TOURNAMENTS
NEWS
: Pacific Nations Cup
Maori edge Fiji in PNC thriller
14 June, 2008
14 June, 2008
The New Zealand Maori scraped home to a 11-7 win over the Flying Fijians at a heavily water logged Churchill Park on
Saturday.
Fiji led 7-3 at half-time after rampaging centre Sireli Naqelevuki had charged down a kick on the Maori try line to dot down the lone try for the national side.
After the break, the visitors came back to bag the match through former All Black lock Jason Eaton who scored from a Fiji line-out error before replacement flyhalf Callum Bruce nailed a late penalty.
Fullback Taniela Rawaqa missed three crucial kicks at goal which could have seen Fiji edge home after they had taken the visitors to the wire.
Quotes:
Ilivasi Tabua (Fiji coach):
“Though the scoreline was not to our advantage, I was happy with the boys’ overall performance today. I thought they played well but I believe the boys can still do better. We tried to take points when they were offered but unfortunately we missed three crucial kicks.
“Our goal is to improve our standing from last year and the initial focus of our preparation was to win both our home games. Obviously this did not happen. But we have to move on and prepare for Japan and the other two remaining matches and try to minimise our mistakes.”
Mosese Rauluni (Fiji captain):
“I am proud of the boys although we lost. We had the game, we had possession and territory but our tactical decision was not good and I believe this cost us the game. But it’s behind us now and we have to move on to Japan. Although I will not be accompanying the team to Japan I know that they will give their best. I wish them all the very best and I hope to meet them when they come over to Australia. If they require my services, I will certainly step in and help out.”
Donny Stevenson (NZ Maori coach):
“It’s a relief to come our as winners. I must admit I did not think it was possible even when it was a minute from full-time and Fiji had possession and were charging at us. But it was a turn-over at the end. We knew Fiji would be a tough opponent. Each time we thought we had contained them they would come back at us. There were some impressive and unexpected breaks by their wingers and I believe if we had given them space Fiji would have won.”
Saturday 14 June 2008
Fiji 7 NZ Maori 11
IRB Pacific Nations Cup Round 2
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-time: 7-3
Referee: Matthew Goddard
Att: 12,000
FIJI: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Kameli Ratuvou (Saula Radidi 71), 11 Vilimoni Delasau, 10 Waisea Luveniyali (Marika Vakacegu 72), 9 Mosese Rauluni (capt), 8 Netani Talei (Deryck Thomas 76), 7 Aca Gavidi, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa (Wame Lewaravu 66), 3 Jone Railomo (Viliame Seuseu 62), 2 Sunia Koto (Vereniki Sauturaga 62), 1 Graham Dewes
Not used: Aporosa Vata
Coach: Ilivasi Tabua
Try: Naqelevuki; Conversion: T Rawaqa
NZ MAORI: 15 Dwayne Sweeney, 14 Glen Horton, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Tamati Ellison (co-capt), 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Stephen Brett (Callum Bruce 66), 9 Chris Smylie (Piri Weepu 45), 8 Liam Messam (co-capt), 7 Daniel Braid (Tanerau Latimer 7), 6 Hoani MacDonald, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Isaac Ross (Thomas Waldrom 56), 3 Ben May (Bronson Murray 67), 2 Aled De Malmanche (Hikawere Elliot 67), 1 Jacon Ellison
Not used: Zar Lawrence
Coach: Donny Stevenson
Try: Eaton; Penalty goals: Ellison, Bruce
Scoring Sequence (Fiji’s scores shown first):
5min – PEN GOAL NZ MAORI, Ellison (missed) – 0-0
12min – PEN GOAL NZ MAORI, Ellison – 0-3
14min – PEN GOAL FIJI, T Rawaqa (missed) – 0-3
29min – PEN GOAL FIJI, T Rawaqa (missed) – 0-3
36min – TRY FIJI, Naqelevuki; conversion T Rawaqa – 7-3
Half-time
59min – TRY NZ MAORI, Eaton; conversion Ellison (missed) – 7-8
65min – PEN GOAL FIJI, T Rawaqa (missed) – 7-8
77min – PEN GOAL NZ MAORI, Bruce – 7-11
Full-time
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Fiji led 7-3 at half-time after rampaging centre Sireli Naqelevuki had charged down a kick on the Maori try line to dot down the lone try for the national side.
After the break, the visitors came back to bag the match through former All Black lock Jason Eaton who scored from a Fiji line-out error before replacement flyhalf Callum Bruce nailed a late penalty.
Fullback Taniela Rawaqa missed three crucial kicks at goal which could have seen Fiji edge home after they had taken the visitors to the wire.
Quotes:
Ilivasi Tabua (Fiji coach):
“Though the scoreline was not to our advantage, I was happy with the boys’ overall performance today. I thought they played well but I believe the boys can still do better. We tried to take points when they were offered but unfortunately we missed three crucial kicks.
“Our goal is to improve our standing from last year and the initial focus of our preparation was to win both our home games. Obviously this did not happen. But we have to move on and prepare for Japan and the other two remaining matches and try to minimise our mistakes.”
