TOO FAST, TOO MUCH

Coach McKee, Waqaniburotu admit Japanese were too clinical

The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians expected it tough and indeed they were jolted in their first match of the Pacific Nations Cup at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium yesterday.

Outscored five tries to two, the Brave Blossoms were simply too clinical in the 34-21 victory, the first over the Fijians after 8 years. They kept the Fijians guessing with their varying options and were up 15-7 at the first water break in the 20th minute and led 29-7 at

halftime after scoring their fourth try.

It was a lead too hard to chase and skipper Dominiko Waqaniburotu and head coach John McKee admitted the experience was what they needed.

“We knew it would be tough and this a good platform as build on for our next game and the Rugby World Cup,”Waqaniburotu said. “They are a good team and were simply too strong and piled on the points in the first half.

“The pressure was on us to play catch up but you can’t win chasing a big lead.” McKee agreed Japan did the job in the first half.

“They were too clinical and were handful in defence for the boys. But I must credit the player for playing their hearts out in the second spell. “This game is what we needed and we need to build on it it,”McKee said.

The first try for Fiji was scored by Levani Botia after Semi Kunatani provided the break.

Hooker Sam Matavesi scored both tries in the second half following good driving mauls. Here’s how we rate our men. 1. Eroni Mawi – silly mistake in 2nd minute allowed Japan to draw first blood: 5.5/10

2. Sam Matavesi-played a good games, in the thick of battle: 8/10

3. Manasa Saulo- Held his own, need more game time: 6/10

4. Albert Tuisue- Good all round perfoemance: 6.6/10

5. Leone Nakarawa- Another top show: 8/10

6.Dominiko Waqaniburotu- Played throughout; 7/10

7. Semii Kunatani-Tireless , hardworking: 8/10

8. Viliame Mata- Good effort, defended well: 7/10

9. Frank Lomani- Learning experience, should be better:6.5/10 10 Ben Bolavola- Spot on with his kicking game, call the shots: 8/10

11. Patrick Osborne- Defended well, need quality game time: 6.5/10 12 Levani Botia- Good defensive game: 6/10

13 Waisea Nayacalevu- Could have scored but tireless throughout: 7/10 14.Filipo Nakosi– More to learn,5/10

15. Alivereti Veitokani- A quite game with limited possession: 5/10 Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Photo: Kenji Demura Fiji Airways Flying Fijian second five eight Levani Botia scores the first try against Japan at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium in the Iwate Prefecture on July 27, 2019. Japan won 34-21 in their Pacific Nations Cup opener.

Photo: Kenji Demuri Fiji Airways Flying Fijians hooker Sam Matavesi (buried among the players) scores one of their two tries against Japan at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium at the Iwate Prefecture on July 27,2019.