LIVE: Wallabies take early lead over Fiji in Newcastle

Sun, Jul 6, 2025, 3:50 AM
Nick Wasiliev
by Nick Wasiliev

The Wallabies will kick start their season as they face Fiji in Newcastle.

It is their only hitout before the British & Irish Lions series, with the first Test just under a fortnight away.

Final tickets still available! Get your tickets for the British & Irish Lions tour here

Number eight Harry Wilson retains the captaincy while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Harry Potter play their first Tests on home soil.

It's the first match-up between the two sides since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where the Fijians claimed their first win in almost 70 years over Australia.

Hooker Tevita Ikanivere leads the side as they hunt for back-to-back wins over the Wallabies.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM 1:30 PM IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE

20' AUS 7 FIJ 0 Slipper comes off for a HIA Test. Bell comes on. After a small break, we restart and Fiji win the scrum and clear to just beyond their 22. Wallabies butcher the lineout and Fiji regather and go quick, but knock it on again on halfway. Wallabies get a good shove on, but a bit too keen. Free kick to Fiji and they tap and go.

16' AUS 7 FIJ 0 Australia do well off the scrum, and attack week. Wright attempts a kick through, Fiji regather but the pressure is strong and they knock on right under their own posts. Scrum to the Wallabies in a great position… they fling it wide, and Potter scores… but it's a forward pass! Scrum to Fiji.

13' AUS 7 FIJ 0 Wallabies regather of the kick-off, but Suaalii knocks on, with a Fijian hand also getting in the way. Scrum to Fiji in Wallaby territory, and the Wallabies earn a scrum penalty for hinging. Noah kicks but it isn't out, and a kicking battle ensues before Fiji knock on on their side of halfway.

10' AUS 7 FIJ 0 Free kick to the Wallabies and they go quick. Gleeson is held up over the line, but they've earned an advantage. They go to the corner and maul and Porecki will score! Conversion successful.

7' AUS 0 FIJ 0 A cross kick falls apart, and Fiji make a dangerous counterattack, however the Wallabies regain and make a strong attack on his own, however Jorgensen knocks it on, scrum Fiji. Better scrum for the home side, but Fiji go to the air and Wright regathers. A great passage of play but another knock on inside the Fiji 22.

4' AUS 0 FIJ 0 Early aerial play from the Wallabies nearly comes off, but Jorgensen knocks it on. Fiji earn a scrum penalty for wheeling the scrum, however Harry Wilson manages a steal off the lineout. Wallabies go on the attack in Fiji territory, and look dangerous.

0' AUS 0 FIJ 0 Pierre Brousset blows his whistle and we are underway.

PRE-MATCH:

KO T-MIN 2: The Fijians lay down the Cibi and the Wallabies accept the challenge

KO T-MIN 5: The queues to get in the ground are massive, with kick-off minutes away

KO T-MIN 10: Both prime ministers join RA Chair Daniel Herbert and his Fijian counterpart in meeting the players.

KO T-MIN 15: The teams walk out for the anthems, with Harry Wilson leading the Australians out on a delightful day for Rugby. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is as calm as ever as he says hello to his family before the official proceedings.

KO T-MIN 25: The teams are now back in the sheds, with support in the crowd favouring the team in gold.

KO T-MIN 30: The crowd is building nicely in Newcastle as both hills start to fill up. There are fans already at the top of the grandstand as the teams go through their paces.

KO T-MIN 45: Confirmation no changes for both sides.

KO T-MIN 60: Coin toss goes the way of the Wallabies, who will receive and run left to right on the screens.

KO T-MIN 70: Both teams are in the building, with several Wallabies taking the chance to chat with former teammate Michael Hooper on the sidelines as he prepares to give his expertises for Stan Sport

KO T-MIN 90: Another day, another game as the Wallabies take on Fiji in Newcastle. A bumper crowd is expected that will comfortably clear previous Wallabies games at McDonald's Jones Stadium, with a perfect day awaiting fans as they start to stream through the gates.

Australia 7

Tries: Porecki

Con: Lolesio 1/1

Fiji 0

Tries:

Con:


WALLABIES v FIJI TEAMS

WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright; Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen; Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Langi Gleeson; Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost; Allan Alaalatoa, Dave Porecki, James Slipper

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu

FIJI (15-1): Salesi Rayasi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Iosefo Masi, Josua Tuisova, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Caleb Muntz, Simione Kuruvoli, Viliame Mata, Elia Canakaivata, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Temo Mayanavanua, Isoa Nasilasila, Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Eroni Mawi

Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Albert Tuisue, Philip Baselala, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Sireli Maqala

Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)

Assistant Referee 1: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)

Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (NZR)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)

HOW TO WATCH WALLABIES v FIJI

The Wallabies' clash with Fiji will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and Channel Nine.

Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 12:45 pm AEST with kickoff expected at 1:30 pm AEST.

It will also be shown on Channel Nine, with coverage starting right on kickoff at 1:30 pm

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