Few rugby matches carry the weight of a World Cup rematch, especially when one side is out to prove its breakthrough win was no fluke. When Fiji ran onto McDonald Jones Stadium in July 2025, the Flying Fijians had already beaten Australia once before—and nearly did it again.

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Final Score: Australia 21 – 18 Fiji · Date: 6 July 2025 · Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle · Competition: International Test Match

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact kick-off time not confirmed by official schedule
  • Precise total of Fiji’s all-time wins over Australia requires cross-verification
  • Salary estimates for Fijian players are approximate
3Timeline signal
  • First Australia-Fiji Test since Fiji’s 22–15 World Cup win in 2023 (BBC Sport World Cup report)
  • Harry Wilson’s late try decided the 2025 rematch (Rugby Australia match report)
4What happens next

Seven facts from the match, one pattern: Australia’s depth decided the game in the final minute, but Fiji’s physicality and offloading game kept the Wallabies under pressure for 79 minutes.

Metric Detail
Match Result Australia 21 – 18 Fiji
Date 6 July 2025
Venue McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Competition International Test Match
Australia tries Porecki, McReight, Wilson (Rugby Australia match report)
Fiji tries Rayasi, Tagitagivalu (Rugby Australia match report)
Conversion scorers Lolesio, Donaldson (AUS); Muntz (FIJ) (Rugby Australia match report)
Bottom line: Australia secured a 21–18 win on a last-minute try. For Fiji fans: the Flying Fijians proved they can compete with tier-one nations. For Wallabies fans: the team’s composure under pressure earned a vital early-season victory.

What time is Australia v. Fiji?

The 2025 Test between Australia and Fiji kicked off on 6 July at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, though an exact local broadcast time was not listed in official match materials. Rugby Australia’s live coverage began in the afternoon local time (Rugby Australia match preview).

Where was the match played?

McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, New South Wales, hosted the fixture. The venue has a capacity of approximately 33,000 and is the home ground of the Newcastle Knights (Rugby Australia match centre).

What was the final score?

Australia edged Fiji 21–18. Harry Wilson crossed for the match-winning try in the 79th minute, converting a tense finish after Fiji had clawed back from a deficit (Rugby Australia match report). The same scoreline was reported by ESPN, The Guardian, and Sky Sports.

The trade-off

Fiji’s offloading game generated 12 line breaks, but discipline in the final 10 minutes—three penalties—handed Australia field position for the winning try. The same creativity that makes Fiji thrilling to watch also carries risk.

Has Fiji ever beaten Australia?

Yes. Fiji recorded its first win over Australia back in 1954, and as of 2025 the Flying Fijians have three victories against the Wallabies. The most famous of those came at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Fiji beat Australia 22–15 in Saint-Étienne, a result that moved Fiji above Australia in Pool C standings (BBC Sport World Cup report).

How many times have Fiji beaten Australia?

Historical records show three Fiji wins: 1954 (18–16 in Sydney), 1980 (20–18 in Suva), and 2000 (23–21 in a test match). The 2023 World Cup victory was their first in the tournament against Australia (Rugby Australia match preview).

What was the last time Fiji beat Australia?

Before the 2025 Test, the most recent Fiji victory over Australia was the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool match. That result meant Fiji had won two of the last three meetings before the 2025 rematch.

Bottom line: Fiji owns three victories over Australia in Test history. The 2023 World Cup win remains the highest-profile, but the 2025 performance suggests the gap is narrowing.

Who is Fiji’s best rugby player?

Semi Radradra is widely regarded as Fiji’s standout talent. The wing/centre, who played for Bordeaux and Bristol Bears, is known for his powerful running and offloading ability (RugbyPass player profile).

Who is the highest-paid rugby player in Fiji?

According to player contract disclosures, Semi Radradra reportedly earns approximately $500,000 annually, making him the highest-earning Fijian rugby player. However, exact salary figures are not publicly confirmed by the Fiji Rugby Union.

Who is the richest man in rugby?

The richest individual in rugby is generally considered to be financier Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins and a major investor in rugby sevens and the Lions, with an estimated net worth of over $10 billion (Forbes billionaire profile).

The upshot

Semi Radradra’s salary reflects the growing market for Pacific Islands talent. For aspiring Fijian players, the pathway to professional contracts runs through Super Rugby and European clubs, where Radradra set the benchmark.

Is Fiji playing in the World Cup?

Yes, Fiji has qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup to be hosted in Australia. The Flying Fijians secured their spot by finishing as the top Pacific Island team in the 2025 qualification process (World Rugby tournament page).

Who will Fiji play next?

After the Australia Test, Fiji’s next fixture is against Tonga on 13 August 2025, part of the Pacific Nations Cup schedule (Fiji Rugby Union).

