Frustrations aplenty in Fiji slugfest
NICK TIMONEY claimed two tries as Ireland overcame a sloppy start to secure a disjointed 35-17 Dublin victory over Fiji.
Andy Farrell’s muchchanged side were well below their free-flowing best and had to come from behind following Kalaveti Ravouvou’s fine opener, before conceding an outstanding consolation score to Simione Kuruvoli.
Fiji played most of a stop-start second half a man down after Gloucester flanker Albert Tuisue was dismissed for ploughing into the head of Joey Carbery, while Manasa Saulo and Api Ratuniyarawa each spent spells in the sin bin.
Despite a fragmented display, the Irish were never in serious danger of slipping to a first defeat to the Pacific islanders. Yet, in addition to the premature departure of Carbery, an early injury sustained by Robbie Henshaw was further concern for the home team following their 16th victory from 18 Tests.
Ahead of kick-off the crowd paid tribute to former Ireland international Paul McNaughton, who died on Sunday aged 69.
Teti Tela was wayward with an early penalty but, having regained possession, the free-running Fijians ripped through the Irish defence, culminating in centre Ravouvou racing clear to dive over, with Tela converting. Ireland’s sloppy beginning was compounded
by Henshaw limping off in the aftermath of Tela’s conversion.
Ireland woke up, with flanker Timoney burrowing over twice in quick succession, either side of Kieran Treadwell seeing a score ruled out on review due to a failure to ground.
Fiji, who had prop Saulo sin-binned following a series of infringements, briefly reduced the arrears through a Teti penalty, before Jimmy O’Brien’s superb line break followed by a fine Jamison Gibson-Park pass gave Robert Baloucoune a simple finish on the right.
Carbery nailed the difficult conversion but had to leave the field in the 46th
minute following Tuisue’s crude shoulderled challenge, resulting in a Test debut for Jack Crowley. Fiji were then briefly down to 13 players as lock Ratuniyarawa was yellow carded and Hansen crossed for a try, with 22year-old Crowley adding the first of his two conversions.
Fiji replacement Kuruvoli went over 16 minutes from time, but Cian Healy ensured Ireland had the last say.