Georgia 10-45 Fiji: Pacific Islanders bounce back from Uruguay upset with emphatic seven-try win

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George Flood3 October 2019

Semi Radradra starred for Fiji as the Pacific Islanders bounced back from their shock World Cup defeat to Uruguay and sent out a warning to Wales with an emphatic victory over Georgia in Pool D.

John McKee's side - stunned by minnows Los Teros last week - ran in seven tries in Osaka and produced a devastating second-half display to seal a bonus-point 45-10 victory.

Bordeaux back Radradra was the architect of a victory packed with trademark flair despite the difficult wet conditions, assisting three tries and scoring two of his own.

Soso Matiashvili thought he had given Georgia the lead with an early penalty, only for referee Paul Williams to correctly overrule one of his assistants - who did appear to raise his flag - after the kick was hooked wide of the posts.

Fiji did go ahead five minutes later when the influential Radradra scooped up a kick from Ben Volavola and distracted Giorgi Kveseladze before teeing up centre Waisea Nayacalevu to race in unopposed.

Nayacalevu should have scored again before the half-hour mark, only to drop a soaking ball at the vital moment after he and Levani Botia had isolated Georgian No8 Beka Gorgadze.

Fiji - despite showing plenty of attacking promise - only led 7-3 at the interval after a high tackle from Josua Tuisova offered an easy three points to full-back Matiashvili.

It did not take them long to underline their dominance after half-time, however, with scrum-half Frank Lomani dotting down under pressure from Davit Kacharava after a fine backhanded offload from Kini Murimurivalu to that man Radradra.

Tuisova was the next to go over after linking up brilliantly with Radradra following a flowing team move, though Georgia did hit back immediately after that score through the great Mamuka Gorgodze - who reversed his international retirement before the World Cup.

That proved to be just a minor blip for Fiji as Radradra secured the try bonus point after Tuisova provided a key extra man in another eye-catching move and flanker Semi Kunatani juggled a pass from Botia before regaining control and further extending the lead.

Api Ratuniyarawa punished a weary Georgian defence again straight after the restart and Radradra fittingly finished off the rout after Kveseladze gave up possession to Jale Vatubua, managing to stay in touch despite a desperation tackle from Gorgadze.

Fijian confidence swiftly restored ahead of their meeting with Pool D leaders Wales in Oita next Wednesday.

Georgia, playing on a short turnaround, now have an eight-day break before their final group game against Australia on October 11.