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TEIVOVO.COM – COLONIAL CUP

Saturday 17 February 2007

Highlanders too strong for Roosters

By Vela Naucukidi

The Highlanders bounced back from last weekend's loss to beat the visiting Bligh Roosters 33-15 at the Post Fiji Stadium on Saturday. The scores were level 15-15 at the breather but the Highlanders' advantage in the forwards helped them close out the game after the break.

Coach Etuate Waqa was pleased with the outcome but admitted that they could have scored more tries.

"We had more opportunities to score but lacked a finisher ," he said. "The boys need to communicate more when it comes to that stage."

Kelemedi Bola, who played at halfback in their first two matches, was moved to second-five eighth and made some outstanding breaks and good tackles.

Colonial player of the match Manueli Nawalu had a good 80 minutes rugby at fullback, scoring a try and two beautiful dropped goals.

Last weekend, he proved himself in the last quarter of the game, coming in as a reserve, and Waqa confidence's in him this week was well rewarded.

"He played really well last Saturday, so we gave him a starting jersey today."

Old hands, Bill Gadolo and Nacanieli Seru, also showed some quality rugby with some good runs.

In the sixth minute, the Highlanders opened the scoring with a try from burly lock Fatafehi Komaisavai. Marika Vakacegu converted the try for a 7-0 lead.

Then the young fullback Nawalu sliced the uprights for the first of his two dropped goals to further the lead 10-0.

But the Roosters showed some mettle and came back to score the next 15 points. Former Fiji 7s rep, Kini Radaveta, made a decisive break before kicking the ball forward for a line-out inside the Highlanders 22.

The Roosters retained possession, caught the Highlanders offside and took the three points.

Three minutes later, Radaveta made another break for the Roosters to camp inside the hosts' half. From a scrum, the backline controlled play well and this resulted in Josateki Mami's try in the 25th minute.

Four minutes before half-time, the Roosters took a surprise 15-10 lead when winger Mesulame Soga touched down at the corner.

From a five-meter line-out to the Highlanders, Roosters again contested the ball to gain possession. After a few attempts to score, the nippy half-back Isei Matai threw a long pass to Soga who went over in the corner.

Right on half-time, Highlanders captain Dale Tonawai, levelled the scores with a try.

After the break, the Roosters didn't quite have the same energy and belief – they took some poor options and fly-half Emori Ratu was slow in getting the ball outside.

Roosters coach Manasa Bari said they didn't excute their game plan in the second half.

"Our first five was slow in distributing the ball and got tackled in the process. That resulted in turn-over," Bari said.

Bari also confirmed that they need more work on their upper body strengths.

"It took three of our players to tackle one Highlander, so this shows the lack of upper body strength."

The Highlanders scored two more tries to secure a bonus point whilst the Roosters stayed scoreless for the second 40 minutes.

The Roosters host the Crusaders next weekend while the Highlanders take on neighbours Knights in Suva.

Saturday 17 February 2007
Highlanders 33 Bligh Roosters 15
Colonial Cup Round 3
Post Fiji Stadium, Suva
Half-time: 15-15
Referee: Joeli Tubu
Crowd: 800

HIGHLANDERS: 15 Manueli Nawalu, 14 Marika Vakacegu, 13 Josefa Satini, 12 Kelemedi Bola (Fabiano Basituka 67), 11 Josevata Bola (yellow card 77-), 10 Apisai Sailada (Daniele Tabuakuru 52), 9 Waisale Vatuvoka (Valerio Racika 56), 8 Dale Tonawai (capt), 7 Samuela Bola, 6 Koresi Ledua, 5 Mitieli Cama (Deryck Thomas 62), 4 Fatafehi Komaisavai, 3 Nacanieli Seru (Aisake Tarogi 48), 2 Bill Gadolo (Sunia Koto 67), 1 Sireli Temo (Alifoso Yalayalatabua 56, yellow card 57-66)
Coach: Etuate Waqa
Tries: Komaisavai, Tonawai, K Bola, Nawalu; Conversions: Vakacegu, J Bola; Penalty goal: J Bola; Dropped goals: Nawalu (2)

BLIGH ROOSTERS: 15 Simeli Tuiteci, 14 Mesulame Soga, 13 Josateki Mami, 12 Sekove Vuniwaqa (Sakaraia Seduadua 69), 11 Sainivalati Kenatale, 10 Emori Ratu (capt), 9 Isei Matai (Noa Rokomatu 64), 8 Kiniviliame Radaveta, 7 Epeli Vuniwaqa, 6 Malakai Bari (yellow card 74-), 5 Senirusi Rauqe, 4 Akariva Satavu (Sitiveni Kurivitu 56), 3 Savenaca Driu (Petero Natau 52), 2 Joeli Lotawa, 1 Iveri Momo
Not used: Apisalome Take, Sainivalati Vunibola, Joeli Matai
Coach: Manasa Bari
Tries: Mami, Soga; Conversion: Kenatale; Penalty goal: Kenatale

Colonial Player of the Match ($100) – Manueli Nawalu (Highlanders)

Scoring sequence (Highlanders’ scores shown first):
6min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Komaisavai; conversion Vakacegu – 7-0
14min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Vakacegu (missed) – 7-0
17min – DROPPED GOAL HIGHLANDERS Nawalu – 10-0
21min – PEN GOAL ROOSTERS, Kenatale – 10-3
25min – TRY ROOSTERS, Mami; conversion Kenatale – 10-10
36min – TRY ROOSTERS, Soga; conversion Kenatale (missed) – 10-15
40min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Tonawai; conversion Vakacegu (missed) – 15-15
Half-time
41min – DROPPED GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Nawalu – 18-15
47min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, K Bola; conversion J Bola – 25-15
64min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, J Bola – 28-15
75min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Nawalu; conversion J Bola (missed) – 33-15
Full-time

Age grade results:
U19s – Highlanders 14 Roosters 3
U21s – Highlanders 19 Roosters 13

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