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 TEIVOVO.COM – IRB PACIFIC RUGBY CUP 2007
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Saturday 14 April 2007
Last-gasp Tora sneaks win for Barbarians
Fullback Jo Tora kicked a penalty goal deep into injury time to give the Air Pacific Fiji Barbarians a last-ditch 24-23 victory over Savai’i Samoa at Laqawa Park in Sigatoka on Saturday in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup.
The Samoans, coming off a narrow defeat to the Air Pacific Fiji Warriors a week ago, led throughout the match and looked set to record their first win of this year’s tournament when they held a 23-14 lead with only minutes to play. But Jonetani Ratu sneaked in with 76th-minute try, then an infringement in the Samoan half gave Tora the chance to have a shot at goal, and he calmly struck the winning points.
The Barbarians started slowly, giving the visitors a 13-0 lead in the first quarter before finding their rhythm. A try from elusive fly- half Jack Prasad after half an hour got the hosts up and running, though they continued to play catch-up rugby until Tora’s final penalty goal.
Quotes:
Ifereimi Tawake (Air Pacific Fiji Barbarians coach):
“I’m glad we won, however we’ll have to really work hard to cur out the mistakes we committed today. Our plan was to take the game into the Samoan half then execute some fast, open play. We took time to settle in the first half, resulting in us trailing at the break.”
“Our defence was okay, but it needs improvement. We have a lot of young players and they are learning with every game.”
Stan Toomalatai (Savai’i Samoa coach):
“My players need to remember to play 80 minutes of rugby. Our back line didn’t perform as expected, they seemed to be relying on the forwards and we were held up in defence. Our set pieces were alright.”
“The referee spoiled our game. His interpretation of the law was confusing and I was disappointed with the loss. Half of the players that featured today were part of last year’s winning team.”
Michael Jones (Manu Samoa coach):
“The Samoans played strongly up front, and the Fijians played their typical style and are always hard to beat at home. But there was a lot of dropped balls, which was uncharacteristic.”
“The spirit from both sides was very good – they showed passion for the game. It’s a good exercise for us to see how competitive the local players are as they vie for places at the Rugby World Cup.”
Saturday 14 April 2007
Air Pacific Fiji Barbarians 24 Savai’i Samoa 23
IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2007
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
Half-time: 11-16
Referee: Mauga Vea (Tonga)
Touch judges: Tevita Pasoni (Tonga), Napolioni Locoloco (Fiji)
Crowd: 750
AIR PACIFIC FIJI BARBARIANS: 15 Jo Tora, 14 Vereniki Goneva (Penaia Vakaruru 68), 13 Jonetani Ratu, 12 Josefa Satini, 11 Marika Vakacegu, 10 Jack Prasad (Jonetani Ralulu 69), 9 Jock Luita (Seveci Taka 46), 8 Koresi Ledua (Ifereimi Naruma 58), 7 Sam Tabua, 6 Samu Kunanitu, 5 Mosese Vasuitoga, 4 Rupeni Nasiga (Josefa Domolailai 64), 3 Sikeli Gavidi (Isireli Temo 77), 2 Viliame Gadolo (Vereniki Sauturaga 60), 1 Apisai Turukawa (capt).
Coach: Ifereimi Tawake
Tries: Prasad, Ratu; Conversion: Tora; Penalty goals: Tora (4).
SAVAI’I SAMOA: 15 Faafou Tauvaga, 14 Esera Lauina, 13 Suafai Taialii, 12 Ki Anufe (Alesana Laumea 75), 11 Sitiveni Leleimalefaga (Fanuafou Tofi 80), 10 Alvin Tavana, 9 Gafa Siona (Paul Chan Tung 54), 8 Filisoa Faaiu, 7 Ponifasio Vasa (Egelani Fale 58), 6 Manaia Salavea (Tim Nelson 63), 5 Lale Latu (Lafoga Aoelua 79), 4 Luti Pese, 3 Rudy Leavasa (capt), 2 Loleni Tafunai, 1 Naama Leleimalefaga (Steve Faatau 64).
Coach: Stan Toomalatai
Tries: Faaiu, Leavasa; Conversions: Tafunai (2); Penalty goals: Tafunai (2); Dropped goal: Anufe.
Scoring sequence (Barbarians’ scores shown first):
4min – PEN GOAL SAVAI’I, Tafunai – 0-3
8min – PEN GOAL SAVAI’I, Tafunai – 0-6
12min – TRY SAVAI’I, Faalu; conversion Tafunai – 0-13
15min – PEN GOAL BARBARIANS, Tora – 3-13
33min – TRY BARBARIANS, Prasad; conversion Tora (missed) – 8-13
41min – PEN GOAL BARBARIANS, Tora – 11-13
43min – DROPPED GOAL SAVAI’I, Anufe – 11-16
Half-time
62min – PEN GOAL BARBARIANS, Tora – 14-16
69min – TRY SAVAI’I, Leavasa; conversion Tafunai – 14-23
76min – TRY BARBARIANS, Ratu; conversion Tora – 21-23
83min – PEN GOAL SAVAI’I, Tafunai (missed) – 21-23
85min – PEN GOAL BARBARIANS, Tora – 24-23
Full-time
Pacific Rugby Cup main page
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