A strong second half performance earned the Highlanders a bonus point win over the Crusaders on Saturday in Suva as they finished 26-16 winners to go into second place in the Colonial Cup table. The all-important fourth try came in the 84th minute.

The Crusaders were the first to nail points on the scoreboard with two penalty goals and a field goal by Waisea Luveniyali, but they were eventually outscored by four tries to one.

Despite trailing 9-0 at the breather, the relentless Highlanders came back into the game with high spirits and fire with their old heads making a difference off the bench.

Former national 7s rep Saiasi Fuli had a hand in all four tries, setting up three and notching one himself with some crafty footwork that caught the Crusaders napping.

The Crusaders lone try was notched by lock Timoci Momolevu in the 77th minute.

Quotes:
Josua Toakula (Highlanders Coach):
“Our Plan A didn’t work in the first half and after the break we switched to Plan B, which was to suck in the forwards, two, three phases and then spread the ball out wide. Fuli did a great job when he came in, he read the game well and masterminded the flow of the ball.

Manu Nawalu failed to add more points from the five penalties awarded. He needs more game time. Hopefully he’ll improve in the next coming matches. The forwards stood out today, however we need to work on our support play which was a bit scrappy, and our defence.

 Iliesa Tanivula (Crusaders Coach):
“Fatigue kicked in and that resulted in indiscipline. Our game plan didn’t work and we hope to improve in the next game. This puts us under a lot of pressure for the next game.

We made a lot of wrong options. In the first half, we held possession but we failed to turn it into points. We need to work on our defence and our ruck areas. We turned over so many balls in the rucks.


 Saturday 1 March, 2008
Highlanders 26 Crusaders 16

Colonial Cup Round 2

Post Fiji Stadium, Suva

Half-time: 0-9
Referee: Napolioni Locoloco
Att: 1,500

HIGHLANDERS: 15 Manueli Nawalu, 14 Patrick Osbourne (Manueli Gade), 13 Ropate Ratu, 12 Rupeni Kamikamica, 11 Alusio Buto, 10 Josese Vakatawakovo (Saiasi Fuli 48), 9 Noa Lovia (Waisale Vatuvoka 48), 8 John Tuilakepa (Mitieli Cama 51), 7 Jimilai Naikadawa (Meli Baleinaivalu 66), 6 Koresi Ledua, 5 Samuela Anisi, 4 Mosese Vasuitoga, 3 Bese Buinimasi, 2 Eseroma Cakacaka (Isireli Ledua 74), 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua (capt)
Not Used: Samu Bola
Coach: Josua Toakula
Tries: Gade (2), Buto, Fuli; Conversions: Nawalu (3)

CRUSADERS: 15 Asaeli Driu, 14 Tevita Latianara, 13 Vuniani Ratu, 12 Sunia Vata, 11 Vilimoni Botitu (Iliesa Nalawaniavi 62), 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Aporosa Vata (capt) (9-26, Luke Mataika 75), 8 Aca Bibi, 7 Aminiasi Nava, 6 Kelepi Ketedromo (9-25, John Tavai 40, yellow card 69-78), 5 Timoci Momolevu, 4 Serevi Serekilevu (Semi Kididromo 42), 3 Viliame Seuseu, 2 Joeli Lotawa, 1 John Laveasiga (yellow card 15-24, Paulo Cata 62)
Not Used: Sailosi Tora, Naelesoni Savutini
Coach: Josua Toakula
Try: Momolevu; Conversion: Luveniyali; Penalty goals: Luveniyali (2); Drop goal: Luveniyali

Scoring Sequence (Highlanders' score’s shown first):
8min – DROP GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Nawalu (missed) – 0-0
13min – DROP GOAL CRUSADERS, Luveniyali – 0-3
18min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Nawalu (missed) – 0-3
24min – PEN GOAL CRUSADERS, Luveniyali – 0-6
42min – PEN GOAL CRUSADERS, Luveniyali – 0-9
Half-time
47min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Nawalu (missed) – 0-9
54min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Buto, conversion Nawalu – 7-9
59min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Fuli, conversion Nawalu – 14-9
71min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Nawalu (missed) – 14-9
74min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Gade, conversion Nawalu (missed) – 19-9
77min – TRY CRUSADERS, Momolevu, conversion Luveniyali – 19-16
80min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Nawalu (missed) – 19-16
84min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Gade, conversion Nawalu – 26-16
Full-time

U20s: 18-5 (h-t: 8-5)