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Rugby World Cup: Fiji now in big contention to reach quarters 

Fiji are aiming for a first quarter final in 16 years after their 15-22 win over Australia. 

Fiji have made a big impact in this World Cup so far with a narrow loss to Wales and a win over Australia. Wales’ 40-6 win over Australia gives Fiji a huge quarter final boost. 

Fiji face Georgia next after a week off and look to be in a really good position to make the quarter finals. If Fiji are to reach the knockout stage this will be their third time in the quarter finals there previous in 2007 after a stunning win over Wales and in the inaugural World Cup in 1987. 

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui believes his team have improved a lot since joining in 2020. 

He said: “We wanted to change who we are, our identity what we stood for. 

“We had traditional areas where those Tier 1 teams, developed nations attack us and we think those are the areas that we’ve really improved on”. 

The win over Australia keeps the Pacific Islanders World Cup campaign alive and gives a message to all Tier 1 nations that Fiji want to be in the high level of rugby such as wanting to join the Rugby Championship. 

“I’m always about being included in those sorts of competitions but today was about us winning this game and staying alive in the tournament. 

“We’ve had the mindset from the beginning,” said Raiwalui.

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