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Fiji's classy gesture to Portugal after loss one of the moments of the World Cup
By Josh Raisey
Things did not go to plan for Fiji in Toulouse on Sunday night, but that did not stop them from showing their class in the aftermath of their 24-23 loss to Portugal.
After a campaign where they drew with Georgia and provided stern tests for both Wales and Australia, Os Lobos finally secured their first ever World Cup win in their final match of the tournament at the Stadium de Toulouse courtesy of a Rodrigo Marta try in the dying embers of the match.
It would have hurt for Fiji, but coach Simon Raiwalui recognised what a momentous occasion it was, and visited the victor's changing room after the match to congratulate them and give them a bag of Fijian kit. The gesture was caught on camera as Raiwalui told the now ranked 13th team in the world that the win was "thoroughly deserved" in what is one of the classiest moments of the World Cup so far.
Raiwalui's counterpart Patrice Lagisquet wished Fiji the best for the quarter-final, as, despite the loss, they still qualified for the knockout stages with their losing bonus point. That left them level on points in Pool D with Australia, meaning they progressed due to their head-to-head record with the Wallabies.
The Flying Fijians will face England in the quarter-finals in Marseille on Sunday, a team they beat at Twickenham less that two months ago. However, when looking ahead to that match, Raiwalui said the quarter-final will be a "totally different match".
"They play rugby to win," he said when assessing his upcoming opponents. "They're very talented. They'll put a lot of pressure on us at set-piece time as well. Tactically, they'll look to take advantage of some of the things we've been doing, so they're a very good team. It's going to be a big challenge.
"It’s a totally different match (to when Fiji beat England in August), playing a different team. There will be aspects of how they play that are similar but they will bring new stuff as well. It's about us being efficient and doing the things we do well and giving ourselves the best chance to compete. We’ve played the team, the boys are comfortable, it’s not the first time, so I think it will be a good match."
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Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
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