Saturday, September 21, the day after the opening of the Rugby World Cup 2019, it was obviously not only France-Argentina. It was also for the three giants of the southern hemisphere to heal their entry in the running. A challenge not always obvious, as noted by the Australians, winners long jostled by a brave Fijian XV.

Take a look at some of the best snacks # RWC2019 win against @fijirugby! #GoldBlooded #TeamRugby #AUSvFIJ pic.twitter.com/9BDdKyxEG2

Wallabies (@wallabies) September 21, 2019

In the end, the rather wide score and the offensive bonus pocketed by the Wallabies is rather deceptive, so much Fiji displayed good intentions, throughout a meeting that they led for an hour. Very strong defensively, they logically concluded the first act with two lengths ahead of Australia (12-14), helped by three penalties Volavola (5th, 23rd and 31st) and a test of Clermont Yato (8th) . But even manhandled, the Australians remained at height, thanks to two trials signed Hooper (18th) and Hodge (36th).

Returning from the locker room, the surprising Fijians continued to win most of the duels for a quarter of an hour, to nine points ahead with a new test Waisea (44th, 12-19). But the Australian machine eventually found its pace and, faced with the drop in Fijian density, she unrolled her rugby in the last half hour. Latu (57th, 62nd), Kerevi (69th) and Koroibete (72nd) successively crossed the defense of the Islanders to sign a 27-0 late in the game, synonymous with victory (39-21) and offensive bonus for the Michael Cheika's men. Reassuringly, even if Fiji will be satisfied to have held the dragée high to a pretender for the title for almost an hour.

Elusive New Zealanders

And what about the All Blacks ... Fate had not reserved for them an entry in the matter of the wealthiest, facing South Africa, another contender for the last four. Dominated during the first twenty minutes, the reigning world double-champions reminded the entire world that they were indeed the big favorites to their own succession. In quick succession, two full-length lightning bolts enabled New Zealand to respond with force to Pollard's early opening (0-3, 2nd). Bridge (10-3, 24th) and Barrett (17-3, 27th) have both seen their tests transformed by Mo'unga, and it is logical that they have taken the lead on this score at the break .

The gap made, the Blacks then used to hold it, facing Boks still dangerous. They even got closer to four lengths in the beginning of the second act, after a test of Du Toit after a multitude of playing time full axis (17-10, 48th), then a superb drop of Pollard, triggered beyond 40 meters (17-13, 59th).

But the start of the last fifteen minutes of this meeting at very high intensity was ultimately fatal to the hopes of South Africa. Blame it on a new winning thrust from the All Blacks in closed scrimmage, which Mo'unga converted in stride between the posts (20-13, 67th). The Crusaders player, brilliant throughout the game, even scored a final penalty (23-13, 73), sealing the first victory of his team in the tournament. A success acquired at the end of a real duel of titans.