Fiji Finish Pool Campaign with Gritty Victory Over Spain

The Sports World Fiji Under-20 side ended their World Rugby U20 Championship pool campaign on a winning note, holding off a determined Spain outfit 29-26 in a thrilling contest on Wednesday morning. After the win they will now face Ireland in the 9th-place semi finals which is scheduled for July 14th.

After suffering a disappointing defeat to France and Australia in their previous outing, the young Fijians responded with a spirited display built on improved execution and a renewed sense of togetherness to claim their first pool-stage victory of the tournament.

Head Coach Tui was pleased to see his players deliver on the team’s focus throughout the week.

“It was rewarding to see the boys put into action what we talked about throughout the week. Our theme was connection, and I thought that really showed in the performance”

“I’m proud of the way they stayed connected and played for each other. We’ll enjoy this win together, but we know Ireland are a quality side. We’ll review our performance, take the lessons from it, and continue tightening up the areas we need to improve as we prepare for the next challenge.”

Fiji made six changes to the starting side, with Sylvestre Vakauliafa, Ratu Osea Dasalusalu, Francis Peters and Isoa Koroinawai coming into the forward pack, while Judah Draiva and Apete Gauna Rokosuka were handed starts on the wings.

Spain struck first through Pelayo Serrano before Fiji’s task became even tougher when Dasalusalu was shown a yellow card in the 15th minute. Spain capitalised immediately with a penalty try to open up a 12-0 advantage.

The Baby Flying Fijians responded well. Francis Peters crossed for Fiji’s opening try, converted by Tevita Ledua, before Spain extended their lead with a penalty goal. Dynamic loose forward Isoa Koroinawai then produced back-to-back tries either side of another Spanish penalty to bring Fiji right back into the contest. Although both conversion attempts drifted wide, Fiji went into the halftime break trailing by just one point, 18-17.

Spain again threatened early in the second half, scoring through Ivam Farace to stretch their lead to 23-17.

The momentum shifted in Fiji’s favour when Spain were reduced to 14 players following a yellow card to Orlol Garcia. Fiji immediately took advantage, with Dasalusalu crashing over before Isikeli Bari Ratu converted to edge Fiji in front for the first time.

Sailosi Taka then crossed for Fiji’s fifth try in the 66th minute, extending the lead to six points. Spain narrowed the margin with a late penalty goal, but Fiji defended bravely through the closing stages to secure a hard-fought 29-26 victory.

The result ends a long wait for a pool-stage win at the World Rugby U20 Championship. Fiji had lost their previous 18 pool matches in the competition, with their last pool victory coming in 2012 against Samoa. It is also Fiji’s third win in their last 23 World Rugby U20 Championship matches, following victories over Scotland in 2019 and Italy in 2023.

Earlier in the tournament, following the loss to Australia, Coach Tui challenged his players to respond after a performance that fell below expectations.

“We were well below the standard we expect of ourselves. Discipline was a major factor, but overall we simply weren’t good enough. We’ll own it, learn from it, and work hard to be better in our final pool game. There weren’t many positives. We had moments where we challenged them physically, but our discipline and execution across the full 80 minutes weren’t at the standard required.”

The victory sees Fiji finish third in Pool D and sets up a 9th Place Semi-Final against Ireland on 14 July.
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FIJI 29 SPAIN 26
Wednesday 8th July 2026
Referee: Saba Makharadze
Kick Off: 4am (Fiji Times)
Half-time: 17-18
FIJI (1-15): Sylvester Vakauliafa, Ratu Osea Dasalusalu, Jehoshua Ratulomai, Francis Peters, Setareki Turagacoke Isoa Koroinawai, Mosese Tabuakoto, Ratu Epeli Roseruvakula, Isikeli Bari Ratu, Cale Maurice, Judah Draiva, Sailosi Taka, Maleli Nauvasi, Apete Rokosuka, Tevita Ledua
RESERVES: Timoci Gadolo, Marika Koroi, Raymond Navunikaba, Marley Chandra, Suliano Savenaca, Epeli Vocea, Savenaca Vagadai, Netani Lesimaikimatuku
TRIES: Koroinawai (2), Peter, Dasalusalu, Taka
CON: Ledua, Ratu
SPAIN (1-15): Daniel Chico Ayo, Ivam Farace, Solomon Ibeoba, Max Artigas, Marco Radizza, Miguel Narvarte, Unex Asama, Marcal Cuesta, Bernat Fernandez, Mateo Antem, Pelayo Serrano, Orlol Garcia, Marcos Camano, Jorge Garreta, Telmo Obieta
RESERVES: Mauro Campo, Lucas Official, Daniel Navarro, Rocklyn Kenneally, Manex Lendinez, Malakai Toca, Bosco Cattaneo, Inigo Rapallo
TRIES: Serrano, Farace, Penalty Try
PEN GOAL: Antem (2), Toca

KO
9min – TRY SPAIN, Serrano; Conversion missed – 0-5
15min – Y/CARD FIJI, Dasalusalu
15min – PENALTY TRY SPAIN – 0-12
22min – TRY FIJI, Peters; Conversion Ledua – 7-12
26min – PEN GOAL SPAIN, Antem – 7-15
30min – TRY FIJI, Koroinawai; Conversion missed – 12-15
34mins – PEN GOAL SPAIN, Atem –12-18
34mins – TRY FIJI, Koroinawai; Conversion missed – 17-18

HALF-TIME
52mins – TRY SPAIN FARACE, Conversion missed – 17-23
55mins – Y/CARD SPAIN, Garcia
56mins – TRY FIJI Dasalusalu; Conversion Ratu – 24-23
66mins – TRY FIJI Taka ; Conversion missed – 29-23
73mins – PEN GOAL SPAIN, Toca – 29-26