Junior ABs wear out Fiji in Suva
Caucaunibuca seals return with a magic try
The Junior All Blacks opened the inaugural Pacific Five Nations tournament with a well-taken 35-17 victory over Fiji in Suva on Saturday.
But the Fijians shouldn't take defeat too badly, they were just three points adrift at the break to a side whose name belies their real identity.
These boys aren't fresh-faced rookies; call the likes of Steven Bates and John Afoa 'junior' and gauge the response. Reuben Thorne, the man who lead the All Blacks to the last Rugby World Cup, is a squad member!
But we digress, back to Suva we go.
Fiji openside flank Aca Ratuva give the home side an ideal start with a try in the fourth minute, crashing over the line in the wake of a well-worked line-out.
Auckland Blues No.8 Nick Williams responded with the only other try of the opening spell when he went blind off a scrum and used his immense strength to burrow over.
The hosts lost their grip on the guests in the third quarter of the game – a period in which the Junior ABs added 17 points to their first-half tally.
The 12-minute blitz included well-worked tries from tireless flank Josh Blackie and centre Cameron McIntyre.
Both were the ultimate result of counter-attacks after the tourists first succeeded in turning back the dangerous Fijians, then caught them desperately short of numbers at the other end of the field.
The match lost its shape to a certain degree after that and some among the 20,000-strong crowd had seen enough by the time the Juniors added to the scoreline when replacement flank Johnny Leo'o scored in the 73rd minute.
But one Fijian national was not about to throw in the towel.
Agen flyer Rupeni Caucaunibuca celebrated his return from imposed exile – and topped off a fine display – by creating space in the middle of the field before ghosted through a number of challenges to score near the goalposts.
Fiji's next match in the Pacific Five Nations will be against Tonga next Saturday in Gosford, Australia. The Junior All Blacks will host Samoa in North Harbour on Friday.
The scorers:
For Fiji:
Tries: Ratuva, Caucaunibuca
Con: Bai 2
Pens: Bai
For the Junior All Blacks:
Tries: Williams, Blackie, McIntyre, Leo'o
Cons: Donald, McIntyre 2
Pens: Donald 2, McIntyre
Fiji: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Mosese Luveitasau, 13 Epeli Ruivadra, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Rupeni Caucau, 10 Seremaia Bai, 9 Seveci Taka, 8 Alifereti Doviverata, 7 Aca Ratuva, 6 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 5 Simon Raiwalui (captain), 4 Isoa Domolailai, 3 Apisai Nagi, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Josese Bale.
Replacements: 16 Joeli Lotawa, 17 Ravuama Samo, 18 Netani Talei, 19 Akapusi Qera, 20 Emosi Vucago, 21 Josevata Tora, 22 Kameli Ratuvou.
Junior All Blacks: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Cameron McIntyre, 11 Caleb Ralph (vice-captain), 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Josh Blackie, 6 Steven Bates, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 John Afoa, 2 Corey Flynn (captain), 2 Saimone Taumoepeau.
Replacements: 16 Campbell Johnstone, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Hoani MacDonald, 19 Johnny Leo'o, 20 Kevin Senio, 21 Tamati Ellison, 22 Viliame Waqaseduadua.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assessor: Sandy MacNeill (Australia)
