|
|
|
 TEIVOVO.COM – IRB PACIFIC RUGBY CUP 2007
|
|
|
Saturday 21 April 2007
Warriors’ win to give hope for final spot
The Air Pacific Fiji Warriors stepped up their performance to defeat the Air Pacific Fiji Barbarians 20-14 at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup.
The victory gives them an outside chance of making the final, depending on the other results this weekend in Tonga and Samoa.
A strong first-half from Eddie Waqa’s team saw early tries to returning winger Isoa Neivua in the ninth minute and Dale Tonawai in the 11th minute to give the Warriors a 20-9 advantage at the interval.
The boot of fullback Jo Tora brought the Barbarians back into contention as he kicked three penalty goals. And when he touched down to score the Barbars’ only try in the 62nd minute, it was game on for the last quarter.
In the end, the strength of the Warriors’ defence won the game. Next week, the Warriors host Upolu Samoa at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, while the Barbarians travel to Nuku’alofa to face the high-flying Tau’uta Reds.
Quotes:
Ifereimi Tawake (Air Pacific Fiji Barbarians coach):
“Our game pan was not executed well because we were defending most of the time. The plan was to take the game into opposition territory and recycle the ball. I think the referee didn’t see the effort by Apisai Turukawa properly as he said it was held up.”
“Despite the adverse weather conditions, the boys played well, but they’ll have to lift the level of their game next week.”
Eddie Waqa (Air Pacific Fiji Warriors coach):
“This was a good performance from us compared to the last two matches. The boys played well, especially when they were under a lot of pressure. We came here with a lot of determination to win. Our plan worked well – to play forward, and play tight. The amount of kicking was necessary to get play out of our half. We do need to work on our discipline – the offside line and tackle ball situation.”
Ilivasi Tabua (FMF Flying Fijians coach):
“Today’s match was much, much better compared with the last few weeks. The players need to be consistent and not play well one week but poorly the next.”
“The defence from both sides was good – denying the opposition time and space. The execution of the scrum was effective and I thought the surge was outstanding. The option-taking was good as well, and I think the Barbarians had better positional play. There were 50 kicks in open play today, and that’s not good.”
Saturday 21 April 2007
Air Pacific Fiji Barbarians 14 Air Pacific Fiji Warriors 20
IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2007
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-time: 20-9
Referee: Peter Ahkuio (Samoa)
Touch judges: Hemi Saiosi (Samoa), Sitiveni Are (Fiji)
Crowd: 2,000
AIR PACIFIC FIJI BARBARIANS: 15 Jo Tora, 14 Penaia Vakaruru (Aseri Latianara 77), 13 Jonetani Ratu, 12 Josefa Satini (Vereniki Goneva 46), 11 Marika Vakacegu, 10 Jonetani Ralulu (Jack Prasad 64), 9 Seveci Taka, 8 Samu Kunanitu (Koresi Ledua 54), 7 Sam Tabua, 6 Wame Lewaravu, 5 Mosese Vasuitoga (Josefa Domolailai 66), 4 Rupeni Nasiga, 3 Isireli Temo (Isei Colati 74), 2 Viliame Gadolo (Vereniki Sauturaga 64), 1 Apisai Turukawa (capt).
Coach: Ifereimi Tawake
Try: Tora; Penalty goals: Tora (3).
AIR PACIFIC FIJI WARRIORS: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Paula Tiko, 13 Isoa Rokobici (Kelemedi Bola 73), 12 Gabirieli Lovobalavu, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Waisea Luveniyali (Luke Rogoyawa 77), 9 Aporosa Vata (capt), 8 Dale Tonawai, 7 Mikaele Maya, 6 Samu Vakaruru, 5 Jone Qovu (yellow card 57-66) (Aseri Tale 73), 4 Langi Peters (Sairusi Rokosalu 79), 3 Tiko Matawalu (Savenaca Driu 67), 2 Sunia Koto (Aseri Buli 75), 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua.
Coach: Etuate Waqa
Not used: Jeremaiya Tuilevu
Tries: Neivua, Tonawai; Conversions: Rawaqa (2); Penalty goals: Rawaqa (2).
Scoring sequence (Barbarians’ scores shown first):
3min – PEN GOAL BARBARIANS, Tora – 3-0
9min – TRY WARRIORS, Neivua; conversion Rawaqa – 3-7
11min – TRY WARRIORS, Tonawai; conversion Rawaqa – 3-14
13min – PEN GOAL BARBARIANS, Tora – 6-14
21min – PEN GOAL BARBARIANS, Tora – 9-14
25min – PEN GOAL WARRIORS, Rawaqa – 9-17
37min – PEN GOAL WARRIORS, Rawaqa – 9-20
Half-time
50min – PEN GOAL BARBARIANS, Tora (missed) – 9-20
57min – Yellow card Warriors, Qovu
62min – TRY BARBARIANS, Tora; conversion Tora (missed)– 14-20
65min – PEN GOAL WARRIORS, Rawaqa (missed) – 14-20
Full-time
Pacific Rugby Cup main page
|
|
|
