2023 Rugby World Cup Predictions

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Australia vs Fiji Predictions - Fiji can shock Wallabies

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 13 Sep 2023

Ralph Staniforth 13 Sep 2023

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Watch Australia vs Fiji in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday (17:45 SAST)
Wallabies have lost 5 of their last 6 games
Can Fiji upset the odds?

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Fiji can cause a major upset (Getty Images)

Australia vs Fiji Preview

This game is set up to be another humdinger with both teams keen to move the ball through the hands. If Fiji can get parity at the set piece I fancy them to upset the odds in this game or at least get very close to doing it.

Australia vs Fiji Preview
Head to Head
Australia Form
Australia Injuries & Team News
Fiji Form
Fiji Injuries & Team News

Australia have won their last 15 games against Fiji.
Australia have lost 5 of their last 6 matches.
Fiji have won 4 of their last 6 matches.
Fiji lost to Wales by 6 points in their last match.

Head to Head

Australia have won their last 15 matches against Fiji. They have only lost twice to the Fijians in 23 matches and those defeats came in 1952 and 1954.

Australia Form

Australia were under huge pressure coming into the 2023 Rugby World Cup. They sacked Dave Rennie once Eddie Jones became available at the beginning of this year, but the Aussies lost five consecutive games under Jones prior to the World Cup.

The Wallabies however beat Georgia 35-15 in their opening game of the tournament. It was a commanding performance against a strong Georgian outfit which would have pleased Jones.

This pool is however still in the balance and Australia remains under pressure. Fiji have proven themselves a quality side so this will be a much tighter affair.

Australia Injuries & Team News

Australia simply cannot afford to rest any players for this game as a result is required. I expect a very similar lineup to the one that ran out against Georgia.

Fiji Form

Fiji were widely spoken about ahead of the World Cup as a possible quarter-finalist. For once the talented Fijians have had some time before the World Cup and played numerous warm-up games.

There is a lot more continuity within the Fijian side now and they showed this against Wales. Fiji are still exceptionally dangerous with ball in hand but they are also disciplined on defence and have a solid set piece.

Against Wales, Fiji lost 32-26 but they were one knock-on from having a kick to win the game. It was a clash of styles and easily the best game of the tournament on the opening weekend.

This time Fiji come up against an Australian side that likes to move the ball around the park. This will benefit Fiji greatly especially if they can once again hold their own at set piece.

Fiji Injuries & Team News

Fiji simply must win this match to have any chance of progressing so don’t expect a vast amount of changes.

Verdict

Australia v Fiji

I am backing Fiji to get within seven points of Australia with an upset win quite possible.

Fiji +7

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Ralph Staniforth is a South African sports journalist, editor and betting writer who has worked in sports media since 2012.

With a background in Sports Science, he has covered a wide range of sports and interviewed leading players and coaches across South African rugby, cricket and football.

His sports betting work covers both South African and international markets, combining his knowledge of sport with extensive experience analysing fixtures, teams, form and betting markets.

Ralph specialises in football and rugby, while also covering cricket, tennis and golf. His work includes match previews, betting tips, betting guides and broader analysis of the sports betting industry.

You can find more from Ralph at Muckrack and LinkedIn.