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Fiji 42 Canada 11
Friday, 7 July, 2000
Apia Park
Epson Cup Pacific Rim championship
Fiji thump Canada
By Jeremy Duxbury
Fiji finally over-ran stubborn Canadian resistance to chalk up a 42-11 win in their Epson Cup match at Apia Park on Friday.
 The victory takes Fiji back to the top of the table with 19 points. They must now hope that the US Eagles defeat Manu Samoa in San Francisco this coming weekend.
Despite ample possession in the first half, Fiji had to settle for just two tries – one by centre Vili Satala, who barged through a couple of attempted tackles on his way to the line, and the other from Crusaders winger Marika Vunibaka who galloped past his marker in his trademark style from the halfway line.
 With half-back Jacob Rauluni back to his commanding best, and Inoke Male playing a blinder at No. 8, Fiji spent almost the entire half camped around the Canadian 22 but led just 14-5 at the break.
Fiji coach Greg Smith said he told his players at half-time they were making him sick.
"We lost the ball nine times in their 22," Smith said. "You just can’t that in test rugby."
Canada’s sole try came from No 8 Phil Murphy from a line-out right on the Fiji line.
The second half saw the Fijian backs gradually begin to dominate with Seremaia Bai and Satala in awesome form and young fullback Kameli Natoba putting in some devastating runs.
Vunibaka was set free by Satala in the 47th minute and charged down the wing for try number three.
Ten minutes later, replacement No.8 Alifereti Doviverata finished off an impressive move by touching down to give Fiji the bonus point. And soon after the re-start, Bai took advantage of a dropped ball on the Canadian 10-metre line and skipped away for another.
And still Fiji wasn’t finished.
Try No. 6 came from Natoba, who darted through with stunning acceleration to score.
Canadian coach David Clark, naturally disappointed, said playing Fiji was always difficult.
"They manage to find these huge backs that have pace and can change direction so easily," Clark said.
"Like last week, we missed too many tackles. We left great gaps in our defence and they charged through them."
While praising the IRB for supporting the tournament, he also pleaded for a merit-based referee system after what he called "an absurd display of refereeing" from Tonga’s Dan Hamala.
"We were never going to win that game," Clark said. "So I’m not making excuses. But we would expect someone with more competence to take charge. That referee simply followed the game around the field."
Fiji (1-15): Henry Qiodravu (Isaia Rasila 40), Greg Smith, Joe Veitayaki (Peniasi Damu 40), Emori Katalau (Semisi Dakuiyaco 75), Simon Raiwalui, Jope Tuikabe, Koli Sewabu, Inoke Male (Alifereti Doviverata 40), Jacob Rauluni (Moses Rauluni 61), Nicky Little, Vilimoni Delasau (Jolame Nadolo 50), Seremaia Bai, Vili Satala, Marika Vunibaka, Kameli Natoba (Norman Ligairi 75).
Tries: Marika Vunibaka (2), Vili Satala, Alifereti Doviverata, Seremaia Bai, Kameli Natoba.
Conversions: Nicky Little (6).
Canada (1-15): Kevin Tkachuk (Duane Major 50), Pat Dunkley, Jon Thiel, Al Charron (captain), John Tait, John Hutchinson (Ed Knaggs 50), Gregor Dixon, Phil Murphy (Adam Van Staveren 73), Morgan Williams, Scott Stewart, Mark Irvine (Jason Verstraten 50), Kyle Nichols, Nik Witkowski, Sean Fauth, Winston Stanley.
Try: Phil Murphy.
Penalty goals: Scott Stewart (2).
Half-time: 14-5
Referee: Dan Hamala (Tonga)
Crowd: 1,000
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