Saturday 3 March 2007
Knights through to the semis
By Vela Naucukidi
The Knights earned their semi-final spot in the Colonial Cup by defeating the Bligh Roosters 38-15 at Ratu Cakobau Park on Saturday, scoring six tries in the process in quite dominant fashion.
Iosefo Bele’s charges played well in the wet condition and scored three tries in each half. Luke Rogoyawa moved to fullback, Saiasi Fuli played at fly-half, and Jonacani Iranavuna took the halfback’s jersey. In his first appearance this season, Iranavuna linked well with Fuli.
In the seventh minute, the Knights dotted down their first try to set them on their way. They controlled the ball well for a few phases before Fuli threw a dummy inside the 22 and Iranavuna got the ball over the line.
The Knights applied a lot of pressure and brought the game infield. Their loose forwards were also fast from the breakdowns, making it hard for Roosters captain Emori Ratu to find touch.
Colonial Player of the Match Peni Tora had an outstanding game, showing dominance in the line-outs and speed to the rucks. And former Fiji U21 hooker Vereniki Sauturaga really stepped up a level.
In the 20th minute, Knights lock Langi Peters scored the second try. Alipate Naqaya made a good run down the right and off-loaded to Peters, who ran around the corner and scored under the posts.
Roosters winger Sainivalati Kenatale converted a penalty in the 26th minute when the Knights were caught off-side.
Two minutes later, Knights furthered the lead with another try from centre Saula Radidi. The Roosters had the ball but knocked it on. Referee Samu Tuidraki played advantage and Radidi ran 50 metres to score.
The Roosters had some good chances to score but struggled to retain the ball in the tackles. Their exciting back-line often lacked someone to finish things off.
They managed to score in the 34th minute from Sekove Vuniwaqa to trail 21-10 at half-time.
Coach Manasa Bari was pleased with the team’s performance overall.
“This is the first time for us to play in the Colonial Cup and I am very happy with the our performance throughout the competition. We really have to work hard for next year but I believe we can just do that – make some upsets. We were hoping to win today but we didn’t really execute our game plan, which was to open the game and use the back line.”
He believes he has some players with good skills but need more grooming to develop them develop their talent.
“Sainivalati Vunibola and halfback Isei Matai played really well throughout and I hope some of the boys in my squad can join the High Performance Unit to improve their skills. Good luck to the Knights in the semi-finals.
On the other hand, Knights coach Bele is looking forward to a rematch when they face Crusaders in the semi-finals. They lost to them in the first round of the competition 20-13.
“I'm happy with the win but we really have to work on some weak areas before the semi-finals. The boys need to concentrate for the whole 80 minutes. Every time they lost concentration, the Roosters scored points. We can’t afford that in the semi-finals.”
“Our forwards were our main strength today. They controlled the ball and let our team play at our own pace. When you give the Roosters space they'll run, so we closed them down quickly. Young props Isei Colati and Mosese Sela played really well.”
In the other Colonial Cup semi-final, defending champions Stallions will play the Highlanders.
Saturday 3 March 2007
Knights 38 Bligh Roosters 15
Colonial Cup Round 5
Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
Half-time: 21-10
Referee: Samu Tuidraki
Crowd: 1,500
KNIGHTS: 15 Luke Rogoyawa, 14 Alipate Naqaya, 13 Saula Radidi (Joela Naituku 58), 12 Ilaitia Nayago, 11 Isaac Mow (capt), 10 Saiasi Fuli (Nemia Kenatale 67), 9 Jonacani Iranavuna (Malakai Bakaniceva 51), 8 Sairusi Rokosalu, 7 Viliame Maya (Semi Saulaki 65), 6 Romuluse Ratukana (Wilisoni Qiqiwaqa 65), 5 Peni Tora, 4 Langi Peters, 3 Mosese Sela (Joe Bale 51), 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 1 Isei Colati (Buinimasi Bese 67)
Coach: Iosefo Bele
Tries: Iranavuna, Peters, Radidi, Bale, Naituku, Nayago; Conversions: Rogoyawa (4)
BLIGH ROOSTERS: 15 Emori Ratu (capt), 14 Mesalame Soga (Samisoni Ralulu 60), 13 Josefa mami, 12 Sekove Vuniwaqa (Sekove Momo 70), 11 Sainivalati Kenatale, 10 Noa Tuivaga (Waisake Gaugau 60), 9 Isei Matai, 8 Kini Namoumou (yellow card 47-56) (Akariva Tabutaci 65), 7 Epeli Vuniwaqa (Ilaitia Vuniwaqa 54), 6 Kini Radaveta, 5 Senirusi Rauqe, 4 Malakai
Bari, 3 Savenaca Driu (Iveri Momo 49), 2 Adriu Naceva (Petero Natau 65), 1 Joeli Lotawa
Coach: Manasa Bari
Tries: S Vuniwaqa, Kenatale; Conversion: Kenatale; Penalty goal: Kenatale
Colonial Player of the Match ($100): Peni Tora (Knights)
Scoring sequence (Knights’ scores shown first):
4min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Rogoyawa (missed) – 0-0
7min – TRY KNIGHTS, Iranavuna; conversion Rogoyawa – 7-0
20min – TRY KNIGHTS, Peters; conversion Rogoyawa – 14-0
26min – PEN GOAL ROOSTERS, Kenatale – 14-3
28min – TRY KNIGHTS, Radidi; conversion Rogoyawa – 21-3
32min – PEN GOAL ROOSTERS, Kenatale (missed) – 21-3
34min – TRY ROOSTERS, S Vuniwaqa; conversion Kenatale – 21-10
37min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Rogoyawa (missed) – 21-10
Half-time
45min – PEN GOAL KNIGHTS, Rogoyawa (missed) – 21-10
59min – TRY KNIGHTS, Bale; conversion Rogoyawa – 28-10
63min – TRY KNIGHTS, Naituku; conversion Rogoyawa (missed) – 33-10
69min – TRY KNIGHTS, Nayago; conversion Rogoyawa (missed) – 38-10
79min – TRY ROOSTERS, Kenatale; conversion Ratu (missed) – 38-15
Full-time
Age grade results:
U19s – Knights 3 Roosters 13
U21s – Knights 15 Roosters 13
Colonial Cup main page
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