Wallabies vs Fiji start time, live blog, score, updates, team news, Will Skelton – TOTOCC

Australia scored the opening try, but Fiji holds a 12-8 lead at half-time in Sunday evening’s World Cup contest in Saint-Eienne.

The Wallabies were without captain Will Skelton for the group stage contest at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, with Dave Porecki leading the Australians in his absence.

MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Fiji live score

Australia took an early lead after Josua Tuisova’s tackle on Rob Valetini was deemed too high, with Ben Donaldson slotting the regulation penalty kick in the third minute.

However, Fiji returned serve with a three-pointer of their own after the Wallabies were penalised at the breakdown in the 12th minute, with Simione Kuruvoli nailing the kick from 40 metres out.

The Fijians edged ahead in the 21st minute after Fraser McReight was pinged for being off his feet in the ruck, with Kuruvoli booting another long-ranger penalty kick.

However, a 50-22 kick from halfback Nic White set up with the Wallabies’ opening try, with the Australians taking a quick lineout as the Fijians were caught napping. Samu Kerevi offloaded the footy to winger Mark Nawaqanitawase who completed the try, but Donaldson missed the conversion.

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Fiji reclaimed the lead in the 26th minute after White was penalised for a contentious high tackle, with Kuruvoli slotting the three-pointer.

The 24-year-old’s glorious kicking continued a few minutes after the Australians were pinged for collapsing the driving maul, extending Fiji’s lead to four points.

Fiji botched a lineout from five metres out in the dying moments of the first half, with the Wallabies surviving to the break with a four-point deficit.

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