The BMW Australian Schools were behind at half-time but staged a magnificent comeback in the second half to beat Fiji Schools 39-17 at Sacred Heart College in Auckland.
Green and Gold’s own “The Honey Badger” reports the following from Auckland:
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After rain during the night conditions were humid and warm in Auckland but fortunately the the rain stayed away for the match.
Sacred Heart College has large playing fields and although the surface was a bit soft after the rain, and the grass a big long by our standards, the match pitch was in good condition.
First half
Fiji started the stronger and hassled the Aussies enough to force a penalty. 9 Penia Ratu kicked the goal for Fiji to open the scoring and lead 3-0.
But Australia earned tight-head ball from a scrum on the Fiji 22 and soon 15 Luke Osborne scored wide out after receiving an excellent cut-out pass from 12 Nick Wilkinson. No extras – and Australia led 5-3 after eight minutes.
Fiji regrouped and were tenacious at the breakdown slowing down and disrupting their opponent’s ball. When they had it classy scrummie Ratu box-kicked for them to chase and apply pressure.
Fiji got a smart lineout steal near their own 22 and kicked long into Australia’s half, and from an Aussie scrum they pounced on a misdirected pass. Fast ball went to 13 Tira Wilaga Patterson for a brilliant weaving run and a pass to 15 Sirino Moceilekutu in support for Fiji’s first try. Ratu converted and Fiji retook the lead, 10-5, after 28 minutes.
But four minutes later the Aussies applied pressure from the restart and turned the ball over. Wilkinson gave a deft inside pass to 13 Matthew McTaggart, who passed brilliantly back outside to Osborne, who kicked ahead in traffic with perfect weight for 14 William Eadie to score. Wow – the conversion missed and the score was tied, 10-10.
Then just before the break Fiji hit back with probably the best try of the match. Their forwards put on phase after phase with short passes and their no. 8 Lemeki Cagialaub crashed over. Converted
Half-time score: Fiji 17 – Australia 10.
Second half
The Aussies hassled Fiji and after winning a lineout deep in their territory they worked the ball wide and after some pick-and-drives lock Rory Suttor crashed over. Again the conversion missed and the Islanders still led: 17-15.
The boys in gold dropped the ball from the restart to put Fiji in a strong position; they appeared to have an overlap, but 11 Yirrbi Jaffer-Williams sensed danger and intercepted a pass to run 65 metres to score. Australia retook the lead and when flyhalf Adam Duoeihi converted the score was Australia 22-17.
Fiji were down a man after a yellow card for an illegal tackle and following another infringement Duoeihi slotted a penalty goal to increase the lead to 25-17 with about 15 minutes left.
Lots of bench players were on the park by this time. Fiji weren’t giving up: they were dangerous when they had the ball and were defending with dominant tackles that were sometimes too vigorous.
Once Osborne was able to clear with a booming penalty kick and from the lineout good passing ended with Eadie scoring his second, out wide. He got his hat-trick when he intercepted a loose ball on halfway when Fiji were playing Sevens-style to catch up, and hared upfield to dot down between the posts.
Final Score: Australian Schools 39 – Fiji Schools 17
The wrap-up
The game was played in a good spirit.
The Aussies may have been surprised by the quality of the Fijian team but the Islanders certainly deserved to be contenders for the result for much of the game. They were lightning quick off their defensive line and competed well at the breakdown.
When they were disciplined they were dangerous and scored tries, but they let themselves down by giving away too many penalties and incurring that yellow card.
The final score was not a good indicator of the closeness in the abilities of the two teams, because two intercept tries blew out the scoreline.
When Australia played to their strengths and settled the play they looked impressive. Their scrum dominated early but there wasn’t much it it when the the packs were changed in the second half. The class and pace of their backs were evident, especially as the game progressed and Fiji tired
They are to be congratulated for their comeback in the second half and for their defence which did not allow Fiji a point after the break.
The players
Australia
Blind side flanker Sunia Finefeuiaki had a strong match as did lock Rory Suttor and opensider Fraser McReight, who had a excellent captain’s game—defending strongly and being active all over the park.
Matthew McTaggart was a revelation playing outside centre for the first time, having some courageous runs and setting up tries. Will Eadie was all class on the wing bagging his hat-trick. Fullback Luke Osborne positioned himself nicely, kicked well from hand and some of his running was sensational.
Fiji
Captain and no.8 Lemeki Cagialau was their best: he was a good leader, had many strong carries and defended robustly. Halfback Peniasi Ratu was probably the smallest lad on the field but one of the most effective: he passed and kicked well and troubled the Aussies with his darting runs.
Fullback Sirino Moceilekutu had a strong game and blindside flanker Jonacani Rogowale worked vigorously at the breakdown and ran with power.
The scoring
Australia 39 (W. Eadie 3, L. Osborne, Y. Jaffer-Williams, R. Suttor tries; A. Doueihi 2 cons, pen; L. Osborne con), def. Fiji 17 ( L. Cagialau, S. Moceilekutu tries; P. Ratu 2 cons, pen.)
Photos by “The Honey Badger”
