Uruguay close on qualification for RWC France

FIJI’S World Cup appears to be as good as over after the Pacific Island nation was stunned by Uruguay.

Seeking to rebound from their opening Pool loss to Australia four days earlier, Fiji found the going tough in the first half against a fresh Uruguay side making their first outing in Japan.

Coach John McKee had made 12 changes to the side which faced the Wallabies but it proved ineffective as Uruguay score three tries during the first half in Kamaishi, the town devastated by the 2011 tsunami which obliterated Japan’s east coast.

An upset didn’t look to be

in the making as Fiji showed flashes of creativity early on through full-back Alivereti Veitokani who dinked the ball over Uruguay’s rush defence before breaking into opposition territory.

And while that attack on six minutes came to nothing, Fiji were on the board moments later through hooker Mesu Dolokoto and a well-rehearsed lineout move.

A naïve offload by Leone Nakarawa gave the ball away to allow scrum-half Santiago Arata to be passed the loose ball and scamper through to draw the scores level on 14 minutes.

But back came Fiji as prop Eroni Mawi drove over from short range. Josh Matavesi added the extras.

Uruguay scored two unanswered tries to close half with a 24-12 lead.

The first was set up by the forwards for No.8 Manuel Diana Olaso to pick and drive over and the second came via a sublime offload by wing Rodrigo Silva along the touchline for Juan Manuel Cat to run to the line untouched.

Desperation follwoed fo Fiji in the second half as they fought to save their World Cup.

But despite tries for Api Ratuniyarawa and two for Niko Matawalu, the difference proved to be the kickers as Felipe Berchesi slotted two penalties and Ben Volavola had a lastgasp penalty kick clip the outside of the post which would have seen the match end in a draw.

The opportunity now presents itself to Uruguay to qualify automatically for the World Cup in France in four years’ time as a win over Georgia could clinch them the required thirdplace finish in their Pool.