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There would be no repeat of last year’s win as Fiji put Uruguay to the sword by a final score of 55-34 in Bucharest on Tuesday. The power of the Fijian runners was too much for the Teritos to handle, instantly elevating the Pacific Islanders to favorites status in the World Rugby u20 Trophy.
The first half was very competitive, with Manuel Ardao feinting his way over for the first of two tries for the flanker in the opening period. Goal kicking was not on the menu for Uruguay, however, as they missed three penalties and a conversion to leave the door wide open for Fiji.
They would need to no second invitation. Their own openside, Saimoni Uluinakauvadra, worked a nice give-and-go with Filimoni Botitu to score his first of two tries. Right wing Ilikena Vudogo breezed past his opposite to cross for a single and blindside flanker Meli Derenalagi went over in the left corner just before the break to make it 15-12 for Fiji.
An attacking blitz put Uruguay to bed in the second half. The Teritos crossed for three tries but Fiji put 40 points on the board with six tries of their own. Viliame Suwawa and Meli Turagaca scored just two minutes apart to end any hopes of a revival.
While mathematically Uruguay remain in the hunt, the heavy defeat all but ends any hopes of a spot in the u20 Trophy Final for the Teritos. Their next match is on Saturday, an all-Americas showdown against Canada to start Round 2.
SCORING
URUGUAY 34
Tries – M. Ardao 2 (13’, 29’), N. Buysan (53’), M. Viñals (67’), M. Sonneveld (78’)
Cons – J. Nicola 0/1, J. Cattivelli 3/4 (30’, 54’, 79’)
Pens – J. Nicola 0/2, M. D’Avanzo 0/1, J. Cattivelli 1/1 (46’)
FIJI 55
Tries – S. Uluinakauvadra 2 (16’, 42’), I. Vudogo (22’), M. Derenalagi (39′), C. Muntz (47’), V. Suwawa (57’), M. Turagaca (59’), A Bogidrau (73′), L. Nasamila (80’)
Cons – F. Botiti 0/2, C. Muntz 5/6 (43’, 48’, 58’, 60’, 80’)
Yellow cards – I. Naciva (27’), F. Navabale (69’)
TEAMS
URUGUAY
1 Joaquín Jaunsolo, 2 Emiliano Faccennini, 3 Reinaldo Piussi, 4 Martín Darracq, 5 Joaquín García, 6 Manuel Ardao, 7 Juan Garese, 8 Santiago Civetta (capt.), 9 Juan Nicola, 10 Juan Martín Cattivelli, 11 Mateo Viñals, 12 Manuel Portela, 13 Valentín Grille, 14 Baltazar Amaya, 15 Matías D’Avanzo
Replacements: 16 Nicolás Buysan, 17 Francisco Martirena, 18 Ignacio Peculo, 19 Felipe Aliaga, 20 Maxime Sonneveld, 21 James McCubbin, 22 José Iruleguy, 23 Alfonso Costa, 24 César Riviere, 25 Juan Francisco Torres, 26 Alfonso Cat
FIJI
1 Immanuel Naciva, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 3 Apakuki Naivanawalu, 4 Meli Turagaca, 5 Raikabula Momoedonu (capt.), 6 Meli Derenalagi, 7 Saimoni Uluinakauvadra, 8 Apisalome Bogidrau, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 10 Caleb Muntz, 11 Ilikena Vudogo, 12 Filimoni Botitu, 13 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 14 Viliame Suwawa, 15 Joseph Mar
Replacements: 16 Manoa Mocelutu, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Joseva Nasaroa, 19 Apisai Senileba, 20 Lekima Nasamila, 21 Fabiano Navabale, 22 Tira Patterson, 23 Nabetelevu Turaganivalu, 24 Waisake Raratabua, 25 Simione Navokavokadrau, 26 Sefanaia Seviua
