Australia clinches crucial first Rugby World Cup win

Australia pinned Fiji back in their half for the opening 10 minutes, but a few forced final passes saw the Wallabies only bag a Foley penalty for their dominance after the islanders strayed offside.

Hooper says he is excited to line-up alongside Pocock in the Wallabies’ back row for their opener in Cardiff on Wednesday.

With the two-metre Simmons off the park Fiji’s lineout took command and won three wins from Australia’s throw.

Ashley-Cooper said it would be weird for players if they weren’t striving to be a part of every side of the World Cup.

“It’s much bigger than us, it’s very important to very many people back home, and if that doesn’t overwhelm you, it really inspires and motivates you”.

Australia kick-off their 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign with a high-pressure clash against the Vodafone Flying Fijians at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow.

“But I think we’ve had a great first set-up for us in all facets of the game”.

Australia coach Michael Cheika has insisted his team will continue to play an exciting brgame, despite observation that conservative game plans are necessary to win at World Cups.

Fiji coach John McKee said: “I thought our boys were incredible tonight, especially when you consider that we have backed up after such a tough game against England five days ago”.

“I think Cheika has done an unbelievable job turning them around from where they were under Ewen McKenzie and they are serious threats”, Fitzpatrick told AAP at a Laureus-supported activities communities network event in London.

Australia led 18-3 at the interval, courtesy of two penalties from Bernard Foley and a brace of tries, in the 26th and 31st minutes, from the outstanding number eight David Pocock.

“Now that’s a hurdle we’ve overcome and we move on to Uruguay, and that is all we’ll worry about”.

“Fiji are a bit of an X-factor side and it depends on how they play on the day”.

The 202cm, 119kg lock, who has 16 national caps, was released from his contract with Leinster in Ireland to return to Australia in July with his fiancee Jennarly Vieira, who is expected to give birth to their first child on New Year’s Eve.

“But there are so many potent players in that backline that if we can (continue to) create, I’m sure we can finish better”.

Sekope Kepu has scored two tries in his last three Tests for Australia, this after the prop had failed to score in any of his first 54 games for the Wallabies.

It is just the second game Hooper and Pocock will have started a match together, following a successful outing in a 27-19 win over the All Blacks in Sydney in August.