Wallabies' display against Fiji shows need to master fundamentals against Lions

Australia Broadcast Center

6 days ago

It may not be the F-word some will be expecting to hear from the lips of a disappointed Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt when he addresses his players in the days following their come-from-behind win over Fiji.
In the wake of the scratchy 21-18 victory in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, Schmidt will stress the need to nail the fundamentals as the Wallabies prepare to face the British and Irish Lions in their three-Test series.
This wasn't lost on the Wallabies themselves, only moments after the full-time siren.
Almost without hesitation, both Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen answered "fundamentals", when asked by the host TV broadcaster what area of the Wallabies' game needed the most attention.
In attack, the Wallabies crossed twice for what appeared to be tries, only for play to be called back because of forward passes.
The first half saw several other inside-22 entries wasted by the home side, with an errant Tom Wright pass — intercepted by Fiji — and an illegal clean-out from Langi Gleeson among the blown opportunities.
Fiji's two tries were also sparked by Wallabies' errors, with lazy turnovers and weak defence at fault.
With the Wallabies leading 14-0 only seconds out from half-time, fly-half Noah Lolesio casually went to the air by chipping a low-hanging bomb that was picked off by Fiji's Josua Tuisova and Simione Kuruvoli.
From 60 metres out, Fiji launched a stunning attacking movement, eventually finished off by Salesi Rayasi in the left-hand corner for the visitors' first try.
Fiji's second five-pointer — scored by back-rower Lekima Tagitagivalu in the 55th minute — came from the Wallabies coughing up possession, in addition to missing tackles.
The Wallabies were awarded a penalty inside opposition territory and chose to kick for touch, earning a line-out throw 10 metres from the Fijian goal line.
But as the Wallabies established a driving maul from their set-piece win, they were penalised for obstruction, a reprieve capitalised upon by the Fijians.
After kicking for touch and securing the ball from the line-out, Fiji went on the attack via a breathtaking run from winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, who beat four would-be tackles as he motored towards the line.
The Wallabies' cover defence caught up with Wainiqolo, but he was able to get an offload away to Tagitagivalu, who touched down to send Fijian supporters into a frenzy.
The conversion attempt was successful, propelling Fiji into the lead, which they didn't relinquish until Harry Wilson barged over for the Wallabies' match-winning try in the 79th minute.
Fiji's brilliance with ball in hand must be highlighted when analysing its two tries, but the Wallabies were guilty of giving up possession far too easily and committing defensive lapses.
They also dodged a bullet when Fiji reserve back Sireli Maqala had a try disallowed in the second half, while number eight Viliame Mata's knock-on in the 65th minute — 10 metres out from the Wallabies' line — gave the hosts another life when their backs were to the wall.
To the credit of the Wallabies, they refused to give up as they trailed 18-14, and this is the sign of a team with character.
They found a way to win when the match appeared lost, a positive Schmidt must acknowledge as his focus switches to the Lions Test series, beginning on July 19.
The Wallabies aren't the only team needing to master the fundamentals.
After three matches on their Australian tour, the Lions are yet to produce a polished performance, despite scoring more than 50 points against the Western Force and Queensland Reds.
Poor re-starts blighted the Lions' tour opener in Perth, a 54-7 triumph, while their scrum was penalised several times in the 52-12 victory over the Reds in Brisbane.
Missing a host of top-shelf players, the Lions were unconvincing in the 21-10 defeat of the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night, with their attacking breakdown in need of much work.
Waratahs openside flanker Charlie Gamble had a feast on the Lions' breakdown lapses, earning four turnovers in an impressive display.
His teammate Darby Lancaster was also rewarded for his work over the ball at the breakdown, with the Waratahs given a second-half penalty after Lions winger Mack Hansen was pinged for holding onto the ball on the right edge.
Given the Wallabies' Fraser McReight is one of the best "jackal" openside flankers in international rugby, the Lions will need to spend time sharpening their execution at the breakdown.
Still, the Lions were without the likes of captain Maro Itoje and fly-half Finn Russell against the Waratahs, with both having the potential to add a point a difference to the tourists' play.
They, like the rest of the Lions squad, would have seen enough from the Wallabies' lacklustre performance against Fiji to back their chances in the three-Test series.