The game of the weekend at the Rugby World Cup is likely to come from Pool C once more, when a desperate Fiji side take on Australia in Saint-Etienne.

Fiji were on the wrong end of a 32-26 scoreline last Sunday after a classic encounter with Wales, a result which leaves them needing to beat the Wallabies for the first time since 1954 to stay in the hunt for a quarter-final spot.

Australia are sitting pretty at the top of the pool after a first win under Eddie Jones against Georgia last time out and they know another victory would all but see them through to the next round.

Team news
Australia have been dealt a couple of injury blows with Taniela Tupou and Tate McDermott ruled out, while Will Skelton is a doubt with a calf issue but has been named in the starting line-up.

James Slipper returns to the front row, Nick Frost starts at lock, while Nic White comes in at scrum-half.

Fiji have recalled two of their most recognisable names with Levani Botia replacing Albert Tuisue in the back-row, while Josua Tuisova starts at inside centre as Semi Radradra shifts out to the wing.

Fiji to win @ 15/8 

Fiji’s track record of two wins in 22 meetings with Australia makes for grim reading, but the two sides have arguably never been closer in terms of the starting line-ups.

And with the Flying Fijians needing the win more to stay alive in Pool C, the value lies with backing the underdogs to come out on top.

A lot will depend on how Fiji react to such a disappointing defeat to Wales, but Simon Raiwalui’s men can take plenty of positives from that performance, not least the way they finished the game and the way they competed in the forward areas.

The pack has often been the Achilles heel of Fiji sides in the past but has taken several steps forward under Raiwalui and should challenge an Australia side missing its best front-row talent in Taniela Tupou.

The fitness of captain Will Skelton is another concern for the Australia pack, while Fiji’s collection of forwards is arguably stronger for the inclusion of Levani Botia.

Australia’s win over Georgia was easily their best performance of Jones’ six matches back in charge, particularly having lost all five of their previous game, but they remain a work in progress and a defence that shipped 115 points in the Rugby Championship in the summer will be stretched to breaking point.

There’s plenty of talent amongst both sets of backs, who are likely to steal the show if given the opportunity, but Fiji’s more experienced group may just have the edge over their Australian counterparts.

Fiji nearly ground down Wales, who had to make 253 tackles in the game, and a similar performance should be enough to down the Wallabies.

They’ll need to have parity up front and a better points return from the kicking tee, but a famous victory is there to be grabbed by the Pacific islanders.

Waisea Nayacalevu anytime tryscorer @ 11/4 

There’s no shortage of potential tryscorers in this game, but the value may lie in backing Fiji skipper Waisea Nayacalevu to score for the sixth international game in a row.

The outside centre was rewarded for an excellent performance against Wales with a try and his play-making skills in midfield will ask plenty of questions of Australia’s defence.

The 33-year-old bagged a try the last time these sides met at the 2019 World Cup and the in-form Nayacalevu, who scored seven tries in 20 appearances for club side Toulon last season, is one to keep an eye on.