Rugby World Cup

Coach Ian Foster made nine changes to the starting side that thrashed Italy 96-17 at the same venue last weekend, resting regular starters such as Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith and Rieko Ioane ahead of the quarter-finals.

"It is a short turnaround from our last game against Italy but being able to play in Lyon for back-to-back games has helped with our preparation," Foster said.

"We are confident in the direction we are heading so it's now about putting out another solid performance and growing our game."

Six places in the last eight are still to play for and it’ll be determined this weekend.

Namibia, Tonga, Romania, Georgia, Portugal and Chile are no longer in contention for a top eight finish.

12 teams including the Fiji Water Flying Fijians will now battle for the six remaining quarter-final spots.

France, New Zealand, Italy, Uruguay, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Argentina and Samoa are the other nations that have a chance of qualifying.

This has been confirmed by Tuisova’s father, Isikeli Ratulevu to Fijivillage,  who has been making the necessary preparations for the funeral in Votua, Ba today.

Ratulevu says Tuisova was informed about his son’s death just hours before the game.

His son passed away after long-term illness.

The Flying Fijians play Portugal in their final pool match at 7am next Monday.

For Fiji to make it to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals they only need 1 point.

Winger Selesitino Ravutaumada was the lone change in the Flying Fijians' starting lineup, while Samu Tawake was named on the bench.

Ravutaumada replaced Jiuta Wainiqolo and Tawake came in for Mesake Doge.

Both Wainiqolo and Doge were injured and have been rested.

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui kept 14 players in the starting lineup from the team that beat Australia two weekends ago in Saint Etienne, insisting on consistency.

He said Georgia will not be easy, and they have named their team accordingly.

Namibia captain Johan Deysel has been given an effective five match suspension for his dangerous tackle on Antoine Dupont that left the France skipper with a facial fracture,

Former All Black forward Vaea Fifita has been ruled out of the rest of Tonga's campaign after copping a four match ban for dangerously charging into a ruck during the Pacific Islander's loss to Scotland.

Fifita's shoulder collided with Scottish first-five Finn Russell's head in the clumsy cleanout late in the game.

It was Italy's second consecutive bonus-point win and takes them top of Pool A.

Uruguay deservedly led 17-7 at the break and were dreaming of a huge upset after a remarkable opening 40 minutes that began well for Italy, who scored an early try through Lorenzo Pani, but then went badly wrong as poor discipline handed the advantage to the South Americans.

Already a Sevens superpower as champions of the first two Olympic tournaments, the Fijians have played seven tests this season and won five of them with the vanquished including former world champions England, Japan and now Australia. The victory over Australia was their first in 69 years but not a huge surprise to those who have frequently watched the disciplined and well-structured Flying Fijians play this season.

Fiji’s brilliance at the turnover, combined with the clinical boot of Kuruvoli, saw them pick up their first win of the tournament after last week’s defeat by Wales.

Australian full-back Ben Donaldson was opportunistic early on and punished a Fiji high tackle when he converted the first opportunity of the game to give Australia a 3-0 lead after three minutes.

The Pacific Islanders sought a response through scrum-half Kuruvoli, who tied the score before converting another penalty to give his side a 6-3 lead after 20 minutes.

Fiji are expected to enter the Saint-Etienne match on Sunday (Monday AEST) breathing fire after they fell short against Wales in their opening pool game.

The Fijians rallied from a 32-14 deficit, scoring twice in the last seven minutes before former NRL star Semi Radradra knocked on close to the line in the dying seconds, condemning his team to a 32-26 loss.

Coles reacted with incredulity three weeks ago when told Hansen had been advising New Zealand's fierce rivals at the behest of his friend Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

"Shag (Hansen), what are you up to?," a stunned Coles told reporters.

"That hurts a little bit, to be fair. I'm just gobsmacked. I know he's quite tight with Eddie, they're really good mates, but he's a bit of an icon in the All Blacks set-up."