The Air Pacific Fiji Barbarians wrapped up their IRB Pacific Rugby Cup campaign in style when they downed the more experienced Air Pacific Fiji Warriors with a bonus point  29-7 win at Subrail Park in Labasa on Saturday. The win sees the Barbars leapfrog the Warriors, who slip to the bottom.

The Barbarians looked the more composed and in control of the game and dominated all phases of play.

The Warriors were handed an opportunity for a three-pointer 10 minutes into the game after Barbarians’ flanker Ameniasi Nava was sent to the sin-bin. Unfortunately, Waisea Luveniyali’s could not find the uprights. Though they were down to 14 men, the Barbars continued to pressure the Warriors in their own half and five minutes later were rewarded with a try via Simeli Koniferedi in the corner. Knights’ fly-half Ravai Fatiaki converted the score to see the Barbarians go into the break with a 7-0 lead.

The Barbars continued the second half with the same work rate and the only change at fly-half with Amani Bosenawai coming in for the injured Fatiaki. The Barbarians scored three more tries including a penalty try in the second spell whilst the Warriors’ points came from a try to Knights speedster Timoci Naqusa and a successful conversion from Taniela Rawaqa.


Quotes:

Eddie Waqa (Fiji Barbarians coach):
“I am very happy with the way the boys played today. They really did come out strong to earmark themselves as contenders for spots in the Flying Fijians team for the Pacific Nations Cup  which was our main goal today.”

“Compared to the other team we were regarded second-stringers, but the boys put this behind them and proved to the selectors that they have matured in their knowledge of the game and deserved to be recognised.”

Iliesa Tanivula (Fiji Warriors coach):
“What can I say? I am utterly disappointed about our performance today. We were the more experienced side but we lost to the Barbars.”

“I don’t know if this was just the lack of commitment or whether they underestimated the Barbars. On top of that we took a lot of wrong options. I thought the players would come out here and play like the experienced side they are. Now I guess it would be up to the selectors if our players make the Pacific Nations Cup team.

Ilivasi Tabua (Fiji head coach):
“I think the Barbars really proved themselves today. Everyone could tell they meant business and I am proud of them. The Barbars were the younger and inexperienced side of the two Fiji Pacific Rugby Cup teams but the way they played today was just fantastic. They showed they have guts and maturity to play this level of rugby, and that’s the kind of rugby we want to see.”

“Now it’s just the matter of finalising the places and determining the players that make the Pacific Nations Cup squad.”



Saturday 17 May 2008
Fiji Barbarians 29 Fiji Warriors 7

IRB Pacific Rugby Cup

Subrail Park, Labasa

Half-time: 7-0
Referee: Eva Mafi (Tonga)
Crowd: 2,000

FIJI BARBARIANS: 15 Isimeli Koniferedi, 14 Apisalome Waqatabu, 13 Ropate Ratu, 12 Tikiko Uluiviti (Kelemedi Bola 65), 11 Vima Tuidraki (Jimi Mule 74), 10 Ravai Fatiaki (Amani Bosenawai 41), 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Aca Bibi, 7 Ameniasi Nava (yellow card 10-19, red card 61), 6 Filipe Kuruvoli (Joeli Lutumailagi 60), 5 Mosese Fatiaki (Samu Bola 74), 4 Mitieli Cama (capt), 3 Setefano Somoca, 2 Aseri Buli (Eseroma Cakacaka 68), 1 Sakeo Latianara (Sikeli Gavidi 60).
Coach: Eddie Waqa
Tries: Koniferedi, Penalty try, Bibi, Cakacaka; Conversions: Fatiaki, Bosenawai, Koniferedi; Penalty goal: Bosenawai.



FIJI WARRIORS: 15 Iliesa Keresoni, 14 Malakai Bakaniceva (Patrick Osborne 65), 13 Epeli Vuicuvu (Saula Radidi 63), 12 Vuniyani Ratu, 11 Timoci Nagusa, 10 Waisea Luveniyali (Dan Rawaqa 56), 9 Aporosa Vata (capt) (Waisale Vatuvoka 56), 8 Deryck Thomas, 7 Aca Ratuva (Apisalome Ratuniyarawa 60), 6 Wate Vocevoce, 5 Mosese Vasuitoga, 4 Samuela Anise, 3 Viliame Seuseu (Jale Koroi 52), 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua (Isireli Temo 52).
Coach: Iliesa Tanivula
Try: Nagusa; Conversion: Rawaqa.
 

Scoring sequence (Barbars’ scores shown first):
10min – Yellow card Barbars, Nava
11min – PEN GOAL WARRIORS, Luveniyali (missed)
16min – TRY BARBARS, Koniferedi; conversion Fatiaki – 7-0
Half-time
51min – PEN TRY BARBARS; conversion Bosenawai – 14-0
58min – TRY BARBARS, Bibi; conversion Bosenawai (missed) – 19-0
61min – Red card Barbars, Nava
67min – PEN GOAL BARBARS, Bosenawai – 22-0
72min – TRY WARRIORS, Nagusa; conversion Rawaqa – 22-7
78min – TRY BARBARS, Cakacaka; conversion Koniferedi – 29-7
Full-time




2008 Air Pacific Fiji Barbarians Profiles                      2008 Air Pacific Fiji Warriors Profiles