret? Yesterday I missed pretty much all my kicks so I had trouble sleeping.

“I was thinking to myself to treat it just like in training, as if the stadium was empty.

“I had cramps in my legs so I focused on kicking like I do in training, and aiming for the middle, inside the posts. It went through, luckily. It’s unreal.”

Uruguay, who lost to Fiji 69-7 last November, are mostly amateurs drilled into shape by formerWasps fitness coach Craig White.

They led 24-12 at half-time after converted tries from scrum-half Santiago Arata, No8 Manuel Diana and centre Juan Manuel Cat, before the boot of Berchesi kept them out of range as Fiji fought back after the break.

Fiji earned two bonus points – one for finishing within seven and another for scoring four tries – but after also losing their opening match to Australia their play-off hopes are now hanging by a thread.

And the Pacific Islanders could be out of the running by the time they face Wales in Oita on October 9. Fiji coach John McKee said: “The guys made critical errors that gifted them tries.

“We’ve got to get ourselves off the floor now and make sure we’re ready to play Georgia in eight days’ time.That’s a critical game for us.”

FIJI – Tries: Dolokoto, Mawi, Ratuniyarawa, Matawalu (2).

Con: Matavesi.

URUGUAY - Tries: Arata, Diana, Cat. Cons: Berchesi (3). Pens: Berchesi (3).