Australia 28-13 Fiji: David Pocock and Sekope Kepu star as Wallabies get Rugby World Cup campaign off to a winning start

• Australia began their Rugby World Cup 2015 campaign with a 28-13 defeat of Fiji in Cardiff
• David Pocock scored two tries as the Wallabies took control in the first half at the Millennium Stadium
• Sekope Kepu drove through to cross the line and extend the Australian's lead in the second half
• Australian-born fly half Ben Volavola broke through to score Fiji's only try ahead of a spirited fightback 
• Rugby World Cup 2015: CLICK HERE for all the latest RWC news and more 

By Nik Simon for the Daily Mail

Published: 12:32 EST, 23 September 2015 | Updated: 19:07 EST, 23 September 2015

The Group of Death is still waiting for someone to tear up the script but Australia could live to regret missing out on a bonus point in their opening-round victory over Fiji.

Two tries from David Pocock and a third from Sekope Kepu kept the Wallabies hot on the tails of England and Wales, although their charge ran out of steam in the final 20 minutes.

With a 12-point lead after 69 minutes, Australia opted for three points over a try-scoring opportunity at the line-out, with head coach Michael Cheika claiming Pool A will not be decided by bonus points. 

Man of the match David Pocock is helped to his feet after scoring Australia's opening try in the 28-13 defeat of Fiji

Pocock drives through the Fiji defence to double his previous World Cup try tally with his second try of the game

Australia prop Sekope Kepu only has the line on his mind as he scores Australia's third try after the break

Fiji fly-half Ben Volavola showed how dangerous his side can be with a marauding run and try in the second half

‘England got a bonus point at the very last minute and they’re probably favourites to win our pool,’ said Cheika. ‘If you lose a game in this Pool, you’ll be in strife.

‘I preach to my team about being humble and we don’t go into a match talking about bonus points. That decision to go for goal at the end shows our respect for the opposition. Fiji are a top team I think they are still going to have a say before the tournament finishes.’

Australia’s performance for the first hour will send warning signs to their rivals. The back-row combination of Michael Hooper and Pocock, two natural open-sides, instilled a tireless work rate and between them made 38 tackles on the powerful Fijian runners.

This was a meeting of two of rugby’s great entertainers at the Millennium Stadium but Australia showed style as well as substance. Cheika claimed that people ‘aren’t too sure if we’re any good’, but all of his side’s tries came through the forwards, who showed signs of improvement at the set piece.

It took 10 minutes for the Wallabies to get the first points on the board. Having been brought back into the set-up after a lifted ban on overseas players, Toulon midfielder Matt Giteau was tackled off the ball and Bernard Foley kicked the penalty.

With four changes from the side that lost to England, Fiji also had some joy at the set piece as Nemani Nadolo levelled the score after a powerful scrum and driving lineout. But Australia hit back with three unanswered tries to apply the nail to Fiji’s coffin – Pockock crossing twice in quick succession off the back of a driving line-out as Campese Ma’afu was sent to the sin bin.

‘Our next game is Wales so we’ll regroup and refuel,’ said McKee, whose side have eight days to recover for their third Test. ‘To play a lot of very good rugby in two games and come away with no points is disappointing, so I’m sure the players will have an extra resolve next week to really make their mark next week.’ 

Australia and Fiji players compete for a lineout as the game between England's Pool A rivals gets underway in Cardiff

The referee steps in as tempers flare following an impressive scrum by the underdogs Fiji

Fiji star player Nemani Nadolo (right) hands off Will Genia of Australia as the Wallabies get their campaign underway

Australia lock Scott Fardy (centre) fights off a challenge from Nadolo as his side cope with the Fijian's power

With Australia fresh from a prolonged World Cup kick-off, Bernard Foley kept the scoreboard ticking over and Kepu cut through the Pacific Island defence just after the break. They have been staying in their own training bubble in Bath, away from the distraction of autograph hunters and World Cup fever.

But they eventually lost their structure and were sucked into Fiji’s open style of running rugby, leaving the door open for lively No 10 Ben Volavola to wriggle through for his side’s only try – with Nadolo adding five more points from the boot. 

With the clock ticking down, Cheika’s side had a chance to roll the dice but turned it down. Instead they kicked for goal and ended the game defending their line from Fijian waves.

The crowd had to wait until the 73rd meeting for the first 36-stone collision between cousins Tevita Kuridrani and Nadolo - who used to tackle each other during the summer holidays on the beach of Namatakula – and the Australian centre was sent to the sin bin for not releasing, watching in frustration as the bonus point slipped away.

Australia's Pocock (centre) touches the ball down amid a crowd of bodies for Australia's first try

Australia players celebrate with try scorer Pocock after extending their lead in their opening game

Australia's Bernard Foley converts a try to give his side a 10-3 lead during the opening half

Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji is taken off the field on a medical buggy after suffering an injury in the opening half

Pocock steps up to celebrate his second try of the game as the former world champions take control

Israel Folau (centre) runs with the ball as Australia keep their momentum going in the second half

Kepu dives across the line as Australia assert their authority at the beginning of the second half

The Australian prop dances in celebration as Australia streak to a 25-3 lead after Foley's conversion

Former Australian Under 20 fly-half Volavola breaks away to score Fiji's only try of the game

Volavola avoids a last ditch tackle to dive over for a try that brought the score to 25-11

Fiji's flay half Volavola is congratulated by team-mate Nadolo after scoring his side's first try

The Fijians take part in their traditional Cibi dance before events got underway at the Millennium Stadium

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