Fiji move to second in Pool D with 45-10 win over Georgia
Semi Radradra scored two tries for Fiji
©Steve Haag
Fiji 45-10 Georgia, Hanazono Rugby Stadium
Scorecard
Fiji registered their first win in the ongoing Rugby World Cup as they trounced Georgia with a 45-10 margin in their Pool D encounter at Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Thursday.
The win has taken Fiji to the second place in the table with seven points while Georgia are at fourth with five points. Fiji will face Wales in their final game of the opening round while Georgia will take on Australia.
With rainy conditions around, both the teams struggled to get their first points on the board. Georgia had a chance to open their account when Semi Kunatani was penalised but Soso Matiashvili shot missed the goal.
The first points in the game came in the 20th minute when Ben Volavola kicked a grubber kick that was grabbed by Semi Radradra, who in turn offloaded to Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu for the opening try. The Fiji fly-half also kicked the conversion to make the scoreline 7-0.
Georgia went on to press the attack ending in Fiji's territory but their efforts went in vain as they could not translate it to points. Finally, they managed to open their account in the 35th minute when Fiji were penalised for an offside and Soso Matiashvili kicked a penalty as the teams finished the first half with a 7-3 scoreline.
Fiji finally got into the groove and were quickest to get off the block in the second half when a combination of Josua Tuisova Ratulevu and Tuisova sent Frank Lomani over the line. Five minutes later they got their third try through Tuisova as they increased their lead to 17-3.
Despite the setbacks, Georgia regrouped and got their opening try in the 54th minute with Mamuka Gorgodze diving from close range but it was total domination from Fiji in the remainder of the game. Radradra showed his class in the 61st minute to help Fiji claim the bonus point while Kunatani (68'), Api Ratuniyarawa (70') and Radradra (76') scored further tries as John McKee's men registered a 35 point victory.
