Australia survived an early examination in their opening Pool A game of the Rugby World Cup by seeing off Fiji 28-13 at the Millennium Stadium, but failed to earn a bonus point.

Fiji had produced a demonstration of their determination in the first game of the tournament against England, which the host nation won 35-11, and did so again in the opening stages of Wednesday's clash.

But with only a five-day turnaround from that encounter, Fiji eventually wilted in the face of the quality of a Wallabies side that has been re-established as one of the tournament favourites following their Rugby Championship triumph.

A double from David Pocock and a try from Sekope Kepu ultimately made sure of victory, however, Australia could not find a fourth try and now sit a point adrift of England and Wales, who both earned maximum points from their openers.

Fiji suffered an early blow as wing Waisea Nayacalevu was forced off with an apparent knee injury.

And, after having the better of the early going, Australia opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Bernard Foley knocked over a penalty from in front of the posts, with Fiji pinged for an off-the-ball tackle.

But Fiji, displaying increased proficiency in the scrum, refused to let the Wallabies have it all their own way and levelled matters through the boot of Nemani Nadolo following some great work in the maul.

A pair of turnovers gave Australia territory shortly after, though, and number eight Pocock capitalised on more Fiji indiscipline to dive over from close-range.

Campese Ma'afu then paid the price for kicking the ball away from the ruck as the Fiji prop was sent to the sin bin, and it did not take long for Pocock to take advantage with his second try at the end of another driving maul.

Foley missed the subsequent conversion attempt but made no mistake with a penalty three minutes before half-time to extend the Wallabies' lead to 15 points.

Kepu powered through the Fiji defence to give Australia added breathing space. However, John McKee's men were rewarded for persisting with their expansive play despite losing scrum-half Nikola Matawalu to injury.

Nadolo added a second penalty and Ben Volavola then sold Australia a dummy and went over under the posts before Foley knocked over his third three-pointer at the other end.

Tevita Kuridrani's yellow card for failing to roll away from the ruck gave Fiji further reason for confidence but, although they were unable to add a second try, it is Australia who may be left slightly frustrated after falling a point behind England and Wales.