Fiji underline counter-attack threat with win over Tonga
Seven-try France crush Italy in final World Cup warm-up
AUCKLAND, Aug 31, (RTRS): Fiji highlighted how dangerous they could be on the counter-attack at the World Cup as they scored two scintillating long-range tries to beat Tonga 29-19 at Eden Park on Saturday.
The match, part of a ‘Pasifika Challenge’ double header that also included Samoa beating a New Zealand Heartland XV 36-19 in the first game, was the final warm-up match for the Fijians before they head to Japan.
Fiji open their Pool D campaign against Australia on Sept 21 and demonstrated on Saturday how dangerous they would be if the Wallabies kick poorly and do not shut down their exciting backline.
Former Australian rugby league international Semi Radradra, even though he was facing the highly experienced duo of Cooper Vuna and captain Siale Piutau in the midfield, proved especially difficult to shut down.
The ball-handling skills and longloping strides of the speedy forwards that have propelled Fiji to sevens dominance were also evident, while their stinging defence ensured Tonga did not run away with the game in the first half.
Tonga, who face the All Blacks next week in Hamilton, looked far more organised as they controlled the ball for long phases but could not penetrate the Fijian defence.
Both of their first half tries, to Piutau and hooker Paula Ngauamo, were the result of patient buildups, however, the Fijians went into the break with a 17-12 lead after they pounced on three turnovers.
Wingers Josua Tuisava and Vereniki Goneva finished off sweeping longrange movements, while flanker Semi Kunatani dived over in the corner after a dropped ball by Tonga’s scrumhalf Sona Takulua gave Fiji the ball inside the 22-metre area.
Fiji captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu crossed to give Fiji a 24-12 lead, before a try to Tonga winger Viliami Lolohea was controversially ruled out by referee Ben O’Keeffe for a dangerous tackle on Kalivati Tawake.
The Fijian prop, however, appeared to duck his head into the contact as the Tonga player attempted a legitimate tackle.
In Paris, France got their rugby World Cup preparations back on track by overpowering Italy, scoring seven tries in a flamboyant and sometimes chaotic 47-19 win at the Stade de France.
The home side, in their final warmup match before the tournament in Japan, played a bold, expansive game and, despite being reduced temporarily to 13 players midway through the first half, had too much pace and power for a stubborn yet outclassed Italian side.
The French, whose previous two games were back-to-back encounters against Scotland – a home win followed by an away defeat – never looked back after winger Yoann Huget went over in the third minute after a superb break by centre Wesley Fofana.
France captain Jefferson Poirot stressed the positives, saying: “I think we reached our objectives. We still have things to do but I think we can take some spirit from this – we showed
some good things.
Italy, desperate to find some form, responded well before a chaotic sixminute period of play produced two tries and three yellow cards.
France lost No. 8 Louis Picamoles for infringing at a ruck after 18 minutes, which allowed Italy winger Mattia Bellini to cross after a quick penalty tap by Sergio Parisse, playing in his 140th international.
France’s Rabah Slimani was next in the sin bin only for Italy to lose a man of their own when Bellini impeded Huget during a kick-and-chase
towards the Italian try line.
That also produced a penalty try and France reached the break 19-7 up after scoring from a driving maul.
They eased away in the second period, playing open rugby without fully convincing as they added four more tries, the pick of them by scrumhalf Antoine Dupont who skipped through a series of tackles after stealing down the blindside.
Italy’s high-point came when England-born flanker Jake Polledri powered over after regathering an attempted chip over the French defence. Bellini, meanwhile, added his second and his side’s third try in the closing stages.
Friday’s result gave France their eighth win in a row over the Italians.
Connor O’Shea’s team, who complete their World Cup preparations by taking on England in Newcastle next Friday, have now lost nine of their last 10 internationals, the win coming against World Cup minnows Russia.
The Rugby World Cup begins on Sept 20, with hosts Japan taking on Russia.
In Dublin, a number of Ireland’s fringe players will get a chance to seal a World Cup place following their warm-up match against Wales on Saturday which coach Joe Schmidt billed as a “character test” after last weekend’s dismal defeat to England.
Less than a year after a first ever home victory over New Zealand raised World Cup expectations to fever pitch, Ireland’s 57-15 rout left their coach bemoaning a “malaise” about his team just four weeks before the tournament begins in Japan.
While Schmidt said he always planned to ring in the changes regardless of the Twickenham thrashing, the defeat was still on his mind as he expressed confidence his team would be “very much a step ahead” this time.
After watching a near full strength side miss 34 tackles against a far superior England, Schmidt hands the versatile Will Addison a first warm-up appearance with Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell and Kieran Marmion getting another chance inside him.