Second half flurry gives Ireland unconvincing win v Fiji

Updated / Saturday, 14 Nov 2026 22:43

Ireland warmed up for next week's visit of South Africa with a 43-15 bonus-point win against Fiji, but Andy Farrell's side will need a significant improvement when the world champions come to town next week.

If last week's performance against Argentina set the 'new standards' for this Ireland team, Andy Farrell's side fell well short of that mark, and while they outscored the Fijians 26-0 in the second half, it was far from a vintage display.

The sloppiness of their summer in Australia and New Zealand returned tonight, seeing three potential first-half tries chalked off, which allowed Fiji stay in the game for the first hour.

Also concerning was their discipline, which consistently struggled as soon as they were pinned into their own 22 with Fiji taking advantage in the opening half to score a pair of tries from Josua Tuisova and Peceli Yato, before Ben Volavola added a penalty on 40 minutes following Tadhg Beirne's yellow card.

A Tommy O'Brien try and two from the excellent Rob Baloucoune had Ireland 17-15 in front after the break, and they looked a far better side after it, with Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, O'Brien and Nick Timoney all crossing to score, while keeping their opponents scoreless.

If there was a big positive for Farrell it will have been the Irish scrum, which dominated throughout, and while the Springboks will present a far greater setpiece challenge, it's a timely confidence boost for John Fogarty's scrummaging unit.

Jamie Osborne's (above) opportunity at centre lasted only three minutes, with the versatile back departing with an arm injury, while James McNabney lasted only four minutes on his debut, the number 8 suffering a head injury after a swinging arm by Inoke Ravutwasa, but he logged two ferocious carries in his short cameo.

After Ireland's back three gelled so wonderfully last week, it took this week's trio only eight minutes to click into gear. A penalty for a deliberate knock-on got Ireland to the 22, before Baloucoune carved around the edge of the defence to create an overlap, with simple hands to Mack Hansen and then O'Brien sending Ireland in for their first try on seven minutes.

They should have been further clear on 15 minutes when Jamison Gibson-Park knocked on over the line after breaking from a scrum, and Fiji capitalised three minutes later when they kicked a penalty to the 22 and Tuisova barreled over Prendergast to score, after Yato's initial carry.

Volavola missed the conversion to level it, but on 22 minutes the visitors took a shock lead when Jiuta Wainiqolo pounced on a knock-on at a ruck to fend off tackles from Tadhg Furlong, Hansen and O'Brien, before passing inside for Yato to score, with the conversion making it 12-7 to Fiji.

There was further Irish frustration when Nick Timoney was held up short of the line, but right on the half-hour mark the home side levelled the game, with Prendergast's garryowen into the 22 causing consternation and leading to a penalty advantage, before a wide ball to Baloucoune (below) sent the wing in to score and make it 12-12.

It looked like Fiji were back in front within a matter of minutes after some pinball at the lineout saw the ball land in the hands of Luke Tagi to score, but the tighthead prop's try was chalked off after a knock-on in the air. Up at the other end, Ireland were again wasteful close to the line, as their rolling maul was penalised for obstruction.

They managed to get back in front before half time, Baloucoune getting his second try out on the right wing after Kelleher snaffled an overthrown lineout, but Prendergast saw a second conversion miss the target.

With Ireland leading 17-12, there was just enough time for the restart, but more Irish sloppiness handed possession right back to the visitors, before a penalty and a yellow card for Beirne allowed Volavola knock over a penalty to make it 17-15 at the break.

Ireland's scrum dominance continued early into the second half, and on 44 minutes it gave them a penalty and an opportunity in the 22, with an initial maul followed by a snipe down the blindside by Kelleher, who forced his way over for the fourth try.

Prendergast's third missed conversion from four left it 22-15, and the out-half's difficult night continued shortly after when his clearance kick was charged down by Volavola, leading to some sustained pressure which Ireland managed to survive.

On 53 minutes, Ireland finally put some daylight between the sides when Porter burrowed over from close range, the try coming moments after McNabney had been knocked out by the swinging arm of Ravutwasa, but thankfully the Ulsterman was able to get back up and walk off the pitch after what had been an impactful, but brief debut.

Prendergast converted to make it a 14-point game, and right on the hour mark the out-half enjoyed his best moment of the game, nudging a delicate grubber from the edge of the 22 for O'Brien to race onto and score, with the conversion making it 36-15.

Fiji remained lively into the final quarter, and almost crossed for a third try through Tevita Ikanivere, but the hooker knocked on as he tried to crash over from short range, while Ireland's discipline then fell apart, allowing the visitors a lengthy spell of pressure, but the defence held out.

That defensive effort was rewarded three minutes from time as Timoney burst onto a pass from Craig Casey on the edge of the 22, and the number 8 showed tremendous strength to fend off two tackles and cross for a seventh try, with Ciarán Frawley converting to cap off the win.

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Scorers

Ireland: Tries: Rob Baloucoune (2), Tommy O'Brien (2), Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Nick Timoney

Cons: Sam Prendergast (3), Ciarán Frawley (1)

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Fiji: Tries: Josua Tuisova, Peceli Yato

Cons: Ben Volavola (1)

Pens: Ben Volavola (1)

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Ireland: Mack Hansen; Rob Baloucoune, Jamie Osborne, Bundee Aki, Tommy O'Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Nick Timoney

Replacements: Tom Stewart (for Kelleher, 60), Tom O'Toole (for Porter, 60), Sam Illo (for Furlong, 49-72), Darragh Murray (for Ryan, 55), James McNabney (for Timoney, 49-53), Craig Casey (for Gibson-Park, 55), Ciarán Frawley (for Prendergast, 60), Stuart McCloskey (for Osborne, 3)

Fiji: Ponipate Loganimasi; Salestino Ravutaumada, Setareki Bituniyata, Josua Tuisova, Juta Wainiqolo; Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere, Luke Tagi; Joseva Tamani, Isoa Nasilasila; Mesake Vocevoce, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Peceli Yato (capt).

Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama (for Ikanivere, 72), Vilikesa Nairau (for Rava, 52), Inoke Ravuiwasa (for Tagi, 52), Kitione Salawa (for Yato, 25), Elia Canakaivata (for Tagitagivalu, 53), Terio Tamani (for Lomani, 73), Caleb Muntz (for Volavola, 73), Iosefo Masi (for Bituniyata, 53).

Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)