Australia’s Kangaroos secured a 36-22 victory over Fiji in a challenging World Cup match at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night, maintaining their winning streak in the tournament. The match, witnessed by 41,108 spectators, saw the Kangaroos withstand a spirited performance from the Pacific island nation, which threatened to pull off its greatest-ever win against Australia.
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters introduced four debutants—Bradman Best, Blayke Brailey, Sam Walker, and David Fifita—in what was considered a strong Australian side. Despite entering the match as heavy favourites, Australia faced an unexpectedly fierce challenge from the Michael Potter-coached Fiji team. The Bati led 16-12 early in the second half, buoyed by the dynamic playmaking of Dolphins five-eighth Kurt Donoghoe and the try-scoring prowess of winger Semi Valemei, who crossed for a hat-trick.
Fiji’s previous matches against Australia had been one-sided affairs, with the Bati rarely scoring more than eight points and suffering heavy defeats in recent encounters. However, this match marked a significant step up in competitiveness, with Fiji exerting sustained pressure on the Kangaroos through strong forward play and effective backline combinations.
Australia’s captain for the night, James Tedesco, who was returning to the side after a three-year absence, played a pivotal role with an influential performance. Standing in for the rested skipper Isaah Yeo, Tedesco orchestrated the Kangaroos’ attack, setting up the opening try for Kotoni Staggs with a precise pass and creating key opportunities in critical moments. His skillful grubber kick assisted Tom Trbojevic in scoring his second try, helping Australia regain and extend a 22-16 lead in the second half.
Trbojevic, despite an inconsistent overall game, finished with a hat-trick of tries, highlighting his striking ability. Meanwhile, the halfback position remained a point of interest following the injury to regular No.7 Mitchell Moses. Sam Walker and Tom Dearden contended for the role, but neither produced a fully convincing performance. Walker, in particular, showed promise as he settled into the match after an early error and appeared to be a favoured choice by Walters, who rested key playmaker Cameron Munster for the game.
The match also sparked discussion over team selection, with Walters facing decisions on the fullback position. Reece Walsh, who started in Australia’s opening World Cup match against New Zealand, was absent from the field but observed from the coaches’ box, while Tedesco’s strong display made a compelling case for his inclusion going forward.
Fiji’s competitive showing challenged expectations and contrasted with recent World Cup matches, which have been criticized for large score differentials. The Bati’s resilience and tactical execution suggest progress, though they ultimately fell short against a more experienced Australian lineup. Both sides now prepare for their upcoming fixtures, with Australia set to face the Cook Islands in Townsville, where further clarity on team roles and strategies is expected ahead of the tournament’s latter stages.