Rugby World Cup: Fiji beat Australia for the first time in ۶۹ years

Fiji produced a superb performance to stun Australia ۲۲-۱۵ in their Rugby World Cup clash in Saint-Etienne on Sunday

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A week after an agonising loss to Wales when the last pass was spilled with the tryline open, Levani Botia’s teammates had to win to stay in the hunt for their first quarter-final in ۱۶ years.

The Fijians were disciplined, composed and clinical throughout the game en route to their first win against Australia in ۶۹ years.

Australia has brought to the Rugby World Cup its youngest squad in ۲۰ years, a squad still learning how to win. A Fiji side that has been around the block several times gave the two-time champion Wallabies their first Rugby World Cup loss to a Pacific Island team.

This result puts the heat back on Wales and the Wallabies, who meet next Sunday.

Australia's team gather after losing against Fiji at their Rugby World Cup Pool C match at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France, Sunday, Sept. 17, ۲۰۲۳.

Laurent Cipriani/Copyright ۲۰۲۳ The AP. All rights reserved

Elsewhere, England edged closer to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a ۳۴-۱۲ win over Japan in Nice.

Lewis Ludlam forced his way over from close range for the only try of a scrappy first half before a fortuitous try from captain Courtney Lawes proved to be the turning point.

Freddie Steward and Joe Marchant then made sure of the win but England will need to show more if they are to go all the way

They will next take on Chile on Saturday.