The Wallabies have claimed victory in their first Test for 2025 after a Harry Wilson try in the 79th minute sealed a 21-18 win over Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium.
In front of a record rugby crowd of 28,132 in Newcastle, the Wallabies raced to a 14-0 lead but were forced to dig deep after a second half barrage from the Flying Fijians.
The tourists swept to the lead with 25 minutes remaining after scoring 18 unanswered points before Wilson’s late, spinning move close to the line steered the Wallabies home.
The Wallabies were hungry for early points and nearly found their way through Harry Potter, who just couldn’t collect the cross-field kick.
It reflected a first half dominated by the hosts but couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities, with several tries disallowed.
Dave Porecki got Australia on the board via the rolling maul after Langi Gleeson was held up. Eight minutes later, Potter was denied again after the final pass from Tom Wright was judged to have travelled forward. The Wallabies were controlling territory but had another try disallowed for a crooked lineout throw.
The pressure eventually delivered points when slick hands from centres Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii created the space for Fraser McReight to dive over.
With the hosts in control, an errant kick right at half time gave Fiji a chance to counter as Salesi Rayasi went over to reduce the lead to 14-5 at the break.
The second half started as the first began with another Wallabies try denied – this time to Max Jorgensen after a forward pass from Wright to Harry Potter, who chipped ahead for his fellow winger.
This provided the window for Fiji to hit back, starting with a Caleb Muntz penalty to reduce the margin to under a converted try.
The door was then opened for winger Jiuta Wainiqolo to produce some magic to put the visitors in front. The Toulon winger collected the ball inside his 22 and broke through multiple defenders before throwing a magic offload for Lekima Tagitagivalu to dive over in the corner.
With all the momentum, Fiji looked to have scored again through Sireli Maqala, however, the hosts were saved after Potter’s foot was in touch before the turnover.
It went from bad to worse for the hosts after a nasty whiplash incident left flyhalf Noah Lolesio injured in the build-up.
Another Fiji penalty extended the margin to four points as the hosts held tough in defence.
The Fijians threw everything trying to seal the win as the Wallabies kept forcing turnovers.
It gave them a last chance to find a winner as several penalties put them on the five-metre line.
Up stepped the captain, spinning his way over the line and finding the chalk with 90 seconds to go for the winner,
Wallabies 21 (Porecki, McReight, Wilson tries; Lolesio 2, Donaldson conversions) defeated Fiji 18 (Rayesi, Tagitagivalu tries; Muntz conversions; Muntz 2 penalties)
2025 Wallabies Tests
Wallabies 21 defeated Fiji 18 on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
British & Irish Lions Tour
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Flight Centre Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies v South Africa at 1:10am AEST on Sunday August 17 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Wallabies v South Africa at 1:10am AEST on Sunday August 24 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Wallabies v Argentina at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies v Argentina at 2:00pm AEST on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand at 3:05pm AEST on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies v New Zealand at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Spring Tour
Wallabies v Japan at TBC on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo
Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London
Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at TBC
Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at TBC