The Baby Flying Fijians still has a chance to stay in the Tier One competition or the World Rugby Junior Championship.

This was after they were beaten this morning by Georgia 12-8 in the 9th place semi-final.

Fiji will now play Scotland in the 11th place playoff in a must win match to stay at the top.

A loss will mean the national under 20’s will be relegated to the Junior World Rugby Trophy competition.

Georgia are assured of their place in a fifth straight U20 Championship after a dramatic last-gasp win over Fiji.

Vano Karkadze’s try with the last play of the game, after 23 phases, gave Georgia the lead for the first time in the match and broke Fiji’s hearts.

Fiji had defended for their lives up to that point, but they must now beat Scotland in Saturday’s 11th place play-off to avoid an immediate return to the World Rugby U20 Trophy, a competition they won last year to return to the elite tier after a five-year absence.

Both sides gave it a real go despite playing in heavy rain and on a muddy track and it was Fiji who crossed first, Epeli Momo stretching over in the corner in the ninth minute after a patient build-up to underline their early dominance.

It wasn’t until the end of the first quarter that Georgia got involved in an attacking sense and after a flowing move that twice involved centre Lasha Lomidze, the Junior Lelos thought they’d got back on level terms when Beka Koriauli dived over in the corner. However, on closer inspection, the flanker had put a foot in touch before grounding the ball.

Shortly after, Fiji also went agonizingly close, a busting run from long-striding second-row Etonia Waqa, following a quick tap penalty from full-back Osea Waqa, setting up hooker Tevita Ikanivere for what seemed a certain score until the captain dropped the ball two meters out when challenged by Georgian winger Otar Lashki.

After a breathless end to the first half that went three minutes into overtime, Fiji had to settle for a 5-0 lead at the break.

There was no let-up in the intensity or the intent in the second half, but it was 14 minutes before any more points were scored, Fiji fly-half Caleb Muntz landing his first penalty from around 30 meters out.

Alivereti Loaloa’s yellow card for a dangerous tackle allowed Georgia a route back into the game and a converted try from bruising number eight Ioane Iashagashvili brought them to within one point of the Pacific Islanders.

Fiji were forced to play the last five minutes with 14 men as they’d used all their front-row replacements and eventually their heroic goal-line defense cracked as Georgia came from behind to win their second match in a row.