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Australia's Rugby World Cup campaign has been dealt a major blow, with Fiji defeating the Wallabies 22-15 in a tense pool match in Saint-Étienne.
Not since 1954 has Fiji defeated Australia in a Test match and the result leaves the Wallabies with a 1-1 win-loss record in Pool C.
The Wallabies face what looms as a sudden-death clash against Wales in Lyon next Monday AEST as they look to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the quarterfinals.
It is only the fourth time the Wallabies have lost a World Cup pool match and they have never exited a tournament at the preliminary stage.
The Wallabies — who had captain Will Skelton ruled out before kick-off because of a calf injury — did grab a bonus point, which may prove crucial in the final Pool C standings.
Unbeaten Wales is on top of the pool with 10 points, followed by Fiji and the Wallabies on six.
Ilaisa Droasese (left) and Samuel Matavesi celebrate Fiji's win.(AP: Aurelien Morissard)
"The great thing about a World Cup is it's not the end of the road and we've got Wales next week, so we need to kick some stones tonight, work out where we can improve quickly and get on with it," coach Eddie Jones said after the match.
"I've got no doubt we get a response. We've had a bit of a setback today but that's all part of being in a World Cup."
Penalty goals were traded in the opening 20 minutes, with Fiji taking a 6-3 lead midway through the first half.
But just minutes later, the Wallabies scored the first try of the match through an opportunist play from Nic White.
From inside his own half, White pumped a kick down field to gain touch with a 50:22, from which Mark Nawaqanitawase took the quick throw-in to find Samu Kerevi.
Kerevi steamed towards the goal line before offloading to Nawaqanitawase, who crossed down the right flank.
Ben Donaldson missed the conversion attempt, leaving the Wallabies ahead 8-6, however it was a short-lived advantage with Fiji halfback Simione Kuruvoli landing his third penalty goal of the half.
Kuruvoli added a fourth in the 33rd minute, giving the Flying Fijians a 12-8 lead that they held through to the half-time break.
The Flying Fijians were physical in attack throughout the match.(Getty Images: Phil Walter)
Any hopes the Wallabies had of starting the second half on a positive note were dashed, with Fiji scoring its first try of the match in the 43rd minute.
A well-time Fijian box kick was poorly judged by the Wallabies inside their half, with Nawaqanitawase and Carter Gordon allowing the ball to bounce amid a moment of confusion.
Fiji inside centre Josua Tuisova did not waste the invitation to claim the ball, before charging to the goal line to cross for the try.
Kuruvoli converted to establish a 19-8 lead and he was soon to leave the field, with reserve Frank Lomani taking over the goalkicking duties.
Lomani was successful from the kicking tee with a penalty goal to stretch Fiji's lead to 22-8 in the 66th minute, leaving the Wallabies the task of needing two converted tries to level the score.
Suliasi Vunivalu play his part with a try from a pick-and-go play close to the Fijian line, before Donaldson added the extras to close the gap to seven points.
But it was as close as the Wallabies could get to overhauling the Flying Fijians, who went on to complete a famous and deserved victory.
Jones, who has won just one match from seven attempts after being signed to a four year deal, said he would not shy away from his plan to inject youth into the Wallabies squad.
"I made the decision to go for a younger team and if that's the wrong decision then I will be held accountable for that," he said.
"But I think Australian rugby needs to move on to a younger team. I am prepared to go through some pain to leave Australia with a team capable of doing really well in a World Cup.
"That‘s not to say we can't do it, we've had a bit of a setback today but that's all part of being in a World Cup.
"I do remember South Africa lost a game and won a World Cup, so funny things have happened."
Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog.
Wallabies need to look hard at themselves
(Getty Images)
So, a massive result for Fiji, just a third ever victory over Australia in a Test match and first since 1954 at the SCG.
69 years of hurt for Fiji, who have fought their way back into contention to qualify from this most difficult to call of all the World Cup pools.
Australia has just over a week to regroup, because on the horizon is a previously unbeaten Wales team who can wrap up qualification with a win.
The Wallabies though, will be fighting for their lives.
We'll bring you all the action from that match next Monday from 4:00am AEST (KO at 5:00am) and I can't wait to do that.
Enjoy the rest of your week and we'll see you soon.
Fiji jubilant
(Getty Images)(Getty Images)
Fiji 'thoroughly deserved' their victory: Eddie Jones
Eddie Jones is speaking now.
He says Fiji were the better team.
"Thoroughly deserved victory for Fiji," he says.
"They outplayed us, particularly around the ruck. I think the turnovers, they executed three times more turnovers than us. And in a close game like that, that's the difference.
"For some reason we were just off today.
"If you look at the stats in the game, we dominated, then scored two tries to one and we were a poor version of
ourselves today.
"So there is a bit of soul-searching to do, but it makes the Wales game pretty important."
