Fiji Warriors triumphant
Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:41
Fiji Warriors beat Romania A 31-3 at Churchill Park, Lautoka, on Saturday afternoon. It was the last match of the Romanians five-match tour of the South Pacific.
The Warriors led 12-3 at half-time.
The Romanians scored first when their experienced fullback Florin Vlaicu goaled a penalty but before the break wing Apisalome Waqatabu and Ratu scored tries, the first converted by Kini Murimurivalu.
After the break Romania A got back into the game with a try by experienced Ionut Dimofte, converted by Vlaicu, and then after 58 minutes they took the lead when Vlaicu kicked his second penalty. 13-12. But the last 20 minutes proved too much for the tourists.
A minute later Waqatabu scored his second try, converted by Murimurivalu to give the home side a 19-13 lead. Flank Sailosi Rabonaqica's try extended the lead to 26-13 and with the last move of the match substitute Jone Kuruduadua scored.
Afterwards Joji Rinakama, the Fiji Warriors’ coach, said: “I am happy with the boys’ performance. They performed to expectations and played according to the game plan. We still need to look into our set-pieces before the next game against the Junior Waratahs.”
Mot Mot, Romania A's Romania coach, said: “This is a good experience. This is the final game in our Pacific tour and I believe the boys have learnt a lot having played in New Zealand and Samoa; some prominent rugby countries in the world and people who play rugby not for money but for the love of the sport.”
Scorers:
For Fiji Warriors:
Tries: Waqatabu 2, Ratu, Rabonaqica, Kuruduadua
Cons: Murimurivalu 3
For Romania A:
Try: Dimofte
Con: Vlaicu
Pen: Vlaicu 2
Fiji Warriors: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Tikiko Uluiviti, 13 Ropate Ratu, 12 Josefa Satini
(captain), 11 Apisalome Waqatabu, 10 Ravai Fatiaki, 9 Emosi Vucago, 8 Samu Kunanitu, 7 Sailosi Rabonaqica, 6 Turuva Lumelume, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 3 Setefano Somoca, 2 Navi Bolatagici, 1 Viliame Seuseu
Replacements: Viliame Veikoso, Ravuama Samo, Temo Vakaloloma, Samuela Bola, Nemia Kenatale, Jone Kuruduadua, Sionasa Vunisa
Romania A: 15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 George Bigiu, 13 Catalin Dascalu, 12 Csaba Gal, 11 Madalin Lemnaru, 10 Ionut Dimofte (captain), 9 Florin Surugiu, 8 Daniel Carpo, 7 Alexandra Grigore, 6 Costica Mersoiu, 5 Valentin Ursache, 4 Marius Sirbe, 3 Radu Basalau, 2 Florin Tasca, 1 Mihai Lazar
Replacements: Daniel Bejan, Nicolae Nere, Constantin Dumitru, Bogdan Petreanu, Valentin Ivan, Dan Dumbrava, Ionel Cazan
Referee: James Bolabiu
Touch judges: Mikea Rokodrakia, Napolioni Locoloco
