Fiji's powerhouse wing Nemani Nadolo marked his return to international rugby with a hat-trick of tries as they celebrated a late entrance into the Nations Cup with an emphatic 38-24 victory over Georgia on Sunday (NZ time).
Fiji forfeited their three pool matches due to coronavirus cases in their squad and took out that pent-up frustration on the Georgians as wing Josua Tuisova, and flanks Johnny Dyer and Mesulame Kunavula, also scored in a six-try romp.
Georgia's woeful form in the competition continued as they managed to apply some forward muscle for a try by replacement prop Giorgi Melikidze and two from flank Beka Saginadze but otherwise lacked the quality to break Fiji down.
The islanders take seventh place in the competition, despite only playing one match, with their first international win since beating Georgia 45-10 at the Rugby World Cup in October 2019.
Nadolo had not played for Fiji since June 2018 but was recalled for the tournament and took just 72 seconds to make his mark as he brushed off two tackles to score in the corner.
Fiji, who have largely only seen the inside of hotel rooms in the last few weeks as they sat idle in quarantine, started with energy and purpose, scoring three tries inside 18 minutes.
Flanker Dyer burrowed over from close range before Tuisova was put into acres of space on the right wing as Fiji moved the ball quickly from side to side.
Georgia's Melikidze took advantage of some rare possession in the Fiji 22 to force his way over from close-range, as the islanders led 19-10 at the break.
But Fiji moved further ahead in the second half. Tuisova showed incredible strength to hold off four defenders before slipping the ball inside for Kunavula to score.
A quick double from Nadolo wrapped up the game as he first profited from a superb grubber by flyhalf Ben Volavola, and then burst through the defensive line in midfield.
Saginadze scored two late tries for Georgia as Fiji's lack of match fitness in the sodden conditions began to show.
Kieth Earls brace helps Ireland beat Scotland to clinch third place
Ireland began the Andy Farrell era with a scrappy home win over Scotland in February and the coach ended an inconsistent first year in charge with a somewhat improved 31-16 victory over the same opponents in the Nations Cup.
Ireland's recent set-piece and breakdown struggles persisted early on as Jaco van der Walt kicked Scotland into a deserved 9-3 lead in an assured debut but a Duncan Taylor yellow card on the half hour changed the game as the hosts took control.
Two tries from wing Keith Earls and one for prop Cian Healy in a 10-minute spell either side of halftime put Ireland into a commanding 25-9 lead but they almost immediately switched off and were punished by a converted Duhan van der Merwe try.
That was as close as Scotland came despite Johnny Sexton hobbling off with a dead leg as his replacement Ross Byrne kicked two more penalties to claim third spot in the Nations Cup and extend the Scots losing streak in Dublin to 10 years.
Wales hold off spirited Italy
Number eight Taulupe Faletau proved the creative spark as three tries in the final 22 minutes helped Wales hold off a spirited fight from Italy to secure a 38-18 victory in Llanelli.
It was a far from perfect display by Wales, whose ill-discipline at the breakdown kept Italy in the game until the final quarter, but tries from scrumhalves Kieran Hardy and Gareth Davies, hooker Sam Parry, centre George North and flanker Justin Tipuric secured a morale-boosting win 65 days out from their first 2021 Six Nations game.
Italy lost all eight tests in 2020 and have not beaten a tier one nation in four years, but they should be buoyed by a competitive performance as tries from centre Marco Zanon and flanker Johan Meyer saw them lead deep in the second half.
It ended a difficult first year in charge for Wales coach Wayne Pivac, who led his team to three wins in 10 tests, two against Italy and one versus Georgia. He will be the most relieved that his side finished strongly to keep Italy at bay.
Reuters
