Junior All Blacks win Pacific Nations Cup
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:03
The Junior All Blacks have secured the International Rugby Board's Pacific Nations Cup, with a game in hand after Fiji edged beat Samoa 19-14 and Japan defeated Tonga 19-21 in the latest round of matches.
Those results mean that the Pacific Nations Cup remains in New Zealand hands regardless of the result of the final matches.
This is the third time the Junior All Blacks have won the competition, after securing titles in 2006 and 2007 and in 2008, New Zealand Maori were the New Zealand representative team and also won the tournament.
The Junior All Blacks beat Japan 52-21 in their third match running in eight tries and they will play Tonga in their final match in Suva on Thursday
"We didn't have a great second half against Japan and are looking to improve on that performance and finish the tournament on a high," Junior All Blacks co-coach Colin Cooper told stuff.co.nz.
"Tonga play with a lot of pride and we know they will bring a physical game but our guys are refreshed after a few days off and looking forward to maintaining an unbeaten record in the tournament," he said.
Junior All Blacks captain Tamati Ellison was not considered for selection due to sustaining a head knock in the game against Japan. Tom Donnelly has been named captain for the final match.
Meanwhile, Otago halfback Sean Romans has returned home after providing cover for Wellington's Alby Mathewson and North Harbour's Chris Smylie.
Junior All Blacks: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Rene Ranger, 13. Anthony Tuitavake, 12. Ryan Crotty,11. Hosea Gear, 10. Stephen Brett, 9. Alby Mathewson, 8. Sione Lauaki, 7. Karl Lowe, 6. Jason Eaton, 5. Tom Donnelly (captain), 4. Jeremy Thrush,3. Ben Franks,2. Hikawera Elliot, 1. Jamie Mackintosh,
Replacements: 16. Jason Macdonald, 17. John Schwalger, 18. Victor Vito, 19. Alando Soakai, 20. Chris Smylie, 21. Colin Slade, 22. Robbie Fruean
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