Fiji hang on to edge Eagles

Fiji overcame two yellow cards and a strong second-half surge by the United States to secure a hard-fought 20-14 win in their international encounter at Stade De La Rabine, Vannes, France on Friday.

Fiji got out the blocks fastest and raced into a 15-0 lead inside the opening half-hour.

There was a massive second-half improvement by the Eagles, but this will be remembered as the one that got away.

Three golden scoring opportunities were wasted during their charge after the break – Tim Stanfill spilled a ball with the tryline begging in the 53rd minute and even in the last minute the Eagles butchered a late chance to salvage a win by coughing up the ball.

Fiji, in contrast, used their opportunities better – especially when they stretched the defence out wide.

The Americans' restarts also posed problems and offered the Pacific Islanders additional opportunities to attack.

Despite twice being a man down – Tuapati Talemaitoga yellow carded right on half-time for repeated infringements and Watisoni Votu getting his marching orders for a stiff-arm challenge in the 68th minute – the Pacific islanders hung on in the final 10 minutes.

Two quick strikes from Fiji effectively won them the game.

After a Nemani Nadolo penalty in the 10th minute, Timoci Nagusa scored the first try.

Fiji won a scrum and went through a few phases, before Nagusa exploited the space on the wing for the try. Nadolo added the conversion – 10-0.

Nagusa then went from scorer to creator, after he split hooker Phil Thiel and wing Tim Stanfill and off-loaded to Watisoni Votu for the try in the corner. Nadolo could not add the extras, but at 15-0 the Fijians were in the driving seat.

However, their lack of discipline would cost them dearly.

Talemaitoga was sent to the sin bin for illegally collapsing a maul..

And it showed when the teams came out after the break, the Eagles opening their scoring within a minute after the restart – strong runs from locks John Cullen and Greg Peterson, as well as centre Thretton Palamo, set up space for flank John Quill to feed centre Seamus Kelly, who dummied an opponent before scoring. Ronald McLean added the conversion to make it 7-15.

Votu produced what turned out to be a decisive score, his second try, in the 49th minute – after Fiji swung the ball wide, lock Leone Nakarawa passed behind the back to Vereniki Goneva, and the centre found Votu open on the opposite wing. Nadolo's conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but 20-7 put them back in command.

Ten minutes later the Americans produced some magic of their own. Quick passing from the halfbacks got the ball to McLean, who found Takudzwa Ngwenya on the wing, who raced away from the defensive line and cut inside to beat the fullback  for a second Eagles try. McLean kicked his second conversion – giving the Eagles hope at 14-20 and 20 minutes remaining on the clock.

With just over 10 minutes remaining Votu was shown a yellow card for a stiff-arm high-tackle to the face of Thretton Palamo, who didn't have the ball. He can expect to get cited and given further sanction for that bit of thuggery.

Despite getting close to the line on a few occasions, the Eagles failed to convert their opportunities and the Fijians hung on for the win.

The scorers:

For Fiji:

Tries: Nagusa, Votu 2

Con: Nadolo

Pen: Nadolo

For the United States:

Tries: Kelly, Ngwenya

Cons: McLean 2

Yellow cards: Tuapati Talemaitoga (Fiji, 40 – professional foul, illegally collapsing a maul), Watisoni Votu (Fiji, 68 – foul play, stiff-arm challenge)

Teams:

Fiji: 15 Timoci Nagusa, 14 Watisoni Votu, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Nemani Nadolo, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Josh Matavesi, 9 Henry Seniloli, 8 Masi Matadigo, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Akapusi Qera (captain), 5 Tevita Cavubati, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 1 Peni Ravai.

Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto, 17 Isei Colatei, 18 Tanielo Koroi, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 21 Nemia Kenatale, 22 Jonetani Ralulu, 23 Waisea Nayacalevu.

United States: 15 Ronald McLean, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Thretton Palamo, 11 Tim Stanfill, 10 Shalom Suniula, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Todd Clever (captain), 7 John Quill, 6 Scott LaValla, 5 Greg Peterson, 4 John Cullen, 3 Mate Moeakiola, 2 Phil Thiel, 1 Olive Kilifi.

Replacements: 16 Tom Coolican, 17 Nick Wallace, 18 Benjamin Tarr, 19 Matt Trouville, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Roland Suniula, 22 Andrew Suniula, 23 Tim Maupin.

Referee: Johnny Lacey (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), Gary Conway (Ireland)

TMO: Iain Ramage (Scotland)

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