Fijiana loses to Wallaroos
THE Rooster Chicken Fijiana 15s side lost 19-36 to the Australian Wallaroos in a Test at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday.
The Fijians displayed a much improved performance compared with the earlier Test against Japan where they lost 14-28.
Fiji had the worst of starts when Australia was awarded a penalty try in the third minute. The Fijiana side was reduced to 14 players as Roela Radiniyavuni was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on five metres from her own try line.
That lifted the spirits of the Fijians and Vika Matarugu scored Fiji’s first try in the fourth minute. The scores were levelled 7-all.
Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy gave the lead back to the Australians with a try in the right hand corner after a sweeping move by the backline in the 14th minute.
Australia added another try when inside centre Pauline Piliae dived over after a loose ball from the Fijian scrum inside their own 22.
Matarugu sneaked in for Fiji’s second try and kept her side in the match in the 24th minute. Fiji trailed 19-14.
Australia scored one more try before halftime as they extended their lead to 26-14.
The Fjiiana women threatened early in the second half and closed the scores to 26-19 with a sharp try to centre Talei Wilson.
Ivania Wong snatched back some momentum with a typically probing dash and step by four would-be tacklers.
Backrowers Grace Hamilton and Shannon Parry combined to force a relieving penalty at the tackle shortly after.
Captain Parry made a key call just after the hour mark by waving away a simple three points from a penalty shot. Instead, she pressured with a kick to touch which turned into a perfectly worked driving maul. Replacement hooker Ashley Marsters powered over for the try, having already made her mark with several strong carries and tackles. The final try was fitting reward for veteran Parry in front of her Brisbane family and friends. Pacy centre Georgie Friedrichs made a slicing run. When felled, she popped a hopeful ball that Parry roped in with all the handling expertise we know she has as a 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist at sevens.
Fijiana captain Sereima Leweniqila charges forward against the Wallaroos.