JOHN WIGHT writes about the shared love of the ring that strengthened two icons in their struggles against racism and injustice
FIJI managed to overcome a stubborn Italy side in Canberra yesterday, thanks to another supreme display of try-scoring from Suliasi Vunivalu. Their victory sets up a mouthwatering quarter-final tie against the loser of this morning’s game between New Zealand and Tonga.
Italy were trying something different from the outset in an attempt to stifle an opposition who have lit up the tournament so far. Fiji dismantled Wales last week with a record breaking 72-6 victory, as Vunivalu’s hat-trick took him to the top of the try-scoring charts alongside Tonga’s Michael Jennings.
A short kick-off from the Italians signalled their intention to mix things up, and they won possession instantly. Their plan was scuppered somewhat when Jayden Walker was sent to the sin-bin for interfering in the ruck as Fiji broke.


