Match Details
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50 |
Kick off times:
2:05pm
(Local) Sun 29 Jun
2:05pm
(AEDT) Sun 29 Jun
|
13 |
|
Australia Ahave picked up where they left off last week trouncing Fiji 50 – 13, seven tries to two, in the 4th Round Pacific Nations Cup match played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane today.
In front of a crowd of 4,519 and in beautiful conditions, Australia A got on the board early thanks to a try to Queensland Reds winger Digby Ioane touching down in front of his home crowd in just the third minute.
Further tries to to NSW Waratahs winger Lachie Turner in the 28th minute, Queensland Reds scrumhalf Ben Lucas in the 33rd and Western Force winger Drew Mitchell in the 40th, all converted by NSW Waratahs utility back Daniel Halangahu, gave Australia A a healthy half time 31 – 3 lead.
The other points coming through penalty goals to Australia A from Halangahu and for Fiji from Taniela Rawaqa.
Australia A started off the second half as they finished the first with captain Morgan Turinui going in for a try in the 45th minute which was converted by Halangahu again to make it 38 – 3.
But then Fiji hit back through a try to prop Graham Dews, which was unconverted to take the score to Australia A 38 – Fiji 8.
A second unconverted try by Turner and a converted try to No.8 Stephen Hoiles brought up the half century for Australia A before a try on full time to Fijian inside centre Kameli Ratuvou completed the scoring.
Rugged Queensland loose forward Hugh McMeniman was named as Man of the Match.
After the game Australia A coach Phil Mooney was delighted with another strong performance by his young team.
“It was a good overall performance rather than outstanding individual efforts” he said, “and to do that against a team I have a lot of respect for in Fiji makes it especially pleasing.
The Queensland Reds coach felt that Australia A’s strong start had been the key to the victory.
“Clearly starting as well as we did with Digby (Ioane) scoring in the first few minutes set them back and then we had a period of consolidation before putting on some more strong tries just before half time.”
“The backs performed well but it was the forwards’ who laid the platform with a good solid performance from players like Guy Shepherdson, Sean Hardman and Hughie McMeniman.”
The win now sets up a virtual Grand Final next Sunday at the Sydney Football Stadium when the undefeated Australia A face New Zealand Maori, who are also unbeaten, with the winner being crowned champion of this year’s Pacific Nations Cup.
“In the back of our mind we always wanted to go into the last game against the Maori playing for the title”, said Mooney, “and now that has arisen.”
“But we’ve now got to take it just like any other game and prepare well this week.”
With Qantas Wallabies stars Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu suffering injuries in the Test against France in Sydney, Mooney was also aware he may lose some of his squad to the Wallabies.
“I’ll talk to Robbie (Deans, Wallabies Head Coach) and in the next 24 hours we’ll get fair idea of who we’ll have next week. But that’s the purpose of our programme partly, to keep players in match condition in case they are called up to the Wallabies, so that was something we were always aware of.”
When asked about Australia A’s stunning performances this year (202 points scored, only 56 against; 29 tries for, 7 against; average match score 50.5 to 14) Mooney said it just displayed the talent base in Australian Rugby at present.
“I think when you look at the talent it was expected we would play well” he said, “but we’ve had some disruptions and we had a very hectic travel schedule at the start so I’m pleased at the combinations that have developed and the style of (positive, attacking) footy we’ve played.”
The game will be replayed at 7.30pm tonight, Sunday June 29, on Fox Sports 2.
Full Time score
Pacific Nations Cup Round 4
Australia A 50 (Digby Ioane, Lachie Turner 2, Ben Lucas, Drew Mitchell, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles tries; Daniel Halangahu 6 conversions, penalty) defeated Fiji 13 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. (Half time: Australia A 31 – Fiji 3) Crowd: 4519.
The Australia A program is proudly supported by the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing.
