Today's World Cup round-up

There were wins for Fiji, Italy and Samoa in the Rugby World Cup today.

Wed, 15 Oct, 2003 - 17:37

Fiji 19 USA 18

For 45 minutes the United States looked likely to record the first upset of the World Cup before succumbing to Fiji 19-18 in an enthralling match at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

A try in the last minute by blindside flanker Kort Schubert gave Mike Hercus the chance to kick the winning goal but his effort from wide on the left went agonisingly wide.

It was a dramatic and fitting end to a superb match.

Italy 36 Tonga 12

Fly-half Rima Wakarua enjoyed a dream debut as Italy registered their first points of the World Cup with an emphatic Pool D victory over Tonga in rain-swept Canberra.

The New Zealand-born player settled into international rugby with ease, steering Italy to glory with an accomplished performance at number 10 which saw him gather 21 points with the boot after missing just one shot at goal.

John Payne and Tevita Tu'ipulotu crossed for the out-gunned Tongans who battled to the end.

Samoa 60 Uruguay 13

Samoa announced their World Cup entry with some scintillating running rugby as Uruguay crashed to another comprehensive Pool C defeat at Subiaco Oval.

Uruguay, demolished 72-6 by South Africa five days ago, were stretched all over the pitch by a Samoan side intent on spinning possession wide.

Centre Brian Lima, playing in his fourth World Cup, and flanker Maurie Fa'asavalu both claimed try doubles, and there were also touchdowns for Tanner Vili, Lome Fa'atau, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Simon Lemalu, Dominic Feaunati and Opeta Palepoi.

Fly-half Earl Va'a kicked three conversions, and Vili landed two, as Samoa finished with 10 tries.

Uruguay's former Bristol Shoguns prop Pablo Lemoine registered a pushover try 16 minutes from time, and it brought one of the night's biggest cheers from an enthusiastic 22,000-strong crowd.

Samoa had done more than enough though, and they will be supremely confident of registering a second Pool C victory when Georgia are their opponents next Sunday.

PWDL F A PTS

FRANCE 1 1 0 0 61 18 5

SCOTLAND 1 1 0 0 32 11 5

FIJI 2 1 1 0 37 79 4

USA 1 0 1 0 18 19 1

JAPAN 1 0 1 0 11 32 0

P W D L F A Pts

ENGLAND 1 1 0 0 84 6 5

STH AFRICA 1 1 0 0 72 6 5

SAMOA 1 1 0 0 60 13 5

GEORGIA 1 0 0 1 6 84 0

URUGUAY 2 0 0 2 19 132 0