Late Fiji flurry sinks Canada in Bucharest

An eight-try second-half gave Fiji a 53-26 win over Canada at the World Rugby u20 Trophy in Bucharest on Wednesday. The Canadians held the lead until the 67th minute but could only watch as the Fijian backline stretched their legs en route to six touchdowns in the final 15 minutes of the match.

It was a promising opening for Canada, who managed to starve the Fijians of possession in the first half to take a 20-7 lead into the break. Brandon Schellenberger scored two tries, both from close range. The first game from a ruck with the second a pushover effort at the scrum.

Will Percillier added two penalty goals and a conversion before handing the kicking duties over to Brennig Prevost. The flyhalf landed a conversion on the stroke of half-time and landed two penalties in the second half, but it would be nowhere near enough at full-time.

Fiji’s only try in the first half came as Filimoni Botitu broke the line and fed his No8 Lekima Nasamila for a runaway score. Nabetewalu Turaganivalu added the routine conversion. It was only one try but the ease at which it was scored was worrying.

Those fears would not be unfounded. As the Canadian legs tired in the second half and Fiji brought on their first choice forwards the gaps opened and then the floodgates. Botitu would get two with Turaganivalu also grabbing a double.

Apakuki Naivanawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Viliame Suwawa, and Ilikena Vudogo got singles, the speed and footwork of the Fijians once again proving too much for their opposition.

Canada will now face the loser of Hong Kong vs Romania in the 7th/8th place decider on Sunday. Fiji advance to the final to face Samoa with a spot in the 2019 World Rugby u20 Championship on the line.

 

SCORING

FIJI 53
Tries – L. Nasamila (25’), F. Botitu 2 (54’, 80’), A. Naivanawalu (60’), N. Turaganivalu 2 (66’, 78’), S. Kuruvoli (68’), V. Suwawa (72’), I. Vudogo (76’)
Cons – N. Turaganivalu 3/4 (26’, 55’, 67’), C. Muntz 1/5 (77’)
Yellow cards – A. Naivanawalu (38’)

CANADA 26
Tries – B. Schellenberger 2 (22’, 40’)
Cons – W. Percillier 1/1 (23’), B. Prevost 1/1 (40’)
Pens – W. Percillier 2/2 (24’, 29’), B. Prevost 2/3 (57’, 64’)

 

TEAMS

FIJI
1 Livai Natave, 2 Manoa Mocelutu, 3 Joseva Nasaroa, 4 Meli Turagaca, 5 Waisake Raratabua, 6 Apisai Senileba, 7 Saimoni Uluinakauvadra (capt.), 8 Lekima Nasamila, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 10 Fabiano Navabale, 11 Ilikena Vudogo, 12 Filimoni Botitu, 13 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 14 Viliame Suwawa, 15 Nabetelevu Turaganivalu

Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Immanuel Naciva, 18 Apakuki Naivanawalu, 19 Raikabula Momoedonu, 20 Meli Derenalagi, 21 Apisalome Bogidrau, 22 Caleb Muntz, 23 Joseph Mar, 24 Tira Patterson, 25 Simione Navokavokadrau, 26 Sefanaia Seviua

CANADA
1 Mitchell Wainman, 2 Tyler Rockwell, 3 Guerschom Mukendi, 4 Tyler Duguid, 5 Quentin James, 6 Owain Ruttan, 7 James O’Neill (capt.), 8 Michael Smith, 9 Brandon Schellenberger, 10 Brennig Prevost, 11 Jack McCarthy, 12 Lachlan Kratz, 13 Kevin Vertkas, 14 Josiah Morra, 15 Will Percillier

Replacements: 16 Jack McRogers, 17 Gavin Kratz, 18 Emerson Prior, 19 Jackson Matthews, 20 Peter Ingoldsby, 21 Campbell Clarke, 22 Seth Purdey, 23 Elias Ergas, 24 Gabriel Casey

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Tasuku Kawahiri (JRFU)