Drop-goal drama as Fiji pip Italy

FIJI conjured a dramatic drop goal after the full-time siren to defeat Italy 22-19 in a one-off test in Suva on Saturday, extending the Azzurri’s losing streak to eight games.

Ben Volavola’s kick gave Fiji the edge in a contest in which the home team excelled during broken play but were dominated in the set piece.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Italian captain Francesco Minto, skippering for the first time after a selection shake-up.

“It was a close game, we conceded too much to Fiji in open play,” Minto said.

Italy’s inexperience showed early when wing Leonardo Sarto knocked on trying to gather a kick and Fiji set up centre Eroni Vasiteri for a try from the resulting scrum.

But they excelled at the set piece, stealing the ball from Fiji’s lineout and drawing numerous scrum infringements.