Fiji rout USA
Fiji kept alive their hopes of winning the Pacific Nations Cup rugby tournament when they beat the United States in a comprehensive 35-10 showing in Japan on Wednesday.
The Pacific islanders scored four tries against the Americans' one during the game in Nagoya, central Japan.
The victory takes Fiji to two wins against one defeat for 11 points, trailing leaders Canada by only one point. Canada will play Japan later in the day.
The United States, ranked 17th against Fiji's 14th, opened the scoring in the eighth minute when centre Adam Siddall kicked a penalty to make it 3-0.
Minutes later, Fiji's centre Seremaia Bai's squared the scoreline with the first of his three penalties in a game that also saw him make three conversions.
Scrumhalf Nikola Matawalu touched down near the left post after winning a scrum in the 16th minute for an 8-3 lead, setting up Bai's conversion.
In the 22nd minute, fullback Timoci Nagusa collected the ball near the right corner and scored a converted try, before the United States pulled one back through substitute Andrew Suniula and Siddall's conversion, taking the half-time score to 17-10.
Five minutes into the second-half, Fiji No.8 Masi Matadigo won a scrum and took the ball over the line to extend the lead.
Bai's attempted conversion hit the post, but he stretched the score with a penalty in the 52nd minute.
The final try of the game came from a run from Matawalu, who passed to substitute Nemia Kenatale in front of the USA posts and he went over for the try.
Bai again converted and rounded things off with a penalty, allowing the Fijians to run out the game 35-10 winners.
Scrums were a problem for the Eagles throughout the game and they killed what little momentum the Eagles created in the dying minutes of the match. Baikeinuku kicked his third penalty and Fiji played kept the Eagles from advancing past midfield to finish off the Pacific Nations Cup encounter with a 35-10 win.
"We came out in the first half and played the game plan we wanted to play.
"But Fiji got those breaks and that’s how they score points," American captain Louis Stanfill said.
The scorers:
For Fiji:
Tries: Matawalu, Nagusa, Matadigo, Kenatale
Cons: Bai 3
Pens: Bai 3
For USA:
Try: Suniula
Con: Siddall
Pen: Siddall
Teams:
Fiji: 15 Timoci Nagusa, 14 Naipolioni Nalaga, 13 Nemani Nadolo, 12 Seremaia Baikeinuku, 11 Sireli Bobo, 10 Setareki Koroilagilagi, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera (Captain), 6 Netani Talei, 5 Apisai Naikatini, 4 Pisa Ratuniyarawa, 3 Setefano Somoca, 2 Talemaitoga Tuapati, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Campese Ma’afu, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Iliesa Ratuva, 20 Mala Ravulo, 21 Nemia Kenatale, 22 Leone Tabuarua, 23 Aisea Natoga.
USA: 15 Blaine Scully, 14 Luke Hume, 13 Adam Siddall, 12 Seamus Kelly, 11 James Paterson, 10 Toby L'Estrange, 9 Robbie Shaw, 8 Cameron Dolan, 7 Peter Dahl, 6 John Quill, 5 Louis Stanfill (Captain), 4 Graham Harriman, 3 Eric Fry, 2 Zach Fenoglio, 1 Nick Wallace.
Replacements: 16 Chris Biller, 17 Shawn Pittman, 18 Phil Thiel, 19 Brian Doyle, 20 Todd Clever, 21 Mike Petri, 22 Andrew Suniula, 23 Chris Wyles.
