Australia beat Fiji in Brisbane to reach Rugby League World Cup semi-finals

Australia beat Fiji in a Rugby League World Cup pool match in Brisbane and have qualified for the semi-finals. BBC Sport reported the final score as 36-22.

Fiji led early in the second half. According to BBC Sport, Fiji led 16-12 after half-time. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not state the half-time score.

A Fiji try that would have extended their lead was disallowed for obstruction. BBC Sport reported that Solomone Saukuru scored the try and that it would have put Fiji 20-12 ahead. According to The Guardian, the move was set up by Fiji five-eighth Kurt Donoghoe. The reports do not describe the referee's explanation or name the player penalised.

Right after that decision, Australia went up the field and Tom Trbojevic scored to level the match. According to The Guardian, Sam Walker kicked a penalty goal a few minutes later. The Guardian reported that Australia stayed ahead from that point.

Trbojevic scored three tries. The Guardian reported that he completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes remaining. Kotoni Staggs scored Australia's first try. According to BBC Sport, Jacob Preston also scored a try, and Walker scored a try and kicked 12 points. Walker made his Australia debut in the match.

For Fiji, winger Semi Valemei scored a hat-trick and Taane Milne scored a try.

According to The Guardian, James Tedesco played his first Test since 2023, with more than 150 run metres and three try assists. The Guardian also reported that lock Cam Murray suffered a head injury and later returned. The reports do not describe how serious the injury was. The Guardian reported attendance at Suncorp Stadium as 41,108.

According to BBC Sport, Fiji had lost their previous five meetings with Australia by an aggregate score of 246-16.

Australia, coached by Kevin Walters, beat New Zealand earlier in the tournament. BBC Sport reported that score as 24-22. Australia is one of the tournament's hosts.

Fiji play New Zealand on Saturday in their final pool game. That match decides whether Fiji can reach the semi-finals. BBC Sport reported a kick-off time of 04:30 GMT on 31 October. The Guardian reported the venue as the Gold Coast.

According to The Guardian, Australia complete the pool stage against the Cook Islands in Townsville on Saturday. Their semi-final opponent will be decided by Tonga v Samoa in Parramatta next Sunday night, The Guardian reported.

What each side says

Trbojevic said Australia need to improve despite winning. According to BBC Sport, he told Premier Sports: "We weren't at our best but we came away with two points. We need to improve. We've got to enjoy a win but we've got to be our harshest critics too."

BBC Sport also quoted him as saying: "There are definitely some areas to improve on. We didn't start as we wanted to and couldn't get a flow."

The reports do not include comments from Fiji's coach or players.

Analysis

The result secures Australia's place in the semi-finals, but the match suggests margins may be narrower than Fiji's past record against Australia indicated. The disallowed try came at a turning point, though the reports do not explain the ruling, so its full effect is hard to assess. Fiji's path now depends on their match against New Zealand. One scenario is a Fiji win that keeps their semi-final hopes alive; another is a New Zealand win that ends them. Australia's own comments point to concerns about their start. Murray's head injury and Moses' withdrawal are open questions for the team.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.