Fiji stumble to victory over Georgia, giving Wallabies a slim chance

afr.com:

The Wallabies’ World Cup in France remains alive – for another day at least – with Fiji failing to secure the maximum points needed to secure their quarter-final berth.

Fiji needed a bonus point win over Georgia in their pool clash in Bordeaux but put the ball back in Australia’s court.

For while the popular Pacific islanders won in a thriller 17-12 on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), they didn’t get the necessary bonus point for scoring at least four tries that would have guaranteed their last-eight spot.

Fiji’s Ilaisa Droasese is tackled by Georgia’s Davit Niniashvili. AP

The Wallabies now face Portugal in Saint-Etienne on Sunday (Monday AEDT), also requiring a bonus point win.

But if Australia manage that to move to 11 points, their stay of execution still may only be extended for a week.

Sitting on 10 points, Fiji will face Portugal next Sunday and would still join unbeaten Wales in the play-offs by leaving Toulouse with victory — or even with a losing bonus point.

While the teams will be level, Fiji will advance due to having won their pool clash.

If Fiji don’t collect a bonus point for losing within seven points or fewer, Australia would make the quarter-finals.

But the Fijians are determined to now finish the job against Portugal after overcoming their demanding test from the Georgians.

“Relieved,” admitted Fijian captain Waisea Nayacalevu, when asked how he felt.

“We didn’t manage to do a few things, dropped balls, put ourselves under pressure in the first half. What I told the boys, ‘We keep fighting, we keep focusing, keep on going, don’t back out’.

“And in the end in the second half we managed to get away with the win, so I’m proud of the boys.

“For the record, we want to be a history-making team and that is our goal.