Fiji Complete Series win over Uruguay

Fiji completed their two-match tour of Uruguay with a convincing 44-22 win against Los Teros in Montevideo on Saturday. Due to Fiji playing as the Fiji Warriors, the country’s official ‘A’ side the series was uncapped.

While displaying a positive, attacking attitude Los Teros were made to pay repeatedly by the Fijian’s ruthless counter-attacking abilities. This very much mirrored the first match between the sides which Fiji had won 42-28.

The style of play of Los Teros was vastly different to that of previous years. As was evident at times in the Americas Rugby Championship and South American A Championship tournaments Uruguay is seeking to play more expansive rugby but doing so while retaining the traditional strengths of the scrum.

The next challenge, against the Argentina XV for the Sudamérica Rugby Cup will provide the final preparation before departing for Romania to compete in the World Rugby Nations Cup in Bucharest. Tests against Romania and Spain and a non-capped outing against Emerging Italy will enable Uruguay’s evolving approach to be thoroughly examined.

On Saturday at the Estadio Charrúa Fiji were powerful straight out of the blocks. Te Uruguayan errors saw Fiji score twice to hold a 14-0 lead after just eight minutes. The problems were compounded by the loss to injury of fly half Manuel Blengio. This saw Andrés Vilaseca taking-on the goal-kicking responsibilities.

Uruguayan revelation Gonzalo Campomar continued his incredible try-scoring record by opening Uruguay’s account in the 10th minute. Uruguay, though, were made to suffer again as the Fiji Warriors third try came from another Teros error.

Trailing 22-8 Los Teros hit-back through back-rower Alejandro Nieto. It narrowed the scores but not for long as Fiji managed to score in the final minute of the half, doing so through a penalty try from a scrum.

The  30-14 deficit was built largely on Fijian finishing and the visitors ferocious defense. Hopes of a second half turn around were complicated with the yellow carding of Mateo Sanguinetti for punching.

Fiji scored further points before losing a player of their own for ten minutes. This enabled Uruguay to push for a further try which was achieved by Camponar who made it a 36-22 scoreline in the 73rd minute.

The final points came from the visitors. Their final try came from a first phase set-move which overpowered the Teros defensive line to complete a 44-22 victory.

URUGUAY 22
Tries – G. Campomar 2, A. Nieto
Cons – A. Vilaseca
Yellow cards – M. Sanguinetti

FIJI 44
Tries – K. Naimasi, S. Vularika, F. Hickes, M. Voka, C. Reece, Penalty try
Cons – S. Vularika 4
Yellow cards – O. Naganilau

URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Carlos Arboleya, 3 Diego Arbelo, 4 Franco Lamanna, 5 Diego Ayala, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt.), 7 Gonzalo Campomar, 8 Alejandro Nieto, 9 Guillermo Lijstenstein, 10 Manuel Blengio, 11 Nicolás Freitas, 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 13 Joaquín Prada, 14 Federico Favaro, 15 Rodrigo Silva

FIJI
1 Joeli Veitayaki, 2 Jale Sassen, 3 Mesake Doge, 4 Joseva Levula, 5 Mataiasi Ucutabua, 6 Kelepi Naimasi, 7 Mosese Voka, 8 Eremasi Radrodro (capt.), 9 Henry Seniloli, 10 Serupepeli Vularika, 11 Nacani Wakaya, 12 Frederick Hickes, 13 Aporosa Duwai, 14 Lepani Raiyala, 15 Kitione Ratu