As I pen this article, I wish valuable readers of The Fiji Times a happy, rewarding and blessed 2023. After finishing third in the Pacific Nations Cup, which was played at home, Fiji lost to Scotland and Ireland, but beat the French Barbarians. Heading to this year’s RWC 15s tournament in France, a lot is at stake for Fiji as our warriors face the Wallabies and Dragons. Let’s analyse the Flying Fijians performance last year.
Ikale Tahi suffers heavy defeat in Suva
Charles Piutau’s Tonga debut ended in defeat as Fiji beat the Ikale Tahi 36-0 in its Pacific Nations Cup clash. Tonga could not contain the well-oiled Flying Fijians as the hosts, who had an ex-All Black of their own in the form of debutant midfielder Seta Tamanivalu kept the visitors scoreless while running in five tries. The first of those came in quick succession as Tevita Ratuva and Jiuta Wainiqolo dotted down inside the opening 10 minutes, putting their opponents on the back foot as they battled to gain any ascendency due to their faltering set piece. Fiji produced a piece of attacking brilliance to go nearly 100m and score through Kalaveti Ravouvou. Two tries in six minutes, scored by Setareki Tuicuvu and Vinaya Habosi, killed off any faint hope of a Tongan comeback in what was a resounding result for Fiji in front of a packed crowd. The result lifted Fiji to the top of the Pacific Nations Cup table with five points.
Australia A shocks Flying Fijians at home
A week after going down to Samoa in its return to the Pacific Nations Cup, Australia A shocked the Flying Fijians on home soil, securing an impressive 32- 18 win at Churchill Park. The Australians took a 15-13 lead into half-time after tries to Dlyan Pietsch and Hugh Sinclair, but the decisive blow was landed by Jeremy Williams who charged down Ben Volavola’s kick to open up a 29-18 lead. Ryan Lonergan made sure of the result as he banged over a penalty to extend their lead and in a signal that Australia A wasn’t just a development program, but a high performance program. Against a side featuring Seta Tamanivalu and Josua Tuisova, Fiji had explosiveness and power across the park. Tamanaivalu was the best on the field as he scored a try and set up one to Levani Botia. Fans went home disappointed as the hosts lost.
Samoa crowned Pacific Nations Cup Champions
Manu Samoa was crowned won the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) after beating Fiji in a nail-biting affair 23- 20 at Churchill Park. The final 10 minutes brought Fijian fans to their feet as they screamed and chanted ‘go Fiji go’ and waved the blue Fijian flag. The Samoans survived wave after wave of mounting Fijian attack, with the hosts spreading the ball looking for a chink in the Samoan defence, but there was no way through. Fiji dominated the first half as Samoa grabbed a penalty and Fiji ran in two converted tries to Albert Tuisue and Frank Lomani, followed by Ben Volavola’s penalty for the 17-3 halftime lead. However, some stern words from Samoa’s head coach Seilala Mapusua fired up the men in blue as they exploded after the break and managed to turn offence into points. Ray Niuia scored two converted tries, while two penalties by Rodney Iona had the visitors leading 23-20. F iji had the opportunity to draw level by kicking the penalty, but the lineout option was taken as the team wanted a win. An overthrow saw the Samoan defenders pouncing on the ball and kicking it out to end the game and win the 2022 PNC title.
Another loss at BT Murrayfield to the Bravehearts
Scotland struggled to impress despite beating Fiji at BT Murrayfield Stadium 28-12. The Bravehearts laboured to an autumn international win over a determined Fijian outfit on an uncomfortable afternoon for Gregor Townsend’s side. George Turner and Adam Hastings scored first-half tries for the hosts, but Fiji had two of their own through Setareki Tuicuvu and Ratu Rotuisolia. The home side struggled to get any fluency into their game, but tries from Duhan van der Merwe and Ben White added gloss to the final score-line. After the previous weekend’s agonising one-point loss to Australia, and with the All Blacks coming to town the week after, it was vital that the hosts put Fiji away to get their show back on track.
Awful Ireland overpowers ill-disciplined Fiji
A sloppy Ireland side recorded a fairly routine 35-17 win over an ill-disciplined Fiji side in a performance coach Andy Farrell described as awful following the highs of the previous week’s victory over South Africa. After Kalaveti Ravouvou provided an early scare with a typically slick Fijian try, Ireland’s well-drilled forwards took control of the first half with flanker Nick Timoney going over twice followed by Robert Baloucoune. However, the hosts failed to push on when Albert Tuisue was sent off five minutes into the second half and Fiji kept in touch, even when they were down to 13 men. Simione Kuruvoli grabbed the score of the game either side of Irish tries from Mack Hansen and Cian Healy. Farrell’s game plan of leaning on his superior pack to counter the explosive Fijians was glaringly obvious. Fiji’s non-existent discipline, following on from three yellow cards conceded in Edinburgh, haunted the visitors.
Flying Fijians end tour on a high note
The Flying Fijians recorded a win in their Autumn Test Series with a 46-14 drubbing of the French Barbarians. The Vern Cotter-coached Flying Fijians side led 26-7 at half-time. The boys overcame a strong French Barbarian force as Jiuta Wainiqolo and Vinaya Habosi displayed a superb performance scoring a double each. Fiji ran in seven tries to two as Waisea Nayacalevu scored the first try in the 11th minute to give Fiji an early boost. Fiji added more points in the bag with a try from Api Ratuniyarawa and Sireli Maqala. The French Barbarians two tries were scored by Alexandre Roumat and Sacha Zegueur.
• RAJNESH LINGAM is a regular contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of this newspaper.
