Tom Trbojevic scores hat-trick in Kangaroos’ unconvincing 36-22 win
Semi Valemei also scores three as Fiji run in four tries in Brisbane
The naysayers have questioned this increasingly provincial sport and its sometimes laughable and often one-sided, so-called World Cup. But against the favourites and hosts Australia, the Fiji Bati showed – from the tears on the players cheeks during their anthem, their wondrous pre-match hymn, right through 80 minutes of fearless effort in attack and defence – why this tournament is worth persisting with.
The inspiring Fijians appeared to have answers to every criticism, a response to every question, except three. The quality on the Australian bench, the class of James Tedesco and the finishing of triple try-scorer Tom Trbojevic finally took down the likeable underdogs, in front of a healthy Sunday night crowd in Brisbane and no doubt millions watching on prime time television.
Fiji had taken the lead early in the second half when winger Semi Valemei – who also ended with a hat-trick – slid into the corner off a cut-out pass from impressive five-eighth Kurt Donoghoe. The Dolphins playmaker almost set up another score moments later to put his side two tries ahead with half an hour to play. As staggering as that might have been, it was no less than Fiji deserved.
But that four pointer was disallowed due to obstruction, and from the ensuing set the Kangaroos got on a roll, and Sam Walker and Tedesco combined to put Trbojevic over in the corner to level the scores. Within minutes, Walker had knocked over a penalty goal to secure a lead they would not relinquish.
Trbojevic picked up a Tedesco grubber minutes later, and the Kangaroos began to feel comfortable. The Manly player completed his hat-trick on the edge of a flowing move featuring Tedesco again, that put the result beyond doubt with 15 minutes to go.
Though Trbojevic scored three tries, his right edge alongside Kotoni Staggs was rarely comfortable against the Fijians, and Donoghoe created another try down that side in the final 10 minutes. It proved only a consolation score for Fiji, but it will be food for thought for coach Kevin Walters ahead of the challenge looming at the end of the tournament.
Tedesco was playing his first Test since 2023, and the Roosters’ Clive Churchill medallist was influential early. After three handling errors ruined a promising Fijian opening, the 33-year-old drew two tacklers and a short ball put Staggs over for the first try.
The veteran had entered the tournament as a man reborn after two superb seasons were capped off by a premiership, making him the player many thought should be the Australian No 1. As Tedesco rested against New Zealand, however, Reece Walsh roared with a match-winning display, adding intrigue to an already difficult decision facing coach Walters later in the tournament.
As the first half ticked on, the Bati reminded the 41,108 fans at Suncorp Stadium this was more than an Australian selection trial. Trbojevic made an error running out of his end, and Donoghoe took advantage of a miscount by the Australian defence with a cut-out pass that left Trbojevic clutching at air as Valemei crossed.
A penalty and set restart left Fiji camped in the Australian 20-metre area, and another two sets left Australia reeling. The pressure was temporarily released when Waqa Blake ran around a teammate to give up an obstruction. But a Lindsay Smith ruck penalty gave Fiji another opportunity, and Brandon Wakeham grubbered through for Taane Milne to put the upstarts in the lead against the favourites. Suddenly, the tournament’s first upset was on the cards.
Tom Dearden and Walker were named in the Australian halves, teammates in green. But they were also competing to partner Cam Munster at the pointy end of the tournament following the injury withdrawal of Mitch Moses.
Neither were perfect in the first half, behind a pack being monstered by the Fijians. But they both helped wrestle the match back in control on the cusp of half-time. A terrific long kick from Dearden relieved pressure, and then Walker combined with Trbojevic and the elusive Tedesco to score a long-range try to put the hosts back in front.
Walters had made a range of changes to spread the minutes throughout his squad, but the starting side – with Smith and Keaon Koloamatangi as middles – looked overpowered, made worse by a head injury to lock Cam Murray. But into the second half, Walters’ high-end rotations of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Pat Carrigan and the recovered Murray helped take control of the yardage battle.
They might not have got the result, however, were it not for Tedesco, who finished with more than 150 run metres and three try assists. He was supported by his Roosters’ teammate Walker who looked increasingly comfortable on his debut.
The Kangaroos wrap up the pool stage with a match against the Cook Islands in Townsville on Saturday. Their opponents in the semi-final will not be known until the final pool stage fixture, the much-anticipated clash between Tonga and Samoa in Parramatta next Sunday night. Fiji need to upset New Zealand on the Gold Coast on Saturday if they hope to sneak into the final four.
Rugby League World Cup 2026
