Fiji bowed out of the Rugby World Cup by overpowering a feisty Uruguay team 47-15 on Tuesday in an action-packed Rugby World Cup (RWC) match.
Uruguay contributed to the entertainment with a gutsy display that not only earned them their first try in the tournament, but a second to boot.
For two teams out of the running in Pool A for the knockout stage, there was no letup in desire, as both got what they wanted: Fiji finished on a high note with seven tries, while Uruguay were outgunned, but far from outclassed.
Photo: AFP
The shorter and smaller Uruguay players were even willing to niggle Fiji in the second half, especially off the ball. It earned outstanding scrumhalf Agustin Ormaechea a second yellow card, which left his team a man down for the last 14 minutes in light rain. Even then, they conceded only one more try, in injury time to winger Nemani Nadolo, who finally found only one defender in his path instead of the usual three.
His fate was typical of Fiji’s performance. Fiji got over the line, but they were made to sweat for most of their meters. Nadolo finished with 17 points, including six conversions, but one of the predicted stars of the tournament was held in check for the most part.
Fiji showed off their high confidence soon after kickoff, opting for an attacking lineout rather than a penalty shot. Lock Leone Nakarawa caught the uncontested throw-in, Fiji mauled, and Nakarawa’s offload looked to put center Levani Botia over until he was chopped at the knees by Ormaechea and dropped the ball on the tryline. Referee JP Doyle yellow-carded Ormaechea for the illegal no-hands tackle, and gave Fiji a penalty try.
Uruguay didn’t react well, giving away a string of penalties that Fiji used for set-pieces. At a scrum just inside Uruguay’s 22, Fiji scrumhalf Nemia Kenatale scored from a break down the blindside and made it 12-0 after nine minutes.
When Uruguay was back to 15 men, they kicked over a long-range penalty. Up to that point all of Uruguay’s points in the tournament — 15 — were from penalties. They were still without a try, the only team in the tournament who had not crossed the white line.
The Teros had to wait only two minutes more. Ormaechea and captain Santiago Vilaseca pierced Fiji’s defense on the blindside, flyhalf Alejo Duran made a half break, and hooker Carlos Arboleya steamed up on the inside to angle in near the left post. Uruguay’s first World Cup try-scorer in 12 years was mobbed by teammates plus the reserves, as the crowd stood and cheered.
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