PRC - Gold sneak home in a thriller

Tautahi Gold remain the only unbeaten team in the 2010 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup with a 27-24 victory over a fast finishing Fiji Barbarians outfit this evening in Lautoka.

The Tongan team lead from start to finish after a dominating first half gave them a 24-3 half-time lead. However, inspired by replacement halfback and former sevens rep Emosi Vucago, the Barbarians lit up their dangerous backline in the second half scoring fourteen unanswered points in the final 10 minutes . Ultimately though, the 21 point lead established by the Tautahi Gold was too big.

The win puts Tautahi at the top of the PRC table on 12 points. The Fiji Warriors are second on 10 points, ahead on for-and-against of the Barbarians, also on 10 points. Savaiíi Samoa remain in the hunt, currently in 4th place on 5 points, ahead of Tauíuta Reds also on 5 points but with an inferior for and against.

Tautahi got off to the perfect start with a try in the second minute to Captain Sione Kalamafoni, today playing at number 8, when he crashed over next to the posts. A successful conversion by Tupou Palu gave the Gold an early 7-0 lead.

The Gold were in again in the 8th minute when winger Petelo Tupou touched down to extend the lead 12-0.

Palu kicked his first penalty of the game in the 24th minute to extend the lead to 15-0. Another penalty in the 29th minute gave the Gold a commanding 18-0 lead. Tupou kicked a third penalty to extend the lead further, 21-0.

The Barbarians finally got on the scoreboard courtesy of a 50m penalty kick by Jaoji Dakuvula to make the score 21-3 at halftime.

A penalty to Palu gave the Gold a 24-3 lead in the 15th minute of the second half.

Replacement halfback, and former Fiji Sevens rep Emosi Vucago had the local crowd in raptures when he crossed over for the Barbarians first try of the match. The try was converted by Dakuvula making the score 24-10 to the Gold.

Palu kicked yet another penalty, his fifth for the day, almost immediately after the Barbarians try to make the score 27-10.

Vucago featured again in the Barbarians second try - setting up his captain Rupeni Nasiga to score after a scintillating 40m breakdown the right flank. Dakuvula converted from just inside touch to bring the score back to 17-27 and set up an enthralling final 10 minutes.

Barbarians prop Sakeo Latianara crashed over for a try under the posts after a furious final 10 minutes to give the Barbarians a valuable bonus point, but sadly for the Barbarians they simply ran out of time. Final score 27-24.

"They weren't as physical as the other teams (we've played) but they threw the ball out wide" said captain Sione Kalamafoni after the game. "The first half was definitely ours but in the second half they switched and started to play wide and started breaking through our lines".

As the only undefeated team remaining in the competition, the confidence of the Tautahi Gold is building: "After 3 wins we are very confident but we know it wonít be easy" said Kalamafoni.