Fiji 30 Ireland 14

Fiji booked themselves a semi-final against Australia, but if justice is done, the Irish should be booking business-class flights for their return after taking their opponents all the way in a spirited semi-final qualifier last night.

In the end, the Fijians were more businesslike. But after being flown out to Australia for the World Cup in economy class, with the English closer to the pointy end on the same plane, the Irish may well leave with reputations more intact than their geographical neighbours, who have been one of the tournament's disappointments so far.

Fiji prevailed - predictably - in the end, even if it took them until well into the final quarter to put the result beyond doubt, fullback Jarryd Hayne putting his knee (and Parramatta's 2009 season) on the line by clattering into the upright as he scored the 66th-minute clincher from halfback Aaron Groom's grubber.

Hayne appeared to do some damage, but will live to fight another day, as will his side, even if on the form they showed they will hardly trouble the favourites.

Both sides had previously enjoyed a win and a loss out of the tournament, and sure enough, both showed good and bad signs in an entertaining first half.

Fiji's start had equal portions of luck and, well, truck; Groom's kick cannoning off Irish lock Simon Finnigan but falling into the arms of the Fijian halfback, who fed Wes Naiqama. The Fijian captain's ensuing run suggested he had never been fed in his life as he barged through the last line of Irish defence.

There were other positive signs for Fiji; Hayne was heavily involved, but after eight minutes, on cue, Mr Hyde found Hayne, and Irish winger Damien Blanch showed a hot pair of heels when he rounded the Parramatta star for the reply.

The Newcastle connection of Naiqama and Akuila Uate had been two of Fiji's most dangerous players throughout the tournament, and they were always going to be hard to handle for the 'Hounds. And so it was that on the half hour, Uate drifted across the field and barged over Lee Doran, scoring his first of two tries, and the Fijians charged into the lead.

But just before the break, one of the smartest Irish players, five-eighth Scott Grix, stepped and scored to bring his side within two points of Fiji.

The Irish would not buckle. Fullback Michael Platt, one of the players on the receiving end of Naiqama's early onslaught, did wonderfully to hold up James Storer, and only an aggressive chase from Uate, bringing down Doran deep in Fijian territory, stopped Ireland from taking an unlikely lead.

They never got it. After withstanding a huge amount of pressure, Ireland finally faltered when, after 56 minutes, Jason Bukuya scored.

FIJI 30 (A Uate 2 J Bukuya J Hayne W Naiqama tries W Naiqama 5 goals) bt IRELAND 14 (D Blanch 2 S Grix tries P Richards goal) at Skilled Park. Referee: A Klein. Crowd: 8,224.