PRC Junior Waratahs 12 v Fiji Warriors 15

The Fiji Warriors posted their second win of the 2011 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup with a 15-12 victory over the HSBC Junior Waratahs in a tight match at St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday.

The Junior Tahs opened the scoring in the 15th minute in the wake of a torrid initial stanza which saw the possession and territory evenly shared. A strong attacking NSW scrum on the Fijians 22m line saw the ball quickly placed in the hands of strong finisher, John Grant, who skipped over for a five-pointer which was converted by Ben Batger.

Fiji constantly tested the Junior Tahs’ defence with sniping runs but the home side held firm, aided by numerous penalties at the breakdown which disrupted the Warriors rhythm. It was not until the 36th minute, and only after sustained pressure, that one of Fiji’s probing runs bore fruit with a converted try to winger, Isoa Coalala.

The HSBC Junior Waratahs looked to immediately strike back with strong running fullback Jacob Woodhouse linking with flyer Greg Jeloudev who went agonisingly close to scoring. With Fiji holding out attack after attack on their tryline, eventually Warriors flanker, Malakai Volau, fell victim to his over enthusiasm and was yellow carded right on half time.

The resultant penalty and numbers advantage enabled No.8 Talalelei Gray to barge over from the quick tap to put the home side ahead at the break, 12-7.

Fiji started the second forty a man down but the second half started at the same pace as the first with both sides using every opportunity to attack. Fiji flung the ball from wing to wing, constantly probing for a gap. The HSBC Junior Waratahs, too, ran with the ball again and again, with Greg Jeloudev once again denied a try by inches, after some great cover defence from the Fijians.

Attacking from within their own half, Fiji eventually scored an unconverted try when fullback Adriu Delai crossed for the equaliser in the 54th minute. This was quickly followed by a penalty from flyhalf Taniela Maravunawasawasa, putting the Islanders ahead for the first time.

With crucial NSW turnovers thwarting a number of scoring opportunities, and Fiji missing two further shots for penalty, the scoreboard stubbornly refused to tick over. The match was well into injury time when the HSBC Junior Waratahs made one last ditch attempt to wrest the game, with John Grant starting an ambitious attack from well within his own 22 and linking with prop Paddy Ryan, who was eventually stopped by the ever-effective Fiji cover. 

The final Australian conference matches of the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup will be played on Monday 28 February. The Fiji Warriors take on the Brumby Runners at Vikings Park, Canberra at 6.30pm while the HSBC Junior Waratahs meet Samoa A at St Mary's Stadium, Mt Druitt at 5.30pm.

Fiji Warriors 15 (Isoa Coalala, Adriu Delai tries; Taniela Maravunawasawasa con, pen) d HSBC Junior Waratahs 12 (John Grant, Talalelei Gray tries; Ben Batger con) at St Marys Stadium, Sydney. Half-time: HSBC Junior Waratahs 12-7. Yellow Card: Malakai Volau (Fiji Warriors), repeated infringements, 39th minute. Referee: Angus Gardner. Crowd: 300.

By the clock
15th – John Grant try; Ben Batger conversion. HSBC Junior Waratahs 7-0
36th – Isoa Coalala try; Taniela Maravunawasawasa conversion. 7-all
39th – Yellow Card: Malakai Volau, repeated infringements at breakdown
40th – Tala Gray try; Ben Batger missed conversion. HSBC Junior Waratahs 12-7
54th – Adriu Delai try; Taniela Maravunawasawasa missed conversion. 12-all
59th – Taniela Maravunawasawasa penalty goal. Fiji Warriors 15-12