Poidevin’s take: Wallabies hang by a thread after Fijian heroics

afr.com:

History in Saint-Etienne as a superb and desperate Fiji beat Australia for the first time in 69 years, keeping their quarter-final hopes alive and putting the Wallabies Rugby World Cup campaign on a knife’s edge – a bonus point win against Wales next Sunday is non-negotiable.

The Fijians created havoc at the breakdown, securing multiple penalties, with Irish referee Andrew Brace piping hot on the whistle. The final penalty count was 18-7 in favour of Fiji and their halfback Simione Kuruvoli absolutely punished Australia, kicking four penalty goals with replacement Frank Lomani adding another.

Lomani did the Wallabies a favour by missing the last right on full-time, thus securing a valuable bonus point for the men in gold for finishing within seven points of Fiji.

The calf strain that put Wallaby captain Will Skelton in doubt on Friday eventually ruled him out of the match and his uncompromising leadership was sorely missed. With Taniela Tupou also out, the Wallaby scrum was neutralised, and that’s a big headache for coach Eddie Jones.

If there was one bright spot in the forwards it was Nick Frost, who was Australia’s best forward by a country mile and was magnificent in the lineout. Jones confirmed after the game that Skelton and Tupou won’t be available against Wales next week. But even if Skelton was fit, Frost was good enough that he should retain his spot ahead of Richie Arnold.

Australia scored two tries to one but Fiji dominated front-foot possession and territory with the Wallabies constantly on the back foot. Carter Gordon had an unsettled night and was replaced at flyhalf by Ben Donaldson after 49 minutes. Donaldson steadied the ship and I believe Eddie should start him at 10 next week and bring Andrew Kellaway