Tom Trbojevic scored a second-half hat-trick as the Kangaroos survived a huge scare to beat Fiji 36-22 in Brisbane and book their place in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals.
Fiji led twice either side of half-time in front of 41,108 fans at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night, and had the better of the game for the first hour, NRL.com reported.
The Bati came into the match as 50-1 outsiders, according to the ABC, and had lost their previous five meetings with Australia by an aggregate score of 246-16, BBC Sport noted.
Bunker call turns the game
Kotoni Staggs opened the scoring for Australia, but Semi Valemei and Taane Milne crossed to put Fiji ahead before a James Tedesco run from dummy half set up a try for halfback Sam Walker. Walker’s conversion gave the Kangaroos a 12-10 lead at the break.
Valemei’s second try put Fiji back in front early in the second half, and Solomone Saukuru appeared to have extended the lead soon after, only for the try to be ruled out for obstruction. Australia went straight up the other end and Trbojevic scored the first of his three tries to level the scores.
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Walker added a penalty goal and Trbojevic scored twice more before Valemei completed his own hat-trick. Jacob Preston then crossed for his first try for Australia to seal the win. Walker finished with five conversions and a penalty goal.
Fiji five-eighth Kurt Donoghoe was named player of the match after setting up all three of Valemei’s tries.
Walters wants more
“I think we need more from everyone,” Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters said after the game, the ABC reported.
“We know we can play better but let’s give Fiji a lot of credit. At times it seemed like we were getting on top and they pulled themselves back into the game.”
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The win follows Australia’s 24-22 victory over New Zealand in round one. The Kangaroos play the Cook Islands in Townsville in their final pool match before the semi-final at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Sunday 8 November, while Fiji face New Zealand on the Gold Coast on Saturday, according to NRL.com.
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