Monday 9 April 2007

Fiji u19s test world champs

Fiji showed early promise at the IRB U19 World Championsips when within minutes of the kick-off their stand out player Henry Speight found himself in space on the left wing during their 23-12 loss to defending champions, Australia, on Monday.

Speight chipped ahead and was fortunate that the bounce beat covering defender Peter Betham, allowing him to collect and run in to score under the posts.

Fiji continued to dominate but were unable to convert their pressure into points. They were made to rue that fact as Australia, in their very first attack, scored their first try when the ball was spun wide with excellent pace, creating an overlap which left wing Andrew Barrett was able to exploit.

Australia took the lead for the first time on the stroke of half-time when the cover defence was nowhere to be found and wing Blair Connor went over in the corner to give the defending champions a 10-5 advantage at the break.

As the second half began, Australia showed their intent by declining three easy points with a penalty and opting for a scrum, from which Barrett scored his second try after impressive handling along the back line.

Australia increased their lead shortly afterwards when inside centre Mitchell Inman found a gap outside his opposite number and was eventually able to offload to Connor, who crossed for his second score only seven minutes into the second half.

Fiji continued to push forward in search of a second try and it came in the 56th minute through scrum half Peni Rokodiva who had an easy finish following a succession of breaks from Natubavivi Kasami.

Jeremy Su’a made certain of victory for Australia with a late penalty from the Fiji 22 metre line.

Australia will face a tough encounter against France at Deramore, Belfast Harlequins on Friday to try and secure a semi final place, while Fiji will look to record a first win against Scotland, who have also suffered two defeats in the tournament.


Quotes:
Phil Mooney (Australia coach)
We’re happy to have won and scored four tries to get the bonus point.

Brett Gillespie (Australia captain)
The boys are all in high spirits and are keen to get some game time. The French are a physical side and we expect a lot of physicality against them.

Josua Toakula (Fiji coach)
I am really proud of my boys, especially against the champions of this tournament. We’ve been working really hard but we lost a few balls today through really basic mistakes.”

John Vugakoto (Fiji captain)
Hopefully against Scotland we will improve a great deal and try to get a win.


Monday 9 April 2007
Fiji U19s 12 Australia U19s 23
IRB U19s World Championship
Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast
Half-time: 5-10
Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Touch judges: Richard Kerr (Ireland), Kyosuke Toda (Japan)

FIJI U19s: 15 Seremaia Tagicakibau, 14 Isikeli Vuruna, 13 Setoki Butukoro (Seru Baleinatauba 40), 12 Rakuita Vakalalabure (Kini Murimurivalu 47), 11 Henry Speight, 10 Tevita Taga (Ratu Natubavivi Kasami 47), 9 Peni Rokodiva (Vuga Tagicakibau 58) , 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Uraia Vecenadavui, 6 Manoa Driu (Waqabaca Kotobalavu 51), 5 Tevita Tuiloa (Temo Vakaloloma 47), 4 John Vugakoto (capt) (Josese Bolabasaga Niutini 56), 3 Jeke Lalai, 2 Peni Kilibau, 1 Mesake Sotiakivanuayawa
Coach: Josua Toakula
Not used: Serpepeli Qaranivalu, Jese Cirikisuva, William Saukuru
Tries: Speight, Rokodiva; Conversion: Murimurivalu

AUSTRALIA U19s: 15 Peter Betham (Alfi Mafi 48), 14 Blair Connor, 13 Brett Gillespie (capt), 12 Mitchell Inman, 11 Andrew Barrett, 10 Patrick McCabe, 9 Jeremy Su'a, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Rodney Ma’a (Chris Harkins 52), 6 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Michael Uoka 36), 5 Sam Wykes (Adam Campbell 70), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Daley, 2 James Hanson, 1 Tetera Faulkner (Albert Anae 44)
Coach: Phil Mooney
Tries: Barrett (2), Connor (2), Penalty goal: Su’a
Not used: Daniel Penca, Daniel Palmer, Dan Robinson, Jason Ryan, John Grant  

Scoring sequence (Fiji’s scores shown first):
2min – TRY FIJI, Speight – 5-0
17min – TRY AUSTRALIA, Barrett – 5-5
33min – TRY AUSTRALIA, Connor – 5-10
Half-time
39min – TRY AUSTRALIA, Barrett – 5-15
42min – TRY AUSTRALIA, Connor – 5-20
57min – TRY FIJI, Rokodiva; conversion Murimurivalu –12-20
64min – PEN GOAL AUSTRALIA, Su’a – 12-23
Full-time

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