Uruguay stun Fiji to deliver biggest shock victory of the World Cup so far
25 SEPTEMBER 2019 • 8:50AM
Match Summary
Fiji 27 - 30 Uruguay
Rugby World Cup25/09/2019 06:15
Referee: Pascal Gauzère|Venue: Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium
- Uruguay shock Fiji to win their first World Cup match since 2003
- Uruguay recorded their highest ever points tally in a World Cup match
The most wonderful occasion in the most wonderful of locations received the match it so richly deserved as Uruguay stunned Fiji in Kamaishi to deliver the shock of the World Cup so far.
While this was technically a tier-two side beating another, there is a gulf in both talent and pedigree between Uruguay and a Fiji side who had rattled Australia on Saturday in Sapporo. The perennial giant-killers ended up being felled by underdogs smaller than themselves. Uruguay’s mainly amateur players were magnificent. They tackled their hearts out and feasted on a plethora of Fijian mistakes. Tears flowed in the stands and on the pitch at the final whistle.
This was about so much more than just another World Cup game. For Kamaishi as a city, it was an act of cathartic celebration after the devastation wrought by the 2011 tsunami. Surrounded by lush hilly woodland, Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium might just be the most picturesque stadium in world rugby. Certainly it is the most poignant. Built on the site of two former schools which were demolished by the 2011 tsunami that would claim more than 1,000 lives in the city. The current breakwater lies just 500 metres away.
All around the the stadium there are memorials to the dead, yet for the people this was a means of paying respect while starting what many a calling a new chapter. Around the stadium, there was a brilliant juxtaposition of cultures as Fijians mixed with kilt-wearing Uruguayans and locals desperate to thank anyone who came into contact with them for visiting their city. In among the crowd was the Crown Prince Akishino.
And what a treat they were in for. Uruguay were the last team to taste action in this tournament but few people gave them a chance against a Fiji side that had led Australia for much of their match in Sapporo on Saturday. Los Teros' previous World Cup matches came in 2003 against Georgia and in 1999 against Spain in 1999. Unlike neighbours Argentina, few of their players play full time. Yet what they lack in resources they more than make up for in heart. The likes of outside centre Juan Manuel Cat and flanker Santiago Civetta delivered performances as accomplished as any All Black at this tournament.
Fiji were much changed from the side that lost 39-21 to Australia but initially that did not seem to be an issue as hooker Mesulame Dolokoto scored from a well-rehearsed lineout move. Maybe that increased their sense of complacency as a loose Leone Nakarawa offload went to ground. Uruguay reacted quickest and scrum half Santiago Arata beat three defenders to dive under the posts.
Fiji looked shellshocked and worse was to come. Vereniki Goneva and Veitokani left a high ball to each other allowing Uruguay to spread the ball wide where Gaston Mieres stepped one defender before Cat sliced the rest of the Fijian defence open by exchanging passes with Rodrigo Silva to score their third try. Their advantage increased as fly half Felipe Berchesi slotted a penalty after Api Ratuniyarawa was penalised for a high tackle to provide Uruguay with a 24-12 halftime lead.
The question seemed to be how long they would hold on. After Matavesi missed a penalty inside the 22, Ratuniyarawa scored a try virtually under the posts which the fly half also failed to convert. The pattern for the rest of the game was set. Desperate Uruguayan defence and even more desperate Fijian attack. Chance after chance went begging and unlike Fiji, Uruguay had a kicker in Berchesi willing to punish any transgressions as he nudged over his second penalty on 60 minutes.
Replacement scrum half Niko Matawalu brought Fiji back within range sneaking over after a series of pick and goes. But with five minutes remaining Berchesi slotted a difficult penalty to give Uruguay a two-score lead rendering Matawalu’s second try irrelevant. Both Uruguayan supporters and players were in tears.
This result and the staging of this match deserve to be remembered for a very long time to come.
Uruguay deserved the victory
No-one saw this coming. Uruguay, ranked 19th in the world, had not won a game at the World Cup since 2003. The thought of a victory in this game was not even entertained. Fiji were a fancied side - tipped by many as dark horses.
Yet, somehow, Uruguay claimed victory. This was not a lucky win. This was not a win caused by the errors of Fiji. Uruguay were the better side over the course of the game. Their forwards were physical in attack and defence while the backs were controlled by half-backs Santiago Arata and Felipe Berchesi.
Fiji had their moments. They started well scoring a couple of early tries but after that it was Uruguay's game. They defended aggressively forcing an uncharacteristic number of handling errors from Fiji.
The one area of the game in which Uruguay were fortunate was the goal kicking of Fiji - only one conversion was added despite scoring five tries. Josh Matavesi managed to miss one from straight in front of goal alongside trickier attempts.
This should not detract from Uruguay who despite struggling at scrum-time controlled the game by kicking long and allowing Fiji to attack. When Fiji attacked, they were chopped down and tackled into touch by the abrasive Uruguay defence.
The World Cup needed an upset and Uruguay delivered it.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-w...19-fiji-vs-uruguay-live-score-latest-updates/
