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Fiji 43 Italy 9
15 July, 2000
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Fiji go from strength to strength
By Jeremy Duxbury
Greg Smith’s influence as Fiji coach is quickly taking effect on his team’s defensive capabilities as they trounced Italy 43-9 in Lautoka last Saturday.
Having restricted Canada to just one try a week earlier, Fiji held Brad Johnstone’s Italians tryless – a rare Fijian feat indeed. Over the years, Fiji have given away a couple of soft tries in each match, virtually without fail.
But Smith has taken the platform built by Johnstone and worked hard on drawing the best from each player, seeing the immense natural skill level that he has to work with.
Fiji thus sent Italy back to Europe winless from their brief four-match tour of the South Pacific.
Tries from Marika Vunibaka, Simon Raiwalui, and Vili Satala helped Fiji to a 27-3 half-time lead, as the speed and skill of the Fijian backline provided constant danger.
Vunibaka, who has progressed beyond recognition in the last six months, charged down the right flank in the 15th minute and sidestepped Italian fullback Cristian Stoica on the way to his fourth try in three tests.
 "He has to be one of the world’s best wingers," Smith said. "One season in the Super 12 has had an incredible effect."
Three minutes later, Vunibaka headed down the right flank again, and kicked forward over he head of he last man, No.8 Carlo Caione.
Vilimoni Delasau caught the Italian hesitating five metres out, then Raiwalui, all 120kg of him, showed a rare bit of pace to catch the action and bundle the ball over the line.
Vunibaka was also involved in Fiji’s third try. He made another good break before off-loading to Satala who darted through to score in front of his home crowd.
At 27-0 (after Nicky Little had slotted home three penalties and a couple of conversions), Fiji eased up and allowed the Italians room to run.
However, a solitary penalty goal from Ramiro Pez was all Johnstone’s team could muster as the Fiji defence held well until half-time.
Despite long periods of possession in the second period, Italy were unable to break through.
Two more penalty goals gave them a total of nine points, but Fiji’s try-scoring spree hadn’t finished.
Little added Fiji’s fourth try (his first since 1997) after a dazzling run down the left to give him a match haul of 23 points. Then Delasau rounded off the match by kicking through for replacement fullback Norman Ligairi to score.
The win gives Greg Smith a five-from-six record as Fiji coach, with this being their first home game of the lot.
 "Overall, it was a good performance," Smith said. "We slackened off after building up a lead which was disturbing; but the lads got stuck into it again and also prevented Italy from scoring any tries."
Former Fiji coach Johnstone had mixed emotions about the game.
"Obviously, it would have been nice to have won," Johnstone, who coached Fiji for five years, said. "But I’m also happy for the Fiji boys. I’m glad that they have been able to go beyond Brad Johnstone. I hope that Smithy can take them up to the next level."
Fiji (1-15): Henry Qiodravu (Isaia Rasila), Greg Smith (captain), Peniasi Damu (Joe Veitayaki 40), Emori Katalau (Alifereti Doviverata 40), Simon Raiwalui, Jope Tuikabe, Koli Sewabu, Inoke Male (Sailosi Naiteqe 70), Jacob Rauluni (Moses Rauluni 73), Nicky Little, Vilimoni Delasau, Seremaia Bai, Vili Satala (Jolame Nadolo 70), Marika Vunibaka, Kameli Natoba (Norman Ligairi 70).
Tries: Vunibaka, Satala, Raiwalui, Little, Ligairi.
Conversions: Little (3).
Penalty goals: Little (4).
Italy (1-15): Andrea Lo Cicero (Salvatore Perugini), Alessandro Moscardi, Giampiero De Carli, Carlo Checchinato (Maurizio Zaffiri), Andrea Gritti (Simone Stocco), David Dal Maso, Aaron Persico, Carlo Caione, Juan Manuel Queirolo (Lisandro Villarga), Ramiro Pez (Francesco Mazzariol), Luca Martin, Giacomo Preo, Giovanni Raineri, Nicola Mazzucato, Cristian Stoica (captain).
Penalty goals: Pez (2), Mazzariol.
Half-time: 27-3
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Crowd: 12,500
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