|
29 June, 2002
Fiji take heart from heavy defeat
The All Blacks defeated Fiji 68-18 in Wellington on Saturday, a sizeable defeat but one from which Fiji coach Mac McCallion can take some positives.
While New Zealand excelled in nearly all departments, running in 11 tries, they failed to make mincemeat out of the Fiji pack as many had predicted. And Fiji they became the only side this year to score two tries against a very tight All Blacks defensive line – both to wing Norman Ligairi.
Surprisingly, the 68 points is New Zealand’s lowest total in an official Test against Fiji, and Fiji’s tally of 18 their highest.
The Kiwis did, however, totally dominate the line-outs and the driving from the take down. Prop Kees Meeuws and lock Norm Maxwell each bagged a brace of tries, and replacement No.8 Scott Robertson touched down on the final hooter from a pushover try after Fiji lock Simon Raiwalui had been sin-binned.
Six of the Kiwi tries came from their backline – including a hat trick to Christian Cullen who set a new All Blacks mark.
Cullen, at just 26 years of age, has now scored a record 46 tries in only 54 Tests. Jeff Wilson, who retired from rugby after this season's Super 12 in order to pursue a cricket career, held the previous record with 44.
But there wasn’t a lot else for coach John Mitchell to get excited about. The All Blacks led 32-6 at half-time, but Mitchell will be disappointed that his side could not impose itself after the break.
He will also have concern about the injuries suffered in a very physical workout.
After a delay of a full five minutes, replacement Leon MacDonald was stretchered off after a midfield collision and must be in doubt for the opening Tri-Nations Test against the Wallabies on 13 July.
Tana Umaga had a knee problem, Taine Randell a leg strain and Andrew Mehrtens suffered a facial injury as the Fijians showed the physical side of their game – Nicky Little's attempted block of his pass to Cullen only succeeded in striking Mehrtens in the face.
Kiwi captain Reuben Thorne, a tower at lineout time, expressed frustration at the repeated offside infringements and occasional late hits.
"There was a few casualties out there," he told nzoom. "It's always disappointing to see things like that in the game. There were some high shots going in and a lot of offside play."
Fiji fly-half Nicky Little put on an outstanding display with hard tackling and strong attacking runs. Jacob Rauluni also stood confident at halfback, using his Super 12 experience to the full.
Hooker Greg Smith recovered in time from his toe injury suffered in last weekend’s defeat against Samoa and took to the field.
Ligairi’s first try came in the 46th minute when he cut inside Jonah Lomu to score, getting the better of his more famous opposite number. He recorded his second just seven minutes later after beautifully intercepting a hopeful pass from Aaron Mauger and sprinting to touch down between the posts.
Between the two, Mauger scored one for himself, but Fiji were competing well. Alfie Uluinayau made an intercept in the 57th minute but lacked support.
On the hour, Isaia Rasila received a yellow card for a professional foul (off-side). In the 10 minutes that Fiji had only 14 men, they played their hearts out in defence to restrict the All Blacks to a single try.
But, as is so often the case, Fiji conceded three more tries in the last nine minutes as New Zealand’s superior conditioning boosted the scoreline.
New Zealand 68 Fiji 18
Saturday, 29 June, 2002
Westpac Trust Stadium, Wellington
NEW ZEALAND: 15 Christian Cullen, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Tana Umaga (Leon MacDonald – Andrew Mehrtens), 12 Daryl Gibson, 11 Jonah Lomu, 10 Aaron Mauger, 9 Byron Kelleher (Justin Marshall), 8 Taine Randell (Scott Robertson), 7 Sam Harding, 6 Reuben Thorne (captain), 5 Norm Maxwell, 4 Simon Maling, 3 Kees Meeuws, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Tries: Cullen (3), Meeuws (2), Maxwell (2), MacDonald, Howlett, Mauger, Robertson
Conversions: Mauger (5)
Penalty goal: Mauger
FIJI: 15 Alfred Uluinayau (Joseph Narruhn), 14 Norman Ligairi, 13 Bill Satala, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Vilimoni Delasau, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Jacob Rauluni (Sami Rabaka), 8 Alivereti Doviverata (Ifereimi Rawaqa), 7 Koli Sewabu (Alivereti Mocelutu), 6 Seta Tawake, 5 Sisa Koyamaibole, 4 Simon Raiwalui – captain (yellow card), 3 Bill Cavubati (Paula Biu), 2 Greg Smith (Isaia Rasila – yellow card), 1 Richard Nyholt.
Tries: Ligairi (2)
Conversion: Little
Penalty goals: Little (2)
Referee: Scott Young (Australia)
Half-time: 32-6
|
TEIVOVO.COM – TEAM FIJI