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 TEIVOVO.COM – U19
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Friday 13 April 2007
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Vuga Tagicakibau (No.9) refuses to let go of a Scottish player as skipper John Vugakoto comes in for the tackle
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Fiji beat Scots in Division A
Fiji secured their first ever win in Division A at the IRB U19 World Championship with a 25-23 defeat of Scotland at Shaw’s Bridge, much to the delight of their vocal supporters in the stands.
Both sides had lost their opening two pool matches in Belfast and were looking for the victory to finish as high up the standings as possible, with Scotland starting the brighter and enjoying the better of the opening exchanges.
Centre Stephen McColl kicked a second-minute penalty when Fiji found themselves offside and as the Scottish pressure continued they were rewarded with a well-worked try, fly-half Ruairidh Jackson dictating play and creating an overlap for wing Lee Jones to score in the corner.
Fiji, though, wasted no time in replying as they picked up a well deserved try after sustained pressure culminated in an excellent blindside move. Instigated by halfback Vuga Tagicakibau, it left the Scottish defence unsure who to mark and fullback Seremaia Tagicakibau capitalised to score in the corner and convert his own try to leaving Fiji trailing 7-8.
Ross Samson’s try increased his Scotland’s lead in the 26th minute when flanker Kevin Bryce charged down a clearance kick. Fiji, however, continued to eat into the lead and a penalty from Seremaia Tagicakibau and a Samuela Vunisa try levelled the score at 15-15 at half time.
Fiji hit the ground running at the start of the second half, but it was Scotland who should have kept their tally ticking over as McColl intercepted a pass inside his own 22 and ran the length of the pitch only to knock on under the challenge of covering defender Henry Speight.
Scotland though were rewarded with a penalty soon after as Tevita Tuiloa was sin-binned for having his hands in the ruck. Replacement fly-half Natubavivi Kasami came to the Pacific Islanders’ rescue as he went over for a try after smart rugby by captain and lock John Vugakoto. Fiji’s lead was increased soon after as Seremaia Tagicakibau struck a superb penalty from the Scotland 10 metre line.
The fullback though was sin-binned as the real drama began with the final whistle beckoning and Fiji leading 25-18. Sustained Scottish presence on the Fiji line eventually saw their extra man count as replacement Harry Duthie went over in the corner, only for McColl to miss the conversion which would have tied the game.
QUOTES
John Vugakoto (Fiji captain)
“We’re really happy with the win especially given the support. It really felt like we were at home, it was great motivation.”
Fraser McKenzie (Scotland captain)
“I’m very disappointed at this stage, our silly errors cost us. If you drop a ball, even when it’s in two hands, they make you pay.”
Eamon John (Scotland assistant coach)
“There were too many missed opportunities, but at the end of the day you can’t blame anyone when you missed opportunities like we did.”
Friday 13 April 2007
Scotland 23 Fiji 25
IRB U19s World Championship
Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast
Half-time: 15-15
Referee: David Keane (Ireland)
Touch judges: Phil Smith (Canada), Laifaga Unasa (Samoa)
SCOTLAND U19s: 15 Murray Allan (Harry Duthie 70), 14 Lee Jones, 13 Chris Kinloch, 12 Stephen McColl (Ruairidh Bonner 71), 11 Tom Bury, 10 Ruairidh Jackson (James Murray 70), 9 Ross Samson (Mathew Heeks 56), 8 Craig Simmonds, 7 Kevin Bryce, 6 Fraser McKenzie (capt), 5 Josh Brown, 4 Neale Patrick (Steven Burton 51), 3 Joe Stafford, 2 Adrian Duncan, 1 Gary Strain.
Not used: Ralph McInally, Angus Dixon, Lewis Niven, Craig Charters, Redha Guedroudj, Alexandre Wukovits
Tries: Jones, Samson, Duthie; Conversion: McColl, Penalty goals: McColl (2).
FIJI U19s: 15 Seremaia Tagicakibau (yellow card 71-), 14 Henry Speight, 13 Isikeli Vuruna, 12 Seru Baleinatauba (Rakuita Vakalalabure 58), 11 William Saukuru (Kini Murimurivalu 62), 10 Tevita Taga (Natubavivi Kasami 51), 9 Vuga Tagicakibau (Peni Rokodiva 65), 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Uraia Vecenadavui, 6 Jese Cirikisuva (Manoa Driu 51), 5 Tevita Tuiloa (yellow card 45-54) (Temo Vakaloloma 56), 4 John Vugakoto (capt), 3 Jeke Lalai, 2 Peni Kilibau (Saula Qalomai 44), 1 Mesake Sotiakivanuayawa
Coach: Josua Toakula
Not used: Serupepeli Qaranivalu, Waqabaca Kotobalavu, Setoki Butukoro, Josese Niutini
Tries: S Tagicakibau, Vunisa, Kasami; Conversions: S Tagicakibau, Kasami; Penalty goals: S Tagicakibau (2)
Scoring sequence (Scotland’s scores shown first):
2min – PEN GOAL SCOTLAND, McColl – 3-0
9min – TRY SCOTLAND, Jones – 8-0
18min – TRY FIJI, S Tagicakibau; conversion S Tagicakibau – 8-7
26min – TRY SCOTLAND, Samson; conversion McColl – 15-7
31min – PEN GOAL FIJI, S Tagicakibau – 15-10
35min – TRY FIJI, Vunisa – 15-15
Half-time
45min – Yellow card Fiji, Tuiloa
46min – PEN GOAL SCOTLAND, McColl – 18-15
52min – TRY FIJI, Kasami; conversion Kasami – 18-22
65min – PEN GOAL FIJI, S Tagicakibau – 18-25
71min – Yellow card Fiji, S Tagicakibau
72min – TRY SCOTLAND, Duthie – 23-25
Full-time
Fiji U19s main page
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