Rugby World Cup 2019 – Georgia vs Fiji: Result and reaction from Pool D fixture

Re-live all the action from the Hanazono Rugby Stadium

Rugby World Cup 2019 in numbers

Fiji finally found their flair as they bounced back from their shock World Cup defeat by Uruguay with a resounding 45-10 win over Georgia that sent a warning to their next opponents Wales.

Back-to-back defeats at the hands of Australia and Uruguay had left Fiji bottom of Pool D but a bonus-point victory over Georgia boosted their hopes of a top-three finish that would guarantee automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup.

Winger Semi Radradra was the star of the show, helping create his side's first three tries before going on to claim two of his own as Fiji cut loose with 28 points in the last 20 minutes of the match at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka. Re-live the action below:

What time is it?

Georgia vs Fiji kicks off at 2.15pm Japan Standard Time, which is 6.15am BST, on Thursday 3 October.

Where can I watch it?

ITV4 will be broadcasting the clash. Alternatively, you can live stream the match via the ITV Hub on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Key Points

• Georgia XV: Soso Matiashvili, Giorgi Kveseladze, David Kacharava, Merab Sharikadze (captain), Alexander Todua, Lasha Khmaladze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Beka Gorgadze, Mamuka Gorgodze, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Konstantine Mikautadze, Giorgi Nemsadze, Beka Gigashvili, Shalva Mamukashvili, Mikheil Nariashvili.
• Fiji XV: Kini Murimurivalu, Josua Tuisova, Waisea Nayacalevu, Lepani Botia, Semi Radradra, Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani, Peceli Yato, Semi Kunatani, Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Manasa Saulo, Samuel Matavesi, Campese Ma’afu.

[3 October 2019 07:56 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! He is!

He's not in touch, and he's kept control of the ball, which means Paul Williams is advised to award the try.

Sharp footwork from Jale Vatubua to get through a tackle and find Radradra in space, and the left wing is too quick for his opposite number, and intelligently lifts his feet into the air as he dives over the line to prevent Beka Gorgadze dragging them into touch in a last-ditch attempt to bring down Radradra. 

Georgia 10-45 Fiji

[3 October 2019 08:01 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

79 minutes

Another drop from Fiji! For the third time the ball has been shelled with the line very much in sight.

Levani Botia on this occasion with four supporting players livid as he drops it. A reminder that despite the seven tries Fiji have scored it could have been more. This was an angry response to that Uruguay defeat. 

[3 October 2019 08:02 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

80 minutes

Official man of the match Semi Radradra absolutely thumps a Georgian carrier as something of a hospital pass is hurled his way, but Fiji are over-eager to capitalise and in at the side at the ruck.

Georgia kick to halfway and will have the lineout.

[3 October 2019 08:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

81 minutes

Georgia hope for one final moment of joy at the end of the game, but Semi Kunatani gets over the top of the ball to win the penalty.

Ben Volavola taps and boots the ball over the touchline to send this one to a close.

[3 October 2019 08:04 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

FULL TIME: Georgia 10-45 Fiji

[3 October 2019 08:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

A comprehensive victory for Fiji, turning on the afterburners to pull away in some style from Georgia, who couldn't match the free-flowing fluency of the flying Fijians in the second half.

On a slippery-old day in Japan, some of those tries were simply scintillating.

[3 October 2019 08:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ben Volavola, Levani Botia and Waisea Nayacalevu were all excellent in midfield for Fiji, but man of the match Semi Radradra was utterly magnificent down the left. Seventeen carries, 177 metres, five clean breaks, three offloads and a couple of tries. Not bad, Semi, not bad at all.

[3 October 2019 08:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

To pick out two of the lesser known Fijians, Frank Lomani was sharp and accurate at scrum-half while Peni Ravai's cameo at loosehead from the bench added real impact. The former has picked up a Super Rugby contract with the Melbourne Rebels next year after impressing for the Fijian Drua in Australia's provincial competition. 

The addition of the Drua has really aided Fijian rugby, particularly with regards to depth. It has put pressure on those in the squad and added a degree of cohesion to those outside so that when they come into the Fiji national team they know the structures and understand how to make them work. Lomani was brilliant today.

[3 October 2019 08:17 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Can Fiji challenge Wales? You would suggest no, as Wales should have the rugby nous to push them back and the defensive strength to tie down their attacking fluency, but if they let Fiji get going they are incredibly tough to stop.

Here is a look at Pool D. That win should secure Fiji third place in the group, assuming Uruguay and Georgia lose their remaining games, which seems likely. 

[3 October 2019 08:25 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Georgia will be disappointed with their showing today. This was a game they would have targeted ahead of the tournament, and Fiji's defeat to Uruguay really opened the door. But they crumbled badly in that second half, and rather invited Fiji to run riot with some poor kicking and loose defensive structures.

Milton Haig certainly would not have expected his team to struggle at scrum-time in the manner in which they did. For all Georgian rugby's growth it looks like another fourth place pool finish and just one win for Haig's side. A shame.