Fiji beat Georgia 21-12 Adjarabet Arena. Photo: Fiji Rugby Facebook
Fiji's rugby teams won one and lost one in international matches on Saturday.
In the early hours of the morning Fiji time, the Flying Fijians beat Georgia 21-12 at Adjarabet Arena.
Coach Mick Byrne said their defense showed they've been working hard.
"We missed a few attacking opportunities, but I'm extremely impressed with how our team played," he said.
The match saw the introduction of five debutants in Isaiah-Washington Ravula, Elia Canakaivata, Inia Tabuavou, Kitione Salawa, and Peniasi Dakuwaqa. Dakuwaqa scored two tries.
Georgian fullback Luka Matkava scored the first points of the game from a penalty. In the 9th minute Fiji got a penalty of their own, kicking for touch which led to a maul and Viliame Mata scoring a try.
A yellow card was issued to Georgia's Luka Ivanishvili after a late tackle, and Fiji led 13-9 at halftime.
Dakuwaqa scored his second try from an attacking scrum on Georgia's 5-metre line in the second half.
Matkava kicked his fourth penalty of the game, bringing the score to 12-21. Fiji was down to 14 men in the final 10 minutes after Albert Tuisue was yellow-carded but held on for the win.
The game was also Peni Ravai's 50th test cap for Fiji, and he said it's been a long journey for him and his family.
"I'm here to help the young boys carry on with the Flying Fijians in the future," he said.
"I don't know when I will finish playing, but I'm here to pass on the knowledge to the upcoming boys."
It was a less happy outing for the Fijiana, beaten 64-5 by the Wallaroos at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
FBC reported the Fijiana scored first, with Adita Milinia dotting down after 12 minutes.
But that was the last time Fiji would score in the game.
Australian winger Desiree Miller scored four tries.
Fiji was reduced to 14 players in the 25th minute after Bitila Tawake was sent off for professional foul, and then flanker Sulita Waisega was sin-binned early in the second half for repeated infringements.
After leading 24-5 at halftime Australia scored six unanswered tries in the second forty.
The Flying Fijians now turn their attention to their upcoming test match against the All Blacks on July 20th in San Diego, USA.
The All Blacks beat England on Saturday, 16-15.
Meanwhile on Friday evening, Samoa beat Italy 33-25 in Apia.
