|
|
|
 TEIVOVO NEWS
|
|
Saturday, 17 June, 2006
Fiji hold on to defeat Italy
by William Tabuya
Rupeni Caucau was in his usual explosive form as he scored his second try in as many outings to help Fiji wallop the Italians 29-18 in a one-off Test match at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The Italians were looking to end their tour on a high after thrashing Japan 54-15 last week in Tokyo, and they began well by drawing blood in the second minute when Pez Ramiro nailed a 30 metre penalty after a Fijian hand was found in the ruck.
Caucau brought the crowd to its feet when he intercepted what looked like an inevitable Italian try, only to be brought back as the referee was playing advantage for a Fiji knock on.
Two minutes later the 9,500-strong crowd were on their feet again as Fiji fullback Norman Ligairi cut through the Italian defence before sprinting out wide to score on the corner. Seremaia Bai split the uprights from far out and Fiji led 7-3.
Indiscipline from the Italians in the 14th minute saw Bai collect another three points with another 30-metre penalty.
Italy’s Santiago Dellape´was sin-binned in the 20th minute for throwing an arm at Alifereti Doviverata during a ruck, and this opened up a floodgate for the locals.
Good support play from the back line saw Caucau receive the last past as he broke away 30 metres out to run in untouched. Bai converted from out wide.
Jacob Rauluni made a stirling return to Test rugby when he sold a dummy to Italy’s fullback David Bortolussi before scoring under the sticks.
Two minutes later and the Fijians were at it again as substitute Kiniviliame Salabogi broke free from the Italian defence. With Caucau being a marked man out wide, the former Sevens rep showed his class of wit and pace as he chipped and followed up for a lucky bounce. Bai pushed the lead further 29-3.
Injuries crept into the Fiji side as flanker Ifereimi Rawaqa and prop Jo Bale both left the field in the first spell.
A powerful scrum from the Italians five metres from the Fiji try line saw flanker Sergio Parise dive over. Ramiro missed the conversion as the teams went for the break with Fiji leading 29-8.
The FMF Flying Fijians did not manage any points in the second as the Italians came back fired up.
A line-out five metres from Fiji’s try line gave the Italians another chance as their forwards worked extra hard for a push-over try. Ramiro did not disappoint this time as he added the extra two to keep their hopes alive.
Caucau was sin-binned in the 62nd minute when the touch judge caught the winger blocking fullback David Bortolussi as he chased a high ball.
Ten minutes from time Ramiro added another three points to Italy, but that was not enough as the clock ran out on the tourists.
Saturday, 17 June 2006
Fiji 29 Italy 18
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half time: 29-8
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Touch judges: George Ayoub (Australia), Will Ross (South Africa)
Crowd: 9,500
FIJI: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Mosese Luveitasau (Maleli Kunavore 72), 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Rupeni Caucaunibuca (yellow card 62-71) 10 Seremaia Baikeinuku, 9 Jacob Rauluni, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Alivereti Doviverata (Akapusi Qera, 60), 6 Ifereimi Rawaqa (Kini Salabogi 17), 5 Simon Raiwalui (capt), 4 Isoa Domolailai, 3 Apisai Nagi, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Josese Bale (Ravuamo Samo 30)
Not used: Joeli Lotawa, Emosi Vucago, Jo Tora
Coach: Wayne Pivac
Tries: Caucau, Ligairi, Rauluni, Salabogi; Conversions: Baikeinuku (3); Penalty goals: Baikeinuku
ITALY: 15 David Bortolussi, 14 Pablo Canavosio, 13 Andrea Masi, 12 Mirco Bergamasco (capt), 11 Michelle Sepe, 10 Pez Ramiro, 9 Paul Griffin (Robert Barbier 47), 8 Josh Sole, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Segio Parisse, 5 Carlo Del Fava (yellow card 20-29), 4 Santiago Dellape, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Fabio Ongaro (Leonardo Ghiraldini 47), 1 Andrea Lo Cicero (Matias Aguero 61)
Not used: Fabia Staibano, Marco Bortolami, Simone Picone, Gert Peens
Coach: Pierre Berbezier
Tries: Dellape, Parisse; Conversion: Ramiro; Penalty goals: Ramiro (2)
Scoring sequence (Fiji first)
2min – PEN GOAL ITALY, Ramiro – 0-3
4min – TRY FIJI, Ligairi; conversion Bai – 7-3
14min – PEN GOAL FIJI, Bai – 10-3
30min – TRY FIJI, Caucau; conversion Bai (missed) – 15-3
32min – PEN GOAL ITALY, Ramiro (missed) – 15-3
37min – TRY FIJI, Rauluni; conversion Bai (missed) – 22-3
38min – TRY FIJI, Salabogi; conversion Bai (missed) – 29-3
40min – TRY ITALY, Parisse; conversion Ramiro (missed) – 29-8
Half-time
55min – TRY ITALY, Dellape; conversion Ramiro – 29-15
70min – PENALTY GOAL, Italy, Ramiro – 29-18
Full-time
Team Fiji main page
|
|
