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Sunday 27 November 2006
Islanders fade away at Irish feast
By William Tabuya
The Digicel Pacific Islanders ended their three-match Europe tour on a low, succumbing 61-17 to a rampaging Ireland line-up at Lansdowne Road on Sunday.
The Islanders looked promising in the first 30 minutes, but could not match Ireland's firepower in the second half and went down an embarrassing eight tries to three.
Hit with a loss of players, the Islanders displayed the rugby of a team that needed more time. Without a warm-up match and four days to prepare, they failed miserably to register a win, or at least a close score-line.
The Irish started and finished the first half in style but in between they displayed all the signs of a team showing nine changes, including three debutants.
A clever reverse pass from Irelands Paddy Wallace sent Hickie through for the opening try after five minutes. Wallace added the conversion and a penalty to give the home side early confidence.
But the visitors hit back after 12 minutes with Seru Rabeni going over for a converted try after good work from Ratuvou.
Wallace gave Ireland a nine-point cushion with two more penalties but the new-look side was now making mistakes and the game was lacking rhythm.
Justin Va'a was sin-binned after pulling down a maul on 30 minutes but the Pacific Islands claimed their second try four minutes later when Lome Fa'atau touched down after a turnover.
Ireland closed the half with a late flourish – Wallace cutting inside and darting over before O'Kelly put a further five points on the board after stealing the ball from a line-out.
Wallace's conversion gave Ireland a 30-12 half-time lead.
Girvan Dempsey, injured in a first-half tackle from Rabeni, was replaced at the interval by Gordon D'Arcy.
Eddie O'Sullivan's side made an excellent start to the second half with tries from Easterby and Horgan. Brian O'Driscoll's off-load put Easterby through while Horgan bounced off a tackle before racing to the line.
The impressive Wallace converted both tries to take his tally to 24 points.
Ireland skipper O'Driscoll went off injured after 58 minutes with Ulster scrumhalf Isaac Boss his replacement.
Easterby forced his way over for his second try and another superb kick from Wallace made it 51-12. Rory Best added another try courtesy of a Boss lay-off and O'Connell surged over for the final try at the old Dublin stadium.
Sadly for Wallace he spoiled his perfect record by missing his final two conversion attempts.
However, he had already done enough to secure the man-of-the-match award.
It was a glittering farewell to the ground that will be redeveloped from next year.
At the post game press conference, Pacific Islanders coach Pat Lam was far from despondent with his men: “I was disappointed with the final result – we got off to a pretty rocky start and the two tries before half time really knocked us."
“The boys never gave in and kept trying to play rugby which is a credit to them.”
The Islanders are now winless in six Tests since their inception in 2004.
“It has been a pretty tough three weeks but a very enjoyable three weeks. Preparation is the key – there is huge pressure for players to be with their clubs – the warm-up games that we did not get were very crucial,” Lam lamented.
“We are playing different types of rugby and this is different from what they have to do – that is why you need the time.”
Lam hoped to be with the Islanders in the next tour.
“Hopefully the next tour will see us win. I think really if you're going play Tier One countries, you've got to prepare like Tier One teams.”
Captain Simon Raiwalui echoed Lam’s sentiments.
“The second half was a bridge too far – we gave away penalties and the like – Ireland dominated the second half,” the big Fijian said.
“It’s been a great event and I am proud to have been involved in it – it is the greatest honor as a Pacific Islander."
“We have that common bond between Pacific Islanders – it’s been a privilege to be able to tour”.
Sunday 27 November 2006
Ireland 61 Pacific Islanders 17
Lansdowne Rd, Dublin
Half-time: 30-12
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Joël Jutge (France), Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan)
TV match official: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Attn: 43,000
IRELAND: 15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Luke Fitzgerald, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 Shane Horgan, 11 Denis Hickie, 10 Paddy Wallace, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Stephen Ferris, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Malcolm O'Kelly, 3 John Hayes, 2 Frankie Sheahan, 1 Bryan Young
Replacements: Rory Best, Simon Best, Donncha O'Callaghan, Denis Leamy, Isaac Boss, Ronan O'Gara, Gordon D'Arcy.
Coach: Eddie O'Sullivan
Tries: Easterby (2), Hickie, Wallace, O'Kelly, Horgan, R Best, O'Connell
Conversions: Wallace (6); Penalty goals: Wallace (3)
PACIFIC ISLANDERS: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Elvis Seveali'i, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Moses Rauluni, 8 Hale T-Pole, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Ma'ama Molitika, 5 Daniel Leo'o. 4 Simon Raiwalui, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Justin Va'a
Replacements: Mahonri Schwalger, Taufa'ao Felise, Epi Taione, Aca Ratuva, Justin Poluleuligaga, Seilala Mapasua, Alesana Tuilagi.
Coach: Pat Lam
Tries: Rabeni, Fa'atau, Pisi; Conversion: Pisi
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