NZ Schools beat Australian Schools in nail-biter

Earlier in the day Australia A Schools played Fiji Schools in the curtain-raiser.

The Aussie reserve team did not play their best earlier in the week against  New Zealand Schools and were determined to make amends. If that was not enough to play well for, there were spots in the end of year tour up for grabs.

Australia A Schools 32 — Fiji Schools 17

by “Newbie”

First half

From the kick-off it was all the A’s and it was clearly their intent on running the ball at the ever present and physical Fijians as they elected to turn down early penalty goals in favour of touch.

Well fortune favours the brave and soon after 10. Tuttle crossed for the A’s first try.

From the restart it was more of the same from the A’s when 13. Magnay and then 14. Tuimaleali’ifano crossed for the A’s second and third tries. The A’s were unable to convert what were admittedly sideline conversons and led 15-0 within 20 minutes.

Fiji did have their opportunities but repeated infringements at the breakdown and rushed passing brought them unstuck.

Eventually they were able to put together some decent phases of rugby which resulted in their captain 7. Dolokoto dotting down for their first of the day. 10. Nakolilevu converted and it was the A’s in front 15-7.

With oranges fast approaching 11. Miller, showing a great turn of pace, crossed for Fiji’s second. The try was unconverted. Regrettably a good half of rugby was marred when 13. Kikau was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle. The A’s took the 3 points on offer and at oranges it was the A’s leading Fiji 18-12.

Second half

Fiji started with promise after the break as they set up camp in the A’s 22. They threw everything but the kitchen at the A’s goal line for almost a quarter of an hour, even resorting to an American football over-the-ruck dive (see photo) however the resolute goal line defence of the A’s kept the desperate Fijians scoreless.

Unlike Tuesday the A’s were clinical in their execution of all facets of their game, and the result was 13. Magnay going over for his second try. 10. Tuttle converted it was the A’s in front 25-12.

Just when it seemed the A’s were going to run away with the result, 13. Kikau made a great line break which sent 22. Tikicedre over the chalk for Fiji’s third.

10. Nakolilevu converted and with only 10 left on the clock the A’s had their noses in front 25-17. With the crowd anticipating a Fijian revival the A’s did prevail and with only minutes left 14. Tuimaleali’ifano dove over the line to seal the A’s victory. The try was converted and at full-time the A’s redeemed pride in the jersey for an emphatic 32-17 victory!

For the A’s I was most impressed with 10. Tuttle (especially his goal line defence in the second half and the way he structured his backline all game), 13. Magnay and 8. Crichton.

For the Fijians I was most impressed with 9. Nawai, 13. Kikau, and 6. Sivo.

Photos by Lee Grant