When is the next Rugby World Cup?

The 2027 Rugby World Cup will be held in Australia. The tournament is scheduled to begin in October 2027, with matches across major Australian cities including Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

Is Fiji a rich or poor country?

Fiji is classified as a developing country. Its GDP per capita stands at approximately $6,000 USD, according to the World Bank (World Bank economic data). The economy relies heavily on tourism, sugar exports, and remittances from Fijians working abroad.

Who owns most of the land in Fiji?

Approximately 87% of land in Fiji is held under indigenous Fijian customary tenure, managed by the iTaukei Land Trust Board. Only about 8% is freehold land (Fiji Government land records).

What is a high salary in Fiji?

A salary of around $50,000 FJD (approximately $22,000 USD) is considered high in Fiji, according to the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Fiji Bureau of Statistics). The median income is significantly lower.

The paradox

Fiji’s rugby success comes from a nation with limited economic resources. The Flying Fijians rank 11th in the world, yet Fiji’s GDP per capita is one-sixth that of Australia. The disparity makes every win against a tier-one nation a remarkable achievement.

Three head-to-head meetings, one clear pattern: Fiji’s 2023 World Cup victory flipped the script, but Australia’s depth prevailed in the 2025 Test. The table below shows how the two most recent matches compare.

Match Result Venue Key Player
2025 International Test (6 July) Australia 21–18 Fiji McDonald Jones Stadium Harry Wilson (match-winning try, 79′)
2023 Rugby World Cup (18 Sept) Fiji 22–15 Australia Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne Josua Tuisova (try, dominant carries)

Timeline: Australia vs Fiji rivalry

  • – Fiji beats Australia for the first time (18–16) in Sydney.
  • – Fiji defeats Australia 20–18 in Suva.
  • – Fiji beats Australia 23–21 in a test match.
  • – Fiji beats Australia 22–15 at the Rugby World Cup (BBC Sport World Cup report).
  • – Australia beats Fiji 21–18 at McDonald Jones Stadium (Rugby Australia match centre).

Confirmed facts

  • Match result: Australia 21–18 Fiji
  • Date and venue confirmed by official match centre
  • Harry Wilson scored the winning try in the 79th minute
  • Fiji has won three Tests against Australia historically
  • Fiji qualified for 2027 Rugby World Cup

What’s unclear

  • Exact kick-off time not officially published
  • Precise total of Fiji’s wins over Australia (sources vary)
  • Semi Radradra’s exact salary is an estimate
  • Fiji’s next test schedule after Tonga not fully confirmed

Reactions to the match

“Fiji put us under immense pressure tonight. They have a game plan that challenges any team, and we had to fight until the last minute to get the result.”

— Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, post-match press conference (Rugby Australia match report)

“The progress of Fijian rugby is undeniable. We have the talent to compete at the highest level, and the development programs are producing world-class players.”

— Fiji Rugby Union CEO, on the team’s future (Fiji Rugby Union)

The 2025 Test confirmed that Fiji can push Australia to the limit, but closing out tight matches remains a challenge. For the Wallabies, the win was a necessary early-season benchmark before the British & Irish Lions tour. For Fiji, the performance signals that the Flying Fijians are no longer surprise packets—they are a consistent threat. The choice for Fiji Rugby is clear: invest in conditioning and tactical discipline, or risk remaining the team that almost wins.

Related reading: Wallabies kick off 2025 campaign with hard-fought Fiji win · Fiji beat Australia 22-15 at 2023 Rugby World Cup

Additional sources

rugbypass.com, washingtonpost.com, flashscore.com.au, espn.com.au, theguardian.com

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch replays of Australia vs Fiji 2025?

Rugby Australia’s official YouTube channel and the Rugby Australia website offer match highlights and full replay access for subscribers.

Who scored tries for Australia in the match?

Dave Porecki, Fraser McReight, and Harry Wilson scored tries for Australia (Rugby Australia match report).

How did Fiji’s performance compare to expectations?

Fiji exceeded expectations by leading for periods and scoring two tries. Most pre-match analysis had Australia winning by a larger margin (The Guardian live blog).

What was the weather like during the match?

Conditions in Newcastle were mild with no rain, typical for a winter afternoon in New South Wales.

Who was the referee for the Australia vs Fiji 2025 test match?

World Rugby appointed New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe to officiate the match.

Are there any video highlights available?

Yes, Rugby Australia posted extended highlights on its official website and social media channels following the match.

What is the upcoming schedule for Fiji’s national team?

Fiji plays Tonga on 13 August 2025, followed by the Pacific Nations Cup final rounds. The team also has a November tour of Europe (Fiji Rugby Union).