A thrilling late-game comeback and three tries to Queensland A flyer Mitchell Felsman has seen the Fiji Warriors stumble 36-24 in their opening Pacific Rugby Cup clash at Ballymore on Sunday night.
Felsman scored three of the four Queensland A tries to secure victory for his side after they let a comfortable 18-11 halftime lead slip to fall behind 24-18 in the final quarter of the match.
Fiji battled bravely to push their way back into the encounter before Felsman hit top gear to score two late tries, while flyhalf Dallan Murphy put the game beyond doubt with two penalties goals extending the winning margin.
St.George Queensland Reds winger Chris F’Sautia was a standout and showed why he is such a valued young member of Queensland’s FxPro Super Rugby squad with his combination of speed and strength difficult for the Fijians to handle.
Reds Extended Playing Squad scrumhalf Nick Frisby was equally as impressive as F’Sautia with his up-tempo brand of Rugby and tactical kicking game continually putting the Queenslanders on the front foot.
In the forwards captain Eddie Quirk produced a busy performance across 80 minutes where he was a menace at the breakdown and in defence before breaking out with a 40 metre burst in the dying stages of the match.
“It's a credit to the team to see them produce what they did tonight on very little preparation. We only had one training session together and our captain’s run got rained out so it was a really huge effort,” Quirk said.
“The guys showed that they are just naturally talented football players, but we’ve now got a bit more time together so we’re excited by what’s ahead with games against Samoa and Tonga.
“The guys really stepped up and we were forced to adapt. It’s always hard to play the Fijians, they throw it around and it’s a different style of game.
“The Pacific Rugby Cup is also a great concept and it gives the young guys in the Academy an opportunity to be seen to reach their future ambitions.
“It’s also good for the Islanders teams. It’s good to see them come to Australia and get a lot out of it. The Australians play a different style of footy to what they are used to so it’s a good test for them and a good test for us.”
The Fijians did show glimpses of dominance at stages and led 24-18 midway through the second half before two quick tries to Felsman saw Queensland A regain their lead and walk away with a physical and hard earned victory.
“I thought the boys were great today but I think we can be a little better in defence and with our communication,” Fiji captain Apakuki Vuaviri said.
“It’s a new concept the PRC and it will help us a lot as we’re coming up against a lot of competitive teams."
Despite Fiji shooting out to a 3-0 lead it was Queensland A that enjoyed the majority of early attacking opportunities with scrumhalf Nick Frisby and winger Mitchell Felsman both crossing for tries in the opening 20 minutes.
Frisby was the beneficiary of a Chris F’Sautia linebreak down the right touchline while Felsman utilised his speed to finish off a beautifully weighted Dallan Murphy cut-out pass.
Fiji hit back on the stroke of halftime to bring the margin back within a converted try as fullback Metuisela Talebula showed some great individual skills to score a breakaway try, bringing the score to 18-11 in Queensland A’s favour.
That margin disappeared 10 minutes into the second half when Fiji lock Iliesa Ratuva crashed over from close range to bring the scores level, while Talebula gave the visitors their second lead of the match with two successful drop goals in front of the sticks.
Queensland A fought their way back into the match with Felsman scoring two quick tries in succession before two Murphy penalty goals but the result beyond doubt.
Queensland A 36 (3 Mitchell Felsman, Nick Frisby tries, Dallan Murphy 2 cons, 4 pens) def Fiji Warriors 24 (Metuisela Talebula, Iliesa Ratuva tries, Jonetani Talulu con, 2 pens, Metuisela Talebula 2 drop goals)
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