Saturday 31 March 2007

Tau'uta Reds edge thrilling encounter

Tau’uta Reds got their 2007 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup campaign off to the best possible start, defeating last year’s runners-up Air Pacific Fiji Warriors 23-20 in a tense but exciting encounter at Teufaiva Park in Nuku'alofa.

The home side, willed on by a 2,000-strong crowd, were outscored two tries to one by a free-flowing Warriors outfit. However, the Fijian side’s indiscipline coupled with 12 points from the boot of Reds outside half Mataiasi Aholelei was to prove costly.

The Warriors had established a 10-3 lead following a converted try by No.8 Samu Vakaruru, but it was the home side who reached the interval in front as Mesui Lemoto and Aholelei’s penalties were followed by a superb individual score by Luditka Ilolahia.

The Reds pressed on after the interval with two more Aholelei penalties, but the Warriors came back into the game and leveled the match midway through the second half after a Taniela Rawaqa penalty and a converted try from replacement Lloyd Hazelman.

The final 10 minutes were tense as both sides looked to close off the game, but the home side, playing with composure and greater forward strength, forced the Warriors into conceding a kickable penalty with five minutes to go. With regular kicker Aholelei off the field outside half Mesui Lemoto kicked the points to give the Tongans the perfect start to the tournament.


Saturday 31 March 2007
Tau'uta Reds 23 Fiji Warriors 20
IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2007
Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa

TAU’UTA REDS: 15 Mesui Lemoto, 14 Ualosi Kailea, 13 Kosilio Tonga'uiha (capt), 12 Tatafu Na'aniumotu, 11 Salesi Havili, 10 Mataiasi Aholelei, 9 Enele Taufa, 8 Luditka Ilolahia, 7 Rodney Mahe, 6 Atunaisa Sikalu, 5 Isileli Fine, 4 Kelepi Halafihi, 3 Tevita Fonua, 2 Etimoni Poteki, 1 Toma Toke
Replacements: 16 Atelea Hu'akau, 17 Sateki Mata'u, 18 Otulea Fifita, 19 Takai Tavalea, 20 Sikalele 'Ahoafi, 21 Ofa Takai, 22 Fineasi Fiefia
Try: Ilolahia, Penalty goals: Aholelei (3), Lemoto (2) Dropped goal: Aholelei

FIJI WARRIORS: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Paula Tiko, 13 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 12 Isoa Rokobici (Lloyd Hazelman 65), 11 Jeremaiya Tuilevu, 10 Waisea Luveniyali (Luke Rogoyawa 65), 9 Aporosa Vata (capt, Kelemedi Bola 70), 8 Samu Vakaruru (Sairusi Rokosalu 66), 7 Dale Tonawai, 6 Sainivalati Vunibola (Aseri Tale 60), 5 Jone Qovu, 4 Langi Peters, 3 Tiko Matawalu (Viliame Seuseu 60), 2 Sunia Koto (Aseri Buli 70), 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua
Coach: Etuate Waqa
Tries: Vakaruru, Hazelman; Conversions: Rawaqa (2); Penalty goals: Rawaqa (2)

Pacific Rugby Cup main page