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Fiji 37 USA 21
30 June, 2000
Apia Park
Epson Cup Pacific Rim championship
Fiji roll over USA with 37-21 win
By Jeremy Duxbury
Two tries from debutant fullback Kamelli Natoba put Fiji on their way to a comfortable, if scrappy, 37-21 win over the US Eagles at Apia Park on Friday.
The victory means Fiji leapfrog from fourth to first in the Epson Cup table. They now lead with 14 points, while second-place Samoa have 11 and a game in hand.
Natoba, who played for Fiji Juniors back in 1993, touched down in the corner after two minutes from a perfectly worked move down the line. Nicky Little knocked the conversion through the sticks and Fiji looked to be cruising.
The Eagles hit back a few minutes later with a penalty goal from fly-half Grant Wells then an opportunist try from Olo Fifita. But other than their late score from a line-out, their chances were few and far between.
Fiji, though demonstrating better skills and superior positional play, made a habit out of dropping the ball and couldn’t take full advantage of the humid conditions.
Fiji continued to drive the ball up the middle, and didn’t get the ball wide enough for the devastating wing duo of Marika Vunibaka and Vilimoni Delasau to do enough damage.
Vunibaka, scorer of 11 Super 12 tries with the Canterbury Crusaders this year, showed his power in the 20th minute when he brushed aside his marker and charged down the wing like an express train to score. But that was his only chance.
Though looking looked a little nervous, Delasau had a couple of impressive runs in the second half, side-stepping with elegant ease.
In the end, inside centre Seremaia Bai scored the all-important fourth try to give Fiji the bonus point and wrap up a strong performance from the No. 12.
The Americans missed out completely on the bonus point front, and still have the unenviable fixture against Tonga next week.
Little put seven kicks through the posts from seven attempts for a 17-point tally.
His opposite number Grant Wells connected successfully with three penalty goals and one conversion.
Fiji (1-15): Henry Qiodravu (Isaia Rasila 65), Greg Smith, Joe Veitayaki (Peniasi Damu 65), Emori Katalau (captain), Simon Raiwalui, Jope Tuikabe, Sailosi Naiteqe (Kolii Sewabu 40), Inoke Male (Alifereti Doviverata 40), Moses Rauluni, Nicky Little, Vilimoni Delasau (Jolame Nadolo 62), Seremaia Bai, Saimoni Rokini (Sirilo Lala 65), Marika Vunibaka, Kameli Natoba (Norman Ligairi 65).
Tries: Kameli Natoba (2), Marika Vunibaka, Seremaia Bai. Conversions: Nicky Little (4).
Penalty goals: Nicky Little (3).
USA (1-15): Joe Clayton (Mike MacDonald 61), Kirk Khasigian (Robbie Flynn 61), Ray Lehner, Luke Gross, Philippe Farner (Matt Kane 70), Dave Hodges (captain), Kort Schubert, Olo Fifita (Don Younger 70), Kevin Dalzell, Grant Wells, Malakai Delai, Alatini Saulala, Phillip Eloff, Vaea Anitoni, Kurt Shuman.
Tries: Olo Fifita, Philippe Farner.
Conversion: Grant Wells.
Penalty goals: Grant Wells: (3).
Half-time: 24-14
Referee: Ian Hyde-Lay (Canada)
Attendance: 4,500
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