(Getty Images)
Wallabies must 'lick their wounds'
David Porecki, Wallabies skipper, says the Wallabies need to lick their wounds.
"Credit to Fiji, class performance from them," he says.
"It was as expected. They have class performers in the backline and took advantage around the breakdown and on the outside.
"We've got a pretty quick turnaround to wales now, so we've got to lick our wounds and get up for that game which is easy because it's a world cup game."
Fiji win 'do or die final'
Fijian captain Waisea Nayacalevu is speaking now.
"Proud of the boys," he says.
"Just proud of the boys and the effort from the team.
"Today was our final. Our mindset today was do or die."
'It's history for us': Josua Tuisova
Josua Tuisova is player of the match.
"I know it's a long time for us, Fiji since 19... I dunno, back in the days, it's history for us.
"I just wanna thank the boys ... they give everything they have
"We treated this game as a final.
"Winning this game is incredible."
FIJI BEAT AUSTRALIA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 69 YEARS!
Jubilation for the Fijians, who are still alive in the tournament!
(Getty Images)
The players are on their haunches, and those that are not are hugging and celebrating.
What a moment for Fiji.
What a moment for Australia - whose tournament now hangs on getting a result against Wales next week.
80+1' PENALTY FIJI!
THEY'VE DONE IT! FIJI HAS DONE IT!
The Wallabies have turned the scrum around and the penalty is blown!
The Fijians will kick for goal - if they get it, they'll deny the Wallabies a bonus point - which could be massive.
Frank Lomani misses.
80' Fiji loses the ball forward - one last scrum for Australia
Last chance saloon - last drinks are being called.
This is it for the Wallabies - they need a solid scrum here just inside their own half and then to take the ball 60 metres to score a try,
79' FIJI BREAKS FREE!
Waisea Nayacalevu breaks through and drives towards the line!
The ball is flicked and spun away as Marika Koroibete dived back and made the tackle and the ball is out over the sideline.
Fiji are a minute away from a first win over the Wallabies since 1954.
77' Kick, kick, kick; tick, tick, tick?
(Getty Images)
Each side kicks to each other from around their 22 metre lines.
As they kick kick kick the clock goes tick tick tick.
The ball ends up out on the sideline by way of the boot of Suli Vunivalu.
74' Penalty Fiji!
The lineout is overthrown and Marika Koroibete ends up with the ball on his wing.
He charges into contact and is slammed into by Ilaisa Droasese and Waisea Nayacalevu - was it high by Droasese? No, perhaps not.
He then tries to scrabble along the ground and is pinged for it.
Fiji clears again.
They're hanging on at the moment.
73' Penalty Fiji!
It's a massive one too!
Rob Valentini makes a break through the middle and then offloads to Nick Frost.
Vunivalu is trapped as the ball is spun his way at the bottom of the ruck and Fiji get men over the ball, hands on it and Andrew Brace blows up quickly.
Fiji clears up over half way.
68' Wallabies score!
Hope for the Wallabies!
And it's Suli Vunivalu who provides it!
(Getty Images)
The maul was established from the lineout and there was a penalty coming too as the Fijians are pinged for side entry to the rolling maul.
That broke down but Vunivalu was on hand to dive over.
Ben Donaldson is being booed and jeered but he nails the conversion.
It's a one-try ball game!
Australia trails 15-22.
66' Penalty Wallabies!
Lalakai Foketi does really well to get himself over the ball after Ilaisa Droasese is tackled.
The Wallabies wont have time to go for goal here - they kick to touch. They need a try here at least.
65' Penalty Fiji and a nasty head knock for Jordan Uelese
Jordan Uelese is laid out on his back after taking out Tevita Ikanivere off the ball.
He tried to make a tackle but headbutted the substitute hooker in the hip.
Fiji will kick for the posts through Frank Lomani, 33 metres out, dead in front.
He makes it!
Fiji's lead is out to 14! They lead 22-8!
65' Penalty Fiji!
Richard Arnold takes out the halfback as the ruck was formed.
Poor penalty to give away.
Fiji kick into Wallabies territory.
64' Penalty Fiji!
Josua Tuisova atones with a jackal at the ruck!
Jordan Petaia went off his feet in support of Samu Kerevi too, so take your pick.
Fiji kick the ball towards half way.
63' Penalty Wallabies, Josua Tuisova high tackle
Fiji overthrow the lineout and the Wallabies will attack after all.
They spin it wide and Josua Tuisova cops a sliding Jordan Petaia on the jaw with a swinging arm.
It's just a penalty do says Andrew Brace, but it does carry a warning.
61' FIJI WINS THE PENALTY!
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta was superb! He gets his body over the ball and grabs hold of it as the Wallabies get isolated off the back of that line out win.
A massive moment, the Fijians clear towards half way.
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