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Saturday 14 April 2007
Tautahi Gold record first victory
Tautahi Gold moved off the bottom of the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup table as the Tongan side recorded a 13-10 victory over Air Pacific Fiji Warriors in Tonga.
The Tongan side were booted to victory by replacement fly half Fangatapu Apikotoa who contributed eight points in difficult conditions to ensure that Tautahi Gold climb above reigning champions Savai’i Samoa in the overall standings.
In heavy rain both sides struggled to get into their stride in monsoon conditions, but it was the home side who settled first with a Apikotoa penalty to calm nerves in the 21st minute.With handling at a premium maintaining any kind of possession was difficult and as a result both sides turned over ball at will. However, following a rare period of concerted pressure Warriors centre Isoa Rokabici crashed over to give the visitors a 5-3 lead.
The score served to spur the home side into action and Tautahi replied with a try of their own on the stroke of half-time. A series of powerful drives inside the Warriors half by the Tautahi forwards was rounded-off by second row Fotofili Filimoehala. Aplikotoa’s conversion gave the home side a slender 10-7 advantage at the interval.
Conditions deteriorated after the break and despite both sides' willingness to play a brand of attacking rugby, scores were at a premium. Rawaqa did level the scores for the visitors on 47 minutes with a penalty to give Warriors hope, but the parity was short lived as Apikotoa kicking Tautahi ahead once more with 20 remaining.
Both sides pressed for a decisive score in a frantic final quarter that was dominated both by defence and the conditions. However, Tautahi’s defence held against a series of late Warriors attacks and the home side held on for their first win of the campaign.
14 April 2007
Tahutahi Gold 13 Air Pacific Fiji Warriors 10
Pacific Rugby Cup - Round three
Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa
Half-time: 10-7
TAUTAHI GOLD: 1 Viliami Kupu, 2 Feki Moala, 3 Soane Leger, 4 Ta'ukolonga Tava, 5 Fotofili Filimoehala, 6 Vite Kolo, 7 Laukau Penitani, 8 'Alekisanita Taka (capt), 9 Leakona Tovi (v/capt ), 10 Sione Leha''uli, 11 Amanaki Nonu, 12 Silifou Sikulu, 13 Lisiate Tafa, 14 Heimuli Pangai, 15 Joji Tu'ipulotu, Reserves: 16 Kama Sakalia, 17 Tevita Lo, 18 Samuela Ika, 19 Tupou Leota, 20 Maamaloa Kuluka, 21 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, 22 Setaleki Lu'au
Tries: Filimoehala; conversion: Apikotoa; penalties: Apikotoa (2)
FIJI WARRIORS: 1 Alefoso Yalatalatabua (Savenaca Driu 70), 2 Sunia Koto, 3 Tikoibau Matawalu, 4 Langi Peters, 5 Aseri Tale (Samu Vakaruru 60), 6 Dale Tonawai, 7 Mikaele Maya, 8 Jone Qovu, 9 Aporosa Vata (capt), 10 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 11 Daniele Tabuakuru (Paula Tiko 35), 12 Kelemedi Bolatagane, 13 Isoa Rokobici, 14 Lloyd Hazelman (Jeremaia Tuilevu 65), 15 Taniela Rawaqa
Not Used: Aseri Buli, Sairusi Rokosalu, Luke Rogoyawa
Coach: Etuate Waqa
Tries: Rokobici; conversion: Rawaqa; penalty: Rawaqa
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TEIVOVO.COM – IRB PACIFIC RUGBY CUP 2007