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 TEIVOVO.COM – COLONIAL CUP
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Saturday 10 February 2007
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High flyer... Josefa Domolailai wins a line-out for the Stallions
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Stallions escape Roosters claws
By William Tabuya
The Bligh Roosters put on a gutsy second-half performance to score 12 unanswered points against last year's Colonial Cup champions, Stallions, but this was not enough as they went down fighting 12-19 at a very wet Garvey Park on Saturday.
Leading 19-0 at the break, the Stallions looked on course for a comfortable first win, but a pep talk from Roosters coach Manasa Bari lifted the home side’s moral.
“I told the players to stay away from the Stallions’ forwards because they are bigger,” the former winger said. “Instead I told them to use the backs and run the ball out wide.”
Colonial man-of-the-match Epeli Vuniwaqa caused problems for the visitors with his sound defence after he held up a couple of Stallions’ attempted tries
Stallions’ loosemen Jone Qovu and Wame Lewaravu combined well with their powerful runs and strong fend-offs.
Both sides were hunting for their first win and it is no wonder the 800-odd crowd witnessed such a gruelling encounter.
The Roosters missed an early opportunity for the lead when Sainivalati Kenatale’s penalty sailed outwide. In all, he missed four penalties that would have made a difference to the result.
The Stallions’ experience showed when Jeremaiya Tuilevu tore up midfield to combine well with the forwards. Former Fiji U19s star centre Tomasi Mawi looked at ease as he ran untouched for the first try. Jonetani Ralulu missed the conversion and the Stallions led 5-0.
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Colonial man-of-the-match... Epeli Vuniwaqa gets his reward from FRU's Semi Matalau
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After two more missed penalties by the Roosters, the visitors struck again.
Wrong options by fullback Waisake Gaugau saw Stallions' hooker Koli Masau run clear for their second try in the 27th minute. Ralulu converted and they led 12-0.
Former Ovalau lock Qovu exercised his weight and size, and continued to impress in both defence and attack.
Stallions halfback Luke Navuwai then sold a dummy pass and darted through midfield with the needed support. The Roosters’ defences looked feeble as Jonetani Ratu crossed over for try number three. Ralulu converted for a 19-0 lead at the break.
The second half saw a rejuvenated home side and the tables turned.
Former Pacific Islanders hooker, Joeli Lotawa, gave a glimpse of his days as a fly-half as he mesmerized the Stallions' defence with his craftiness.
A change of direction from Lotawa saw the Stallions guard drop and winger Kenatale capitalised. The nippy winger out-sprinted the cover defence from 60 meters as the home crowd got behind him. Ralulu missed the conversion but the Roosters were back in the game 19-5.
Old war-horse Isaia Rasila led by example but could not penetrate the Roosters’ defence. Even the known Stallions pack failed to muscle their way through. Numerous attempts proved futile as referee Joeli Tubu denied them a couple of tries.
A yellow card to Stallions’ Peni Ranitu in the 74th minute opened up the gap for the Roosters and they hammered their opposition.
Finally, the home side were rewarded with a second try to Simeli Tuiteci five minutes into injury time.
Roosters coach Bari was impressed with his team’s gallant performance.
“We played well in our first match against the Knights and we played even better in this match,” Bari said. “We are improving in each game and I thank the boys for sticking to our game plan.”
“The Stallions were bigger and more experience but we had the guts to take them on in the second half.”
“Everyone played really well and I am not surprised Vuniwaqa received the Best Player’s award. He deserved it.”
Stallions coach Joji Rinakama felt a lot of polishing needs to be done for his side.
“We did not stick to the game plan and we almost paid the price,” said Rinakama. “We will definitely go back and watch the replay to see where we went wrong.”
Lotawa was the most disappointed player in the Roosters camp: "We missed many crucial kicks at goal today and if we had made three of them, we would have come out victors."
”We need a reliable kicker and maybe I will try taking back my former duty of kicking at goal so that we don’t turn out disappointed like this.”
The Roosters take on the Highlanders next week at the Post Fiji Stadium while the Stallions host the Knights at Lawaqa Park.
Saturday 10 February 2007
Roosters 12 Stallions 19
Colonial Cup Round 2
Garvey Park, Tavua
Referee: Joeli Tubu
Half-time: 0-19
Crowd: 800
BLIGH ROOSTERS: 15 Waisake Gaugau, 14 Simeli Tuiteci, 13 Josateki Mami (Mesulame Soga 62), 12 Sekove Vuniwaqa, 11 Sainivalati Kenatale (Sakaraia Seduadua 75), 10 Emori Ratu (capt), 9 Isei Matai (Joeli Matai 65), 8 Epeli Vuniwaqa, 7 Senirusi Rauqe, 6 Emori Bolobolo (Ilaitia Vuniwaqa 39-47, 48; Apisalome Take 74), 5 Akariva Tabutaci (Sainivalati Vunibola 66), 4 Setareki Ratoto, 3 Joeli Lotawa (Peni Ranitu 62), 2 Adriu Raceva (Petero Natau 68), 1 Iveri Momo.
Coach: Manasa Bari
Tries: Kenatale, Tuiteci; Conversion: Ratu.
STALLIONS: 15 Kuna Juke, 14 Jeremaiya Tuilevu (Timoci Mule 68), 13 Tomasi Mawi, 12 Jonetani Ratu, 11 Jone Macilai (Leone Ratulevu 77), 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Luke Navuwai (Seveci Takaiwai 50), 8 Wame Lewaravu, 7 Tevita Tuilalawa, 6 Jone Qovu, 5 Josefa Domolailai (Sakeasi Kulavere 79), 4 Rupeni Nahiga (Mosese Vasuitoga 59), 3 Isaia Rasila (Peni Ranitu 62, yellow card 77-), 2 Koli Masau, 1 Tiko Matawalu (capt), (Apisai Turukawa 72)
Coach: Joji Rinakama
Tries: Mawi, Masau, Tuiteci; Conversions: Ralulu (2).
Colonial Player of the Match ($100): Epeli Vuniwaqa (Roosters)
Scoring sequence (Roosters’ scores shown first):
2min – PEN GOAL ROOSTERS, Kenatale (missed) – 0-0
7min – TRY STALLIONS, Mawi; conversion Ralulu (missed) – 0-5
20min – PEN GOAL ROOSTERS, Kenatale (missed) – 0-5
22min – PEN GOAL ROOSTERS, Kenatale (missed) – 0-5
27min – TRY STALLIONS, Masau; conversion Ralulu – 0-12
36min – TRY STALLIONS, Ratu; conversion Ralulu – 0-19
39min – Yellow card Stallions, Qovu
40min – PEN GOAL ROOSTERS, Kenatale (missed) – 0-19
Half-time
45min – TRY ROOSTERS, Kenatale; conversion Kenatale (missed) – 5-19
77min – Yellow card Stallions, Ranitu
85min – TRY ROOSTERS, Tuiteci; conversion Ratu – 12-19
Full-time
Colonial Cup main page
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