Mosese Rauluni (Fiji captain):
“I am proud of the boys although we lost. We had the game, we had possession and territory but our tactical decision was not good and I believe this cost us the game. But it’s behind us now and we have to move on to Japan. Although I will not be accompanying the team to Japan I know that they will give their best. I wish them all the very best and I hope to meet them when they come over to Australia. If they require my services, I will certainly step in and help out.”
Donny Stevenson (NZ Maori coach):
“It’s a relief to come our as winners. I must admit I did not think it was possible even when it was a minute from full-time and Fiji had possession and were charging at us. But it was a turn-over at the end. We knew Fiji would be a tough opponent. Each time we thought we had contained them they would come back at us. There were some impressive and unexpected breaks by their wingers and I believe if we had given them space Fiji would have won.”
Saturday 14 June 2008
Fiji 7 NZ Maori 11
IRB Pacific Nations Cup Round 2
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-time: 7-3
Referee: Matthew Goddard
Att: 12,000
FIJI: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Kameli Ratuvou (Saula Radidi 71), 11 Vilimoni Delasau, 10 Waisea Luveniyali (Marika Vakacegu 72), 9 Mosese Rauluni (capt), 8 Netani Talei (Deryck Thomas 76), 7 Aca Gavidi, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa (Wame Lewaravu 66), 3 Jone Railomo (Viliame Seuseu 62), 2 Sunia Koto (Vereniki Sauturaga 62), 1 Graham Dewes
Not used: Aporosa Vata
Coach: Ilivasi Tabua
Try: Naqelevuki; Conversion: T Rawaqa
NZ MAORI: 15 Dwayne Sweeney, 14 Glen Horton, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Tamati Ellison (co-capt), 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Stephen Brett (Callum Bruce 66), 9 Chris Smylie (Piri Weepu 45), 8 Liam Messam (co-capt), 7 Daniel Braid (Tanerau Latimer 7), 6 Hoani MacDonald, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Isaac Ross (Thomas Waldrom 56), 3 Ben May (Bronson Murray 67), 2 Aled De Malmanche (Hikawere Elliot 67), 1 Jacon Ellison
Not used: Zar Lawrence
Coach: Donny Stevenson
Try: Eaton; Penalty goals: Ellison, Bruce
Scoring Sequence (Fiji’s scores shown first):
5min – PEN GOAL NZ MAORI, Ellison (missed) – 0-0
12min – PEN GOAL NZ MAORI, Ellison – 0-3
14min – PEN GOAL FIJI, T Rawaqa (missed) – 0-3
29min – PEN GOAL FIJI, T Rawaqa (missed) – 0-3
36min – TRY FIJI, Naqelevuki; conversion T Rawaqa – 7-3
Half-time
59min – TRY NZ MAORI, Eaton; conversion Ellison (missed) – 7-8
65min – PEN GOAL FIJI, T Rawaqa (missed) – 7-8
77min – PEN GOAL NZ MAORI, Bruce – 7-11
Full-time
Pacific Nations Cup News Archive
2010
2009
2008
- 07 Mar, 2008: Fiji to kick off 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup
- 07 Mar, 2008: FRU adopts 2008 selection criteria
- 28 Apr, 2008: Bolabiu appointed to IRB Touch Judge Panel
- 18 May, 2008: Pacific Nations Cup squad fitness test
- 20 May, 2008: FMF Flying Fijians Preliminary Squad
- 21 May, 2008: Fiji v NZ Maori match moves to Lautoka
- 26 May, 2008: FMF Flying Fijians Squad for PNC
- 27 May, 2008: FRU appoints Gavidi as Flying Fijians manager
- 28 May, 2008: Fiji Warriors team named
- 05 Jun, 2008: Fiji, Samoa confirm line-up for PNC opener
- 07 Jun, 2008: Fiji Warriors outclass PNG
- 07 Jun, 2008: Flying Fijians thump Manu Samoa
- 12 Jun, 2008: Tabua retains starting XVs for New Zealand Maori
- 14 Jun, 2008: Maori edge Fiji in PNC thriller
- 20 Jun, 2008: Tabua calls up Rabonaqica and Kenatale
- 22 Jun, 2008: Fiji grind out win in Tokyo
- 25 Jun, 2008: Rauluni returns for Flying Fijians ahead of Australia A clash
- 27 Jun, 2008: Naqelevuki, Ratuvou bracketed for Australia A clash
- 29 Jun, 2008: Australia A beat Fiji to set up NZ finale
- 30 Jun, 2008: Flying Fijians Squad to Tonga
- 30 Jun, 2008: Flying Fijians Squad to Tonga
- 02 Jul, 2008: Tabua eyes win in enemy territory
- 03 Jul, 2008: Domolailai , Tuilevu to start against Tonga
- 05 Jul, 2008: Tonga down Fiji to sign off with first victory
- 05 Jul, 2008: NZ Maori crowned PNC champions, Samoa finish 3rd
- 09 Jul, 2008: PNC campaign positive: Tabua
- 18 Dec, 2008: Junior All Blacks Return to IRB Pacific Nations Cup
