• Fixtures
• Results

Highlanders get a second win

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:32

The Highlanders continued their Super 14 pre-season build-up with a second win, a convincing 35-17 win over a Suva President's at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday.

The Highlanders will take heart from this win and their upset of the 2009 finalists, the Chiefs, last week - meaning they will go into the competition proper next month with plenty of confidence.

The Fijian selection will be unhappy that they did not make more of a fist of it in the first half, when they appeared hesitant and almost overwhelmed at the prospect of facing Super Rugby opposition.

However, after trailing 12-28 at half-time, the Suva side came alive in the second spell as the heat took its toll on the visitors.

The Capital City boys lost the ball twice over the tryline and once just a metre before touching down, letting the Highlanders off the hook in the second half.

Suva President's XV coach Inoke Male took a lot of heart out of the match, saying his boys tried hard until the final whistle.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore also saw lots of value in the trip, saying he will be looking to repeat the venture in the future.

In front of a disappointed home crowd of less than 2000, the visitors beat the locals five tries to three.

The Highlanders coach, Moore, praised the efforts of the home side for giving his team a tough tussle.

"I think the heat took its toll on the boys," Moore said.

"But the Suva President's XV played really well. Those boys stood up and delivered us a good game.

"One of the biggest things we wanted to get away from this game is when under pressure we were not to be throwing 50-50 passes. I knew Suva would be very flamboyant.

"I was disappointed we lost our structure a few times and we paid the price for that. We will take a lot out of this. The other thing for us is when we go to South Africa early in the competition, it's going to be hot when we are there. This has been an ideal build up for us."

Moore said they would like to return to Fiji next year.

Scorers:

For the Suva President's XV:
Tries: Ledua, Vasuitoga, Matawalu
Con: Ledua

For the Highlanders:
Tries: Setephano, Cowan, Hayward, Mackintosh, Paterson]
Cons: Berquist 5

Teams:

Suva President's XV: 15 Ovini Burekalou, 14 Jo Ravueta, 13 Aminisitai Niukula, 12 Tikiko Uluiviti, 11 Amani Bosenawai, 10 Joeli Nabogikolo, 9 Asaeli Boko, 8 Dale Tonawai (captain), 7 Sailosi Rabonaqica, 6 Mosese Vasuitoga, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Viliame Seaseu, 3 Sireli Ledua, 2 Alefoso Yalayalatabua, 1 Seremaia Naurenure.
Replacements - from: Aseri Buli, Jeke Lailai, Manasa Saulo, Niumaia Bari, Aminiasi Nava, Isei Togavou, Mosese Volavola, Jo Levula, Tevita Vi, Nikola Matawalu, Valerio Racika, Alipate Tani, Leone Taburua, Isake Katonibau, Iveri Lavo, Mesulame Soga, Luke Koroi, Timoci Nagusa, Sekove Sareki, Ilai Tinai.

Highlanders: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Ryan Shortland, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Scott Cowan, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Tim Boys, 6 John Hardie, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements - from: Jason Rutledge, Clint Newland, Joe Tuineau, Alando Soakai, Sean Romans, Michael Hobbs, James Paterson, Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Bronson Murray, Tom Donnelly, Chris Noakes.

Referee: Nathan Pearce (Australia)

Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising

This site requires cookies to be enabled!

Send Feedback on Rugby365!

News | Tournaments | SA Schools

Copyright © 2009 Primedia Online. All rights reserved. Developed by Primedia Online