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Israel Folau returned to his try-scoring ways as the Wallabies overcame Fiji 37-14 in Melbourne on Saturday.
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Playing at a sunbathed AAMI Park, Folau ended his 11-game run without a try by crossing over twice to ensure Australia opened their international campaign in winning fashion.
Henry Speight also picked up a double and Stephen Moore touched down, while Bernard Foley had three conversions and two penalties for the Wallabies, who led 18-0 at half-time.
Fiji’s deficit grew to 25 points before they finally got on the board via Vereniki Goneva just past the hour-mark, and Timoci Nagusa claimed a try of his own late, but the result was never in doubt.
Michael Cheika’s new-look Wallabies – boasting Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ned Hanigan and Karmichael Hunt – stormed out of the blocks for 15-0 lead inside just 11 minutes.
A lovely cross-field kick from Foley picked out a leaping Folau, who managed to ground the ball in the fourth minute. Referees reviewed it before officially awarding the five points and the former converted.
Fiji crossed over minutes later but Nikola Matawalu could not keep the ball in as Foley extended the lead to 10-0 with a penalty before Speight scored Australia’s second try following some quick movement from Will Genia, though the conversion was unsuccessful.
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What a win for our #Wallabies! Defeating Fiji 37-14 to kick off the year. https://t.co/dimPc82c2n pic.twitter.com/DWiQxAxJK5
— Wallabies (@wallabies) June 10, 2017
Australia struggled to keep a hold of the ball from that point as Folau was yellow carded and the Fijians tried to take advantage but the Wallabies were resolute, holding up the visitors. Fiji did cross over moments later but infringement in the scrum spared the hosts.
With the Wallabies a man down approaching the half-hour mark, they opted to take three points after receiving a penalty and Foley made no mistake for an 18-0 buffer.
Fiji had an opportunity to score their first points of the game in the 37th minute but Ben Volavola missed his penalty.
And after Tevita Kuridrani’s try was ruled out due to his foot stepping out of bounds, the Wallabies got their third five-pointer courtesy of Folau.
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The Wallabies broke free following a line-out and Folau benefited from a decoy run to charge through, with Foley adding the extras for a 25-0 lead.
Goneva sliced through the centre to give Fiji’s fans something to cheer about in the 62nd minute, but Moore restored Australia’s two-try advantage.
The Wallabies and Fiji traded tries during the closing stages as Speight crossed over after the siren to complete his double.
