The Wallabies have opened their Rugby World Cup 2019 account with 39-21 victory over Fiji in Sapporo on Saturday.
The men in gold eventually ran in six tries to two over their Pacific neighbours but they were made to work by the Fijians who took a two-point advantage into halftime and extended their lead with an early second half try.
Fiji came out in predictably physical fashion, mixing in big hits in defense with some powerful carries and flair in attack to open up a 21-12 lead after 45 minutes.
But as the second half wore on, Michael Cheika’s men found their spark and turned around a mistake-ridden start to pile on the points and run away with an important bonus-point win.
The Australians scored two first half tries, the first by skipper Michael Hooper who barged through would-be tacklers for his, before Reece Hodge finished neatly in the corner of some slick hands for Australia’s second.
But those tries weren’t good enough to give the Wallabies the lead at the break, with Fijian standout Peceli Yato registering the first five-pointer inside 8 minutes of play and Ben Volavola landing three penalty goals to send Australia to the dressing rooms down 12-14.
It wasn't until midway through the second stanza that the Wallabies pack took control of the match, with hooker Tolu Latu’s powerful effort off a maul in the 57th minute opening the floodgates.
Latu notched another one from a lineout drive five minutes later, after Fiji centre Levani Botia was yellow-carded, and the Wallabies continued to heap the set- piece pressure on a tiring Fijian pack.
The backs would also eventually get in on the action with Fijian-born duo Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete crossing late to finish the job and give the Wallabies the result they were looking for to kick off their Rugby World Cup 2019 campaign.
Wallabies 39 (Tolu Latu 2, Michael Hooper, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete tries; Matt To’omua 2, Christian Lealiifano cons; Reece Hodge pen) defeated Fiji 21 (Peceli Yato, Waisea Nayacalevu tries; Ben Volavola con; Ben Volavola 3 pens)
Wallabies
1.Scott Sio
2.Tolu Latu
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4.Izack Rodda
5.Rory Arnold
6.David Pocock
7.Michael Hooper (c)
8.Isi Naisarani
9. Nic White
10.Christian Lealiifano
11.Marika Koroibete
12.Samu Kerevi (vc)
13.James O’Connor
14.Reece Hodge
15.Kurtley Beale
Reserves:
16.Jordan Uelese
17.James Slipper
18.Sekope Kepu
19.Adam Coleman
20.Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
21.Will Genia
22.Matt To’omua
23.Dane Haylett-Petty
Fiji
1.Campese Ma’afu
2.Sam Matavesi
3.Reni Ravai
4.Tevita Cavubati
5.Leone Nakarawa
6.Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c)
7.Peceli Yato
8.Viliame Mata
9.Frank Lomani
10.Ben Volavola
11.Semi Radradra
12.Levani Botia
13.Waisea Nayacalevu
14.Josua Tuisova
15.Kini Murimurivalu
Reserves:
16.Tuvere Vugakoto
17.Eroni Mawi
18.Manasa Saulo
19.Tevita Ratuva
20.Mosese Voka
21.Nikola Matawalu
22.Alivereti Veitokani
23.Vereniki Goneva
Wallabies Substitutions
52 mins - Genia for White, 57 mins - Salakaia-Loto for Naisarani, 59 mins - To’omua for Lealiifano, 63 mins - Slipper for Sio, 63 mins - Uelese for Latu, 63 mins - Kepu for Alaalatoa, 68 mins - Coleman for Arnold, 70 mins - Haylett-Petty for Beale