Aussie surfing trio fall in Fiji Pro second round

Sally Fitzgibbons has fallen just short in her battle with five-time world champion Carissa Moore, while Jack Robinson's tough year took another turn for the worse on a topsy-turvy day for Australians at the Fiji Pro.

Fitzgibbons was riding a wave of confidence after taking down eight-time world champion Steph Gilmore in the opening round at Cloudbreak, but Moore proved a tougher nut to crack on Thursday.

Moore's early ride of 8.33 in the four-to-six foot conditions meant she was always in the box seat, and although her next highest scoring wave was only a 3.80, it was enough to eke out a 12.13 to 11.50 victory against two-time event winner Fitzgibbons.

"I have so much respect for Sally, and when I saw that I might come up against her, I thought, 'Oh my gosh, she is one of the gnarliest competitors out here'," Moore said.

"She has won out here more than anyone in the draw and I knew she was definitely not to be taken lightly."

Competition was called off after Fitzgibbons' heat, meaning fellow Australians Molly Picklum and Isabella Nichols will have to wait until at least Friday before returning to action.

Picklum will battle Brisa Hennessy for a spot in the quarter-finals, while Nichols is up against Spain's Nadia Erostarbe.

Morgan Cibilic defeated Joao Chianca 14.34 to 13.17 in an entertaining battle, while Callum Robson pipped Liam O'Brien by 0.16 of a point in a battle of the Australians.

"My board hit my face in a free surf the other day and it was hard to breathe through one side, so I'm glad to be feeling better," Ferreira said.

"At the start I was still testing myself, and if I could still rip, and then once I felt good, I got that nice one and it just went on from there."

Colapinto produced the highlight of the day when he pulled off a 9.50 ride with a deep barrel and a couple of sharp turns in his big win over Rio Waida.

"I just saw this freight train down the line and I had no option but to pull in," Colapinto said.