New Zealand,Australia kick-off Oceania in style
Although taking the win Australian head coach, Simon Cron said ‘there were too many drop balls for my liking’.
Meanwhile, New Zealand took a convincing win against 2016 Oceania Rugby Under-20 Trophy winners Fiji.
All the scores and scorers:
New Zealand 63-3 Fiji
New Zealand opened the scoring with 2 penalty goals and using the strong wind behind them to pin Fiji in their own half for most of the opening spell.
The second half saw Fiji display a few moments of brilliance, but were not able to capitalise ending the game with just the 3 points to New Zealand’s 63.
New Zealand Captain Luke Jacobson said he was satisfied with his team’s performance and when asked about the team’s defence and their ability to keep the ball off Fiji in the first half added that the boys worked hard to keep their structure on the field and get the ‘pill’ to where it needed to be.
Fiji Captain Temo Sukayawa Mayanavanua noted that the pace of the New Zealanders was hard to keep up with and with Australia, on home soil, he is expecting the next game to be just as tough.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Coxan, Papali'i, Christie 2, Leger, Jordan 3
Cons: Falcon 6, Matoe
Pens: Falcons 3
For Fiji:
Pen: Botitiu
Teams
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Tima Faingaanuku, 13 Tamati Tua, 12 Orbyn Leger 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Tiaan Falcon, 9 Kemara Hauiti Parapara, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Tom Christie, 6 Dalton Papalii, 5 Sam Slade, 4 Jacob Pierce, 3 Ryan Coxon, 2 JP Sauni, 1 Harrison Allen
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Tim Farrell, 18 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Carlos Price, 22 Ciarahn Matoe, 23 Caleb Clarke
Fiji: 15 Viliame Tuidraki, 14 Poniani Bateniu, 13 Viliame Suwawa, 12 Filimoni Savou, 11 Varamu Turagovola, 10 Vilimoni Botitu, 9 Peni Matawalu, 8 Apisalome Bogidrau, 7 Saimoni Uluinakauvadra, 6 Samisoni Rabuka, 5 Raikabula Momoedonu, 4 Temo Mayanavanua, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Vere Vugakota, 1 Isaack Cavu.
Replacements: 16 Semi Navutu, 17 Immanuel Naciva, 18 Apakuki Naivanawalu, 19 Meli Derenalagi, 20 Tevita Bolatolu, 21 Peniasi Ratu, 22 Fabiano Navabale, 23 Salimoni Tukania.
Referee: Ed Martin (Australia)
Assistant referees: Rachel Horton (Australia), Cam Foley (Australia)
Australia 43-20 Samoa
Australia started to build pressure and eventually were able to score their second try off a loose pass by Samoa as they looked to move the ball too quickly leaving Len Ikatau an open run to the try line.
Samoa kept in touch through the boot of fullback Ricky Ene who kicked a penalty in the windy conditions to narrow the gap to 12-10.
Scrumhalf, Ryan Lonergan continued his attacking snipes around the ruck and eventually was rewarded with a try of his own in the 23rd minute. On the cusp of half-time Angus Scott-Young made a barnstorming run through several Samoan covering tackles to score and give Australia U20 a 24-10 lead at the break.
In the second half, the conditions worsened at Bond University, but Australia U20 continued to attack Samoa and were rewarded in the 46th minute with a try to Harry Johnson-Holmes taking the score to 31-10.
Samoa again kept in touch through the boot of Ricky Ene but a try to captain Reece Hewat took Australia’s lead to 38-13.
Australia scored a try to take the game out of range as Efitusi Maafu broke through a channel of Samoan forwards to cross the white line in the corner and move the scoreboard to 43-13. A late try by Samoa in the 80th minute added some respectability to the scoreboard taking the match to 43-20.
The scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: Johnson-Holmes, Chapman, Scott-Young, Hewet, Lonegan, Ramm, Ikatau
Cons: Lonegan 4
For Samoa:
Tries: Filipo, Tanielu
Cons: Ene 2
Pen: Ene
Teams
Australia: 15 Jayden Ngamanu, 14 Dylan Riley, 13 Len Ikatau, 12 Tony Hunt, 11 James Ramm, 10 Nick Jooste, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Reece Hewat (captain), 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Ryan McCauley, 4 Harry Hockings, 3 Harry Chapman, 2 Efi Maafu, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Sama Malolo, 18 Vaauli Faaumusili, 19 Lachlan Swinton, 20 Darcy Swain, 21 Theo Strang, 22 Jack McGregor, 23 Clay Uyen
Samoa: 15 Ricky Ene, 14 Alexander Pohla-Murray, 13 Oikumene Paisami, 12 Aneriueta Piopa, 11 Fred Filipo, 10 Simon-Peter Toleafoua, 9 Godinet Tinei, 8 Francis Ah Him, 7 Caleb Faalili, 6 Benjamin Sa'u, 5 Peato Toeafe, 4 Theordore Salipo, 3 Noel Sonit, 2 Petelo Ikenasio, 1 Ivan Fepuleai.
Replacements: 16 Frank Tupuola, 17 Jerry Samania, 18 Suetena Asomua, 19 Leonard Solomona, 20 Wyatt Uaita-Setu, 21 Pupi Ah See, 22 Ethan Lolesio, 23 Telea Taniolu.
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant referees: Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji), Jordan Way (Australia)
