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 TEIVOVO.COM – COLONIAL CUP
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Saturday 17 February 2007
Stallions escape fired-up Knights
By William Tabuya
The Stallions put up a spirited second-half performance to score a last-minute winning try in their 34-31 Colonial Cup win over a fired-up Knights outfit at Lawaqa Park on Saturday.
Down 15-13 at the break, the Stallions went further behind and trailed 28-13 on the hour mark. However, tries from inside centre Timoci Mule and substitute Koki Veivucu got them within a point at 28-27 with six minutes to play, and skipper Apisai Turukawa crashed over the Knights line in the last minute to grab a victory that had looked highly unlikely at one stage.
Burly Jone Qovu showed why he should be heading to France for the Rugby World Cup this year with his powerful runs and strong fend-offs.
Navosa halfback Seveci Taka also made good connections of the Stallions forwards and backline.
But the Knights played a more structured game during this fast-paced and grueling encounter that enjoyed a total of eight tries.
The Isaac Mow-led side had a good mix of young players in former Fiji U18s captain Kalivati Cavuilati, former U21 hooker Buinimasi Bese and flanker Romuluse Ratukana.
Suva's Saiasi Fuli showed class in his more accustomed berth at halfback to link up well with fly-half Luke Rogoyawa, who scooped a Colonial Cup record 21 points from a try, two conversions and four penalties. The previous record of 20 points was held by Julian Vulakoro in the 2005 final.
The Stallions opened the scoring after only a minute of play when fullback Kuna Juke crossed over for the first of their five tries.
The Knights replied five minutes later with a try to Colonial man-of-the-match and flanker Viliame Maya. Ralulu converted and they led 7-5.
But the Stallions were at it again a while later as Jerry Tuilevu ran untouched for their second try.
After a penalty goal each, the Knights regained the lead 15-13 with a try from lock Langi Peters before the break.
Rogoyawa extended the advantage to 28-13 when he scored the first 13 points of the second half as the Stallions defence began to wilt.
But coach Iosefo Bele then made a triple substitution which seemed to unsettle the Knights and they sat back a little.
Apart from a late Rogoyawa penalty goal, the remainder of the match belonged to the home side, who scored 21 points in the last quarter to steal the honours.
Rinakama showed signs of disappointment over the way his side nearly lost.
“We made a lot of wrong options and should have run the ball out wide instead to using the forwards,” Rinakama said. “We have to improve if we are to retain the title this year.”
Bele, who has just returned from a level two IRB coaching clinic in New Zealand, had something to smile about despite the narrow loss.
“I know we could have won this game but I am happy and contented with the way the Knights played today,” Bele said. “We tried to hold the Stallions off with fresh legs during those dying seconds but they are a very good side and they found a way through.”
FMF Flying Fijians coach Ilivasi Tabua applauded both sides but gave the credit to the Knights.
“The Stallions did not win the game, it was the Knights who just lost it,” Tabua said.
“The Knights picked up well from the beginning but unfortunatey they just could not hold on in the end although they played really well as a unit.”
“Qovu was awesome for the Stallions as he made yards with every take of the ball. He is just getting better.”
The Stallions now take on the Sharks on Friday while the Knights face the Bligh Roosters at Ratu Cakobau Park in the fourth round of the Colonial Cup.
Saturday 17 February 2007
Stallions 34 Knights 31
Colonial Cup Round 3
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
Half-time: 13-15
Referee: Samuela Tuidraki
Crowd: 2,500
STALLIONS: 15 Kuna Juke, 14 Jeremaiya Tuilevu (Jone Macilai 59), 13 Tomasi Mawi (Koki Vuicuvu 65), 12 Timoci Mule, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Seveci Taka (Samu Laqai 72), 8 Wame Lewaravu (Josefa Domolailai 56), 7 Tevita Tuilawa (Samu Kunanitu 42), 6 Jone Qovu, 5 Mosese Vasuitoga, 4 Rupeni Nasiga, 3 Paula Biu (Isaia Rasila 59), 2 Apisai Turukawa (capt), 1 Tiko Matawalu (Koli Masau 65)
Coach: Joji Rinakama
Tries: Juke, Tuilevu, Mule, Vuicuvu, Turukawa; Conversions: Ralulu (3); Penalty goal: Ralulu.
KNIGHTS: 15 Ilaitia Nayago, 14 Joela Naituku, 13 Isaac Mow (capt), 12 Kalivati Cavuilati (Netava Rarokoliwa 67), 11 Alipate Naqaya (Fero Tabakaki 70), 10 Luke Rogoyawa, 9 Saiasi Fuli (Nemia Kenatale 56), 8 Sairusi Rokosalu, 7 Viliame Maya, 6 Sakeasi Ravuturaga (Keverueli Bulivorovoro 59), 5 Peni Tora (Romuluse Ratukana 59), 4 Langi Peters, 3 Mosese Sela (Amani Takayawa 59), 2 Biunimasi Bese (Vereniki Sauturaga 40), 1 Isei Colati
Coach: Iosefo Bele
Tries: Maya, Peters, Rogoyawa; Conversions: Rogoyawa (2); Penalty goals: Rogoyawa (4).
Colonial Player of the Match ($100) – Viliame Maya (Knights)
Scoring sequence (Stallions’ scores shown first):
1min – TRY STALLIONS, Juke; conversion Ralulu (missed) – 5-0
6min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Rogoyawa (missed) – 5-0
9min – TRY KNIGHTS, Maya; conversion Rogoyawa – 5-7
15min – TRY STALLIONS, Tuilevu; conversion Ralulu (missed) – 10-7
20min – PEN GOAL STALLIONS, Ralulu – 13-7
21min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Rogoyawa – 13-10
24min – PEN GOAL STALLIONS, Ralulu (missed) – 13-10
31min – TRY KNIGHTS, Peters; conversion Rogoyawa (missed) – 13-15
Half-time
44min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Rogoyawa – 13-18
51min – TRY KNIGHTS, Rogoyawa; conversion Rogoyawa – 13-25
57min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Rogoyawa – 13-28
61min – TRY STALLIONS, Mule; conversion Ralulu – 20-28
65min – PEN GOAL STALLIONS, Ralulu (missed) – 20-28
70min – TRY STALLIONS, Vuicuvu; conversion Ralulu – 27-28
74min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Rogoyawa – 27-31
79min – TRY STALLIONS, Turukawa; conversion Ralulu – 34-31
Full-time
Age grade results:
U19s – Stallions 39 Knights 7
U21s – Stallions 17 Knights 5
Colonial Cup main page
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