Ireland crash out of World Cup

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The Fijians, who provided Scotland with their first-ever World Cup win in the group stages, will hope for a dramatic improvement on their last meeting with Australia when they clash in the semi-final at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Pacific Islanders suffered a 66-8 mauling at Gateshead in 2000, which was only a minor improvement on their 66-0 defeat at Huddersfield in 1995.

Fiji captain Naiqama struck the first blow, scything past full-back Michael Platt for the opening try on two minutes after lively scrum-half Aaron Groom had re-gathered possession from Simon Finnigan's charge-down.

The Newcastle Knights centre kicked the first of five goals to make it 6-0 but the scores were level on seven minutes when Ireland right winger Damien Blanch took Sean Gleeson's neat pass and evaded Darryl Millard and Jarryd Hayne on a thrilling 50-metre touchline run to claim his fourth try of the tournament.

It was no surprise when the Pacific islanders regained the lead, exciting right winger Akuila Uate coming off his wing and evading the back-pedalling Irish defence to touch down.

But never-say-die Ireland hit back five minutes before half-time when stand-off Scott Grix sidestepped his way through the Fiji defence for his side's second try.

Stand-off Alipate Noilea carved out a try for loose forward Jayson Bukuya, Hayne followed up a grubber kick from Groom and Uate took his try tally to five in three matches by taking Millard's pass to cross at the corner.

But Ireland had the final say when Blanch took an offload from second rower Lee Doran to score his fifth try of the tournament, matching the tally of Uate.