Flying Fijians starved of ball in Canberra

The Flying Fijian side has put up a mighty fight, but in the end the Wallabies reverted to slick teamwork to run out winners 49-3.

International test rugby is not an easy thing, as much as Fiji tried, the experience of Australia & superior mind tactics coming from the coach’s box prevailed in chilly Canberra.

It started with a his and a roar and the first genuine chance for a try was given to Fiji’s winger Sireli Bobo, chasing a chip kick he got his hands on the pill, but couldn’t convert this rare chance.

The first 40 had Fiji right in the mix, well the first 38 anyway (before the try to Richard Brown at the end of the half). The visitors showed great courage and scampering defence to deny and repel their much more fancied opponents. At times the game got a bit messy, the more these tendencies appeared the more the clock wound down and the optimistic thought that Fiji speedsters could grab something here sprung to mind.

It was the aerial side that the Pacific Islanders will rue the most in this test; they had possession and on numerous times lost their own throw into the lineout, crucially this also happened when hot on attack. Towering lock Nathan Sharpe excepted all loose ball the Fijians chucked at him in a huge display, he also was working hard with the hit ups and gained territory with every effort in one of his finest tests. 

In Scrum-time things were evenly shared and the Fiji squad will take a lot of pride out of the exposure to the worlds third ranked team. The forwards looked prepared and threw all they had at the Wallaby pack. Across the paddock Fiji were eager to tackle, some tries were denied my millimeters with desperate D and the Fiji spirit was alive throuhout this match.

Looking at the Fiji team it was number 8 Jone Qovu who caused trouble all night; he is a beast and used his size to marvelous value. Fly half Waisea Luveniyali was the busiest of the backs, more so in cover defence as he was tackling his heart out and getting up again to do more housework for his country.

Fiji number 12 Saula Radidi looked the most likely to pierce the Australian’s, he was constantly challenging and mounting big tackles when required. At this level chances do not come that often, the Fijian side got a few moments when the backs could have a crack, too often though they chose kick somewhat aimlessly for 20 meters of territory, this is easy days for a unit like the Wallabies and they were the team in the driving seat, especially in the second 40.

Fiji did mount some impressive raids; they even powered through the forwards and strung up to 17 phases together, unluckily for them the ball was turned over desperately close to the try line.

It was the first test match of 2010 for these teams, Australia was challenged and will know they were playing a tough team as the ribs recover today. Fiji will feel a heap better for the matchup, they were compeditive and now come home to face Japan in the first match of the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup.

Ironically it seems funny to say that even with a 49-3 loss, Fiji played well. From what was dished out in last eve, Fiji is on track, they showed more fight and character than they have for a season and a half and things can only get better from this torrid battle. More global superstars are jetting back to put their hand up for Fiji; this will leave them with a very powerful team for a shot at PNC title.

Mr Kirwan and his lads are in Fiji and this week we will give you a closer look at both teams and their aspirations in the test matches ahead.