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 VODAFONE FIJI
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22 June, 2003
Late penalty denies Fiji victory
A penalty goal from wing Ben Martin a minute from full-time gave the ACT Brumbies a 26-25 win over Fiji in Canberra on Sunday, denying the Fijians victory in their first outing this year.
After dominating much of the game, the former Super 12 champions had to fight hard at the end after a late surge from Fiji produced an exciting climax to a difficult game in near-freezing conditions.
Trailing 20-11 midway through the second half, coach Mac McCallion introduced Waisale Serevi into the fray, and the presence of the evergreen fly-half was enough to carry Fiji to two converted tries within a 13-minute spell.
"Bringing Serevi on seemed like a decisive moment," Mr McCallion said afterwards. "He will probably start in the Reds game but that was my plan anyway as he was on the bench for this match."
Fiji took half an hour to warm up, by which time they found themselves trailing 15-3 following tries from lock Mark Chisholm and fullback Mark McInally.
A break from the back on 33 minutes ended with lock forward Sisa Koyamaibole showing his agility as he sprinted 35 metres to the line for Fiji’s first try.
Joseph Narruhn’s conversion attempt his the post and the teams went into the interval with Fiji still in the game though trailing 15-8 having soaked up plenty of pressure.
Early in the second half, things turned badly for Fiji.
In the 42nd minute, Chisholm went over for his second try from a well-worked line-out move to take the score to 20-8.
Fiji skipper Isaia Rasila had to leave the field with a dislocated finger, and not long afterwards, Koyamaibole and Alivereti Mocelutu were sin-binned to leave Fiji playing with 13 men.
Miraculously, Fiji didn’t concede any points when they were reduced to 13 players. And when Serevi ran on in Narruhn’s place, the whole team seemed to get a lift.
Seru Rabeni, later voted Bundaberg Rum man of the match, set up a try for Vilimoni Delasau in the corner, and Serevi converted from the touchline to pull within two points.
Though Martin slotted a penalty goal moments later, Aisea Tuilevu finished off a sustained period of pressure in the Brumbies 22 by barging over to score. Serevi converted and Fiji were in front with five minutes to play.
Martin’s game-winning penalty came when Fiji were penalised again at the ruck.
"It was a disappointing result but I was very pleased with the spirit the boys showed making the comeback in the second half," Mr McCallion said. "We could have won the game in the closing stages."
But the coach lamented the amount of turnovers conceded and the huge penalty count against his team.
"My estimate of the penalty count was 18-2 against us which is just simply not good enough. Overall, we were not sufficiently disciplined as a team. I do have issues with some of the referee's calls and the involvement of the line umpires, but that was not the difference between the teams."
"We have had a team talk and I can tell you the boys are in good spirits. They are keen to learn from their mistakes and to make themselves a better team. How the team played has taught us good lessons and we have got something to work with."
He explained that Rasila was okay and should be able to lead the team again next week against Queensland.
Injuries to Api Naevo, Emori Katalau and Ifereimi Rawaqa mean that Koyamaibole had to lock with Kele Leawere for the first time.
"We missed out on three or four good scoring opportunities because of poor line-outs," Mr McCallion said. "We are just not competitive in that area yet and the throwers are just going to have to practise and practise and practise until they get that right."
The coach also praised his backline, which on paper was as good as any Super 12 team’s, though playing together for the first time. This was Tuilevu’s first time in a Fiji jersey since 1998, some time before Marika Vunibaka, Delasau and Rabeni made their Test debuts.
"I was obviously very pleased with how the backline went and I thought our scrummaging was pretty good as well. So more positives than negatives but it was a game we could and should have put away."
"But it wasn’t bad for a first outing from a team that have never played together against a side who have played the whole Super 12 season together."
"I always intended to give everyone in the (30-man) squad a run on this tour, so with the selection for the Reds game I will try to ensure everyone gets a run."
For the Brumbies, the match was a chance to give some of their younger players an opportunity as well some match time for some big names who are still looking to step up into the Wallaby squad.
Of the younger players, winger Lenny Beckett and lock Chisholm were outstanding, with Chisholm crossing for two tries and Beckett making a number of breaks out wide.
The experienced players also paved the way for a composed Brumbies victory, with Owen Finegan and Justin Harrison leading the way up front, while in the backs, Mark Bartholomeusz and Joel Wilson were solid in both defence and attack.
For Finegan, who replaced Radike Samo at half time, it was an opportunity to impress ahead of the Tri Nations in a couple of weeks.
Despite spending 10 minutes in the sin bin for a deliberate infringement, his impact was crucial in the opening try of the second half and with the big 'Melon' a likely starter against Tonga next Sunday, he'll be keen to step up yet again.
Brumbies coach David Nucifora was happy with the performance of his young side, especially the way they held on and came back at the end.
"It was obviously good to get a victory. Any win over an international team is a good effort and I thought there were a number of positives for us, especially in the first half," Mr Nucifora told the Brumbies official website.
"The first 25 minutes of the second half were a bit disappointing with some poor handling but to come back and win the game was a good effort from a team that is relatively inexperienced."
The Brumbies will now play Tonga in their last match of the seasons at Canberra Stadium next Sunday, while Fiji travel to Brisbane to face the Reds.
22 June, 2003
ACT Brumbies 26 Fiji 25
Canberra Stadium
Half-time: 15-8
Referee: Greg Hinton
Crowd: 10,486
ACT BRUMBIES: 15 Damian McInally, 14 Ben Martin, 13 Tim LeNevez, 12 Joel Wilson (Sam Norton-Knight 34-40), 11 Lenny Beckett (Willie Gordon), 10 Mark Bartholomeusz (capt), 9 Matt Henjak, 8 Tamaiti Horua (Tim Aistrope), 7 Scott Fava, 6 Radike Samo (Owen Finegan – yellow card 48-57), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 David Fitter, 2 David Palavi, 1 Nic Henderson (Ben Coutts)
Not used: Reza Almasi, Angus Scott
Coach: David Nucifora
Tries: Chisholm (2), McInally; Conversion: Martin; Penalty goals: Martin (3).
FIJI: 15 Alfred Uluinayau, 14 Marika Vunibaka, 13 Aisea Tuilevu, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Vilimoni Delasau, 10 Joseph Narruhn (Waisale Serevi 61), 9 Samisoni Rabaka (Moses Rauluni 58), 8 Alifereti Doviverata (Koli Sewabu 62), 7 Kitione Salawa (Setareki Tawake 70), 6 Alivereti Mocelutu (yellow card 50-59), 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Sisa Koyamaibole (yellow card 49-58), 3 Joeli Veitayaki (Nacanieli Seru73), 2 Isaia Rasila (capt) (Bill Gadolo 45), 1 Richard Nyholt
Not used: Saimoni Rokini
Coach: Mac McCallion
Tries: Koyamaibole, Delasau, Tuilevu; Conversions: Serevi (2); Penalty goals: Narruhn (2).
Scoreboard
Preview
Mac Update — 12 June, 2003
Mac Update — 5 June, 2003
Team Fiji main page
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