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Fiji finish rugby World cup with big win over Uruguay

Fiji wrapped up their 2015 rugby World Cup on Tuesday night with a seven try romp. After brave performances against England, Australia and Wales, the Pacific islanders got their reward against a committed Uruguay team.

Fiji coach John McKee said it was important to finish the tournament with a victory.
Fiji coach John McKee said it was important to finish the tournament with a victory. Reuters/Henry Browne
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It finished 45-17 at the mk stadium in Milton Keynes in central England; but there was at least the consolation of a first World Cup try for 12 years for the South Americans.

Carlos Arboleya scored it to spark frenzied celebrations behind the posts.

The last Uruguayan to score a World Cup try was Pablo Lemoine against England in Brisbane.

Lemoine, 40, is now the Uruguay head coach and he saw scrum-half Agustin Ormechea snatch the second before being becoming the first player to be sent off at the tournament.

By then Fiji were almost out of sight.

Nemani Nadolo was their tormentor-in-chief. He scored one try, added six conversions and had a hand in the other tries. It was a spectacular return for the 27-year-old who missed Fiji's match against Wales in Cardiff after he was suspended for one week for a dangerous tackle.

"I let my nation down, I let myself down. I went out wanting to make amends."

It was Fiji's first Pool A win after being beaten by England, Wales and Australia.

"It was massively important that we didn't go home without a win," said Fiji coach John McKee. "A lot of hard work has gone into the preparation for the competition. We've got a talented squad. We had some huge challenges - playing England, Australia and Wales within two weeks. But we came here with high ambitions. We believed that we might have been able to roll over one or two of those big teams. It didn't happen so it was important for us - for the group - to finish on a positive note."

On Saturday, Uruguay will - along with England - have their last hurrah at the tournament. Of course, it was not meant to be this way. The game at the City of Manchester Stadium was supposed to be about racking up the points against hapless South Americans. Instead it will be a dirge for England's crestfallen players.

And the chance for a few more Uruguayans to brag about how they scored a try at a rugby World Cup.

 

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