Upset! Uruguay shock the World Cup with sensational win over Fiji

Uruguay have sprung one of the great World Cup upsets by defeating Fiji 30-27 at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium.

It's a victory that ranks alongside Japan's famous 34-32 tip up of South Africa in Brighton four years ago as one of the tournament's most unlikely results, with the South Americans having only ever won two matches - against Spain in 1999 and Georgia in 2003 - from 11 World Cup outings heading into this clash.

Even just 10 months ago, these two teams met in Gloucester, with the Flying Fijians routing the South Americans 68-7 at Hartpury College, but there was no indication beyond the 14th minute that such a result would emulate itself in the north of Japan.

The Pacific Islanders were the ones who got off to the better start, scoring an unconverted try through prop Mesu Dolokoto inside the fifth minute.

Those missed kick at goal foreshadowed what was to come for Fiji, especially when Uruguayan halfback Santiago Arta scooted over the Fijian tryline to level the scores, with first-five Felipe Berchesi knocking over the conversion from close range.

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Tighthead prop Eroni Mawi then re-claimed the lead for Fiji four minutes later, with Josh Matavesi slotting his only kick at goal of the afternoon to put his side up by five points.

For the rest of the half, though, it was one-way traffic for Los Teros.

First back rower Manuel Diana crashed over to level the scores once more - Berchesi's conversion edged them back in front - while a scintillating piece of backline distribution and offloading saw midfielder Juan Manuel Cat go over unopposed to stretch Uruguay's lead out to nine points.