Australia weather Fijian storm to win World Cup opener

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2019 - Pool D - Australia v Fiji - Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan - September 21, 2019 Australia's Samu Kerevi celebrates with team mates scoring their fifth try REUTERS/Edgar Su

SAPPORO, Japan (Reuters) - Twice champions Australia were forced to abandon a wide game plan and resort to controlled possession as they survived an almighty scare in their World Cup Pool D opener against Fiji on Saturday to run out 39-21 winners at the Sapporo Dome.

Tries from Peceli Yato and Waisea Nayacalevu helped the Fijians to a 21-12 lead just after the break as a misfiring Australia struggled to turn possession into points and looked to be heading for one of the great World Cup shocks.