Fiji book place in the last eight
FIJI will progress to the World Cup quarter-finals for the third consecutive competition after they defeated Italy 38-10.
Emotions boiled over as Italy put up a gallant effort going blow for blow with the Fijians for most of the match before Suliasi Vuninalu bagged a hat trick in just 10 minutes to blow the Azzurri off the park.
Being two of the most passionate teams in the World Cup, it’s no surprise tempers flared as in the first half after two players were sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct – including Fijian star Jarryd Hayne.
In the 12th minute of the match, Italy was dealt an early blow when Jayden Walker was sent from the field for a professional foul on Marcelo Montoya after he ran 80 metres downfield.
With Italy down to 12 men, Fiji sensed an opportunity to attack and started launching repeated raids on the Italians goal line.
But after multiple efforts Fiji finally forced their way over the try line for what could have been the opening points of the match, before the try was disallowed by the video ref due to obstruction.
But despite being a man down it would be Italy who opened the scoring after Terry Campese showed age doesn’t matter, setting up Josh Mantellato in the corner after a pin-point cut out pass.
Just eight minutes later, Mantellato went from hero to villain after he failed to clean up a kick near his own goal line allowing Fiji captain Kevin Naiqama to clean up the scraps and get their first four-pointer of the match.
With the scores now sitting at 6-4, the passion from either side started to boil over as things got heated eight minutes out from halftime. A punch thrown in a tackle by Italy rake Joe Tramontana, caused tensions to spill out over the sideline.
Following the incident Tramontana, was given 10 minutes in the sin bin to cool off while Fiji star Jarryd Hayne, was also sent from the field for getting involved.
With both sides down a player and the half-time siren seconds away from sounding around GIO Stadium, Fiji bagged an important four-pointer after Henry Raiwalui crossed over with seconds to spare to give Fiji a 12-4 advantage at halftime.
Friday, November 17 – A1 v B3 (Darwin Stadium), Saturday, November 18 – B2 v D1 (Christchurch Stadium), Saturday, November 18 – B1 v A3 (Wellington Regional Stadium), Sunday, November 19 – A2 v C1 (Melbourne Rectangular Stadium) Friday, November 24 – QF1 Winner v QF2 Winner (Brisbane Stadium), Saturday, November 25 – QF3 Winner v QF4 Winner (Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland) Saturday, December 2 – SF1 Winner v SF2 Winner (Brisbane Stadium)