|
|
|
 TEIVOVO.COM – COLONIAL CUP
|
|
|
Friday 2 February 2007
Highlanders edge Stallions in opening thriller
By William Tabuya
Dale Tonawai received a fitting welcome to his Colonial Cup team as he led the Highlanders to a 23-21 win over last year's champions, the Stallions, at the Post Fiji Stadium in Suva.
After an intense see-saw battle, the Stallions grabbed a 21-20 lead in the 70th minute and looked ready to claim victory under the stadium floodlights.
But consistency paid off for the home side when the Stallions were penalised with four minutes left, and Marika Vakacegu kicked the winning penalty.
Fomer U21 flyhalf, Sisa Waqa, was on fire for at first receiver for the Highlanders and also with his thumping boot that gave them the needed yards. Tonawai stalked his former side from the side of the scrum and stood out in defence with some timely tackles.
For the Stallions, Naitasiri lock Wame Lewaravu looked promising at No.8 while Jone Qovu was hard to stop when on the move.
The Sigatoka-based side grabbed a 3-0 lead through new fly-half Jonetani Ralulu in the 10th minute after Vakacegu had missed an earlier penalty for the hosts.
Referee Samuela Tuidraki penalised the Highlanders defence for continuous infringement in the ruck and Ralulu kicked his second penalty to put them ahead by six points.
Midway through the first half, strong defence from the Highlanders led to a try from Naitasiri’s Sainivalati Vunibola after Koresi Ledua had charged down a kick. Vakacegu converted for to give the Highlanders a 7-6 lead.
Stallions skipper Apisai Turukawa then led by example as the Stallions picked up the momentum. With numbers out wide, the Stallions were able to send Timoci Mule over for the Stallions opening try, which Ralulu converted for a handy 16-7 advantage.
Highlander Kelemedi Bola, a former Fiji U21 rep, was impressive at halfback providing a strong link between the forwards and backs. Just before the interval, a cut-out pass in midfield landed comfortably for Daniele Tabuakuru who simply had too much gas and power for the defence to bring the Highlanders back into the game at 14-16.
A pep talk by Highlanders coach Etuate Waqa sent the home team back on the field with all guns firing.
The Stallions defence began to slow down leading to some unforced errors and they were punished as Vakacegu grabbed the lead for the hosts 20-16 with two further penalties.
With 10 minutes remaining, Fiji U21 lock Josefa Domolailai sent the western supporters into a frenzy with a try; but the lead was short-lived as Vakacegu kicked the winning penalty for the Highlanders four minutes from time.
“Our game plan worked and that was not to take the Stallions head on but instead to use the speed of our backline,” Highlanders coach Waqa said. “The Stallions could not take our pace and even our forwards had some gas to burn.”
“We used a lot of young players today and they stood out in their various positions. Although we won today, we will still have to go back and polish up our set pieces.”
FRU High Performance Unit manager Peter Murphy was impressed with the standard of play.
“Considering this was just the first game, the pace was quicker and more structured than last year's final.” Murphy said. “Both sides played well and it was good to see them mixing young players with the experience ones.”
Murphy added that he would like to see the return of Jone Qovu to the No.8 jersey.
“Qovu played at lock today but he is more suited as a looseman. He is a big fellah who likes to run through people.”
The Highlanders U19s and U21s also won their matches with 20-13 and 26-10 wins, respectively.
The Highlanders will travel to Lautoka to take on the Crusaders next week while the Stallions clash with the Roosters in Tavua.
Friday 2 February, 2007
Highlanders 23 Stallions 21
Colonial Cup, Round One
Post Fiji Stadium, Suva
Half-time: 14-16
Referee: Samuela Tuidraki
Attn: 1,500
HIGHLANDERS: 15 Marika Vakacegu, 14 Paulo Tiko, 13 Daniele Tabuakuru (Apisai Salada 63), 12 Josefa Satini (Josevata Bola 70), 11 Aloisio Buto, 10 Sisa Waqa, 9 Kelemedi Bola (Waisale Vatuvoka 63), 8 Koresi Ledua (Nikolai Baleitamavua 63, Apenisa Ratugoleanavanua 76), 7 Dale Tonawai (capt), 6 Samuela Bola, 5 Mitieli Cama, 4 Sainivalati Vunibola, 3 Aisake Tarogi (Bill Gadolo 59), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Alifisio Yalayalatabua (Sireli Temo 76)
Coach: Eddie Waqa
Tries: S Bola, Tabuakuru; Conversions: Vakacegu (2); Penalty goals: Vakacegu (3)
STALLIONS: 15 Kuna Juke, 14 Jone Macilai (Jeremaiya Tuilevu 55), 13 Koki Vuicuvu, 12 Timoci Mule, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Samu Laqai (Seveci Taka 57), 8 Wame Lewaravu, 7 Iliesa Ratuva (Rupeni Nasiga 60), 6 Josefa Nagata (Josefa Domolailai 46), 5 Nasoni Tonuve, 4 Jone Qovu, 3 Paula Biu (Tiko Matawalu 46), 2 Apisai Turukawa (capt), 1 Peni Ranitu (Koli Masau 56)
Not used: Maika Koroi
Coach: Joji Rinakama
Tries: Mule, Domolailai; Conversion: Ralulu; Penalty goals: Ralulu (3)
Scoring sequence (Highlanders' scores shown first):
7min – PEN GOAL Highlanders, Vakacegu (missed) – 0-0
10min – PEN GOAL Stallions, Ralulu – 0-3
15min – PEN GOAL Stallions, Ralulu – 0-6
16min – TRY Highlanders, Vunibola; conversion Vakacegu – 7-6
27min – PEN GOAL Stallions, Ralulu – 7-9
33min – TRY Stallions, Mule; conversion Ralulu – 7-16
37min – TRY Highlanders, Tabuakuru; conversion Vakacegu – 14-16
Half-time
44min – PEN GOAL Highlanders, Vakacegu – 17-16
58min – PEN GOAL Highlanders, Vakacegu – 20-16
70min – TRY Stallions, Domolailai; conversion Ralulu (missed) – 20-21
76min – PEN GOAL Highlanders, Vakacegu – 23-21
Full-time
Colonial Cup main page
|
|
|
