Wallabies captain Harry Wilson and his Flying Fijians counterpart Tevita Ikanivere with the Vuvale Trophy before the test match in Newcastle on Sunday, 6 July 2025. Photo: Supplied / Fiji Rugby Union
Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson planted the ball over his head, amongst tacklers who tried to stop him from going over the line, as the Australians romped to a close 21-18 win over the Flying Fijians in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
The Wallabies claimed the Vuvale Bowl in the process at the McDonald Jones Stadium and avenged their loss to the Fijians at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Fiji had led 18-14 with four minutes to go and looked like they were on their way to recording their consecutive win over the Wallabies.
But the Fijians gave away two consecutive penalties close to their line, and the Australians opted for the kick to the sideline.
Replacement halfback Ben Donaldson put the ball over the line, and the Wallabies won the lineout throw.
As the Fijians defended their line, Captain Wilson stepped up, got the ball and twisted and turned, diving over backwards to score the winning try.
That brought Wallabies fans amongst the 28,000-odd crowd jumping with joy, with the win being their own warm-up before they face the British Lions next weekend.
Skipper Wilson admitted after the game that it was a tough battle throughout, especially after the hosts had taken a 14-0 lead close to halftime.
"Yeah, it was good to get the win," Wilson said.
"It was a tough match. Fiji is a quality outfit, and it was great to get the result in the end.
"Test matches against Fiji is always tough. First test match of the year, and we've liked our time here in Newcastle."
Coach Joe Schmidt said they knew that the Fijians would be fast and unpredictable.
"It was lucky they lost the ball forward a few times," Schmidt said.
"They stretched us in some moments."
Two of those knock-ons by the Fijians saw possible tries go begging, with number eight Viliame Mata spilling the ball forward as the gap opened up before him in the second half, and lock Isoa Nasilasila also guilty of the same as the visitors ploughed their way towards the Wallabies' line.
Flying Fijians captain Tevita Ikanivere, who was also guilty of spilling the ball forward on attack and losing a number of his line-out throws in the game, said he was proud of his warriors and congratulated the Wallabies.
"Very proud of my brothers," Ikanivere said.
"We came here one week and came out to put the effort out there today.
"I know it is a disappointing loss, losing in the last minute, but thankful to them for giving their all today."
Ikanivere thanked family and friends, plus fans who turned up in numbers to cheer for them.
"I think we could hear Go Fiji Go more than the Aussies, so I think that was a win for us from the crowd," he said.
Debutant Salesi Rayasi, who has now followed his dad Filipe in becoming a Flying Fijian, got the Fijians' first try on the board just before halftime when he sliced his way through Wallabies tacklers to score in the corner.
The second half saw a change in how the Fijians played the game, with big hits by the ball carriers and quick closing of the lines as the Wallabies carried forward.
Winger Jiuta Wainiqolo danced his way through the opposition's defensive cover before giving an overhead pass to Lekima Tagitagivalu, who dived over close to the corner.
Flyhalf Caleb Muntz's conversion saw the Fijians take the lead 15-14, with a successful penalty conversion by Muntz earlier.
Another successful Muntz penalty in the 68th minute saw Fiji extend their lead to 18-14, with a likely upset in the offering again.
Apart from Wilson's try the Wallabies also claimed two more through hooker Dave Porecki, who was later taken off the field because of concussion, and flanker Fraser McReight.
Two Wallabies tries were turned down too, while Fiji also had one try cancelled after it was ruled that the ball had gone over the line in the lead-up to the try being scored by replacement Sireli Maqala in the second half.
But Wilson struck, and the Wallabies escaped what could have been another humiliation at the hands of the Flying Fijians.
The Fijians will face Scotland in Suva on 12 July, while the Wallabies prepare for their first Test against the British Lions at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 19 July.
Australia 21: Tries: Dave Porecki, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson; Conversions: Noah Lolesio 2/2, Ben Donaldson 1/1, beat Fiji 18: Tries: Salesi Rayasi, Lekima Tagitagivalu; Conversions: Muntz 1/2, Pen: Muntz 2/2
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